HomeMy WebLinkAbout09101929C.:
City Ball, Palo Alto,: California.
September 10,` -1929.
The Council of the City of Palo Alto met in regular
session on this date at "8 F. M., with Mayor Christensen presiding.
Roll call as follows
'Present::. Miss Baugh, lertache, Christensen, Johnson, Ile 11y,
' ,Mosher. ;. Earls Thomas, Mrs . Margaret Thomas .
Absent: eatheart, Hobart, Lausten, Thoits, Reynolds,
noisier, : Wood.
The minutes
the meetings of August 26 and 27, 1929,
I "ar;�n ~ on` .Setback Line Change
This was the time for a hearing upon the recommendation
of the City Planning Commission for change of setback line on the
property of Wm. . E. Palmer: on. Churchill Avenge, corner of Waverley /
Street, in Block 18, South Palo Alto.' No written protests were
received, ;;and; there was no, one present who wished to be heard on
the matter.. It *as directed that an ordinance changing ` this
setback line as recommended be prepared, for action at the next
meeting of the Council.
This:: was the time for a continuance of the hearing on
assessments for the construction of sidewalks by G. W. Cushing.
A report was received from Committee No. 1 stating that it.;had
not t .completed ye its investigation of this matter, and- has arranged
for. a meeting of the committee on .September lith, at_whieh Mr.
Cushing and his attorney will be present. Tcismatter was then
continued to .next Monday,. September 16th.
Hearing. one Opening A1le
•.:It was announced that this was the time for a
continuation of the hearing upon< the protea Mrs Lucy Lightbody
against the opening of an -~alley in Block 50 lege Terrace.
Mrs. ;Li:ghtbody was present: and spoke on this may ,. .
ter.
also
t of
, Col•
Councilman: 'Wood entered at this time 1. 8.15 p.m., and,
took his seat. die di sussed the matter of opening this alley
and stated .that--; in .hie opinion there was no necessity .of opening
the alley at the present time.
The `CityaAttorney suggested that consideration of this
matter might be deferred ` `and taken up later in connection with, the
o ening- of :.alleys in Blacks 46 and 47, College Terrace., and Blocks
1. and 2, Weisshaar ,Add.ition, for which plans and resolutions of
intention. were =recently adopted. On motion of . Mosher and Kelly,
the. matter was continued until further notice.
Mrs. Harry Black, property owner on Forest Court, was
present, and addressed ;the Council concerning the paving of Forest
Court, work on which.:was recently begun, stating that she, had no
,complaint to :make -against ;the.: cost of the paving, but she did
object -to the, taking off'of 3 'or 4 feet from both sides of the park
in Forest -Court,' ,and the taking of a strip of 16;: feet from both ends
of the park and, the closing up of the dividing roadway ofthe park,
thus making a two-way : road. on either side of the park, which would
be a traffic, hazard for children who have been using the park for
at playground, Mrs Arthur James, of the engineert.e office, stated
that he
property
that Mrs
the road)
from the
referred
and repo
matter of
of the co
P�
r-ai lrosd
A.M. Satz
Peninsula
in the Cri
Pet
-asking the
1928, prat
lots locat
and 3ertsc
Lette
of the Mun
Residents
of the pub
of Johnson
Board of PI
Lette:
1
referring 1
pavement os
part of th
on Bryant 5.
for $loo.Cf
directed tc
sometimes x
Letter
A
to establi.s
the Board o
Letter
concerning�;
that the ch4
89, was end
structures
Langford as1
that he ' and ,the 'inspector; on' the work ` had interviewed all the
prope:rt 'oxne an rare t Court concern1.rg this natter and
that; " €r3.. Black wa$ the only one wno ob eeted, ,to e
'•the, los :ng of
the 'roadway throp 'ther 'park :and the` taking o.f a certain ;,potion
.frOmi the park in _.order to• make a wider roadway o:'each side.
On motion of %Wood • and Mrs . Thomas, this :mattdr was
referred to the . Beardof Works and, Ceimnittee No.; 1 - to investigate
and report.*
(Couno1ima eynolds came, at this . time, 8;,30
and was %present during the rest of the Meeting.)
v #.dening . Cowper Street
The hearing on the °report of the commissioners in :the
matte' of- Widening -Cowper : Street was continued, at the request
of the co mnissioners. until the next; regular meeting' in' October.
Bearing-; Set for Removal; of,;. -Oar Tracks
The Council was inforned by the City Clerk that the
1-ajlr d Commission will hold .a, hearing in the City Hall at 9:30
A.M. Saturday; September 14, 1929, on the application of the
i'eninsularHallway' Company to abandon its franchises andtracks
in the City.
A petition was received from S. E. ►doore and others
asking the Council to repeal the ordinance enacted in February,
1928, prohibiting the building on more than 5O, of the: area of
lots located in. the : third residential zone. On motion of Kelly
and Ber.isthe, thi was 'referred to Committee No. L.
le t ter from'.. gtr. . ;:peat'
,A coi iuunioation was received from 'y . L. Peet, chairman
of the Municipal Administration. Committee of the Palo Alto
residents Club, concerning the nuisance created by excavations
of the public streets, for ::laying pipes or condu..its . On motion
of Johnson and ;Mrs. ;Maims a this letter was referred to the
Board; of Public Works and Board of Public Safety.
A letter was received .from Dr. Leonard. VV. Ely
referring to ;:the .action of the City in paying a portion of the
pavement.: on cert ►in .streets., and asking that he be refunded
part of::..the money he had spent ,for paving in front of his property
ozi : Bryant Street,; stating that, he would compromise the wafter
for 100,.00,- if the money is .p.aid promptly. The City: Clerk was.
directed, to .reply to: this letter .and` :explain why the City
sometimes: prays for paving:, the' extra Width of streets.
Le 'ter from R Madi:son
A communication from R W. Madison requesting permission
to establish. a;popcorn stand on a street corner was referred to
the Board o;f ' Public :Safety .
tter from: ALra'` Langford
A communication;; was received -from Mrs. Mar; Langford
concerning Resolution No.:..804: passed ".by the Council ;which., declared
that the ' charitable trust`:,in • reference to, Lo ts> 3:1 :and 12, loo •
89, was ended :-and directing. the Board:of " orke to demolish -the
structures on said, lots used:_ far residential, purposes lira,
iangford 'asking for ,reconsideration ,Of this resolution as she
might .wish to return to her home later. A letter was also
read "from John C. Whipple, son of Mrs. Langford, concerning
this matter. Mr. Whppe was present and addressed'th.e Council,
stating tb.at Mrs. ;. Langford was grieved over the action of the
Council, and: asking for, reconsideration of the matter. On
motion Of Mosher and"Bertsche, this was referred to Committee
No. 2
Report on'.3afet Conference
A report was ".:received from the City Clerk informing
the Council of the meeting of a committee called by the Mayor
to :study the matter of-nobviating danger from railroad crossings
on the peninsula, at which meeting sub-coraitt•ees'were,
appointed to gather certain information, prepare estimates
for grade eparation, and make arrangements for a _meeting on
October 16, 1929 of city, county and state officials and
organizations interested in this matter.
Letter from Miss Barker
A letter was rece1 vAd from Miss Harker's School
requesting, the• closing" of three alleys in Clara Vista. On.
motion of Wood. ,and Johnson, this utter was referred 'to
Committee ":1:O. I.'
Contract wltb Architects
A joint report was received from the Board of
Works . sand Special Hospital Committee recorrmendi ng ':tha:t the.
Council"approve the contract with Reed and Corlett;"architects,
for the new • hospital.
-On motion of. Mosher and Wood, a 'r.esoIutiori, emp.oying
Reed. and' Corlett as architects for the eonstruct'ion: of the
hospital, .:aid approving the agreement and authorizing the Mayor
and City -Clerk to sign .sane, was adopted by unanimous vote on
roll :call
Extension of 'Webster St.
A report was zreceived from the City Planning
Conmission subrmitting ;a report upon the opening ofWebster." St.
' thro'gh • the Stromquist�-<property and stating that' ,the: --Commission
reaffirms its- policy •that'.lehster Street should be extended- in
a strl t-.1-ino . This:report was referred tO'Committees No. 1
and No,. 4 ,
Setback Changes- Recommended
A report .was received from the Planning Commission
recommending changes of s•etbackk' line 3.n Block 51, South Palo
Alto•, ;on Brant. Street, ashington venue and: Santa 8'ita Avenue, ,
and also on Lz t . 10, Block -.1,, Seale Addition: No 7. On motion
o.f, Kel:ly and Mrs. Thomas' it . was` directed that a hearing be held
or, this " matter - at the. next' regular meeting on October 14, 1929.
': Opening of Streets
A• report `was submitted by the City Planning
CoMmission recommer ding that action be taken to: open and wider
streetsAn .in the - Sou;th Oregon; .Avenue Tract, in ;ac: ordance with
the Road; -Map adopted,- ,namely; Marion Avenue, `C4•lorado Avenue,
Cowper Stree►t,,; Waverley Street , South Court, Ramona Street,
Emerson Street and High S-treet. On motion, of ,!usher and Yrs.
Thomas, this was referred).'to the Board of Yub1�ic Yorks for
proper, action..
4
Rep
use of till
.that it be
Planning
and recomn
purpose at
that it mi
as a tool
matter was
Plaz
ing thr z
El Camino
for this w
estimate o
was less t
the street
this work
mitted a b:
Attorney r<
awarding t:
under the ]
may be awe]
estimates c
for less t:
supersedes
improvement
Real, and t
of kublic
was passed
improvement
motion of 3
roll call.
ne oo rt
recommendins
employment c
inviting at#
El Camino RE
school chile
is built and
place severs
from this pc
motion of Be
qnd specific
Board of Y:or
='-onday night
during the r
ate .due s t
ing that the
went of six 1
Street betwe;
subway use.
Dying
/
ayor
on
ion
o
exrne,E
.,iron
held
929.
At
4
Report ,on .U:ld B.u9 ;Station
-ear
'Referring;.to :previous recommendation concerning the
use of' -the ald....bus .s:tation as- a comfort station, -and'the suggestio
be -,moved iu the; rear_ of the Corm^,anit.y Rouse, the City
Planning,-Cormnission 'reported that it had investigated this matter
and:recizmendad that the old bus station be not used for this'
purpose- &td- that- it be. abandoned. Councilman Bertsche_ suggested
that, it might be .moved to the rear of the Community house and used
as a too.:, house' andi. garrage. . ;. On motion of Mosher and Kelly, this
matter was referred `.to Gozpmit tee No 1.
Plaza . Improvement
A report was received from the Board of Works recommend1
ing that all bidsfor the improvement of University Avenue between
B1 Camino -Real and ;Alma Street be rejected, and that the contract
for this work be awarded to the Board of Public Works. The
estimate"' of the City Engineer for this work was 16,3'75.00, which
.ias less . than :any of the bids received.
Councilman Thomas asked the City Attorney if, under
the street improvement act, it is legal to award the contract for
this work to the Department of Public f4orks, it not having sub-
mitted a bid at the time -other bids were received. The City
Attorney replied that there .was no doubt as to the legality of
awarding this contract to the Department of Public Works, that
under the prov sionz of our city charter a contract for such work
may be awarded to the. Department of Public W'orks when the
estimates of the City Engineer show that the work can be done
for less . than the , amount of the lowest bid, and that :the charter
supersedes the state laws in this respect.
Resolution No. 801, rejecting all bids for the
improvement of University Avenue between Alma Street and " El Camino
Real , and providing for said work to be done by the Department
of xubl c works,was read, and on :notion of Mosher and Bertsche,
was passsed by unanimous vote on roll call.
Resolution No. 802,_, awarding the contract for said
improvement. to " the Department of Public Works, was read, and on
motion .,of Bertsche and Wood, was ads pted by unanimous vote on
roll- dal'. '.
Report of eo.arrd of Safe.ty.
A report was received .from the Board of Public Safety -
recoznnending .that ,the :Council provide the necessary funds for the
employment of an: -additional traffic officer; and further,
inviting attention to the fact that the pedestrian ,subway under
E1 Camino Real at; the Mayfield School for the protection of
school=children Chas. not yet been .constructed; that .when the subway
is' built and in use., a; traf.fic officer who is on duty at: this
place; ,eevera2 ,hours ' a day aur :g: -the .school- year will: be released
front< -this, post and be available forother, traffic duty.; On
motiam:of. Ber.tsehe. sand Mrs Thomas", :i:t was directed that plans
sl}nd' speci-fications for.this pedestrian subway be prepared by the
Board of b orks;",and presented to the Council at its meeting next
Monday' night, September 16th.
Councilman. Wood left at 9:45 P.M. and was absent ..`
during the'. rest of the meeting.
Re. nest of S.P. for Easement
A report was. received from the Board of 'Works . reconnend
ing that the City grant: to the Southern Pacific Company an ease- z
:Went' ".of six fe. t.> in width along the southwesterly line of .Alma
Street between' EMbareadero. Road and Kingsiey Avenue 'for .pedestrian
Subwaylaze. it ,was stated that the Southern Pacific_ Company
1
expected to spend approximately ,16,000 for the construction of
the underpass which would be used to accommodate pedestrians
using- the 'trains at tine' of football games.
r, A: motion:Was- made by Mosher, seconded. by Reynolds,
that this easement of six feet along Alma Street be granted to
the Southern Pacific Company. Dr. Reynolds, member of the High
School Board, stated gnat .the High School had approved' the
proposal .of the Southern Pacific to build this pedestrian subway
and had granted the necessary easement for this' rpose along
the high school propert1a Mr. F. P. Nutting addressed the
Council briefly on this: matter, stating that the Southern Pacific
Co was very ;anxious to start work on the subway at :once in
order that it would be coa$zpieted before October 26th, . the date
of' -the first bg'football game. This matter was: discussed,
With reference. to what effect the construction of this .pedestrian
subway might have. upon:the construction of a vehicular ,subway .
later, if bonds, are ;voted by the City for the Rmbarcad.ero subway.
-.After discussion, the above motion was withdrawn, And` the matter
was referred ,to Committee No.1, for, report back to the Council
on September 16th.
zdget of 3ospital
The budgetary forecast of the Palo Alto Hospital '
for the fiscal year 1929-1930 was received and placed on file.
Resolution on Natural Gas
A report 'was received from the Board of Works
recommending the :adoption of a resolution relating to rates for
natural ,gas in connection with its petition "Case io. 2734".
Resolution No. 803 :on this matter was read, and on motion of
X.el1y and Johnson, was adopted by unanimous vote on roll call.
Cueing of =Southwood Drive
A report was received from Committee No. 1
recommending:: that the Council approve the recommendation concern-
ing the o;os:ing of Southwood Drive as • found on age 423 of the'
council minutes, .and stating that the City Attorney has : been
requested to draw up the necessary lease.
Resolution No. 804, declaring the intention of
the Council: to close that portion of. Southwood Drive from the
. turning circle to San Francisquito Creek, was read,. and on :notion
of Mosher anal Thomas,, was passed, all voting Aye on roll call
except Re ly, who voted No..
4r; inane e :ona Minor Alterations
A report :was received from Committee ' No . 1 recommend-
ing the adoptionx of the ordinance permitting minor "alterations
of wails of frame buildings in the industrial zone in the fire
limits., -Ordinance No 477, on this matter, was given second
reading, and on :motion'of iilosher and Reynolds, was passed by
unanimous vote on. roll 'Call.
Concerning - Te;nis Courts
Referring to the petition of the Palo Alto ,Terris
Club .reue.stirig perm.ission to establish tennis courts in
Rirconada .Park..,. a:rptrart was received from Committee: No. 1
"are -commending that, .this -be approved, .provided the , agreeMent to
be drawn up meets withathei.approval of the Council. On 'motor_
of - Mrs Thomas . and '8ertscha,. this matter was referred: to
Committee No. 4:,".. and the City Attorney was requested to' draw up
the proposed agreement.'. -
toque:
of money he
Street, owir
reported the
refunded to
sale of the
these lots p
Nelander.
directed to
0rdina
the adoption
ordinance re:
478, amending
zones hereai'l
be permitted,
and Mrs. Thor
Rezonir
A
recommending
residential 2
regulations 1
rezoning port
district was
by unanimous
As to R
A
recommending
second reside.
was directed
1929.
0rdina]zr
Cor.
University Ave
until the next
Crdinanc
Ord
organization o
of the Statute
An opinion was
This matter wa
Thomas, the or,
The Mayor stat
the Planning CY
meeting next Mc
-Ordinance
A p)
Auditor, which
was given firs#
Temnorar-
• The
the Board of iko
On motion of Ka
temporary merbe
Request o.f M " Nelander:
Referring`, to request of Mr. N. P. 14elander for refund
of money he paid for intersection of Nevada Avenue and Bryant
Street, owing to the closing of Nevada Avenue, Committee No. 1
reported that according: to the agreement this charge was to be
refunded to 1, r. - Nelarder fro= the ` proceeds that would occur by the
sale of the lots made by the closing of Nevada Avenue, and as
these lots have not, been. gold the time has not yet cote to pay Mr..
Neiander. This 'report was placed on file, and the Clerk was
directed to inform Mr. Nei ander of this action.
Ordinance on, Second Residential Zone
A report was received from Committee No. 1 recommending
the adoption of the ordinance amending Sec. 1003 of the zoning
ordinance relating to second residential district. Ordinance No.
478, amending Sec. 1003 and providing that in second residential
zones hereafter treated- dwellings: exceeding two families shall not
be permitted, was given second .reading, and on motion of Mosher
and Mrs. Thomas, was passed by unanimous vote on roll call.
RRezoning B oc:ks :24 and 26
A report was, also- reoeived from Committee No. 1
recommending that those portions of. Blocks 24 and 26 now in first
res zone be rezoned:to second residential under the
regulations in the -ordinance just adopted. Ordinance No 479,
rezoning portions; of Blocks 24 anti, 26 to the second residential
district was read, and on motion of Mosher and Thomas, was passed
by unanimous vote .on roll , ca11.
As to -Rezoning.in Block : 56
A:report was presented from the Planning Commission
recommending that` the southerly luarter of Block 56 be rezoned to
second. residential.:. On motionof Bertsche and Mrs. Thomas, it
was direCted.that a- hearing be held on this matter on October 14,
1929.
Consideration of the ordinance prohibiting U turns on
University, Avenue between Alma and Cowper Streets was laid over,
until the' net'' meeting.
Ordinance Reorgar izi.ng' Planning Commission
Ordinance No : 480;:' providing for appointment of anti
organization of: a Planning Commission as pro prided by Chapter•,838
of the Statutes of.1929, was given: second reading and discussed
An optninn :vas ,presented on this. matter from the City Attorney,
This :matter was 'discussed::;, and onmotion ' of Johnson and Mrs:..:
Thomas, the ordinance was adopted oy unanimous vote on rol2..call.
The 'Mayor stated that':he would make nominations for membership on
the Planning Commission,, as:providedoy this ordinance, at . the
meeting .next Monday
Ordinance on 'Duties' of -Auditor
A proposedordi anCe relating to duties of the City
Auditor; :which was recommended for ;adoption by Committee No. 5
vas given first reading.
Temporary; Appt.:y io Board. gf Works
The City Clerk reported that Dr. ?Marx, chairman of
the Board of Works, will be absent from the City for three months.
On motion of Kelly and: Mosher, Mr. M. H. Rare was appointed as
temporary member of the Board during the absence of Dr. Marx,
Hare having been acting as member of the Board during the recent
absence of Prof. Reynolds who has now returned.
:,Request of. ,Sr.. Stoller
fir, drank CT„,Hoge addressed the Council concerning a
request of. Mr.: ,Vr . Stailer to increase the 70% width restriction
` on bis property in Bloek 23 on Forest Avenue, upon which he plans
to erect, an apartment house,. It was explained that wr. Stoller
wi:shes:.to use 113 feet, placing the apartment house in the center
of the lot, and under the present ordinance he could , occupy but
1:0:5 feet. This matterwas discussed and referred to Committee No.
1 for a report at the next meeting.
-Reports . of: 0€.-f"icie s
The,re,ports of the Department of Public Works, Depart -
tent of "Public :.Safety, Auditor and Treasurer, for the month of
:August, 1929:9_were received and placed on file.
Claims : Allowed
0n motion• of Mrs. Thomas and Kelly, the following claims
were allowed and warrants authorized in payment of the same:
a. L, Beach: $ 20.00
>'.U...:"R. And Alice M. Bartley 4975.00
, Arneric an Trust C o . 89.00
;Building Directory Co. 22.45
H. A. Burlingame 37.50
Calif. Pacific Title &. Trust Co. 65.00
:11io:t t--Fi sher 8.05
Chas. R._ Hadley Co. 12.88
W. F. 'Hyde. 50.00
Melvin, Roberts & Horn►arth 109.45
Palo Alto Theatre Co. 45.95
Patrick & Co. , 7.15
Peruau Walsh. Printing Co. 95.25
Rat"lroad ":Commission 71.60
'.The Travelers Insurance Co. 139.65
M.' ''. :Hyde 13.12
Bender -Moss-: Co . 1.0.00
Appropriation to: Safety Conference
Councilman Thomas, chairman, of the safety conference
committee, stated that ; it had become necessary tohave an
appropriation_' ;for the use . of this committee for postage and
t/ incidental expenses", and made; a motion to appropriate the sum of
425.00 from the: Municipal.: Welfare. Fund, for this purpose. This
.o tion- was seconded by Mrs Thomas and passed by unanimous vote.
Ad jourausent to Sept. 16, 1929
On motion of Kelly and Bertsche, the Council adjourned
to Monday, September 16, 1929, at 8 P. M. in the City :;Ilan-
Approved:
Attest,: -
at 8 p. m
Roll call
Ab
a
was the h
improvemer
reported 1
explained
to be made
were press
-Mosher enc
decided tc
Among thus
Sloneker,,
their prat
district,
a ten -foot
City Attor
with the a
would. be r:
intersects,
not more t:
by the Cou"
read, and <
all voting;
resolution
receiving
4.1
Rev.:
against cic
Court, a'r
this work c
awarded, ar
and therefc
complaint.
She also as
width of th
in this wor
hands of th
the work is
The '-; i ty En
points in c
tion.
Chan,
Churchill A.
Scuth
was adopted
matter was 2