HomeMy WebLinkAbout11131928City Hall Palo Alto, California.
November 13, 1928.
4
The Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date
in regular session at 8 p. m. In the absence of the Mayer, the
City Clerk called the meeting to order and announced that the
Mayor was absent and called for nominations' for Mayor pro tem.
By unanir bus vote Councilman Cottrell was appointed Mayor pro tem
for the evening, Roll call as follows:
Present: Bertsche, Cathcart, Christensen, Cottrell, Johnson,
Kelly, Thoits, Wood.
Absent: Hobart, :Hoge, Jordan, Lausten, Thomas, Wing,Whisler.
The. ,Mayor announced that a copy of the minutes of the
meeting of October 22, 1928i had been sent to each member of the
Council, and it was moved, seconded and carried that these
minutes be approved.
r Hea n4.on Assessments for Storm Sewers
Thy, Mayor announced that this was the time for a
hearing on the assessment roll for the construction of storm water
,sewers in the Ma 'iel.d District under Resolution of Intention No.
606. The City Clerk reported that notices of this hearing had been
sent to all ,property owners in the district concerned acid that a
notice had been posted on the bulletin board. He also reported
that letters of protest against the adoption of the assessment roll
had been received - from the following: Nellie Foster, C. Newhall
and M. W. Royt,Jean: Pale, Lovina Park, A. J. Breiling, Miss
Catherine :B. Hartman and sister. The City Attorney reso these
letters of protest and advised the Council concerning them,
stating that in each case the protest was against the construction
of the sewers, 'that such protests should have been made when the
hearing :o.n `the resolution of intention was had, that the proper
signs.`:bad been posted throughout the district and notifications made
as reequired by' law, :that• this hearing was not for the purpose of
deciding whether or not this work should be done but whether or not
the . as sessment roll shou? d be approved, and that .none o f the
protests were aagainst the assessment roll itself. There being none
present --who: wished to be. heard on this matter, the Mayor announced
that the .hearing was closed.
Resolution No . 699,overruling protests: of certain
property Owners in the Mayfield Storm Water Sewer District, was
read ` and adopted. by unanimous vote on roll call...
'Miss Elizabeth Brown then stated that she. could not
r pay fo this assessment within the given time and the Mayor
advised her to take this matter up with the contractor and directed
the City Clerk to address. a letter to Miss Brown giving her the
name and' address:of the contractor.
Resolution No. 700, approving the assessments for
storm water sewers in the Mayfield District under Resolution. of
Intention No 606, was read and passed by unanimous vote on roll
call. The ,City Clerk was directed, to reply to the letters of
protest which he had received.
been mad4
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14 and 19
Lett
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pavements',
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signatures,
budget app]
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Board of Pu
df ;71500.0C
Betterment
Fund to wha
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matter was'
'ngineer.
Hearing en, ChatEe of Zone of the ear. ni
there were
The Mayor announced that this was the time for a continue try!
hearing on the recommendation of the Planning Commission to re -zone there were
_portions of Blocks 14 and 19 to the Third Residential Zone. The served if t
Clerk reported that the advertisements and notices required had Christensen
helpful atti
been made.. Mr. George ,Farms addressed the Council and stated
that, Block 18 in which he owned property, was close to Blacks- 14.
and 19 and: requested that it also be re -zoned at the same time
into third residential. The Mayor informed Mr. Harms that this
would be a matter.of separate procedure suggesting
take this matter up in the ragular, way for that thispa- ocular Mr.,�bic3oHcki
as this hearing was only for-,. Bloc 14 and 19.
There being no others who wished to be heard, the
hearing was closed, Ordinance No. 440, changing zone in Blocks
14 and 19 was read, and adopted by unanimous vote on roll call.
Letter from Episcopal Church
A letter was received from Dennistoun Wood, Clerk of
the vestry of AU Saints Episcopal Church, stating that the
Episcopal Parish; House and the land on which it stands are now
taxed by the City of Palo Alto, the real estate being assessed
At $1500 and the improvements at 5000,- that this parish house
is used for religious and educational
reliious
services, and request was made that theutaxes sb 3rrefunded by the
City. Statements were made on this matter by the City Assessor,
the City Attorney, Deputy City Attorney and by ir, J.B.Buchanan.
This matter' was referred to .the City Assessor, City Attorney and
Committee No . S.
Specifications for Pavement
A petition to amend general specifications on concrete
oave:nents„referring especially, to, and in the interest of, the'runt Process , was. received. This was referred to the City
ngineer and Board of Works.
Petition to ,Annex Monroe Park
A petition signed by 26 owners of property in the
Monroe. Park Subdivislon,.requesting annexationto the City of Palo
alto was considered The City Attorney cxp1ained that this was
two milesfrom the -present city:.liTits, and that there is inter-
vening land between the .City and ,Monroe Park which had not asked.
for annexation. Further, the City Attorney
petition eras not presented in the required fr'u. Itthat
th/s.
recommended that, these property owners be advised to communicate
with the City Attorney and Committee No. 1 for advice.
Concerning Park: Funds
A Petition in three parts, containing about 160
signatures, petitioning the Council not to disturb the 1928-29
budget appropriations for Park Betterment and Community center
1^:provements as requested b. the Advisory Park Committee, was
received.. In this connection the Clerk read a report from the
Board of Public works in -which the Board recommended that the sum
df 41500.00 be appropriated. from. the contingent fund to the Park
Betterment Fbnd in .order to bring the balance in the Park Betterment
fund to What it would have, been. f 41500.
0 of the Bet
Fund had not been transferred to ..,the Cox munity CenterrkFunnd. termeis.
matter was discussed' by the Council, the City Attorney and the City
ngineer.
Councilman Bertsche stated that with full appreciation
of the earnest purpose of the Advisor
mmittee on ,
there were too ` many comml ttees and thaCo t it. would be bests tohe lt
continue this cow; ttee.. Councilman,, Kelly stated that he believed
there were too many -committees :and that best interests would be
served if this committee were discontinued.
Christensen stated that because of the splendidoandiear an
and
helpful attitude and purpose of the committee, he did not believe
282
that this was treyti:ng the committee right and that it should
be' continuedin ,its work. Also, in view of the fact that a cow dire
mittee on the charter is at this time engaged in considering No.
all. matters -of city government, he believed it would be a better
policy to. mane, no change,in the status of the Advisory Committee
on Parks at this time. Councilman Cathcart stated that he had
made;'the or ;ginal notion which had resulted in the creation of
the Park Committee, that the duties of the committee as outlined ing
were to advise the ,Council and Planning Commission on matters and
of Parks.. Ike further stated that this was -created on the, 18th This
of C c tober, 1926, to exist during that year -and that' as a matter c f
fact this time had expired, and that this Advisory Committee on
Parks had not been continued by act of the _Council.: In view of
this and in appreciation of the splendid spirt t. and, he1pf l
services and purposes of this Advisory . Com►nittee on Parks to do appr.o
everything po s sible in their line for the betterment of parks in for t.
the city, ;he -otfbred.th,e following Motion: "That the Advisory oe ac
Park C,ommittee,, be tinned with its present membership- for the specs.
current fiscal year". This motion was seconded by Christensen. passe
After further discussion, in view of the fact that
there were but eight councilmen present, . Councilman Cathcart
with the -consent,of Councilman Christensen, withdrew his motion
and: the -matter was referred to Co mittees. No . 1 and No. 4 for
recommendation.
:titter faecal R W. Madison
A letter from R. W. Madison concerning a refund of
45,.00 for license collected by the Police Department, was read
and referred to Committee No. 5.
Extension of Time on Paving Work
A petition was received from the Western Paving
Company asking for thirty days, extension of time on their
contract for the improvement of Channing Avenue, Guinda Street
and inco In ` Avenue.
Resoolution No. 701, granting extension of time of thirty
days to the Western Paving. Company on said contract, under
Resolution of Intention No. 665, was read, and adopted by
unanimous vo t e on roll call.
Letter from Veterans Bureau
A letter : from. the Veterans, Legal Service Bureau
concerning Viola Espinosa was received and referred to Committee
No. 2 and the -Board of Public Safety.
Bills. from Chamber of Commerce
A communication was received from the Chamber of
Commerce enclosing two invoices, one from Slonaker's for $145.00
and the other from the .Sterling Engraving Company for $46.07,
r-epres•enting the cost of 15,000 inserts for the Palo Alto folder.
These bills had been approved by the Board of Directors of the
Chamber of Commerce on .October 17, 1928, who requested that they
be paid : from the Municipal Welfare kind, and were signed by the
?resident and Manager of the Chamber of Commerce . These were
referred to Committee No. 5.
Letter from Mr Christensen
The Council 'received a communication from the Chairman
of Committee No. .5 stating that this committee on its own
initiative -had undertaken the consideration 'af the ratter of
pubic liability insurance for city employee's and also at a
different time the matter of service pensions for city employees.
to suggested,that these matters be referred: officially by the
Council to Committee No. 5. This was approved and it was
betwee
report.
the Ci
report
referr
No vemb
by the
approve
City of
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approvi7
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No. 1 ar.
Re
ing that
loading
to excee
"one diag
approved
loading
was read
ing that
fund to
Hawthorn
as there
:e
Ld
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directed that these matters be officially referred to Committee
No. 5.
As to Opening Alley in . College Terrace
A report was received from the Board. of Works approv-
ing the plans:'for opening an alley in Block 50, College Terrace,
and recommending that these plans, be adopted by the Council.
This matter was referred to Committee No. 1 and Councilman Wood.
Specifications for Sidewalks
A report was received from the Board of Works
approving specifications for Improvement Plans No. 15, 192.8-29
for the construction of sidewalks and recommending that these
be adopted by the Council. Resolution_ No. 702, adopting' the
specifications for the construction of sidewalks, ;ti as read and
passed by unanimous vote on rail call,.
As, to Widening First St..
Referring to.,the matter of widening First Street
between California and Fernando 'Avenues, the Board of Works
reported that it had receivedHa report on this subject made by
the City Engineer,'datod November 2, 1928, and transmitted this
report ,to the•:Couneii: 'without reco1 nendation, This mater wr s
referred to Ca: .ttt'ee No. 1.:
Concerning.: ub2i.c 3:abi.li.ty Insurance
The Board of Works reported to the Council that on
November 5th it adopted the following resolution: " resolved
by the Bo and o f Public ►forks, of the City of Palo Alto, tzat' it
approves the city. carrying 'pu'ol.ic liability insurance for the
City of: Palo Alto, :'the :Board of Public Works, and individual
members of the Board of Public 'Ao>rks, and the City Engineer, and
recom nds immediate action." The Board also reported that, it h
temporary coverage in force but that this temporary coverage:
will exai.re in a. few : days -unless renewed, and therefore the Board
recommended immediate action.: This matter was referred to
Committee pia .5.
L'oncernirg_ Hospital:
A report was 'received from the Board of 'works
approving the report `of the .,,card of Fire Underwriters concerning!
conditions at the Palo Alto Hospital and recommends that the sum 1
of $2405,00 be set aside for carrying out the recommendations of
this Board as per the estimate of the City Engineer in his report
dated November 12, 1928 This matter was referred to Committees I
No. 1 and No . 4..
Resolution for!Loading Zone
A report .was received: from Committee No. 2 reoomrnend-
irg that tb.e resolution': of trio -Board of Safety establishing, :a
loading zone in front! of `the„Pammona Hotel for a distance of not -
to exceed 15 feet be; amended by fehauging the words "15 feet" to
one diagonal parking.; space":, and as :.so amended, that it be
approved by the Council..: °Resolution. No. 703, establishing
loading zone;. in front of the "Ramona Hotel for one parking space,
was read and passed by unanimous vote on roll call.
.epo rt of Committee No. 4
A report was� received from Committee ho. 4 recommend-
ing. that an appropriation, of 4300 be made from the contingent
fund to remove the! dip in the .paving at the intersection of
;arrthorne avenue and 'Waverley: Street. This matter was :deferred,
as there were but eight councl1 rnembbrs present and this
appropriation ,would rewire a vote of ten members,
Resolution on Repair of Streets,Et< .
A resolution providing additional, -penalty for neglect
#o repair streets, sidewalks, etc. under section 31 of the
improvement Act of 191,1, w a.s referred to Committee No . 1.
Claims Allowed
The following claims were allowed and warrants
authorized in payment of the same:
E. L . Beach $ 20.00
League :of Calif. Municipalities 40..:00
Bank of Italy 3.00
E. D. .Lakin '7 5.00
N. E. Malctm 200.00
A. McSweeney, Tax Collector 15.00
'Railroad Commission 578.4'
Sloneker's Printing House 1L.50
Travelers Insurance Co. 92.61
Western, Union Telegraph Co. 5.25
Malcolm,and David 500.00
Chamber of Commerce 20.00
"C amber of Commerce 80.00
Mrs Mary C Gillespie 472.50
Miss Laura Lee 46.00
Mrs. Leonard H. Cook 13.00
Carol Azonovici 162.23..
Emerson. Mfg. Co., Inc. 92.00
Release at Claim
Resolution No. 704, authorizing execution of r•ezease
of claim against .Maurice Samuels for *63.15, said sum being
damage sustained ;by city property caused by Maurice Samuels,
was read. and'" a?opted by unanimous vote on roll call.
Deeds . Accented
Resolitions were passed accepting deeds of dedication
of certain, land for a public street from Elizabeth P. Wood and
Charles M. Wood, and from B. Mauroux and Mary Mauroux (2 deeds
fram Mauroux ) .
Resolutions were also passed accepting deeds from the
Alviso Salt Company..thd the Morgan Oyster Company to the City of
Palo, Alto.
Monthly Reports
The reports of the Department of Public Works,
Department of' Public Safety, Auditor and Treasurer, for the month
of October, 1928, were received and placed on file.
Bill for Repairs to Community House
Councilman Bert:sche presented a bill of $550 for
repairs to the floor of the Community House. He stated that the
Community House had about $1500 on deposit ix. the. Palo Alto
Building & LoaseA;ssoci.ati.on; that this was a .fund, that had been
received frori varioua entertainments and other smatters- to which
the Community House had charged small fees and was not in the
possession of` the city, and asked the Council's approval; to have
this bill. -paid :f -or :from this fund. An extended discussion took
place,:on .this:.mat;ter.. The Mayor stated that _.in his judgment,
although .:the Council had not yet taken jurisdiction, it had
jurisdiction over this . fund. The matter was referred to Committee
vatiimiworrilmoNstAii
No.
this
Counc
Co rani
from
in cc
s-oove
of th
turne
ad jou:
Attest
No. 5 with the request that Councilman Bertsche sit in with -
this committee..
Bills for Hoover Reception
The Chairman of Committee no. 5 presented to the
Council a number of bil s which:_had been approved by
Committee No. 5, amounting to- 46.6.95. These bills were
from different concerns, all Japproved by the Mayor, and were
in conneetlon with -the. reception.. to welcome home Mr. Herbert.
Hoover, candidate -of the kepub' i;can party for the presidency
of the United States • It was directed that these bills be
turned over to the. City Auditor for warrants.
adjourned.
Attest;
On motion of. Bertsche and Kelly, the Council
Appro X3ed :4237'
a r ,, • 2