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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12101928City Hall, Palo Alto, California. December 10, 1928. The Council of the Cityof Palo Alto met in regular session -on this date at 7:30 p. :n.. with Mayor Hoge presiding. Roll call as follows. Present: Bertsche, Cathcart, Christensen, Hobart, Hoge, Jordan:, 'Johnson, .:felly, Lausten,Thoits,Whisler, Wing, Mood, Absent. Cottrell, Thomas It Was reported that copies of the minutes of the meeting of November 26, 192:8, ;had,:been sent to each member, n.nd on motion the minutes of said Meeting were approved. Letter from , fir_.`` Peet A communication was. received from Mr. W. L. Peet,,, referring to: the organization of the City Planning Commission to the fact that important ;work of the Commission is often delayed because of absenceof members from meetings., After discussion this comriurn cat'ior was referred to the Mayor. Leave Grantee A request was received from councilman E. A. Cottrell for permission to be absent from the state for one month from December 23, 1928. 0n motion of Hobart and. Thoits, this request r,s granted. Letter from Mr. Campbell communication was received from O. F. Campbell tendering his resignation as a member of the Advisory Park, Ciommittee. On motion of Wing and Wh? seer, the resignation was accepted. Letter from Sutter Packing Co. letter was received from the Sutter Packing Company ee:juest;rg that a portion of. Acacia Avenue be deeded to it, oart of this street being 60 feet wide adjacent to the property of the packing company 'and the : eminder of the street being only 30 feet wide,- `it . being the desire of the company to cover the street with piatforms and warehouses to be used in their business. On lotion of Wing and Bertsche; this matter was referred to the Planning„ Commission, C±`ty Engineer and City Attorney to report the next regular meeting of the Council. Letters fron Depu fir- City Att;y. A col nunicattOn eras received from the Deputy . City ttcrney concerning the -case; of M'tlier vs. City of Palo Alto, stating t iat this case >.i s scat ±'or hearing before the District Court of A,ppeAl on-Lecember 4., "1928,` an.d that a decision. may be exoeoted ,in about six •weeks. This was placed on file. A letter Was also :received from the Deputy City_ !',ttoriey reporting that ,the trial in the Black case is set for,. January'21 1929. This was placed on file. Report of Compensation Board A report was received from the Board of Compensation Referees submitting its findings relative to the death of Julius s Hewitt, a city employe, and recommending that the sum of „150.00 ' be paid immediately for funeral expenses of Mr. Hewitt and that compensation in the, sum of —$5,000.00 be paid to his widow, in bi,rnontbiy payments computed on the basis of 65% of the average weekly wage of the deceased, who at the time of his death received $7.00 per day. Resolution No 707, approving said findings of the Board of Compensation Referees, and allowing the sum of a 150.00 for funeral expenses and: compensation of X5000.00 as recommended, was read and do mo tion of Thoits and Christensen,, was adopted b�,� unanimous vote on roll call. As to Leases on Bay Shore Lands A report tvas received from the Board of Works approving the report: of the Planning Commission concerning leases on bay shore lands for commercial purposes, provided the leases are granted :for not more. than ten years, the lands so leased to be situated south -of Embarcadero Road on the westerly bank of the Mayfield Slough =and not to exceed a maximum depth from the slouFjh -- This matte,. was explained by the City Engineer. t� f 300 feet : � explained -� � .•, On motion of Thoits and Hobart, the plan as outlined by the Planning Commission and approved 'oy the Board of Works, was adopted by the Council, and the Board of Works was authorized -to negotiate leases in accordance with plans submitted. Payment toe= Alviso Salt Co. The City Attorney made a verbal report upon the titres which have been perfected on land exchanged with the Alv:,so Salt Company, arid stated that there is :coney due from the city to the Alviso 'Salt . C.ompany for the difference in: acreage of 'the land exchanged 0n motion of Tholts and 'ring, the Auditor was instructed to draw a warrant in favor of the Aiviso Salt Company to pay for the difference in acreage in this exchange of land', in .accordance with the terms of the agreement now on file with the California Pacific Title and Trust (company, the necessary amount to be taken from the revolving fund. Councilman Wood and Councilman Bertsche left at this time and were not present during the rest of the ri•:eetin .) Deeds frem Mr. Pitman A report was received from the Board of Works recommending that two deeds to the city from M. L. Pitman for the purpose of widening Ashby Avenue be accepted. Ch motion of 'Thoits and Kelly, resolutions were passed accepting these deeds by unanimous vote on roll call. Resolution on Repairing Sidewalks A report was received from the Board of Works recommending the adoption of a resolution providing for additional penalty for neglect to' repair sidewalks, under Section 31 of the improvement Act. of 1911. This resol;jtlon was also recommended for adoption by Committee No. 1. The resolution was read and discussed, particularly with reference to the penalty of 50 of the cost of the' work when same is done by the City when a property owner has failed to make the repairs within the required time. 0n motion of Wing and Lausten, the resolution was refs- back to the City Attorney And City Engineer for re -drafting, and for re -consideration by Committee No. 1. As to Engineer ha earnings of became due 128, and { the necessa Jordan, it and Electri Store recommendir owned by t; the total a of said arrr the city ha assessments be paid, to on the motion of T; drawn from matter of t-, and Comnittf .eeport concernir.E- i department t September S' the fault of This report that after of the ooinj Pe tree . eeoor t A -o. reco Lm: Council "not Betterments this late da. motion of } ol that 1500.0( 3e t t. e r:•nent pans, the :•o t1sat this mat On :notion of eport o :o • 4 . e porti Fire Under „, the city hose t;on of the 29 its to Gross Earnings of P.GV& E. It ws reported by the Board of Works that the City Engineer has called attention to the fact that 2% of the gross earnings of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in Mayfield became due after July 1, 1927, and should have been paid on July 1, lo28„ .and. it was recommended by the Board that the Council take c/ the necessary action to receive payment. On motion of Thoits; and Jordan:y; it. was directed.., that;r::notiee be given to the Pacific Gas - and E1ecttic , ,Company and that a request for payment be made. :storm Sewer Assessments A report was received from the Board of Works r;comriending that certain storm water sewer bills covering property owned;by the city in the Mayfield District be paid by the city, the total amount being $2,'094.38. It was explained by the City Attorney that $1454.38 of said amount covers lots known as the McColgan property to which the city has a tax deed. On :;lotion of Thoits and. Wing, it was directed that the assessments on city property,. other than the McColgan property, V be paid, the money to be taken from the contingent fund. It was suggested that the City might buy the assessments' on the McColgan property from the Elliott -Horne Company. On lotion. of Thoits and Jordan, a warrant was authorized to be drawn from the contingent fund, not to exceed $1454.38, and the ^:atter of the payment was left in the hands of the CityAttorney and Committee No. 4. report of Board of Safety Areportwas received from the Board of P _blic Safety concerning its investigation of the collision between a city fire .=apartment track and •a motorcycle ridden by Charles Petree on September 8, 1928, Mr.: Petree having claimed that the accident was the fault of.the fire tr`atk and that recompense should be made. This report included:an opinion fro,.; t. -e Ate City ., Attorney stating that after considering the facts and looking into the case, he was of the opinion that the City is not liable on the claim of M. Petree- r•+6. - report � Y � and � � Luis was accepted placed on file. Deport on ;?.ark funds A joint report was received from Committees No..1 and o. 4 recommending that the petition from citizens asking the Council "not to disturb the 1928-29 budget r appropriations 3et,terments and Gom�r:�zn�.t per Improvements,�.pp�op.•iaU�.ans f'or Park �°. this late date 'eC� y� canter as requested a t uhe Advisor. Park Committee" be granted. On mtion of Hobart'and eying., this report .as accepted. o eferring to the recornrendation of the Board of Works that f$1500.OQ be transferred from the contingent fund to the Park' BettermentFund, :the joint committee:after ;,fans the ;,, considering the future - that ork�in progress anal, t ;e,..s1tate of the budget, reco mzende h_s :rat 4e_ go over. for the "timebeing and be not acted upon. On aria wion of ;";ping a. d ;Kelly, its ;reort was accepted. Report; on :osni:tal. Repairs A joint r epo.rt ;was received :o . 4 reporting that it' had considered '-`ire Underwriters relating to; des±,.able the city. hospital and that: it' had also tion of the Board o f - r'4orks, for an appro from Committees No, 1' and. the report of the Board.; of repairs and alterations in considered the reconDnenda-- ~:riation of $2405..00 to v mare these repairs. After considering a report on this matter from Mr. Erwin, auditor of Stanford University, and Dr. Broderick, the joint committee submitted an additional report on this date stating "in view of the fact that none of the improvements sug ;es ted would lessen the fire risks from such a fire as the one which just occurred, and -in view of the fact also that the hospital will be abandoned within two years, it is recommended by the joint corn ittee that the proposed repairs to the hospital be not made'. On motion of Cathcart and %thisler, this report was approved. On Widening First St. A A report was received from Committee No. 1 cor_cernin- the proposed widening of First Street between California Avenue and Fernando Avenue, recommending that this matter be referred back to the City Planning Commission, since the plan for widenin,:, said street as approved. b ': the City Engineer and 3oard, of Works different from the original plan. On notion of Jordan and Christensen, this 'matter was referred back to the Planning Commission. As to Annexation of Monroe Park A report was presented from Committee No. 1 concerning the petition for annexation by residents of `::on:oe Park, reportin:� that, in view .of the greet distance of Monroe Park 2r'oar. the city C, boundar'les,`st Is;. impract;cable at the present time that Monroe Park be .annexed to Palo Alto. On motion of Thoits and whisler, the report of the committee was adopted. 'Opening Alloy in College Terrace ..-report was received from Committee No. 1 reco :mere .re that the plans ;for opening an alley in Block 50, College- Terrace, be approved. A, -resolution adopting map for opening said'alley was presented. It was stated. that Councilman Wood wished this matter deferred until he could confer with the committee, end the Council therefore. directed that the matter be held over for .farther consideration. Report of Committee No. 5 A report was received from Committee No. 5 concernin the request of R. W. Madison for e refund of w5.";0 on license `x, stating that, inasmuch as Mr. Madison had his stand on city property, it was recommended that the claim be not allowed, as the ordinance requires a f t city t :r' fee .. ..,�k permit from � c.� �y �zr.... .� •- be paid On motion Jordan and Kelly, the recommendation the committee was approved. �+ recommendation was received from Committee No. that the bill of $10.00 from the Cooperative Lawyers Publishing Company be approved and paid. On motion of Kelly and ;,.aus t en, this report wasapproved and the claim allowed. The committee also recommended that the r $.guest o Chamber of Commerce that the city pay ,two bills, one for $145.x,`. and one for 4 46.07, expended for oubilcity matters, from the Welfare Fund be approved. This report Was adopted and warranTs were authorized in payment of these bills. A report was received from Committee No. 5 reco n re=in;: that the contract for the unknown hazard of the city by the Travelers Insurance Company be renewed for the coming year. Cn motion of Wing and lausten, this report .4: s approved by u.naniece...s vote on roll :call approving officers a: It was ex;.J temporary c all officer and otart u temporary c policy. work of Colin preparation inventories, retirement 4 to send a mi Council. ..eno r committee n den* ' e'er amendment meetings a o rga:.i za t and member s g,rreStion the of turned aro any ceel Vra could coorc out in cc• n i Secondly, executive c boards. Municipal o. and a l i of committee f rather than of the pros: the present possible to scientific a devote their ti ve boards 1f .. in order tha in the wor is council hold. Changes if �- would suggev up an electio at the ::e ea -14e presented to report was also received from Co approving the policy of obtaining public liabi officers and the City of Palo alto for '450,000_t was explained by the City Engineer s.nd City temporary coverage .on Members of the Council, all officers of the City i has expired. On m a snd. Hobart, the Purchasing A67ant was instructe temporary coverage.; until Committee No. 5 works policy. 293 :rmlttee No. 5 lity for the to $lOO,O0o. Attorney that the Board of Works and tion of Cathcart ci to continue the out a permanent A report of the progress and plan of the special. ;work of Committee No. 5 for the fiscal year, :;reparation of budgets and ,,ea. concerning accounting, property and equipment inventories, stores and supplies, public liability insurance, and retirement tirement annuities, was presented. T r { to send a mimeographed copy � ;;e.,Clerk was directed Council. of this report to each member of the P enort of Charter Committee The following report was received from the special committee on revision of the city charter: "REFORT OF SPECIAL cOMMI1.1EE ON .b:VISIC'N OF CITY CHARTER TO THE HONOHABLF CITY COUNCIL NCIr OF THE, CITY OF PA.1-C ALTO: i✓ "Gentlemen: "Your special committee to consider revision and amendment of the existing city- charter has held seven meetings at which various proposals for change in both organization and proceduu-e were discussed. City officials and members of. the administrative boards have given suggestions : and criticism of the present and oast conditions and of the proposed changes. Many of i� turned around two ma J 'or' conditions. suggestionsh made �. ors. First,the c 'lack of central authority in the organization of the city which could coordinate the functions and see that they are carried out in conformity with the wishes and orders of the council. Secondly, the alleged accomplishing in delays y � li.shirg work by the.: executive officers after authorization by the council and boards. 'your c.omMttee discussed all of the municipal been organization which have of found and all the proposed plans presented befc committee favo.rS at this time only minor ch.n rather than structural Changes which would al of the present -charter„ it believes that we the present form of -organization as long as i Possible le to obtain men and Women of high tec' scientific attainments and sufficient :ent p.ibl is devote their time and energies to the work of t:{ ve boards and commissions. . plans and types 'y pe in this country , 1 i t ♦ Your ges in procedure ter the form ' should continue L .1. J still, r lical and interest to the adminisi ra:- council hold l:e,arin for I would suggest that the g public discussion of the proposed changes ` if it deems ` it necessary to hear any ar gam ents .- it oulc., suggest that the city attorney be instructed to draw -7.-P an election call. in order that an election may be called {I at the earliest possible time and t r p P he rF �u1�t, if aB.VC)rr.be, presented to the, legislature at the coming session. a Your committee recommends that an election be called I in order that .tae electors may decide on the following in the wording of the charter. o� �ovfin changes 294 "Your committee recommends the following amendments to the charter: "1 CHARTER AMENDMENT NUMBERTWENTY-THREE: Section Twelve of Article lI of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto shall be amended as follows: "Sec. 12. To acquire, construct and maintain all works necessary for the disposition of sewage, garbage and waste; alad to define and abate nuisances, and to provide for making the cost of such abatement a lien upon the property concerned, and to make provision for the enforcement of such liens by the sale of pro nerty or otherwise. "2. CHARTER AMENDMENT NUMBER .TVE NTY-FOTjR: Section Three of Article III of the Charter City of the C,.,,y of Palo Alto shall be amended as follows: "Sec. 3. on the second Monday of May, 1909, an election shall be held in said city for the purpose of electing fifteen members of said Council. the fifteen members elected at such election shall, at the first regular meeting in July, 1909, so classify themselves by lot that five members shall hold office for the term of two years, five for the term of four years and five for the term of six years. "After January 1, 1929, on the second Monday in April, of, each odd numbered year, an election shall be held at which councilmen shah be elected to succeed those councilmen whose terms expire in that year. "The terms of all councilmen elected before January 1, 1929 shall terminate on the lost day of Juneof the final year for which they were elected. The terms of all councilmen elected after January 1, 1929, s?..all terminate on the last day of April of the final ear for which were elected. y % k,�ch they "3 . CE AFTw R AMENDMENT ;UMER Tr• +-r^v-Fi - T NUMER i���ti;��.v Zv.. Section Four of Article Four of the Charter of the City Pale Alto shall be amended as follows: "Sec. 4. The 1renst?rer shall receive and safely keep all money belonging to the City and shat 1 pay the same only upon warrants drawn by the Auditor for ;claims which have been previously allowed, either by the Council or the seeeal department Boards. Provided, that the approval of the Council or the department 'Boards shall not be necessary to pay the monthly salaries of officers and employes and other .regular monthly payments and allowances authorized by the apt opriaticn ordinance based do the budget estimates for the fiscal year. "The Treasurer may deposit all or such portion of the public moneys as may be determined by •the Counci,, in any Bank within ethe State of California authorized by law to receive deposits of public money, said deposits to be made i accordance•with , the provisions of the constitution and the statute Of the. State in force at the time the. deposit Is a7. He. "4. CHARTER AMENDMENT NUMBER TWENTY-SIX: Section 4 o'Article-Eight of the Charter of -:the City of ?a=c c 0 Alto shall be added to as follows: "Sec. 4. -No ordinance subject to referendum shall take effect until the -referendum period shall have expired. In computing thi;, period , the day of passage is excluded, and the sixtieth day o' the referendum period is included. "5. CE t M 7 r^. T..ENT.Y_S yE* UhhA�tT�'F •,P�"?�;T��..E?�'T �i �P1,xic.a. �.:v: .�� � �r!:,t .�i�i : Section 23-a bf Article II of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto shall be added thereto es follows: "Sec.• 23-a. To make and enforce all laws in respect to municipal affairs, subject only tc the_ restr. fictions and limitations provided in this charter: Provided, however, that in the exercise 'of this power, it shall be competent to adopt by ordinance, any general law or act of the legislature in• respect to municipal affairs. "Your committee further recommends that the council continue the committee to consider and frame ordinances providing for the following: "1. The mayor and city clerk shall have power to route all communications and reports to the prover committee and the city attorney for preparation of their reports, ordinances or resolutions before the same appear before the council. This procedure would obviate one step in the process of consideration of such measures. The ordinance now states that the mayor may refer matters of "special importance" to the committees for consideration. The committee believes that the findings and suggestions of the City Planning Commission should come directlyto the Council as a committee report. The committee believes that the mayor may direct and supervise the :^rocedure of the city government and see that the desires of the council are properly and speedily promoted. It is further suggested that there be a special program of meetings of the boards and ccmmittees so that the members may know exactly what days tne meetings will be held on the week prior to the regular or adourn4d meetings of the council. A suggested schedule would be: Llo nday afternoon loonday evening ivionday evening 1vednesday evening Tuesday -evening Friday evening Thursday evening Thursday evening Board of Works Board of Spfety edbrary 20 and Committee No. I Committee No. 2 Committee No . 3 Co" eI i te.e No. 4 Committee 5 "The suggestion has . been made that there be members of the .council elected as members of the various boards. This suggestion has nob found favor with the committee although 5 t' may save some steps in the consideration of li council matters. e committee believes that the executive officer of each board or function should attend the /fleeting of the Board and later of Its respective council committee and the meeting of the council and be prepared to .follow through the matters in which each is concerned. r:h' s g, ves the committees and the council the ; ' ' special tec'.fw.j cal advice of the executive officer supported by the .�rLm reco endation of hi.s board. �.. "3._ An ordinance regarding the election of detuties to tLe executive offices is p necessary. At present the 4 oe of ins wit the i C pe: red( bee: prot ti sup; ',sec Councilman "'LO a men:' and c, Commil given ••70 V r'_r. report of taken large govern honore '..-. vern .. to se -F, R1, t - some 01 toa my . the ea: .:hethe] us. la{d do x;42 - charter provides for a Deputy Tax' Collector but is silent on all other deputies. The practice has been for the council to elect..scme deputies and for the executive officers to appoint others. Recent illness demonstr^.ted that there should be deputies elected in the engineering and auditing offices.. Your committee recommends that all: executive officers, except the Tax Collector, nominate their: deputies and that the council by ballot confirm or reject these nominations. established '",-`4,_ Yourry co' mittee recommends that there be estab?i�shed a Bul Inflvrnati which all Bureau of or. ccJu:.d. handle �_,_ :questions or complaints regarding any department or functicn of the city. This bureau would sort out the various compiai:its submitted to it ant see t.,.r t replies are mace be the proper officers or by the bureau to such complaints. Your committee .•'ecommends that the r;ffice *'tanager be in char;,se of this bureau and that• the present young lady in charp'e of the telephone exchan rc ee empower to receive and; handle al.l complaints. "5. 'Your committee recommends that the ordin: rut,, at.'n rr r d;. h c. ., ��...�; ari Office DCi,n:��.er a �: �." . ��i._lx .. es ro��ers .�s broadened so that he 'nay be a reee coord.._natthg force In .J Shs overhead departments of the city ad ;�:.n;str•ation. "'Ilse present ordinance 1r"? ': cie VI Sec. 45, c,'. c merely { t t off ..inn r;-,c�_ ..y `{gen r.ral suoe. ,r�.s.�on �r�d L>. ,,rn1 over �,h, . l_. . ., eoric, accounts and records to ree':; by the sever -1 departments, .. t" '1 ,. v ' h * of p officers and i, lit .AU ��:V$ (jam the ✓��.� s:. o Alto, 4 "Nile major purpose of the erection of this office to designate an officer whose duties wo:zldd consist in tee collection and compilation of the Ueit .:ties timates of sel officers and departments of the city' f cr er esoet st'Ior. to Committee on says and Means of the Council; who should collect and eait the annual r sports of t'_ „ different ofti s:s. and oo ar ds and publish the a nn ua! report of she City; xeo should see that all departments and officers cooperated seZ. coordinated the work of tree cit,r to avoid friction, complaints and irresporsibilly; and in general to be ;'o...._ point for information and general overhead supervision cf all city affairs. "Your committee has found that sone officers r efese to work inharmony with th`s understanding and in comaliance with the requests of the Office Manager. it , therefore believes that the ordinance should .)e strengthened to provide specific authority to the Office Manarser to carry out the wishes and orders of the Council. "6. Committee No. 5 is now at work on a uniform accounting andbudget classification for all city deoartee Your committee recommends that an ordinance be passed hs e" on the findings of this committee which would define and outline an adequate accounting and budget control and procedure rather than a charter amendment. "7. Your committee has examined the organization the Board of Works department' and finds that many of tee criticisms of this department are due to the unusual amount of work which .it faces rather than to any inefficiency h i oer.sonne� con 1 i f ion with the r ��gests ' _ . ... In >�. su t board a si , arrangement of the duties of the personnel has been arr N : upon and will be carried into effect as soon as condai ti.__.S warrant. Briefly, this reorganization contemplates 4'-_ establishment of an office known as Chief Fn gIneer who ..._ _. 8 charter provides for a Deputy Tax Collector but is silent on• all other deputies. The practice has been for t ie silent to elect some deputies and for the executive officers to appoint others. Recent illness demons tr• t red that there should be deputies elected in the engineering 2 n auditing offices. Your committee recommends that all executive officers, except the Tax Collector, nominate their deputies and that the council by b ilc; t confirm or rr ;•ec these nominations. Your committee recommends that there be esi ta: lishe.. a Bureau of Information which could handle all questions —or complaints regarding any department or function of -the city. This bureau would sort out the val•ious complaints- submitted to rt. end see that replies are nate -the proper officers or by the bureau to. such complaints. Your committee recommends that the Office "tanager ,be in charge of this- bureau end that the present young lady in charge -of the telephone excharc;re be empowered to receive and-handle all complaints. 5.' Your committee recommends that the ordnene creating an Office Manager and: defining h _is powers be broadened so. that he may be a real coordinating force i ova rhead d.e4 t nts of t: i administration.a ai' i"�C: r"r r'+ city �. �r sr ; hG present ordinance Article Vx •SeC. ��5, .gives merel �•i eneral supervision control over r V f*; ^ 3' � 1 x;�T: Y?G. C'C Ol. v'�:e�, i:1e,.:�� .'.'.F' work, accounts and records to 1),: kept by the.:several .departm,ents,: officers avid employees of the City of Palo Alto ' - 4 "The major purpose of the creation o f this office was • to designate an officer whose duties would consist in the collection and compilation of the budget/estimates of all r,: e officers and departments of the city for oresertptiOn to, tne a committeeon. Ways and Means of the Council; who should a collect and edit the annual reports of the different officers 'and board's and publish the annual report t of the 'City ;, who should see that all departments and officers cooperated and -Coordinated the work of the city to avoid. friction, 8 complaints and irresponsibilly; and in general to be a focal t; point for information and general overhead.sup-rvision of t' all city affairs: Counci: °!'YOar committee has found that some officers refuse to work in harmony with th'.s understanding and in compliance with the requests of the Office e Manager. It t:. raf�r•e believes that the ordinance should be strengthened to provide specific authority tothe Office Manager to carry out the wishes and orders of the Council,. Committee No. 5 is now at work on n._ uniform accounting and budget classification for n7 7 city . enar tr,nt y l :ASS r. �:...� r � \'.. ...o Your committee recommends that an ordinance be 'gassed base v 0-c on the findings of this committee which would define and : o outline an adequate accounting and budget control snc'. C,;. procedure rather than a charts amendment. + so' rr r '7 ,Your committee has examined the organizau o-' the Board of Works department and finds that many of criticisms of this department are due to the unus'aal anoun of work which it faces rather than to any ineff icienc;, ' personnel.. In consultation with the board a suggested arrangement of the duties of the personnel has been a.7,1 -fl -•C upon and will, be carried into effect as soon as conditi..._.. warrant. SriCf't y , this reorganization contemplates establishment o°f, an office known as Chief Engineer who of _s go „o tnc .vht • be relieved of detail work and have subordinates in:charge 1 of Streets, inc1•uding sewers and :,a v -I ng, Building, Inspection; Park Superintendent. Utility OperatingEngiteer with, at the present time a Plant iare:an, and sometime in the' future, a separate division of Distribution of Water, light, power, and nd gas (at present directly under the - Operating ngineer, ) a it a.. division of Collection "Your committee will file with the City Clerk a record of its:meetings, the various proposals which have been presented to it, and charts of structural charges proposed. "Mr. Christensen agrees ; *ith' the above .. fndi:2gs:oUf this committee but reserves the privilege to submit a supplementary report.. "December 10, 1928. . " .espec tf ully submitted, A. L,. Cathcart C. H. Christensen_ C. E. Jordan E. C. mots E. A. Cottr-e1l,Chairman." The •following minority report v.;s.s received charter committee: ounci.l:man Christensen a member of the from ra to the Honorable Council of the City of Palo Alto: 441. "The following is, a statement from the undersigned, member of the ,. Council Committee on Char ter Amendment, and constitutes what is in effect a minority report ofsaidCommiot tee. "The minority i,s in favor of all thechanges given in the majority report, but it tnkes�the position ira order thatsaid suggested changes do not go far enough. .._ to give the" citizens of. Palo Alto a ,mor e City Government. ,,,� effectual Ci `y "The work of those responsible for the majority report has, in the main been solely for the ern o.. t,�w internal work of tae official partof the City Government and, has not taken into account what is the need of the citizens at large or what they desire for a closer contact with the governing; and executive bodies of the municipality. "In the face of t:ne experience and learpi g o f m honored colleagues, ri I ^� - i y relative give to matters pertaining to City Government, it may appear presumptuous, indeea, for mealone/ to s ggest in this report what form further f t� .�. er ©.� the Charter should take. It is simply my purpose to point out some outstanding facts fundamental in their nature, and, to my mind, self-evident„ which are � � b°se .•d on my observation and experience as a Councilman, and if this analysis is. in the ?rain correct, it would rest with the Council to decide whether further study should be ;made on the: problem before us. fundamental principle of the present �. laiddot�n bythe freeholders w. � ac;rt sys,,ar� as who the Charter Of Palo Alto nearly twenty years ago was based on the theory,namely: 298 777777 "That the legislative and executive bodies should be two distinct and separate parts of to City Government whose °authority should, rest solely upon a State Charter. ' This has resulted in a City Government with no centralized authority and with a divided responsibility. This, in theory, seemed a wise provision, but they failed to` foresee that this division would leave the genera) public without direct point of contact with its representative government. "The present Charter has some very strong features, but, on the other hand, it is am - opinion that men :y n the aznda.....�.t;a:. weakness of the Charter under which we are , now working lies in the fact that it provides for no central seat of responsibility. The Chart r now n tw o � s provides for �tir,o divisions of authority - one in the Council, and one in the Boards, and this. division has a tendency to decentralize authority, with the natural result that, as the City -rows and its activities ..increase, even with the best of intention there cannot be a fully efficient and business -like government. Therefore, to my mind, any revision of the Charter should be for the express purpose that our people may have the very best service given to them in all departments of the MunicipalGovernment in order that there will be efficiency, economy and a low cost per capita in the overhead expense of the City. a V J. Vyw ":To my mind, a true analysis of the practical working -out of the Charter leads me to the conclusion that a dual system of government like this has given Palo Alto a rather high per capita expense, due to the fact that the budget is not based on economies brought about by centralized supervision, but must naturally be high because the budget is based upon estimates of piojects and expense not fully determined and the exercise of the expenditures of the , amount allotted is mainly confined tc the idea not to exceed the budget, rather than taking into account how muc could be saved and returned to the general fund. And, fiArther, it Ss from divided. groups in the City Government that we find the source from which the budget is mainly derived, `•and the Council with a kindly hand votes over into the various departments the amount asked for, and, bccaose it has no further control,, respond bi.li.ty cease,,, as far as the Council is concerned. "The activities of the! City are ever i.ncsessi_.g and expanding, whichbrings with it the necessity of a Charter th:..t will ,rive the r"overning body the right to regulate the affairs of the City by ordinance, ns the necessity may arise, for it is evident that under the Charter, after legislation is made in the Council, no authority now rests in a centralized body as to final responsibility, except pt ;..s ft rests ;.sport a. Charter .rc,;; eeti nearly twenty years ago, and, to which the City Government is now tied hand and foot, rather than upon the lfving sresseen "But some say that it is dangerous to centra: ze authority in the Council - thn t they cannot be trusted exercise that power to the best interest of the pac-,;e ,. But is there not a greater weakness and danger individed responsibility?, ror to a large extent the works -oe. f the present Charter is this: That this divided res onsiLi - ty has in a measure, at least, transferred the r•esoo:si:Ii`+.. of the Council and Boards to the different executive Froeps and, to my mind, it is here that we find the underlying- caws: of a high per capita cost of our City Government. °'And this leads me to the focal; point of my argument that authority in our City Government has e :e n split up into so many groups that a lack of ca -ordination has resulted in the business of the City. lo my mind, the outstanding obstacle for speedy action in the operation of the. City C -'o ;rerriment in Palo Alto is the fact that the various boards are now independent oodles, e independent .nd, havin inherent indepr t '� them- selves, powers JVi within Y'..�i'°;.i- selves, there is a Pronounced tendency to slop' doi.,tin, the business of the City,. This is especially true as it affects. any new business that needs speedy attention. "I do not for one minute claim to be an w these matters, but as the ,., x;oert in I Sns,e the situa.ti, _on as i t relates to Pa f o Alto after a year and a halt' as a City �.,� Councilman, it is my judgment that we should have some .form of Centralized. Authority resident in the e Council itself, functioning thvough a directing Head, covering at least ail departments of the general city government, leaving out, if thought best, the utilities, which can be operated under a separate Board whose authority should be derived from the Council l te but �.iG� �`our'l.cil Itself. l,f• "At this time. 1 want to say that I am not in favor of a City Manager form of government whose authority t upon a �ta.te Charter. ''�'�QQ (gym advocating {,j..//�� (/ rests YJiat I am id. Noca V1ng Is to adopt s Charter that will give the right to the Council to adopt. whatever executive form of government i g t r.tay eeri deem wise. "Following up the idea as to the utilities, expressed in my suggestion to the Council at its first meeting of the present fiscal year., it was stated that it might , a to place over the utilities � „� � ���i: o�. well Zities a business aanager, because the e tilities are not primarily a real part of C City Government, but are in their nature g purely , n_ t ' ±0 n.,.an�, business ' ns t tuti and i for this reason should be under a strictly business orianaCe- .n nt, with the Utility Board accountable only to the Council itself, and, having; in no way, t e h.. work of its employees er officers overlapping into the work of the general city government. ,� "The Council under the Charter amendment .ate. � 51.xacrggtP,G�. could by ordinance clothe the Utility ,.'C>,arC„° with t'authority and responsibility, concentrated in a rd :;o:�mis loners yry� of �. p be�oF/.�.� of three or �•iv� , sore Z l:s members to chosen from om the people at large and part selected from th Counci?. Ater "A the foregoing statements minority report be g thc; sugg�:stior, �; f . n may given briefly, M �. as follows: ,�1 "cr: i �, br t;ncz is 1 That Article III, Section 1, be amended . Ysided t, so �,.aut the Charter will centralize authority t governing bpd City .�.r a.xl., body,of f the C. ty of Palo Alto, and all powers granted to and vested in the City � Alto shall ty of 1 be exerc iced by the 'Council C.� t of Palo .:a1t;o g, andsaid � of t;'..��. ,..��;� Council shall have tie t'?o'.v r to fix and establish the method and manner w i ch .such powers shall be exercised. in „II. To grant power (resident in the Council itself)- f in which the City ) may regulate its affairs under govermentby ordinance , giving the Council th; right to create Commissions and a a t 6ubordinate Officers or ExecutiveOfficers ' 1 rs< powers and duties shall be d/� and pa c wLbpe� defined C..d prescribed � VY�4 F :y ordinance out of the powers granted: to tj'e�Cy'ty ! Council. , AP I I .,vut of the riG`bL,�:.'rs granted to the CityCouncil the ouncil may prescribe such powers and dut!es by rdina:�ce ,s r determine, s'ai^. Council may �'�''�.ri:in., and carry, with., i t ,povv�;. �. , A-ou1d r or authority to determine w here, subordinate aut hority and r :�ponsi'aility.s.,afl rest. 9' T g r� that .s i i » a.r_�.s`�- sa�,�,estion provides t_�a,, the Ca�.,lnu.�_ remain 4s Z;. members:, obd, consisting of fifteen and this Council be continued without a new election:under tiravisions of t: e present Charter, and that the mintst'eril officers remain as. now constituted. ma o Cc7 'Government by ordinance under such power as suggeste . above, is flexible in its nature, n whiCrT 1.e ,islption can easily be enacted and changes mademadee to ,Suit conditions and problems as they arise, without -the trouble and expense Co" o f ea Charter amendment. yet "There can be no question as. too. _the legality: of an the amendment granting such powers to the Council,: for the inv reason that:it has been ado ^tod by theeCit:y of Pasadena after careful study, and the suggestions .submitted herewith are based on the fundamental powers granted'in the Charter of that City- 'The minority report would, therefore:, ash; of the Council., that after further study, a:nd. if .t would meet. with ,the approval of .those expert in these matters, that en additional amendment be placed upon the ballot to be accepted or rejected by the votes of the electors of the City of Palo Alto to embody the foregoing si. gge s ,;ions . }•'To,.. sut it up, an amendment as above suggested would simp3.y' :jean that instead of a Charter designating where Bubo rdtna te. authority shall rest, such an amendment would give• the, Council the power to determine by ordinance where such authority shall be placed, and the Council could by o-t/y_'dinaJnc�ej continue the pr �e; t� y ys/ ;�/s� ;:em of govern m1en(t, i f Nhey so elect, or adopt any form, of City administration tzat;wil l be for the best interest of the City, without t.hc trouble end expense of an election for Charter Amendment. • :.:,red l.fully submitted, r �(�y{ �" y �T y C. H. ChiIs Vensen. (Councilmen /Being and Jordan f at this time V � �i LwrA left t I. A.w absent during the rest of the meeting.) 0n motion of Hobart and Lausten, the above matter referred- to the City Attorney to consider both reports and to report at a special meeting eetir.gto beheld next Saturday evening, December 15, 1928, at 7:30 p. m. in the City Hall. Resolution of Intentl_or: for Sidewalks A resolution of intention providing for the canstr c- tion o f concrete sidewalks in College Terrace waa, read, and was adopted byeunatitous vote on roll call. This is :Resol,.utIc_: of .intention i\ . 708, and fixes the time of nearing on this mat e:-. at. 730 p,, m. an -January 14, 1929, the next regular meeting e `' :e Co unCi l . - Reports Voris. Received The. reports of the Department of Pubic Safety. the u`ci for anti Tr asurer for the month of November,. 19?S,, were received and ?laced on file, on motion of Christensen and Johnscn cla --ecer hequest of Mrs. Stromquist sirs. .Euia.Lia Stromquist addressed the Council on the ;r.attrr of her plans for a proposed.- subdivision of her property Oregon Avenue., which she had presented to the Plonning c.im;•!1issior several .„ont+ha ago.- Sale requestedinformation ( d the proposed extension of Webster Street and other questions - involved in her subdivision plans, .and aesired to know when she could expect to- r. ecei re ' recom end ation from the Planning ^o.7mission on tb.is after. ' . 4~t'er considerable discussion between Mrs. Stronquist, the Ci,tyA.At:torney, Deputy Attorney, City. -'Jngineer and the Council, Mrs. Stromquist v:nsIkadvised to call upon the., City Attorney to confer with.him upon the legal questions n v o iv e -d, Claims Allowed !r O n :lotion of Christensen and r -hosts, the following were allowed and warrants authorized in payment of the same American Trust Co. $88.04 E. L. 3each 20.00 Yr . � s S $ V. D. C,' o r'x7t1't 4. 5 H. S. Crocker Co. 60.49 Leonard Distel 6.50 Y , John L. Ingram 7.15 E. D. Lakin 75.00 Malcolm and David. A. 7. Petty 8.55 Schwabacher-Prey Ststy Co. 75.51 Travelers Insurance Co. 430.00 City of Palo Alto, Taxes for Veterans ians :re�,.:f urc Board 20.80 H. Jayne 210.00 Sterling Engraving Co. 46.07 Violet I. Foster 2.60 Georgiana Squire 5.20 M. F. Blair 13.00 '�'he Elliott Horne Co . 640.00 Mr s. Y amr l t t L. Cowell 5.85 Slonaker's Printing souse 145.00 'he Layers~ C operative Pub. Co. 10.00 Arthur v +.+ . James 12.00 On motion the Council adjourned to Saturday, - ecenber 15, 1928, at -7:30 p. m. in the City Attest: Approved - ♦