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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-25-1974 City Council Minutes MINUTES SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL TIME: Tuesday, June 25, 1974 - 7:30 P.M. PLACE: Saratoga City Council Chambers f TYPE: Adjourned Regular Meeting ~ I. ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmen Smith, Brigham, Bridges, Kraus and Diridon Absent: None II. PETITIONS, ORDINANCES AND FORMAL RESOLUTIONS A. PETITION FROM RESIDENTS OF PRIDES CROSSING AREA URGING THAT FOUR-WAY STOP SIGNS BE PLACED AT THE INTERSECTION OF LANCHMONT AVENUE AND NORTHAMPTON DRIVE (Cont'd. from 6/19/74) .j~t~Robert Shook, Director of Public Works, reviewed the staff recommen- ~[~on which was given on the June 25th memorandum to the City Manager. Basically, it calls for a two-way stop for traffic at Northampton./ Frank Perdichizzi, President of Pride's Crossing Homeowners Association, spoke for the Association in favorof a four-way stop at this intersection. He further expanded his comments ~to indicate his desire to slow all the traffic down in the Pride's CrosSing area. He talked of a stop sign on Scully Avenue and indicated that it might be logical to install such a stop sign at this point. The Mayor questioned Mr. Shook on the affect of installing a four-way stop sign at the Larchmont-Northampton intersection. Mr. Shook indicated that the traffic engineer does not snbscribe to the theory of putting stop signs at intersections~=~us~s a Councilman Diridon indicated he would like to see liberal use of the area "Stop" sign to discourage the us~ of any thru streets like Miller, Scully or Northampton. He wa~ted to insure the use of Prospect and Cox Avenues for "thru traffic" alone. Charles Huff, 12725 Miller Avenue, indicated he felt Larchmont has become a diversion due to the new connection into the Avco Subdivision and its proximity to Cox Avenue. Dan Popylisen, Vice President of .Pride's Crossing Homeowners Association, stated that the traffic problem has increased with the addition of Kevin Moran Park and the new Avco Subdivision. They have heard quite a few complaints about the increased traffic from homeowners in the area. He felt that with a few more stop signs they would have control of the area. Mayor Smith indicated he was concerned that we are taking a "piece-meal" approach to the problem, and questioned what solutions might be devised for Scully and Sara Glen Avenues. He wondered if whatever we installed at Larchmont and Northampton would then cause the traffic to be moved to the streets to the west. He stated his 'preference would be for an area study to measure the ~otal lmpact of stop signs in the area. The Director of Public Works stated that from an engineering point of view, the intension is to facilitate traffic flow. Stop signs frustrate this intent, and the main purpose 'of installation of stop signs is the assignment of right-of-way. Councilman Bridges thoughtwe ought to consciously create a crooked route. "This Council has taken 'an attitude to discourage traffic flow and to preserve the tranquility in the subdivision." Councilman Kraus stated that he had no qualms about putting stop signs in, and favored a four-way stop inlthis instance. The City Manager indicated that he would like to review the question of an area approach to the Pride's Crossing area with Public Works and report back on the feasibility of undertaking such a study at the next meeting. It was moved by Councilman Diridon and seconded by Councilman Kraus to adopt Resolution No. MV-78, providing for a four-way stop at the inter- 'section of Larchmont and Northampton Drive. The motion was carried. III. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. CONSIDERATION OF 1974-75 PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET The City Manager stated that the public hearing was continued from the last meeting at the request of a resident 'who wished to more thoroughly review the Budget, and a request by the Chamber of Commerce that money be appro- priated for '~usic at Wildwood". He stated that there is also a Budget request for'fundin~ of the Youth-Services Bureau, and ~'~i~ease in the Law Enforcement Budget to $38,000. "~ Mayg~ Smith/received a. consensus.on the Council for_inel~sion_~f_the !_~' ~y6~dth~fe~f~BU~e~uccon~ptti~h~Budget. - ...... ~ ~- Councilman Brig~am reiterated his~ support for further drime prevention, rather than additional officers for enforcement. He favored the proposal for an additional Code Enforcement Officer at the reduced estimated rate of $17,000 for the fiscal year.-~ Mayor Smith felt that the full $~81~000 might be set aside for budgetary purposes, and the Council could decide at a later date whether they preferred law enforcement activities rather than Code Enforcement. Both Councilman Bridges and Councilman Kraus concurred in the Mayor~s recommen- dation torileave the options open. They indicated they would await the City Manager~s recommendation on the whole matter at a later date. The City Manager stated he had checked with the Sheriff~s Department and found out that it would be'possible to hire an additional officer at any time during the fiscal year, so there would be no problem in coming back in two to three months with a complete study. The Council felt they would have difficulty in agreeing to pay for expenses incurred by the Chamber for "Music at Wildwood". However, they were in favor of doing something for Fiscal Year 74-75. Councilman Bridges stated he would like toiadd $500 to the Chamber's budget for "Music 'at Wildwood". Councilman Diridon felt this was acceptable, as long as what was approved for the Chamber was on a project basis, and not just for Chamber of Commerce overhead. Charles Huff stated that he would like to~',see the $38,000 for Law Enforce- ment, as well as the $17,000 for further code enforcement activities, both approved for the 74-75 Budget. The Mayor indicated that budget constraint does not allow including both projects; however, $38,000 would be inserted. It was moved by Councilman Bridges and seconded by Councilman Kraus the public hearing be closed. The motion was carried. The public hearing was closed at 8:55 P.M. It was then moved by Councilman ~aus a~ seconded by Councilman Bridges to adopt Resolution No. 703 with ~endments as follows: $38,000 for additional law enforcement;l,$500 to the Chamber of Commerce for "Music at Wildwood"; and $15,000 toward the Youth Services Bureau. The motion was carried. IV. APPROV~ OF W~RANTS ~ It was moved by Councilman Bridges and seconded by Councilman ~aus the Council approve Warrants 19533 and 19534, aM the Mayor be authorized to 'sign the warrants. The motion was carried. V. ~JO~NME~ It was moved by ~uncilman Diridon and seconded by Councilman ~aus the meeting be adjourned. The motion was carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M. to an Executive Session to follow the Committee of the Sole Meeting. Respectfully submitted,