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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-06-1956 CITY COUNCIL MINUTESRetyped version due to fading of original copy – 04/15/2012 1 SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL TIME: December 6, 1956, 7:50 P.M. PLACE: Fireman’s Hall, Oak Street, Saratoga, California TYPE: Regular Meeting I. ROUTINE ORGANIZATION A. ROLL CALL Present: Brazil, Jepsen, Langwill,Williams Absent: Rosasco B. MINUTES Reading of the minutes was waived but minutes of previous meeting (November 15, 1956) were approved. II. PETITIONS AND GRIEVANCES A. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None B. WRITTEN REQUESTS FOR ACTION Chamber of Commerce Vs. Gravel Trucks and Quarry . 1. A letter from Richard W. Rhodes, President of the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce dated November 20, 1956 was read by the clerk. It protested against the issuance of a use permit to Clarence Tressler for a quarry on Big Basin Way and against the hazards to traffic by the use of county quarry trucks on Big Basin Way. Mayor Brazil referred the protest to the Public Safety Committee for study. Merchant’s Assn. re gravel trucks . 2. A letter from Frank Davis, President of the Saratoga Merchant’s Associ ation dated Dec. 6, 1956, was read by the clerk. It asked for some means to alleviate the nuisance caused by gravel trucking traffic. Mayor Brazil ref erred the letter to the Public S afety Committee for study. Petition (over 100 names) re Saratoga Sand and Gravel Company Gravel Pit Abatement . 3. A petition for the abatement of Quarry (Saratoga Sand and Gravel Co.) as public nuisance was read by the clerk. Marshall Hall, attorney for the petitioners reiterated the information contained in the petition and ------[unreadable wording ] involved on a map which accompanied the petition. In addition, Retyped version due to fading of original copy – 04/15/2012 2 he indicated that he did not feel that the hardship angle in this case carried much weight and that the Saratoga Sand and Gravel Co. had been adequately forewarned by protests in the past. Mayor Brazil stated that the oral submission would be taken under consideration and he would send the matter to the Committee on Public Works for study and to the City Attorney for an opinion on the legal aspects. George A. Vadney re protest against formation of local police . 4. A letter from George A. Vadney, 12619 Paseo Olivas, Saratoga regarding o p i n i o n against the formation of a local police department for the City of Saratoga, was read by the clerk. Mayor Brazil requested that it be filed in the City records. At this point, Mr. Goodere, 13235 Paseo Presada asked that the clerk read a letter he wished to present. Mayor Brazil stated that because of the length of the letter it would be read at the end of the meeting if time allowed. V. Garrod letter re : water accumulation on property adjoining Oak Street School . 5 . Letter from Vince Garrod, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Saratoga Union School District requesting that the matter of water accumulating on the Paul Muth proper ty (recently purchased) adjoin ing the Oak Street School grounds be referred to the City Engineer. Mayor Brazil referred this to the committee for Public Safety. Postmaster George Whalen letter re Courtesy Boxes . 6. A letter from Postmaster George Whalen, Saratoga Post Office regarding the location of three courtesy collection boxes, i.e., (1) in front of Muth Bldg. on Big Basin Way; (2) front of Village Shopping Center; (3) Quito Shopping Center, was read by the cler k. Councilman Jepsen suggested that because of the traffic problem involved in front of the Muth Building, it might be better to place one of the boxes in front of the Richfield station. Mr. Muth of Big Basin Way stated from the floor that he had no obje ction to a box in front of his building; Mrs. Kraule of Springer Street stated that two boxes in the same general area seemed excessive; Mr. Goodere, 13235 Paseo Presada, stated from the floor also that there appeared to be no need for such boxes in Quito. Councilman Jepsen moved that the Council communicate with Mr. Whalen to ascertain whether there was any specific reason for the box in front of the Muth Bldg., and if not, that it be placed in front of the Richfield station. This motion was adopted unan imously. Letter and oral statement of Howard Campen, attorney 7. A letter from Howard W. Campen, attorney, regarding formal Retyped version due to fading of original copy – 04/15/2012 3 for Calif. Pacific Title Ins. Co. recreation of assessment district in the Allendale Avenue -Quite Road section for the installation of curbs, gutters, sewage collection, storm drainage, etc. petition from his client, The California Pacific Title Insurance Co. for the Council’s approval and the institution by them of formalized proceedings for the creation of an assessment district invo lving an area on the northerly side of Allendale Avenue and westerly of Quito Road, for the purpose of installing streets, curbs, gutters, sewage collection system, storm drainage system and such additional off -site work as may be required by the City of S aratoga, was read by the clerk. Mr. Campen, from the floor, stated that the Viola Lumber Co. was his client and that all engineering work, would be done by Mc Kay and Stomp of Sunnyvale; legal work by Howard Campen ; and that Stone and Youngberg of San Fra ncisco, investment counselors would guarantee purchase of improvement bonds (6%). Other municipalities or districts that had undertaken or were currently undertaking such procedures were the City of San Mateo – Woodland Subdivision; South San Francisco – Industrial Park Unit #1; Riverside, California – two subdivision projects. Incidental expenses such as publications and notices would be taken care of by Mr. Campen for the City Clerk. Specifications would be under control of the Council at all times, an d that Viola Lumber Company or Stone and Youngberg would be glad to discuss this with the Council. Construction work, engineering, clerical and all other expenses would be about $60,000 or an average lot assessment of $1200. City Attorney Faber Johnston stated that the proposition was a method of financing in the City’s name. Councilman Williams asked what happens in case of default. Mr. Campen replied that the bond holder has the right to proceed against property. Mr. Campen added to previous statemen t indicating that the Stanford Villa tracts #1 and #2 in 1947 -8 in Palo Alto did the same thing. He further indicated that bonds would be tax free and therefore much sought after. Mayor Brazil stated the entire matter would be taken under submission unti l it can be investigated. III. ORDINANCES A. Ordinance #13 P.G. & E. Franchise for Electricity . “ORDINANCE GRANTING TO PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS THE FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT, MAINTAIN AND USE, POLES, WIRES, CONDUITS, AND APPURTENANCES, Retyped version due to fading of original copy – 04/15/2012 4 INCLUDING COMMUNICATION CIRCUIT S , NECESSARY OR PROPER FOR TRANSMITTING AND DISTRIBU TING ELECTRICITY TO THE PUBLIC FOR ANY AND ALL PURPOSES IN, ALONG, ACROSS, UPON , UNDER AND OVER THE PUBLIC STREETS AND PLACES WITHIN THE CITY OF SARATOGA” was introduced. Reading of the body was waived and Councilman Jepsen moved for its adoption. Unanimously passed. City Attorney Johnston stated that the income from this Ordinance was retroactive to October 22, 1956. B. Ordinance #14 P.G. & E Franchise for Gas . “AN ORDINANCE GRANTING TO PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS THE FRANCHISE TO INSTALL, MAINTAIN AND USE PIPES AND APPURTENANCES FOR TRANSMITTING THE DISTRIBUTING GAS FOR ANY AND ALL PURPOSES UNDER, ALONG, ACROSS OR UPON THE PUBLIC STREETS AND PLACES AS THE SAME NOW O R MAY HEREAFTER EXIST IN THE CITY OF SARATOGA” wa s introduce. Reading of the body was waived, and Councilman Williams moved for its adoption. Unanimously passed. City Attorney Johnston stated that the income from this franchise begins the effective date of the Ordinance. C. Ordinance #15 City Clerk and City Administrator . “AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE COMPENSATION OF THE CITY CLERK, ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND ESTABLISHING THE DUTIES THEREOF” was introduced. Councilman Jepsen moved for its adoption. Motion was carried unanimously. R. Richmond damage to Bohlman Rd. At this point, Mr. Ralph Richmond of Bohlman Road, Saratoga, stated from the floor that there was road damage at Bohlman And Kittredge Roads, which required repairing. Mayor Brazil asked Mr. Richmond to put this informa tion in the form of a letter addressed to the Council. Mr. Brazil adjourned the meeting at 9:00 P.M. so that the Councilmen could sit as the City Planning Commission. Council re -met at 9:05 P.M. D. Ordinance #3A “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CIT Y OF SARATOGA ADOPTING ZONING REGULATIONS AND A ZONING PLAN FOR THE SAID Retyped version due to fading of original copy – 04/15/2012 5 City Zoning regulations and procedures . CITY GENERALLY IN CONFORMITY WITH PRE -EXISTING COUNTY REGULATIONS” was introduced and read by the City Clerk and Councilman Langwill. Councilman Williams moved for its adoption. Unanimously passed. In response to a question from the floor by Mrs. Kraule of Springer Avenue, the hours of the city offices were set at 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday. At the same time, it was announced that all applications for zoning changes, variances, use permits and site control permits would be issued at the City Offices with the City Clerk as Acting Clerk of the Saratoga Planning Commission. IV. RESOLUTIONS A. FORMAL Resolution #6 Re: Sales Tax RESOLUTION #6 relating to the Bradley -Burns Act was read by Councilman Williams. The City Attorney indicated that we hoped to have the contracts executed by December 31, 1956. Councilman Jepson moved for adoption of the resolution. It was passed unanimo usly. B. MINUTE Requests for council action must be in writing. Schedule relating thereto. 1. Mayor Brazil proposed that , in order to expedite and systematize the work of the council, all requests for action on the part of the Council be in writing and be in the hands of the City Clerk on the sixth (6th ) day preceding the next council meeting or, if the matter relates to Planning, in the hands of the Acting Clerk of the Planning Commission on the tenth (1 0th ) day before the next hearing. No action would be t aken by the Council on any item not on the agenda. Unanimously passed. Appointment of temporary typist. 2. Councilman Williams made the motion that Mrs. F. C. Bachman be made temporary typi st at a rate of $1.50 per hour – for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days during which time she will set up a complete filing system and instruct her successor. Passed unanimously. V. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS A. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES None B. PERSONNEL Appointment of City Treasurer Appointment of City Clerk and City Administrator 1. Councilman Langwill nominated Captain E. R. Mc Kenzie to the position of Treasurer of the city of Saratoga. Unanimously carried. 2. Councilman Williams nominated Franklin C. Bachman to the positions of City Clerk and City Administrator. Unanimo usly passed. Retyped version due to fading of original copy – 04/15/2012 6 C. FINANCES Monies of defunct Saratoga Sanitary District 1. City Attorney Johnston stated that the money and bonds fro m the Sanitary District (now defunct) could be picked up from the County Treasurer by the City Treasurer. 2. City Attorney Johnston reported that the rates in Sanitation District #4 were being raised. However, this will not affect those residents living in the old Sanitary District since his discussions with City Attorney Williams indicated that the contract pre sently in effect in the district need not be negotiated at this time. If the new rates were allowed it would cost the Sanitary District from $5,-6000 per annum. Under the present contract, $2 -3000 per annum – a net savings of $3 -4000 per annum to the pe ople of this district. Mayor Brazil called to the attention of the Council that the astuteness of our City Attorney had resulted in a saving of $3 -4000 to the people of the Sanitary District. Councilman Williams called to the attention of the Council a recent newspaper article which stated that Mrs. Harold Jepsen had given the City of Saratoga a new gravel – instead of a “new Gavel”. Mayor Brazil stated that in view of the length of Mr. Goodere’s letter, previously referred to, and due to the lateness of the hour, said letter would not be read but would be taken under consideration by the Council. Councilman Jepsen made motion to adjourn at 9:50 P.M. Motion passed unanimously.