HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/6/2016 Town of Los Altos Hills
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 06, 2016
Council Chambers, 26379 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills, California
CALL TO ORDER(6:00 P.M:)
Mayor Harpootlian called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
A. Roll Call.
Present: Mayor Harpootlian,Vice Mayor Waldeck, Councilmember Corrigan,
Councilmember Radford, Councilmember Spreen-
Absent: None
Staff: City Manager Carl Cahill, City Attorney.Steve Mattas, Planning
Director Suzanne Avila, City Engineer/Public Works Director Richard
Chiu, Administrative Services Director Pak Lin, City Clerk Deborah
' - Padovan
B. Pledge of Allegiance
1. AGENDA REVIEW
There were no changes'to-the agenda.
2. PRESENTATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
A. Presentation by.Director Yoriko Kishimoto of the Mid-Peninsula Regional Open
Space District
Yoriko Kishimoto, Director and President, Mid-Peninsula Regional Open
Space District, provided an overview of the activities and goals being.
accomplished by the Open Space District after the passage of Measure AA in 2014.
The Council asked questions of President Kishimoto and received her responses.
No action was taken.
B. Presentation by Pablo Luther, President, Board of Trustees, Los Altos School
District
1
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
April6,2016
•
•
' Jeff Baier, Superintendent and Pablo_ Luther, President of the Board of.
Trustees for Los Altos School District ("LASD"), presented LASD's.
accomplishments since the passage of Measure N in 2014 and discussed moving
forward with finding an additional school site.
Council asked questions of President Luther and Superintendent Baier and
received their responses.
•
Mayor Harpootlian opened the discussion for public comment.
Chris Wellborn, Los Altos Hills, thanked the Council for inviting Mr. Luther and
Mr. Baier and said their presentation was very informational and helpful as a
: parent of Bullis Charter School students. He also expressed his thanks for.
• encouraging the School District to find the best facilities for all the students.
David Hughes, Los Altos Hills, thanked the Council for inviting the LASD •
representatives so everyone can be informed as to what is going on.
•
Mayor Harpootlian thanked President Luther and Superintendent Baier for
attending.No action was taken.
•
C. Annual Report of the History Committee. •
Carol Crites, Chair of the Los Altos Hills History Committee, presented an
annual report on the activities of the committee.
Council discussion ensued.No action was taken.
Councilmember Corrigan suggested bringing the book that will be placed in the
time capsule to the town picnic for more residents to sign.
•
•
• D. Reappointment to the Finance:and Investment Committee •
City Clerk Deborah Padovan presented the staff report.
• MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Corrigan moved to
reappoint Susan Mason to a second, four-year term on the Finance and Investment
Committee. The motion was seconded by:Vice Mayor Waldeck:
Motion Carried 5 to 0: •
•
AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Radford, Councilmember
Spreen, Vice Mayor Waldeck, Mayor Harpootlian
NOES: None
•
2
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
April 6,2016
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
E. Reappointment to the History Committee
City Clerk Padovan presented the staff report.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Spreen moved to
reappoint Carol Gottlieb to a second,four-year term on the History Committee.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Radford.
Motion Carried 5 to 0:
AYES:: . Councilmember:Corrigan, Councilmember Radford, Councilmember
Spreen,Vice Mayor Waldeck, Mayor Harpootlian
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
3. PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FLOOR Persons wishing to address the Council
on any subject not on the agenda may do so now. Please complete a Speaker Card
located on the back table of the Council Chambers and submit it to the City Clerk.
Comments are limited to two (2).minutes per speaker: California law prohibits the
Council from acting on items that do not appear on the agenda. Under a Resolution
previously adopted by the Council, such items can be referred to staff for
appropriateaction,which may include placement on the next available agenda.
Bridget Morgan, Los Altos Hills, asked, looking ahead to the townwide update of the,
master path plan map, do members of the City Council, Planning Commission, Pathways
Committee and Master Path Plan Mapping Update Subcommittee fit under,the public
generally exemption to the Political Reform Act Conflict of Interest Rules so that they
may all participate in the governmental decision about the master path plan map?
Les Earnest, Los Altos Hills, spoke about the History Committee's work in updating the
list of historical sites in the General Plan. He stated thatthe appendix in the General Plan
has no legal relationship to anything,it is just a list.
Vice Mayor Waldeck asked about Ms. Morgan's question posed earlier. City Attorney
Steve Mattas informed the Council that Ms. Morgan raised the same issue at a Pathways
Committee meeting where two Councilmembers were present. He said he would provide.
the Council with a written report on the issue.
3
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
April 6,2016
4. CONSENT CALENDAR.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Waldeck moved to approve the
CONSENT CALENDAR, specifically, The motion was seconded by Councilmember
Radford.
Motion Carried 5 to 0: .
AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Radford, Councilmember.
Spreen,Vice Mayor Waldeck,Mayor Harpootlian
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
A. Resolution 16-16 Approving the Third. Amendment to the Sewer Agreement
Between the Town of Los Altos Hills and the City of Los Altos (Staff: R. Chiu)
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Resolution Approving a Contract Amendment for r an Additional Two Months of
Service. for Stewardship and Public Outreach for Town Owned Open Space
Preserves (Staff R. Chiu)
Public Works Director Richard Chiu presented the staff report.
Sue Welch, Open Space Committee Member, presented a request for bridge
funds for Acterra Services.
Council discussion ensued including consensus to amend the resolution to say "up
to $9,000" in the event there are remaining funds on the contract.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Radford moved to
approve Resolution 17-16 approving the contract amendment with Acterra in
additional amount up to $9,000 for an addition two months of service to bring the
contract in line with the budget cycle. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor
Waldeck.
Motion Carried 5 to 0:
AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Radford, Councilmember
Spreen,Vice Mayor Waldeck, Mayor Harpootlian
NOES: None
4
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
April 6,2016
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Appeal of a Planning Commission Decision Approving Variances for Floor Area
and a Setback Encroachment and a Conditional Development Permit for Additions
to an Existing Residence; 25541 Fremont Road, File #297-15-ZP-SD-VAR-CDP
(Staff: S. Avila)
Ex Parte Disclosures: Councilmember:Corrigan met with the homeowners and
toured the house earlier in the week; Councilmember Spreen met with the applicant
and spoke with the Chair of the Planning Commission; Vice Mayor Waldeck
receiveda phone call from the applicant and spoke with Planning Commissioners;
Councilmember Radford received an email from the applicant,but did not visit the
house; Mayor Harpootlian met with the:applicants on several occasions and went
to the house and spoke with Planning Commissioners and staff.
Mayor Harpootlian outlined the procedure for the public hearing.
City Attorney Mattas explained that a Councilmember has a right to appeal a
matter and then the matter is heard anew. If a Councilmember has specific reasons
for appealing, they should state the reasons, not the conclusions, for why the matter
should be heard so that the applicant and the members of the public have an
opportunity to respond.
Councilmember Waldeck stated that the reason for his appeal, was the Town has
development rules and one of the things under attack is that people want more MFA
and if we are going to continually approve more MFA, why have the rule? He said
it would useful to have a second view.
Mayor Harpootlian opened the Public Hearing.
Planning Director Suzanne Avila presented the staff report.
Applicant Ilya Sabsovich spoke on behalf of the project.
Eileen Gibbons, Los Altos Hills, said she was at the Planning Commission when
this project wasapproved and said the project is within the footprint and it is not a
huge,bulky project.
Kavita Tankha, Los Altos Hills Planning Commissioner, said that the Planning
Commission takes any request to grant floor area variances very seriously.
5
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
April 6,2016
Jim Abraham, Los Altos Hills Planning Commissioner, shared his thought
_ process and why he voted against the project at the Planning Commission meeting.
Mayor Harpootlian closed the Public Hearing.
Council discussion ensued.
Council recessed at 8:20 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 8:30 p.m.
Before the vote, the City Attorney said that staff:is looking at modifying the
wording of one of the variance findings based on the site characteristics. He asked
that the Council return-to the item after the additional finding is confirmed.
City Attorney Mattas explained about variances and the findings that were
approved by\the Planning Commission for this project.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember .Corrigan moved to.
uphold the Planning Commission's approval of a Conditional Development Permit
for minor additions and variances for a front setback encroachment and to exceed
the maximum floor area subject to the findings in Attachments 1 and 2 and the.
conditions of approval in Attachment 3, with an amendment to Attachment 2, the
first finding a sentence shall be added to read that the property is in the.FEMA
flood insurance rate map, .the FIRM map. The motion was seconded by
Councilmember Radford.
Motion.Carried 4 to 1:
AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Radford, Councilmember
Spreen, Mayor Harpootlian
NOES: Vice Mayor Waldeck
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
7.. REPORTS FROM. COMMITTEES, SUB-COMMITTEES, AND
COUNCILMEMBERS ON OUTSIDE AGENCIES
Councilmember Corrigan said she attended the Community Relations Committee
meeting and encouraged all to attend the Town Picnic on June 5, 2016
Vice Mayor Waldeck said he was appointed by Congresswoman Eshoo's office to the
Select Committee for Aviation Noise.
6
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
April 6,2016
Mayor Harpootlian said that he attended the.Community School of Music gala where a
special recognition award for Nobuko and Gary Cleary was presented. He also shared_
that an ABAG meeting on the Future of Regional Planning was planned for April 21, 2016
and encouraged a representative to attend. As no other.Councilmembers will be able to
attend,he suggested City Manager Carl Cahill attend as an alternate.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Vice Mayor Waldeck moved to designate City
Manager Carl Cahill as an alternate ABAG representative at the April 21, 2016 general
assembly meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Radford.
Motion Carried 5 to 0:
AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember.Radford, Councilmember
Spreen;Vice Mayor Waldeck,Mayor Harpootlian
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
8. COUNCIL INITIATED ITEMS
A. Discussion on Safety of Intersection at Robleda and Purissima Roads
(Councilmember Spreen)
Councilmember Spreen presented the item and requested a traffic engineer review
the intersection of Robleda and Purissima and offered suggestions to increase the
safety of that intersection.
Council-discussion ensued.
There was Council consensus to initiate a traffic study for the intersection of
Robleda and Purissima with meaningful suggested improvements to be reported to
the City Council in order for all options to be reviewed.
Maryann Malcolm, Los Altos Hills, said the traffic is bad at that location and
believed that traffic is cutting through during commute hours.
Duffy Price, Los Altos Hills, said thatintersection has been perfectly horrible for
years.
Jill Jensen, Los Altos Hills, said the roads were never engineered properly and
many unrecorded accidents have occurred at that intersection.
B. Request for Funding to Complete the Los Altos Hills Historical Anthology(Mayor
7
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
April 6,2016
Harpootlian)
Mayor Harpootlian introduced Duffy Price who presented and requested funding
for a Los Altos Hills Historical Anthology.
Council discussion ensued.
Jitze Couperus,Los Altos Hills, said that a community needs an identity.
Les Earnest,Los Altos Hills,was not in favor of the historical anthology project.
Carol Crites, Los Altos Hills History Committee Chair, said that the History
Committee is in support of this book as long as the committee is involved.
Kjell Karlsson,Los Altos Hills, expressed his support of this project.
Alexander Atkins, Los Altos Hills, said they presented to the History Committee a
very clear idea on how this project should proceed. He further said that he has
earned his reputation in this Town and he upholds the values and principles of the
Town.
Council discussion ensued.
Carol Gottlieb, Member of the Los Altos Hills History Committee, said that the
committee not asking to have overview of the anthology, but would like to see it
prior to publishing.
Bridget Morgan, Member of the Los Altos Hills History Committee, spoke
about the funds received by the LAH Historical Society.
Further Council discussion ensued. No action was taken.
C. Review of Policy for New Pathways in Annexed Areas (Councilmember Radford)
Councilmember Radford presented the item.
City Attorney Mattas provided guidance on land use issues including pathways
dedications.
Council discussion ensued.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Radford moved to extend
the meeting to 11 p.m. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Waldeck.
Motion Carried 5 to 0:
AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Radford, Councilmember
8
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
April 6,2016
1 Spreen, Vice Mayor Waldeck, Mayor Harpootlian
1
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Ann Duwe, Chair:of the Los Altos Hills Pathways Committee, said that a
distinction needs to be made between the on-road and off-road paths.
Edward Cristal, Los Altos Hills, said that he lives in the annexed area and does
not feel like he has been able to express an opinion.
Eileen Gibbons, Member of Los Altos Hills Pathways Committee, said that if
the Town takes an in-lieu fee and later decides to put in a path, the property owner
is burdened only once.
Eric Bredo, Los Altos Hills, discussed the value of the paths and said a vision of
an interconnected place is a good thing.
Bridget Morgan, Los Altos Hills, said her understanding of the master path plan
map was a guiding document for the implementation of the pathways system.
Peter Evans,Los Altos Hills, expressed his support for the pathways system.
Gerda Cristal, Los Altos Hills, said she has lived on Mora Drive for over 34 years
and many things have changed especially with the trail head for Rancho San
Antonio Open Space near her residence.
Nick Dunckel, Member of the Los Altos : Hills Pathways Committee,
remembered approaching the City Council four years ago and said we need-to work
on these annexed areas and were told to go away, and it was not the committee
holding the process up.
John Zeisler, Los Altos Hills, said he lives on a short cul-de-sac and talked about
paths to nowhere.
City Attorney Mattas said that to adopt the pathway map amendment in any form
that affects the annexed areas, you have to get the recommendation from the
Pathways Committee and then complete a general plan amendment process. The
process will take some time.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED: Councilmember Corrigan moved to
continue the meeting past 11:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Councilmember
Spreen.
9
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
April 6,2016
Motion Carried 5 to 0:
AYES: Councilmember-Corrigan, Councilmember Radford, Councilmember
Spreen, Vice Mayor Waldeck, Mayor.Harpootlian
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Further Council discussion ensued.
MOTION MADE AND SECONDED:Vice Mayor Waldeck moved unanimously
to direct staff and the Pathways Committee that, for the annexed areas discussed at
the April 6, 2016 City Council meeting for which there is no pathway designated on
the Town's adopted General Plan Pathway map, the Town will not immediately
require that a pathway be installed and will instead impose the adopted pathway in-
lieu fee. In the event the Town subsequently adopts an amendment to the pathway
map that would have required the pathway on or adjacent to the property prior to a
final inspection and issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the project, the Town
may elect to require a pathway in which case the fee previously paid shall be
refunded upon imposition of the pathway requirement; staff shall draft a condition of
approval that will be applied to future town land use approvals within the:annexed
area implementing this direction. The motion was seconded by Councilmember
Radford.
Motion Carried 5 to 0:
AYES: Councilmember Corrigan, Councilmember Radford, Councilmember
Spreen, Vice Mayor Waldeck, Mayor Harpootlian
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
D. Request to Provide Direction to the Pathways Committee on a Five Year Capital
This item was not considered and was continued to.the May 19, 2016 regular City
Council meeting.
E. Discussion of Rescheduling the May 19, 2016 Regular City_ Council Meeting
(Mayor Harpootlian) added with Revision No. 1. .
10
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
April 6,2016
This item was notconsidered.
9. STAFF REPORTS
A. City Manager-No report.
B. City Attorney-Provided a report on Status of Airbnb.
C. City Clerk - Confirmed that the following meetings were 'scheduled for May:
Regular City Council meeting on May 19; Joint City Council/Planning
Commission meeting on May 23; Joint City Council/Finance and Investment
Committee budget study session on May 31, 2016.
D. Planning Director - Reported that Associate Planner Nicole Horvitz Planner was
leaving the Town after 9 years and accepted a position with the City of Saratoga.
E. Administrative Services Director-No report.
F. Public Works Director-No report.
10. ADJOURN
•
The meeting adjourned at 11:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah Padovan
City Clerk
The minutes of the April 6,2016 special City Council meeting were approved as presented at the
May 19, 2016 regular City Council meeting.
11
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
April 6,2016