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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 1961.04.08254 Burlingame, April 8, Cal i forni a 1961 An adjourned meeting of the Burlingame city council, from its meeting of April 3, 1961, was held on the above given date. lleeting called to order at 10:00 a.m., - Mayor Morgan in the Chair. ROLL CALL Rresent Absent Councilmen: Councilmen: Byrd-.Tohnson-L,orenz -!lo rgan None PTIRPOSE OF I\IEETTNG (a)SALES TAX VS. BONDS (B)FIRE BOI{DS t'layor !,lorgan announced that the adjourned meeting had been scheduled specifically to resolve the location of the proposed Police Station and to determine r+hether it may be more appropriate to purchase apolice and fire facility and equipment from the revenue to be derived from the sales tax or by the incurrence of a bonded indebtedness. Ihe Chaj.r recognized Ipuis Colagiovanni, Presj-dent, Burlingame Chamberof Cotmerce and }lanager of the Burlingame Branch, Bank of America, who spoke in favor of purchasing by bonds, particularly in view of the factthat the electorate successfully passed a bond isaue for the facilities. I.{r. Colagiovanni advised that a leading developer recently has recommend.ed that capital expenditures be purchased through bonds inorder to permit a more equal "pro-rata" assessment in which all taxpayersshaI1participateasthecitygrowsandthatthisobservationvJasreflected in the thinking of the members of the Chamber of Commerce.It \"ras further recommended that the sales tax revenue be retained asa " reserve. " Ihe City Manager, in reply to councilman Byrdts inquiry, concerningthe anticipated growth of the City within the next ten Co fifteenyear period, advised that the assessment value of the City has increased.;that during the 1960-1961 period, an increase of more than trvomillion dollars was noted and from current day indication, assessment values will continue to rise, although, growht, population-wise, will be limited. the City l{anager recommended that a portion of the bonds be so1d. cautioning that Council observe a conservative policy. The lilayor announced that the Fire Bond issue shall be consideredfirst and thereupon j.nvited Ernest A. Wilson, Attorney, to reeommend.the term of bond nost appropriate in this instance. Mr. Wilson advised that the number of years selected should berelatively conservative and that bonds issued on a five year basis would not affect the City's ta-y program; however, a top rate ofinterest rvould be realized on bonds maturing within a fifteen year Period. Fo]lowing further discussion, Councilman Byrd moved that the CityAttorney, in co].].aberation r.ri th M!.Ernest A. Wilson, be instructedto prepare appropriate documents authorizing the advertisement of bids for fire bonds maturing within fifteen years and that a formalresolution be presented for Council action at the next regular meeting, April 17, J-961. The motion vras seconded by Councilman I-arenz. CATL TO ORDER (c) PoLrcE BoNps 1. SALES TAX VS. BONDS 2. MOTION RE: PURCHASE OF FIRE BONDS 255 Speaking on the question and for the benefit of those vrho favoredthe application of sales tax revenue for the purchase of the firestation and equipment, Itlayor Morgan stated that he "has been convinced that the best way uould be to use the sales tax for itemsthat have been left go for some time." fhe motion was thereafter unanimously adopted on ro11 call of members. 3. POLICE STATION SITE ltayor l4organ, stated that in his opinion, the selection of a police site should be determined prior to the issuance of bondsfor the project, and invited Councll corunent. councj.lman irohnson, in referring to the number of sites proposed for the police facility, recommended that serious consideration be given to each site for a prompt council decision. Councilman Byrd, also referring to the sites proposed, advised that to date he has been unable to reach a "point of decision." Councilman Lorer:z stated that from information he has received. the location of the police station would be more appropriate if located on the west side of the railroad tracks and suggested that a survey be made of the property upon which the police statj-on, the city HaII and other publie buildings are located to determine its adequacy, prior to Council action. Tl1e City lvlanager advised that a survey made in a prior year, indicated the area too congested for proper efficiency and that the bond issue was submitted to the voters with the thought that a net, location would be sought. It was the opinion of the city Manager that it would not be advisable to retain the present property for such a pulpose. fn reply to thechair's inquiry, the Planning Consultant advised that the survey referred to by the City ltlanager. was a plan proposed by Mr. James ttitchell to enlarge the present city HaI1. Speaking on the growth of the City. the Planning consultant advised that he anttcipated an increase in population to 30,500 and that in hisopinion, a municipal building as proposed should be placed in a location that would have the least i1l effect on the surroundj-ngproperties and "vaIue-wise" the property housing munj.cipal buildings on Park Road to Primrose Road averages between $4.00 and $5.00 per square foot. A dj.scussion arose on the area of land required for a policy facility. Itre City Manager advised that one-half acre is consj.dered to be the minimum space required. Uayot l4organ's statement that the architect has proposed an area sJ-ight.ly in excess of one acre{, was clarified by Victor G. wandmayer, the Architect, \^rho advised thad his proposal was based on the assump- tion that an extended-type structure would be constructed. Ihe architect's suggestion that the present property be utilized to itsfullest extent by the erectj.on of a high-rise constructj.on, initiated considerable discussion on the merits of the plan. Mayor Morgan, in summarizing the issue, stated that the most favorable argument in support of the plan was the adequate use of the land byinstalling a m:ltiple story structure to provide a facj.ltty for thePolice Department and the Department of Public Works. A motion was introduced by Councilman Byrd that action on the selectionof a police site be withheld until the next regnrlar meeting. Mayor Morgan, prior to a second to the motion. suggested that thearchitect be requested to prepare a preliminary sketch for Council study. !1r. wandmayer reconmended that the old buildings be demolished and amaster plan established for the area and if Council so authorized, he would proceed as outlined. 256 Councilman Byrd concurred with the statements of both the Chair and the Architect and the suggestions were incorporated into the moti.on. Councilman ilohnson recommended that during the preparation of scketch, consideration be given to the erection of a multiple structure on other si,tes. Ihe motion was thereafter seconded by Councilman Lorenz and unanimously adopted on ro11 cal1. NEVi BUSINESS PAN-AI*IER.ICAII LEAGIIE a tentative story 1 councilman ,fohnson was delegated to Pan-American Leagiue tuncheon, April pepresent the Council at the17. 1961. 2 RE S IDENTS COIiIPI,,AINTS Mayor Morgan referred to a comrnunication from William A. Nolte, 146 Crescent Avenue. setting forth a number of complaj.nts and the City Attorney and the City Manager vrere thereafter requested to conduct a thorough investigation for report to Council. 3. PARK ROAD PARKfNG LOT councilman Byrd advised that in reply to his inquiry concerning thepossible construction of a bomb shelter at such tj.me as the City may acquire the off-street parking facility on Park Road. John K.Wright, Deputy Assistant Director, Civil Defense, has advised that no Federal Eunds are available for such purpose but loans are avai.lable at a loa, rate of interest. 4. LORTON AVENIJE PARKING LCTT (Near Donnelly Avenue. ) An offer to seII vacant property for an off-street parking facility on Lorton Avenue near Donnelly Avenue was received from Harry Lehrfe1d, realtor and agent for the owner of said lot and heldfor study and action at the next regular meeting. 5. TRAFFIC COMPI,AINTS - WBST OE HO{ARD AVENIJE !1r. Fred E. Anderson, L545 Howard Avenue, reported on the existenceof considerable traffic hazards on Ho\.rard Avenue, from El Camino Real to Occidental Avenue and suggested that speed zone signslimiting the speed to 25 miles per hour be posted and that the area be patrolled more frequently by police cars. 1.1r. Anderson questionedthe advisiibility of prohibiting parking on the northerly side of Hoh,ard Avenue as stipulated in the recently enacted City Ordinance and suggested that. instead, parking be restricted only between thehours of 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again fromn 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Charl-es E. Street, 1608 Howard Avenue and Co1. S. E. Brown, 125 Crescent Avenue, also spoke on the hazards existent in the area and urged immediate attention. lhe complai.nts were referred to the City Manager for thoroughinvestj.gation and report to Council. PARKING PROBLEMS PREVALENT IN CITY Councilman Byrd reconmended that the Council in the future, determinea policy in connection with vehicle storage and suggested that it may be necessary to apply sales tax revenue toward the purchase ofvehicle storage facilities. 7 . gOLICE CLTJB RE: WAGE STABILTZATION REPORT T'he Chair acknowledged the presence of SaIn Yaco, President, Policeclub, and receipt of a cornmunication from the latter group concerningthe recent report on a "llrage Stabilization-Fringe Benefits for the Seven Cilies of Northern San !{ateo County" in relation to Police 6. 4At Club personnel requests for h,age increases and advised Officer Yaco that the compilation of the report was a function of the North San Mateo County Council of Cities. 8. BURLINGAIT{E AVENITE DRAINAGE PROBLEI.4S Ihe City Manager reported on a storm drainage deficiency on Burlingame Avenue, particularly in the area of Primrose Road and Burlingame Avenue, created by the deep excavation of property owned \r the Telephone Company. Itre City },lanager hras requested to investigate and submit a recommenda-tion to appropriately correct the conditi.on. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was thereafter regTularly adjourned at 12 o'clock noon. Respectfully submitted, K. WHITECity cl-erk L. B. }.IORGAN, I