HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/03/19574`
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AYES: Nels Beck, Kenneth Jones, Richard G. Sleight, J. Barry Smith, Fred H. Lucksinger
?NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mr. Houser, City Attorney, reported to the Council on the litigation between the City of
San Luis Obispo and heirs of the Sandercock family regarding the money held in trust by
the County of San Luis Obispo for purchase of the property on which the Veterans ldar
Memorial building is constructed.
Mr. ':Mouser reported that the County filed condemnation on this property in 1947 and that
they deposited $10,000 for the land.
Mr. Houser reported that the attorney for the heirs of the Sandercock family and 'himself
have arrived at a split of :110,000, $5,000 to the City and $'5,000 to the heirs. This
should be completed in the very near future.
On ;notion of Richard G. Sleight, seconded by Kenneth 1:1. Jones, the meeting adjourned to
9:15 P.M., August 26, 1957.
Approved this .day of 1957.
City rk
ADJOURNED MEETING - AUGUST 26, 1957
City Hall - 10:20 P.M.
The City Council met in adjourned meeting with 14ayor Fred H. Lucksinger presiding.
Roll Call:
Present: Nels Beck, Kenneth 71. Jones, Richard G. Sleight, J. Barry Smith, Fred H.
Lucksinger
Absent: None
In the matter of the application of A. Madonna Construction Company for a permit to build
12 -motel units on his property adjoining Highway #101, it was approved on motion of
J. Barry Smith, seconded by Richard G. Sleight, assuming proper location and proper
planning for re- zoning, as this property is presently in an R -1 zone. It was the Council'
opinion that this area be re -zoned to permit motel development and the Council approved th
issuance of a building permit providing that no occupancy be made or connection to the
city sewer and water facilities until the proper re- zoning has been affected.
Mr. Miller reported to the Council regarding the proposal to integrate the State Employees'
Retirement System with the Federal Social Security System. After some discussion, it
was moved by Nels Beck, seconded by nenneth W. Jones, that the report be ordered received
and filed.
Mayor Lucksinger appointed Councilmen Nels Beck and Richard G. Sleight to act as a commit
to study the matter of acquisition of property for the widening of city streets as to
whether property should be purchased by the City or be taken for street purposes.
On motion of J. Barry Smith, seconded by Richard G. Sleight, the meeting adjourned.
Approved this day of , 1957.
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Uity,,OMerk
SEPTEMBER 3, 1957 - 7:30 P.M. - City Hall
The City Council met in regular session with Mayor Fred H. Lucksinger presiding.
Pledge
Invocation by the Rev. Francis Read of St. Stephens Episcopal Church.
Roll Call:
Present: Nels Beck, Kenneth Jones, Richard G. Sleight, J. Barry Smith, Fred H.
Lucksinger
Absent: None
The minutes of the regular meeting of August 19, 1957 and two adjourned meetings of
August 26, 1957 i•:ere approved as presented.
The claims against the City for the month of September, 1957 were ordered paid, subject 1
to the approval of the Administrative Officer, on motion of Kenneth '..V. Jones, seconded
by Richard G. Sleight.
Ordinance No. 50 (1957 Series) An Ordinance Levying a Tax for the Current Fiscal Year
1957-58 Upon All Taxable Property 1.iitnin the City of San Luis Obispo, and Fixing the
Rate of Such Tax, was finally passed and adopted on motion of Richard G. Sleight, seconded
by Kenneth W. Jones, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Nels Beck, Kenneth W. Jones, Richard G. SleiFh t, J. Barry Smith, Fred H. Lucksinger
?NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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Ordinance No. 51 (1957 Series) An Ordinance Authorizing the Exchange of Property by
and Between the Port San Luis Transportation Company and the City of San Luis Obispo,
was finally passed and adopted on motion of Kenneth W. Jones, seconded by Nels=Beck,
by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Nels Beck, Kenneth I °1. Jones, Richard G. Sleight, J. Barry Smith, Fred H. Lucksingerl
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Resolution No. 283 (1957 Series) A Resolution Authorizing City Clerk to Accept and
Record a Grant Deed of Property From F. Paul and Opal C. Rich, was passed and adopted
on motion of Kenneth W. Jones, seconded by Richard G: Sleight, by the following roll
call vote:
AYES: Mels Beck, Kenneth P:'. Jones, Richard G. Sleight, J. Barry Smith, Fred H. Lucksingerl
NOES: Alone
ABSENT: None
Resolution No. 284 (1957 Series) A Resolution Approving a Plan for the Establishment of
School Safety Patrols in Cooperation with the Sari Luis Obispo City'School System, was
passed and adopted on motion of Richard G. Sleight, seconded by Nels Beck, by the followi
roll call vote:
AYES: Nels Beck, Kenneth W. Jones, Richard G. Sleight, J. Barry Smith, Fred ri. Lucksinger
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Ordinance No. 52 (1957 Series) An Ordinance Amending Portions of Chapter 2 of Article VI,
San Luis Obispo iflunicipal Code, was introduced and passed to print on motion of Kenneth
1!1. Jones, seconded by Nels Beck, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Nels Beck, Kenneth 7AT. Jc es, Richard G. Sleight, J. Barry Smith, Fred H. Lucksinger,
NOES: None
ABSENT: Alone
The following report of the City Assessor on the total assessed valuation for the year
1957 -58 was ordered received and filed:
Land
Improvements
Personal Property (secured)
Personal Property (unsecured)
Total
Exemptions
Total
Utility Roll
Total
4,576,110.
12,$51,980.
2,075,460.
1,213,410.
20)5161960.
1,665,050.
18)8513910.
4,166,780.
a 23,01 90.
The matter of application of Green Bus Service before the Public Utilities Commission for
a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate a limousine service between
San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles Airport, was ordered received and filed.
Report on the city weed abatement program for 1957 was ordered received and filed on
motion of Nels Beck, seconded by J. Barr;r Smith.
Comm. from the Department of Public Works, State of California, from J. W. Vickrey, re-
garding the studies being made for a freeway interchange at South Street was ordered
received and filed and Mr. Miller, Administrative Officer, was authorized to again write
a letter to the Department of Public Works regarding the enlargement of the underpass
on Grand Avenue and ,;'101 Freeway.
Announcement of the 8th Annual Governor's Traffic Safety Conference to be held in
Sacramento on October 2, 3, and 4, 1957, was ordered received and filed.
Comm. from Mrs. Annabelle ?�varren, representing the A.M.E. Methodist Church, requesting
permission to park a 1957 Plymouth (that is to be given away by them as a door prize)
on Higuera St. between Chorro & Garden Sts. from September 10th to September 28th, 1957
between the hours of 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM. This request was approved and referred to
Mr. liiiller, Administrative Officer, and Police Chief Schofield to work out with them.
On motion of Richard G. Sleight, seconded by Kenneth W. Jones, the following _salary step
increase was approved:
Burton M. Walter , Assistant Building Inspector - From Step 2 $354 to Step 3
$375, effective Sept. 1, 1957.
Report of the Planning Commission and the Council appointed committee headed by Councilman
Dr. Smith, regarding re- naming of certain streets in the City of San Luis Obispo, was
ordered received and filed and following ordinance introduced and passed to print with
a public hearing set on the re- naming proposal for 8:00 P.M., October 7, 1957:
Ordinance No. 53 (1957 Series) An Ordinance Changing Names of Streets Within the City of
San Luis Obispo, was introduced and passed to print on motion of J. Barry Smith, seconded
by Nels Beck, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Nels Beck, Kenneth 1N;. Jones, Richard G. Sleight, J. Barry Smith, Fred H. Lucksinger
NOES: Alone
ABSENT: None
The request of Fire Chief Schlobohm for permission to attend the League of California
Cities Conference on September 23, 24, and 25, 1957 at San Francisco and then attend the
California State Firemen's Association Annual Conference at San Mateo on September 26
and 27, 1957 was approved on motion of Kenneth 11. Jones, seconded by Richard G. Sleight,
grid also approval was recommended by R. D: 1•1iller, Administrative Officer.
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Request from Police Chief Schofield for permission to leave the state for the period
September 30th through October 5th, 1957 in order to attend tl:e 64th annual conference
of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Honolulu, T. H. Approval :,:as
recommended by R. D. ',?iller, Administrative Officer and the request was approved on
motion of Kenneth Jones, seconded by Richard G. Sleight, and Mr. Miller reported to
the Council that a portion of Chief Schofield's expenses would be paid by the Cit;r.
Draft copy of Stone and yo uncrberg report, entitled, "Financing Off- Street Parking in the
=a.5L- City of San Luis Obispo under the Parking District Law of 1951" was ordered received
and filed.
On motion of Kenneth 111. Jones, seconded by Richard G. Sleight, and on recommendation of
David Romero, City isngineer, the .following contract payments were ordered paid:
?adonna Construction Co. - Johnson Ave. Underpass
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ESTIMATE NO. 2 K 20,555.01
Valley Engineers, Inc. - Johnson Sewer District
ESTIMATE NO. 3 $ 33,886.57
The request of Consolidated Cab Company for an adjustment in their rate structure was
set for a oublic hearing on September 16, 1957 by the Council.
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Report of the Traffic Committee
57 -9 -1T. !A,e have a request from the owner of the Homestead Motel at the end of Olive
Street for motel directional signs on Santa Rosa at Olive. Since the original intention
F)'j() of the City to install and maintain directional signs was to accommodate highway traffic
and since this motel is located right on the freeway and also on the transitional route
from Highway 1 to the freeway, the Traffic Committee recommends that this request be
denied since the motel is already clearly visible to the motoring public. The request
of the Homestead Motel was denied on motion of Kenneth ?i. Jones, seconded by J. Barry Smit
57 -9 -2T. If the Council has no objection the engineering department will take steps to
have the bush cut down at the northwest corner of Monterev and Grand Avenue on Grand
',venue. There was no objection b;r the Council avid the City Engineering Department is
to proceed.
Comm. from Mrs. J. E. Dryden.and eight other neighbors regarding horses being kept in the
City of San Luis Obsipo in an unsanitary manner, was referred to the City Attorney for
action.
At this time the City Council declared the meeting open as advertised for public auction
for the sale of the old city maintenance yard at 351 Santa Barbara Avenue, minimum bid
$12,000. There being no bidders, the oublic auction was closed.
At this time the City Council held' a public auction for the sale of the Gudel house and
related structures on city property on old Highway ,101, minimum bid $500. After lively
bidding, by three bidders, the final bid by M. A. Oliveira for $1125. was accepted.
1,1r. Oliveira deposited the required $100 with the acceptance of the bid.
Introduction of Ordinance No. 54 (1957 Series) An "rdinance Authorizing the Sale of Gudel
?douse and Related Structures Located on Sewer Farm Property on Old ,4101 Highway, was
introduced and passed to print on motion of Kenneth W. Jones, seconded by Nels Beck, by
j the following roll call vote:
AYES: Nels Beck, Kenneth �J. Jones, Richard G. Sleight, J. Barry Smith, Fred H. Lucksinge
NOES: ?gone
ABSENT: None
Comm, from State Board of Equalization notifying the City of San Luis Obispo that their
agreement for State Administration of Local Sales and Use Taxes had been received.
At this time the City Council held a public hearing on the advisability of initiating a
one -way street system in the downtown San Luis Obispo area.
Mavor Lucksinger explained to the people present the background on how the subject of
one -way streets came up, what studies have been made by the City and the position of
the Council as far as one -way streets were concerned. Mayor Lucksinger mentioned the
studies made when the master street and highway plan was prepared by Hahn, Wise, and
Associates in 1953 showing larger volumes of traffic on the downtown streets. Since
that time, studies made by the City's traffic committee and the traffic and planning
committee of the Chamber of Commerce have also pointed up the conjestion of traffic in
the downtown area. In 1956 the Council employed an experienced traffic engineer, D.
Jackson Faustman, ;rho made a study of the feasibility of one -way streets for the City of
San Luis Obispo. This report has been studied by the traffic committee, planning commiss
various Chamber of Commerce committees and will be discussed this evening.
l•1r. David Romero, City Engineer, was then introduced. He reviewed the report of D.
Jackson Faustman on the feasibility of one -way streets in the City of San Luis Obispo.
Mr. Romero covered the various points in the Faustman report regarding, peak hour volume
on various streets in the central district, the trends of traffic, patterns of the
traffic flow, variations by hour flow, capacity of existing streets and methods of in-
creasing street capacity, and the advantages of one -:ray streets and the disadvantages of
one -way streets.
Mr. Miller, Administrative Officer, then outlined, for the Council and public benefit,
the results of the investigation made by him of the one -:ray street system instituted
in the City of Santa Barbara. iv ?r. Miller further reported on his telephone conversations
with the staff in the cities of Beverly Kills and Ventura regarding the operation of the
one - '.,ray street system in those cities.
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Larry Wise, Planning Consultant, outlined the provisions of the report of the Chamber of
Commerce of the United States regarding one -way business streets. Mr. !:rise emphasized
the various studies made throughout the United States in this report regarding one -way
street systems, listing the advantages and disadvantages. Mr. Wise also explained the
reasons, that of all the cities that have instituted one -gray streets, why a few have ;
abolished said system. Mr. i:rise covered the points of the timing for one -way streets,
the elimination of parking and other features in order to allow business streets to carry
a larger volume of traffic.
Mr. ,.ise further answered various statements made in local ads and mailouts by the
committee against one -way streets. Mr. i'4ise stated that in his experience the installation
of one -way streets has always been an advantage to the area in which they are placed in
that they normally help business by moving traffic and avoiding congestion:
Police Chief Schofield urged the adoption of a one -way street system in the central business
area on the basis of safer driving and faster movement of traffic in safety to eliminate
congestion, which causes accidents. The Police Chief stated his experience has shown
that one -way streets are safer for the motoring public to drive on.
Mr. A. H. Brazil
Attorney, representing a group of businessmen opposed to the installatio
of one-way street system in the City of San Luis Obispo, challenged the report of D.
Jackson Faustman, which he claims is only half a report and does not give all the answers
that are necessary. Mr. Brazil claims that there is not enough congestion in the central
business district to require a one -way street system at this time.
Mr. Brazil further challenged the statements of the City Engineer regarding the necessity
of increasing the movement of traffic on our downtown streets as he believed that one -
way streets reduces the speed of movement and not increase it.
Mr. Brazil challenged all the reports and statements on'the basis that all the experts
never compare their studies with cities the same size as San Luis Obispo, but compare
with larger metropolitan type cities. He further stated that his committee of business-
men are not convinced that a one -way street system is necessary at this time, as there
is no congestion in their opinion, but what the businessmen need is more traffic, not
less.
Mr. Brazil urged that the Council study the problem for a longer period of time so that
if one -bray streets are instituted, then a proper job may be done.
:fir. H. Kjaerbye, Businessman, stated that he was in favor of a trial period for the one -
way streets in the central business district, so that everyone could have an opportunity
to see the one -way street pattern in operation. Pair. Kjaerbye further stated in his
opinion the future of San Luis Obispo lies in its business district as the focal business
point of a great shopping area.
Mr. H. Kjaerbye, urged adoption ;..of:the one -way street system so as to keep traffic moving,
avoiding congestion and also making more parking available for people coming to the
shopping area to purchase goods. Mr. Kjaerbye said we must cater to people who are
coming to San Luis Obispo to shop and not to our people who live here as they can always
get around the city while strangers must be quided to the terminal shopping area.
Peter Andre, Attorney, stated that as a long time prominent resident of the City of San
Luis Obispo, he did not believe that the City of San Luis Obispo was ready for a one -
way street syster: at this time; wi ile he sras not against the plan, he urged delay in its
adoption.
Marian Fitzgerald urged that the Council delay a decision on the one -,„!ay streets until a
more comprehensive local study can be made.
D. F. Hazard reported cn the one- �,,a,, street system and its adoption in the City of
°anta Barbara.
Paul i':ragner, Traffic Engineer and property oi:,ner from San Luis Obispo, stated that he
believed the D. Jackson Faustman one -way street report is very food and that the Council
should be complimented on starting the people thinking now on one -way streets as it is
never too early to be thinking about instituting such a plan, because it is better to
be too early than too late. He further stated that one- i�ra;r streets are the most
economical method of moving traffic and eliminating congestion.
Mr. Wagner urged the adoption of the one -way street plan as proposed for Marsh and Higuera
Streets as the first step to help the movement of traffic in the downtown area.
Mrs. D. Johnson urged the adoption of the one -way street system on a trial basis.
I_. 0. Hevdenfeldt, Businessman, stated that he did not believe this is the time to
institute a one -way street system as he does not believe there is any evidence of congest
on the streets at this time.
Dr. G. Dunklee urged that the Council institute a one -way street system as they are needed
now. Mainly, in his belief, for the safety of the people driving on the downtown streets
and particularly children, he urged that this plan be adopted immediately.
Mr. Harry Lacterman, Businessman, believed that the elimination of left turn movements
would speed up traffic eliminating congestion and not be as disastrous to the businessmen
as a one -way street system.
Mr. Al- ..IVighton asked if the installation of traffic lights on the large corners wouldn't
help the movement of traffic or is the expense of street lights more expensive than
one -way streets?
Mr. Francis McNamara, Realtor wanted to know what happened to the businesses that went
broke while the one -way street trial period was on. He also stated that he was not
convinced that this was the proper time for adoption of such a plan.
Richard Harris, Attorney, representing the estate of Rodney Johnson, urged the Council
not to go into the one -way street system as it was not needed at this time or in the
immediate future. He claimed that our weakness in traffic control is poor enforcement
of the parking regulations and no enforcement of trucks and autos. At the same time,
he stated that when the City installed the stop sign on the northwest corner of Chorro
St. and Monterey St. more congestion was caused by poor planning on this installation
then by letting traffic flow freely on this corner.
Pq Sg Mr. Harris filed a letter with the City vigorously protesting the one -way street system
in the City of San Luis Obispo.
Lee Vore urged the adoption of a one -way street plan as a means of progress for the
City. He stated that most people are afraid of a change and also always fight progress.
J. A. Bond, Businessman, stated that he was in favor of the one -way street system as a
solution to our highly congested central business streets.
H. Weaver urged the City to place "no left turn" signs in the .down town central business
district, which would help traffic and would not make one -way streets necessary,
particularly as they are not needed at the present time.
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George Johnson, Businessman, urged that the City not put in a one -way street system until
the new parking lots, which were to be constructed through this district, and the driving
pattern from these parking lots have been developed. Ile urged delay on the one-way
street system until more local studies of traffic have been made.
Dave Hildebran, Businessman_, complimented the Council on the practice of hiring the best
consultants available in the various phases of Government to help the city officials
to get the most up to date information on all phases-of traffic and planning. But he
urged that the Council go over with their experts the objections raised by the citizens
at this meeting and further that the planning be done by phases; for example, first,
start out with no left turns; second'. - control of double parking of trucks; and third,
if necessary, one -wa;r streets.
Mr. A. H. Brazil Attorney for the group protesting the one -way street system,.comoli:ment
t.e CoT.Lncil on having a public hearing on this matter so that people could be heard on
all sides of the issue, giving all the citizens an opportunity to be heard, and in this
way, he was sure that the Council Mould make the best decision for all the people
concerned. He again thanked the Council for the opportunity to express his views on this
\ subject.
` Harry Lacterman wished to '_snow what had happened to the plan for parking and unloading
behind the stores on Monterey between Chorro and Broad Streets.
Joe Piiaes.urged the removal of 12 meters, more or less, on Chorro Street between Higuera
and Monterey Streets so that trucks could park for loading and unloading only and
traffic would be able to flow freely on Chorro. If the Council would do this one thing,
Mr. Maes claimed the people of San Luis Obispo would bless you.
Richard D. Miller, Administrative Officer, reported on traffic counts made by the City
Police Department with three traffic counters on a 24 hour basis. He further stated that
D. Jackson Faustman was only.retained by the City to give a brief report on the feasibili
of one -way streets, not a detailed analyses over a long period of time.
Mr. R. Harris, Attorney, asked if the Council shouldn't be studying the question, are one
�I way streets necessary, not are one-way streets feasible?
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Mr. Ed Rogers, Businessman, asked, can the right or wrong of a one -way street system be
handled on a trial basis for a short period of time?
Larry 'Vise, Planning Consultant, answered that studies of experiences of other cities,
large and small, .must be taken into account when decisions regarding the right or wrong
of one -way streets is discussed and further the one -way street plan must be put into effe
before the business district deteriorates to the point that one -way streets can not help
business efforts.
Larry [Vise said the public who attended and took part in this public hearing were the
finest that he had ever met with and he said the people were interested in facts and
figures and not controlled by emotion. He said he believed everyone, including himself,.
learned a little bit in this type of high plane hearing.
Zs8 Comm. from Anderson Hotel Barber Shop urging the Council to adopt a one =way street system.
A petition was presented to the Council containing about forty names of business houses
on Marsh and Santa Rosa Streets protesting the one -way street system.
The minutes of the meeting of
12 motel units on his propert
4 corrected to read - water for
" be made on French Road. This
Richard G. Sleight.
August 19, 1957 regarding
7 adjacent to x'101 Highway
construction purposes was
was corrected on motion o
Alex Madonna for construction of
South and French Road, were
to be allowed and connection to
C Kenneth W. Jones, seconded by
On motion of Nels Beck, seconded by Kenneth ':V. Jones, authorization was granted to
advertise for bids for Santa Rosa Park Development City Plan No. 12 -57, bids to be opened
on September 16, 1957.
Comm. from KATY regarding the ground wires at the transmitter located off of South Street,
was ordered received and filed on motion of Nels Beck, seconded by Richard G. Sleight.
On motion of Kenneth i. Jones, seconded by J. Barry Smith, the meeting adjourned.
Approved this day of , 1957.
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