Special to the Town Crier
Councilwoman Toni Casey took the unusual step of addressing the council as a resident March 18. She responded to controversy surrounding her decision to appeal the planning commission's approval of an application by Varad Srinivasan at the March 4 council meeting.
Casey appealed a 2-foot height reduction requested by the planning commission as a condition of appeal, which sparked sharp words between council members and residents March 4.
Casey asked council members March 18 to agendize a discussion of public hearing protocol. She also asked the council to develop a civility code.
Faced with a packed house of residents anxious to comment on a proposed fast-track site review proposal, the Los Altos Hills Town Council agreed March 18 to postpone a presentation by Sun Country Cable until its next meeting.
Sun Country is requesting consent to transfer its cable television franchise to Suntel Communications, LLC. The council seeks resident input on the proposal and on the quality of cable service.
Utility, information committee
On March 18, the council appointed nine members to the newly formed Utility and Information Systems Committee. Among the committee's roles are to work with the community on issues related to cable TV, Pacific Gas & Electric Co., water and telephone.
The committee will also explore options for putting utilities underground and recommend policies for technological improvements in utilities and integrated information systems. Its charge includes creating and updating a long-range plan to improve the technology for communication with residents on town government activities and facilitate resident input.
Debris box increase
The council also approved an increase in the rates charged for debris boxes, bringing them in line with prevailing rates throughout the county. And it approved initiating a lien process for collection of past due accounts owed to the Los Altos Garbage Company, or LAGCo, and the town. The garbage company is seeking to recover approximately $21,000 in accounts dating back to June 18, 1993. The town hopes to collect approximately $5,000.