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M 05-29-90TOWN OF LOS GATOS CALIFORNIA TOWN COUNCIL/PARKING AUTHORITY May 29, 1990 Minutes TOWN COUNCIL The Town Council/Parking Authority of the Town of Los Gatos met in the Council Chambers of the Town Hall, 100 East Main Street, at 7:08 p.m., Tuesday, May 29, 1990, in special session. ROLL CALL Present:Joanne Benjamin, Eric D. Carlson, Robert L. Hamilton, Brent N. Ventura and Mayor Thomas J. Ferrito. Absent:None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Given by all in attendance. ROUTE 85 FREEWAY AGREEMENT/AMENDMENT/RESOLUTION 1990-113 Mrs. Benjamin suggested that the following motions be presented in order of priority funding and accomplishment affirming Council's policy to agree to the last only at the time the previous items have been implemented. At the same time explaining that members of Council had suggested possible access at Winchester (last year) if certain mitigating actions had occurred first. Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that State agrees that Route 85 shall have the following characteristics, and funding and construction shall be guaranteed in the following priority and sequence: all mitigation elements including design of sound walls, landscaping, riparian habitat, and relocation of the Maria's Berry Farm structures shall be funded first. The design of sound walls and landscaping shall be consistent with the Visual Design Guidelines as approved by the Town Council on March 21, 1988, and as amended by the Town Council on May 21, 1990. (This is policy consistent with what has been done for other cities.) Carried unanimously. Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, widening of Lark Avenue bridge over Route 17 to six through lanes with widening of approaches to the bridge. Carried unanimously. TC:D1:MM052990 Will Kempton, of the Traffic Authority, stated that there was not a previous agreement for six lanes on Lark Avenue bridge. Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that configuration of the freeway shall provide for: Six lanes, with two of those lanes designated as commuter lanes for peak period operation; Preservation of a 48-foot median for future mass transportation development; Design of all interchanges, bridge structures, and grading to accommodate future transit options in the corridor, including the extension of the existing Vasona Rail line into the median of Route 85. Carried unanimously. TC:D1:MM052990 May 29, 1990 Los Gatos, California Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that State agrees that Route 85/17 interchange to be constructed in accordance with the three (3) loop alternative dated April 24, 1990 depicting Route 17 to be elevated approximately fifteen (15) feet above existing grade and Route 85 and all connecting ramps to be constructed at an elevation below the new elevation of Route 17. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mayor Ferrito abstained. Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that southbound and northbound off- ramps from Route 85 to Bascom Avenue with southbound and northbound on-ramps from Bascom Avenue to Route 85; with the full interchange being constructed as one project. Carried unanimously. Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that one northbound on-ramp and one southbound off-ramp to Route 85 from Winchester Boulevard, be constructed at the same time or after the full Bascom interchange. All Items in the order that they were acted upon by Council must be completed before the next item is to initiated. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mayor Ferrito voted no. Mrs. Benjamin addressed the mitigating actions to be taken before access to the freeway via Winchester could be pursued. That Council action was done in a spirit of cooperation and there is a need to move forward on this issue. Mr. Carlson requested the record show his reasons for supporting the previous motions as follows: the Winchester access is a positive development for some residents and negative for others; with full Bascom acquired there is need for partial access from the Winchester side of freeway; support of Winchester is only as the lowest of priorities and all funding is expected to go to the other items first in order of Council action. Mayor Ferrito does not support the Winchester exchange for the reasons previously stated: Winchester will act as a parallel freeway; downtown will become grid-locked at rush hour as commuters try optional access to Highway 17 at the post office; would like Council to commit to this being the final agreement. Mr. Ventura states that other cities have not accepted their fair share of impact from this freeway but Los Gatos has had to shoulder the burden of two freeways, and requests that the legitimate rights of Los Gatos be considered uniformly and fairly concerning mitigating elements, just as these rights have been granted to neighboring communities. Mr. Hamilton feels that the impasse is over concerning the Bascom exchange and there is no longer a need for SB209. TC:D1:MM052990 May 29, 1990 Los Gatos, California Mayor Ferrito requests a letter be prepared to Senator Morgan and Assemblyman Quakenbush asking that they drop the legislation of SB209 since there is no longer any reason for it now that a decision has been made by Los Gatos and San Jose regarding the interchanges. TC:D1:MM052990 May 29, 1990 Los Gatos, California Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that the Town prefers Alternate 4 as the access to the neighborhood in the northwest quadrant of the Route 85 and Highway 17 interchange (Oka and Mozart) as presented to the Town Council by the Traffic Authority on February 13, 1989. If Alternative 4 is shown to be environmentally unsound, the Town reserves the right to modify this agreement to accept Alternative 6. Carried unanimously. Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that the State shall provide a warning sign at the Winchester/Route 85 off ramp to be used when there is a traffic emergency on Highway 17, as determined by the Town. The Town in its sole discretion may close the south Town entrance to Highway 17 when it determines such emergency exists. Mr. Carlson states that this motion will take care of the major concerns of the Chamber of Commerce regarding traffic congestion in Town due to freeway traffic problems. Mr. Hamilton pointed out that this is a currently operating policy used during accidents on Highway 17, during the earthquake and when Lexington Reservoir was full. Carried unanimously. Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. Carlson, that Council adopt Resolution 1990- 113 entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS APPROVING FREEWAY AGREEMENT FOR ROUTE 85, as modified by the previous motions. Carried by a vote of 4 ayes. Mayor Ferrito voted no due to the Winchester access and for reasons stated previously. Motion by Mr. Carlson, seconded by Mr. Hamilton, that Council consider this their best and FINAL freeway agreement. Carried unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Ferrito announced that the meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m. to study sessions with the Museum and Library Boards. ATTEST: TC:D1:MM052990 May 29, 1990 Los Gatos, California Marian V. Cosgrove Town Clerk TC:D1:MM052990