BOOK 21_1946-09-23 to 1948-08-09

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154-. City Manager Blom reported that the Southern Pacific will be in a position very shortly - to give the city a preliminary plan and estimate for the cost of installing flashing signals at the Broadway crossing. Councilman Werder asked if something could be done in regard to the synchronizing of the signals at Broadway and Brewster on El Camino Real so that it would be possible to go through both signals at one time. There was some discussion in regard to this, it being conceded that the situation TIM was a difficult one to solve and constituted a nuisance at -the present time. Coun. cilman Granger again questioned the possibility of obtaining pedestrian gates at the Broadway railway crossing. City Manager Blom advised he would discuss the matter in the meeting to be held with the Southern Pacifie officials but that their previous reaction had been that the gate would not improve the situation enough to justify the cost of such an installation. -In regard to Ambulance Service, City Manager Blom advised that he had checked the reports very carefully and found that the Peninsula Ambulance Service had been called upon 31 times between April 1, 1946 and March lb,. 1947, for service within the city. In checking with Mr. Ratliff, it was discovered that he had been paid for 13 of the 31 calls. City Manager Blom stated that in regard to this he would like to recommend that one of -these calls be paid for by the city; that of the case of the young lady who was hit by a man with a piece of concrete on Brewster Avenue. It was the opinion of the City Manager that Mr. Ratliff should be paid in some way for the calls made by the city provided he is unable to collect from any other source. He stated that during the day it is impossible to get service from the county ambulance and occasionally during the night. He believed it would be preferable from the city's standpoint to pay on a per ball basis rather than on a subsidiary basis. Council. man Armstrong believed the City Managerts recommendation was very sound and be- lieved he should be authorized to negotiate with the ambulance company to see what the rate would be on aper call basis from calls originating from the City Police or Fire Department, Councilman Werder was of the opinion that by subsidizing the ambulance service the city would obtain better and more complete service. It was finally decided that the City Manager would meet with Mr. Ratliff and attempt to work out a plan whereby the city would pay for the service on a per call basis with Mr.' Ratliff billing the city for all calls placed by the city departments. Recommendations for revision of the subdivision ordinance was next on the agenda. City Manager Blom advised that he had not had an opportunity to study the matter due to City Engineer Longson's illness. The matter was carried on the agenda. In regard to further negotations with the -California Water Service Company in regard to� purchasing the water system in Redwood Village, City Manager Blom reported that after the last -Council meeting he had offered the sum of $25,500 which had not been accepted. Representatives of the company had advised that they would not accept less than the $2b,b50 as previously quoted. City Manager Blom advised it was necessary that arrangements be completed very shortly inasmuch as the city is obligated to give fire service to the Redwood Village possibly within the next ten days. If it is impossible to settle,the price by negotiations, the city -had the right to appeal to the Utilities..Commission for an appraisal but this would be a lengthy process. He asked that he be granted authority to -settle with the California Water Service Company at a figure not to exceed $25,650. Councilman Britschgi moved, seconded by Councilman Swift, that the City Manager be authorized