HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-16 City Council Agenda Packet
1 03/16/09
MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER
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Agenda posted according to PAMC Section 2.04.070. A binder containing supporting materials is available in the Council Chambers on the Friday preceding the meeting.
Regular Meeting
Council Chambers
March 16, 2009
7:00 PM
ROLL CALL
AT THIS POINT THE CITY COUNCIL WILL ADJOURN AND
RECONVENE AS THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
1. Proclamation for the Black and White Ball
ATTACHMENT
2. Welcome to Visitors from Tsuchiura, Japan
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Members of the public may speak to any item not on the agenda; three minutes per speaker. Council reserves the
right to limit the duration or Oral Communications period to 30 minutes.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
February 2, 2009
February 9, 2009
2 03/16/09
MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER
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CONSENT CALENDAR
Items will be voted on in one motion unless removed from the calendar by two Council Members.
3. Adoption of a Resolution Establishing a Citizen Oversight Committee
for Expenditures of Library Bond Funds
CMR 176:09 ATTACHMENT
4. Approval of a Letter Agreement with the Friends of Lytton Plaza LLC to
Authorize the Reimbursement of 50% of Design Costs Incurred by the
Friends up to a Maximum of $50,000
CMR 173:09 ATTACHMENT
5. Approval of a Contract with JJR Construction Inc., in an Amount Not to
Exceed $457,217 for the 2009 Street Maintenance Program Concrete
Preparation Capital Improvement Project PE-86070
CMR 165:09 ATTACHMENT
6. Approval of Amendment No. 2 to Contract Number C08126592 with
the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation in the Amount of $6,249 for a
Total Not to Exceed Amount of $374,829 for the Development of
Construction Documents for the Renovation and Capital Improvements
to the Palo Alto Art Center, Capital Improvement Program Project PF-
07000
CMR 168:09 ATTACHMENT
7. Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute
Amendments to the City’s Electric Supply Agreements to Operate
Effectively Under the New Transmission Market Rules of the California
Independent System Operator Corporation
CMR 167:09 ATTACHMENT
8. Adoption of Two Resolutions to Incorporate Two Side Letter
Agreements to the 2006-2009 Memorandum of Agreement with
Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 521, Clarifying
Vacation Accrual and the Term of the PERSChoice Reimbursement
Plan: 1) Amending Section 1401 of the Merit System Rules and
Regulations Regarding the 2006–2009 Memorandum of Agreement
Between the City of Palo Alto and Service Employees International
Union (SEIU), Local 521 and 2) Amending the 2006-2009
3 03/16/09
MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER
DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE. DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
Compensation Plan for Service Employees International Union (SEIU),
Local 521, Adopted by Resolution No. 8658
CMR 164:09 ATTACHMENT
9. Adoption and Approval of Nine Documents Facilitating the Construction
and Funding of the Ultraviolet Disinfection Facility Project at the Palo
Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant
(1) Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a State
Revolving Fund Financial Assistance Agreement in an Amount
Not to Exceed Eight Million Five-Hundred Thousand Dollars from
the State Water Resources Control Board on Behalf of the Palo
Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant for the Design and
Construction of the Ultraviolet Disinfection Facility;
(2) Resolution Designating Certain Ultraviolet Disinfection Facility
Project Expenditures to be Reimbursed by Proceeds from State
Revolving Fund;
(3) Resolution Establishing One or More Dedicated Sources of
Revenue for Repayment of Funding Pursuant to the Federal
Clean Water Act Amendments and Rescinding Resolution 8792;
(4) Enterprise Wastewater Treatment Fund Contract with Anderson
Pacific Engineering Construction in a Total Amount Not to Exceed
$6,645,200 for Construction of the Ultraviolet Disinfection
Facility; (5) Amendment No. 2 to Enterprise Wastewater Treatment Fund
Contract C06116829 with RMC Water & Environment in a Total
Amount Not to Exceed $400,000 for Engineering Services During
Construction of the Ultraviolet Disinfection Facility; (6) Enterprise Wastewater Treatment Fund Contract with the Covello
Group in a Total Amount Not to Exceed $659,370 for
Construction Management Services at the Ultraviolet Disinfection
Facility;
7) Addendum No. 7 to the Basic Agreement Between the City of
Palo Alto, the City of Mountain View and the City of Los Altos for
the Acquisition, Construction and Maintenance of a Joint Sewer
System; (8) Amendment No. 5 to Contract Restatement and Amendment No.
C237 Between the City of Palo Alto and the East Palo Alto
Sanitary District; and
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MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER
DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE. DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
(9) Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. C869 Between the City of Palo
Alto and the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior
University
CMR 159:09 ATTACHMENT
10. Approval of a Three Year Contract with SCS Field Services in the Total
Amount of $470,484 for Landfill Gas and Leachate Control Systems
Maintenance, Monitoring and Reporting Services
CMR 158:09 ATTACHMENT
11. Approval of a Purchase Order for the “As Needed” Acquisition of
Electric Wire and Cable for Municipal Service Center (MSC) Warehouse
Stock Items with Wesco Distribution for an Amount Not to Exceed of
$900,000 for a Term of Up to Three Years
CMR 139:09
12. Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to File an
Application for a State Revolving Fund Financial Assistance Agreement
in an Amount Not to Exceed $37 Million from the State Water
Resources Control Board for the Construction of the Palo Alto Recycled
Water Project
CMR 162:09 ATTACHMENT
13. Request for Authorization to Increase Existing Contract with the Law
Firm of Hanson Bridgett LLP by an Additional $6,472 For a Total
Contract Not to Exceed Amount of $191,472
ATTACHMENT
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS
HEARINGS REQUIRED BY LAW: Applications and/or appellants may have up to ten minutes at the outset of the
public discussion to make their remarks and put up to three minutes for concluding remarks after other members
of the public have spoken.
OTHER AGENDA ITEMS: Public comments or testimony on agenda items other than Oral Communications shall be
limited to a maximum of five minutes per speaker unless additional time is granted by the presiding officer. The
presiding officer may reduce the allowed time to less than five minutes if necessary to accommodate a larger number of speakers.
5 03/16/09
MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER
DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE. DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
14. Approval of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Adoption of an
Ordinance Amending Chapter 5.35 (“Retail Sales –
Requirement for Paper Bags”) of Title 5 (“Health and
Sanitation”) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Place a Limited
Prohibition on Single-Use Plastic Checkout Bags
CMR 138:09 ATTACHMENT
15A. Approval of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Architectural Review
for a 35-Unit, 100% Affordable Housing Project, Adoption of
an Ordinance Amending Section 18.08.040 of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code (The Zoning Map) to Change the Classification
of Property Located at 488 West Charleston Road from PC
Planned Community (PC 2565) to PC Planned Community
_____, and Approval of Record of Land Use Action
CMR 151:09 ATTACHMENT
15B. Approval of a Loan Agreement with Tree House Apartments, L.P. to
Provide an Acquisition Loan in the Amount of $2,838,577 from the
Residential Housing Fund and Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) Funds for the Development of a 35-Unit Affordable Housing
Project at 488 West Charleston Road
CMR 169:09 ATTACHMENT
REPORTS OF OFFICIALS
16. Human Relations Commission and Policy and Services Committee
Recommendation to Adopt the Ordinance Amending Section
9.72.070 of Chapter 9.72 [Mandatory Response to Request for
Discussion of Disputes Between Landlord and Tenants] of Title
9 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Void Rent Increases Given
Without Notice of the Right to Mediation
CMR 137:09 ATTACHMENT
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MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER
DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE. DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
17. Approval of a Sister City Alliance Agreement Between the City of
Tsuchiura City, Japan and the City of Palo Alto
CMR 163:09 ATTACHMENT
18. Human Relations Commission Recommendation to the Council that
June 21st Should be Established as World Music Day in Palo Alto and
Applicable General Fund Fees Should be Waived
CMR 157:09 LETTER
COUNCIL COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND REPORTS FROM CONFERENCES
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
CLOSED SESSION
This item may occur during the recess or after the Regular Meeting.
Public Comments: Members of the public may speak to the Closed Session item(s); three minutes per speaker.
CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY – Anticipated Litigation
19. Subject: Initiation of amicus curiae litigation in the matter of Town of
Atherton, a Municipal Corporation, Planning and Conservation
League, a California nonprofit corporation, City of Menlo Park, a
Municipal corporation, Transportation Solutions Defense and
Education Fund, a California nonprofit corporation, California Rail
Foundation, a California nonprofit corporation, and Bayrail Alliance,
a California nonprofit corporation, and other similarly situated
entities, v. California High Speed Rail Authority, a public entity,
Sacramento County Superior Court, Case No.: 34-2008-80000022
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(c )
CITIZEN LETTERS
ADJOURNMENT
Persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids or services in using City facilities, services, or programs or who
would like information on the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact
650-329-2550 (Voice) 24 hours in advance.
090310 sdl 7061158
March 10, 2009
THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Palo Alto, California
REPORT TYPE: CONSENT
RE: Request for Authorization to Increase Existing
Contract with the Law Firm of Hanson Bridgett LLP
by an Additional $6,472 For a Total Contract Not to
Exceed Amount of $191,472
Dear Members of the Council:
The City Attorney's Office requests authorization to
increase the existing contract with the law firm of Hanson
Bridgett, LLP by an additional $6,472 for a total not to exceed
amount of $191,472. Hanson Bridgett was retained to represent the
City in the request for proposal process for the City’s waste
hauling and recycling program and to assist in the resolution of
disputes with City’s current waste hauler.
Although the procurement process is now complete and the
contract disputes are resolved, an additional $6,472 is needed to
cover additional expenses incurred for conclusion of the PASCO
issue. This amendment brings the total contract to an amount not
to exceed $191,472.
Funding for this contract does not require additional
budgetary authority as it can be accommodated within the Refuse
Enterprise Fund budget for 2008-09.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary M. Baum
City Attorney
sdl/s
CMR:137:09 Page 1 of 3
TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES
DATE: MARCH 16, 2009 CMR: 137:09
REPORT TYPE: PUBLIC HEARING
SUBJECT: Human Relations Commission and Policy and Services Committee
Recommendation to Adopt an Ordinance Amending Section 9.72.070 of
Chapter 9.72 [Mandatory Response to Request for Discussion of Disputes
Between Landlord and Tenants] of Title 9 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to
Void Rent Increases Given Without Notice of the Right to Mediation
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report conveys to the City Council the recommendations of the Policy and Services
Committee and the Human Relations Commission regarding amending Section 9.72.070 of
Chapter 9.72 (Mandatory Response to Request for Discussion of Disputes between Landlord and
Tenants) to provide that a landlord’s failure to provide the notice required by section 9.72.070 of
a tenant’s rights to mediation services in a rental agreement, lease or other written document that
changes the term of tenancy for a residential rental property shall void an increase The report
also includes recommendations for a communication plan for conveying the requirements of the
ordinance to landlords.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that City Council adopt the attached ordinance amending Section 9.72.070 of
Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) chapter 9.72 (Mandatory Response to Request for
Discussion of Disputes between Landlords and Tenants) to void increases in rents when a rental
agreement, lease or other written document that changes the term of tenancy for a residential
rental property is not accompanied by the notice required by section 9.72.070 of a tenant’s rights
to mediation services.
BACKGROUND AND COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Policy and Services Committee concurred with the Human Relations Commission’s (HRC)
recommendation and voted unanimously at its July 8, 2008 meeting to recommend that the City
Council amend Chapter 9.72 of the Municipal Code to add language to Section 9.72.070 to void
increases in rents when a rental agreement, lease, or other written document that changes the
CMR:137:09 Page 2 of 3
term of tenancy for a residential rental property is not accompanied by the notice required of
tenant’s rights to mediation services.
The HRC recommended the amendments to PAMC Sections 9.72.070 at its April 10, 2008
meeting after receiving testimony from Mr. Martin Eichner, Director of Dispute Resolutions for
Project Sentinel, the City of Palo Alto’s facilitation administrator. He stated that, although the
Mandatory Response Ordinance continues to receive excellent satisfaction ratings from both
tenants and landlords who participated in the sessions, he has concluded the program has been
underutilized in Palo Alto, with only 30 cases in 2005, 29 cases in 2006 and 27 cases in 2007.
Additional comparison data to other cities is in the attached City Manager’s Report: 297:08
(Attachment A).
In addition, the HRC suggested that staff develop a communication plan for conveying the
requirements of the ordinance to landlords that would include the following elements:
Communication using e-mail, website, or other means targeting all landlords encouraging
them to register and educating them about the ordinance;
Similar notification about the ordinance targeting landlords already registered;
A 90 day grace period for all landlords to register and comply with the ordinance.
Upon adoption of the amended ordinance, staff will develop a communication plan in accordance
with the HRC’s recommendation and present the draft plan to the HRC for review. A draft
communication plan will be presented to the HRC sixty days after the ordinance amendment is
approved by the City Council.
The Policy and Services Committee considered this item on July 8, 2008. During the meeting, a
member of the public questioned the applicability and consistency of sections 9.72.030 and
9.72.050 of Chapter 9.72 related to rental property registration. These provisions appear to
contradict each other. However, Section 9.72.050 creates definitions for the purposes of
property registration only and these are different from the definition in Section 9.72.030
(applicable to the whole chapter). As registration raises a different issue from notice of the right
to mediate, staff will review the registration issue separately and return to Council and
Commissions for modifications as necessary. This will allow the mediation changes to move
forward.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Approval of this amendment to PAMC section 9.72.070 does not require review under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not meet the definition of
“project” pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 21065.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: CMR 297:08 Human Relations Commission Recommendation to amend
Palo Alto Municipal Code chapter 9.72 (Mandatory Response to Requests
CMR:137:09 Page 3 of 3
for Discussion of Disputes between Landlords and Tenants) to void rent
increases given without required notice of the tenant’s rights to mediation
Attachment B: Ordinance Amending Section 9.72.070 Of Chapter 9.72 [Mandatory
Response To Request For Discussion Of Disputes Between Landlord And
Tenants ] Of Title 9 Of The Palo Alto Municipal Code To Void Rent
Increases Given Without Notice Of The Right To Mediation
Attachment C: Minutes of the April 10, 2008 Human Relations Commission meeting
Attachment D: Minutes of the July 8, 2008 Policy and Services Committee meeting
PREPARED BY: ____________________________________________________
KATHY ESPINOZA-HOWARD
Division Manager, Cubberley Center and Human Services
DEPARTMENT APPROVAL: _________________________________________
GREG BETTS
Interim Director of Community Services
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ________________________________________________
JAMES KEENE
City Manager
CMR: 163:09 1 of 5
TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES
DATE: MARCH 16, 2009 CMR:163:09
REPORT TYPE: REPORT OF OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: Approval of a Sister City Alliance Agreement between the City of
Tsuchiura City, Japan and the City of Palo Alto
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City of Palo Alto enter into a Sister City relationship with
Tsuchiura City, Japan. Staff also requests that the Council authorize the Mayor to sign
the Sister City Letter of Acceptance (Attachment A) and the Alliance Agreement
(Attachment B).
BACKGROUND
Neighbors Abroad administers the Sister City Program. This group has been established
on behalf of the City of Palo Alto under the auspices of Sister Cities International and has
developed five Sister Cities relationships: Palo, Leyte, Philippines, established in 1963;
Oaxaca, Mexico, established in 1964; Enschede, The Netherlands, established in 1980;
Linkoping, Sweden, established in 1987; and Albi, France, established in 1994.
In 1993, an exchange program between Palo Alto and Japanese students began through
the efforts of a parent, also an employee of Syntex. At this time, Syntex had a division in
Niihari village, Japan. The exchange program then grew within a Japanese language
class taught in two Palo Alto middle schools, Jordan and Jane Lathrop Stanford (JLS). In
2001, middle school teacher Keiko Nakajima took over the program and the exchanges.
The exchange program began the relationship between Niihari village and the Palo Alto
Unified School District. In 2006, Niihari village merged with Tsuchiura City, which then
adopted the exchange program. Since 1993, one hundred and sixty-eight Japanese
students have visited Palo Alto in 15 different exchange visits. One hundred and thirty
students from Palo Alto have visited Tsuchiura City in return. The cultural experiences
for students of both cities have been highly successful in developing and expanding
friendship through the exchange program. Over the years, Palo Alto family hosts and
other visitors have made trips to Tsuchiura City.
CMR: 163:09 2 of 5
Neighbors Abroad’s Board of Directors received a letter from Kiyoshi Nakagawa, Mayor
of Tsuchiura City, Japan, dated October 20, 2008, expressing interest in exploring the
possibility of establishing a Sister City relationship with the City of Palo Alto. Neighbors
Abroad’s Board of Directors met with interested community members and found great
interest and support for a new Sister City relationship with Tsuchiura City. At the
January 2009 board meeting, twelve parents involved in the exchanges over the years
came to speak, expressing strong interest in Palo Alto’s building of a Sister City
relationship with Tsuchiura City.
DISCUSSION
At the Neighbors Abroad’s Board of Directors meeting on February 17, 2009, the Board
voted to begin the process of entering into a Sister City relationship with Tsuchiura City,
Japan.
"Our mutual commitment is to encourage educational and cultural exchanges between
Tsuchiura City and Palo Alto and to foster person-to-person relationships that benefit
both cities while strengthening the bonds of friendship and mutual respect between Japan
and the United States."
Keiko Nakajima, teacher and organizer of the student exchanges with Niihari and
Tsuchiura City, Japan, has enthusiastically stepped forward, volunteering to take on the
Vice Chair responsibility for the new Sister City, and to become a new board member for
Neighbors Abroad. She will have help from Bruce Ishimoto, parent and exchange host,
Ann Pianetta, parent and chaperone for an exchange, and Keiko Pederson, parent. The
following individuals from Tsuchiura, Japan have agreed to actively support a Sister City
alliance:
Mayor Kiyoshi Nakagawa, City of Tsuchiura, Japan
Superintendent Yoshifumi Tominaga, Tsuchiura City Board of Education
Assistant Superintendent Teruo Kuboniwa, Tsuchiura City Board of Education
Manager Kazuo Aoyama, Tsuchiura City Board of Education
Supervisor Masahiko Kinoshita, Tsuchiura City Board of Education
Officer Toshio Tanaka, Tsuchiura City Board of Education
Once the Sister City letter of Acceptance and the Alliance Agreement are enacted by both
cities, the agreement will be in effect between Palo Alto and Tsuchiura City for a period
of one year from the date the agreement is signed by officials of Tsuchiura City, and will
automatically renew on each anniversary date unless notice of non-renewal is provided
by either party 30 day prior to the renewal date.
RESOURCE IMPACT
Neighbors Abroad’s Sister City Program is operated and supported by the Neighbors
Abroad organization through membership and fundraising activities. Staff support for the
program is minimal and consists of the CSD staff liaison’s time and resources from the
City Clerk’s Office and the City Manager’s staff. Areas of support include: attending
meetings, facilitating Neighbors Abroad requests, and preparing proclamations and
resolutions. No new resources are required to enact or maintain the proposed agreement.
CMR: 163:09 3 of 5
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Letter of Acceptance
Attachment B: Alliance Agreement
PREPARED BY: _______________________________________________________
LINDA CRAIGHEAD
Division Manager, Arts & Sciences
DEPARTMENT HEAD: _________________________________________________
GREG BETTS
Interim Director of Community Services
Department
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: __________________________________________
JAMES KEENE
City Manager
CMR: 163:09 4 of 5
ATTACHMENT A
March 16, 2009
The Honorable Kiyoshi Nakagawa
Mayor of Tsuchiura City
1-20-35 Shimotakatsu
Tsuchiura, Ibaraki
JAPAN
Dear Mayor Nakagawa,
It is with great pleasure that I accept your proposal of establishing a Sister City
relationship and invite Tsuchiura City to enter into an affiliation with the City of Palo
Alto. This invitation is on behalf of the many citizens of our community who have come
to know Tsuchiura City and Neighbors Abroad, Sister City Program, whose board of
directors has voted in favor of the new affiliation.
As we look to the future of this alliance, we envision a growing awareness and
appreciation of each other’s culture and communities. From small beginnings, we hope
this partnership will continue for many generations, fostering educational and cultural
exchanges. We look forward to the limitless possibilities of this relationship.
Although this partnership must begin on an official basis between the governments of our
two communities, we see the strength and vitality of this long-term association resting
wholly in the hands of our citizen volunteers and participants.
We sincerely appreciate the proposal and look forward to the wonderful opportunities
that await our communities in the future.
Sincerely,
Peter Drekmeier
Mayor, City of Palo Alto
CMR: 163:09 5 of 5
ATTACHMENT B
ALLIANCE AGREEMENT
Whereas, the Sister City Program, administered by Sister Cities International, was
initiated by the President of the United States of America in 1956 to encourage greater
friendship and understanding between the United States and other nations through direct
personal contact; and
Whereas, our mutual commitment is to encourage educational and cultural exchanges
between Tsuchiura City and Palo Alto and to foster person-to-person relationships that
benefit both cities while strengthening the bonds of friendship and mutual respect
between Japan and the United States.
Whereas, in order to foster those goals, the people of Palo Alto, California, U.S.A. and
Tsuchiura City, JAPAN in a gesture of friendship and goodwill, agree to collaborate for
the mutual benefit of their communities by exploring education and cultural
opportunities; and
Now, Therefore, Palo Alto, California, U.S.A. and Tsuchiura City, JAPAN do herby
proclaim themselves Sister Cities, and declare their intent to abide by these guidelines
indefinitely according to Sister Cities International policies.
This document goes into effect on the date of signature, and is written
in both English and in Japanese. Both texts have equal power.
Mayor of the City of Palo Alto Mayor of Tsuchiura City
______________________________ _____________________________
Peter Drekmeier Kiyoshi Nakagawa
______________________________ ______________________________
Date Date
CMR:157:09 Page 1 of 2
TO: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES
DATE: MARCH 16, 2009 CMR: 157:09
REPORT TYPE: REPORTS OF OFFICIALS
SUBJECT: Human Relations Commission Recommendation to the Council That June
21st Should Be Established as World Music Day in Palo Alto and Applicable
General Fund Fees Should be Waived
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report conveys to the Council the recommendation of the Human Relations Commission
(HRC) that the Council declare June 21 as World Music Day in Palo Alto commencing in 2009.
The HRC also requests that the Council waive all fees for special events and police officers, if
additional officers are required for World Music Day this year. This report also includes the
World Music Day in Palo Alto written proposal authored by Commissioners Ezran and Khan as
Attachment A.
RECOMMENDATION
The celebration of World Music Day started 27 years ago in France. The event is now celebrated
around the world and in the California cities of Sacramento, Pasadena, San Francisco, Oakland
and Woodside. Amateur and professional musicians perform on street corners in downtown
areas of cities free to the public.
At the September 11, 2008 HRC meeting, Commissioner Ezran proposed the first World Music
Day to be held on Sunday, June 21, 2009 from 4pm to 7pm in downtown Palo Alto on University
Avenue and surrounding streets. He stated that there are numerous community benefits:
The event engages citizens of all ages in a community activity that furthers the Council’s
priority of Civic Engagement for the Common Good
The event is fun, unique, and family oriented
The event could bring extra business to downtown stores and increase revenue for the
City
The event complements Palo Alto’s Twilight and Brown Bag Concert Series.
Commissioners Ezran and Khan volunteered to lead the organization of the event and have
garnered support from the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, the Palo Alto Downtown Business
CMR:157:09 Page 2 of 2
& Professional Association and the Palo Alto Weekly/Palo Alto Online. Insurance coverage will
be potentially provided by either the Chamber of Commerce or the Downtown Business &
Professional Association.
One objective for the first year of the event is to minimize the cost and complexity. Therefore,
no large outdoor concerts that require stages, sound systems, street closures or portable toilets are
being proposed. The event will be limited, at least for the first year, to individual performers and
small bands on street corners in the downtown area. The World Music Day event will be
reviewed by the City’s special event committee to determine which permits apply (Attachment
A).
At the September HRC meeting, Commissioner Ezran moved that the HRC endorse celebrating
World Music Day on June 21, 2009 and seek an endorsement of the Palo Alto City Council that
will also include: waiving the special event permit fee and waiving the fee for additional officers,
if additional officers are required. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bacchetti and
passed unanimously.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The HRC requests that the Council waive permit, police officer and utility bill insert costs for
publicity for the event. The following permits may be required:
Temporary Use Permit
Special Event Permit
Encroachment Permit
Amplified Music Permit
In addition, special events of this nature require a minimum of two police officers. The
approximate costs for the permits, utility bill inserts and police officers may be between $2,000
to $3,000 dollars.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: World Music Day in Palo Alto Project Description
PREPARED BY: ______________________________________________________________
KATHY ESPINOZA-HOWARD
Division Manager, Cubberley and Human Services
Division
DEPARTMENT HEAD: _______________________________________________________
GREG BETTS
Interim Director of Community Services
Department
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: _________________________________________________
JAMES KEENE
City Manager