HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-04 City Council Agenda PacketCity Council
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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 PAL O ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE.
DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
Monday, January 4, 2021
Regular Meeting
6:00 PM
***BY VIRTUAL TELECONFERENCE ONLY***
CLICK HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900-6833
Pursuant to the provisions of California Governor’s Executive Order N-29-20, issued
on March 17, 2020, to prevent the spread of Covid-19, this meeting will be held
by virtual teleconference only, with no physical location. The meeting will be
broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube at
https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and Midpen Media Center at
https://midpenmedia.org. Members of the public who wish to participate by
computer or phone can find the instructions at the end of this agenda. To
ensure participation in a particular item, we suggest calling in or connecting online
15 minutes before the item you wish to speak on.
Roll Call
Special Orders of the Day
1.Swearing in of the Four Incoming Council Members Lydia Kou,
Greg Tanaka, Patrick Burt, and Greer Stone
2.Election of the 2021 Mayor
3.Election of the 2021 Vice Mayor
4.Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding
Public Service to Adrian Fine as Mayor and Council Member
5.Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding
Public Service to Liz Kniss as Council Member and Mayor
Oral Communications
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. Council reserves the right to limit the duration of
Oral Communications period to 30 minutes.
Adjournment
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT (ADA) 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.
Public
Comment
2 January 4, 2021
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 Comment Instructions
Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference
meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone.
1. Written public comments may be submitted by email to
city.council@cityofpaloalto.org.
2. Spoken public comments using a computer will be accepted
through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on
the link below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the
following instructions carefully.
A. You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in-
browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a
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Microsoft Edge 12+, Safari 7+. Certain functionality may be
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request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible
online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak.
C. When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise
hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn.
Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak.
D. When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted.
E. A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your
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3. Spoken public comments using a smart phone will be accepted
through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, download
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instructions B-E above.
4. Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number
listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on
your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to
provide your first and last name before addressing the Council. You
will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit
your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900-6833
CITY OF PALO ALTO OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
January 4, 2021
The Honorable City Council
Palo Alto, California
Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding
Public Service to Adrian Fine as Mayor and Council Member
ATTACHMENTS:
• Attachment A: Adrian Fine Resolution 2020 - Ceremonial (DOCX)
Department Head: Beth Minor, City Clerk
Page 2
Resolution
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO ADRIAN FINE
FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AS
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER
WHEREAS, Adrian Fine served as Council Member from January 2017 through December 20 20, including as
Vice Mayor in 2019, and as Mayor in 2020; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as Mayor our city faced an exceptionally difficult year due to the COVID -19
pandemic, the resulting economic recession, and calls for much-needed social justice and police reform. This resulted
in challenges on many fronts which gave Adrian a chance to demonstrate his collaborative leadership skills by
repeatedly reaching out to former Mayors and stakeholders throughout the city and beyond, assigning each Council
Member a relevant and specific role early in the Coronavirus response, and pl aying a critical role in coordinating
both communications and our public health response; and
WHEREAS, Adrian strived to serve the whole community: people who live here and people who work here,
businesses big and small, public and private schools, hotels and restaurants; by opening up California and University
Avenues for people and restaurants and leading the implementation of one of the biggest budget cuts in city history.
Hard but necessary decisions were made which were prompted by the dramatic r eductions in tax receipts from sales
and hotel stays, which proved our interdependence of neighbors, residents, businesses, city services, and much more;
and
WHEREAS, Adrian immediately responded to the murder of George Floyd with a powerful Black Lives Matter
Resolution, speaking at one of the largest protests our city has ever seen, supporting and promoting a mural in front
of City Hall, the creation of four ad-hoc committees which advanced significant reforms to our police department,
and launched a citywide diversity and inclusion initiative; and
WHEREAS, throughout his years on Council, Adrian was a consistent and urgent voice for Palo Alto’s future,
one with more homes for more neighbors of all ages and backgrounds, with better transportation choices, with
Foothills Park open for all, with a focus on investing in opportunities for both current and future residents, and
providing high-quality city services; and
WHEREAS, Adrian led the update of zoning and other regulations to support housing, transportation, and local
businesses; including the Housing Incentive Program, the Affordable and Workforce Housing Overlays, Accessory
Dwelling Unit changes, Planned Home Zoning, updates for local retail businesses, and parking reforms; and
WHEREAS, Adrian demonstrated his commitment to transportation solutions across the region by serving on the
Caltrain Local Policy Maker Group, the Rail Committee, and the Palo Alto Transportation Management Association,
helping to create a more sustainable future for Palo Alto.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby commends Adrian’s
outstanding public service and gratefully records both its appreciation, and the appreciation of the citizens and
businesses of this community, for his meritorious service and commitment as Mayor, especially in this most trying
year.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: January 4, 2021
ATTEST: APPROVED:
________________________ ________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________ ________________________
City Manager City Attorney
CITY OF PALO ALTO OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
January 4, 2021
The Honorable City Council
Palo Alto, California
Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding
Public Service to Liz Kniss as Council Member and Mayor
ATTACHMENTS:
• Attachment A: Liz Kniss Resolution 2020 - Ceremonial (DOCX)
Department Head: Beth Minor, City Clerk
Page 2
Resolution
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO ELIZABETH KNISS
FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AS COUNCIL MEMBER
WHEREAS, Elizabeth Hayden Kniss served as Council Member from January 1990 through December 2000
and from January 2013 through December 2018, as Vice Mayor in 1993 and in 2017, and as Mayor in 1994, 2000
and 2018; and
WHEREAS, Liz has served Palo Alto and the region for over 35 years, beginning her elected service in 1985 as
a trustee of the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education, then serving on the Palo Alto City Council
from 1990 to 2000, including as Vice Mayor and Mayor, and then went on to serve on the Santa Clara County Board
of Supervisors from 2001-2012, including as Board President in 2009; and
WHEREAS, Liz, a public health nurse, always focused on improving the community’s physical and mental
wellbeing, championing initiatives such as Healthy Cities/Healthy Communities, bicycle infrastructure, quality food
and service programs for seniors, improved tobacco regulations, and served for many years on the Bay Area Air
Quality Management District, including as chair in 2017; and
WHEREAS, during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Liz pushed for testing and contact tracing and helped north
county cities secure regular testing sites, and has supported the county in the vaccine distribution effort, all of which
earned her a Champion of the Year Award from the Santa Clara County Cities Association; and
WHEREAS, during her many years of service, Liz always sought to balance neighborhood and business interests,
supporting and fundraising for initiatives like the new Junior Museum and Zoo and the Palo Alto History Museum,
voting to open Foothills Park to all, and also leading economic programs such as restaurant parklets, opening
University and California Avenues to pedestrians and dining, small business grants, and weekly check -in sessions
on Zoom with local retailers and restaurants; and
WHEREAS, facing the Bay Area’s housing shortage head -on, Liz has been a constant supporter of expanding
housing choices, including support for affordable housing developments such as Maybell, Buena Vista Mobile
Home Park, and Wilton Court, updating regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units, and launching the Housing Work
Plan; and
WHEREAS, a booster of our Sister Cities program, Liz visited and built lasting relationships with five of Palo
Alto’s eight Sister Cities, including Oaxaca, Albi, Enschede, Heidelberg, and the Yangpu District of Shanghai; and
WHEREAS, Liz is such an important, friendly, and notable member of our community, walking the Stanford
Dish each morning, knowing residents in every neighborhood, greeting business owners by first names, and always
offering her knowledge, relationships, and assistance to help solve a problem.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby commends Liz’s
outstanding public service and gratefully records both its appreciation, and the appreciation of the citizens and
businesses of this community, for her decades of meritorious service and commitment as Trustee and President of
the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education, Santa Clara County Supervisor and Board President, and
as City of Palo Alto Council Member and Mayor.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: January 4, 2021
ATTEST: APPROVED:
________________________ ________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________ ________________________
City Manager City Attorney