HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-25 City Council EmailsFrom:Tom Garvey
To:Council, City
Subject:Using X as means of handling Palo Alto communication should be ended
Date:Monday, November 25, 2024 12:27:26 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking
on links.
Folks,
I recently received email from the PA Police Department about a power outage in the City. For more information,
it said to see their X page.
I don’t have X and given the public and outrageous behavior and statements of its owner, his lies and conspiracy
theories, I don’t think Palo Alto should either.
In this case, I believe there is a power outage map supported by the City that would have been a perfect place for
the Police Department to send inquiring citizens. And in general, for messages of public interest to its citizens, other
means of communication, say City websites, should be used.
I think X has generated such significant bad blood and political dismay, that the city should want to stay as far
away from it as possible. And I have to say, I’m not a big fan of the other social media sites either. Please use Palo
Alto means for communicating Palo Alto business.
Sincerely,
Tom Garvey
From:Deborah Goldeen
To:Police
Cc:City Mgr; Transportation; Council, City
Subject:Traffic Violations Corner of Newell and Embarcadero
Date:Monday, November 25, 2024 11:27:27 AM
I started swimming with Rinconada Masters in August. I now leave the pool around 8:15amweekdays. I bike to and from the pool. To do so I have to navigate the intersection of Newell
and Embarcadero. Between 8 and 8:30am, this is a very busy intersection. Not only are there alot of cyclists biking to Greene, but there are lots of drivers turning right from Newell on to
Embarcadero heading west and always a long line of cars waiting to turn left on toEmbarcadero heading east.
Newell heading south at Embarcadero has two lanes. The left lane is for left turn and straight.
The right lane is right turn only.
Since August, I have almost been hit FOUR TIMES by drivers turning right ontoEmbarcadero while looking left or drivers in the right lane, the right turn only lane, who want
to go straight, but don't want to wait in the long line of cars in the left lane.
Newell heading south intersects with Embarcadero at a about a 110/70 angle, with the wide,110 degree angle being that right turn. This means the cars can maneuver the turn at high
speeds.
I have 250,000 miles over half a century of cycling as transportation on city streets under mypedals and I have never encountered anything even close to this dangerous.
Since the majority of people who swim at Rinconada drive their cars, this problem probably
doesn't affect too many other people. I know you all usually won't give the time of day to acomplaint from only one person. But this situation is so extreme, I'm hoping you all will make
an exception for the intersection of Newell and Embarcadero.
I am confident the crossing guard who works this intersection will confirm the problem of carsusing the right lane to continue straight on Newell and how this is dangerous for cyclists.
I was able to keep up with two of the cars that cut around the left lane line. In neither case was
Greene or a Leland Manor neighborhood residence their destination. Both drivers were usingNewell as an alternate. One was headed for Middlefield southbound. The other was headed
towards Hwy 101 via Oregon Expressway.
Relative to what I experienced growing up in Palo Alto in the seventies, nowadays traffic lawenforcement seems to hardly exist at all. I'm sure there are many reasons for this, but I know
that what I am experiencing in my morning swim "commute" is only one of hundreds ofunacceptable, flagrant, dangerous violations of traffic laws in the city. At some point, self
driving cars will hopefully outnumber all other vehicles on the road. That will solve a host ofproblems. Until then, can something be done? If there are red light cameras, how about "didn't
use their turn signal" cameras?
I know that thinking out of the box is not the natural mode of operations for civic entities, butseems to me nothing else is working. Maybe it's time to take a chance and try some that has
not been tried before. What's being done now is not enough.
If you all can't yet get a working policy in place, please get a motorcycle cop out to Newelland Embarcadero on a regular basis.
Thanks for considering,
Deborah Goldeen, 94306
From:Tran, Joanna
To:Council, City
Cc:Executive Leadership Team
Subject:Holiday Deadline for Consent Questions - this Wednesday 12pm
Date:Monday, November 25, 2024 11:16:13 AM
Attachments:image001.pngimage003.pngimage004.pngimage006.pngimage007.pngimage008.pngimage002.png
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I hope you are all having a lovely holiday week. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, please submit
any questions to consent items for Monday’s meeting by noon on Wednesday, 11/27.
Responses will be provided by the following Monday.
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!
Best,
Joanna
Joanna Tran
Executive Assistant to the City Manager
Office of the City Manager
(650) 329-2105 | joanna.tran@cityofpaloalto.org
www.cityofpaloalto.org
invited and asked Cornell this question for the group. Affirmative Action could not do it,what is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion going to do? Cornell said, " DEI is the funk behind thebull shit". He was right.
I am interested in participating in community action to combat this movement.Thank You,Craig Bright
annetteisaacson@comcast.net, ghcooper@alum.mit.edu,
be weis@yahoo.com, timchao@live.com, lisabenatar@gmail.com,
dsheaffer1985@yahoo.com, paulheft@comcast.net, kwong.chris@gmail.com,
Bernice.kwong@gmail.com, jolindadecad@gmail.com,
richdauler@yahoo.com, Priths@gmail.com, Sowmiya.pr@gmail.com,
Jacquie@baymoon.com, antchao@gmail.com, pdumesnil@comcast.net,
joesullivan@hotmail.com, lon_weis@yahoo.com, jeffries@jeffries.org,
david@gobuty.com, sherrym@gmail.com, burleyhsieh@gmail.com,
dbenatar@gmail.com, fgobuty@yahoo.com, singhjj@gmail.com,
w12564@hotmail.com, lily.s.trager@gmail.com, david.e.trager@gmail.com,
hughart.kathleen@gmail.com, bahrfamily22@gmail.com,
xujunjoe109@gmail.com, BenHeft@gmail.com
Dear Police Department,
In the last 2 months there have been a number of thefts in our neighborhood: 2500 block ofWebster St (cross streets are Middlefield Road and Marion St.)
1. Elaine Dowd's house was burglarized (2505 Webster)
2. My son, Ben Heft's, locked Honda Civic was stolen from our driveway (2550 Webster St.)
3. Lon Weis' Corvette was stolen from his driveway (2538 Webster)
4. Center-Line's construction tools were stolen from the building site (2530 Webster.)mike@center-line.net
Needless to say, the neighbors are wondering what we can do about this.
We are planning on having a neighborhood meeting to air our concerns and think about
options.
What do you suggest?
Sincerely,
Annette Isaacson
Palo Alto, CA
3. Lon Weis' Corvette was stolen from his driveway (2538 Webster)
4. Center-Line's construction tools were stolen from the building site (2530 Webster.)
mike@center-line.net
Needless to say, the neighbors are wondering what we can do about this.
We are planning on having a neighborhood meeting to air our concerns and think aboutoptions.
What do you suggest?
Sincerely,
Annette Isaacson
Palo Alto, CA
Page 4 of 7
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara
AD-1017. 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury Application
39. As a member of any profession or organization or as a holder of any office, have you ever been
suspended, disbarred or otherwise disqualified? Yes No
40. Are you contemplating any absence from Santa Clara County in the Fiscal Year 2025-026,
which might interfere with your performance as a Grand Juror? Please note that short
absences are normal and expected; this question is focused on long periods of unavailability.
Yes No Other: __________________________________________
41. If you are considering an extended absence from Santa Clara County in Fiscal Year 2025-
2026, please list your anticipated departure and return date(s). Please list "N/A" if you
answered "no" to the previous question.
42. If selected as a finalist, will you be able to attend the mandatory Drawing/Empanelment
Ceremony on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 4 pm? Yes No
43. Training pursuant to Penal Code § 914 for the 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury is tentatively
scheduled on July 1 and 2, 2025. It is required that each of the persons selected for the 2025-
2026 Civil Grand Jury attend these meetings.
Will you be able to attend all of the mandatory training sessions? Yes No
44. If selected as a Grand Juror, you will be required to swear or to affirm the following obligation:
“I do solemnly swear (affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of California, and all laws made pursuant to and in conformity therewith, will diligently
inquire into, and true presentment make, of all public offenses against the people of this state, committed or triable within this county, of which the grand jury shall have or can obtain legal evidence. Further, I will not disclose any evidence brought before the grand jury, nor anything which I or any other grand juror may say, nor the manner in which I or any other grand juror may have voted on any matter before the grand jury. I will keep the charge that will be given to
me by the court.” Do you have any objections to taking such an oath or affirmation? Yes No
45. Will you define and evaluate issues without expressing personal bias? Yes No
46. Are you aware that the Civil Grand Jury is required to publish a final report of issues they have
investigated? Yes No
47. Are you willing to investigate county government issues and prepare reports on these issues?
Yes No
Page 5 of 7
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara
AD-1017. 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury Application
48. Please outline your knowledge and understanding of the role and function of the Civil Grand Jury.
49. Why do you want to serve on the Civil Grand Jury and what contributions would you hope to
make as a member?
50. Please assist the Court in the evaluation of the Grand Jury recruitment program by indicating from which source you learned about service on the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury. (Please select all that apply)
Newspaper
TV/Radio
Agency
Referred
NextDoor
LinkedIn
Instagram
Twitter
Other: _______________________
51. If you learned about service on the Civil Grand Jury from a specific newspaper, agency, or
individual, please elaborate here.
52. Have you ever served on the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury?
Yes No Other: __________________________________
53. If you have previously served on the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury, please list the year(s) here: _____________________________________________________________________
54. I am in possession of all my natural faculties, of ordinary intelligence, and of sound judgment and fair character. I certify under penalty of perjury that all of the statements I have made are true, complete, and accurate. Yes No
Page 7 of 7
Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara
AD-1017. 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury Application
Application Reminders
Application completed, signed, and dated.
Applicant Statement signed and dated.
Included employment and educational background information (or resume).
Please print or copy before submitting if you wish to retain a copy for your records.
Hard copies may be mailed to the Downtown Superior Courthouse, Attention: Britney
Huelbig, Deputy Manager – Civil Grand Jury, 191 N. 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113.
Please note: electronic signatures will be accepted for the above-listed items.
Dates to Remember
1. Empanelment Ceremony - will be held in person or virtually on June 18, 2025.
2. Grand Jury Orientation - will be held in person or virtually on July 1, 2025.
3. Grand Jury Legal Training - will be held in person or virtually on July 2, 2025.
4. Regional Training - Dates to be announced.
Please visit the Court website for additional information: https://santaclara.courts.ca.gov/CGJ
Superior Court of California County of Santa Clara
191 North First Street
San José, California 95113
(408) 882-2700
November 15, 2024
Palo Alto City Council City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, California 94301
Sent via email: city.council@cityofpaloalto.org
Dear Members of the Palo Alto City Council,
We are pleased to announce that the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara is seeking volunteers to serve on the 2025-26 Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury. As part of our annual recruitment, we are reaching out to community members like you—elected officials, business leaders, and civic leaders—who
have a vested interest in making a positive impact on local governance.
The Civil Grand Jury plays a vital role within the Judicial Branch, acting as a civil investigator. This is a unique opportunity for citizens to contribute to the improvement and efficiency of our local government.
Grand jurors have the independent authority to examine various aspects of county and city operations,
including school districts and special districts, and are also empowered by law to inspect adult and juvenile detention facilities.
Our goal is to create a grand jury pool that reflects the diversity and talent of our community. A wide range of perspectives and expertise among grand jurors is essential to carrying out the panel’s broad oversight responsibilities. With your support, we can ensure the Civil Grand Jury remains an important force for accountability and positive change in Santa Clara County.
Residents who qualify—having lived in the County for at least one year, being U.S. citizens, and 18 years or older—are encouraged to apply for a one-year term starting on July 1, 2025.
We are happy to announce that applications can once again be submitted entirely online at https://santaclara.courts.ca.gov/CGJ. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 28, 2025. For more information or to apply, interested individuals can contact Britney Huelbig, Deputy Manager of the Civil Grand Jury, at
408-882-2721 or CGJ@scscourt.org. If you have any upcoming events or opportunities to help promote this
recruitment, Ms. Huelbig is available to coordinate support from the Court as needed.
Thank you for your assistance in this important outreach effort. We look forward to speaking with those you
recommend as a candidate about the benefits of serving on the Civil Grand Jury.
Sincerely,
Beth McGowen Julie A. Emede Presiding Judge Assistant Presiding Judge
effect on the attitudes and perspectives of Catholics, wouldn't you?
https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/18/middleeast/pope-israel-gaza-genocide-allegations-
intl/index.html
From: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2024 1:10 PM
To: Keith Reckdahl <keith@keithforcouncil.com>; Ed Lauing
<elauing@equitysearchpartners.com>; Greer Stone <gstone22@gmail.com>; Henry Etzkowitz
<H.Etzko@gmail.com>; Julie Lythcott-Haims <julieforpaloalto@gmail.com>; Josh Becker
<becker.josh@gmail.com>; Mila Zelkha <mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Doug Minkler
<dminkler@dminkler.com>; Bill Newell <billnewell2850@gmail.com>; Sean Allen
<sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Jeff Moore <moore2j@att.net>; CityCouncil
<city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Reifschneider, James
<james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>; Binder, Andrew
<Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>; Baker, Rob <rbaker@dao.sccgov.org>; Jeff Rosen
<info@jeffrosen.org>; Jay Boyarsky <jboyarsky@dao.sccgov.org>; Don Austin
<daustin@pausd.org>; josh@joshsalcman.com <josh@joshsalcman.com>;
kamhialison@gmail.com <kamhialison@gmail.com>; Rowena Chiu <rowena.chiu@gmail.com>;
Friends of Cubberley <friendsofcubberley94303@gmail.com>; Sarah Wright
<swright@embarcaderomedia.org>; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg
<supervisor.ellenberg@bos.sccgov.org>; Dave Price <price@padailypost.com>; Emily Mibach
<emibach@padailypost.com>; Braden Cartwright <bcartwright@padailypost.com>; Diana
Diamond <dianaLdiamond@gmail.com>; EPA Today <epatoday@epatoday.org>; George for
Palo Alto <georgeforpaloalto@gmail.com>; chuck jagoda <jagodachuck@gmail.com>; Chris
Colohan <chris@colohan.com>; Nicole Chiu-Wang <votenicolecw@gmail.com>; Supervisor Otto
Lee <supervisor.lee@bos.sccgov.org>; Lewis James <capone9947@icloud.com>; Stump, Molly
<molly.stump@cityofpaloalto.org>; Shikada, Ed <Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; Jack Ajluni
<jaxpolo@gmail.com>; Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com>; Michelle
<michelle1771@gmail.com>; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>; Vara Ramakrishnan
<vara@acm.org>; Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Roberta Ahlquist
<roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>;
citycouncil@mountainview.gov <citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Jeff Conrad
<jeff_conrad@msn.com>; Jennifer DiBrienza <jdibrienza@gmail.com>; district1@bos.sccgov.org
<District1@bos.sccgov.org>; dennis burns <dennis.r.burns@gmail.com>; Burt, Patrick
<pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; DuJuan Green <dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; Tom DuBois
<tom.dubois@gmail.com>; Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>; Karen Holman
<kcholman@sbcglobal.net>; Palo Alto Free Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Anne Cribbs
<acribbs@basoc.org>; Cari Templeton <cari@caritempleton.com>; Lewis james
<alphonse9947@gmail.com>; Raj Jayadev <raj@siliconvalleydebug.org>; Jose Valle
<jvalle1800@gmail.com>; San José Spotlight <info@sanjosespotlight.com>;
rabrica@cityofepa.org <rabrica@cityofepa.org>; cromero@cityofepa.org
<cromero@cityofepa.org>; craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org <craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>;
michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org <michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>;
eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org <eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org>;
Eric.Jensen@cityofpaloalto.org <Eric.Jensen@cityofpaloalto.org>; Alex Afanasiev
<Alex.Afanasiev@cityofpaloalto.org>; April Wagner <april.wagner@cityofpaloalto.org>;
Zachary.Perron@CityofPaloAlto.org <zachary.perron@cityofpaloalto.org>
Subject:
Oakland teacher fired for wearing ‘Free Palestine'
pin
Bishop O’Dowd High, a private Catholic school in Oakland, fired an English teacher for“insubordination” after she refused to stop wearing a pin bearing the Pal…
Source: NBC Bay AreaOakland teacher fired for wearing ‘Free Palestine’ pin – NBC Bay Area
https://search.app/b19o48xKysocQYZS6
The Israeli military has killed over 43,000 Palestinians and injured over 100,000 within the
last year. To stop this genocide, we need to hit Israel where it hurts: their wallet.
Redwood City has millions invested in companies supporting Israel's crimes against
humanity, like Hyundai, Toyota, Intel, Microsoft, and Amazon. We DEMAND Redwood City
divest from these businesses! Our taxes shouldn't fund war crimes.
Join us THIS SUNDAY, November 24 at 2 PM in the 2nd Floor Community Room at
Redwood City Library (1044 Middlefield Road) to strategize how to divest from the
genocide in Palestine. Click here to RSVP.
We will need an outpour of support from the Redwood City community to make a real impact.
Can you join us on this Sunday, and spread the word on Instagram?
You can learn more about Redwood City's investment ties to genocide and sign our
petition to the city council here.
In Solidarity,
Silicon Valley DSA
Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emailsfrom Silicon Valley DSA, please click here.
From:Deborah Goldeen
To:Council, City
Cc:Transportation; Planning Commission
Subject:Driverless Cars
Date:Wednesday, November 20, 2024 3:37:53 PM
I rode in a Waymo taxi on Monday.
On the ride from Sedona to Phoenix, I had to endure the shuttle driver from hell. Lunch date with a friend requiredtransfering from shuttle at airport to rideshare or taxi. Dozens of people were waiting for rideshares, all glaring attheir phones. The wait for a rideshare was twenty to thirty minutes - because they were busy. I checked the WaymoApp - one minute wait. Two minutes later, I was on my way and it cost same as Uber.
Not only did I not feel unsafe, a driverless, computer operated car is so superior to a human driver that I will neverfeel safe with a human driver ever again.
Getting a ride in a Waymo was a revelation.
Going back to using a human driven car is like being forced to keep using a privvy. When I share my experience,people either react with disbelief or with horror. I'm all, "Fine with me. Don't use that warm, indoor, flush toilet. Gofreeze your butt off in that nasty outhouse. See if I care."
We can't get self driving cars on board soon enough. Based on my experience in Phoenix, Waymo has driverlesscars nailed.
Deborah Goldeen, 94306
Alto <georgeforpaloalto@gmail.com>; chuck jagoda <jagodachuck@gmail.com>; Chris Colohan
<chris@colohan.com>; Nicole Chiu-Wang <votenicolecw@gmail.com>; Supervisor Otto Lee
<supervisor.lee@bos.sccgov.org>; Lewis James <capone9947@icloud.com>; Stump, Molly
<molly.stump@cityofpaloalto.org>; Shikada, Ed <Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; Jack Ajluni
<jaxpolo@gmail.com>; Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com>; Michelle <michelle1771@gmail.com>;
Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>; Vara Ramakrishnan <vara@acm.org>; Lotus Fong
<lyfong@pacbell.net>; Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; GRP-City Council
<council@redwoodcity.org>; citycouncil@mountainview.gov <citycouncil@mountainview.gov>;
Jeff Conrad <jeff_conrad@msn.com>; Jennifer DiBrienza <jdibrienza@gmail.com>;
district1@bos.sccgov.org <District1@bos.sccgov.org>; dennis burns <dennis.r.burns@gmail.com>;
Burt, Patrick <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; DuJuan Green <dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; Tom DuBois
<tom.dubois@gmail.com>; Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>; Karen Holman
<kcholman@sbcglobal.net>; Palo Alto Free Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Anne Cribbs
<acribbs@basoc.org>; Cari Templeton <cari@caritempleton.com>; Lewis james
<alphonse9947@gmail.com>; Raj Jayadev <raj@siliconvalleydebug.org>; Jose Valle
<jvalle1800@gmail.com>; San José Spotlight <info@sanjosespotlight.com>; rabrica@cityofepa.org
<rabrica@cityofepa.org>; cromero@cityofepa.org <cromero@cityofepa.org>;
craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org <craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>; michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org
<michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org
<eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org>; Eric.Jensen@cityofpaloalto.org
<Eric.Jensen@cityofpaloalto.org>; Alex Afanasiev <Alex.Afanasiev@cityofpaloalto.org>; April
Wagner <april.wagner@cityofpaloalto.org>; Zachary.Perron@CityofPaloAlto.org
<zachary.perron@cityofpaloalto.org>
Subject:
Oakland teacher fired for wearing ‘Free Palestine'
pin
Bishop O’Dowd High, a private Catholic school in Oakland, fired an English teacher for“insubordination” after she refused to stop wearing a pin bearing the Pal…
Source: NBC Bay AreaOakland teacher fired for wearing ‘Free Palestine’ pin – NBC Bay Area
https://search.app/b19o48xKysocQYZS6
<lyfong@pacbell.net>; Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; GRP-City Council
<council@redwoodcity.org>; citycouncil@mountainview.gov <citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Jeff
Conrad <jeff_conrad@msn.com>; Jennifer DiBrienza <jdibrienza@gmail.com>;
district1@bos.sccgov.org <District1@bos.sccgov.org>; dennis burns <dennis.r.burns@gmail.com>;
Burt, Patrick <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; DuJuan Green <dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; Tom DuBois
<tom.dubois@gmail.com>; Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>; Karen Holman
<kcholman@sbcglobal.net>; Palo Alto Free Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Anne Cribbs
<acribbs@basoc.org>; Cari Templeton <cari@caritempleton.com>; Lewis james
<alphonse9947@gmail.com>; Raj Jayadev <raj@siliconvalleydebug.org>; Jose Valle
<jvalle1800@gmail.com>; San José Spotlight <info@sanjosespotlight.com>; rabrica@cityofepa.org
<rabrica@cityofepa.org>; cromero@cityofepa.org <cromero@cityofepa.org>;
craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org <craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>; michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org
<michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org
<eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org>; Eric.Jensen@cityofpaloalto.org
<Eric.Jensen@cityofpaloalto.org>; Alex Afanasiev <Alex.Afanasiev@cityofpaloalto.org>; April Wagner
<april.wagner@cityofpaloalto.org>; Zachary.Perron@CityofPaloAlto.org
<zachary.perron@cityofpaloalto.org>
Subject:
Oakland teacher fired for wearing ‘Free Palestine' pin
Bishop O’Dowd High, a private Catholic school in Oakland, fired an English teacher for
“insubordination” after she refused to stop wearing a pin bearing the Pal…
Source: NBC Bay AreaOakland teacher fired for wearing ‘Free Palestine’ pin – NBC Bay Area
https://search.app/b19o48xKysocQYZS6
that can impact health and livability. The FAA's 2021 revelation of new data can befound at www.regulations.gov, click the Documents tab and search for FAA-2021-
0037-0001.
On April 14, 2021 Stanford scientists working with Bay Area airports overflight datasubmitted an analysis to the FAA's solicitation for public comment about FAA activities
to inform aircraft noise policy (post-NES). They illustrated how the outbreak of COVIDprovided an unintentional experimental demonstration of how much air traffic volume
affects overflown residents roughly linearly, i.e., if you double air traffic volume youdouble the ground complaints and if you halve air traffic volume you halve the ground
complaints. The illustration of air traffic volume effects can be foundat www.regulations.gov, click the Comments tab and search for FAA-2021-0037-3754;
the result will be a link to "Comment from MONA project." The graph is on page 3 ofthe MONA report.
On September 28, 2021, the Government Accountability Report issued
recommendations based on extensive interviews with communities, the FAA and otherexperts about Precision Based Navigation noise and how the FAA could Improve
outreach through enhanced noise metrics, communication, and support to communities.The recommendations are largely about adding more noise metrics to address aircraft
noise impacts. The GAO examined 13 NEPA processes and community experiencesthat led to their conclusions. The GAO report can be found
at https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-21-103933.
It is disappointing that your CEQA consultants or contractors failed to advise you or thatyou are choosing to deliberately ignore critical information as you are on the verge of
certifying an FEIR that unreasonably underestimates and misrepresents population noiseexposure, thereby denying the public a good faith effort to meet CEQA's purpose to
comply with the National Environmental Protection Act.
The public deserves better than the thousands of words that have been published in theFEIR about population aircraft noise exposure that effectively tell people nothing or
mislead.
arms to Israel.
In fact, in the 30 days since the Biden administration issued its ultimatum, Israel has
failed to open any new border crossings into Gaza; allowed in only 42 trucks per
day, according to aid groups — well short of the U.S. benchmark of 350 trucks;
killed four aid workers; bombed a polio vaccine clinic; and banned the main U.N.
agency responsible for providing aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
In addition to covering the latest efforts to block aid to Israel moving forward in
Congress, The Intercept continues to shine a bright light on the ongoinghumanitarian crisis in Gaza and expose the killing of journalists by Israeli forces —
teaming up with freelance journalists on the ground and partnering with Arab
Reporters for Investigative Journalism.
But your donations are absolutely vital to support this reporting, which simply wouldnot happen if The Intercept didn’t exist.
Will you donate $10 to The Intercept and help support our ongoing coverage
of Israel’s war on Gaza?
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MODE (BIKE/WALK/TRANSIT)
Start End % of Traffic
/day
Grade (%)
Elevation Avg. Time (s)
(variability of
distance (biking Distance
quantitative
safety (Class I,
Stanford quad Station
Stanford hospital Station
Stanford shopping cent Station
DT Menlo Park Station
East Palo Alto Station
PAMF Station
Town and Country Station
Old Palo Alto Station
Downtown North Station
CURRENT STATE / FUTURE STATE
Station = 1) Bus access, 2) Caltrain South, 3) Caltrain North, 4) through station
Data
Transit usage
Service
Visitors/ employees to each destination
Parking inventory
From:Judy Rattner
To:Council, City
Subject:Consideration of robot axis for Palo Alto
Date:Tuesday, November 19, 2024 3:24:34 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking
on links.
Dear City Council Members,
While reading the Palo Alto Weekly a couple weeks back, I was struck by two articles regarding Tesla. The first
mentioned a chemical spill by Tesla that had been discovered in our Matadero Creek. The second article reported
that the City of Palo Alto is considering a contract with Tesla for robo taxis in our city.
Why would we further engage with an individual who not only contaminated our environment through Tesla’s
irresponsibility, but also who has tainted our political process, spread misinformation and seeks to get his hand into
more and more areas of our every day lives. We do not need our city to be entangled with this opportunist any more
than it already is!
Judy Rattner
From:Deborah Goldeen
To:"Roy Kornbluh" via SVBC Palo Alto Team; Star-Lack, Sylvia
Cc:Council, City
Subject:Re: [SVBC PALO ALTO] Bike Parking for Apartments.
Date:Monday, November 18, 2024 10:27:32 PM
I appreciate the clarification. It seems the failure here is not so much policy as it is the natureof the discussion by the council. What is presented at council meetings, discussed by council
and how it is discussed, heavily influences public opinion. The takeaway from their climatechange/ S/CAP goals discussion is that, in the minds of the council, when it comes to
mitigating climate change, bikes aren’t on their radar. I believe this is true and that is a hugeproblem.
As pleased as I am to learn that bike parking is now part of the municipal code, how it was
conceived that one bike parking space per apartment is adequate I have no idea. Do the policymakers live in apartments? If so, they obviously don’t ride bikes. When you have two cars per
apartment, but only one parking space, which is the case for most apartments, the second carparks on the street. You can’t part the second bike on the street.
Also, even though mechanisms are in place - upgrades when buildings are sold, etc… - to
retrofit apartments with bike parking, how fast is that going to happen? How many complexesare there in Palo Alto? More than a hundred for sure. It will take decades before even half of
those complexes have bike parking. That’s not good enough.
Catching salient policy details at the right time is not my forte. But darn it I wish I’d caughtwind of the one bike limit. I expect the bike parking had to be fought for, but yet again, policy
makers don’t get what it’s going take to make cycling as transportation viable. I slog through acouple hours of Nextdoor posts each week. I’m thinking city council and staff may be unaware
just how serious a problem bike theft from apartment buildings is.
Cities are notorious for doing things half way. We’ve muddled along like that for goodnessknows how long, but with the climate crisis barreling down on us, I think halfway is a luxury
we can no longer afford.
Thanks for considering - Deb G.
On Nov 18, 2024, at 6:58 PM, 'Star-Lack, Sylvia' via SVBC Palo Alto Team<paloalto@bikesiliconvalley.org> wrote:
Dear Deborah,
On behalf of the City Manager, thank you for inquiring about secure and sheltered
bicycle storage at apartment complexes. Your concerns are timely, especially as
staff work on aligning the city’s goals with the state’s climate goals and promoting
and increasing sustainable transportation options for Palo Alto residents.
To your point, long-term bicycle storage requirements are indeed addressed in
the Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 18.52.040, which mandates that
residential developments, including apartment complexes, provide adequate
bicycle parking facilities. For example:
Multiple-Family Residential Developments are required to provide 1 long-
term bicycle parking space per unit. These spaces must be secure and
protected, ensuring that bicycles can be safely stored.
Additionally, guest bicycle parking must also be provided at a ratio of 1
short-term bicycle parking space per 10 units, further supporting cycling
as a viable transportation option.
While older developments may not have been built with bicycle parking, current
applications are required to include it, ensuring that new developments meet the
city’s goals for sustainable and bike-friendly infrastructure. The Planning
Department is also taking proactive steps to improve conditions for existing
buildings by requiring compliance with modern bicycle parking standards when
property owners make modifications that alter parking requirements, when
ownership changes, or when there is a change in use permits.
The city’s recent focus on electric vehicle chargers is part of a broader push
toward reducing emissions; however, your point about equitable emphasis on
secure bicycle storage is well-taken. Encouraging cycling, especially for apartment
residents, is a critical component of this effort.
Thank you for your commitment to sustainable transportation.
-Sylvia
Sylvia Star-Lack (she/her)| Transportation Planning Manager
Office of Transportation | City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue | Palo Alto, CA 94301
T: 650.329.2546 |E: Sylvia.star-lack@cityofpaloalto.org
Please think of the environment before printing this email – Thank you!
Use Palo Alto 311 to report items you’d like the City to fix!! Download the app or
click here to make a service request.
-----Original Message-----
From: Deborah Goldeen <deborah.goldeen@sonic.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2024 12:35 PM
To: Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>
Cc: 'Roy Kornbluh' via SVBC Palo Alto Team <paloalto@bikesiliconvalley.org>;
Transportation <Transportation@CityofPaloAlto.org>
Subject: Bike Parking for Apartments.
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of
opening attachments and clicking on links.
If city staff is working with apartment owners to install car chargers, why is secure,
sheltered bike storage at apartment complexes not also part of this discussion?
I've had hundreds of people, including our mayor, tell me, "I can't ride a bike because I
live in an apartment and there's no safe place to store it."
I would also like to know why this wasn't part of the discussion decades ago. Failure to
address the obvious doesn't fill me with confidence when it comes to the councils
ability to address climate change.
Deb G., 94306
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From:Shannon Griscom
To:Council, City
Cc:Shannon Close Griscom
Subject:Bathrooms at Eleanor Pardee park
Date:Monday, November 18, 2024 3:36:41 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking
on links.
For a year, I have been asking for bathrooms to be installed at the park and the very large area including acommunity garden. I have not seen any progress on this important issue, nor have I had replies to my letters. Thepresent situation of no bathrooms invites families to use bushes for children and care givers to relieve themselves.That is a very unsanitary and distressing situation for one of the most affluent communities to allow. I have lived inPalo Alto since 1965, and have paid property taxes and public utility fees for decades. I expect better response frommy city council.
Please provide at least temporary toilets and start building at least one if not more facilities at this large, heavilyused public park.
Sincerely,Shannon Griscom