Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-09 City Council EmailsFrom:Mary Dimit To:Council, City Cc:Shikada, Ed; Stump, Molly Subject:Keep & Improve Newspaper Stands Date:Monday, December 9, 2024 4:21:20 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from marydimit@sonic.net. Learn why this isimportant Dear City Council, We support keeping newspaper stands in Palo Alto’s commercial areas, although do recommend that quality standards be enacted. Having a variety of local and Bay Area daily or weekly publications available is a service to our community. I have learned about many issues and events that I would not have otherwise come across online. Quality standards (appearance, size, in good repair) are necessary as many of the current newspaper stands need to be upgraded/replaced. Also, consideration of appropriate locations could be re-evaluated. Appreciate your consideration, Mary Dimit Near University Ave. and Guinda St. Palo Alto 3921 E. Bayshore Rd. Palo Alto, CA 94303 650-903-0600 December 7, 2024 Re: public comment on Gap Study of Homeless Services 12/09/24 Council Meeting Dear Mayor Stone and Councilmembers: The League of Women Voters believes every person and family should have decent, safe and affordable housing. The City’s Gap Study describes recent efforts to increase affordable housing and prevent homelessness.1 The League applauds the Council's attention to reducing homelessness and displacement by enacting tenant protections--expanding just cause for eviction, limiting security deposits, and establishing the rental registry. We also applaud the creation of an assistant city manager position with responsibilities for affordable housing and increasing staff for homeless outreach, as mentioned in the Gap Study. But more needs to be done. Tenant Protections At a time when the wealth divide in our community has never been greater, we urge the city to take immediate action to increase services which have proven especially effective in preventing homelessness: 1) providing increased emergency housing funds for people facing loss of job, illness, or other major trauma; 2) funding right to counsel prior to eviction; and 3) establishing a rent review board to help enforce Tenant Protections and ensure landlords receive a fair return. Funding right to counsel is not a new idea. Both the recent Gap Study and a staff report on Tenant Protections in 2023 include right to counsel as a Tenant Protection policy. Cities which enact tenant right to counsel programs see declines in eviction and displacement. Many cities which have adopted tenant protection policies also enact rent review boards to enforce these tenant protections and ensure landlords get a fair return (Mountain View, East Palo Alto, Berkeley, San Francisco). We urge the city to prioritize a study of this option. Creating Affordable Housing We urge the assistant city manager’s affordable housing responsibilities to include helping move affordable housing projects through the development process. The 2021 Civil Grand Jury Report studied roadblocks in Palo Alto to building affordable housing and noted that the city would benefit from having a dedicated and empowered affordable housing manager to coordinate activities and reduce delay, which increases costs and discourages developers from working with the city. As an example of undue delay, a recent 100% affordable housing project needing no public subsidies has taken close to two years to move forward. Sincerely, K. Kalinsky H. Lu Karen Kalinsky Hannah Lu Co-Presidents LWV Palo Alto 1 The Supplemental Attachment to the Gap Study was not available when this letter was written. We will provide comments on the Supplement at a later date. CONTRIBUTE → Top Stories Israel Delayed Its Attack on Iran Due to CIA Leak, Prosecutors Allege Matt Sledge, Nikita Mazurov The biggest question in the case against Asif Rahman, a CIA employee accused of leaking Israel’s battle plans, is motive. READ MORE → and communicate and prioritize which parks will be included in the FY2027 CIP and budget. The outreach process does need funding. It should be based on your Parks Master Plan (i.e. in parks that are approximately two acres or larger, have amenities that encourage visitors to stay in the park, have high level of use, and where there are no nearby public restrooms available). In addition to the restroom at Eleanor Pardee Park, this would include restrooms at: • Bol Park • Bowden Park • Johnson Park • Robles Park • Terman Park As highlighted by the community, not having restrooms in public parks is a public health issue. Therefore, we recommend a goal of funding two to three restrooms per year, instead of just one restroom every two years. We have learned the outreach process needs early funding. The City has over 15 parks with restrooms. They added 3 restrooms in 2024. Bravo! Let's continue the success of adding restrooms in Palo Alto Parks! Nancy Kawakita Pardee Park Demonstration Garden volunteer in the Pardee Community Garden Crescent Park resident From:Jo Ann Mandinach To:Council, City Cc:citymgr@cirtyofpaloalto.org; Stump, Molly; Jo Ann Mandinach Subject:Newspaper Stand Access Date:Friday, December 6, 2024 5:02:11 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from needtono@well.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] I echo Nilson's sentiments below about preserving newspaper access. It's tough enough keeping track of what'shappening here in Palo Akro and there's no need to make it even harder. We've seen what happens to democracy in news deserts. And it's not like our downtowns are so pristine and cleanthat you can claim to care about appearances when our requests for street cleaning have been ignored for so long andwhen city outreach continues to suffer since not all of us live in neighborhoods with neighborhood groups whichseem to get SDME notifications. Best,Jo Ann Mandinach From: Neilson Buchanan <cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com>To: City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>Cc: Shikada Ed <ed.shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; Molly Stump <>Sent: Friday, December 6, 2024 at 04:12:53 PM PSTSubject: newspaper access Please reconsider any effort to eliminate traditional newspaper stands in Palo Alto. Our democracy and civil engagement depends upon balanced, local journalism. Online publishing is a fact of life. Nevertheless, tangible, printed journalism has unique value and utility. Newspaper stands are also visual reminders of vibrant human intereaction. They should be an integral element ofour upgraded commercial and residential areas. I do support quality standards to manage appearance, location and scale. Some of the existing newspaper stands areclearly sub-standard. They reflect poorly on the newspaper publishers. Neilson at the Daly City, City Hall, 333 90th St. The Alvarado Project and Honorable Mayor Julysn Manalo are extremely proud to announce Ricardo Alvarado’s photography exhibition Capturing a Cultural Legacy at SFO Museum at the San Francisco International Airport. Here is the Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reception-for-the-exhibit-ricardo-alvarado-capturing-a- cultural-legacy-tickets-1106665088069?aff=ebdsoporgprofile Attached is everything that you can send on behalf of supporting the outreach invitation to come on Dec. 11! Thanks, Janet December 3, 2024 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Ricardo Alvarado: Capturing a Cultural Legacy New exhibition features the local photography of first-generation Filipino American photographer, Ricardo Alvarado. CONTACT: Janet Alvarado Executive Director, The Alvarado Project 415.794.4037 San Francisco, CA Or Daly City City Hall Manager's office: at (650) 991-8127 PLEASE Join Daly City’s Honorable Mayor Juslyn Manalo, on December 11, 4:00pm - 6:30pm at the Daly City, City Hall, 333 90th St. The Alvarado Project and Honorable Mayor Julysn Manalo are extremely proud to announce Ricardo Alvarado’s photography exhibition Capturing a Cultural Legacy at SFO Museum at the San Francisco International Airport. The exhibition will welcome visitors to witness the magic of artist Ricardo Ocreto Alvarado’s photography. “It’s an honor to welcome back The Alvarado Project to Daly City, City Hall, after 25 years. As a Filipina American, these historic images provide the younger generation a view into the past and an opportunity to remember and cherish them,” says Mayor Manalo. Enjoy light refreshments, music and a short program. Nicole Mullen, Curator at SFO Museum adds: “All are invited to celebrate the new photography exhibition Ricardo Alvarado: Capturing a Cultural Legacy at SFO Museum, which will allow millions of visitors to gain insight into the Filipino American experience in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area in the 1940s and ’50s.” Meet Nicole Mullen, Curator at SFO Museum, who will offer a “sneak peak” of the exhibition in SFO’s Terminal 3, Departures, Level 2, Gallery 3A. December 11, 1997 also marks the genesis of The Alvarado Project in which Ricardo Alvarado’s photography was displayed at the first community announcement in South Park at the KSW on 66 South Park in San Francisco (https://www.thealvaradoproject.com/ksw-co-sponsors-the- alvarado-project/). A debut of Through My Father’s Eyes premiered at the San Francisco Public Library 1998, and went on to Daly City, City Hall Rotunda in May 1999 (https://www.thealvaradoproject.com/a-journey-back-in-time/), and to San Jose State University, Engineering Hall gallery in October 1999. Making history in November 2002, the photography works opened at the Smithsonian’ National Museum of American History as the first exhibition to be shown in any of their sixteen museums at that time and place https://www.thealvaradoproject.com/memories-of-the-manong/). As Janet Alvarado of The Alvarado Project recalls, on December 11, and reflects: “I hope and pray that this Christmas opens and presents a multitude of JOY, PEACE and FAITH for prosperity in Daly City, California, the Bay Area, the nation and world; I am grateful.” About the ARTIST - Ricardo Alvarado, a first-generation Filipino American left the Philippines in 1928 and settled in San Francisco where he lived for nearly fifty years. Like other first-generation Filipinos, he found employment in farm labor in the greater Bay Area as well as a domestic worker, janitor, and dishwasher in North Beach in San Francisco. During World War II, he joined the US Army’s 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment serving as a medic. After the war, Alvarado became a cook at the Letterman Army Hospital in San Francisco’s Presidio. He purchased a Graflex Speed Graphic camera, commonly used by professional photographers. He developed high quality prints in a small darkroom fitted in his apartment. He documented postwar Filipino American life, those who worked as farm laborers in so-called “bachelor communities” to small and growing Filipino families in their homes, family celebrations, dance socials, and multi-ethnic communities. Shortly after marrying in 1959, Alvarado retired his camera and devoted his life to his wife and two children, Janet and Joseph. When he died in 1976, Janet found his photographic equipment and 4x5 film negatives. The Department of Special Collections at Stanford University Library houses the 3000 negatives and photographs. About SFO Museum Established in 1980 by the San Francisco Airport Commission, SFO Museum’s mission is to delight, engage, and inspire a global audience with programming on a broad range of subjects; to collect, preserve, interpret, and share the history of commercial aviation; and to enrich the public experience at San Francisco International Airport. The Museum has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1999 and retains the distinction of being the only accredited museum in an airport. SFO Museum operates more than twenty-five sites throughout the Airport terminals, including fourteen galleries that exhibit a rotating schedule of art, history, photography, science, and cultural exhibitions. Among the sites is the San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum, which houses a permanent collection of more than 160,000 objects related to the history of commercial aviation. Press images are available upon request by contacting curator@flysfo.com To browse current and past exhibitions, research our collection, or for more information, please visit www.sfomuseum.org. Follow us on www.facebook.com/sfomuseum, www.x.com/sfomuseum, or www.instagram.com/sfomuseum. From:Tran, Joanna To:Council, City Cc:Executive Leadership Team Subject:Council Consent Questions: 12/9/24 Date:Friday, December 6, 2024 11:56:30 AM Attachments:image001.pngimage010.pngimage011.pngimage013.pngimage014.pngimage015.pngimage002.png Dear Mayor and Council Members, On behalf of City Manager Ed Shikada, please view the following links for the amended agenda and staff responses to questions submitted by Council Member Tanaka: December 9 Amended Agenda Staff responses to Item 9 and 11 Thank you, Joanna Joanna Tran Executive Assistant to the City Manager Office of the City Manager (650) 329-2105 | joanna.tran@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org In gratitude for your help, Trish Tamrazi From:Rice, Danille To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed Cc:Executive Leadership Team; Clerk, City; City Mgr Subject:City Council Bundle - December 5 Date:Thursday, December 5, 2024 3:31:35 PM Attachments:image001.pngimage002.pngRE IndustrialTransportCommercial concerns.msgFW Use of Flock cameras Item 11.msgRE Hit and run Accident (Oct 19th 2024).msgFW Thefts in the area of 2500 block Webster Street.msg Dear Mayor and Council Members, On behalf of City Manager Ed Shikada, please see the attached staff responses to emails received in the City.Council inbox through December 5th. Thank you, Danille Danille RiceAdministrative AssistantCity Manager’s Office|Human Resources|Transportation(650) 329-2229 | danille.rice@cityofpaloalto.orgwww.cityofpaloalto.org Please visit us at : https://kylixus.com/ This email is confidential and privileged and is intended only for the stated recipient. If you receive this message in error, please contact the sender and delete this message, and any attachments. Any review, use, dissemination or copying of this message, except by the intended recipient, is strictly prohibited. From: Marcus Wood <mcwood196@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, December 2, 2024 4:26 PM To: Susan McKay <susan@kylixus.com> Subject: Fwd: Page Mill parking Marcus (with "help" from my iPhone) Begin forwarded message: From: Marcus Wood <Mcwood196@gmail.com> Date: December 2, 2024 at 10:51:20 AM PST To: Susan McKay <susan@kylixus.com> Subject: Page Mill parking Marcus (with "help" from my iPhone) I am sorry these problems persist. Our Community Service and Special Problems officers continue to visit the area on a weekly basis to check for parking or other violations. Their last check was just before the holiday, and they will be returning this week. Please let me know if you have additional questions. Ben Ben Becchetti Lieutenant, Investigative Services Division/Traffic Palo Alto Police Department (650)329-2232 benjamin.becchetti@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org | www.papd.org From: Lester Wong <LWong@wongelectric.com> Sent: Monday, December 2, 2024 2:44 PM To: Manu Kumar <manu@k9ventures.com>; Cathi Lerch <cathi@lerchconstruction.com> Cc: Maor Greenberg <maor@greenberg.construction>; Becchetti, Benjamin <Benjamin.Becchetti@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Dave Stellman <dave@paloaltoglass.com>; City Mgr <CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>; osbaldo@or-builders.com; Moffatt, Pete <pete@petemoffat.com>; bill@paloaltoglass.com; Jacob@onemovemovers.com; david@paloaltoconcrete.com; Steve Wong <SWong@wongelectric.com>; RamonMorenoSchool@gmail.com; davestellman@gmail.com; nancy@drewmaran.com; Patrick Kelly <patrick.kelly@basketmaterials.com>; Dan McKinley <danmck@scientific-equipment.com>; McDonough, Melissa <Melissa.McDonough@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Reifschneider, James From:Robert Neff To:Council, City Subject:Downtown Streetscape Dec. 9 Date:Monday, December 2, 2024 11:36:49 PM Honorable City Council Members, I support the staff proposal for wide sidewalks described in the Downtown Streetscape proposal (Item 9 on Dec. 9.). I think this will make downtown attractive for those walking to shop or dine from their bike park, car park, or bus stop. I hope you will vote to advance the staff recommendation. I also strongly support a plan for parking meters in prime downtown parking areas, to encourage short term use and higher turnover of the available parking spaces, especially on University Ave, and also on the most convenient parking locations, like the surface lots. It would be terrific to have frequent turnover of parking spaces serving those who are only going to use them for 15-30 minutes, while those who are planning to stay downtown more than an hour may either pay a higher price, or park for free in the parking garages. I too look forward to recommendations from the upcoming bike plan. I hope it will identify ways to make biking into destinations in downtown comfortable for all kinds of cyclists. The brief description of cycling access here, suggesting using Lytton or Hamilton, requires an overhaul of those streets if they are to be attractive and comfortable bikeways at all times of day. As far as recognizing Palo Alto as the Birthplace of Silicon Valley, there is a lot of technology history here, going back at least to Eadweard Muybridge, in 1878. Perhaps staff should pull together a citizen committee to figure out what to include, and how to connect it to locations downtown. Dr. Thomas Lee, at Stanford, would be a good person to help with this. The technology related state historical markers are another good reference for seeing some of the invention that happened here. https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21522 Thank you for your service to our city of Palo Alto. Robert Neff On Emerson, near Loma Verde (My company moved away, so now my inventing is in Santa Clara.) From:schlegel h@everyactioncustom.com on behalf of helen schlegel To:Council, City Subject:Please Approve Juristac Resolution (Agenda Item 19, 12/2/24 City Council meeting) Date:Monday, December 2, 2024 8:51:37 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Mayor Stone and Council Members, Please approve the “Resolution Supporting the Efforts of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band to Preserve Juristac/Sargent Ranch as Open Space,” from Mayor Stone and Council Member Kou. Juristac is threatened by the Sargent Ranch Quarry, an open-pit sand and gravel mine that would destroy over 400 acres of habitat, literally scooping out the hillsides to create 3 open quarry pits hundreds of feet deep. About 86,000 gallons of groundwater would be pumped each day for mining operations, and the mine would generate hundreds of truck trips per day. Juristac is the most sacred site of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, who held ceremonies there for thousands of years. For Mutsun people, Juristac is the home of a powerful spiritual being known as Kuksui. Juristac translates to “place of the Big Head,” and Big Head dances associated with Kuksui and other healing and renewal ceremonies took place in the area for centuries, often attended by neighboring tribal groups. Juristac is also uniquely important for wildlife and biodiversity. These hillsides and streams are home to multiple at- risk species, including California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, Burrowing Owl, and steelhead trout. Juristac is also a critically important wildlife corridor. The biological review conducted on the proposed quarry stated that this site may be one of the most important areas for wildlife movement on the entire Central Coast. Mountain lions, American badgers, bobcats, coyotes, and other animals rely on the movement pathways through Juristac – pathways that the Sargent Ranch Quarry would block or seriously impact. The cities of Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Sunnyvale, and the County of Santa Cruz, have all passed similar resolutions. This is Palo Alto’s opportunity to stand in solidarity with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and their efforts to protect their most sacred landscape, as well as to show support for the protection of this critical wildlife linkage. Please approve the Juristac resolution! Sincerely, helen schlegel From:june.c@everyactioncustom.com on behalf of June Cancell To:Council, City Subject:Please Approve Juristac Resolution (Agenda Item 19, 12/2/24 City Council meeting) Date:Monday, December 2, 2024 7:13:52 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Mayor Stone and Council Members, Please approve the “Resolution Supporting the Efforts of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band to Preserve Juristac/Sargent Ranch as Open Space,” from Mayor Stone and Council Member Kou. Juristac is threatened by the Sargent Ranch Quarry, an open-pit sand and gravel mine that would destroy over 400 acres of habitat, literally scooping out the hillsides to create 3 open quarry pits hundreds of feet deep. About 86,000 gallons of groundwater would be pumped each day for mining operations, and the mine would generate hundreds of truck trips per day. Juristac is the most sacred site of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, who held ceremonies there for thousands of years. For Mutsun people, Juristac is the home of a powerful spiritual being known as Kuksui. Juristac translates to “place of the Big Head,” and Big Head dances associated with Kuksui and other healing and renewal ceremonies took place in the area for centuries, often attended by neighboring tribal groups. Juristac is also uniquely important for wildlife and biodiversity. These hillsides and streams are home to multiple at- risk species, including California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, Burrowing Owl, and steelhead trout. Juristac is also a critically important wildlife corridor. The biological review conducted on the proposed quarry stated that this site may be one of the most important areas for wildlife movement on the entire Central Coast. Mountain lions, American badgers, bobcats, coyotes, and other animals rely on the movement pathways through Juristac – pathways that the Sargent Ranch Quarry would block or seriously impact. The cities of Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Sunnyvale, and the County of Santa Cruz, have all passed similar resolutions. This is Palo Alto’s opportunity to stand in solidarity with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and their efforts to protect their most sacred landscape, as well as to show support for the protection of this critical wildlife linkage. Please approve the Juristac resolution! Sincerely, June Cancell From:tferea@everyactioncustom.com on behalf of Tracy Ferea PhD To:Council, City Subject:Please Approve Juristac Resolution (Agenda Item 19, 12/2/24 City Council meeting) Date:Monday, December 2, 2024 7:03:34 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Mayor Stone and Council Members, Please approve the “Resolution Supporting the Efforts of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band to Preserve Juristac/Sargent Ranch as Open Space,” from Mayor Stone and Council Member Kou. Juristac is threatened by the Sargent Ranch Quarry, an open-pit sand and gravel mine that would destroy over 400 acres of habitat, literally scooping out the hillsides to create 3 open quarry pits hundreds of feet deep. About 86,000 gallons of groundwater would be pumped each day for mining operations, and the mine would generate hundreds of truck trips per day. Juristac is the most sacred site of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, who held ceremonies there for thousands of years. For Mutsun people, Juristac is the home of a powerful spiritual being known as Kuksui. Juristac translates to “place of the Big Head,” and Big Head dances associated with Kuksui and other healing and renewal ceremonies took place in the area for centuries, often attended by neighboring tribal groups. Juristac is also uniquely important for wildlife and biodiversity. These hillsides and streams are home to multiple at- risk species, including California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, Burrowing Owl, and steelhead trout. Juristac is also a critically important wildlife corridor. The biological review conducted on the proposed quarry stated that this site may be one of the most important areas for wildlife movement on the entire Central Coast. Mountain lions, American badgers, bobcats, coyotes, and other animals rely on the movement pathways through Juristac – pathways that the Sargent Ranch Quarry would block or seriously impact. The cities of Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Sunnyvale, and the County of Santa Cruz, have all passed similar resolutions. This is Palo Alto’s opportunity to stand in solidarity with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and their efforts to protect their most sacred landscape, as well as to show support for the protection of this critical wildlife linkage. Please approve the Juristac resolution! I am hoping you will be brave and save the wildlife for future generations like my grandson. Sincerely, Tracy Ferea PhD city achieve the 2/3 majority necessary for the proposed bond measure to pass. Please be intentional and explicit about housing expectations for this site in tonight’s meeting. Please direct staff and Concordia to consider south Palo Alto areas on San Antonio, Charleston, Fabian, El Camino Real, Ventura neighborhood, and El Camino Way and near Greer Park that have been upzoned to receive the lion’s share of the city’s 6,000+ state-mandated new high density housing units. How much additional community center space do we need to provide many thousands of new residents with community services in Palo Alto? The existing Cubberley gyms have been closed for almost three years due to water damage. I am very glad to see that gym space at Cubberley has the attention of Friends of the Palo Alto Recreation Wellness Center. Better to use existing built space than build on our scarce green space. Much Cubberley space is presently closed due to damage from water, fire or neglect. More Cubberley is rented to private schools for private, not public, use. Private school rentals provide revenue to the city but no real community services. Many children who attend local private schools do not live in Palo Alto. What other uses might be preferred? Achieving a 2/3 majority in November 2026 will be no small feat. The design has to beright to win support. Penny Virus-free.www.avg.com from Okinawa, Japan, where groups of people come together to share activities or interests to support each other. These groups help by pooling resources, like organizing shared meals, making it less expensive. This creates a sense of community and can ease financial stress by offering shared help and support. Ellis explained that “[c]ommunity engagement like this has provided an opportunity for cross-cultural conversations. You might have a billionaire housewife getting together with impoverished families to support a healthy food drive. It can be a great way to reverse class barriers” (Buettner, 144-145). Palo Alto can use similar strategies to address the stress and pressure due to the high cost of living. Organizing events for the community, like neighborhood block parties, art and music festivals, and volunteer projects, could help connect individuals and help bridge the economic and social gap. Moias provide emotional and physical support, helping relieve financial pressure that many families face due to the high cost of living. These activities encourage a sense of connection between neighbors, making Palo Alto a more welcoming and inclusive town. Traffic congestion is another significant issue in Palo Alto, causing air pollution, stress, and safety risks for residents. Research done by John C. Falcocchio and Herbert S. Levinson explains how traffic congestion “...impacts travel cost, the quality of our air, traffic safety, and the fuel consumed by motor vehicles” (45). Crowded streets and lengthy commutes not only waste time but can also reduce communities' overall quality of life. One way to deal with this issue is to improve public transportation by making it more convenient. Boulder, Colorado, provides a good example of public transportation with its Hop, Skip, and Jump bus lines. These services guarantee short wait times, leading to “cleaner air, less stress, [and] fewer accidents …” (Buettner 4). Another way Palo Alto could reduce traffic congestion could be by promoting carpooling. Palo Alto could offer discounted or free parking for shared vehicles. Businesses could reserve spots for people who carpool and pair those with free or discounted parking. This would provide a reward and make it more convenient for those who carpool. Implementing these ideas could help reduce traffic, stress, and air pollution. Palo Alto provides great education from pre-school to college and has a strong emphasis on academic achievement. While this can be viewed as a positive thing, this has created an overwhelming amount of pressure for students. The stress from school and trying to keep up with other students often leads to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. A systematic review done by Steare, Gutiérrez Muñoz, Sullivan, and Lewis mentions that academic pressure and timing within the school year are associated with at least one mental health outcome, such as depression, anxiety, or self-harm. This expresses the importance of balance in students' lives. Some ways to address this issue are having Palo Alto schools implement mindfulness and stress management programs that can help students relax and manage the challenging workload that is asked of them. Research has called attention to programs like these showing the beneficial “... effects of mindfulness training on decreasing depression, anxiety, and stress… , and there was a significant relationship between mindfulness education and anxiety reduction, depression, and stress” (Mostafazadeh, Ebadi, Mousavi, and Nouroozi 2019). Adding these programs into schools could help create an understanding and encouraging environment that helps reduce the emotional strain school has on students. Another way to reduce academic stress among students could be organizing group yoga classes, art classes, or team sports. This would encourage students to step away from their books, connect with others, and relax. This would help students achieve a healthy balance. By prioritizing these measures, Palo Alto can create an atmosphere where students can succeed academically and emotionally. I appreciate all of the positive characteristics of Palo Alto and thank the city for creating a town that so many people are proud to be a part of. I believe that all the proposals I shared will improve the city and make it a more inclusive and welcoming community. Thank you for considering these recommendations. Sincerely, Kendall Sutherland Work Cited Bierman, Alex et al. “Perceptions of Increases in Cost of Living and Psychological Distress Among Older Adults.” Journal of aging and health, vol. 36,7-8 8982643231195924. 16 Aug. 2023, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11287958/ Buettner, Dan. The Blue Zones of Happiness: Lessons From the World's Happiest People. National Geographic, 2017. Falcocchio, John C., and Herbert S. Levinson. Road Traffic Congestion: A Concise Guide. Springer, 2015. https://link-springer-com.colorado.idm.oclc.org/book/10.1007/978-3- 319-15165-6 Mostafazadeh P, Ebadi Z, Mousavi S, Nouroozi N. "Effectiveness of School-Based Mindfulness Training as a Program to Prevent Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in High School Students." Health Education and Health Promotion, vol. 7, no. 3, 2019, pp. 111-117, hehp.modares.ac.ir/article-5-27855-en.html. Steare, Thomas, Carolina Gutiérrez Muñoz, Alice Sullivan, and Gemma Lewis. "The Association Between Academic Pressure and Adolescent Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Review." Journal of Adolescence, 2023. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032723008510 Marcus (with "help" from my iPhone) December 2, 2024 Sent via email Greer Stone, Mayor, and City Councilmembers, City of Palo Alto Office of the City Clerk: City Hall, 7th Floor 250 Hamilton Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301 City.Council@cityofpaloalto.org Re: Letter In Support of City of Palo Alto Resolution Supporting the Efforts of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band to Preserve Juristac/Sargent Ranch as Open Space Dear Mayor Stone and members of the City Council: The Center for Biological Diversity (the “Center”) submits this letter in support of the City of Palo Alto’s (“City’s”) proposed Resolution Supporting the Efforts of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band to Preserve Juristac/Sargent Ranch as Open Space (Agenda Item No. 10 on the Council’s Agenda for its December 2, 2024 public meeting) (“Juristac Resolution”). The Center is a non-profit, public interest environmental organization dedicated to the protection of native species and their habitats through science, policy, and environmental law. The Center has over 1.7 million members and online activists throughout California and the United States. The Center has worked for many years to protect imperiled plants and wildlife, open space, air and water quality, and overall quality of life for people in the region surrounding Juristac. The Center applauds the foresight and leadership of the City in considering the Juristac Resolution. The site has great significance for the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. In addition, Juristac’s undisturbed grasslands, oak and riparian woodlands, streams, and wetlands provide habitat for thousands of plant and animal species. These beautiful lands are home to federally endangered and threatened wildlife, including iconic state species like the California tiger salamander, the California red-legged frog, and the California condor. The Juristac area is also an important corridor for regional wildlife movement. Animals need to be able to move and venture to different habitats to find food, shelter and mates. Roads and development can box in and isolate subpopulations, and threaten their survival. For example, loss of habitat corridors for mountain lion populations in the Santa Cruz Mountains has led to dangerous levels of inbreeding and low genetic diversity. Mountain lions in the area are now December 2, 2024 Page 2 vulnerable to extinction. But Juristac provides hope. The area provides crucial connectivity for wildlife movement between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range. We can’t allow further habitat loss and fragmentation in this important linkage. We must preserve California’s unique habitats, animals, and plants while respecting the historical and spiritual significance of places like Juristac. The Center stands with Chairman Lopez and the Amah Mutsun Tribe to protect their traditional lands and urges the City to adopt the Juristac Resolution. Sincerely, Peter Broderick, Attorney Center for Biological Diversity 1212 Broadway, Suite #800 Oakland, CA 94612 Tel: (510) 844-7100 pbroderick@biologicaldiversity.org (650)329-2232 benjamin.becchetti@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org | www.papd.org From: Lester Wong <LWong@wongelectric.com> Sent: Monday, December 2, 2024 2:44 PM To: Manu Kumar <manu@k9ventures.com>; Cathi Lerch <cathi@lerchconstruction.com> Cc: Maor Greenberg <maor@greenberg.construction>; Becchetti, Benjamin <Benjamin.Becchetti@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Dave Stellman <dave@paloaltoglass.com>; City Mgr <CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>; osbaldo@or-builders.com; Moffatt, Pete <pete@petemoffat.com>; bill@paloaltoglass.com; Jacob@onemovemovers.com; david@paloaltoconcrete.com; Steve Wong <SWong@wongelectric.com>; RamonMorenoSchool@gmail.com; davestellman@gmail.com; nancy@drewmaran.com; Patrick Kelly <patrick.kelly@basketmaterials.com>; Dan McKinley <danmck@scientific-equipment.com>; McDonough, Melissa <Melissa.McDonough@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Reifschneider, James <James.Reifschneider@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Transportation <Transportation@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Marguerite Poyatos <marguerite@paloaltoglass.com>; Patrick Kelly <info@basketmaterials.com>; John Lerch <john@lerchconstruction.com>; Dori Dorombozi <dori@k9ventures.com>; Tanaka, Greg <Greg.Tanaka@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Lauing, Ed <Ed.Lauing@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Kou, Lydia <Lydia.Kou@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Veenker, Vicki <Vicki.Veenker@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Binder, Andrew <Andrew.Binder@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Burt, Patrick <Pat.Burt@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Stone, Greer <Greer.Stone@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Lythcott-Haims, Julie <Julie.LythcottHaims@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Jade Jin <JJin@wongelectric.com>; 'Xenia Czisch' <Xenia@qmsshields.com>; Lester Wong <LWong@wongelectric.com> Subject: RE: Industrial/Transport/Commercial concerns -- Marguerite Poyatos Palo Alto Glass, Inc. 4085 Transport Street Palo Alto CA 94303 (650) 494-7000 (650) 494-7087 (FAX) From:Becchetti, Benjamin To:Lester Wong; Manu Kumar; Cathi Lerch Cc:Maor Greenberg; Dave Stellman; City Mgr; osbaldo@or-builders.com; Moffatt, Pete; bill@paloaltoglass.com; Jacob@onemovemovers.com; david@paloaltoconcrete.com; Steve Wong; RamonMorenoSchool@gmail.com; davestellman@gmail.com; nancy@drewmaran.com; Patrick Kelly; Dan McKinley; McDonough, Melissa; Reifschneider, James; Transportation; Marguerite Poyatos; Patrick Kelly; John Lerch; Dori Dorombozi; Tanaka, Greg; Lauing, Ed; Kou, Lydia; Veenker, Vicki; Binder, Andrew; Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Stone, Greer; Lythcott- Haims, Julie; Jade Jin; "Xenia Czisch" Subject:RE: Industrial/Transport/Commercial concerns Date:Monday, December 2, 2024 3:36:05 PM Attachments:image001.pngimage011.pngimage002.pngimage004.pngimage006.pngimage007.pngimage008.pngimage009.pngimage005.pngimage013.pngimage014.png Hello Mr. Wong, I am sorry these problems persist. Our Community Service and Special Problems officers continue to visit the area on a weekly basis to check for parking or other violations. Their last check was just before the holiday, and they will be returning this week. Please let me know if you have additional questions. Ben Ben Becchetti Lieutenant, Investigative Services Division/Traffic Palo Alto Police Department (650)329-2232 benjamin.becchetti@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org | www.papd.org From: Lester Wong <LWong@wongelectric.com> Sent: Monday, December 2, 2024 2:44 PM To: Manu Kumar <manu@k9ventures.com>; Cathi Lerch <cathi@lerchconstruction.com> Cc: Maor Greenberg <maor@greenberg.construction>; Becchetti, Benjamin <Benjamin.Becchetti@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Dave Stellman <dave@paloaltoglass.com>; City Mgr <CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>; osbaldo@or-builders.com; Moffatt, Pete <pete@petemoffat.com>; bill@paloaltoglass.com; Jacob@onemovemovers.com; david@paloaltoconcrete.com; Steve Wong <SWong@wongelectric.com>; RamonMorenoSchool@gmail.com; davestellman@gmail.com; nancy@drewmaran.com; Patrick Kelly <patrick.kelly@basketmaterials.com>; Dan McKinley Carbon Free Palo Alto The city policy of allow people to move one-spot, or even re-park in the same spot every 72 hours is just silly. Most of them just ignore it at this point anyway as theyknow that the City of Palo Alto will take no action against them other than leaving red notices that are often found on the street or sitting on these vehicles fordays/weeks on end. The City of Palo Alto needs to take action to help improve our neighborhood and not cause harm to our businesses by allowing this to continue. Warm regards,-Manu On Fri, Sep 1, 2023 at 8:31 AM Cathi Lerch <cathi@lerchconstruction.com> wrote: Benjamin,This was in Lerch Constructions dumpster at 7:00 am Friday September 1. On Tue, Aug 29, 2023 at 2:46 PM Maor Greenberg <maor@greenberg.construction> wrote: Dear Ben,I want to extend my gratitude for your comprehensive response, which has provided valuable insights into the structure and responsibilities of the various divisions within the PoliceDepartment. Your clarification has shed light on the intricacies involved in addressing the concerns we've raised.While I appreciate the ongoing efforts, the issue of unregistered RVs on our streets remains urgent. As you rightly emphasize, community safety is a top priority, and adherence tolaws and regulations is essential.However, the parking practices of these vehicles are not just inconvenient but also pose significant risks to public safety. The obstruction caused during the unloading of productspresents a hazard to pedestrians and other road users. This raises valid concerns about both safety and equitable law enforcement.In light of these ongoing challenges, I strongly believe that a more assertive approach is necessary, one that aligns with both state and federal laws. In this context, I wish tounderscore the relevance of California Vehicle Code 4000a1 VC, pertaining to motor vehicle registration.Moreover, I'd like to direct your attention to Vehicle Code 22651o(1), granting law enforcement the authority to remove vehicles that are inoperable, parked illegally, or posehazards. This specific provision seems directly applicable to our current situation.Given the urgency of the matter and its substantial implications for community safety and well-being, I urge both the city and the Police Department to prioritize the rigorousenforcement of state and federal laws.In addition, I want to bring to your attention the impact these issues are having on our business. We have received numerous emails from customers and candidates inquiring aboutthe safety of visiting our showroom due to the presence of RVs. I can’t find tents to rent offices from us because the “bad curb appeal” This concern has the potential tosignificantly impact our reputation and customer engagement.I reiterate that our community has the right to explore all available legal avenues, including the consideration of a class action lawsuit. The convergence of potential revenue lossand significant risks stemming from the city's decision not to enforce state law underscores the necessity for a prompt and effective response.I earnestly request a comprehensive, actionable plan that aligns with state regulations and effectively addresses our concerns. Maor Greenberg CEO maor@greenberg.construction | 650-610-7711 Greenberg.Construction | 650-600-9536 x101 | Fax 925-269-2325 908 Industrial Ave, Palo Alto 94303 From: Becchetti, Benjamin <Benjamin.Becchetti@CityofPaloAlto.org> Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2023 12:45 PM To: Dave Stellman <dave@paloaltoglass.com> Cc: City Mgr <CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>; osbaldo@or-builders.com; VCondon@wongelectric.com; manu@k9ventures.com; Moffatt, Pete <pete@petemoffat.com>; bill@paloaltoglass.com; cathi@lerchconstruction.com; david@paloaltoconcrete.com; swong@wongelectric.com; RamonMorenoSchool@gmail.com; davestellman@gmail.com; nancy@drewmaran.com; Patrick Kelly <patrick.kelly@basketmaterials.com>; Dan McKinley <danmck@scientific-equipment.com>; Maor Greenberg <maor@greenberg.construction>; McDonough, Melissa <Melissa.McDonough@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Reifschneider, James <James.Reifschneider@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Transportation <Transportation@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Marguerite Poyatos <marguerite@paloaltoglass.com>; Patrick Kelly <info@basketmaterials.com>; John Lerch <john@lerchconstruction.com>; Lester Wong <lwong@wongelectric.com>; Dori Dorombozi <dori@k9ventures.com> Subject: Re: Industrial/Transport/Commercial concerns Hello all, To help clarify, I currently supervise a Traffic Sergeant, Community Service Officers as well as the Investigative Services Division (Detectives) for the PD. Part of my duties include the parking enforcement activities of the Community Service Officers or the direction of our Special Problems Detail officers. Most of the concerns you raise are directed towards parking or other penal/muni code enforcement, hence my response. Transportation might be the best department to inquire with about changing the muni code. Issues like dumping waste down a drain touch different departments in the City, such as Public Works, but the PD is commonly the enforcement arm for day- to-day routine issues. I wanted to show you a snapshot of the work we do in response to your concerns. I will not be sending out a weekly update but the PD will continue our efforts. While I appreciate your frustration, I want to be clear that the goal of the PD is to help ensure the safety of our community members (among other things) and we hope to encourage compliance with the existing laws and regulations in a fair and impartial manner, and preferably not via enforcement alone. Our officers have an obligation to ensure the legal rights and safety of all people involved, not just those of the business community, and not just those in your area of town. I have complaints similar to yours in other areas I also need to have our officers attend to. The City's policy continues to be to only tow occupied vehicles and RV's as an absolute last resort, as indicated in the blog link I sent previously. Please continue to contact us in the event there are complaints about behavior or other quality of life issues and we can attempt to resolve them as best as we can. For the fastest response, our Dispatch can be reached at 650-329-2413. Ben From: Dave Stellman <dave@paloaltoglass.com> Sent: Monday, August 28, 2023 8:17 PM To: Becchetti, Benjamin <Benjamin.Becchetti@CityofPaloAlto.org> Cc: City Mgr <CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>; osbaldo@or-builders.com <osbaldo@or-builders.com>; VCondon@wongelectric.com <VCondon@wongelectric.com>; manu@k9ventures.com <manu@k9ventures.com>; Moffatt, Pete <pete@petemoffat.com>; bill@paloaltoglass.com <bill@paloaltoglass.com>; cathi@lerchconstruction.com <cathi@lerchconstruction.com>; david@paloaltoconcrete.com <david@paloaltoconcrete.com>; swong@wongelectric.com <swong@wongelectric.com>; RamonMorenoSchool@gmail.com <RamonMorenoSchool@gmail.com>; davestellman@gmail.com <davestellman@gmail.com>; nancy@drewmaran.com <nancy@drewmaran.com>; Patrick Kelly <patrick.kelly@basketmaterials.com>; Dan McKinley <danmck@scientific-equipment.com>; Maor Greenberg <maor@greenberg.construction>; McDonough, Melissa <Melissa.McDonough@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Reifschneider, James <James.Reifschneider@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Tanaka, Greg <Greg.Tanaka@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Lauing, Ed <Ed.Lauing@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Kou, Lydia <Lydia.Kou@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Transportation <Transportation@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Veenker, Vicki <Vicki.Veenker@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Binder, Andrew <Andrew.Binder@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Burt, Patrick <Pat.Burt@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Stone, Greer <Greer.Stone@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Lythcott-Haims, Julie <Julie.LythcottHaims@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Marguerite Poyatos <marguerite@paloaltoglass.com>; Patrick Kelly <info@basketmaterials.com>; John Lerch <john@lerchconstruction.com>; Lester Wong <lwong@wongelectric.com>; Dori Dorombozi <dori@k9ventures.com> Subject: Re: Industrial/Transport/Commercial concerns Hello Ben and thank you for your detailed email. I will assume you will be our point of contact with the city since no one else has replied. In response; We appreciate your efforts to increase patrols in our area to once a week; this should help. PLEASE keep it up. I think that if your people can see first hand just who is really in need and get them some help vs. those who are just playing the park-and-move game, they can better target their enforcement. And speaking of enforcement, as you state in your reply; "If a vehicle moves once during that requisite 72 hour period, even if they return to the same spot, they are in compliance of the regulations". Does this make any sense to you? It sure doesn't to any of us. If someone is doing this it is obvious to everyone that they have no intention of ever leaving, and they know there is nothing we can do about it. After your last warnings were placed we saw some of the multi-vehicle owners start their standard drive-around-the-block-and-repark scenario. Local employee's quickly moved their personal vehicles into these spaces. This worked great until we had to go home, and by morning they were back exactly where they were before, in front of our businesses. Please let us know the process for getting this regulation changed to something you can actually enforce like a half- mile relocation, or maybe a 72 hour NO re-parking requirement? The city of Atherton's parking regulation seems pretty simple; " Parking or leaving any vehicle on a public street or highway for seventy-two or more consecutive hours is prohibited. The regular or permanent storage or parking on any public street, right-of-way, alley or driveway of house campers, house cars, buses, trucks over 1-1/2-ton, commercial vehicles, disabled, dismantled, or junked vehicles or parts thereof, trailer coaches, tractors, boats, and boat or horse trailers is prohibited." Seems reasonable. Since we are going to actively attempt to resolve this problem in our area, would it be possible for us to receive the weekly report of warnings posted, citations issued and vehicles towed you are referring to? It would be very helpful to us to see your progress, and possibly help with on-site information to your officers. You mention that over the last two weeks you placed 72 hour tow warnings on 21 vehicles. 13 moved (no progress, let's change the regulations), 6 were cited (please follow up on these with towing if they won't leave), and 2 were towed (thank you, its a start!). Even if it's just an email like this one from you every Monday that would be so much help to us. We do appreciate the Police Department's help with this, and please do continue to work with the other agencies involved to resolve this problem. Dave Stellman On Mon, Aug 28, 2023 at 12:17 PM Becchetti, Benjamin <Benjamin.Becchetti@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote: Hello Dave (and others ), I am responding to your message concerning parking and other associated issues in the area surrounding your business(es). Thank you for writing the Citywith your concerns. If you have not already, I would encourage you to read the City’s blog post from March 2021 describing our parking enforcement efforts along El CaminoReal, which presents some similar challenges. Please note that police are not legally allowed to enforce parking restrictions in private lots (e.g., vehicles parking without permission). Officers can ask thevehicle owner not to use private business lots for their personal purposes, and perform a civil standby to ensure safety if any such vehicle is towed, but the towitself must be initiated by the property owner. We have marked and cited vehicles in your area on a weekly basis for the last month, and approximately bi-weekly prior to August. We have issued several citations for variousviolations such as expired registration. As we have found to be a best practice among other cities, we mark for 72-hours, cite if there is a violation upon re-check, and repeat thisprocess again before considering towing any vehicle, including RV’s. If a vehicle moves the requisite distance once during that 72 hour period, even if they return to the samespot, they are within compliance of the regulations. This process also includes some personal contact from an officer to speak with the owner about available social services. Ourgoal is to obtain voluntary, legal compliance wherever possible. Over the last two weeks, the Department marked 21 vehicles for apparent 72 hour violations (tow warnings). 2 of them were subsequently towed, while 6vehicles were cited. Of the remaining 19 vehicles, 13 were moved and deemed in compliance with the parking regulations during that time. In addition to our Community Service Officers attending to weekly parking issues, we have two officers patrolling that area on a regular basis in response toyour ongoing concerns, in a marked police car and sometimes in an unmarked (undercover) vehicle. They have been instructed to look for electrical theftissues, illegal dumping, and other nuisance violations. What can complicate enforcement efforts is that many of these offenses are legally classified asinfractions and are, thus, not enforceable by the police after the fact, even with video. In other words, an officer must see the violation occurring to takeenforcement action. The Police Department will continue to consult with the City’s Transportation and Public Works Departments (wastewater treatment), as well as the CityManager’s Office, to identify additional strategies for mitigating the issues you’re experiencing. Please feel free to contact me if you have additionalquestions, Ben Lieutenant Ben Becchetti Investigative Services/Traffic Palo Alto Police Department 650-329-2232 From: Dave Stellman <dave@paloaltoglass.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2023 10:41 AMTo: Tanaka, Greg <Greg.Tanaka@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Lauing, Ed <Ed.Lauing@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Kou, Lydia <Lydia.Kou@CityofPaloAlto.org>; City Mgr<CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>; Transportation <Transportation@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Veenker, Vicki <Vicki.Veenker@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Binder, Andrew<Andrew.Binder@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Burt, Patrick <Pat.Burt@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Stone, Greer<Greer.Stone@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Lythcott-Haims, Julie <Julie.LythcottHaims@CityofPaloAlto.org>Cc: Osbaldo Romero <osbaldo@or-builders.com>; Veronica <VCondon@wongelectric.com>; Moffatt, Pete <pete@petemoffat.com>; Nancy Powers<nancy@drewmaran.com>; Patrick Kelly <info@basketmaterials.com>; John Lerch <john@lerchconstruction.com>; Manu Kumar <manu@k9ventures.com>; Bill McLane<bill@paloaltoglass.com>; Lester Wong <lwong@wongelectric.com>; david@paloaltoconcrete.com; Dori Dorombozi <dori@k9ventures.com>; Steve Wong<swong@wongelectric.com>; Cathi Lerch <cathi@lerchconstruction.com>; Dave Stellman <davestellman@gmail.com>; Ramon Moreno <RamonMorenoSchool@gmail.com>; Offering advice to the spiritually perplexed or vexed at Ask Isabel Find the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto on the web, Facebook, and YouTube We gather, our different paths entwined, to deepen our spiritual lives: nourishing connection, learning from each other, caring for each other, tending to our world.