HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-01-09 City Council Summary Minutes
Regular Meeting January 9, 2006
1. Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor .....................................................31
2. Resolution 8581 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Hillary Freeman as
a Council Member” ...... ..................................................................32
3. Resolution 8582 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Victor Ojakian as a
Council Member” ......... ..................................................................32
4. Resolution 8583 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Jim Burch as
Mayor and a Council Member” ..........................................................33
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ..... ..................................................................34
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m. ...........................34
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The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council
Chambers at 7:05 p.m.
PRESENT: Beecham, Burch, Cordell, Freeman, Kishimoto, Kleinberg,
Morton, Mossar, Ojakian
SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE JAMES KLEINBERG SWORE IN CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS JOHN BARTON, PETER DREKMEIER, YORIKO KISHIMOTO, LARRY KLEIN, AND JACK MORTON
PRESENT: Barton, Beecham, Cordell, Drekmeier, Kishimoto, Klein,
Kleinberg, Morton, Mossar
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY 1. Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor Council Member Cordell nominated Council Member Kleinberg for the office of Mayor, noting that Judy Kleinberg’s history of public service was unmatched; her commitment to the City was long and sincere; her support among Palo Altans was strong; and her political savvy was unparalleled. Palo Alto needed a Mayor who worked for the good of the City.
MOTION: Council Member Cordell moved, seconded by Mossar, to elect
Judy Kleinberg as Mayor.
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
Council Member Kleinberg thanked her colleagues, past and present Council
Members and elected officials, the community, the staff, and her family. Her
focus, as Mayor, was on public safety, libraries, and recreation services.
Public safety was the government’s first and foremost responsibility.
Emergency and disaster resources, both public and private, needed to be
focused on prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. Her first
official act was to call for a Town Hall Meeting on emergency and disaster
preparedness to be held January 18, 2006, in the Council Chambers. City
libraries were the core of the City’s values and were in desperate need of
repair and improvement. Goals included improving parks, creating new
playing fields by redesigning the golf course to provide a better playing
experience within a natural habitat, reclaiming acreage for new playing
fields, and creating a new recreation center for all age groups in the
community. Public/private partnerships needed to be formed. She asked for
support from her colleagues in order to keep Council meetings focused and
efficient.
Council Member Beecham nominated Council Member Kishimoto for the
office of Vice Mayor, noting she brought a range of credentials to the
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Council, which supported her as Vice Mayor. The credentials ranged from
business skills, to environmental advocacy, to her poised and rational
approach to the issues that faced Palo Alto each year.
MOTION: Council Member Beecham moved, seconded by Klein, to elect
Yoriko Kishimoto as Vice Mayor.
Council Member Klein said Council Member Kishimoto, during her four years
on the Council, showed a breadth of knowledge and experience, and was a
worthy representative of the City.
MOTION PASSED 9-0. 2. Resolution 8581 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Hillary Freeman as a Council Member” MOTION: Council Member Mossar moved, seconded by Beecham, to adopt
a Resolution entitled, “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto
Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Hillary Freeman as Council
Member.”
Vice Mayor Kishimoto said Hillary Freeman was a one-of-a-kind Council
Member and she dedicated the prior four years to her work as the people’s
representative.
Sarah Rosendahl, representing State Senator Joe Simitian, 160 Town &
Country, and Richelle Noroyan, representing Assembly Member Ira Ruskin,
presented a Commendation to Hillary Freeman.
Supervisor Liz Kniss congratulated Hillary Freeman for her term on the
Council and presented a Commendation to her.
Hillary Freeman thanked everyone for their support during the prior four years.
MOTION PASSED 9-0. 3. Resolution 8582 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Victor Ojakian as a Council Member”
MOTION: Council Member Beecham moved, seconded by Mossar, to adopt
a Resolution entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto
Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Victor Ojakian as Council Member.”
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Sarah Rosendahl, representing State Senator Joe Simitian, 160 Town &
Country, and Richelle Noroyan, representing Assembly Member Ira Ruskin,
presented a Commendation to Victor Ojakian.
Supervisor Liz Kniss presented Victor Ojakian with a Commendation and
thanked him for his contributions while on the Council.
Lanie Wheeler said she had the pleasure of knowing Victor Ojakian, as a
Council Colleague and as a member of the Planning Commission, and
thanked him for his contributions to the community.
Council Member Morton thanked Victor Ojakian for teaching him that
common sense and the heart went together.
Mayor Kleinberg thanked Hillary Freeman and Victor Ojakian their leadership
with regard to child advocacy.
MOTION PASSED 9-0. Victor Ojakian spoke about his term on the Council, which was rewarding, and paid special recognition to Liz Kniss, Joe Huber, Dick Rosenbaum, Vince Larkin, Commissioners, City staff, and his family. 4. Resolution 8583 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Jim Burch as Mayor and a Council Member” MOTION: Council Member Mossar moved, seconded by Beecham, to adopt
a Resolution entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto
Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Jim Burch as Mayor and a
Council Member.”
Sarah Rosendahl, representing State Senator Joe Simitian, 160 Town &
Country, and Richelle Noroyan, representing Assembly Member Ira Ruskin,
presented a Commendation to Jim Burch. Supervisor Liz Kniss presented Jim Burch with a Commendation and acknowledged Mr. Burch’s 56 years of marriage. Gary Fazzino congratulated the new Mayor, Vice Mayor and new Council Members and thanked Hillary Freeman, Victor Ojakian, and Jim Burch for their selfless dedication to serving the community. Jim Burch thanked the voters of Palo Alto, who gave him the opportunity to serve as Council Member and Mayor, and acknowledged the staff for what it gave to make the City work. MOTION PASSED 9-0.
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ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Kay Remsen, Kirby Place, congratulated the new members of the Council. Jim Kleinberg, Kay Remsen, Todd Summers, Band Director at Gunn High School, and members of the Marching Band presented a brief musical tribute to the new Mayor. Bob Gaebler, 1525 Montalto Drive, Mountain View, spoke regarding NSA surveillance, Al Queda, and modern ethics impact. Gabrielle Conway, 1390 Harker Avenue, spoke regarding the Cookbook Restaurant and Sand Hill Properties. Karen Robinson, 1837 Clarke Avenue #15, spoke regarding the Cookbook Restaurant. Danielle Martell spoke regarding public concerns. Ellie Gioumousis, 992 Loma Verde, spoke regarding the new Council. Stephanie Munoz, 101 Alma, spoke regarding general intention for conservative planning.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
NOTE: Sense minutes (synopsis) are prepared in accordance with Palo Alto Municipal Code Sections 2.04.180(a) and (b). The City Council and Standing Committee meeting tapes are made solely for the purpose of facilitating the preparation of the minutes of the meetings. City Council and Standing Committee meeting tapes are recycled 90 days from the date of the meeting. The tapes are available for members of the public to listen to during regular office hours.
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