HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-03-13 City Council Summary Minutes
Regular Meeting
March 13, 2006
1. Selection of Candidates to be interviewed for the Human Relations
Commission ..................................................................................... 158
2. Appointment of Three Members for 4-Year Terms and Two Members for 2-
Year Terms to the Storm Drain Oversight Committee ............................. 158
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ........................................................................... 158
APPROVAL OF MINUTES ............................................................................. 158
3. Finance Committee Recommendation to Accept the Auditor’s Office
Quarterly Report as of December 31, 2005 ........................................... 159
4. Approval of an Enterprise Contract with SCS Field Services in the Amount
of $131,868 for Landfill Environmental Control Systems Maintenance,
Monitoring and Reporting Services ...................................................... 159
5. Resolution No. 8597 Amending the Expense Reimbursement Policy for
City Council Members, Board Members and Commissioners ..................... 159
6. Analysis of an Independent Police Auditor Program ................................ 159
7. Public Hearing: Consideration of a Request by Martin Parissenti, BKF
Engineers on Behalf of Tall Tree Partners I, LLC for a Tentative Map for a
Proposed Mixed-use Infill Development at 260 Homer Avenue [05-PLN-
00383]. ........................................................................................... 163
8. Public Hearing: 2005-06 Adjusted Budget – Second Quarter (Q2)
Financial Results, Midyear Amendments and Capital Improvement
Program Status from the Finance Committee Meeting of February 7, 2006 and Consideration, Among Other Items, Mid-Year Changes to the 2005-06
Municipal Fee Schedule, Including Adoption of New Fees, and Increasing Existing Fees, Rates or Assessments. ................................................... 164
9. Approval of a Budget Amendment Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2005-06 for Reorganization of the Department of Planning and Community Environment, Including Changes to the Table of Organization ................. 165
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10. Mayor Kleinberg Appointment of an Additional Member to the Police
Building Blue Ribbon Task Force .......................................................... 170
COUNCIL COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND REPORTS FROM CONFERENCES . 171
FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m. .......................... 172
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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: Barton, Beecham, Cordell, Drekmeier, Klein, Kishimoto,
Kleinberg, Morton
Absent: Mossar
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
1. Selection of Candidates to be interviewed for the Human Relations
Commission
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kishimoto moved, seconded by Cordell, to interview
all the candidates for the Human Relations Commission.
MOTION PASSED 8-0, Mossar absent.
2. Appointment of Three Members for 4-Year Terms and Two Members
for 2-Year Terms to the Storm Drain Oversight Committee
Mayor Kleinberg announced the City Clerk would pull the first three names of the applicants for the Storm Drain Oversight Committee, who would serve on
the 4-Year Terms and the last two names to serve on the 2-Year Terms.
City Clerk Rogers pulled the names of Rod McNall, John Tarlton, and Richard
Whaley to serve the 4-Year Terms; and Stephany McGraw and John Melton to serve the 2-Year Terms.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Don Letcher, 788 Rengstorff Avenue, Mountain View, spoke regarding the citizen
complaint process.
John K. Abraham, 736 Ellsworth Place, spoke regarding leaf blowers.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Beecham, to adopt
the minutes of January 30, 2006.
MOTION PASSED 8-0, Mossar absent.
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CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Council Member Barton moved, seconded by Klein, to approve
Item Nos. 3 - 5 on the Consent Calendar.
3. Finance Committee Recommendation to Accept the Auditor’s Office
Quarterly Report as of December 31, 2005
4. Approval of an Enterprise Contract with SCS Field Services in the
Amount of $131,868 for Landfill Environmental Control Systems
Maintenance, Monitoring and Reporting Services
5. Resolution 8597 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending the Expense Reimbursement Policy for City Council
Members, Board Members and Commissioners”
MOTION PASSED 8-0, Mossar absent.
REPORTS OF OFFICIALS
6. Analysis of an Independent Police Auditor Program
City Manager Frank Benest said on December 20, 2005, the Council directed
the City Manager, City Attorney, and the Police Chief to explore hiring a Police Auditor to review internal investigations and citizen complaints due to
allegations of police misconduct. Three options were presented to the
Council for consideration along with recommendations from the City
Manager.
City Attorney Gary Baum said the first and second options were for an
individual be selected by, and report to, the Council. The first option would
require a Charter amendment and would allow the Police Auditor to make
personnel recommendations. The second option would not allow the Police
Auditor to be involved with specific personnel recommendations but could
make non-specific personnel recommendations and policy recommendations.
The individual would be retained and hired by the Council and would be a Council Appointed Officer (CAO). The third option would be for an individual
to be selected by, and report to, the City Manager, who would not be
allowed to make specific personnel recommendations, be able to sit in on
Internal Administrative investigations (IAs), but could not participate in
Internal Affairs investigations.
Don Letcher, 788 Rengstorff Avenue, Mountain View, recommended the
Police Auditor report directly to the Council and not to the City Manager or
the Police Chief. The separation would create fairness in getting an outside
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perspective and not based on the liability of the City in a lawsuit.
Adam Atito, 3181 Louis Road, was in favor of a Charter amendment to have
the Auditor report directly to the Council.
John K. Abraham, 736 Ellsworth Place, questioned how long the lack of
police oversight would continue.
Mark Petersen-Perez, 434 Addison Avenue, addressed the need for an
Independent Police Auditor to provide unbiased reviews on legitimate citizen
complaints.
Council Member Cordell asked whether the Independent Police Auditor’s
findings were made public in the Santa Cruz Police Department Model.
Police Chief Lynne Johnson said findings were generic as far as dispositions
but did not violate state law.
Council Member Cordell asked whether the Auditor’s internal finds were
publicized if they were appropriate and the recommendation not sustained.
Ms. Johnson said that was correct.
Council Member Cordell suggested adopting the Santa Cruz model with modifications. The Police Auditor’s position should be on an “as needed”
basis only and not salaried. The individual should be Council appointed,
report directly to the Police Chief, not required to review policies &
procedures nor be involved in a community outreach program.
MOTION: Council Member Cordell moved, seconded by Barton, for the City
Council to hire an independent contract police auditor whose job would be to
review internal investigations and citizen complaints of police misconduct,
and to report to the City Council and make recommendations to the Police
Chief. Furthermore, for this to be a one-year pilot program. The Police
Auditor would provide generic quarterly reports to the Council.
Council Member Drekmeier asked Council Member Cordell to clarify what she
meant by a non-salaried position.
Council Member Cordell said it meant having an independent contractor,
hired by, and reporting to, the City, but not be a salaried position.
Council Member Morton did not feel there was a need for the position. The
City did not have a history of serious complaints, which required changing
the City Charter nor having to redirect tight funds. The Council had the
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ability to hire an outside investigator or to refer issues to the District
Attorney. Having to redirect funds would impose another financial burden
on the City that would impact the delivery of services. He did not support
the motion.
Council Member Cordell asked her motion to include the position be a one-
year pilot program and asked whether the proposal required a Charter
change.
Mr. Baum said the proposal did not require a Charter amendment but was a
hybrid of the options presented.
Council Member Barton agreed with the clarification of the motion.
Council Member Klein supported the motion. He said he was sensitive to
budget increases and in comparison to the Santa Cruz model, the estimated
cost would be less than $50,000 per year and was a nominal expenditure for
public safety. Public safety did not only mean assuring less crime, but to
provide fair treatment to the citizens in the community. Hiring an
Independent Police Auditor sent a message the City had a check point, had a
trustworthy Police Department, and the organization’s desire to have the
Police Department move forward in a positive way in treating citizens
appropriately.
Vice Mayor Kishimoto said positive changes had been made in the
investigation process and asked whether other changes had been made in
the Policies and Procedures.
Mr. Benest said the Council approved installation of the Mobile Audio Video
(MAV) system and a study session was scheduled in a few weeks to discuss
the Council’s involvement with policies regarding an External Panel Review.
Vice Mayor Kishimoto supported the motion. She felt implementation of the
program was a positive step in moving forward and she was in favor of a
one-year trial program.
Council Member Beecham supported the motion. He addressed the public’s
comment regarding lack of corrective action in Police Department errors.
The Police Department had made a number of changes to ensure all officers
knew what was expected of them. The installation of the MAV system gave
assurance to all who came in contact with the police force of what occurred during an incident.
Mayor Kleinberg said the staff report (CMR:154:06) stated the Police Auditor
could provide reports to the Council and publicize general data and
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background of the police department’s performance. She asked how the
success of the program would be measured since obtaining information
legally had strict limitations.
Council Member Cordell said the Police Auditor would be liable in reviewing
every misconduct case and to survey the improvement of the people’s
attitude in the community. She addressed feelings and attitudes of people
of color, who lived in and came through the community and how those
issues could be measured by a survey. The “Yes” Program would be
implemented in the summer of 2006, where 50 to 100 young people of color
would come to Palo Alto from East Palo Alto (EPA) five days a week. The
program would include an evaluation of police interactions that may have
occurred. The Police Auditor would provide quarterly reports to the Council.
Mayor Kleinberg supported the motion. She said Palo Alto was a community
with excellent services and the program would be important to anyone who
worked, lived, or visited Palo Alto. She recommended adding to the motion
that staff would return to Council with various forms of reports from other
police auditors, as well as how to measure success.
Council Member Cordell suggested adding success measures to the job
description. Another way to measure success was the heightened sense of
security and integrity the community felt towards the police. For clarification,
she said the Police Auditor would make recommendations to the Police Chief, but would be hired and accountable to the Council. The Auditor’s generic
quarterly reports, allowed by law, would be made public.
Council Member Barton said the reports would help the Council give direction
in areas where improvement was needed, and help determine renewal of the
program.
Council Member Beecham said to be cautious of the expectations of the
program. He did not feel accurate measures could be obtained from issues
coming from a small percentage of the population. He said emphasis should
not be made on the number of complaints but on how the complaints were
handled.
MOTION PASSED 7-1, Morton no, Mossar absent.
Council Member Cordell asked when the position would be filled.
Assistant City Manager Emily Harrison said it depended on whether the
Council wanted staff to bring back a proposed job description or not.
Council Member Cordell wanted to see a job description.
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Mayor Kleinberg said once a job description was established the Council
would conduct the interviews and requested a schedule for the interviews.
Ms. Harrison said the job description would be brought back quickly with a
tentative hire date for June 1.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. Public Hearing: Consideration of a Request by Martin Parissenti, BKF
Engineers on Behalf of Tall Tree Partners I, LLC for a Tentative Map for
a Proposed Mixed-use Infill Development at 260 Homer Avenue [05-
PLN-00383]. This map is required in order to Merge Five Parcels into
One Parcel (Approximately .71 acres) for a Mixed-use Development
with Commercial Office use on the Ground and Second floors, and Four
Residential Condominium Units on the Third Floor. An Environmental
Impact Report (EIR) was prepared for the SOFA CAP Including this
Project.
Planning and Community Environment Director Steve Emslie said the
hearing was a Tentative Map request consistent with the joint Historic
Resources Board (HRB) and Architectural Review Board (ARB) boards that
reviewed projects in the South of Forest Avenue (SOFA) area. The project
had several hearings and modifications were made. The HRB/ARB decision
was not appealed and determined to be final. The item was a follow up to consolidating five parcels, which existed in the proposed project area.
According to the Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC), a Tentative Map approval
by the Council was required when four or more lots merged.
Council Member Morton stated his firm provided accounting and tax services
to businesses in the general area but no action taken tonight would meet the
threshold that would require him to not participate.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kishimoto moved, seconded by Klein, to approve the
proposed Tentative Map to merge five parcels (approximately.71 acres) and
create one parcel for a mixed-use development with commercial office use
on the ground floor and second floors, and four residential condominium units on the third floor, based upon the findings and conditions contained
within the Record of Land Use Action.
MOTION PASSED 8-0, Mossar absent.
8. Public Hearing: 2005-06 Adjusted Budget – Second Quarter (Q2)
Financial Results, Midyear Amendments and Capital Improvement
Program Status from the Finance Committee Meeting of February 7,
2006 and Consideration, Among Other Items, Mid-Year Changes to the
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2005-06 Municipal Fee Schedule, Including Adoption of New Fees, and
Increasing Existing Fees, Rates or Assessments.
Ordinance 4897 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 2005-06 to Adjust
Budgeted Revenues and Expenditures in Accordance with the
Recommendations in the Midyear Report”
Resolution 8593 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending the Compensation Plan for Management and
Professional Personnel and Council Appointees Adopted by Resolution
No. 8554 to Change Four Classifications”
Resolution 8594 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending the Compensation Plan for Classified Personnel (SEIU)
Adopted by Resolution No. 8452, by Changing Two Classifications”
Vice Mayor Kishimoto said the 2005-06 Second Quarter (Q2) Report had
been discussed at the Finance Committee Meeting on February 7, 2006, and
an amendment to the report was put at places, which reflected an
elimination of one proposed re-classification. Council Member Morton would
not participate in the City Attorney’s Office request of $100,000 for litigation
expenses related to the collection of utility user tax due the City of Palo Alto
due to his ownership in Telecom stock. Staff presented the budget adjustments made to revenues, expenditures, Municipal Fees, and to the
Table of Organization and Compensation Plan. Additions were made to the
sales tax, increases in property tax, a $1.1 million payback from the State,
an overage in expenditures which included overtime, and $1.5 million in
surplus was projected for the end of the year. Other items discussed at the
meeting were Service Employee International Union (SEIU) reclassification
issues and changes to the Community Garden Fee.
Council Member Barton said the report indicated Police and Fire overtime
expenditures with savings in unfilled positions but he could not find where
the savings were shown in the report.
Administrative Services Director Carl Yeats said savings would be reflected in
the year-end report.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kishimoto moved, seconded by Beecham, to approve
the City Attorney’s Office request of $100,000 for litigation expenses related
to the collection of utilities users’ tax due to the City of Palo Alto.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0, Morton not participating, Mossar absent.
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MOTION: Vice Mayor Kishimoto moved, seconded by Beecham, to adopt a
Budget Amendment Ordinance, which includes:
1. Proposed midyear adjustments to the 2005-06 Budget for the
General Fund, Enterprise Funds, Special Revenue Funds, Internal
Service Funds, and Capital Improvement Fund.
2. New or amended 2005-06 Capital Improvement Program Project
Descriptions.
3. Amendments to the 2005-06 Adopted Municipal Fee Schedule.
4. Amendments to the 2005-06 Table of Organization.
5. Resolutions to the 2005-06 Compensation Plan.
Furthermore, to eliminate the proposed reclassification of the 1.0 FTE
Coordinator, Library Programs, to Business Analyst as described on page 7
of the City Manager’s Report (CMR:135:06). This revision results in changes
to the following report attachments: Attachment 1, including Exhibit A
(General Fund Summaries – 1 and General Fund Details – 2) and Exhibit d
(Table of Organization – 3 of 7, Library Department) and Attachment 4,
including Exhibit A (2005-06 Compensation Plan Changes for Management/
Professional Personnel).
MOTION PASSED 8-0, Mossar absent.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
9. Approval of a Budget Amendment Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2005-06
for Reorganization of the Department of Planning and Community
Environment, Including Changes to the Table of Organization
Approve a Resolution Amending the Compensation Plan for
Management and Professional Personnel and Council Appointees
Adopted by Resolution No. 8554 to Add Two New Classifications and to
Change One Classification
Approve a Resolution Amending the Compensation Plan for Classified
Personnel (SEIU) Adopted by Resolution No. 8452, by Changing An
Employee Classification
City Manager Frank Benest gave a presentation as outlined in the staff
report (CMR:164:06). Staff asked the Council to approve the required
personnel changes in the reorganization plan and to authorize filling the two
vacancies in the department for the Chief Planning and Transportation
Official and the Deputy Director. He said staff would be returning to Council,
at a later date, to discuss a better working relationship with the Planning and
Transportation Commission (P&TC) and governance issues. Staff felt the
P&TC should have more decision-making authority consistent with the
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department’s streamlining efforts. Staff recommended a change to the
proposed organizational chart to reflect a solid line reporting relationship
from the Director to the Planning and Building Divisions and a dotted line
reporting relationship from the Deputy and the Divisions. The Director
would have the ultimate authority over the Division, and the Deputy Director
would assist the Director to oversee the division’s functions. He clarified the
two issues before Council: 1) recommendation dealing with the
reorganization plan to focus on personnel issues; and 2) to go to the P&TC
to discuss their role in governance and finally to return to the Council in May
for further discussion.
Phil Plymale, Chapter Chair Palo Alto Chapter SEIU Local 715, disagreed with
the reorganization process and spoke regarding the lack of communication
with affected staff employees. He said the plan was submitted with no
employee or community input. He asked the Council to direct the City
Manager to take back the proposal and work with staff and the community
to work on an acceptable plan.
Sheri Furman, 3094 Greer Road, endorsed Mr. Plymale’s comments. She
said changes to the Municipal Code could have long-range impacts on
everyone involved, including the public, and public input should be included
in the reorganization process.
Emily Renzel, 1056 Forest Avenue, raised concern regarding land use planning. She said the Planning Department was responsible for regulating
all land use. She addressed the staff report’s discussion to have the Planning
Department staff work with Public Works to ensure all projects ran smoothly
meeting all City requirements. She urged the matter be referred to the
Policy and Services Committee for review.
Al Larsen, 930 Paradise, spoke regarding residents and contractors
experiencing long delays in getting needs met through the Building Division
in an efficient method. He asked the Council to be cautious when
reconfiguring and cutting back on staff since long delays cost residents
money.
Robert Moss, 4010 Orme Street, raised concerns regarding the merging of
traffic with land use. He felt the proposal should be discussed with the
Policy & Services Committee prior to Council’s approval.
Herb Borock, P.O. Box 632, addressed issues in the Planning Department and the transition of staffing from officials of the American Institute of
Certified Planners (AICP) demonstrating skill and integrity to a situation
where people were ordered to answer in writing their reports.
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Planning Commissioner Paula Sandas, 2140 Columbia Street, had concerns
regarding the disappearance of the Transportation Division and asked the
Council to not lose sight of traffic and transportation issues in the
reorganization plan.
Adam Atito, 3181 Louis Road, said the staff report did not include job
descriptions and he questioned the qualifications and managerial expertise
of individuals filling the positions.
Mr. Benest asked the record to show clarification to the SEIU
representative’s comments regarding lack of communication with affected
employees. He said on December 21, 2005, a discussion took place
between the leaving Planning & Transportation Director and Managers
regarding the Deputy Director requirements. Seven employees were
present. On January 11, 2006, managers participated in the Deputy Director
interview process. On February 7, 2006, there was a memo to staff
regarding vacancies in reassigned staff and a prelude into the restructuring
mode. On February 14, 2006, Management met regarding the reorganization
and retirements within the Department. In February and March 2006,
various meetings were held with Planning and Transportation Managers
regarding the reorganization. On March 9, 2006, there was closure of the
Development Center from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m. in order to provide staff with an
overview of the reorganization and the staff report was sent via e-mail by 3
p.m.
Council Member Cordell clarified the Council had directed the City Manager
to return to the Council with a reorganization plan to ensure the Planning
and Transportation Department ran smoothly. The task was completed and
presented to the Council at this evening’s meeting. The process did not ask
for the Manager to hold public hearings and return to the Council with public
input. The two issues being reviewed were the reorganization and
governance issues. The main focus this evening was to focus exclusively on
the reorganization plan and to decide whether to go forward with the plan or
not.
Council Member Morton concurred with Council Member Cordell’s comments and asked to accept staff’s recommendation.
MOTION: Council Member Morton moved, seconded by Barton, to Amend
the Table of Organization, as provided in Attachment A, with a solid line
between the Director and the Planning & Transportation and the Inspection Services and a dotted line between the Deputy Director and the Planning &
Transportation and Inspection Services.
Council Member Barton said there was confusion in the wording of the staff
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report. The intent was not that staff was unfriendly, but the confusion from
staff on how they react to the rules in which they worked. He asked the
issue be set aside and to focus on the reorganization plan being presented to
the Council.
Council Member Beecham addressed the public’s concern regarding the
governance issue and the Council’s relationship to the P&TC and their
relationship to the public and staff. He clarified the City Charter stated the
P&TC would advise the Council. The P&TC did not have decision-making
authority but he favored giving them the authority to help streamline the
process. He spoke of the Planning Department Managers ultimately having
to complete work due to lack of staff, the Council and the community’s high
demand on the Department’s output. He viewed the reorganization plan to
have a higher span of control and hoped it would allow the Deputy Director
to manage and ensure that staff worked on the same objectives. He
supported the motion.
Vice Mayor Kishimoto did not feel sufficient time was allowed to review the
plan or to have community and stakeholders’ input. Traffic and housing were
the two top issues in Palo Alto. If Palo Alto was to continue to change and
grow successfully, a yeomen’s job would need to be put in transportation to
accommodate changes in land use. She was in favor of combining land use
and transportation under one Chief Planning & Transportation Official but
was concerned about downgrading the transportation skills. The current Transportation Division staffing consists of one planner and several
engineers which resulted in a lack of planning.
Council Member Drekmeier spoke of concerns he had received regarding the
Transportation Division issues, the slow hiring process, assurance that the
Deputy Director had a background in Planning and Transportation, and
customer friendly issues. He understood the need to move quickly in filling
the position, but expressed that better products come about through
discussion. He asked what the impact would be to slow down the process
and consider other buy-ins to the issue.
Mr. Benest said staff was willing to have discussions and engage the public with governance issues, but he expressed the need to go forward with the
hiring process. The position had been open for nine months. To slow down
the process would jeopardize losing a qualified candidate and could mean
recruitment for the fourth time.
Council Member Klein shared Vice Mayor Kishimoto’s and Council Member
Drekmeier’s concerns and felt the idea needed to be vetted by the Council
and the P&TC.
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SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by
Kleinberg, to refer the Department of Planning and Community Environment
reorganization to the Planning & Transportation Commission and request the
item return to Council for discussion no later than May 1, 2006.
Council Member Cordell said she sensed the frustration of the City Manager,
Council Members and the public. She shared Vice Mayor Kishimoto’s concern
regarding the Transportation element. She raised concerns regarding the
Deputy Director’s duties and questioned whether the recruitment was to find
an individual to focus on improving the department’s interaction with the
customers, facilitate collaboration and oversight for the entire department,
in addition to having expertise in land use and planning and transportation.
She supported the substitute motion.
Mayor Kleinberg asked whether the current organizational structure included
the Chief Planning and Deputy Director Position.
Planning and Community Environment Director Steve Emslie said it did. It
was a combined position, approved by the Council to upgrade the Chief
Planning Official to oversee the two divisions. The current proposal was a
request to divide the position since it had not been filled.
Mayor Kleinberg said she wanted the Deputy Director to have expertise in
planning, building, and transportation. She addressed combining the transportation and the planning official duties and how it would affect land
use and building decisions. She understood governance would be discussed
at a later date, but felt some of the issues were not only for P&TC review.
There were major issues regarding the Council’s role, involvement, and
interaction with the various staff members. The Council had to be
comfortable as a policy-making body in order to move forward in a positive
way. She supported the substitute motion.
Council Member Morton viewed the Deputy Director’s position to provide
senior management support and to not add professional enrichment duties.
It was difficult to fill in with professional duties and manage at the same
time. He was not in favor of having the public’s help in designing the Planning & Transportation Department. Under the Charter, it was the City
Manager who performed the task. He did not support the substitute motion.
Vice Mayor Kishimoto asked what geographical area the recruitment process
covered.
Mr. Benest said the recruitment process was not limited to Statewide
coverage. The process was difficult and three attempts were made in finding
a qualified candidate. An executive recruitment firm was hired and had
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suggested the recruitment be limited to the Bay Area due to the City’s
inability to offer a salary to compensate for high cost in housing. Secondly,
the City had a reputation about being difficult and challenging in dealing with
planning issues.
Vice Mayor Kishimoto said it would be beneficial in the future to present a
proposal to the Council to allow time to digest the material and make
suggestions.
Council Member Drekmeier asked the maker of the motion to include a due
date of when the reorganization plan should be returned to the Council for
discussion.
Council Member Klein asked to include in the substitute motion “no later
than May 1, 2006”.
Council Member Barton said to refer the reorganization chart to the P&TC
was a form of micro-management by delegation. The organizational chart
had policy components, but was not a policy, and to ask a policy-body to
comment on something that was not a policy was bad management of time.
Council Member Klein said the organizational chart had policy implications
and should be vetted by the P&TC. He did not feel it was unreasonable to
postpone making a decision on such an important issue.
Mayor Kleinberg said several policies were outlined, which were the
foundation for the reorganization chart. It contained fundamental issues on
the delivery of the City’s government in keeping with policies and the
Compensation Plan (Comp Plan) adopted by the Council.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION PASSED 5-3, Barton, Beecham, Morton no, Mossar
absent.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
AT THIS POINT OF THE PROCEEDINGS, THE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED AND RECONVENED AS THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT
CORPORATION
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COUNCIL MATTERS
10. Mayor Kleinberg Appointment of an Additional Member to the Police
Building Blue Ribbon Task Force
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MOTION: Council Member Cordell moved, seconded by Beecham, to appoint
Dave Ross as an additional member to the Police Building Blue Ribbon Task
Force.
MOTION PASSED 8-0, Mossar absent.
COUNCIL COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND REPORTS FROM CONFERENCES
City Attorney Gary Baum noted the agenda had been revised to reflect the
legal requirements of AB1234 to report City funds spent outside the Palo
Alto area while attending conferences.
Council Member Beecham referred to Item No. 5 regarding protocols for spending monies needing approval of the Mayor requesting clarification of
approval by e-mail with copy to City Clerk.
MOTION: Council Member Beecham moved, seconded by Kleinberg, to
amend protocols to bring Item 5 back for reconsideration.
MOTION PASSED 8-0, Mossar absent.
MOTION: Council Member Beecham moved, seconded by Barton, to clarify
that the protocols are changed so the Mayor can give approval for
reimbursement of expenses with a copy to the City Clerk.
MOTION PASSED 8-0, Mossar absent.
Vice Mayor Kishimoto said certain eligible activities were not being approved
by staff due to past precedence and changes to the policy should be
considered.
Mayor Kleinberg said Council Members received a small compensation and
the public was unaware of the number of events Council Members were
asked to attend and not compensated for. She suggested eligible costs be
referred to the Policy and Services Committee.
Council Member Beecham asked whether expense reports needed to be
written or verbal.
Mr. Baum said State law implied oral reports. He said verbal was the first
choice and written was second if Council Member was absent or unable to
provide the report at the next meeting.
Council Member Beecham clarified State law was precise that reports be
given at the next meeting.
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MOTION: Vice Mayor Kishimoto moved, seconded by Drekmeier, to refer
the issue of Council travel and meeting expenses to the Policy and Services
Committee.
MOTION PASSED 7-1, Morton no, Mossar absent.
Council Member Cordell presented an update on the “YES” program and
noted she will give progress reports.
Council Member Drekmeier reported there will be a rally in the Civic Center
Plaza on Saturday at noon by the Peninsula Peace and Justice Center against
the war in Iraq.
FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:45 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.
03/13/2006 100-172