HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-03 City Council Summary Minutes
Special Meeting
April 3, 2006
1. Utilities Restructuring Plan...............................................................195
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ........................................................................196
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. .................................196
1. Vote and Appointment of Applicants to the Human Relations
Commission ...................................................................................197
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ........................................................................197
APPROVAL OF MINUTES ..........................................................................198
2. Ordinance 4901 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending the Zoning Map of the City of Palo Alto to Change the
Designation of a Portion of 2460 High Street (Designated Surplus
Property) from PF (Public Facilities) to RMD (Two Unit Multi-Family
Residential Residence District)” ........................................................198
3. Ordinance 4902 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending Section 18.08.040 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (The
Zoning Map) by Amending the Existing Planned Community Zoning
Designation of the Property Known as 850 Webster Street to Provide
for Utility Facilities” ........................................................................198
4. Ordinance 4903 entitled “Budget Amendment Ordinance of the Council
of the City of Palo Alto Approving the Amount of $500,000 for Electric
Design and Connections Services Capital Projects” .............................198
5. Ordinance 4904 entitled “Budget Amendment Ordinance of the Council
of the City of Palo Alto Approving the Amount of $83,000 to Accept
and Appropriate State Grant Funds Awarded for Renovation of the
University Avenue Train Depot Bike Station” ......................................198
7. Contract with Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) in which the
City of Palo Alto will provide Fiscal Services for the PAUSD Summer
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Enrichment Programs and Provide a Collaborative After-School
Program ........................................................................................199
8. Revised Milestones for Council FY 2006-07 “Top 3” Priorities of
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Response and Increase
Infrastructure Funding and Request for Direction Regarding Police
Building and Library........................................................................199
COUNCIL COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND REPORTS FROM
CONFERENCES ...............................................................................207
FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. in memory of
Ed Powers. He was a member of the community, who eloquently
addressed the Council regarding his concerns, and demonstrated his
passion for the community ..............................................................207
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The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council
Conference Room at 6:03 p.m.
Present: Barton, Beecham, Cordell, Drekmeier, Kishimoto, Klein,
Kleinberg, Morton, Mossar
STUDY SESSION
1. Utilities Restructuring Plan
The Council heard the following points that were reviewed by the City
Manager, Assistant City Manager and Director of Administrative Services:
Organizational Improvements Made to Date
Leadership
• Split Engineering and Operations; Paul Dornell is new Assistant Director
of Operations and Tomm Marshall has been acting as AD of Engineering
• Javad Ghaffari new WGW Supervisor (background in WQCP)
• Replaced management and supervisory positions in Water Transmission
vacated as result of disciplinary action
Training
• Policies and Procedures, Work Rules training for all E & O managers;
same training to be scheduled for Resource Mgt. and Customer Service
• Training needs for E & O established and schedule set up with Human
Resources
• Cross-training for WGW crews instituted
• Training on computers to access maps, GIS while working in field; 10 new
laptops
Coordination and Communication
• Bi-weekly Engineering and Operations meetings
• Examples: recent DOT audit, completion of Gas Operations Manual and
soon-to-be-issued Water Transmission Manual; completion of Emergency
Response Manual
• Public Works quarterly street meetings (previously only involved
Engineering)
• Creation of inventory of City plates and backlog of City plates eliminated
• New working relationships established with Resource Management and
Customer Services
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o Weekly AD meetings (with ASD)
o Field services/Operations – AMR project
o E&O participation in Risk Oversight Committee
o Budget preparation
o Updated LEAP program
No action required
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Herb Borock, P.O. Box 632, spoke regarding the Utilities Department organizational chart.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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Regular Meeting
April 3, 2006
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, Mossar
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
1. Vote and Appointment of Applicants to the Human Relations
Commission
FIRST ROUND OF VOTING FOR HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
VOTING FOR ADAM ATITO Barton, Beecham, Cordell,
Drekmeier, Klein, Kleinberg,
Morton, Mossar
VOTING FOR NORMAN CARROLL Barton, Drekmeier, Kishimoto,
Morton, Mossar
VOTING FOR LINDA LENOIR Barton, Beecham, Cordell,
Drekmeier, Kishimoto, Klein,
Kleinberg, Mossar
VOTING FOR DONALD MENDOZA Beecham, Cordell, Kishimoto,
Klein, Kleinberg, Morton
VOTING FOR ANN OZER
VOTING FOR MARK STEINKAMP
VOTING FOR PETER ULLMAN
City Clerk Donna Rogers announced Adam Atito and Linda Lenoir were
appointed to the Human Relations Commission on the first ballot with eight
(8) votes, and Donald Mendoza was appointed with six (6) votes for three-
year terms ending March 31, 2009.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Barbara Slone, 2002 Barbara Drive, spoke regarding May Day Dancing at the
Baylands.
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Bill Chapman, Louis Road, spoke regarding the Comprehensive Plan and
Below Market Rate Housing.
Mario Sikorski, 828 Waverley, spoke regarding the harmful effects of water
fluoridation and aspartame.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Council Member Morton moved, seconded by Kishimoto, to adopt
the minutes of February 6, February 13, and March 6, 2006.
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Beecham, to remove
Item No. 6, Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Various Sections 12.16.010
thru 12.16.100 to Revise the Administrative Procedures Governing the
Formation of Underground Utility Districts, from the Consent Calendar to be
continued for additional staff work.
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
MOTION: Council Member Morton moved, seconded by Barton, to approve
agenda Item Nos. 2-5 and 7.
2. Ordinance 4901 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending the Zoning Map of the City of Palo Alto to Change the
Designation of a Portion of 2460 High Street (Designated Surplus
Property) from PF (Public Facilities) to RMD (Two Unit Multi-Family
Residential Residence District)”
3. Ordinance 4902 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending Section 18.08.040 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (The Zoning Map) by Amending the Existing Planned Community Zoning
Designation of the Property Known as 850 Webster Street to Provide
for Utility Facilities”
4. Ordinance 4903 entitled “Budget Amendment Ordinance of the Council
of the City of Palo Alto Approving the Amount of $500,000 for Electric
Design and Connections Services Capital Projects”
5. Ordinance 4904 entitled “Budget Amendment Ordinance of the Council
of the City of Palo Alto Approving the Amount of $83,000 to Accept
and Appropriate State Grant Funds Awarded for Renovation of the
University Avenue Train Depot Bike Station”
04/03/2006 100-198
7. Contract with Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) in which the
City of Palo Alto will provide Fiscal Services for the PAUSD Summer
Enrichment Programs and Provide a Collaborative After-School
Program
MOTION PASSED 9-0 for items 2-5, 7.
REPORTS OF OFFICIALS
8. Revised Milestones for Council FY 2006-07 “Top 3” Priorities of
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness and Response and Increase
Infrastructure Funding and Request for Direction Regarding Police
Building and Library
Assistant City Manager Emily Harrison said Assistant Public Works Director
Mike Sartor would give the police building presentation and Library Director
Paula Simpson would give highlights on the library building. Ms. Harrison
said these areas were focused on for additional direction from Council to
approve the revised milestones for Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
and Response and Infrastructure Funding.
Library Director Paula Simpson gave a brief presentation of the Library
Advisory Commission (LAC) planning process for service enhancements and
capital projects.
Assistant Director Public Works Mike Sartor reported on the police building
and Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF) regarding the status of the building size,
site locations, and potential financing for the police building project. He
highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of keeping the police and
library projects together for the November 2007 Election. He said the
recommendations were to approve the milestones for the Emergency and
Disaster Preparedness and Response, Infrastructure Funding, and direction
from Council for the library and building.
Lanie Wheeler, 362 Diablo Court, Co-Chair, Police Building Blue Ribbon Task
Force, reported they are working hard to have a recommendation prior to
the June 26, 2006, deadline. The Task Force was concerned that there
would not be sufficient time to get a successful measure on the November
2007 ballot.
Mayor Kleinberg expressed appreciation for the work of the Task Force and
Council had requested a study session prior to making a decision on the
police building.
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Herb Borock, P.O. Box 632, said Council preliminarily adopted its Top 3
Priorities at a January Study Session and it needs to be brought back for
formal approval and for public input. He urged Council to stop work on the
Downtown Library and accept the funds from the Friends of the Libraries.
Council Member Morton asked if the library and police building project
reports would return for consideration on June 26, 2006. He was concerned
with having sufficient time to discuss those projects in depth to incorporate
the interests of the community. He asked whether the police building would
meet the April 8, 2008 Election deadline and questioned the same deadline
for the library project.
Ms. Harrison said the difficulty regarding the library was whether the LAC
would recommend creating a capital project. She said there has been a vast
amount of preliminary work done for the police building.
Council Member Morton questioned the data not being considered for the
library building from a previous election.
Ms. Harrison said the previous plan required changes due to the building
exceeding the height limit in the downtown area, which was part of the
zoning code and the Comprehensive Plan.
Council Member Cordell expressed concerns about the competition of ballots
related to the needs of the School District and the library and police building. She said it would be beneficial for the City to coordinate with the School
District.
Ms. Harrison noted it was better explored at the political level from a staff
member, which did not appear to be feasible. She shared Council Member
Cordell’s concern regarding a schedule based on the School District’s
schedule. She spoke about the Police Building Blue Ribbon Task Force
(BRTF), and deferred to the Library Director Simpson regarding the library
project. She was uncertain the police building project had community “buy
in.”
Council Member Cordell encouraged her colleagues to consider options for
avoidable competition between the City and the School District.
Council Member Klein requested estimated election costs for bond measures
for the library and police buildings for the election dates of April 8, June 3,
and November 4, 2008.
04/03/2006 100-200
City Clerk Donna Rogers announced the election costs as follows:
• approximately $532,000 for April 8, 2008
• approximately $163,000 for June 3, 2008
• approximately $163,000 for November 4, 2008
Vice Mayor Kishimoto asked if the police building met the requirements for
the essential services standards.
Director of Public Works Glenn Roberts reported the police building was
retrofitted in 1992-1993 and updated through the code in effect at that time.
The code had been strengthened significantly since 1992, but did not meet
today’s standard for a new or reconstructed building. Additionally, the
external shell structure, as a remodel or new construction, did not meet the
police building requirements. The existing internal facilities did not meet the
design due to the heating ventilation and air conditioning system, pipes,
ceiling and lighting, which were not up to code. The basement area for the
garage was updated to the 1992 code, which did not meet today’s essential
services facilities code. He said the downtown library matter was a separate
question from a new library facility. He referred to the current remodeling of
the children’s library facility and the need to relocate certain services from
the Downtown Library to free up space for Children’s Library activities. He
said the work was underway and majority of it had been performed by the
Public Works crews.
Mayor Kleinberg stated California was in the process of adopting the International Building Code (IBC) to include the 50th state. She said the
adoption process would take eighteen months to two years. She questioned
the impact of the City’s timeline for the building design.
Mr. Roberts said there were no significant changes related to the design
standards. He said California was the leader in that area and the State’s
input was considered for the IBC. There were other elements of the IBC that
would allow upgrades regarding energy efficiency. The California IBC led
towards operational green buildings, which was part of the City’s plan. He
said the building size standards were not an issue.
Vice Mayor Kishimoto said the proposed schedule (Attachment B of the staff
report CMR:191:06) questioned the previous polling expense used
extensively for Measure D. She asked if staff recommended the polling
based on the type of measure used.
Library Director Paula Simpson said it was necessary to test and fine-tune
the measure.
04/03/2006 100-201
Vice Mayor Kishimoto asked if two or three polls would be considered
because there was a step, which referenced Council determining appropriate
financing measure level for both projects.
Library Director Paula Simpson spoke about Council conducting a poll before
determining the scope of the project.
Vice Mayor Kishimoto questioned the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
and Response schedule regarding the communication section. She asked
whether there was a plan for the integrated communication improvements.
Ms. Harrison said the schedule focused on the larger project for the
integrated communication discipline across the County’s inter-operability,
which was the technical term on a Countywide basis between the police,
utilities, and other safety services.
Vice Mayor Kishimoto questioned the City’s point of view regarding
communication and the back up plan for the Council and staff.
Ms. Harrison said the fully developed Council communications plan
envisioned additional comprehensive training of executive staff, Emergency
Standby Council, and the Council in terms of roles and responsibility to be
proactive in the community during a disaster. She said providing
information by one of the ham radio operators was part of the
communication plan.
Vice Mayor Kishimoto inquired whether the communications plan included
staff and the community.
Ms. Harrison said yes.
Council Member Beecham questioned competing with the school district on
bond measures. He suggested coordination between the School District and
the City/School Liaison Committee relative to the bond measures. He asked
Council Member Klein if it was appropriate to discuss his concerns for
productivity at a future City/School Liaison Committee meeting.
Council Member Klein concurred with Council Member Cordell’s comments to
avoid competition between the City and School District’s needs for the
measures. He said working with the School District and developing a
calendar was mutually beneficial.
04/03/2006 100-202
Council Member Drekmeier said there would be a higher voter turnout in the
General Election with a higher percentage of liberal voters. He questioned if
the voter turnout was reviewed in the past regarding polling. He asked
whether the City received a higher percentage of support in the General
Election versus Special Election.
Ms. Harrison said the City had received advice on Measure D and the storm
drain ballot in terms of voter turnout. She said the Blue Ribbon Task Force
asked for Council’s non-campaign advice and feedback for the best
opportunity for the measure.
Mayor Kleinberg asked for clarification of the April 8, 2008 election cost.
City Clerk Rogers said the April 8, 2008 Election was considered a Special
Election, which cost $532,000. She said the cost per registered voters was
$12.00 versus $3.00 for the General Election.
Mayor Kleinberg asked whether the $500,000 election cost was raised
separately or allocated from the City funds.
Ms. Harrison clarified the election cost would be paid by the City’s Budget
Stabilization Reserve (BSR).
Mayor Kleinberg asked for the cost of the voter’s poll.
Ms. Harrison said the Measure D poll was $70,000. She said the cost
depended upon the type of survey.
Mayor Kleinberg asked if the City had a polling track record showing how
much it paid.
Ms. Harrison said the polling track record showed people did not perceive an
extensive need for the library facility. She said the survey displayed early
on the City did not have an established need for the types of facilities listed
on the ballot measure.
Mayor Kleinberg spoke about fine-tuning the poll.
Ms. Harrison recommended a test measure to target how the registered
voters were likely to vote in the election for a better sense of success.
Mayor Kleinberg stated concerns regarding the emergency preparedness
goals relative to the identified planning process for recovery efforts.
04/03/2006 100-203
Ms. Harrison said the focus would be on the available resources for the
recovery process.
Mayor Kleinberg questioned if the public health addendum developed for the
emergency plan incorporated resource purchases and additional training and
how that would impact the June 2006 budget discussion.
Ms. Harrison asked for clarification of the resource purchases.
Mayor Kleinberg said the resource purchases might consist of the City
purchasing a stockpile, training, and a public education outreach program for
an emergency plan. She said Seattle had an enormous education outreach
program in place. She spoke about public health and how the City should
consider developing plans to institute such a program. She asked whether
the public health emergency planning had a financial impact in the budget
cycle.
Ms. Harrison said the education outreach program for an emergency plan
would impact the budget. She said the City was not focused on those
measures because in the event of a pandemic the Department of Public
Health would require the City to close most of its public facilities. She said
the City would be required to have essential services in place for probably a
30-day or potentially a 60-day quarantine. The City may not be able to
bring materials in and out of the County or City. She said there would be a
significant impact to the budget related to stockpile for utilities operations and diesel fuel for vehicles. She said the City departments were in the
process of identifying essential operations and requirements for the
procurement.
Mayor Kleinberg said the emergency plan would return to Council for review
in July 2006.
Council Member Barton said the 2007 Election date was intended to develop
an idea on how the Council would work in the community. He recommended
the City engage in modest consulting with a political consultant to review the
general rules and be given advice and which election the City selects for the
measure. He also suggested the Council revisit the library and police
building projects in July when the BRTF and LAC recommendations were
available.
04/03/2006 100-204
Council Member Klein agreed with Council Member Barton’s comments. He
suggested the City focus on the June 8, 2008 Election, which would keep the
City on track and allow sufficient time to perform the needed work. He said
he is not a fan of polling and the Storm Drain Committee did not poll
because the issue is complicated and the public needs a lot of education on
the subject.
Council Member Morton suggested focusing on the City’s needs for the police
and library building projects. He recommended a coherent measure with
community input and referred to the advantages of the community’s input
on the Children Library’s upgrades. He suggested the City review successful
measures for a better chance of the people supporting the projects for the
June 8, 2008 Election.
Council Member Beecham suggested staff proceed with the library and police
building for a scheduled June 8, 2008 ballot.
MOTION: Council Member Beecham moved, seconded by Mossar, to move
forward with a June 8, 2008 election for the library and police building.
Council Member Mossar concurred with Council Member Beecham’s comment
for staff to proceed with the library and police building projects for the June
8, 2008 Election.
Council Member Barton asked whether the maker and seconder of the motion would be willing to add the possibility of the April 8, 2008 Election for
political reasons, which would not affect the staff’s timeline.
Council Member Beecham was not in favor of Council Member Barton’s
amendment due to the $532,000 cost of the April 8, 2008 Election.
Council Member Barton asked if the City learned about a certain percentage
increase for the likelihood of passing during the intervening period, would
the April 8, 2008 Election be considered for the measures.
Council Member Beecham stated that a change in dates could be made at
that time.
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Morton, to accept
staff recommendations to approve the priorities for the Emergency and
Disaster Preparedness and Response, as set forth in Attachment A.
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INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to rename No. 1 to “Prevention and
Preparedness” and add under 1a and 1b “Public education and readiness.”
Mayor Kleinberg said the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness included the
City and responder’s preparedness plan. She said additional information
was needed for public awareness and the importance of self-reliance for
prevention of a major crisis. She recommended the City ensure the
neighborhood associations and the faith community had a stockpile.
Council Member Morton questioned Mayor Kleinberg’s comments relative to
public preparedness.
Mayor Kleinberg was concerned with the public’s awareness relative to
disasters. She said the public should be self-reliant with the exception of
major situations.
Council Member Mossar concurred with Mayor Kleinberg’s comments for
public awareness. She said the expectations might be higher than what was
achievable for the City. She said the City/School Liaison Committee and the
City gave an outstanding presentation on coordinated efforts regarding the
disaster preparedness response. She mentioned the School District’s
accomplishments and plan for improvements. She was impressed with the
state of planning and emphasized continued striving for a successful plan.
Vice Mayor Kishimoto concurred with Mayor Kleinberg’s comments and said
one way to measure was to include questions in the poll similar to the City
Auditor’s questions for polls and a method for addressing the public. She
spoke about residents receiving and taking action on the message to
stockpile the recommended items. She said this process would confirm that
it reached the community.
Council Member Klein said the adoption of the milestones for Emergency and
Disaster Preparedness and Response was a good start. He concurred with
Council Member Mossar’s comment regarding the School District’s
presentation and suggested the presentation be made before the full
Council. He was in favor of the amendments to the Emergency and Disaster
Preparedness and Response.
Mayor Kleinberg said the City was working hard establishing the Emergency
and Disaster Preparedness and Response plan. She said the Police Chief,
Fire Chief, and emergency personnel were focused on the plan. She said the
value placed in this area was evident. She said she was concerned about
the recovery plan scheduled for June 2007 due to shortage of staff.
04/03/2006 100-206
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
Council Member Beecham said staff was on point for the revised milestones
of the targeted dates for the infrastructure plan, which was set out in
January.
MOTION: Council Member Beecham moved, seconded by Mossar, to
approve the revised milestones for the Increased Infrastructure Funding.
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
COUNCIL COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND REPORTS FROM CONFERENCES
Council Member Mossar reported on a trip to Los Angeles last Thursday in
her capacity as a member of the League of California Cities Committee on
Environmental Quality to discuss the Awahanee Water Principles and present
the Flood Control Working Group recommendations, which included no
position on mandatory flood insurance, the possibility of supporting
enhanced safety elements in Cities’ comprehensive plans, support for a 100-
year protection standard, and the “show me the flood protection concept.”
Council Member Beecham reported on his recent trip to the Turlock Irrigation
District and the new ISO requirement on resource adequacy. Northern
California Power Agency (NCPA) has adopted a template on how member
agencies should plan for resource adequacy. Palo Alto was one of the two
members that worked to create the template, which will be coming before
Council shortly.
Council Member Drekmeier reminded everyone that Saturday, April 1, is
Celebrate Spring Day at Foothills Park with a pancake breakfast, games etc.
Mayor Kleinberg reported on her recent trip to Washington, D.C. and visits to
the offices of Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein and Assemblywoman
Eshoo, as well as our lobbyists. Some of the matters discussed were the
effort to have an emergency water supply, funds to restore and expand the
marshlands, the Intermodal Transit Center, and Safe Routes to Schools, and
our appreciation for including funds in the budget for the Army Corps of
Engineers San Francisquito Creek Feasibility Study.
FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. in memory of
Ed Powers. He was a member of the community, who eloquently addressed
the Council regarding his concerns, and demonstrated his passion for the
community.
04/03/2006 100-207
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.
04/03/2006 100-208