HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-08 City Council Summary MinutesCiTY COUNCIL
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Special Meeting
February 08, 2010
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council
Chambers at 6:01 p.m.
Present: Burt, Espinosa, Holman, Klein, Price, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd,
Yeh arrived at 6:30 p.m.
Absent:
CLOSED SESSIONS
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his designees
pursuant to Merit Rules and Regulations (James Keene, Kelly Morariu,
Dennis Burns, Russ Carlsen, Lalo Perez, Sandra Blanch, Marcie Scott,
Darrell Murray, Joe Saccio)
Employee Organization: Palo Alto Police Managers' Association (Sworn)
Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6(a)
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his designees
pursuant to Merit System Rules and Regulations (James Keene, Kelly
Morariu, Dennis Burns, Russ Carlsen, Lalo Perez, Sandra Blanch,
Marcie Scott, Darrell Murray, Joe Saccio)
Employee Organization: Palo Alto Peace Officers' Association
Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6(a)
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR I\IEGOTIATORS
City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his designees
pursuant to Merit Rules and Regulations (James Keene, Kelly Morariu,
Russ Carlsen, Lalo Perez, Sandra Blanch, Marcie Scott, Darrell Murray,
Joe Saccio)
Employee Organization: Local 521, Service Employees International
Union (SEIU) -SEIU Hourly Unit
Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6(a)
1 02/08/10
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his designees
pursuant to Merit System Rules and Regulations (James Keene, Kelly
Morariu, Russ Carlsen, Sandra Blanch, Darrell Murray, Marcie Scott,
Lalo Perez, Joe Saccio)
Employee Organization: Local 521 Service Employees International
Union
Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6(a)
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his designees
pursuant to Merit System Rules and Regulations (James Keene, Kelly
Morariu, Russ Carlsen, Sandra Blanch, Darrell· Murray, Marcie Scott,
Lalo Perez, Joe Saccio)
Employee Organization: Local 1319, International Association of
Firefighters
Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6(a)
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his designees
pursuant to Merit System Rules and Regulations (James Keene, Kelly
Morariu, Russ Carlsen, Lalo Perez, Sandra Blanch, Marcie Scott, Darrell
Murray, Joe Saccio)
Employee Organization: Palo Alto Fire Chiefs' Association
Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6(a)
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his designees
pursuant to the Merit System Rules and Regulations (James Keene,
Kelly Morariu, Russ Carlsen, Lalo Perez, Sandra Blanch, IVlarcie Scott,
Darrell Murray, Joe Saccio)
Employee Organization: Unrepresented Employee Group Management
and Professional Personnel and Council Appointees
Authority: Government Code section 54957.6(a)
The City Council reconvened from the Closed Sessions at 7:53 p.m.
and Mayor Burt advised no reportable action.
2 02/08/10
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
2. Proclamation for the Pacific Skyline Council Boy Scouts of America
100th Anniversary.
Mayor Burt read the Proclamation into the record.
3. Selection of Candidates to be Interviewed for the Human Relations
Commission for Two Terms Ending March 31, 2013, and One
Unexpired Term Ending March 31, 2012.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Espinosa moved, seconded by Council Member Yeh to
interview all applicants for the Human Relations Commission openings.
MOTION PASSED: 9-0
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager, James Keene said ground breaking for the Bobcat Ridge at the
Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo would take place this week. The 1,000
square feet landscape habitat was expected to open in June 2010.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Victor Ojakian, 526 Addison Avenue, spoke regarding the importance of
developing Project Safety Net, a private security service, and encouraged
donations to help support the project's ongoing services.
City Manager, James Keene, said donations could be made by logging onto
the City's Project Safety Net website or writing a check to the City of Palo
Alto Project Safety Net Fund.
Wynn Grcich, 30166 Industrial Parkway SW #296, Hayward, spoke
regarding the toxic danger of fluoridation. She asked if the City belonged to
the International Council for local and Environmental Initiative (IClEI) and
followed their protocol fo~ land, water, and sustainability development.
Norman Carroll, 3061 Emerson Street, spoke regarding the Valley
Transportation Authority (VTA) service and raised concerns of how VTA
addressed transportation issues in Palo Alto. He urged the Council not to
support VTA.
3 02/08/10
Aram James, spoke regarding the Police Advisory Board meetings not being
open to the public and asked that meetings be open and transparent for
public participation.
Herb Borock, P.O. Box 632, raised concerns regarding procedures not being
followed in amending a City contract pertaining to stimulus funds for the
broadband project.
Michael Eager, 1960 Park Boulevard, spoke regarding a group of citizens
who participated in the California Avenue Tree planting project. He said the
group had drafted the plan that was used by Staff and not given the
recognition they deserved at the planting event.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Council Member Holman moved, seconded by Vice Mayor
Espinosa to approve the minutes of January 11, 2010.
MOTION PASSED: 9-0
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Vice Mayor Espinosa moved, seconded by Council Member
Schmid to approve Agenda Item Nos. 4-11 and continue Agenda Item
Number 12 to a date uncertain.
4. Approval of Amendment No. Four to Contract No. C3144644 with
Huntsman Architectural Group in the Amount of $92,270 for a Total
Contract Amount of $1,355,222 for Construction Administration for
Architectural and Structural Work for the Civic Center Infrastructure
Improvements Project -Capital Improvement Program Project
PF-01002.
5. Approval of Amendment No. One to Contract No. C09128453 with WSP
Flack & Kurtz, Inc. in the Amount of $330,000 for a Total Contract
Amount of $550,000 for Construction Administration and
Commissioning Services for the Civic· Center Infrastructure
Improvements Project -Capital Improvement Program Project
PF -10102.
6. Approval of Amendment No. One to Contract No. C08124310 with
Cambridge CM, Inc. in the Amount of $629,930 for a Total Contract
Amount of $1,199,210 for Construction Management Services for the
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Civic Center Infrastructure Improvement$ -Capital Improvement
Program Project PF-Ol002.
7. Appointment of 2010 Emergency Standby Council Members.
8. Approval of Amendment 1\10. Three to Agreement with the Housing
Trust of Santa Clara County to Provide a Contribution in the Amount of
$100,000 from the Residential Housing Fund for Fiscal Year 2009-10 to
be Expended Through Fiscal Year 2013 .. 14.
9. Approval of a Public/Private Partnership Joint Venture Agreement
Between the City of Palo Alto and the Cardiac Therapy Foundation
Concerning the Use of Gymnasium Facilities and Associated Fees for
Facility Use at Cubberley Community Center for JOintly Supported
Cardiac Therapy Programs.
10. Resolution 9039 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Scheduling the City Council Vacation and Winter Closure in
Calendar Year 2010."
11. Resolution 9040 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Summarily Vacating a 12-Foot Wide Strip of a Public Utilities
Easement at 780 Loma Verde Avenue."
12. Adoption of T'vvo Resolutions to Incorporate a Side Letter Agreement
with the Palo Alto Peace Gfficers' Association (PAPGA) to Provide a
Supplemental ~4i1itary Leave Benefit to Pay for the Differential Bet'lleen
Regular Salary and ~4i1itary Pay to PAPGA ~4embers Called to
Involuntary Active Duty Amending: (1) S9ction 1601 of the ~4erit
System Rules and Regulations Regarding the 2007 2010 ~4emorandum
of Agreement and (2) the Compensation Plan for Police Non
~4anagement Personnel (PAPGA) Adopted by Resolution No. 8779.
MOTION PASSED: 9-0
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS
MOTION: Vice Mayor Espinosa moved, seconded by Council Member
Shepherd to continue Agenda Item l\Iumber 15 to March 8, 2010.
15. Public Hearing: Consider the Approval of '"'Vater Supply Assessment to
Stanford ~4edical Center Facilities Renmval and Replacement Project
(IteR'l Cfmtinl;Jce freR'l 2/1/1D)
5 02/08/10
Council Member Klein advised he would not be participating in this item as
his wife is on faculty at Stanford University.
MOTION PASSED: 8-0 Klein not participating
ACTION ITEMS
13. Review of Destination Palo Alto Metrics and Direction to Staff to Pursue
Transition to Participation in the San Mateo County Tourism Business
Improvement District.
Director of Planning and Community Environment, Curtis Williams gave a
presentation as outlined in Staff report CMR: 138: 10. He clarified the Staff
report noted there was not a discernable trend between cities shown in the
baseline metrics. The purpose of the metrics was to help determine as
whether to move forward with Destination Palo Alto (DPA) or to do a year-
to-year economic analysis. Staff felt the program was successful and
continued to move in that direction. The program helped convince the
hotels of the advantage in forming their own Tourism Business Improvement
District (TBID.)
Ann LeClaire, President and CEO of San Mateo/Silicon Valley Convention and
Visitor's Bureau (SM/SVCVB) spoke of a letter from the Board of Directors,
dated December 18, 2009, proposing to change the hotels' contractual
arrangement to a Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID). She said
it would be a win-win situation if the Council opted to move forward with the
proposal. The City would save money and SM/SVCVB would continue to
mark Palo Alto as part of the area they represent. Hotels would be billed for
the assessment and a smaJI tourism fee would be passed on to the guests.
Upon the Council approving the Resolution to join the TBID, the issue would
then go to the City of Burlingame City Council, lead agency for the TBID,
where public hearings would be held. A general manager from one of the
hotels would be appointed as the voice for Palo Alto hoteliers. The top five
hotels in Palo Alto had been approached regarding the assessment fee.
They were the Westin, the Sheraton, the Crowne Cabana, the Garden Court
and Dinah's. All five felt it would be beneficial and were willing to participate
in the TBID program. The assessment for Palo Alto was approximately
$268,000 a year.
Mr. Williams said if the Council opted to go with the TBID, the next step
would be to terminate DPA's contract in April or May 2010. Once the
Resolution was adopted by the City of Burlingame, it would then be
presented to the Council on March 8 with the room assessment of fifteen
6 02/08/10
cents to one dollar per room. The process would take 90 days. Under the
agreement, SMjSVCVB would continue to support the Visitor's Center. The
City's role for the next month would be to support the outreach to the hotels
and prepare the Resolution of Consent to bring back to the Council on March
8. If the TBID proved to be successful and viable, the savings would be
$60,000 to $120,000 for the current Fiscal Year.
Vice Mayor Espinosa asked what Staff's perspective on the recommended
action was.
Mr. Williams said the hoteliers had been dealing directly with the SMjSVCVB
for the past year and a half and Staff found it to be a profitable
arrangement.
Council Member Shepherd needed clarification regarding the TBID's website
set up.
Ms. LeClaire said the Palo Alto properties had been included in the
SMjSVCVB's website and would not change. DPA's website was created with
City monies to represent Palo Alto and accommodate the local calendar of
events and would remain unchanged.
Council Member Shepherd asked how it differed as the Staff report noted a
large cost savings for Palo Alto but a large drop in revenues for SMjSVCVB.
Ms. LeClaire said it was complicated since an assessment formula was used.
The hotel tourism fee had flexibility based on projected occupancy. Guests
would pay the tourism fee whether it was booked by the SMjSVCVB or not.
Council Member Scharff said $187,000 was made in revenues in 2009, and
the cost for DPA was $240,000. DPA would be revenue positive with
revenues of $226,741 and a savings of $60,000 to $120,000 for 2010. If
the $60,000 were subtracted for both years, Palo Alto would not have a lost
in revenues contrary to what was reported in the press.
Mr. Williams said that was correct.
Council Member Scharff said DPA started as a two-year pilot program with
the idea the program would transition out at the end of the two-year period.
The City successfully met its goal in providing the groundwork for the hotels.
Council Member Price asked whether the proposed room assessment fee was
determined by the Board and revisited annually.
7 02/08/10
Ms. LeClaire said it was. She said hoteliers were asked what was palatable
and what the traffic could bare when the initial assessment fee was set up.
There had been two increases in the past nine years.
Council Member Price asked if Staff knew what the City of Berkeley was
doing differently since the baseline data reflected Berkeley as doing better
than other cities.
City Manager, James Keene, said the Shattuck Hotel recently had been
renovated which improved the rooms.
Mr. Williams said Berkeley had business tours and a business
convention/visitor's bureau type of an approach.
Council Member Yeh asked whether an analysis was done regarding the
change in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and what was attributed to the
smaller versus larger hotels.
Ms. LeClaire said smaller hotels were harder to track since they benefited
from overflow, tour and travel, and film room nights for production crews.
She said as a rule twenty percent of guests coming in for a convention
booked outside of the room blocks looking for less expensive or closer
accommodations and was difficult to track.
Council Member Yeh asked whether consideration was made for the smaller
hotels, particularly those in the south part of Palo Alto, because guests opted
to stay in neighboring towns due to the added cost.
Ms. LeClaire said that was a concern when the TBID was created but found it
not to be an issue.
Council Member Yeh asked what Staff's envision was regarding the potential
savings of $60,000 to $100,000.
Mr. Keene said the funding would help alleviate budget gaps the City was
facing.
Council Member Holman said she was interested in a random and cross-
section sampling on how the smaller hotels would respond to the TOT and
their interests and fears in joining the program.
8 02/08/10
Ms. LeClaire said a letter outlining those questions had been drafted and
ready to be sent to all hotels and motels.
Economic Development and Redevelopment Manager, Susan Barnes, said it
was good to see what advantages DPA had brought forward. She said the
DPA Committee would remain and the Convention Visitor's Bureau
representing people from the Stanford Research Park, Stanford Shopping
Center, hotels and the tourism industry would continue to convene and
organize ongoing events.
Mayor Burt needed clarification regarding the room bookings captured in
Table 1, Staff report CMR:138:10.
Ms. LeClaire said the Table represented group bookings only. It did not
include leisure rooms, extended stays, and rooms coming from the California
Welcome Centers.
Mayor Burt asked Ms. LeClaire if she would be able to give a conservative
estimate on what the City would receive in TOT and Sales Tax Revenue
beyond the $226,741 estimated for 2010.
Ms. LeClaire said she was not able to provide an estimate .
. Robert Moss, 4010 Orme Street, suggested going with the Staff
recommendation and get the hotels to collect the fifteen cents to one dollar
occupant assessment fee making the program worthwhile. He felt additional
time and money should be directed in improving the Palo Alto Website so the
public would be able to get the information that was being put out througl1
the contract.
Herb Borock, P.O. Box 632, raised concerns regarding the formula used in
receiving the funds. He needed clarification as to whether each hotel was
responsible for a certain amount of money, regardless of the fee, or were
the hotels guessing on what should be collected. .
MOTION: Council Member Scharff moved, seconded by Council Member
Klein to direct Staff to explore participation in the San Mateo County Tourism
Business Improvement District operated by the San Mateo County/Silicon
Valley Convention Visitors Bureau.
Council Member Scharff said effective in 2011 the City would be saving
DPA's annual cost of $240,000 with a savings of $60,000-$120,000 for the
current year making DPA revenue positive for the two years.
9 02/08/10
Council Member Klein echoed Council Member Scharff's comments and that
the City would be getting out of the hotel business.
Council Member Yeh said his focus was on the City saving the $60,000 to
$120,000. He said his thoughts regarding the surplus was when the Council
had voted for DPA, he interpreted it as a vote to support the business
community. Although the City was facing a budget situation, the investment
in the business community had sufficient returns on tax returns in the long-
term. He supported the Motion.
Council Member Schmid asked what would happen to the hotels if the
program did not work for them.
Ms. LeClaire said the TBID sends a notice out annually to all the properties
asking if the program was working for them. All that was required was a
vote from the Council to opt out if the program was not working and could
be done at the end of each year.
Council Member Schmid asked how a hotel would determine whether the
program was working.
Ms. LeClaire said it would be based on the hotel's amount of revenue
contribution.
Mayor Burt said he supported the Motion.
MOTION PASSED: 9-0
14. Approval of Preliminary Design for EI Camino Real/Stanford Avenue
Intersection Improvements and Streetscape Project.
Director of Planning and Community Environment, Curtis Williams said the
. project was a prototype for the EI Camino Real Master Planning Study and
the ongoing Peninsula EI Camino Real Grand Boulevard design concept. The
City had received a grant from the Valley Transit Authority (VTA) to prepare
the design and construction. In order to obligate the funds the design would
need to be approved by CalTrans by the end of June 2010. Certain
exceptions had to be made in the plan which required CalTrans' final
approval. Improvements to the intersection had to be made since it was the
primary route for three different schools with high pedestrian/bicycle traffic
and an unsafe existing crosswalk situation. In 2008, the San Jose Mercury
News identified the intersection as one of the dangerous intersections for
cyclists in Palo Alto and in Santa Clara County.
10 02/08/10
Transportation Engineer, Shahla Yazdy gave a presentation as outlined in
Staff report CMR: 131: 10.
Mr. Williams said Staff was asking for the Council to approve the proposed
preliminary design for the intersection to submit to CalTrans for final
approval to secure the funds. Construction was estimated to begin in Fall
2010. He said there were concerns regarding Barbeques Galore having trees
in front of their establishment and other businesses did not. The reason for
other businesses not having trees was because they had awnings extending
almost to the curb leaving no allowances for trees. Another concern was the
unsafe sidewalk. He clarified the sidewalk was 8 feet wide and there would
be no problem in accommodating a tree and still have adequate room fOr the
Americans with Disabilities Act's (ADA) requirement.
Planning and Transportation Commission (P&TC) Chair, Dan Garber said
P&TC supported Staff's recommendation and explored the different issues
Staff had and the impacts the intersection had to schools and bicyclists.
Other topics explored were business visibility as well as bus routes. There
were five amendments to the P&TC action: 1) Staff to develop a scheme for
bicycle and pedestrian traveling eastbound on Stanford Avenue crossing the
EI Camino Real (ECR) to minimize the impact from vehicle traffic traveling
eastbound on Stanford Avenue, 2) Study traffic impact traveling along
Stanford Avenue eastbound heading towards ECR and if the design needed
modification in order to eliminate backups onto Stanford Avenue, 3) Staff to
work with Starbucks and adjacent businesses regarding the placement of
trees as to not impede the visibility to the businesses, 4) Staff continue to
work with Stanford University regarding the drainage concerns at the
northwest corner, and 5) Staff to consider the head start timing for
pedestrians and bicyclist on the signalization.
Tracy May, 2080 EI Camino Real, spoke regarding the bus stop issue
blocking Barbeques Galore, the slanted sidewalk in front of the store, and
approval of having no trees due to public safety.
Cary Davis, 2080 EI Camino Real, was in favor of the proposed
improvements but objected to the two trees being placed in front of
Barbeques Galore. He said when the trees are at full maturity it would
create a visibility problem for the store. He felt his business was being
treated unfairly since other businesses were able to get trees relocated or
removed to accommodate existing issues. He spoke of the slanted sidewalk
as being hazardous especially during wet season and a liability problem
11 02/08/10
waiting to happen. He is requesting the two trees be removed from the
plan.
Penny Elison, 513 EI Capitan Place, speaking on behalf of the Palo Alto
Council of PTA's Traffic Safety Committee, stated they were in support of the
proposed plan. She spoke of the plan's advantages in solving school and
bicycle safety problems. She urged the Council to move the project
forward.
Michael Eager, 1960 Park Boulevard, spoke regarding the outreach for the
proposed project. He said it was a complicated plan and expressed his
disappointment in not having sufficient time at meetings to ask questions,
lack of meeting notifications and up-to-date information. He spoke of a two-
page document containing public comments and questions that were
presented at a P&TC meeting which remained unanswered.
Dr. James Wolfe, Los Altos Hills, property owner of Starbucks raised
concerns regarding the proposed placement of a tree and how it would
completely obstruct Starbuck'ssignage. He was given the option of placing
the proposed tree where a sycamore tree was located and found it to be an
acceptable offer.
Michael Dillon, 259 Chico Avenue, Santa Cruz, Architect spoke of the
disadvantages of placing a large oak tree near Starbucks. He said
placement of a 70-foot by 70-foot oak tree at that location would create a
safety issue, diminish daylight coming through the windows, and an outdoor
patio being littered with debris from the tree with long-term adverse effect.
Cathy Blake, Porter Drive, Stanford University, Stanford Campus Landscape
Architect spoke regarding the placement of a depressed drain that would
require allowance for grading. She said grading was tricky and raised
. concerns that the grading allowance had not been included in the plans. She
asked that Stanford be allowed to work on the grading and landscape
configuration after approval and as the plan developed.
Mr. Williams confirmed Ms. Blake's comments were correct. He said the
Architectural Review Board (ARB) had reviewed the landscaping details and
made their final determination last Thursday but did not make it into this
meeting's packet.
Ms. Blake said she supported the plan but wanted to make sure Stanford
could participate in reviewing the grading issue.
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Greg Tanaka, 2270 Princeton, President of the College Terrace Residents'
Association requested the project's potential traffic delays be addressed
before finalizing the project. He supported the plans and urged the Council
to move forward to insure the City did not loose the funding.
William Robinson, 4164 Wilkie Way, member of Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory
Committee (PABAC) spoke regarding the bulb-outs being place at the
intersection. He said bUlb-outs contributed to pedestrian/cyclist safety and
was the way to go for this and other intersections through Palo Alto.
Herb Borock, P.O. Box 632, suggested removing the bus shelter from the
plans/drawings to avoid the possibility of getting included in the funding and
end up getting placed where it does not belong. He said it should be clear
as to whether planting of the trees created a signage problem or an idea for
redeveloping the property.
Robert Moss, 4010 Orme Street, spoke regarding the time delay in turning
right from Stanford Avenue to EI Camino Real would take longer than 3
minutes. Turning delays could be mitigated by reducing the size of the bulb-
outs on the corner closest to Starbucks. He said he was in favor of planting
trees along the EI Camino and if a tree placement was appropriate and
approved the tree should be planted.
Vice Mayor Espinosa asked Staff to address the public speakers' concerns
regarding the bus shelter, whether trees should be considered in the slanted
sidewalk area, and the location of oak trees.
Mr. Williams said the originally proposed bus shelter was no longer in the
plan. A sign where the bus shelter was is no longer there and SamTrans
would be contacted to remove the poles. Both the Public Works arborist and
the Planning arborist were comfortable in planting a tree at the slated
sidewalk area. The sidewalk would be graded flush to avoid potential trip
hazards. The ARB said the Signature oak trees were an entrance feature to
the Stanford area and an important part of this concept.
Ms. Yazdy said the location of tl1e oak tree was a concern to the owners and
repositioned five feet to the west in order to clear the visibility of the signs.
She said the bus shelter was included in the EI Camino Master Plan Study
and should have been removed from all photos and drawings.
Council Member Shepherd asked whether the matching gateway tree was
still being planted.
13 02/08/10
Mr. Williams said it was still in the plans.
Council Member Shepherd asked if it was correct that the area in front of the
former Scrapbook Store that had an awning would have no trees and
Barbeques Galore had no awning would have trees.
Mr. Williams that was correct.
Council Member Shepherd asked if there was an Ordinance regarding the
distance an awning could extend over the sidewalk.
Mr. Williams said it was a CalTrans encroachment into CalTrans' right of way.
Council Member Holman wanted to know how the drawing that was included
in the packet differed from the one used in the presentation.
Ms. Yazdy said the planting material was the same. Staff went with a more
rounded landscape which included the Manzanita and roses in the
background since the ARB wanted to see less pavement.
Council Member Holman asked whether trees could be placed on the Oxford
Avenue side since they could not be placed on the ECR side due to the
awning issue.
Ms. Yazdy said the project limits indicated Stanford Avenue was allowed to
have a hundred feet on each leg of intersection. Planting trees on ECR
beyond Oxford Avenue would be outside the project limits.
Council Member Holman asked whether Staff had considered the possibility
of using sandwich boards to help resolve the trees and visibility issues.
Mr. Williams said that was not discussed as it was not part of the project. It
would be an Ordinance issue that would need to be discussed.
Council Member Holman addressed a public speaker's concerns regarding.
cars going west on Stanford Avenue near Starbucks as being hazardous and
causing potential backups on ECR.
Ms. Yazdy said the movement of cars stopping to make the left turn did exist
and Staff could revisit the situation to see if it could be eliminated.
Council Member Price said several intersections in Palo Alto could benefit
from this kind of attention especially further south 011 the ECR. The proposal
14 02/08/10
for trees along the ECR was consistent with the EI Camino Real Grand
Boulevard design concept. She supported Staff's recommendation.
Council Member Scharff raised concerns regarding placement of the tree
near Starbuck's and the potential of tree droppings onto the patio and
obstruction of light into Starbucks.
Mr. Williams said the Valley Oak was not an evergreen and could start
dropping a few leaves within 5 to 10 years. The branches would create
shade but not densely clustered to cause an impact on the light from coming
through.
MOTION: Council Member Scharff moved, seconded by Council Member
Holman to: 1) Approve the proposed preliminary design for the intersection·
improvements at EI Camino Real and Stanford' Avenue, and 2) Direct Staff to
submit the plans to Caltrans, with the following conditions:
a. Modify the landscape plan to relocate the proposed trees so that
they do not substantially impede the visibility of the adjacent
businesses.
b. Continue to work with Stanford University to ensure adequate
drainage from the 100 year storm event at the intersection to
the satisfaction of the City's Planning Director and Director of
Public Works.
c. Provide for a two second head start timing on signal phasing for
pedestrians and bicyclists crossing EI Camino Real, to the
satisfaction of the satisfaction of the City's Planning Director.
Council Member Schmid said one of the highlights of the plan was the
creation for pedestrians' space on the western side of the EI Camino Real. It
was a great step in moving forward and the hope for a retail block as
Stanford housing gets established on the northwest corner.
Council Member Shepherd echoed Council Member Schmid's comments. She
supported the Motion.
INCORPORATION INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to request Staff continue to work with the
property owners to address tree concerns identified by the Planning &
Transportation Commission.
15 02/08/10
MOTION PASSED: 9-0
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COIVIMENTS, AI\ID AI\INOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Yeh reported on attending the combined youth focus
organizations meeting held, which was the first of three to be held. The
next meeting will be held on February 27, 2010, at Mitchell Park Community
Center
Council Member Klein requested Staff look into new microphones/speaker
system for the Chambers and Council Conference Room. He and Vice Mayor
Espinosa will not be going to Washington D.C. this week due to the weather.
Council Member Holman requested that Staff take steps to acknowledge the
citizen volunteers who assisted with the tree planting on California Avenue.
Mayor Burt reported on attending two Peninsula Cities Consortium meetings
on High Speed Rail recently. .
Council Member Klein reported that Mayor Burt was a guest speaker on radio
station KPFA this past Sunday morning, the topic was High Speed Rail.
ADJOURI\IMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
16 02/08/10