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Home My WebLink About2025-06-09 City Council EmailsDOCUMENTS IN THIS PACKET INCLUDE: LETTERS FROM CITIZENS TO THE MAYOR OR CITY COUNCIL RESPONSES FROM STAFF TO LETTERS FROM CITIZENS ITEMS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ITEMS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES AND AGENCIES ITEMS FROM CITY, COUNTY, STATE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES Prepared for: 6/9/2025 Document dates: 6/2/2025 - 6/9/2025 Note: Documents for every category may not have been received for packet reproduction in a given week. 701-32 From:Aram James To:Vicki Veenker; Veenker, Vicki; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, AssemblyDistrict 23; Ed Lauing; Shikada, Ed; Templeton, Cari; Lori Meyers; Gennady Sheyner; Gennady Sheyner; DavePrice; Sean Allen; Richard Konda; Donna Wallach; josh@joshsalcman.com; Josh Becker;assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Council, City;planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Gardener, Liz; Lotus Fong; Raymond Goins; RajJayadev; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen; Cait James; Tim James; Gerry Gras; Doug Minkler; Emily Mibach; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Marina Lopez; ladoris cordell; Damon Silver; Rodriguez, Miguel; chuck jagoda; Jeff Conrad;Reifschneider, James; sharon jackson; h.etzko@gmail.com; Tom DuBois; Holman, Karen (external); DennisUpton; Dennis Upton; dennis burns; Greg Tanaka; Diana Diamond; Bryan Gobin; Bill Newell; Salem Ajluni; WILPFPeninsula Palo Alto; Palo Alto Free Press; Friends of Cubberley; Binder, Andrew; james pitkin; Daniel Kottke; Lee,Craig Subject:“Kidnapped”: Israel Intercepts Gaza-Bound Aid Ship, Detains Greta Thunberg & Others in Int’l Waters Date:Monday, June 9, 2025 11:50:45 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://www.democracynow.org/2025/6/9/madleen_gaza_flotilla_israel_abducts_activists From:Abby Simons To:Council, City Subject:California Avenue Date:Monday, June 9, 2025 11:45:36 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. To all concerned on proposed business changes on this unique street in the City of Palo Alto. If there are updates required by code for safety, I agree I write in behalf of Terun establishment, a highly successful restaurant, simply because, the diners seek a special venue where they are welcomed like family. Its sense of purpose is to serve the needs of the Community. One eats, but one belongs in companionship. With wise wisdom, I urge you to carefully consider your vote. Cordially, Abigail Simons From:Andrea Brand-Sanchez To:Council, City Subject:June 17 Agenda, Re: Approve a Resolution to Allow Dining and retail Encroachments on Cal Ave Date:Monday, June 9, 2025 11:09:38 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Palo Alto City council, I am writing to support the resolution to approve dining and retail encroachments on Cal Ave. I have been thoroughly enjoying all the music, and community building around Cal Ave, andthis is made possible by blocking off the street. 3rd Thursdays have been so fun, as well as Mondays with music at Terun, and my daughter even performed at one music event they arehaving on Wednesdays during the summer. And any night that I walk on Cal Ave I see so many folks I know, and the children are able to run around and go to stores and be safe. It hasbecome a wonderful meeting place for me and all my friends, and children and my elderly father, also a resident of Palo Alto. Eating outside is the best, as Californians I love that we getto do this year round. I would hope we would make Cal Ave a permanent car-free zone, with all the outside dining and music, and community! Please support this initiative and keep Cal Ave with street dining and a car-free zone. Thank you, Andrea Brand-Sanchez Palo Alto Resident3174 David Ave., Palo Alto Computer Science Department Stanford University From:Henry Etzkowitz To:Council, City; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Joe Penko; pat@patburt.org; Office of the Provost;Hannah Lu; Shikada, Ed; Gennady Sheyner; Blackshire, Geoffrey; sally Tomlinson; Brian Good; RebeccaEisenberg; Ellen Fox; Team JulieforPaloAlto Cc:Devrim Göktepe Hultén; Gennady Sheyner; H. Greenhill; Helen Lawton Lawton-Smith; Ian.irwin@sbcglobal.net; Irina Dezhina; Jeanne Fleming; Josep Miquel Pique; Jim Hersh; Tatyana Kanzaveli; Magnus Klofsten; Charlie Weidanz; Marty Wasserman; David Nordfors; Fumi Kitagawa Phd; David Charles; Dorien Detombe; Ellen Fox; Firoozeh Dastmalchi; Christiane Gebhardt; Klaus.Sailer@sce.de Subject:A car is a deadly weapon Date:Monday, June 9, 2025 10:36:06 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links.> > >> as well as a means of transport.> >> Whether hit and run, as the female researcher in her Palo Alto neighbourhood, or hit andstay, as the male international student on the Stanford campus, both are just as dead. > >> Whethe discrete firearm bullet or multi k crusher, weapons should be kept as far away from people as possible.> > >> The original idea for the suburb was a residential area whose homes would be in walking distance of a railroad station. Driving was left to professionals and the last mile vehicle, arelatively slow moving carriage whose motive power, the original Marguerite was sometimes more sensible than its human overseer! Google’s Waymo exhibits similar capabilities!>> The means are at hand to recreate a sensible human centered environment without personal cars. >> 1. Extend free Marguerite services across the peninsular, building upon Stanford’s initiative>> 2. Following London and New York’s success in reducing personal car use: introduce congestion pricing in all area downtowns>> 3 integrate Waymo service with Marguerite schedules to take people the ‘last mile’ home. >> 4. Ban cars from the outer as well as the inner Stanford university campus>> 5. Brainstorm additional tweaks to fine tune a personal car less society like the one emerging in Rio de Janeiro.>> Best >> Henry>> Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice >> Henry Etzkowitz>> Sociology Department >> Stanford University>> www.triplehelix.net From:414 California LLC To:Council, City Cc:414 California LLC Subject:Concerns Regarding Proposed Outdoor Activation Program for Cal Ave Outdoor Dining Date:Monday, June 9, 2025 10:25:05 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. ! Dear Palo Alto City Council Members, We at 414 are writing to express our concerns about the proposed Outdoor Activation Program on California Avenue outdoor dining, particularly the shift from tents and parklets toumbrellas and awnings for outdoor dining. We believe this move could negatively impact both community wellness and business success for several reasons: Economic Impact: Switching to umbrellas and awnings presents significant costs forbusinesses. The current tents and parklets, which already represent substantial investments, have proven effective. They facilitate regular reservations and consistent revenue, even duringmonths when umbrellas and awnings may fall short of meeting outdoor dining needs. Weather Considerations: Our diverse climate makes tents essential for protection from the elements. They ensure a comfortable, and often the only viable, dining experience duringextreme heat, cold, and rainy periods. Community Feedback: True community-driven planning requires listening to local businesses and residents. Many stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the current setup,questioning how the proposed changes could maintain vibrant, inviting spaces. This plan risks driving patrons to other areas with more weather-appropriate structures, endangering thebusinesses that serve as vital community hubs. Safety and Accessibility: The current structures provide clear boundaries and safe dining spaces, crucial for accessibility and pedestrian safety. The proposed changes may compromisethese aspects without delivering clear benefits. Umbrellas are, for example, vulnerable to wind and offer no protection during rainstorms. We urge the Council to carefully consider these points and engage in further dialogue with ourcommunity. Let's make sure any changes reflect our collective needs and effectively support the local economy. Thank you for your attention and commitment to making Palo Alto a thriving space for all. This message could be suspicious The sender's email address couldn't be verified. This is their first email to your company. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Sincerely,414 Leadership 414 California Avenue View this email in your browser From:Lisa Ratner and Hannah Lu, Co-PresidentsTo:Council, CitySubject:LWVPA: Democracy Is Being Tested. Help Us Protect It.Date:Monday, June 9, 2025 7:54:45 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention No employee in your company has ever replied to this person. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Democracy Is Being Tested. Help Us Protect It. Dear City Council, Our country is in a constitutional crisis – and its outcome depends on whatwe do now. As a friend of democracy, your support for the League of Women Voters of PaloAlto is needed now, more than ever. We are reaching out today to ask you toconsider deepening your support of the League this year -- as a member,volunteer and donor. The rule of law and free and fair elections are under direct threat. Voter suppression seems to be a major goal of the new administration.For over 105 years, the League of Women Voters has worked to protect every citizen’s right to vote, provide unbiased voter education, and preserve our democratic institutions.Just this month, the League won a preliminary injunction to stop an executive order seeking to add documentary proof of citizenship to the Federal Voter Registration Form which would likely disenfranchise 21 million citizens who lackpassports, plus the 75 percent of women who change their name after marriage.And here in California, the League is working to revise outdated campaign finance legislation to reduce the influence of wealthy donors on elections and to have ordinary citizens feel empowered to run for office. Right here in Palo Alto, we can make a difference—by acting locally to protect the values we all share. With your support, you and the League are: Registering and educating voters of all ages and backgrounds Hosting nonpartisan candidate forums and ballot proposition pros & cons Advocating for affordable housing and renter protections; climate action including baylands protection; and safe storage of firearms Hosting speaker programs to address important public policy issues Fighting to reduce the influence of big money in local elections The League doesn’t support or oppose political parties or candidates. But we do take action on public policy issues based on its positions, send action alerts to members, reach out to elected officials, and join coalitions of like-minded groups. These nonpartisan activities strengthen our democracy.. Every dollar you give supports local, nonpartisan action. Your gift stays righthere in our community and supports our all volunteer team! Help Us Reach Our $15,000 Goal This Year This year is pivotal - these are not ordinary times. We call on you today to askyou to step up—to give as much as you can to help turn the tide. Go to our website (you don't need a PayPal account to donate online) or see how to make a gift by mail. Want to Do More? We’re a 100% volunteer-powered organization—and we’d love to have you join our team! You can help with: Voter Services (voter registration, candidate forums, ballot measure pros & cons) Climate, housing, or gun safety advocacy Local campaign finance reform Communications Membership Fundraising Events & speaker program Become a Volunteer Donate Now Take Our 30-Second Volunteer Interest Survey Thank you for standing with us. Your gift, your voice, your time—they matter. Together, we're making a difference. In solidarity, Lisa Ratner and Hannah Lu Co-Presidents, League of Women Voters of Palo Alto P.S. Democracy may be complicated, but donating to save it shouldn’t be. Visit our donation page or reach out to Mary Nemerov (mabunem@gmail.com), Fundraising Chair, with any questions. Our mailing address is:LWVPA3921 E Bayshore Road Palo Alto, CA 94303 Contact us:communications@lwvpaloalto.org Subscribe to our newsletters:Complete the subscription form Want to change how you receive these emails?You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. From:Lilliput Palo Alto To:Council, City Subject:Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers Date:Monday, June 9, 2025 7:31:24 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i Hello, My name is Jean Rodolphe Wursdorfer, and I’m the head teacher and director of Lilliput Preschool in Palo Alto. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Starlynn Perez through theUpwards/Boost program, which has been an invaluable resource for our school. Through the app, I’ve been able to connect with families looking for childcare in the area, andwith Starlynn’s support, we were even able to quickly hire a teaching aide—within less than a week. This made it possible for us to maintain the required child-to-teacher ratio and continueproviding quality care. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the City of Palo Alto for supporting programs likethis. Since the challenges brought on by COVID, maintaining enrollment has been difficult, and having access to a reliable and responsive team has made a meaningful difference. We truly hope the partnership with Upwards continues. It’s been a real asset to our community. Wishing you a wonderful summer. Warm regards,Jean Rodolphe Wursdorfer Explore more about our preschool here: Our Website Our Facebook Page -- Lilliput Infant and Preschool Phone: 650-856-7407 Email: LilliputPaloAlto@GMail.com This message needs your attention This is a personal email address. This is their first email to your company. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Interest Form From:Lee Christel To:Council, City Subject:No Bikes on Cal Ave Date:Monday, June 9, 2025 7:08:53 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Council, Please do not allow bike lanes down the middle of California Avenue. There are already bikes, skateboards, and other devices racing down the street causing danger. With the advent of electric bikes, the situation has only worsened. Bikes should (and can easily) divert the short block to Cambridge Ave or Sherman Ave as they travel E/W. The 'non-car' area of California Ave should be dedicated to a peaceful, slow-paced pedestrian area where people can mingle and don't have to fear a fast moving bike or scooter. Sincerely, Lee A Christel Midtown From:Aram James To:Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Josh Becker; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate,Assembly District 23; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Lori Meyers; Sheree Roth Cc:board@pausd.org; BoardOperations; h.etzko@gmail.com; Ed Lauing; Reckdahl, Keith; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Council, City; Clerk, City; Gerry Gras; GRP-City Council; board@valleywater.org; Damon Silver; Dave Price; Rodriguez, Miguel; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Salem Ajluni; Dennis Upton; dennis burns; DuJuan Green; Binder, Andrew Subject:Lindsey Graham"s Disgusting Tweet About Greta Thunberg Is "Brain Rot" in Its Truest, Most Vulgar Sense Date:Sunday, June 8, 2025 9:53:59 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. That psyche comes from somewhere. That poisonous bubble Graham is in isn’talgorithmic, like a bubble you or I could fall into – it’s constructed over years of beinglobbied, wined, dined, brought in line, and hammered to know who is human andwho is not. It’s a “moral” framework so bereft of any actual engagement with moralitythat it’s straight-up alien to you or me. Regardless of your stance on Israel orPalestine, Graham’s giddiness at the idea of a “helper” suffering is just reptilian. It’s a“brain rot” in its truest, most vulgar sense. Lindsey Graham's Disgusting Tweet About Greta Thunberg Is 'Brain Rot' in Its Truest, Most Vulgar Sense https://zeteo.com/p/lindsey-grahams-disgusting-tweet?utm_medium=email From:Aram James To:Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader forCalifornia Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Josh Becker; Council, City; Doug Minkler;h.etzko@gmail.com; Dana St. George; Gerry Gras; Sean Allen; Lotus Fong; EPA Today; Sheree Roth; Bill Newell;Lori Meyers; Planning Commission; ParkRec Commission; Barberini, Christopher; Binder, Andrew; Nash, Betsy;dcombs@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; city.council@menlopark.gov; board@pausd.org;BoardOperations; Donna Wallach; Steve Wagstaffe; Emily Mibach; editor@paweekly.com; Gennady Sheyner;Senator Becker; Damon Silver; Rodriguez, Miguel; Enberg, Nicholas; chuck jagoda; Reifschneider, James; jamespitkin Subject:BREAKING: Israeli Forces Board Gaza Aid Flotilla and Detain 12 Crew Members Date:Sunday, June 8, 2025 8:12:53 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Israel is a Terrorist State and must be eliminated! One State Solution Is The Answer! Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more BREAKING: Israeli Forces BoardGaza Aid Flotilla and Detain 12Crew Members Zeteo contributor Greta Thunberg was on board the ship. PREM THAKKER JUN 9 READ IN APP Israeli forces boarded the Gaza Aid Flotilla ship, the “Madleen,” early Monday morning local time and detained the 12 passengers on board, according to several reports. The humanitarians on the ship, including globally-known humanitarian and Zeteo contributor Greta Thunberg, European Union Member of Parliament Rima Hassan, and several other volunteers, sought to deliver aid to Gaza. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition says it has lost connection with the vessel, which was carrying medical supplies, diapers, baby formula, children’s prosthetics, and other desperately needed aid in Gaza. Upgrade to paid One of the last images posted on the flotilla’s Telegram account showed those on the ship with their hands up. Photo from Freedom Flotilla Coalition via Telegram Before connection was lost, video from the vessel showed some form of white substance sprayed upon the vessel. Passengers reported the unknown liquid came from drones flying overhead, while the ship’s radios began being jammed. “The ‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities’ is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, per local media. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to Zeteo’s request for comment. Upgrade to paid Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday that he instructed the Israeli military to take “any measures necessary” to block the aid ship – or as he called it, the “hate Flotilla” – from reaching Gaza. “This interception, carried out outside Israeli territorial waters, constitutes a blatant violation of international law, including maritime and humanitarian law,” Hassan’s office said in a statement. “The arrest of the crew members and the confiscation of aid intended for a population in immediate humanitarian distress is unacceptable.” Via Heidi Matthews, an assistant law professor, on Twitter. Organizers have released several videos of the passengers aboard, urging the passengers’ countries of origin to pressure Israel to free them. "My name is Greta Thunberg, and I am from Sweden,” Thunberg said in her video. “If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel. I urge all my friends, family, and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.” Share Here are the 12 people aboard the Madleen, and where they are from: Greta Thunberg – Swedish activist and humanitarian Rima Hassan – French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament Baptiste Andre – France Pascal Maurieras – France Yanis Mhamdi – France Reva Viard – France Omar Faiad – French reporter with Al Jazeera Mubasher Thiago Avila – Brazil Suayb Ordu – Turkey Sergio Toribio – Spain Marco van Rennes – The Netherlands Yasemin Acar – Germany Check out more from Zeteo: Lindsey Graham's Disgusting Tweet About GretaThunberg Is 'Brain Rot' in Its Truest, Most Vulgar Sense PREM THAKKER ·JUN 2 Read full story ‘The World’s Silence Is Deadly’: Greta Thunberg’sMessage Aboard Freedom Flotilla TEAM ZETEO AND GRETA THUNBERG ·MAY 31 Read full story You’re currently a free subscriber to Zeteo. If you believe our work is important, please consider supporting Zeteo by upgrading your subscription. And if you’d like to wear your support, don’t forget to check out Zeteo’s Shop where you’ll find hoodies, tote bags, and more! If you have any issues with your subscription, please email us at info@zeteonews.com. Upgrade to paid LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Zeteo1640 Boro Place 4th floor, McLean, VA 22102 Unsubscribe From:deirdre clark To:Council, City Subject:changes to the outdoor dining space on California Avenue. Date:Sunday, June 8, 2025 1:51:18 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello, We are frequent visitors to the restaurants and stores on California Ave. We often attend the third Thursday music nights as well. We love how pedestrian friendly California Ave, it has a European vibe. We both feel that by modifying the outdoor dining space would ruin the charm. We urge you to continue with the current set up. Thank you, Deirdre and Jeff Clark From:Evan Reade To:Council, City Cc:Shikada, Ed; Shikada, Ed Subject:Bike and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Date:Sunday, June 8, 2025 1:48:04 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i Dear Mayor Lauing and Members of the City Council: Congratulations to those of you who expressed concerns about adding bike lanes to major arterial roadways. Encouraging cyclists, especially younger ones, to use heavily traveled roadways such as Middlefield or Embarcadero is a recipe for tragedy. This should be evident to a firm of professional traffic engineers who have charged the city over $300,000 to draw nice maps that superimpose colored lines over existingroadways. The most recent local bike fatality that comes to mind occurred on Middlefield Road in Atherton, which I believe has well-marked bike lanes. Just last week a Stanfordstudent riding an e-bike lost his life in an early morning accident on Palm Drive, which has a bike path physically separated from the main roadway. Before that, a young French woman was killed at Embarcadero and Newell. Let's not forget the very sad case of the young boy who died at El Camino and California Avenue. Two other bikefatalities that I recall occurred on Foothill Expressway in Los Altos and on Sand Hill Road in Menlo Park, both on roadways with painted bike lanes. I believe the current trend - which includes state legislation - that encourages cyclistsand motorists to "share the road" is dangerous and problematic, and I am convinced that the best way to protect cyclists is to keep them separated from fast moving traffic. That said, I have no doubt that experienced, confident and law abiding bike riders can and will continue to safely utilize roadways they feel comfortable on whether ornot fancy and costly new infrastructure is added. Which brings me to a second point. In a version of the BPTP I saw several months ago, one of the recommendations was to "decriminalize" bike and pedestrianviolations and to instruct the police to "deemphasize" enforcement of these violations. Really? If bicycles and pedestrians are going to share the road with motor vehicles they must be required to comply with the same rules of the road as specified in the Vehicle Code that all motorists must follow. This message needs your attention This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Finally, I sympathize with those residents who live on Middlefield Road and who have complained that (a) they have not been consulted by the city about this plan, and (b) this whole issue was seemingly already put to rest a few years ago only to be resurrected again. This fits a pattern that I have been noticing recently in my neighborhood. City staff wants to embark upon a project, they hire expensive outside consultants to deliver a report reaching the result staff wants, and save for a half- hearted minimal effort to "gauge public support" city staff fails to make a concertedeffort to engage with residents and neighbors who will be directly impacted by the project. Palo Alto is a great place to ride a bike. We should be proud of the ground-breakingefforts we have made for decades to pioneer the concept of bike lanes, bike boulevards, and bike overpasses. The network that has been developed over the years is a good one, and while some upgrades and improvements might be called for, we don't need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars or more on outsideconsultants who recommend tearing up and redesigning our roadways or, for that matter, painting them with fancy artwork. Let's continue to encourage cyclists, especially the young ones, to use safe andscenic secondary roadways. Many thanks for your service to our community and for your thoughtful consideration of issues such as this one. Sincerely, Evan G. ReadeSharon Ct. Palo Alto From:Jason Pryce To:Council, City Subject:Re: Mayor Date:Saturday, June 7, 2025 11:50:41 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i Also, when can I come speak to the city council?On Sat, Jun 7, 2025 at 9:33 PM Jason Pryce <jasonprycechalk@gmail.com> wrote: Hello. How can I speak to the mayor publicly and in person? This message needs your attention This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast From:Aram James To:Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky Cc:Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Josh Becker; Sheree Roth; Lori Meyers; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; Reckdahl, Keith; h.etzko@gmail.com; Lauing, Ed; Ed Lauing; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Council, City; GRP-City Council; city.council@menlopark.gov; Nash, Betsy; dcombs@menlopark.gov; Mickie Winkler; Friends of Cubberley; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Zelkha, Mila; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Human Relations Commission; dennis burns; DuJuan Green; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Zahra Billoo; Perron, Zachary; Sean Allen; Burt, Patrick; Rose Lynn; sharon jackson; Cait James; Josie James-Le; Tim James; Marina Lopez; Lewis james Subject:Up to 300,000 people, according to the organisers, took part in the demonstration led by opposition parties inRome to demand an end to the war in Gaza. Many cr… Date:Saturday, June 7, 2025 8:26:06 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Up to 300,000 people, according to the organisers, took part in the demonstration led by opposition parties in Rome to demand an end to the war in Gaza. Many cr… Source: euronewshttps://share.google/hVevuD6i61LPP3dhb From:Gabe Molitor To:Council, City Subject:Dear city council members this is your friend Gabe molitor and the reason for this mobile cell phone email message is also because I also think that it’s also about the right time that those people that are owners of bicycles and also electric scooters... Date:Saturday, June 7, 2025 7:18:45 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.Sent from my iPhone From:Thomas Rindfleisch To:egas1044@aol.com; CPNA Cc:Margaret Bruce; Hamilton Hitchings; Kevin Fisher; Stephen Monismith; Jeffrey R Koseff; Neilson Buchanan; Xenia Hammer; Norm Beamer; Council, City; Drew Combs; Stone, Greer; Lisa Gauthier; Nai Hsueh; Ruben Abrica; Reckdahl, Keith; Eggleston, Brad; Jeremias, Michel Subject:Re: [CPNA] June 5 Reach 2 Project Zoom Webinar -- Newell Rd Bridge Date:Saturday, June 7, 2025 10:02:15 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. On 6/6/2025 6:42 PM, 'egas1044@aol.com' via Crescent Park PA wrote:> Out of curiosity, to what extent is the City and The JPA relying on> federal funding to achieve these goals?>> It seems like we've spent the last 25 years waiting on a solution> that involves not only agreement from stakeholders, but the ability to> tap into federal funding so the bite is less. Eileen, that question is better answered by Margaret Bruce and BradEggleston. Let's see how they respond and I'll forward to CPNA... Tom R. From:TC Rindfleisch To:CPNA Cc:Margaret Bruce; Hamilton Hitchings; Kevin Fisher; Stephen Monismith; Jeffrey R Koseff; Neilson Buchanan; XeniaHammer; Norm Beamer; Council, City; Drew Combs; Stone, Greer; Lisa Gauthier; Nai Hsueh; Ruben Abrica;Reckdahl, Keith Subject:[CPNA] June 5 Reach 2 Project Zoom Webinar Date:Friday, June 6, 2025 3:28:44 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links. i For those who could not attend the SFCJPA webinar on plans for flood control in Reach 2 of SanFrancisquito Creek last evening, you can find the video recording of the session and the slide setused in the presentation at these links: Session recordingSlide set Overall the JPA session gave a well-done introductory explanation of what the draft WRA plansare to bring the conveyance of Reach 2 of the creek (Middlefield bridge to Hwy 101) up to ~7200cubic feet per second (the flow seen in the 1998 flood of record). The discussion of the slides inthe video does not dwell very long on each slide so it is a bit hard to absorb all that is there, butonce you know the concepts presented, you can visit the slides more leisurely in the pdf version. In general the plan was well received, except for a statement strongly refusing support from JimWiley. Jim's home is on a property in Menlo Park bordering on the creek just downstream fromthe Pope-Chaucer bridge. Mr. Wiley's comments start at 49:05 minutes into the YouTuberecording of the session. There is also past evidence of others in our community who oppose theflood control plan for Reach 2 for various reasons, but they did not speak during the webinar. In addition to needed further technical refinement and permitting approvals, there are also seriousquestions about how the projected cost of the project can be covered. It turns out from anhistorical perspective, cost has been a repeating factor in preventing the implementation of effective flood control measures for the creek back to the earliest part of the 20th century. Eachyear we delay, however, the costs escalate further while we lose sleep each winter awaitingdamage from the next major flood. The bottom line is that in spite of the professional quality ofthe draft WRA plan for protecting the ENTIRE Reach 2 section of the creek from a repeat 1998flood, we still have lots of work to do to bring it to pass. For this we need YOUR ACTIVE HELPAND SUPPORT. If you have questions or comments, let me know and we can arrange further discussions. Therewill also be future meetings about refining this plan at JPA Board sessions that I will alert you toas appropriate. This message needs your attention No employee in your company has ever replied to this person.This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Best regards, Tom R. From:Charles Wilson To:Council, City Subject:Bike lanes on arterials Date:Friday, June 6, 2025 1:39:08 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. City Council, many thanks for deciding NOT TO PUT BIKE LANES on Middlefield or SEPARATED BIKE LANES on Meadow! Most bikers want to get away from traffic, such as on existing “bike boulevards” on quiet residential streets. Meadow Drive already has wide safe bike lanes and separating them would eliminate valuable parking for both Mitchell and Don Ramos parks!! Best Regards, Chuck Wilson Palo Alto resident since 1979 Sent from my iPhone From:Liz Gardner To:Council, City; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Ed Lauing; pat.burt@cityofpalto.org; Vicki Veenker; Stone, Greer; Reckdahl, Keith Subject:Fwd: Register Now - Inside the Vault: Resources for Local Leaders Date:Friday, June 6, 2025 11:24:07 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links. i State resources for local governances for affordable housing. ---------- Forwarded message ----------From: California State Treasurer's Office <newsroom@treasurer.ca.gov>Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025Subject: Register Now - Inside the Vault: Resources for Local LeadersTo: gardnerjaqua@gmail.com STO Seal News Release This message needs your attention This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast UPCOMING WEBINAR INSIDE THE VAULT: RESOURCES FOR LOCAL LEADERS Register Now Webinar Invitation Follow Us Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.View this email online. 901 P Street Room 411-B | Sacramento, CA 95814 US This email was sent to gardnerjaqua@gmail.com. To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book. -- Liz Gardner From:Sharon Elliot To:Council, City Subject:Thank you for saving parking on E Meadow next to Ramos Park Date:Friday, June 6, 2025 11:13:13 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i Dear City Council Members, We have been bike riding for over fifty years and did not want our Ramos Park parking planaltered for bike lanes. Thank you for saving the parking on E Meadow! Lots of parents use it when their kids play sports. People use it to deliver things to the picnic tables during events. It would have been a hardship to jockey for parking on the other side of E Meadow and shlep people, food, etc, across the street. Sharon Elliot Adobe Meadow NPCVP AMNAWe're all in this together This message needs your attention This is a personal email address. This is their first email to you. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast From:Kenneth Fehl To:Council, City Subject:East Meadow Date:Friday, June 6, 2025 10:55:15 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i Good morning: I understand that the issue of restricting street parking on East Meadow was decided in favor of the residents of East Meadow. Thank you. This issue came up before the Planning Commission and City Council two years ago. After all of the residents of East Meadow became aware of the planning parking restriction, a compromise solution was reached which satisfied the biking community and the East Meadow residents. Apparently, this compromise was forgotten by the members of the public who tried to resurrect the issue. With respect to your survey, it is not appropriate for all of Palo Alto to decide the fate of one street in one neighborhood. Street parking on East Meadow has never resulted in any accidents to bicyclists to the best of my knowledge. On the other hand the roundabout at Ross Road has contributed to numerous accidents. If safety is the paramount concern than this obstruction, which was improperly designed, should be removed. Thank you again for taking the interests of the residents of our street seriously. Sincerely, /s/ Kenneth P. Fehl Kenneth P. Fehl, Esq. Law Office of Kenneth P. Fehl 736 East Meadow Drive This message needs your attention This is their first email to your company. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Palo Alto, California 94303-4444 Telephone: 650-856-3440 Facsimile: 650-856-0413 CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient's) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. IRS Circular 230 Notice: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another party any matters addressed by this communication. From:Aram James To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Lait, Jonathan; Bains, Paul; Raymond Goins; Dave Price; EPA Today; Emily Mibach;Diana Diamond; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; BoardOperations Subject:San Jose safe parking no better than street life, residents say Date:Friday, June 6, 2025 9:19:23 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. San Jose safe parking no better than streetlife, residents say San Jose safe parking no better than street life, residents say - San José Spotlight https://sanjosespotlight.com/san-jose-safe-parking-no-better-than-street-life-homeless-residents-say/ From:Raymond White To:Council, City Subject:Fw: RE Fluoride is not safe Date:Thursday, June 5, 2025 10:25:19 PM Attachments:Fluoride Science 2025b.rtf image010.png image002.png image012.png CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Raymond White <rrweditha@yahoo.com> To: Elvert, Catherine <catherine.elvert@paloalto.gov>; jason.weir@cityofpaloalto.org <jason.weir@cityofpaloalto.org>; City.Council@cityofpaloalto.gov <city.council@cityofpaloalto.gov> Cc: City Mgr <citymgr@paloalto.gov> Sent: Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 10:18:09 PM PDT Subject: Re: RE Fluoride is not safe Dear Catherine Evert: Could you re-send your message? In producing this reply, I seem to madeyour message vanish. Thank you so much for your prompt and partially informative response. I understand that as a communications functionary, you are likely tasked with answering letters such as mine with the Palo Alto City line, and are in no way to blame for the result or inany way responsible for the policies in question. I asked for a reply from person(s) who could be responsible for the policy of keeping secret from water customers the risks posed to fetal brains by over-exposure to fluoride in theirmothers. I understand that the water comes to Palo Alto already fluoridated and that a hierarchy of non-science oriented organizations aver that the fluoridated water is safe andeffective. Which is false, according to federal judge Edward Chen upon review of evidence presented in his court Norther District of CA). Some of the evidence that fluoridated water poses an unreasonable risk to babies is attached. It has been sent to Jason Weir, the city council and Ed Shikada. Your people could know the science. My residence receives its water from Palo Alto. This message needs your attention This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast So far I am not satisfied that the City of Palo Alto lives up to its "commitment " to deliver safewater to its customers. Raymond R. White, Ph.D. 2468 Whitney DriveMountain View, CA rrweditha@yahoo.com On Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 04:45:01 PM PDT, Elvert, Catherine <catherine.elvert@paloalto.gov> wrote: Dear Mr. White, Thank you for your message to the Palo Alto City Council. We appreciate your consideration for the health and safety of our community as it relates to fluoride in the municipal water supply. The City of Palo Alto Utilities is committed to providing safe drinking water to customers. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is the water supplier for the City of Palo Alto. Water fluoridation is mandated by state law and the SFPUC treats and delivers water to its wholesale customers, like the City of Palo Alto, in accordance with state and federal drinking water standards. The SFPUC provides information on water fluoridation for those wishing to know more about the practice and safety guidelines. The City of Palo Alto Utilities publishes a Consumer Confidence Report on water quality conditions each year for our water distribution service area. This report lists water quality parameters, including fluoride levels, for the previous calendar year. (The report on water quality for 2024 will be published very soon.) These guidelines are regulated by the State Water Resources Control Board in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Find information on fluoride standards from the state here. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also provides information on community water fluoridation. Thank you once again for your consideration and interest in supporting healthy communities. The City of Palo Alto’s water meets all federal and state drinking water standards, and we are committed to the health and safety of our customers. Sincerely, Catherine CATHERINE ELVERT (she/her/hers) Utilities Communications Manager (650) 329-2417 | Cell (650) 833-9433 Catherine.Elvert@paloalto.gov www.paloalto.gov/utilities From: Raymond White <rrweditha@yahoo.com>Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2025 3:59 PM To: emily.yarsinski@mv.gov; kimbra.mccarthy@mountainview.gov; City Council <city.council@mountainview.gov>; phinternet@phd.sccgov.org; Board of Directors <board@valleywater.org>; Council, City <city.council@PaloAlto.gov>Subject: Fluoride is not safe Fluoride in public water supplies poses a risk to the developing brains of the fetal babies of women who are otherwise exposed to sources of fluoride and who drink the water or use it to compose formula. Both the friends and the enemies of water fluoridation have done statistical tests, attempting to identify any threshhold effect --- below which fluoride levels would be considered safe, Neither have found one. Hence, a little fluoride, a little damage. As is the case for lead and mercury. If your organization (Valley Water, Palo Alto, or Mountian View) continues to deliver fluoridated water, I wouldlike you to notify your customers of the existence of risk and the lack of safety. If you choose not to do that , pleaseexplain to me why not. If there is some impediment to your doing so, please start the argument with whoever provides the impediment and explain the situation to me. Enough of false claims of water safety and ignoring science. Sincerely yours, Raymond R. White 2468 Whitney Drive Mountain View, CA 94043 rrweditha@yahoo.com Fluoride Science 2025 By 2022 one could refer to some 85 peer-reviewed, published papers, nine out of ten of which showed lower IQs in children whose mothers had been exposed to more, rather than less, fluoride. The review of fluoride by the National Toxicology Program was available in draft form, concluding that fluoride was a developmental neurotoxin in humans, but public health officials (Richard/Rachel Levine, undersecretary of Health and Human Services) were preventing its release in final form for political reasons. Well, the CDC wouldn’t want a formal report by actual scientists (toxicologists) stating that too much fluoride could interfere with human brain development, contradicting the CDC’s mendacious claim that water fluoridation was “safe” over about 70 years. That would tend to erode public trust in CDC leadership and honesty. Science, with some federal court help, has progressed awesomely in recent months. A case initiated in 2017, before federal judge Edward Chen, forced the release of the formal, final version of the report by the National Toxicology Program. You may download the entire monograph here: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/publications/monographs/mgraph08 The NTP report says to expect damage to children’s IQs at concentrations of 1.5ppm in fluoridated water. Water is supposed to have a concentration of 0.7ppm or less, but the public has other, variable, sources of fluoride and dosages by water are also variable. Testimony in the case has the CDC, FDA, EPA, and the suppliers of the chemicals that are used to fluoridate public water supplies admitting that they cannot provide a numerical concentration level for a safe level of fluoride in water supplies. Examining this (NTP) review of the science and other testimony, Judge Chen (Obama appointed) ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to produce regulations for fluoride in drinking water to eliminate the risk to child IQs. The full court ruling is here: https://fluoridealert.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Court-Ruling.pdf There are three quality published studies showing ADHD to double where water is fluoridated (Mexico City done by US scientists, Canada, and Los Angeles). Women intending to become pregnant or already pregnant should avoid fluoridated water, toothpaste with fluoride, and black, green, and rooibus teas, decaf or not. The CDC and other proponents of fluoridation have asserted with or without evidence that the treatment was “effective”. The Cochrane Collaboration confirmed an ~20% reduction in filled, missing, & damaged teeth in children (2015). An Oct. 4, 2024 review by the Cochrane Collaboration found a benefit of 4% in children. A UK study on adults shows a 2% benefit. The modest benefit (~20%) has vanished over time. The UK study also shows the gap between rich and poor to be the same whether water is fluoridated or is not. Mothers’ milk is nearly fluoride-free, but mothers’ blood delivers whatever her ingested concentration is to the fetus, where it freely circulates into the developing brain. There is one study of formula prepared with fluoridated water vs. with fluoride free water. It shows reduced IQ. Confirmation (or not) studies are needed. Fluoride is the most reactive element on the periodic table, hence it is nuts to think that it will confine its activities in the human body to strengthening tooth enamel, becoming part of bone, and accumulating as brain sand in the pineal gland. The FDA announced on Tuesday May 13, 2025 that it is starting the process to “remove concentrated ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for children from the market.” Utah and Florida (effective July 1, 2025) have banned water fluoridation. Until the EPA provides regulation for fluoride in water, the cautious thing to do for public health is to suspend adding fluoride to public water supplies. If, as a city or water provider, you are constrained by unscientific laws originating in Sacramento, you can send a letter of objection to responsible parties AND A NOTICE OF RISK TO ALL OF THOSE RECEIVING FLUORIDATED WATER THROUGH YOUR WORK/PIPES/ETC. Why not? Raymond R. White, Ph.D. rrweditha@yahoo.com References 1. Bashash et al. Prenatal Fluoride Exposure and Cognitive Outcomes in Children at 4 and 6-12 Years of Age in Mexico, Environmental health Perspectives, Sept. 19, 2017, https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/ehp655/ 2. Till et al. Community Water Fluoridation and Urinary Fluoride Concentrations in a National Sample of Pregnant Women in Canada, Environmental Health Oct. 10, 2018 https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP3546 3. Brian Bienkowski, We Add It to Drinking Water for Our Teeth - But is Fluoride Hurting Us? Environmental Health News, Oct 10, 2018 http://www.chn.org/we-add-it-to-drinking-water-for-our-teeth-but- is-fluoride-hurting-us-2611193177.htm1 4. Green et al., Association Between Maternal Fluoride Exposure Daring Pregnancy and IQ Scores in Offspring in Canada, Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics, Aug. 19, 2019 https://www.ncbi.nhn:nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6704756/ 5. Ben Guarino, "Study Raises Questions About Fluorite and Children's IQ," Washington Post, Aug. 20, 2019 https://www.washingtonpost_com/science/2019/08/19/study-raises-questio ns-about-fluoride-childrens-iq/ 6. Riddell et al., Association of Water Fluoride and Urinary Fluoride Concentrations with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Canadian Youth, Environment International, Dec. 2019 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412019315971?via %3Dihub 7. Bashash et al., Prenatal Fluoride Exposure and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms in Children at 6-12 Years of Age in Mexico City, Environment International, Dec. 2018 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412018311814?via %3Dihub 8: Malin et al., Exposure to Fluoridated Water and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Prevalence Among Children and Adolescents in the United States: An Ecological Association, Environmental Health, Feb. 27, 2015 https:/ /www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4389999/ 9. Till et al., Fluoride Exposure From Infant Formula and Child IQ in a Canadian Birth Cohort, Environment International, Jan. 2020 (first issued online in 2019) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/articie/pii/S0160412019326145?via% 3Dihub 10. National Toxicology Program, Draft NTP Monograph on the Systematic Review of the Fluoride Exposure and Neurodevelopmental and Cognitive Health Effects, Sept. 6, 2019 Released in final form by court order 2024. http:I/fluoridealert.org/wpcontent/uploads/2019.ntp_.draft-fluoride-systemsti c-revicw.Online-Oct-22.pdf The full formal report on fluoride by the National Toxicology Program is at: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/publications/monographs/mgraph08 A long court battle initiated by the Fluoride Action Network 2017-2024 resulted in Edward Chen, Federal judge, ordering the Env. Protection Agency to produce regulations for fluoride in drinking water to reduce risk to child IQs. Also sworn testimony of CDC, FDA, EPA, and providers of chemicals providing F to water that they do not know what the safe level of fluoride would be. 11. FAN Court Case Press Release IX-24-2024 https://fluoridealert.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/PDF2-TSCA-Victory-p ress-release-1.pdf 12. Full court ruling https://fluoridealert.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Court-Ruling.pdf 13. The Cochrane Coalition of Australia released a review X-4-2024 of literature, finding a decline of effectiveness of water fluoridation in children, to 4% vs the 18-25% previously being claimed. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010856.pu b3/full 14. The LOTUS study; UK effect of water fluoridation on adults (2% benefit); No more gain in poor vs rich where water is fluoridated vs not. Massive Government Study Finds Virtually No Benefit From Fluoridation. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://fluoridealert.o rg/wp-content/uploads/moore-2024.pdf 15. The CATFISH Study. Goodwin et al. 2022. Public Health Research. CWF less benefit than previously thought. https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/phr/SHMX1584#/full-report https://doi.org/10.3310/SHMX1584 16. Osmunson & Cole. 2024. Community Water Fluoridation a Cost–Benefit–Risk Consideration. Public Health Challenges 3: Analysis of cost of water fluoridation including dental fluorosis and developmental neurotoxicity. Net loss from CWF is estimated at $556 per person per year. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/puh2.70009 17. EPA announces expeditious review of water fluoridation: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-will-expeditiously-review-new-science- fluoride-drinking-water 18. CDC will cease recommending fluoridation of public water supplies: During his presentation, the HHS Secretary [RFK, Jr.] condemned fluoridation and called on state legislators to pass laws banning it, reflecting a major positive change within HHS leadership on this issue. April 7, 2025. From:Tran, Joanna To:testremera@valleywater.org; Board@valleywater.org; jvarela@valleywater.org; sballard@valleywater.org;rsantos@valleywater.org; jbeall@valleywater.org; nhsueh@valleywater.org; reisenberg@valleywater.org Cc:Council, City; "Melanie Richardson"; Shikada, Ed; Eggleston, Brad; McCarthy, Kimbra; Lisa.Au@mountainview.gov; Raymond.Wong@mountainview.gov; tony.tavares@dot.ca.gov; Margaret Bruce Subject:File #25-0424, Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program Proposed Process Improvements, Boardof Directors June 10, 2025 Agenda (City of Palo Alto) Date:Thursday, June 5, 2025 6:01:42 PM Attachments:06.05.25 Valley Water Letter.pdfimage001.pngimage002.pngimage003.pngimage004.pngimage006.pngimage007.pngimage008.png Dear Chair Estremera and Directors, On behalf of City Manager Ed Shikada, please see the attached letter for File #25-0424, Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program Proposed Process Improvements, Board of Directors June 10, 2025 Agenda. Thank you, Joanna Joanna Tran Executive Assistant to the City Manager Office of the City Manager (650) 329-2105 | joanna.tran@PaloAlto.gov www.PaloAlto.gov Cc: Melanie Richardson, Interim CEO, Valley Water Palo Alto City Council Kimbra McCarthy, City Manager, City of Mountain View Tony Tavares, Director, CalTrans Erik Alm, District Office Chief, Caltrans District 4 Lisa Au, Assistant Public Works Director, City of Mountain View Raymond Wong, Project Manager, City of Mountain View Margaret Bruce, Executive Director, San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority June 5, 2025 Subject: File #25-0424, Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program Proposed Process Improvements, Board of Directors June 10, 2025 Agenda Dear Chair Estremera and Directors, The City of Palo Alto appreciates the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors and staff for your efforts to address the City of Palo Alto’s February 2025 feedback regarding the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program. We commend and appreciate the proposed public engagement improvements which would extend public notice periods and offer a more structured and extended public hearing process. If adopted, these combined process improvements would enhance transparency and communication regarding future potential funding reallocations. In addition to Valley Water’s proposed public engagement process improvements, the City of Palo Alto respectfully requests that Valley Water consider including in the improved process two additional provisions: 1. That all affected agencies will be formally notiﬁed when funds affecting the agency or allocated for use within its boundaries are proposed for reallocation. 2. That notiﬁcations and the Board’s deliberations on the reallocation will include a staff analysis of: a. How original program commitments and anticipated community beneﬁts will be affected by the reallocation, and b. Mitigation strategies developed to address identiﬁed impacts. We believe these additions to the process improvements will enable stakeholders to provide informed input to the Board’s decisions, and further enhance Valley Water’s commitment to transparency, equity, and responsible stewardship of public resources. Thank you for your consideration of this recommendation. Respectfully submitted, Ed Shikada, City Manager City of Palo Alto Cc: Melanie Richardson, Interim CEO, Valley Water Palo Alto City Council Kimbra McCarthy, City Manager, City of Mountain View Tony Tavares, Director, CalTrans Erik Alm, District Office Chief, Caltrans District 4 Lisa Au, Assistant Public Works Director, City of Mountain View Raymond Wong, Project Manager, City of Mountain View Margaret Bruce, Executive Director, San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority From:Aram James To:Councilmember Chappie Jones; District10@sanjoseca.gov; District2@sanjoseca.gov; Sean Allen;District3@sanjoseca.gov; District4@sanjoseca.gov; District5@sanjoseca.gov; District9@sanjoseca.gov; The Officeof Mayor Matt Mahan; BoardOperations; Raj Jayadev; Jeff Rosen; Damon Silver; Rodriguez, Miguel; RaymondGoins; Jose Valle; San José Spotlight; Council, City; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com Subject:Re: Mahan’s policy proposal has been met with backlash from Santa Clara County leaders, who said it would result in “unnecessary and ineffective bookings” and divert already stretched public safety resources. Date:Thursday, June 5, 2025 1:52:57 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 12:43 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: On Thu, Jun 5, 2025 at 6:57 AM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:Mahan should experience life on the streets, time in jail, and navigate our overburdened court system before forcing his impractical proposal on the people of San Jose and thepeople of Santa Clara County. (comment by Aram James) Mahan’s policy proposal has been met with backlash from Santa Clara County leaders, who said it would result in “unnecessary and ineffective bookings” and divert already stretched public safety resources. Idea for arrests picks up support https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=4a19fa6c-8d91-46e4-8346-03c3a760e348&appcode=SAN252&eguid=ffd8dfbe-fd92-4082-bcb0- 6fbe30c368e6&pnum=2# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: From:Aram James To:Jeff Rosen; Diana Diamond; Dave Price; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Braden Cartwright; Lee, Craig;cromero@cityofepa.org; Jeff Hayden; Doug Minkler; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Friends of Cubberley; Palo AltoFree Press; Reifschneider, James; Enberg, Nicholas; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California DemocraticDelegate, Assembly District 23; dennis burns; Dennis Upton; Bill Newell; Human Relations Commission; VaraRamakrishnan; Pat M; Perron, Zachary; Zelkha, Mila; Zahra Billoo; Wagner, April; Don Austin; Donna Wallach;GRP-City Council; Liz Kniss; Gardener, Liz; Roberta Ahlquist; EPA Today; Mickie Winkler;Freddie.Quintana@sen.ca.gov; frances.Rothschild@jud.ca.gov; Dana St. George; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Rose Lynn;Rodriguez, Miguel; Daniel Kottke; Angel, David; Raymond Goins; Tom DuBois;assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Josh Becker; Salem Ajluni; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan;District10@sanjoseca.gov; District2@sanjoseca.gov; District3@sanjoseca.gov; District4@sanjoseca.gov;Councilmember Chappie Jones; District5@sanjoseca.gov; District9@sanjoseca.gov; ladoris cordell; Lait,Jonathan; Steve Wagstaffe; Council, City; Gerry Gras; Emily Mibach; Foley, Michael;<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Greg Tanaka; Templeton, Cari; Yolanda Conaway; Burt, Patrick; Holman,Karen (external); Jessica Speiser; Reckdahl, Keith; Sam Ho; Robert Salonga; Rowena Chiu; Gennady Sheyner;Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; h.etzko@gmail.com; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Robert Handa Cc:Jay Boyarsky; Baker, Rob; Sean Allen; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Damon Silver; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; DuJuan Green; Noel Sanborn; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Binder, Andrew; Sheree Roth; Marina Lopez; Lori Meyers; Cribbs, Anne; San José Spotlight; Drekmeier, Peter; Lotus Fong Subject:A 63-Year-Old Medical Worker Spent Three Months as a Human Shield for Israeli Brigades in Gaza Date:Thursday, June 5, 2025 11:24:29 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. June 5, 2025 Hi Jeff, ( Santa Clara County District Attorney, Jeff Rosen) This is what your IDF heroes are up toto (see article below). I think your clear allegiance to, in my view, these thugs' serial murders,baby killers, and war criminals is the nail in the coffin, the tipping point, re your obligation todeclare a conflict, recuse both yourself and your office from the Stanford 12 case. I know you may disagree with my assessment but I implore you to consider my perspective.Please consult with experts on ethics, the California statebar, etc., on this critical recusal issue.And despite our very different views, I continue to extend an invitation for you to call me.Alternatively, since you live in Los Altos and I live in Palo Alto we could meet at a localcoffee shop and have a principled conversation on the recusal issue and related matters. Best regards. Aram James ( See IDF DISCUSSION AT LINK BELOW) We felt like we couldn’t be anywhere else,” shared Hausner alumna Rachel Rosen (Class of2013) in describing her family’s visit to Israel in January. https://share.google/9SlM3r4qyrVkmyA4W A 63-Year-Old Medical Worker SpentThree Months as a Human Shield for anIsraeli Brigade in Gaza “They dressed me in military uniform, and asked me to search in homes forexplosives.” DROP SITE NEWS JUN 5 Israel’s rampant use of Palestinian civilians as human shields in Gaza and the West Bank is well documented. Reportedly known as the “mosquito protocol,” Israeli soldiers force Palestinians to inspect buildings, tunnels, and other sites. Israel has denied this practice, despite a growing body of evidence—including quotes from Israeli soldiers themselves, who say the practice is used, in part, to spare combat dogs from injury and death. In Gaza, Israel’s use of human shields has become ubiquitous. Yahya Al-Qassas risked his life to write the story you are about to read, entering a displacement zone in Khan Younis to interview Jameel al-Masri, a 63-year-old Palestinian man who was forced to be a human shield for three months. The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment. Drop Site is reader supported. Support us by subscribing: Upgrade to paid Jameel Al-Masri held captive as a human shield for an Israeli brigade. Photo obtained by Younis Tirawi. Story by Yahya Al-Qassas KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA—In October of 2024, 63-year-old Jameel Al-Masri, a Palestinian man from Beit Hanoun, was working on the staff of Indonesian Hospital while the Israeli military was carrying out what was known as “the Generals’ Plan,” an effort to depopulate major swaths of Gaza. His job was to help move patients and families through the hospital as safely as possible, a task that went from difficult to impossible as Israel began attacking the area around the hospital in mid-October. Jameel fled with his family to El- Fawka school, seeking refuge. But it didn’t matter. Israeli troops came days later, besieged the school, and ordered everyone south. Jameel al-Masri following his release. Provided by the al- Masri family. “I am a hospital employee that gets his salary from the Palestinian Authority and don’t even work for the government in Gaza. Previously I worked for decades in Israel and spoke Hebrew. I have nothing to do with politics.” Near the UN supply center, Israeli soldiers set up a checkpoint and began rounding up all the men in fives. Jameel was among them. While waiting near a detention center, a soldier shouted: “Who knows Hebrew?” Jameel noticed two women had also been abducted and assumed they needed a translator. He stepped forward. “I do.” That moment changed everything. Soldiers with Israel’s Givati Brigade pulled him aside and interrogated him about his Hebrew. He told them he’d worked in Israel for over 30 years. They blindfolded him and threw him into an armored personnel carrier, an APC. No charges. No explanation. When the blindfold came off, he got his first glimpse of a man he had been lying on top of, held like cargo on the floor. They stayed like that for a full day. Jameel still remembers his name: Wael AbdelLatif Abo Amsha. The next day, soldiers told them: “You’re going to help us get people out of the schools. It’s a two-day job, then you’ll go home. You don’t have anything on you in our system.” They dressed him in a vest. He complied, as he did not have any other choice. The soldiers had lied to him: months of torment were ahead. A week passed. No release. Only beatings, shouting, humiliation, and filth thrown at them. “We need to empty all the schools,” they said. “You will stay here and then go home.” The first school Jameel was forced to clear out was in Beit Hanoun. He was ordered to head to the school, put the displaced civilians in lines and move them out. Then came something else. Soldiers would force him to enter destroyed and burned-out homes – alone. The APC door would open and he would be told to get out—dressed in an IDF uniform—and search inside. A drone hovered over him, emitting a voice that directed him where to go. Once he cleared the home, the drone filmed everything. Then soldiers stormed in, planted explosives on the support pillars, and later blew up the house. That was the cycle. Again and again. House after house. The military unit changed every month, but Jameel stayed. Three different units. He was their tool. Every week or two, he was dragged back into the field. Jameel Al-Masri (third from right) inside an armored personnel with Israeli soldiers as he is held held captive as a human shield. Photo obtained by Younis Tirawi. Jameel was sick. He had heart problems, had undergone stent placement, and was often short of breath. Eventually, they realized he couldn’t keep up, and used him less and less over the three months of his abduction. One night, when a unit was preparing to leave, they shouted at him as he lay on the stairs, weapons drawn. They ordered him to clean their kitchen. He thought he was finally going home. Instead, they sat him down and resumed their game, asking about his Hebrew. One of them loaded his weapon behind him, pointing it at his head, playing around, laughing. “I didn’t care. I don’t know what’s on their mind. I was waiting every day for the ceasefire to go home.” Every few days they repeated the same promise: “Don’t worry. One week or ten days and you’ll go home.” Meanwhile, he was fed one piece of bread and a single can of tuna per day. During the first week, they gave him nothing. I asked Jameel about his conditions. He didn’t hesitate: “Sleep was very, very hard. You sleep on the stairs and floor.” Weapons pointed at his face, constantly. Orders barked. Sent into dangerous ruins, alone, following a drone. No protection. No dignity. No choice. Did the army give him anything for protection? “They would dress me in a vest and give me a military uniform.” He asked them why. “Because we don’t want the drone above you to shoot you.” The soldiers were young. Barely in their twenties. They spoke broken Arabic. Names he remembers: Sion, Dany, Ido, Benjamin. Jameel recounts another night: he was lying down when a soldier jumped on him, weapon aimed. “You have 2 minutes to get ready.” Jameel was sent to scan homes in Jabaliya. If he took too long, hesitated, or moved too slowly from sheer exhaustion, the soldiers cursed him, kicked him, and beat him without warning. “Son of a bitch.” “What a dog.” He saw corpses on the streets. Another time, soldiers ordered him to clean the kitchen. One pointed a machine gun at him while the other filmed. They threatened him, saying: “Now it’s your time.” Then they laughed and said it was a joke. It wasn’t the first time. Another unit had done the same thing. “But at least I thought they won’t kill me inside the room. Maybe outside. They don’t want blood where they sleep. They’re afraid of blood and bodies.” Jameel had to ask for permission to use the bathroom. The humiliation was constant. And the accusations too. “You did October 7, you handed out candies.” Jameel answered: “What do I have to do with that? Nothing. I go every day to work and back.” But the soldier replied: “No! It’s all of you. You were all silent. They told me. They didn’t care. They weren’t asking. They were provoking.” Even among themselves, they were violent. Jameel heard them shouting, mocking, bragging. Talking casually about killing. “I sniped this guy.” “I shot like that.” He heard soldiers talk about their post-service trips to Thailand, to the UK, about Trump, about a ceasefire so they could go home. He remembers soldiers speaking about an incident in which one of their colleagues died after playing with a grenade in Jabaliya. “I am very psychologically impacted.” His family lived in agony. “They thought I was killed. They didn’t inform them of where I was. If it wasn’t for a guy I evacuated from a school during my mission to tell my family I was okay, they would have thought I was dead.” Jameel Al-Masri was released on January 20, 2025, the first day of the ceasefire after being abducted on October 18, 2024 from Jabaliya Refugee Camp. Even when he returned to his family, he couldn’t believe it. “It took me an entire month to forget what I just went through. I would wake up and still think I was abducted.” He suffers from a prolapsed disc due to the beatings by soldiers. He was deprived of his medication for high blood pressure. After release, doctors found narrowed arteries. He’s on meds now, and physically better. But his mind is still in captivity. Following his release, Al-Masri remained in Khan Younis despite orders to leave. His family did not find another place to stay and cannot afford a tent. There are now sheltering in a school. Younis Tirawi and Maira Pinheiro contributed reporting. Share Upgrade to paid Become a Drop Site News PaidSubscriber Drop Site News is reader-supported. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber today. Upgrade to paid A paid subscription gets you: 15% off Drop Site store Access to our Discord, subscriber-only AMAs, chats, and invites to events, both virtual and IRL Post comments and join the community The knowledge you are supporting independent media making the lives of the powerful miserable You can also now find us on podcast platforms and on Facebook, Twitter, Bluesky, Telegram, and YouTube. LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Drop Site News, Inc.Drop Site News Inc., 4315 50th St. NWSte 100 Unit #2560, Washington, DC 20016 Unsubscribe See IDF Discussion “We felt like we couldn’t be anywhere else,” shared Hausner alumna Rachel Rosen(Class of 2013) in describing her family’s visit to Israel in January. Best regards, Aram See below my earlier letter to Jeff Hi Jeff, Aram here. I hope you and your family are doing well. I will write more later. Given your long history of advocacy for the State of Israel, your Israeli citizenship, your recent handshake with Bibi, and your apparent antipathy towards thePalestinian people and their struggle for liberation, I believe it would be wise for you to recuse yourself and your office from the Stanford 12 Case. The optics ofthis situation are problematic for you. I agree with you that non-violent protest is protected by the First Amendment, and I also recognize that vandalism can be a crime. However, when property damageoccurs, even if it is substantial, to prevent a greater crime—such as genocide or the destruction of a culture—this vandalism may be excused. We can certainly debatethis matter, but I believe you are an honorable person, and with a bit of self- reflection, you will do the right thing.Please feel free to call me at any time to discuss this most critical matter. Best regards, Aram James P.S. Please correct me if I have any factual inaccuracies. If you are not an Israeli citizen, please inform me. Additionally, if you did not shake Bibi's hand during hisrecent visit to the Bay Area, kindly clarify that as well. “We felt like we couldn’t be anywhere else,” shared Hausner alumna Rachel Rosen (Class of 2013) in describing her family’s visit to Israel in January. Best regards, Aram https://share.google/9SlM3r4qyrVkmyA4W https://share.google/9SlM3r4qyrVkmyA4W Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Become a paid subscriber to gain access to our private Discord server, subscriber- only AMAs, chats, and invites to events. A 63-Year-Old Medical Worker SpentThree Months as a Human Shield foran Israeli Brigade in Gaza “They dressed me in military uniform, and asked me to search in homesfor explosives.” DROP SITE NEWS JUN 5 READ IN APP Israel’s rampant use of Palestinian civilians as human shields in Gaza and the West Bank is well documented. Reportedly known as the “mosquito protocol,” Israeli soldiers force Palestinians to inspect buildings, tunnels, and other sites. Israel has denied this practice, despite a growing body of evidence—including quotes from Israeli soldiers themselves, who say the practice is used, in part, to spare combat dogs from injury and death. In Gaza, Israel’s use of human shields has become ubiquitous. Yahya Al-Qassas risked his life to write the story you are about to read, entering a displacement zone in Khan Younis to interview Jameel al-Masri, a 63-year-old Palestinian man who was forced to be a human shield for three months. The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment. Drop Site is reader supported. Support us by subscribing: Upgrade to paid Jameel Al-Masri held captive as a human shield for an Israeli brigade. Photo obtained by Younis Tirawi. Story by Yahya Al-Qassas KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA—In October of 2024, 63-year-old Jameel Al-Masri, a Palestinian man from Beit Hanoun, was working on the staff of Indonesian Hospital while the Israeli military was carrying out what was known as “the Generals’ Plan,” an effort to depopulate major swaths of Gaza. His job was to help move patients and families through the hospital as safely as possible, a task that went from difficult to impossible as Israel began attacking the area around the hospital in mid-October. Jameel fled with his family to El-Fawka school, seeking refuge. But it didn’t matter. Israeli troops came days later, besieged the school, and ordered everyone south. Jameel al-Masri following his release. Provided by the al-Masri family. “I am a hospital employee that gets his salary from the Palestinian Authority and don’t even work for the government in Gaza. Previously I worked for decades in Israel and spoke Hebrew. I have nothing to do with politics.” Near the UN supply center, Israeli soldiers set up a checkpoint and began rounding up all the men in fives. Jameel was among them. While waiting near a detention center, a soldier shouted: “Who knows Hebrew?” Jameel noticed two women had also been abducted and assumed they needed a translator. He stepped forward. “I do.” That moment changed everything. Soldiers with Israel’s Givati Brigade pulled him aside and interrogated him about his Hebrew. He told them he’d worked in Israel for over 30 years. They blindfolded him and threw him into an armored personnel carrier, an APC. No charges. No explanation. When the blindfold came off, he got his first glimpse of a man he had been lying on top of, held like cargo on the floor. They stayed like that for a full day. Jameel still remembers his name: Wael AbdelLatif Abo Amsha. The next day, soldiers told them: “You’re going to help us get people out of the schools. It’s a two-day job, then you’ll go home. You don’t have anything on you in our system.” They dressed him in a vest. He complied, as he did not have any other choice. The soldiers had lied to him: months of torment were ahead. A week passed. No release. Only beatings, shouting, humiliation, and filth thrown at them. “We need to empty all the schools,” they said. “You will stay here and then go home.” The first school Jameel was forced to clear out was in Beit Hanoun. He was ordered to head to the school, put the displaced civilians in lines and move them out. Then came something else. Soldiers would force him to enter destroyed and burned-out homes – alone. The APC door would open and he would be told to get out—dressed in an IDF uniform—and search inside. A drone hovered over him, emitting a voice that directed him where to go. Once he cleared the home, the drone filmed everything. Then soldiers stormed in, planted explosives on the support pillars, and later blew up the house. That was the cycle. Again and again. House after house. The military unit changed every month, but Jameel stayed. Three different units. He was their tool. Every week or two, he was dragged back into the field. Jameel Al-Masri (third from right) inside an armored personnel with Israeli soldiers as he is held held captive as a human shield. Photo obtained by Younis Tirawi. Jameel was sick. He had heart problems, had undergone stent placement, and was often short of breath. Eventually, they realized he couldn’t keep up, and used him less and less over the three months of his abduction. One night, when a unit was preparing to leave, they shouted at him as he lay on the stairs, weapons drawn. They ordered him to clean their kitchen. He thought he was finally going home. Instead, they sat him down and resumed their game, asking about his Hebrew. One of them loaded his weapon behind him, pointing it at his head, playing around, laughing. “I didn’t care. I don’t know what’s on their mind. I was waiting every day for the ceasefire to go home.” Every few days they repeated the same promise: “Don’t worry. One week or ten days and you’ll go home.” Meanwhile, he was fed one piece of bread and a single can of tuna per day. During the first week, they gave him nothing. I asked Jameel about his conditions. He didn’t hesitate: “Sleep was very, very hard. You sleep on the stairs and floor.” Weapons pointed at his face, constantly. Orders barked. Sent into dangerous ruins, alone, following a drone. No protection. No dignity. No choice. Did the army give him anything for protection? “They would dress me in a vest and give me a military uniform.” He asked them why. “Because we don’t want the drone above you to shoot you.” The soldiers were young. Barely in their twenties. They spoke broken Arabic. Names he remembers: Sion, Dany, Ido, Benjamin. Jameel recounts another night: he was lying down when a soldier jumped on him, weapon aimed. “You have 2 minutes to get ready.” Jameel was sent to scan homes in Jabaliya. If he took too long, hesitated, or moved too slowly from sheer exhaustion, the soldiers cursed him, kicked him, and beat him without warning. “Son of a bitch.” “What a dog.” He saw corpses on the streets. Another time, soldiers ordered him to clean the kitchen. One pointed a machine gun at him while the other filmed. They threatened him, saying: “Now it’s your time.” Then they laughed and said it was a joke. It wasn’t the first time. Another unit had done the same thing. “But at least I thought they won’t kill me inside the room. Maybe outside. They don’t want blood where they sleep. They’re afraid of blood and bodies.” Jameel had to ask for permission to use the bathroom. The humiliation was constant. And the accusations too. “You did October 7, you handed out candies.” Jameel answered: “What do I have to do with that? Nothing. I go every day to work and back.” But the soldier replied: “No! It’s all of you. You were all silent. They told me. They didn’t care. They weren’t asking. They were provoking.” Even among themselves, they were violent. Jameel heard them shouting, mocking, bragging. Talking casually about killing. “I sniped this guy.” “I shot like that.” He heard soldiers talk about their post-service trips to Thailand, to the UK, about Trump, about a ceasefire so they could go home. He remembers soldiers speaking about an incident in which one of their colleagues died after playing with a grenade in Jabaliya. “I am very psychologically impacted.” His family lived in agony. “They thought I was killed. They didn’t inform them of where I was. If it wasn’t for a guy I evacuated from a school during my mission to tell my family I was okay, they would have thought I was dead.” Jameel Al-Masri was released on January 20, 2025, the first day of the ceasefire after being abducted on October 18, 2024 from Jabaliya Refugee Camp. Even when he returned to his family, he couldn’t believe it. “It took me an entire month to forget what I just went through. I would wake up and still think I was abducted.” He suffers from a prolapsed disc due to the beatings by soldiers. He was deprived of his medication for high blood pressure. After release, doctors found narrowed arteries. He’s on meds now, and physically better. But his mind is still in captivity. Following his release, Al-Masri remained in Khan Younis despite orders to leave. His family did not find another place to stay and cannot afford a tent. There are now sheltering in a school. Younis Tirawi and Maira Pinheiro contributed reporting. Share Upgrade to paid Become a Drop Site News Paid Subscriber Drop Site News is reader-supported. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber today. Upgrade to paid A paid subscription gets you: 15% off Drop Site store Access to our Discord, subscriber-only AMAs, chats, and invites to events, both virtual and IRL Post comments and join the community The knowledge you are supporting independent media making the lives of the powerful miserable You can also now find us on podcast platforms and on Facebook, Twitter, Bluesky, Telegram, and YouTube. LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Drop Site News, Inc.Drop Site News Inc., 4315 50th St. NWSte 100 Unit #2560, Washington, DC 20016 Unsubscribe From:matt@evolutionaryteams.com To:fridaysforfuturepaloalto@gmail.com; palo-alto@fridaysforfutureusa.org Subject:FFF Follow Up from May 30 (Week #177) Date:Thursday, June 5, 2025 10:29:37 AM Attachments:image003.png CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i Emma and team organized an amazing Defend Education and Research Rally at Stanford. We held our climate strike there in solidarity with this action. There wasan amazing lineup of speakers. Videos are forthcoming. For now, check out these two: Prof. Hakeem Jefferson: https://youtu.be/WLyH9JM8CF8Prof. Larry Diamond: https://youtu.be/OMI4myvS5jk Thanks, also, to Alfred Leung and Pro Bono Photo, for the fantastic coverage of the event. You can find all the images here:https://www.probonophoto.org/2025/30May25StanfordEducationResearch Thanks to the Raging Grannies for bringing their songs and theatrics to the event. It’s always fun playing along with the Grannies. And, a big thanks to all theorganizers and speakers who are courageously speaking up to defend education, research, vulnerable students, immigrants, and our democracy itself. You are all verymuch appreciated! Carol and the Stand Up for Science and Sanity team are preparing another rally this Friday in Lytton Plaza at which speakers will highlight the urgent need to protectand preserve Medicaid. Also, David C will speak to the need to preserve veterans’ rights and health care. The Mitchell Park Band will provide music after the rally.Thanks, Carol and all, for organizing this rally! Diane sent us an update on the Heat Pump Water Heater program. We’re making progress, slowly but surely. See update below. Thanks, Diane! David L checked in from France and reported that he plans to depart by e-bike from Paris in August and make his way to COP 30 in Brazil by e-bike and boat. Thanks,David, for being such a positive and courageous representative at COP. Bon voyage! Teddy forwarded a one-stop shop for all actions available to encourage legislators to pass the Make Polluters Pay bill. Find the toolkit here. Thanks, Teddy, forkeeping up the pressure! Mimi reports that SB540, the grid regionalization bill, cleared the Senate and is on the way to the house. Advocates David C and Sven will be pleased. Thanks, Mimi,for keeping us posted. The Tesla Takedown team is keeping up the energy at the Tesla showroom rallies. Likewise, the Bannering 101 teams continue to make thousands of vehicularimpressions along the 101 corridor. See details from both actions below. Thanks to both of these groups who are fighting to restore democracy in our country. Also,there is now a petition to encourage the City of Palo Alto to disengage with all Musk-controlled businesses. Please sign the petition here:https://www.mobilize.us/thewolves/event/794842/ There are multiple actions on No Kings Day, Saturday June 14. Indivisible Palo Alto Plus continues to organize the No Kings Democracy Fair at Rinconada Parkwith a march beforehand from Town & Country. There is also a 7-mile long demonstration from the Palo Alto Tesla showroom to the Sunnyvale Tesla showroomalong El Camino. Sign up for one or more of these actions! 7-Mile Protest on El Camino (6/24, Noon to 2PM)March from Town & Country to Rinconada Park (6/14, 2PM to 3PM)No Kings Democracy Fair at Rinconada Park (6/14, 3PM to 5PM) This Friday we meet at Lytton Plaza at 5PM for the Stand Up for Science and Sanity Rally. There will be no meeting in King Plaza at Noon. See you on thestreets! Keep Up the Fight! STAND UP! FIGHT BACK! Upcoming Events Friday, June 6, 5PM to 7PM: Stand up for Science and Sanity –– We meet at Lytton Plaza for the rally followed by a performance by Mitchell Park Band. https://www.scienceandsanity.org/ Every Wednesday, 4 to 6PM: Palo Alto Protests Elon Musk’s Illegal Government Takeover on Wednesdays at the Tesla Showroom, 4180 El Camino Real. This message needs your attentionSome Recipients have never replied to this person. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast https://www.mobilize.us/ipaplus/Every Saturday, Noon to 2PM, Tesla Showroom at Stanford Shopping Center: Palo Alto Protests Elon Musk’s Illegal Government Takeover. https://www.mobilize.us/ipaplus/Every Saturday, see link for time, Tesla Showroom, 4180 El Camino Real . Palo Alto Protests Elon Musk’s Illegal Government Takeover. https://www.mobilize.us/ipaplus/Friday, June 13, Noon to 1:00: Climate Strike! –– We meet at King Plaza in front of Palo Alto City Hall. 7-Mile Protest on El Camino (6/24, Noon to 2PM)March from Town & Country to Rinconada Park (6/14, 2PM to 3PM)No Kings Democracy Fair at Rinconada Park (6/14, 3PM to 5PM) Palo Alto City Meetings: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/City-Clerk/City-Meeting-Groups/Meeting-Agendas-and-Minutes Climate Community Center: https://climatecommunitycenter.org/ Peninsula Peace and Justice Center calendar: https://peaceandjustice.org/events-calendar/ Photos and Videos of Recent Actions Last week’s pictures by Alfred Leung with Pro Bono Photo: https://www.probonophoto.org/2025/30May25StanfordEducationResearch Prof. Hakeem Jefferson: https://youtu.be/WLyH9JM8CF8Prof. Larry Diamond: https://youtu.be/OMI4myvS5jk What We Are Reading/Watching/Listening to: U.S. Rep. Pramilla Jayapal has created Resistance Lab with resources and training for organizers. Check it out here: https://www.pramilaforcongress.com/the-resistance-lab Reporting by Democracy Now! here Commentary by The Majority Report: here Heat Pump Water Heater and Home Electrification Program Update As of:6/2 5/1 3/31 2/28 HPWH full-service interest list signups 1385 1364 1333 1323 Site assessment agreements (SAA) sent 1385 1364 1333 1323 Signed SAAs 1149 1127 1013 1093 Completed site assessments 1055 1040 1023 1013 Installations Total Full Service HPWHs installed 427 421 414 402 Total DIY HPWH installed 131 126 115 114 Total Emergency HPWH installations 22 19 19 18 Total HPWHs installed 580 566 548 534 Target Installations 1000 1000 1000 1000 Monthly Installation Rate Monthly Installation Rate 14 18 14 32 Target Monthly Installation Rate 83 83 83 83 Follow Fridays For Future Palo Alto: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fridaysforfuture_paloalto/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Fri4Future_PA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FridaysForFuturePaloAlto Email notifications of FFF Palo Alto events: https://mailchi.mp/c8c130127345/join-fridays-for-future-palo-alto You are receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in supporting climate action in Palo Alto. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please let me know. Matt Schlegel Schlegel Consulting 650-924-8923 Author: Teamwork 9.0 Website: evolutionaryteams.com YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCLkUMHuG4HVa831s9yeoZ5Q From:Aram James To:Lythcott-Haims, Julie Cc:Veenker, Vicki; Lu, George; Reckdahl, Keith; h.etzko@gmail.com; Lait, Jonathan; Shikada, Ed; Stump, Molly; Council, City; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; Yolanda Conaway; Don Austin; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Nash, Betsy; dcombs@menlopark.gov; city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; GRP-City Council; Gerry Gras; Dave Price; Dana St. George; Diana Diamond; Gennady Sheyner; EPA Today Subject:Builder’s remedy project near Los Gatos High approved despite safety concerns Date:Thursday, June 5, 2025 10:13:30 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Builder’s remedy project near Los Gatos High approved despite safety concerns Builder’s remedy project near Los Gatos High approved despite safety concerns – TheMercury News https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/04/builders-remedy-project-near-los-gatos-high-approved-despite-safety-concerns/ From:William M. Conlon To:Council, City; Fire Subject:Fire safety Date:Thursday, June 5, 2025 10:09:35 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i Dear Sir/Madam: I just became aware of a move to change the state building code to eliminate redundantstairwells. https://www.bdcnetwork.com/home/news/55277469/california-cities-preparing-code-changes-to- allow-single-stairwell-buildings-up-to-six-storiesEliminating an evacuation route may make a building more profitable for developers, butresidents will still pay the market rate. There is a reason we call them fire escapes! Having multiple means of egress is essential to savelives. And it is easy to imagine how a single stairwell could become unusable in an emergencydue to fire in the well or at its roof or ground egress, or due to blockage from earthquake,improper use of the well to store or move large items, or for access duringconstruction/remodeling. I encourage the City to participate in building code processes to protect our citizens and toregister objections with the State Fire Marshall and legislators. Should single stairwells becomeallowed, I would encourage the City to establish additional requirements on the construction andoperation of such buildings, including more frequent inspections (paid by the owner) andsubstantial fines for non-compliance. These additional requirements might discourage theconstruction of such dwellings within Palo Alto, or at least reduce the likelihood of a tragedy. Codes and Standards have been paid for with the lives of people, including first responders, andback-sliding on fire safety is insidious and evil. Regards, William M. Conlon, P.E., Ph.D. Consulting Engineer This message needs your attention No employee in your company has ever replied to this person. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast From:Aram James To:Council, City; editor@paweekly.com; Dave Price; EPA Today; h.etzko@gmail.com; Binder, Andrew; Sean Allen;Baker, Rob; Jeff Rosen Subject:Glendale jail is holding ICE detainees, an outlier in California, as immigration arrests rise Date:Thursday, June 5, 2025 7:46:47 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Glendale jail is holding ICE detainees, an outlier in California, as immigration arrests rise https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-05/glendale-city-jail-ice-detainees-holding From:Aram James To:Sean Allen; Pat M; sharon jackson; Rose Lynn Cc:Veenker, Vicki; Council, City; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Gardener, Liz; EPA Today; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Bains, Paul; DuJuan Green; ladoris cordell; Tom DuBois; Holman, Karen (external); dennis burns; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Foley, Michael; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Raymond Goins; Templeton, Cari; Sheriff Transparency; roberta ahlquist; Dave Price; Emily Mibach; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Gennady Sheyner; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Perron, Zachary; Lee, Craig; cromero@cityofepa.org; rabrica@cityofepa.org; city.council@menlopark.gov; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky Subject:Commentary: As Trump fights diversity, this Black lawmaker is making history in Marin County Date:Thursday, June 5, 2025 7:36:17 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Commentary: As Trump fights diversity, this Black lawmaker is making history in MarinCounty https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2025-06-05/marin-county-first-black-supervisor-brian-colbert-trump-anti-diversity-equity-inclusion From:Aram James To:assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov Cc:Josh Becker; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Veenker, Vicki; Diana Diamond; Dave Price; Bains, Paul; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Sean Allen; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; District2@sanjoseca.gov; District10@sanjoseca.gov; District3@sanjoseca.gov; board@pausd.org; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen; dennis burns; District4@sanjoseca.gov; District5@sanjoseca.gov; District9@sanjoseca.gov; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Human Relations Commission; Reifschneider, James; Binder, Andrew; Lauing, Ed; editor@paweekly.com; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Don Austin; Council, City; city.council@menlopark.gov; GRP-City Council; EPA Today; cromero@cityofepa.org; Raymond Goins; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Burt, Patrick; Gerry Gras; Dana St. George Subject:Unknownci to her at the time, Minasian’s doctor was a participant in the previous diversion program. Years later,after “multiple acts of dishonesty,” according to the medical board, and two convictions of driving under theinfluence of alcohol, his li... Date:Thursday, June 5, 2025 7:12:55 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Unknown to her at the time, Minasian’s doctor was a participant in the previous diversionprogram. Years later, after “multiple acts of dishonesty,” according is to the medical board,and two convictions of driving under the influence of alcohol, his license was suspended andultimately revoked. Complications from the surgery led her on a decades-long road of organizing and advocacy. In May she was back at the board’s meeting, nearly 20 years later, once again testifying about the ways in which she and others were harmed. Bill calls for doctor treatment programhttps://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=148d6845-5e1f-456d-b673-57f35eb5d1d4&appcode=SAN252&eguid=ffd8dfbe-fd92-4082-bcb0-6fbe30c368e6&pnum=4# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: From:Aram James To:Veenker, Vicki; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Vicki Veenker; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for CaliforniaDemocratic Delegate, Assembly District 23 Cc:assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Zelkha, Mila; Emily Mibach; Josh Becker; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen; Human Relations Commission; h.etzko@gmail.com; Council, City; GRP-City Council; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Tim James; Marina Lopez; Barberini, Christopher; chuck jagoda; Nash, Betsy; dcombs@menlopark.gov; Jeff Conrad; city.council@menlopark.gov; Perron, Zachary; Pat M; Sean Allen; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Roberta Ahlquist; Rose Lynn; Vara Ramakrishnan; Burt, Patrick; Palo Alto Free Press; Patrice Ventresca; Friends of Cubberley; editor@paweekly.com; Ed Lauing; Reckdahl, Keith; Yolanda Conaway; Don Austin; EPA Today; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Foley, Michael; Lotus Fong; Bill Newell; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; Donna Wallach; Doug Minkler; Enberg, Nicholas; dennis burns; Dennis Upton; DuJuan Green; Mickie Winkler; Tom DuBois; Holman, Karen (external); Wagner, April; Afanasiev, Alex; Rodriguez, Miguel; Gennady Sheyner; Sheree Roth; Lori Meyers; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov Subject:How the FBI Sought a Warrant to Search Instagram of Columbia Student Protesters Date:Thursday, June 5, 2025 6:16:44 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. How FBI Sought Warrant for Columbia Student Protester Instagram The people will not stand for Columbia University’s shameless complicity ingenocide!” https://theintercept.com/2025/06/04/fbi-columbia-gaza-warrant-instagram/ From:Aram James To:Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Zelkha, Mila;assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Josh Becker; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen; josh@joshsalcman.com;Perron, Zachary; Binder, Andrew; DuJuan Green; dennis burns; board@pausd.org; Nash, Betsy;dcombs@menlopark.gov; Human Relations Commission; Council, City; GRP-City Council;planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; BoardOperations Subject:Re: Stop U.S. aid to Israel ( 1988) by Poster maker Doug Minkler Date:Thursday, June 5, 2025 12:09:23 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 11:33 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: From:Aram James To:Jeff Rosen; Council, City; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Jessica Speiser, EducationalLeader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Jay Boyarsky; Nash, Betsy; GRP-City Council;city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov Subject:Re: Stop U.S. Aid to Israel ( poster by D. Minkler 1988) Date:Wednesday, June 4, 2025 11:20:40 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. what worries me so much, Aram, is Congress' failure over 75+ years to see the light. 911 should have been the wake-up call but was not noticed as such. Now they keep aiding Israel and failing to stop Trump. Let me know if u pick up any clues as to sinister powers, such as $$$$$$$, that are controlling the Congress. God bless your grrreat work! On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:Hi Linda, It’s great to hear from you! I agree that it would be remarkable to reduce the influence ofpowerful Israeli lobbies in our country, especially considering that Jewish individuals makeup only slightly more than 2% of the U.S. population. Many people say that Congress is like"Israeli-occupied territory," and the same can be said for many local city councils. Theongoing brutality and genocide of the Palestinian people is shocking, especially since ourtax dollars support it. It’s disheartening. We must continue to speak out and say, "No more!Not in our names and not with our tax dollars!" Thanks for reaching out, Aram On Monday, June 2, 2025 at 03:31:43 PM PDT, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: From:SEPTA in Palo Alto To:Council, City Cc:SEPTA in Palo Alto Subject:Proposed Budget and Request of Grant – Palo Alto Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Date:Wednesday, June 4, 2025 8:12:00 PM Attachments:FY 26 PA SEPTA BUDGET PLAN for Social Skill Buidling .pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i June 4, 2025 To: Palo Alto City Council Policy and Services Committee Subject: Request for FY2026 Non Profit Partnership Workplan Grant – Palo Alto Special Education PTA (SEPTA) Dear Members of the Policy and Services Committee, On behalf of the Palo Alto Special Education PTA (SEPTA), I respectfully submit this letter to provide key context in support of our Grant application and to attach our proposed budget, which was unintentionally omitted from our original submission due to the limited time available. Our organization, newly chartered this year, is a parent-and-teacher-led nonprofit serving children and youth with disabilities and their families across communities in Palo Alto. We operate under the California State PTA's mission to positively impact the lives of all children and families. Our work spans all grade levels and school sites, supporting accessible programming, parent education, and community engagement. We are requesting a $5,000 grant to support our Social Skills Development Program, which will use the evidence-based PEERS® curriculum (developed in UCLA in 2004-2005) and structured community-based buddy meetups to promote real-world friendships, confidence, and peer connection for neurodiverse youth. Over 1,100 PAUSD students receive special education services, and many face barriers to participating in youth programs—especially underserved communities, such as Latino families, who make up over 30% of this population. This message needs your attention This is a personal email address. This is their first mail to some recipients. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast This program directly supports the City's 2025 Council Priorities—particularly youth well- being, equity, and inclusion. As a new organization, this grant represents seed funding for piloting critical programs and demonstrating our capacity. We also play a unique role as a nonprofit partner to the Palo Alto Council of PTAs' Special Education Committee, providing support and mentorship to Special Education and Inclusion Representatives at every school site. Our work also continues the legacy of local, citizen-led grassroots efforts acknowledged in the City’s FY2026 ProposeOperating Budget (page 208), including partnerships that co- hosted the 2025 Inclusive Resource Fair alongside the Community Services Department and PAUSD. We thank you for your consideration and respectfully urge the Committee to recommend approval of our proposal. Sincerely, Rika Yamamoto , President Bryan Baker, Fundraising Committee Chair Palo Alto Special Education PTA 5 ATTACHMENT 2: FY 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026) Proposed Budget Add any addi=onal program budget sheet(s) here, as needed. FY2026 Total Program Expense Budget Total Program Expense Budget for Requested Funding Program Name: Salaries Insurance Audit Rent & U=li=es Maintenance/Repair Phone Consultants Staﬀ Development & Training Travel & Mee=ngs Informa=on Technology Equipment Oﬃce Supplies & Materials Prin=ng & Publishing Direct Services Direct Subsidy Other- Other- Total Social Skill Building Program (instructor) * * Materials- Activity materials, refreshments, and accessibility accommodations (e.g., sensory supports, visual aids) Facility fee * *Direct Service (Instructor ) - Instructor for the PEERS Based social skill program will be paid by the sessionfee paid by the participants per hourly rate of $20.00 per participant. ( Financial Aids) $1,000.00 $2,000.00 $150.00 $650.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $0.00 $650.00 $850.00 $1,500.00 * * Consultants - For Social Buddy Meet Ups , Highschool Peer Mentor Coaching and Program Advisorby Credentialed provider * * Facility Fee- Applied to the City Cosponsorship program, if approved, we expect to cover left over $1,150.00with the facility available through the Cosponsorship. $6,300.00 $5,000.00 This proposed budget is submitted as part of a grant application process and reflects a preliminary plan for the Social Skill Building Program for FY2026. As required by the Bylaws of the Palo Alto Special Education PTA (PA SEPTA), all PTA budgets must be approved by the general membership at the beginning of the fiscal year. Therefore, this budget should be considered a draft and is subject to formal approval by PA SEPTA membership in accordance with our bylaws. No expenditures will be made until the budget is officially adopted. From:Julius Smith To:Council, City Subject:Parking for San Antonio projects IS DEFINITELY NEEDED Date:Wednesday, June 4, 2025 2:14:30 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i Greetings, I have lived more than 30 years at 4360 Miller Ave in Palo Alto, and I wanted to give yousome observational data: Over the past few years, the number of non-resident cars parking along Miller Ave. has very much increased, while the neighborhood population has been stable.We are a full 10 minute walk from San Antonio (a block north of Del Medio), but people are clearly being forced to park this far away.These new parked cars can be a nuisance, especially when they double up and partially block our driveway.It becomes difficult to place the garbage and recycling bins without blocking our own driveway.Visitors often have to block a few doors down, etc. This is all just to say YES, DEVELOPMENTS NEED TO INCLUDE THEIR OWN PARKING, AND IDEALLY A BIT MORE THAN THAT.It's the reality. Thanks for your attention, Julius -- Julius O. Smith III <jos@ccrma.stanford.edu> Professor Emeritus of Music and by courtesy Electrical EngineeringCCRMA, Stanford University http://ccrma.stanford.edu/~jos/ This message needs your attention This is their first email to your company. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast From:Aram James To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; h.etzko@gmail.com; Stump, Molly; Figueroa, Eric;<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Emily Mibach; Diana Diamond; Gennady Sheyner; editor@paweekly.com;Enberg, Nicholas; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; EPA Today; Raymond Goins; Human RelationsCommission; Sean Allen; Pat M; Baker, Rob; Robert. Jonsen; Andre Jimenez; Jeff Conrad; Lee, Craig Subject:San Jose approves $620K settlement for 2020 George Floyd protest injuries Date:Tuesday, June 3, 2025 6:56:51 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. San Jose approves $620K settlement for George Floyd protest injuries https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/03/san-jose-george-floyd-protest-injuries-settlement/ From:Utsav Gupta To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Burt, Patrick; Reckdahl, Keith; Council, City Cc:Nose, Kiely; Kurotori, Alan; Clerk, City Subject:Finance Committee - Comments re Fiber Rates Date:Tuesday, June 3, 2025 4:15:10 PM Attachments:2025-06-03_Fiber Finance Committe Comments.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Finance Committee, These comments address the proposed fiber rates that were approved by the Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC). While I currently serve as a commissioner on the UAC, the viewsexpressed here are my personal comments and do not reflect the position or opinions of the Commission. Internet service is the utility of our day. It is as essential a service like power or water. Anddespite being the birthplace of the Silicon Valley, Palo Alto has lagged in providing modern internet services to its community. Expanding our dark fiber network to residents strategicallyaligns with grid modernization and fiber backbone upgrades, making it both a prudent use of our fiber fund and a logical step toward maintaining Palo Alto's reputation as a forward-looking city. • Palo Alto Residential Fiber is an excellent and the legally certain way to return thesurplus fiber funds from the sales of our dark fiber to our residents. This fiber fundaccumulated a $34 million surplus by 2022. Those reserves are now being re-invested to expand the network to homes and businesses. Using the surplus on fiber itself is the mostlegally certain use due to the potential restrictions on those funds pursuant to Prop. 26. This dovetails nicely with the City’s need to invest in its fiber backbone, which has reached end ofcapacity, and is a large portion of the cost. And it’s projected to save the community $15million in internet spending over just 10 years. The fees for the service stay local and dollarsare reinvested in local infrastructure. • The only valid data source from the FCC estimates that at most 45 % of Palo Altoresidences have access to fiber, much which is likely from AT&T. This is the only dataset inwhich providers are legally accountable, and even this number is likely inflated because it is self-reported by providers and requires challenges to show that a provider’s service claim waswrong. • Residential fiber is structured to remain financially sustainable. Council explicitly chose a phased buildout that avoids incurring new debt in a first phase. This prudent approach meansthe city will build initial fiber zones with cash on hand. A market survey indicated an expected take rate of roughly 37-42% of households, which is well above the ~30% subscription levelneeded for the network to recover costs. The city already has collected over 700 deposits of $50 each from interested residents. Even during the buildout, the venture is not draining theCity’s general fund – it’s drawing on dedicated fiber reserves and aligning construction with the electric grid upgrade for cost efficiency. • The proposed rates are maximums structured to provide our staff flexibility to test differentpricing strategies during the phase 1. Palo Alto fiber pricing will be competitively priced. In sum, expanding Palo Alto’s fiber services to include fiber to the home is a smart (and perhaps the only legally sound) way to invest those funds right back into the pockets of PaloAlto residents and businesses, while saving them millions of dollars in service costs while also providing them superior, modern internet service. That’s a rare win-win-win. Respectfully submitted,Utsav Gupta Page 1 of 2 Palo Gas Fiber Comments June 3, 2025 Utsav Gupta Members of the Finance Committee, These comments address the proposed ﬁber rates that were approved by the Utilities Advi- sory Commission (UAC). While I currently serve as a commissioner on the UAC, the views expressed here are my personal comments and do not reﬂect the position or opinions of the Commission. RESIDENTIAL FIBER IS A SOUND STRATEGY THAT INVESTS OUR FIBER FUND BACK DI- RECTLY IN PALO ALTO RESIDENTS Internet service is the utility of our day. It is as essential a service like power or water. And despite being the birthplace of the Silicon Valley, Palo Alto has lagged in providing modern internet services to its community. Expanding our dark ﬁber network to residents strategi- cally aligns with grid modernization and ﬁber backbone upgrades, making it both a prudent use of our ﬁber fund and a logical step toward maintaining Palo Alto's reputation as a for- ward-looking city. - Palo Alto Residential Fiber is an excellent and the legally certain way to return the surplus ﬁber funds from the sales of our dark ﬁber to our residents. This ﬁber fund accumulated a $34 million surplus by 2022.1 Those reserves are now being re- invested to expand the network to homes and businesses. Id. Using the surplus on ﬁber itself is the most legally certain use due to the potential restrictions on those funds pursuant to Prop. 26. Id. This dovetails nicely with the City’s need to invest in its ﬁber backbone, which has reached end of capacity, and is a large portion of the cost. Id. And it’s projected to save the community $15 million in internet spending over just 10 years. Id. The fees for the service stay local and dollars are reinvested in local infrastructure. Id. - The only valid data source from the FCC estimates that at most 45 % of Palo Alto residences have access to ﬁber,2 much which is likely from AT&T. This is the only dataset in which providers are legally accountable, and even this number is likely 1 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/ﬁles/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/item-presenta- tions/2022/20221219/20221219pptccsm-item-20.pdf 2 Fixed Broadband Summary by Geography – Census Place by the FCC, spreadsheet dated April 29, 2025 Page 2 of 2 inﬂated because it is self-reported by providers and requires challenges to show that a provider’s service claim was wrong. - Residential ﬁber is structured to remain ﬁnancially sustainable. Council explicitly chose a phased buildout that avoids incurring new debt in a ﬁrst phase. This prudent approach means the city will build initial ﬁber zones with cash on hand. A market sur- vey indicated an expected take rate of roughly 37-42% of households, which is well above the ~30% subscription level needed for the network to recover costs.3 The city already has collected over 700 deposits of $50 each from interested residents. Id. Even during the buildout, the venture is not draining the City’s’ general fund – it’s drawing on dedicated ﬁber reserves and aligning construction with the electric grid upgrade for cost eXiciency. - The proposed rates are maximums structured to provide our staX ﬂexibility to test dif- ferent pricing strategies during the phase 1. Palo Alto ﬁber pricing will be competi- tively priced. In sum, expanding Palo Alto’s ﬁber services to include ﬁber to the home is a smart (and per- haps the only legally sound) way to invest those funds right back into the pockets of Palo Alto residents and businesses, while saving them millions of dollars in service costs while also providing them superior, modern internet service. That’s a rare win-win-win. Thank you for your service to our community. Respectfully Submitted, Utsav Gupta Palo Alto Resident UAC Commissioner (speaking in personal capacity) 3 Footnote 1. From:Mark Shull To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed Subject:School Children Riding on Middlefield Date:Tuesday, June 3, 2025 3:38:40 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i I took this picture today at about 2:00. It is the Southeast corner of Middlefield and Oregon expressway. They were riding north on Middlefield. I think it better reflects the reality of where people ride than the assumptions lastnight. There are a number of these locations on Middlefield that, given geographic and man-made limits to Palo Alto's road network, drive riders to Middlefield along some portions. City staff knows where these are. It disturbed me that some council members discounted the need to make these known segments safer, when the reality is that they are used, and not just by "bike enthusiasts". I also found it hard to understand how putting bike lanes on Cambridge, which will involve removing street parking and improving the stop light crossing times at El Camino for Cambridge, will be an easier sell to the community than berms or periodic bollards to keep bikes and pedestrians separate on California. I left thinking the plan was not actually to turn Cambridge into a bike lane, but simply to ban bikes on the long-standing California bike path. Overall the meeting was extremely discouraging. Thanks, Mark Shull 2020 Tasso Street This message needs your attention No employee in your company has ever replied to this person. This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast These are school children using Middlefield south of Oregon From:Jessica Kellogg Cc:Jessica Kellogg Subject:Follow-Up: Invitation to Legislators’ Day – September 25, 2025 Date:Tuesday, June 3, 2025 1:31:47 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i Hello, I’m writing to follow up on our invitation sent in May regarding the Santa Clara County Superior Court’s 2025 Legislators’ Day, scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the Family Justice Center Courthouse in San Jose. We would be honored to have you join us for a portion or all of the day’s events. You'll observe key court proceedings, learn more about how the Court is addressing pressing community issues—from juvenile justice to mental health—and participate in a meaningful lunchtime dialogue between the judicial and legislative branches. To help us plan accordingly, we kindly ask that you register your attendance using the following link: https://sugeni.us/VFcm. If you’ve already registered, we look forward to welcoming you. If not, we’d greatly appreciate your response at your earliest convenience. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like to indicate specific areas of interest for your court visit. Thank you, Jessica Kellogg, MPP (pronouns she/her) Communications Program Manager Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara (408) 334-9236 | jkellogg@scscourt.org This message needs your attention The subject has non-English characters. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast From:CeCi Kettendorf To:Council, City Subject:Staffing for Fire Station 4 Date:Tuesday, June 3, 2025 12:24:03 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Council Members: I have continued to accept signatures on the petition to Council, asking for funding for 10firefighters at Fire Station 4. An increasing number of people have come by to sign, in the wake of the recent fire at the house here in south Palo Alto. The home was consumed in 15minutes. Thank goodness Fire Engine 64 was able to respond so quickly from FS4, as the fire had already scorched the home next door! We are grateful to have an engine again; we still want the assurance that cross staffing will not be used at FS4. We need the three firefighters in the engine to respond to a fire call at amoment's notice, anytime. We want what Stanford has: six firefighters RTC, never cross staffed. We are the bulk of the tax base, so we care little for the fact that Stanford contributes. To date, I have 1155 signatures on paper. There is an online petition also.Thank you for protecting the children of south Palo Alto. CeCi Kettendorf 3719 Grove AvenuePalo Alto, Ca. 94303 From:Aram James To:Tim James Cc:Lauing, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith; Vicki Veenker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Lotus Fong; LaDoris Cordell; Jeff Conrad; Human Relations Commission; h.etzko@gmail.com; Drekmeier, Peter; Tom DuBois; Gardener, Liz; Lait, Jonathan; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Ed Lauing; editor@paweekly.com; Dave Price; Don Austin; Doug Minkler; GRP-City Council; Bill Newell; Bill Johnson; EPA Today; Diana Diamond; Nash, Betsy; dcombs@menlopark.gov; Pat M; Marina Lopez; Cait James; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Yolanda Conaway; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; DuJuan Green; dennis burns; Dennis Upton; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Zelkha, Mila; Salem Ajluni; Council, City; Friends of Cubberley; Gennady Sheyner; Roberta Ahlquist; Sean Allen Subject:Re: "My tolerance with the American Jews" has "completely run out": Charlie Kirk Date:Tuesday, June 3, 2025 12:01:55 PM Attachments:image128822.png CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hi Tim, I most certainly read the article before I circulated it. I found the white wingers' viewinteresting and provocative and am glad for your feedback. Aram On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 7:58 AM Tim James <TJames@rsaplaw.com> wrote: Aram— As exciting as the headline apparently was for you, you should have taken a look at the articlebefore essentially adopting it as your own. When you do, you won’t be happy about what you signed onto. From: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 10:34 AM To: Lauing, Ed <Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; keith.Reckdahl@cityofpaloalto.org; Vicki Veenker <vicki.veenker@gmail.com>; Julie Lythcott-Haims <julieforpaloalto@gmail.com>; Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; LaDoris Cordell <ladoris.cordell@sanjoseca.gov>; Jeff Conrad <jeff_conrad@msn.com>; Human Relations Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Henry Etzkowitz <H.Etzko@gmail.com>; Peter Drekmeier <PDrekmeier@earthlink.net>; Tom DuBois <tom.dubois@gmail.com>; Liz Gardner <Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Lait, Jonathan <Jonathan.Lait@cityofpaloalto.org>; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23 <jessica@speiser.net>; Ed Lauing <elauing@equitysearchpartners.com>; editor@paweekly.com; Dave Price <price@padailypost.com>; Don Austin <daustin@pausd.org>; Doug Minkler <dminkler@dminkler.com>; GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; Bill Newell <billnewell2850@gmail.com>; Bill Johnson <Bjohnson@embarcaderopublishing.com>; EPA Today <epatoday@epatoday.org>; Diana Diamond <dianaLdiamond@gmail.com>; Nash, Betsy <BNash@menlopark.org>; dcombs@menlopark.gov; Pat M <p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Marina Lopez <marinalopez8@gmail.com>; Cait James <caitlin.a.james@gmail.com>; Tim James <TJames@rsaplaw.com>; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto <wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com> <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Binder, Andrew <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>; Reifschneider, James <james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>; Yolanda Conaway <yconaway@pausd.org>; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com <jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com>; DuJuan Green <dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; dennis burns <dennis.r.burns@gmail.com>; Dennis Upton <denkafer1@yahoo.com> Cc: Jeff Rosen <info@jeffrosen.org>; Jay Boyarsky <jboyarsky@dao.sccgov.org>; Josh Becker <becker.josh@gmail.com>; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg <supervisor.ellenberg@bos.sccgov.org>; Mila Zelkha <mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com>; CityCouncil <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Friends of Cubberley <friendsofcubberley94303@gmail.com>; Gennady Sheyner <gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; Roberta Ahlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com>; Sean Allen <sallen6444@yahoo.com> Subject: 'My tolerance with the American Jews' has 'completely run out': Charlie Kirk ' 'My tolerance with the American Jews' has 'completely run out': Charlie Kirk My tolerance with the American Jews' has 'completely run out': Charlie Kirk Source: Raw Story https://share.newsbreak.com/ddtbuird?s=i0 From:Aram James To:Jeff Rosen Cc:Jay Boyarsky; Gennady Sheyner; Council, City; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Gardener, Liz; Noel Sanborn; Lotus Fong; Roberta Ahlquist; San José Spotlight; Salem Ajluni; Sean Allen; Pat M; board@pausd.org; BoardOperations; board@valleywater.org; Yolanda Conaway; Emily Mibach; Dana St. George; Gerry Gras; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Doug Minkler; Zelkha, Mila; Lori Meyers; Sheree Roth; sharon jackson; Rose Lynn; Karen Holman; Drekmeier, Peter; Veenker, Vicki; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Raymond Goins; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Dave Price; editor@paweekly.com; Lauing, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith; Perron, Zachary; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Human Relations Commission; Friends of Cubberley; Burt, Patrick; DuJuan Green; dennis burns; h.etzko@gmail.com; Sameena Usman; Robert Salonga; Raj Jayadev; chuck jagoda; Charlotte Casey; Rodriguez, Miguel; Daniel Barton; Don Austin; yolanda; Diana Diamond; Dennis Upton; Bill Newell; Tom DuBois; Hans-Peter Tiemann; Nious, Kevin (NBCUniversal); Binder, Andrew; Robert Handa; Reifschneider, James; Barberini, Christopher; city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Clerk, City; Palo Alto Free Press; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Baker, Rob; Jay Boyarsky; EPA Today; cromero@cityofepa.org; Cribbs, Anne; Angel, David; Templeton, Cari; Braden Cartwright; Ed Lauing; Shikada, Ed; Stump, Molly; Freddie.Quintana@sen.ca.gov; Roberta Ahlquist; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Linda Jolley; Tim James; Marina Lopez; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Foley, Michael; Figueroa, Eric; Jensen, Eric; Afanasiev, Alex; Lee, Craig; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Rowena Chiu; Patrice Ventresca Subject:Should DA Jeff Rosen recuse his office from the Stanford 12 Case?You be the judge? Date:Tuesday, June 3, 2025 10:10:00 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hi Jeff, Aram here. I hope you and your family are doing well. I will write more later. Given your long history of advocacy for the State of Israel, your Israeli citizenship, yourrecent handshake with Bibi, and your apparent antipathy towards the Palestinian people and their struggle for liberation, I believe it would be wise for you to recuse yourself and youroffice from the Stanford 12 Case. The optics of this situation are problematic for you. I agree with you that non-violent protest is protected by the First Amendment, and I also recognize that vandalism can be a crime. However, when property damage occurs, even if it issubstantial, to prevent a greater crime—such as genocide or the destruction of a culture—this vandalism may be excused. We can certainly debate this matter, but I believe you are anhonorable person, and with a bit of self-reflection, you will do the right thing. Please feel free to call me at any time to discuss this most critical matter. Best regards, Aram James P.S. Please correct me if I have any factual inaccuracies. If you are not an Israeli citizen,please inform me. Additionally, if you did not shake Bibi's hand during his recent visit to the Bay Area, kindly clarify that as well. “We felt like we couldn’t be anywhere else,” shared Hausner alumna Rachel Rosen (Class of2013) in describing her family’s visit to Israel in January. Best regards, Aram https://share.google/9SlM3r4qyrVkmyA4W From:Aram James To:Reckdahl, Keith Cc:Josh Becker; Veenker, Vicki; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Gennady Sheyner; Dave Price; Jeff Conrad; Rosen, Jeff;Yolanda Conaway; Don Austin; Council, City; GRP-City Council; Lotus Fong; Roberta Ahlquist; Donna Wallach; Doug Minkler;WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Emily Mibach; Zelkha, Mila; Friends of Cubberley; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for CaliforniaDemocratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Jay Boyarsky; Foley, Michael; Karen Holman; Tom DuBois; Nash, Betsy;dcombs@menlopark.gov; Daniel Kottke; Drekmeier, Peter; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April Subject:Harvard Commencement Speakers: Despite Crackdown, “Students Will Keep Speaking Up” for Palestine Date:Tuesday, June 3, 2025 7:50:15 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links. https://www.democracynow.org/2025/6/2/university_protest_commencement_graduation_harvard_palestine From:Aram James To:Burt, Patrick; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; Veenker, Vicki; Gardener, Liz; Lotus Fong; Marina Lopez; CaitJames; Council, City; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Sean Allen; Raj Jayadev;Jose Valle; Donna Wallach; Jeff Conrad; EPA Today; GRP-City Council; city.council@menlopark.gov;citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Dave Price; Emily Mibach; Diana Diamond; DuJuan Green; dennis burns; DennisUpton; Rodriguez, Miguel; Damon Silver; Don Austin; Yolanda Conaway; Human Relations Commission; Shikada,Ed; Liz Kniss; chuck jagoda; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Roberta Ahlquist; Friends of Cubberley;Zelkha, Mila; Josh Becker; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, AssemblyDistrict 23; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Raymond Goins; Palo Alto Free Press;cromero@cityofepa.org; rabrica@cityofepa.org Subject:Some of them even know what they’re doing: Eugene Blackwell, who served time in a Colorado prison for robbery in the early 2000s, battled wildfires as part of an inmate firefighting crew. Over the past six years he’s lived in his white car parked on As... Date:Tuesday, June 3, 2025 7:21:48 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. The mayor of San Jose is an Ass-as he continues to criminalize the unhoused of San Jose. Some of them even know what they’re doing: Eugene Blackwell, who served time in a Colorado prison for robbery in the early 2000s, battled wildfires as part of an inmate firefighting crew. Over the past six years he’s lived in his white car parked on Asbury Street, he’s been training his neighbors. Homeless dig in to protect ‘community’ https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=3c5a47b3-3dae-4fba-8684-14b36789a0dc&appcode=SAN252&eguid=7218b39a-047b-4b12-9aef- 14e68629380a&pnum=1# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: From:Aram James To:Lauing, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith Cc:Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Josh Becker; board@pausd.org; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen; Jeff Conrad; Gennady Sheyner; Emily Mibach; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; EPA Today; Gardener, Liz; Human Relations Commission; h.etzko@gmail.com; Pat M; Sean Allen; Holman, Karen (external); Drekmeier, Peter; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Roberta Ahlquist; Rose Lynn; Sheree Roth; Lori Meyers; Nash, Betsy; dcombs@menlopark.gov; Council, City; city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; GRP-City Council; Diana Diamond; Dave Price; Angel, David; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Veenker, Vicki; Dana St. George; Gerry Gras; Cait James; Zelkha, Mila Subject:A sad sad situation ! Date:Tuesday, June 3, 2025 7:12:46 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Boulder attack victims up to 12https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=61aec0c0-20e6- 4cb4-9145-460bbfde8927&appcode=SAN252&eguid=7218b39a-047b-4b12-9aef-14e68629380a&pnum=2# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: From:Aram James To:Stone, Greer Cc:Council, City; Human Relations Commission; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Lotus Fong; Roberta Ahlquist; h.etzko@gmail.com; Marina Lopez; Pat M; Sean Allen; Cait James; Yolanda Conaway; Don Austin; Josie James- Le; Jose Valle Subject:Paz-Cedillos: We can’t change the world without changing how we lead Date:Tuesday, June 3, 2025 6:55:46 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. In our sector, that’s like setting a goal to improve youth mental health without rethinking yourafter-school curriculum, parent engagement or referral systems. The vision is there, but thescaffolding is missing. Paz-Cedillos: We can’t change the world without changing how we lead - San José Spotlight https://sanjosespotlight.com/paz-cedillos-we-cant-change-the-world-without-changing-how-we-lead/ From:D Martell To:Hoyt, George Cc:Jeff; Shikada, Ed; Lait, Jonathan; Reynolds, Brian; Hartley, Craig; Vargas-Aguilera, Elisa; Binder, Andrew; Gerhardt, Jodie; Lauing, Ed; Council, City Subject:for George Hoyt ... Roof Construction Begins June 2 to Eliminate Toxic MOLD at Lytton Gardens SeniorCommunities Date:Monday, June 2, 2025 10:32:08 PM Attachments:April - New Roofing starts June 2, 2025.pdfApril - Roofing+MOLD extraction starts June 2, 2025.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i George E. Hoyt, Chief Building Official Planning & Development Services City of Palo Alto Dear George, Good news .. Lytton Gardens in-house notices state roof construction is to begin June 2. (Seeattachments) Thank you for your intervention and efforts to save Lytton Gardens Senior Communitiesfrom extensive MOLD, and veer it off its certain path to total building destruction. Lytton Garden harbors toxic stinky MOLD, from the top 4th floor all the waydown throughout the bottom floor.If Lytton Gardens is red-tagged, they profit because HUD is obligated to cover thecost to tear down and rebuild, burdening taxpayers more than $150 milliondollars. You have not just helped save this historic building, you have helped save the lives andhealth of countless elderly, now and in the future, who call Lytton Gardens home. This message needs your attention This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast I appreciate your following my lead with your good start in rescuing Palo Alto'slargest classic Craftsman-style wood shingle building, with traditional forest- green wood trim. Craftsman-style homes reign the dominant style in north Palo Alto'sProfessorville neighborhood. Your former Planning & Development Services' colleague, retired Historic Preservation Planner Dennis Backlund states, "this building should have a lifespan of at least 100 to 150 years". Mr. Backlund shared with me that he is disgusted with management for their following behavior: Years of neglect to maintain our beautiful, historic building Greed to put profits before senior health Harsh and unrelenting retaliation against me, for taking action to stop this neglect Lytton Gardens has served me an eviction based on my"interfering with management" and having "an adversefinancial effect" on Lytton Gardens. Seriously, my life has turned into hellfire and damnation. My old and dear friend Mr. Backlund lives here in assisted living. Mr. Backlund is well into his 80s, too old to speak up, draw attention to himself, or deal with any conflict from management; he is scaredand busy dying. Built in the early 1970s, this building should never have been allowed to decline into such poor condition after only 50 years. Shame on management for not maintaining this beautiful, historic building, and allowing it to rot and become so very dilapidated !! Double shame management for torturing and threatening me for doing theright thing by reporting their negligence and "ratting the rats out" !! Most Sincerely,Danielle MartelldmPaloAlto@gmail.comResidentialist –⁠ Palo Alto City Council Candidate 2016 & 2005 From:Deborah Goldeen To:Council, City Cc:Fukuji, Bruce Subject:Bike"s on Cal Ave Date:Monday, June 2, 2025 9:22:59 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. The people who want to ban bikes on Cal Ave are the same people who are already working to try and block anapartment building at 414 (the bank building). This is about them wanting to feel comfortable. It has nothing to dowith supporting retail. I have confidence that the design team will come up with a good solution. I hope the city can find a way tocommunicate that to the obfusticators. From:Deborah Goldeen To:Star-Lack, Sylvia; Council, City Subject:Bikes on Cal Ave Date:Monday, June 2, 2025 9:08:39 PM Stanford has been contending with the same cyclists and pedestrians conflicts that we are seeing on Cal Ave for decades. They have recently instituted some creative and effective “street’ design to address that. Go bike around the campus, particularly around the quad and Tressider Union and find out for yourself. PS - 90% of the problems with bikes on Cal Ave is from class TWO electric bike/motorcycles. If there were no scooter and no class TWO electric assists, there wouldn't be a problem at all. From:Aram James To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; h.etzko@gmail.com; Gardener, Liz; Dave Price; Emily Mibach; Reckdahl, Keith; EdLauing; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23;board@pausd.org; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen; BoardOperations; Sean Allen; Pat M; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com;DuJuan Green; Stone, Greer; Burt, Patrick; Vara Ramakrishnan; Braden Cartwright; EPA Today;board@valleywater.org; Jay Boyarsky; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Tim James; Cait James; Marina Lopez;Diana Diamond; GRP-City Council; Bill Newell; Don Austin; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg;editor@almanacnews.com; editor@paweekly.com; Gennady Sheyner; cromero@cityofepa.org; Lewis james; JeffConrad; Salem Ajluni; Raymond Goins; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Barberini, Christopher; chuckjagoda; Tom DuBois; Drekmeier, Peter; Yolanda Conaway; yolanda; Dana St. George; Gerry Gras; Foley,Michael; Wagner, April; Baker, Rob; Lori Meyers; Sheree Roth Subject:Re: Zionist shit show Date:Monday, June 2, 2025 8:57:40 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. My notes in prep for tonight’s oral communication at the Palo Alto City Council On Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 7:18 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: 1. I would represent the defendant in the Boulder, Colorado, firebombing case in a minute, ( would want a younger team to assist), would domy best to get some stealth jurors who supported the Palestinian cause, and raise all the political defenses in the book. Flip the script and put Israel on trial for its ongoing war crimes. One juror buys our defense a mistrial. Drivethe zionist crowd crazy with my super-aggressive defense. The Constitutionrequires me to be a zealous advocate with an undivided loyalty to my client. Free Palestine Jurors Welcome!!!!! Friend wrote last night - said the last thing we needed was the fire bomb incident : I wrote back: Ed Lauing’s Beth Am & Keith Reckdahl’s synagoguesjointly participate in a similar walk ( for the hostsgesas well) every Saturday per their websites. Some type of secret code system is sent to the participants to keep the location of the walks secret. These walks for thehostages are diabolical in my views as they neveraddress the US bombing of Gaza. The ongoing and relentless war crimes perpetrated by Israel with US weapons All Jews are at greater and greater risk of attacks bylone-wolf folks the longer the daily genocide continues. The Zionist wack jobs are putting me and all other Jews at greater risk. If the Zionists wanted anend to the ever growing anti-semitism instead of whining about being the only victims they would be shouting from the rooftops for an end to the genocide. Tomorrow’s city council meeting will no doubt be ashit show by the Zionists. From:Sven Thesen To:Council, City Subject:Put Ellen Fletcher in all biking documents! Date:Monday, June 2, 2025 8:22:54 PM Attachments:streetsblog-favicon.png CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Put Ellen Fletcher in all biking documents! Started as a citizen & changed the world!!! Remembering Ellen Fletcher, Palo Alto's Pioneer Bicycle Advocate - Streetsblog San Francisco sf.streetsblog.org She was amazing! Thank you ELLEN!!!! Sven Founder, ProjectGreenHome.org and BeniSolSolar.com From:linda lovely To:Council, City Subject:Excessive speeding on Lincoln Ave Date:Monday, June 2, 2025 7:13:00 PM Attachments:Letter to Palo Alto City Council.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links. Sent from my iPhone June 2, 2025 Dear Palo Alto City Council, In the last week of April 2025, our community suffered a heartbreaking loss. Dr. Caroline Compton Sigman, a neighbor, was tragically struck and killed by a driver while walking near the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Forest Avenue—just steps from my home. I firmly believe this fatal incident could have been prevented had speed bumps been installed on Lincoln Avenue. Excessive speeding on this street has long posed a danger to residents, and immediate action is urgently needed. As I’ve previously shared in an email to the city, my concerns about speeding on Lincoln date back to 2021. At that time, I began contacting the City of Palo Alto about the issue, noting that drivers frequently use Lincoln as a cut-through and often exceed safe speeds. I specifically requested the installation of speed bumps similar to those further down Lincoln between Channing and Middlefield. I warned that without intervention, a serious accident was inevitable. The city advised that I would need to file a petition. Once COVID-related restrictions eased, I successfully gathered signatures and submitted the petition in August 2023 to the Office of Transportation. I met with Chirag Panchal, who informed me that an analysis would be conducted to determine whether Lincoln met the criteria outlined in the City’s Traffic Calming Policy. It wasn’t until February 2024 that I heard back; I was told Lincoln did not qualify, and therefore, speed bumps could not be installed. Following Dr. Compton Sigman’s death, I reached out via email to all City Council Members, the City Attorney, the City Manager, the Mayor, and the Transportation Department. Only two individuals responded—Chirag Panchal via email and Ripon Bhatia by phone, both from the Transportation Department. I later spoke with Ripon and shared my belief that speed bumps would deter speeding by making drivers more cautious about damaging their vehicles. He acknowledged my concerns and said a new traffic analysis would be conducted using the standard black tube counters to monitor vehicle speed and volume. Unfortunately, I was informed that the results would not be available for 3–4 weeks—too late for this meeting. In the meantime, I also contacted the City Manager’s Office and spoke with an assistant named Joanna to inquire about next steps should the analysis again fall short of the necessary criteria. After receiving no response, I called again the following week and spoke to Joanna a second time. This led to a follow-up call from Sergeant Ken Kratt, who oversees traffic enforcement. During our conversation, he shared that he had monitored Lincoln Avenue with a radar gun during his shift and cited only one driver for speeding. When I asked whether nighttime enforcement might yield different results, he explained that no police department would conduct such operations at night. I appreciated his efforts, but I remain concerned. Before City Council breaks for the summer, I felt compelled to come forward and express how vital it is that we take real, preventative steps to improve traffic safety in our neighborhood. As a resident of over 30 years, I’ve witnessed firsthand how dangerous Lincoln Avenue has become—and it is only getting worse. I respectfully urge you to take action by approving the installation of speed bumps on Lincoln Avenue. Our neighborhood’s safety depends on it. Sincerely, Linda Lovely From:GP Jones To:Council, City Subject:"Beloved"? - really Date:Monday, June 2, 2025 6:26:08 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i OK, maybe this is snarky, but I just got my Utilities bill and inside it is an insert, one side of which is about the Cubberley Community Center Project. Here I quote from that insert: “City Council Vision Statement: A vibrant and beloved destination with activities, amenities, and offerings that promote learning, joy, and wellbeing where all cultures and generations belong.” If this really came from the members of the City Council, and if you really approved the wording of this ‘vision statement’, then I think you have gone off the deep end with the use of beloved to describe this future ‘destination’. OK, and maybe I have overused quotes above. But really - beloved? Look up the definition. Consider its most common uses by everyday citizens of CoPA. Cubberley is never going to be beloved. And deciding that the Council can define much less actually cause to come into fruition … a place of joy, wellbeing, where all cultures and generations belong … is in my humble opinion full of hubris. Please, focus on running the city more efficiently. Address our real problems and priorities. Don’t try to make Cubberley beloved. Sincerely, -carl jones This message needs your attention This is a personal email address. This is their first email to your company. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast View this email in your browser. Visit us on www.lwvpaloalto.org, Facebook, and Instagram. June VOTER June 2, 2025 In this Issue Message from our Co-Presidents LWVPA Updates Thank You for Joining Our Annual Membership Meeting Meet Our New Board for 2025-2026 Thank You to Our Donors! From:LWV Palo Alto VOTERTo:Council, CitySubject:LWVPA June VOTER: Thank You to Our Donors! Plus LWVPA June EventsDate:Monday, June 2, 2025 5:23:20 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links. Subscribe to our Google Calendar New (& Not So New) Member Welcome Board Meeting Highlights Advocacy Report Events in the Community & by Other Leagues "We the People" Democracy Fair LWVC Biennial Convention 2025 The League Speaks Out Can the President Do That? Congratulations to your recent grad! Happy Pride Month Message from our Co-Presidents Thank you to all who joined our Annual Membership Meeting on May 18. We successfully conducted our business, elected new board members, and are ready to take charge in the new year. We thank the board members who are stepping down—Karen Kalinsky, Megan Swezey Fogarty, and Sheryl Klein—for their dedication and contributions to the League, and welcome with excitement our new board members—Julie Cardillo, Laura Bajuk, and Steve Levy. A warm welcome to our new members and not so new members! Please join us at an informal get-together on Friday, June 6, 9:30-10:30 am to meet new friends, talk about shared interests, and chat with board members and committee chairs about how you can participate in the League. See the invitation in this newsletter. We look forward to meeting you! Our League will be participating in the June 14 "We the People" Democracy Fair at Rinconada Park, 3-5 pm. League volunteers will be presenting a civics workshop on our constitutional rights of due process, the First Amendment, and voting. Hope to see you there! On the national front, President Trump continues to assault the rule of law. The League is opposing his attempts to end birthright citizenship, to suppress the vote by attempting to require documentary proof of citizenship, and to ignore the First Amendment by stripping funding from universities, the National Institute of Museum and Library Services, and other organizations whose opinions he doesn't like. Read an op-ed opposing Trump’s attacks on democracy and a letter LWV signed with other civil rights groups decrying his attacks on freedom of the press, the right to protest, an independent judiciary, and legal accountability. These are challenging times, and the League is working harder than ever to protect every citizen's right to vote and preserve our democratic institutions. - Lisa Ratner & Hannah Lu, Co-Presidents LWVPA Updates Thank You for Joining Our Annual Membership Meeting Thirty-eight enthusiastic Leaguers attended the League's Annual Membership Meeting on May 18, 2025. The attendees listened to an informative talk by Randy Tsuda, CEO of Alta Housing, on the necessary steps towards increasing affordable housing in the Bay Area. Members then adopted the proposed 2025-2026 budget, bylaws amendments, and our top program emphases for 2025-2026 (Palo Alto) and for 2025-2027 (California). Last but not least, members elected new League officers and directors for the coming year. We thank the Nominating Committee for recruiting a team of talented and dedicated leaders. Congratulations to Jean Dawes for becoming our Life Member of 50 years! Meet Our New Board for 2025-2026. We look forward to working with you all! From left: Stephen Levy, Lisa Ratner, Hannah Lu, Nancy Shepherd, Jennifer DiBrienza, Erika Buck, Julie Cardillo, and Laura Bajuk Not present: Liz Kniss, Leying Jiang, Mary Nemerov and Sunny Dykwel See our full list of Board of Directors and Off-Board for 2025-2026 HERE. Thank You to Our Donors! A BIG THANK YOU to our 2024-2025 donors for your generous support to the League! Your financial contributions enable us to deliver our mission of empowering voters and defending democracy, specifically: Engaging over 2,500 residents through candidate forums and ballot proposition presentations to provide accurate, accessible voter information Visiting classrooms at local high schools to register students to vote and educate them about voting Reaching low-propensity voters, including individuals with disabilities, language barriers, and those who are incarcerated Hosting public forums on democracy and local journalism Advocating for affordable housing and renter protections Encouraging gun violence prevention in schools through back-to- school night presentations and city and school board lobbying on safety Preserving the Baylands as a natural carbon sink fighting climate change Collecting more than 500 signatures to lower the $5,500 local campaign contribution limit for council races and to let people know who actually pays for independent political ads These nonpartisan activities strengthen our democracy. Now, more than ever, this work is important. We can’t do this without you. We appreciate your generosity in supporting the League and making a difference! New (& Not So New) Member Welcome Friday, June 6, 9:30-10:30 am Location (board member’s house) will be shared after RSVP Welcome new (& not so new) members! Please join us for coffee, tea, and a lively chat to: learn and ask questions about the League meet other League members discover how you can get involved Whether you’re new or looking to reconnect with Leaguers, everyone is welcome. Prospective members are also welcome—feel free to bring a friend! - Sunny Dykwel & Mary Nemerov, Membership LWVPA May 2025 Board Meeting Highlights At our May 27 Board meeting, we discussed League's participation in the June 14 Democracy Fair with a focus on constitutional rights; updates on critical LWV state and national work to protect voting rights; and League membership and our welcoming of new and “not-so-new” LWVPA members on June 6, 2025. We also welcomed new board members and agreed to continue our search for a Director of Voter Services (or Co- Directors) and two at-large League members to round out the five-member Nominating Committee for 2025-26. Please let us know if you are interested in exploring a board role or know someone who may welcome an invitation! Approved Motions: * Participation in the June 14 Democracy Fair at Rinconada Park * Minutes of the April board meeting Our next Board Meeting is on Tuesday, August 26 (happy summer)! All members are welcome to join by emailing contact@lwvpaloalto.org. - Julie Cardillo, Secretary RSVP Now Advocacy Report National LWV has stood firm against the executive branch’s authoritarian efforts to skirt the Constitution, disregard the rule of law, and suppress voters. LWV obtained a federal court decision temporarily blocking an executive order to reform the federal voter registration form to require documentary proof of citizenship. The court held that Congress did not give the President power to order this change and the order violated the separation of powers between Congress and the executive branch. LWV filed a brief opposing the executive order attacking birthright citizenship. LWV sent three action alerts to members: tell Congress not to gut Medicaid; tell Congress to oppose the executive orders blocking funding appropriated by Congress and firing federal workers, violating due process and the separation of powers; and tell Congress to defeat the SAVE Act, which would require documentary proof of citizenship. Celina Stewart, LWV CEO, published a group op-ed in Newsweek about ongoing censorship: “The Trump Administration is Not Just Erasing History, They’re Rewriting the Future and Attacking Democracy”. State LWVC intervened in a lawsuit by Darrell Issa seeking to block counting of mailed-in ballots received after election day but postmarked by election day. “Across the country, we are seeing a sustained attack on the freedom to vote—and Rep. Issa’s alarming lawsuit is just the latest example,” said Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters of the United States. Read the press release HERE. Local LWV of Palo Alto will be participating in the Democracy Fair at Rinconada Park, 3-5 pm on June 14. League volunteers will be tabling on civics education on constitutional rights including voting, due process, and the First Amendment. See you there! - Lisa Ratner, Advocacy Chair & Co-President Events in the Community & by Other Leagues "We the People" Democracy Fair Saturday, June 14, 2025 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Rinconada Cultural Park, 777 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto On this Flag Day, June 14, join the LWV of Palo Alto at the “We the People” Democracy Fair, following “No Kings” events being held across the Peninsula. League volunteers will be tabling on civics education on constitutional rights including voting, due process, and the First Amendment. We hope to see you at our table! See details and RSVP HERE. LWVC Biennial Convention 2025 June 17-22, 2025 Via Zoom & YouTube Every two years, the California membership gathers at the LWVC Convention to craft policy priorities, share our successes and learnings, inspire a new generation of League leaders, and celebrate our shared passion for enhancing California's governance and vibrancy. This year, our Convention will be held virtually from June 17 to 22 with workshops conducted throughout the week. (In observance of Juneteenth, there will be no workshops on Thursday, June 19th.) We will bring League members together to learn, share, and energize our membership as we continue to work toward strengthening democracy. More information is available at lwvc.org/convention. Members are encouraged to attend as an observer or delegate. Email contact@lwvpaloalto.org if you are interested in learning more. We hope to see you there! The League Speaks Out Can the President Do That? Our country is in a constitutional crisis as President Trump continues to assault the rule of law. We'd like to share some short videos by LWV of Bellingham-Whatcom County in Washington on why the president can't do much of what he's trying to do: Can the President Disobey the Courts? Can the President Overrule the States? Can the President Withhold Funds Appropriated by Congress? For more understanding of how the Constitution, law, and precedence constrains the president, watch this fascinating one-hour video by LWV of Minnesota. Congratulations to your recent grad! Graduation is an incredible achievement. Those young people who cross the stage have spent countless hours learning about the world around them, formulating their own ideas, conversing with others with different experiences, and developing their worldviews. In other words, they've honed unique perspectives that must be heard. One way to elevate their voices is through their vote. At VOTE411.org, they will find all the tools they need to vote and start their democratic journey. Once again, congratulations! Stay Informed! Sign Up for LWV California & LWVUS News & Alerts Click here to sign up for LWVC Newsletter and LWVC Action Alerts Click here to sign up for LWVUS Email News (at bottom) and LWVUS Action Alerts JOIN A TEAM Learn More About Our Teams and Programs on our Website! Facebook Website Instagram Copyright © 2025 League of Women Voters Palo Alto, All rights reserved. From Voter Recipient List Our mailing address is: League of Women Voters Palo Alto 3921 E Bayshore Rd Ste 209 Palo Alto, CA 94303-4303 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. Questions? Please contact communications@lwvpaloalto.org. From:Ah Yun, Mahealani To:Council, City Subject:FW: Note to council-please help send to all council members Date:Monday, June 2, 2025 4:43:44 PM Please see below email submitted for Council public comment. From: Peter Baltay <peter@toposarchitects.com> Sent: Monday, June 2, 2025 1:03 PM To: Lauing, Ed <Ed.Lauing@paloalto.gov> Cc: Ah Yun, Mahealani <Mahealani.AhYun@paloalto.gov> Subject: Note to council-please help send to all council members CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links. Dear City Council members, I urge you to reappoint David Hirsch and Ying Xi Chen to the Architectural Review Board. Both are: 1.Experienced design professionals well versed in the type of projects commonly reviewed by the ARB 2.Palo Alto residents, with strong communityconne ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ i This message needs your attention This is their first mail to some recipients. Mark Safe Report CGBANNERINDICATOR Dear City Council members, I urge you to reappoint David Hirsch and Ying Xi Chen to the Architectural Review Board. Both are: 1. Experienced design professionals well versed in the type of projects commonly reviewed by the ARB 2. Palo Alto residents, with strong community connections 3. Current ARB members, and offer much needed board continuity 4. Board member Chen is the current vice-chair, and likely to be appointed chair. No other members have her leadership experience. 5. Board member Hirsch is a past chair, and respected by his colleagues Ying Xi Chen's soft spoken demeanor belies her strong sense of design rigor; she has frequently pushed convincingly for projects needing approval, or revisions, to the benefit of all. David Hirsch's years of experience and passion for design and planning excellence has been our conscience. Without him, the board would too often follow the easy path of the staff recommendation, without fully considering alternatives. Please, help maintain design review excellence by maintaining strong, experienced and continuous board membership. Powered by Mimecast Thank you, -peter baltay TOPOS Architects, Inc.Peter Baltay, AIA 654 Gilman StreetPalo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 327-7573 www.toposarchitects.com From:Jennifer Landesmann To:cpc.sforadp@sfgov.org Cc:Council, City; daniel.lurie@sfgov.org; mike.nakornkhet@flysfo.com; Eric.Henshall@mail.house.gov Subject:SFO DEIR NEEDS IMPROVEMENT Date:Monday, June 2, 2025 3:15:42 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear San Francisco Planning Commissioners, I am writing in support of the recommendation by Sky Posse Palo Alto for the SFO DEIR. It was really tough to watch last November the certification of the Oakland Airportenvironmental review where dozens of people, organizations, and medical doctors spoke to OAK's environmental review inadequacies, but were dismissed with something along the linesof "we know" and their authorities certified the report. This was such a missed opportunity because YOU are in the position to improve reviews when they are not used for their truepurpose, to open adequate engagement, not to shut down the public. With SFO's DEIR, San Francisco has the opportunity to do better. At the May 22 Hearing, I raised the issue of international standards. Countries belong to International Civil Aviation Organizations (ICAO). ICAO has a four-part framework toaddress noise https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/pages/noise.aspx. ICAO Balanced Approach 1. Reduction of Noise at Source2. Land-Use Planning and Management 3. Noise Abatement Operational Procedures4. Operating Restrictions In a nutshell airports around the world use ICAO's Balanced approach because their countries adhere to it. Whereas, although the US is an ICAO leader, the practice in the US is that theBalanced Approach is ignored or practiced in bits. Airlines comply with ICAO "reduction of noise at the source" (making jet engines quieter for example); airports focus on "Land-UsePlanning and Management" which is 99% an insulation program. And a KEY opportunity to reduce noise (especially at night) - "Operational Procedures" - are largely neglected. InICAO's balanced approach, "restrictions" are meant for measures of last resort, when nothing else has worked. Beyond these country initiatives however, it is so basic that communitiesexpect OUR regional airport to advocate for better stewardship and to protect treasured open space in the Bay Area as well as the neighbors it counts as customers. I love San Francisco,and I want San Francisco to love the MidPeninsula. If SFO is going to be in a league of world class airports, it should please join world class airports by assessing Flight Paths and Operational Procedures instead of denying them in whatwill arguably be SFO's signature environmental review. I reiterate the message from Sky Posse below which reflects the expectations of communities today and from an agency such asSFO. Jennifer Landesmann Palo Alto, CA 94301 On behalf of thousands of Midpeninsula residents impacted by noise and air quality impactsfrom SFO-bound flight paths, we respectfully submit that SFO’s DEIR is inadequate as long as it does not consider flight path impacts. At the May 22 public Hearing SFO’s presentationsuggested that “There are no changes or expansions proposed to the existing runway or to aircraft flight paths, which are the sole purview of the FAA." As this report and process ismeant to protect the environment and people who stand to be negatively affected by SFO's development plan, please consider our feedback as follows: INACCURACIES: #1 SFO is incorrect to say that flight paths are “the sole purview” of the FAA. Anairport’s role is required in flight path oversight. After serious miscalculations about regional noise effects from the implementation of the FAA’s Nextgen program for Northern California in 2014, the FAA expanded the role ofairports as regards flight paths. SFO has since been on the FAA’s Technical Working Groups for flight path design and the Government Accountability Office recommended for theFAA to clarify how a flight path change is initiated and processed. The FAA’s publication “How the FAA engages with Airport and Community Roundtables” now describes the role ofan Airport authority; Step 2 of the FAA’s criteria for Flight Path development states, “All requests not made by the airport authority or internal FAA sections responsible for air traffic control (ATC) and flight procedure development (e.g., ATC, flight standards, FPT,etc.) require airport authority concurrence prior to submission." This is consistent with US Aviation policy which states that aircraft noise is a shared responsibility between airport authorities, airlines, state and local government, communities,and the Federal Aviation Administration. Furthermore, communities expect airport sponsors to balance the interests of various stakeholders. #2 It is also inaccurate that flight paths will “not change” when petitions forchanges are ongoing largely from airlines and the airport itself. The FAA continuously makes changes to flight paths in response to SFO’s needs and the needs of the National Airspace System. It is impossible for flight paths to be static given thatin addition to the FAA’s internal changes (e.g., ATC, flight standards, FPT, etc.) requests are initiated by airlines - including for private use flight paths. SFO also has flight path procedures(navigation rules) for its new landing system “GBAS” which can INCREASE noise and SFO controls these procedures. It is evident that the FAA looks to airports to provide local context in efforts to be responsiveto the public and to consider the environment and people. SFO's misrepresentation that “flight paths will not change” has broken trust before. Unless this is addressed, SFO is misinformingthe FAA on current and future projects, and leaving the public in the dark about potential consequences from SFO’s operations. INCOMPLETE INFORMATION AND MISSING REGIONAL HISTORY: SFO’s claim that “no changes or expansions proposed to the existing runway or to aircraft flight paths” mixes two sets of airport infrastructure that have distinct impacts and mitigationoptions. The public needs to be informed that while runways are not changing, SFO’s flight paths are not static; flight path procedure (navigation rules) design and the level of usage of flight pathsfrom increasing operations can increase noise and air quality impacts. Not only are flight paths distinct infrastructure from runways, flight paths can be more deleterious in terms of affectingmore sensitive areas and people. The menu of potential mitigations for flight paths is also distinct. Quieter aircraft engines for example do not help address flight path noise butthoughtful flight path design and compliance can meaningfully mitigate night time noise. These mitigations however cannot be employed if the airport is denying how directly theirproject will impact noise. Adding a gate to serve more passengers means more flights, more flight path impacts. Moreover SFO’s plan leverages powerful airline programs to induce moreoperations for more profits. As noted by public comment at the May 22 Hearing, United Airlines has a $2.6 billion construction project to re-establish SFO as the airline’s globalgateway. This expands United’s route networks with more flights, including promotional flights that are not at full passenger capacity but add more noise. Airport-airline projects influence noise as happened with Nextgen when airlines requestedlower altitudes for SFO’s arrivals which greatly increased noise. The failure to recognize community concerns over flight path changes led to an FAA Initiative and official communitymeetings with FAA and local leaders in three counties; thousands of citizens weighed in over months to come up with consensus recommendations to address flight path noise and nighttime operations. The DEIR's omission of the impacts of flight path changes undermines recent regional history to address just this issue, and ignores opportunities identified by citizens, localofficials and the FAA to mitigate flight path impacts affecting people's health, quality of life, and the environment. INQUIRY ON THE NOISE SIGNIFICANCE THRESHOLD: We would like to know the reason why SFO looks at the +1.5dB increase in 65 CNEL criteriawhen the FAA’s Environmental Policies and Procedures Guideline Order 1050.1F looks at a 3 dB increase in DNL 60-65 dB and +5 dB for 45-60 dB as well. CEQA allows the flexibility to use significance thresholds below 65 CNEL and more metricsto consider local context, so it is disappointing that only the higher threshold criteria (65) is applied which effectively lowers the standard for SFO’s environmental review. As SFO isaware, the FAA has scientific studies that provide substantial evidence that 65 DNL or 65 CNEL is no longer supported to identify community concerns. The FAA surveyed 10,000residents living near 20 representative airports with results showing that aircraft noise causes greater levels of community annoyance compared to other transportation noise, and a need formore sensitive criteria to evaluate aircraft noise. There are also legal considerations about noise threshold criteria to assess areas that qualify for insulation, vs National EnvironmentalPolicy Act requirements. RECOMMENDATION: We recommend that an additional report is needed on SFO's Arrival flight path noise impactsto inform on regional impacts; at a minimum to consider the top five areas with the highest number of complaints. Particularly an analysis of all night time overflights is necessary; sleepbeing critical for physical and mental health and productivity. SFO has extensive data to accomplish regional noise assessments, and with various metrics. In addition, provide detailssuch as target altitudes and current navigation rules for SFO arrival flight paths. The report should also describe how SFO makes decisions on flight path requests; how pre- and post-implementation reviews of flight path changes are managed, and who is responsible for keeping communities informed. From:lisa delong To:cpc.sforadp@sfgov.org Cc:Council, City; daniel.lurie@sfgov.org; mike.nakornkhet@flysfo.com; Eric.Henshall@mail.house.gov Subject:Revised SFO DEIR Date:Monday, June 2, 2025 1:24:47 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello, I live in Crescent Park neighborhood in Palo Alto. We are close to the City of Palo Alto Airport and on the arrivingflight path of what feels like most of the airplanes coming into SFO. Both airports have had increased activity andnoise for all of us residents in these areas of PA/MP/Mt. View, etc. that are located near the bay. We ask that you and the boards/committees, etc. keep vigilant on our behalf of keeping the noise level, sight level,pollution level as low as possible so that the quality of our daily and nightly life in our most valuable asset remainspleasant and valued. Having reports that aren’t honest , aren’t complete, or inaccurate are undermining our lifestyle here. Please operatein the way you would if you lived here in the flight path zones. Regards, Lisa DeLongPalo Alto resident