HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-13 City Council Summary Minutes
Special Meeting December 13, 2004
1. Emergency Preparedness Issues: Emergency Water Supply and
Unreinforced Masonry Buildings .......................................................360
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. .................................360
1. Resolution 8485 entitled “Resolution Expressing Appreciation to Larry
Buck Upon His Retirement” ..............................................................361
2. Resolution 8486 entitled “Resolution Expressing Appreciation to Bruce
Hollenbeck Upon His Retirement” .....................................................361
3. Resolution 8487 entitled “Resolution Expressing Appreciation to
Barbara Geibel Upon Her Retirement” ...............................................361
4. Resolution 8488 entitled “Resolution Expressing Appreciation to Police
K-9 Clay Upon His Retirement” ........................................................361
5. Proclamation Honoring the 2004 Palo Alto Black and White Ball
“Moonlit Cinema Paradiso” for the Palo Alto Schools and Recreation
Programs. .....................................................................................362
APPROVAL OF MINUTES ..........................................................................363
6. Approval of a Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) in the Amount of
$61,000 for Installation of Irrigation System and Maxicom Irrigation
Controller; Approval of Award of Contract to B&B Landscape
Contractors, Inc. in the Amount of $179,000 for the Installation of an
Irrigation System and Maxicom Controllers at the Baylands Athletic
Center (PG-00010-606) ..................................................................363
7. Recommendation to the City Council to Adopt a Resolution Declaring
Weeds to be a Nuisance and set January 18, 2005 for a Public Hearing .364
8. The Finance Committee Recommends to the City Council to Adopt the
Resolution Approving a 20 Percent Gas Supply Rate Increase to be
Effective January 1, 2005, Representing a 14 to 19 Percent Average
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Retail Rate Increase on Customer Bills, and a Projected $2 million
Increase in Revenues ......................................................................364
9. The Finance Committee Recommends to the City Council Approval of a
Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) in the Amount of $35,881,000
for a Transfer of Infrastructure Reserve Funds from the General Fund
to the Capital Fund from Finance Committee Meeting of November 16,
2004 ............................................................................................364
10. Adoption of a Palo Alto Citizen Corps Council .....................................364
11. The Finance Committee Recommends to the City Council to Accept the
Auditor’s Office Quarterly Report ......................................................364
12. Approval of an Agreement with WPI Packaging and Maintenance, Inc.
to End Operating the Landfill Gas Electrical Generation Facility.............365
13. Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with Santa Clara Valley
Water District (SCVWD) to Implement A Water Conservation Program
Partnership in the Amount of $96,405...............................................365
14. Approval of Long and Short Range Plans to Consolidate and
Strengthen Library Services .............................................................365
15. Public Hearing: Acceptance of Citizens Options for Public Safety
(COPS) Funds in the Amount of $100,000 for the Purchase of a Bar
Coding System, Evidence Collection and Detection Equipment, Upgrade
of Hostage Negotiation Equipment, Laptop for Sexual Assault
Investigations, and Upgrades of the Police Motorcycle Program ............378
16. Public Hearing: The City Council will Consider a Proposed Exchange of
Land Between the City of Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Unified School
District Adjusting the Boundary Between Walter Hays School and Rinconada Park, a Dedicated Public Park, without Increasing or
Decreasing the Area of Either Property ..............................................378
17. Compensation Recommendations for City Manager Frank Benest, City
Auditor Sharon Erickson and City Clerk Donna Rogers.........................382
COUNCIL COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ........................383
18. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY -- EXISTING LITIGAT ..................384
19. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY -- EXISTING LITIGATION ............384
20. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY -- EXISTING LITIGATION ............384
FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 11:55 p.m. ......................384
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The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council
Chambers at 6:05 p.m.
PRESENT: Beecham, Burch, Freeman, Kishimoto, Kleinberg, (Morton
arrived at 6:10 p.m.), Mossar
ABSENT: Cordell, Ojakian
STUDY SESSION
1. Emergency Preparedness Issues: Emergency Water Supply and
Unreinforced Masonry Buildings
Chief Building Official Fred Herman provided a status report to Council on
the City’s Seismic Hazard Identification Program (PAMC 16.42). Primary
focus was directed at Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Buildings. Changes to
existing State law regarding posting of placards on URM bearing wall
buildings warning occupants of the potential hazard of these buildings was
also discussed.
No action required.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
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The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council
Chambers, at 7:02 p.m.
PRESENT: Beecham, Burch, Cordell, Freeman, Kishimoto, Kleinberg,
Morton, Mossar, Ojakian
Mayor Beecham announced that Special Orders of the Day would be heard
prior to Oral Communications.
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
1. Resolution 8485 entitled “Resolution Expressing Appreciation to Larry
Buck Upon His Retirement”
2. Resolution 8486 entitled “Resolution Expressing Appreciation to Bruce
Hollenbeck Upon His Retirement”
3. Resolution 8487 entitled “Resolution Expressing Appreciation to
Barbara Geibel Upon Her Retirement”
4. Resolution 8488 entitled “Resolution Expressing Appreciation to Police
K-9 Clay Upon His Retirement”
MOTION: Council Member Morton moved, seconded by Cordell, to adopt the
Resolutions for Item Nos. 1-4.
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
Police Chief Lynne Johnson said the City was recognizing two police agents
who were also Palo Alto natives. Agent Larry Buck’s 22-year career
epitomized what it meant to be a Palo Alto Police Officer. He had both saved
and touched the lives of many people in the community. He had been a
School Resource Officer (SRO), a member of the Criminal Apprehension
Team (CAT), and a Field Training Officer (FTO). Most recently, he became
one of the department’s first K-9 Police Officers. Agent Bruce Hollenbeck
began his career in Palo Alto in 1973 as a bike tech. He then moved on to
become a 9-1-1 Dispatcher, and finally a K-9 Police Officer, which was a
position he held for the past 17 years. He also had been an incredible
mentor to newer officers. The wisdom and experience of both agents would
leave a void in the department that could not soon be filled. She wished
them both a very long and healthy retirement.
Agent Bruce Hollenbeck expressed his thanks to the City Council, the
community, and the Police Department. He said he would continue to keep
the men and women in blue in his prayers.
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Director of Library Paula Simpson expressed her appreciation to Ms. Giebel
for all she had given to the community and the library staff during her many
years with the City of Palo Alto.
Ms. Geibel said part of why she stayed so long was due to the wonderful
staff. Palo Alto was an interesting place to work.
5. Proclamation Honoring the 2004 Palo Alto Black and White Ball
“Moonlit Cinema Paradiso” for the Palo Alto Schools and Recreation
Programs.
Sunny Dykwel expressed her thanks to the community for their support, and
acknowledged the hard-working committee members. The 2004 Black and
White Ball was an unprecedented collaboration of volunteers from the
school, the community, City staff, and local civil leaders. Together they
produced a fabulous event that Palo Alto could call its own, and raised
approximately $178,550.
Council Member Morton said, as one of the founding members of the Palo
Alto Recreation Foundation (PARF), he was proud of the tremendous success
of the Black and White Ball.
Council Member Kleinberg said the Black and White Ball was a smashing
event, which was orchestrated by Dan and Sunny Dykwel. She expressed
congratulations to the team and the teamwork.
Vice Mayor Burch said having attended the Black and White Ball at a number
of different venues, he felt it found its home at Lucie Stern and hoped it
would continue at that location.
Council Member Freeman said she enjoyed dancing with wanton abandon.
Mayor Beecham said he appreciated the efforts, as well as the service and
funding provided to the community. He expressed thanks to the entire
committee.
Mayor Beecham announced an agreement on the Mayfield site. He said there
would be a public announcement on Tuesday, December 14, 2004, at 5 p.m.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Wayne Swan, 240 Kellogg Avenue, spoke regarding the sound system.
Aram James spoke regarding police practices.
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Mike Liveright, 260 Byron Street, spoke regarding e-mail addresses.
Richard Swent, 2950 Clara Drive, spoke regarding the Homer Avenue
underpass.
Norman Carroll, Emerson and University, spoke regarding Palo Alto process.
Emily Renzel, 1056 Forest Avenue, spoke regarding parking.
Stephanie Munoz, 101 Alma Street, spoke regarding Palo Alto stating that it
should be a nice livable City that people can live in and should not have to
be the biggest and the best.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Council Member Mossar moved, seconded by Ojakian, to approve
the minutes of November 15, 2004, as submitted.
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Beecham noted that Item No. 13 would be removed from the Consent
Calendar due to a request from staff.
Council Member Freeman registered a no vote on Item No. 6.
MOTION: Council Member Kishimoto moved, seconded by Morton, to
approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 6 - 12.
LEGISLATIVE
6. Approval of a Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) in the Amount of
$61,000 for Installation of Irrigation System and Maxicom Irrigation
Controller; Approval of Award of Contract to B&B Landscape
Contractors, Inc. in the Amount of $179,000 for the Installation of an
Irrigation System and Maxicom Controllers at the Baylands Athletic
Center (PG-00010-606)
Ordinance 4856 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 2004-05 to Provide an
Additional Appropriation of $61,000 from the Infrastructure Reserve
into Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project Number PG-00010,
Park Facilities Improvements”
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Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and B&B Landscape
Contractors, Inc. in the Amount of $179,000 for the Installation of an
Irrigation System and Maxicom Controllers at the Baylands Athletic
Center
7. Recommendation to the City Council to Adopt a Resolution Declaring
Weeds to be a Nuisance and set January 18, 2005 for a Public Hearing
Resolution 8489 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Declaring Weeds to be a Nuisance and Setting a Hearing for
Objections to their Proposed Destruction or Removal”
8. The Finance Committee recommends to the City Council to Adopt the
Resolution Approving a 20 Percent Gas Supply Rate Increase to be
Effective January 1, 2005, Representing a 14 to 19 Percent Average
Retail Rate Increase on Customer Bills, and a Projected $2 million
Increase in Revenues
Resolution 8490 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending Utility Rate Schedules G-1, G-2, and G-6 of the City of
Palo Alto Utilities Rates and Charges Pertaining to Gas Rates”
9. The Finance Committee recommends to the City Council Approval of a
Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) in the Amount of $35,881,000
for a Transfer of Infrastructure Reserve Funds from the General Fund to the Capital Fund from Finance Committee Meeting of November 16,
2004
Ordinance 4857 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 2004-05 to Transfer the
Infrastructure Reserve in the Amount of $35,881,000 from the General
Fund to the Capital Fund”
10. Adoption of a Palo Alto Citizen Corps Council
Resolution 8491 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Designating the Existing Community Disaster Preparedness Group
as the Palo Alto Citizen Corps Council”
ADMINISTRATIVE
11. The Finance Committee Recommends to the City Council to Accept the
Auditor’s Office Quarterly Report
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12. Approval of an Agreement with WPI Packaging and Maintenance, Inc.
to End Operating the Landfill Gas Electrical Generation Facility
13. Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with Santa Clara Valley
Water District (SCVWD) to Implement A Water Conservation Program
Partnership in the Amount of $96,405
MOTION PASSED 9-0 for Item Nos. 7-12.
MOTION PASSED 8-1 for Item No. 6, Freeman no.
Council Member Freeman expressed support for Item No. 6, but could not
find anywhere in the staff report (CMR:495:04) where the CIP matched the
documents she had regarding the budget.
REPORTS OF OFFICIALS
14. Approval of Long and Short Range Plans to Consolidate and
Strengthen Library Services
City Manager Frank Benest said the item before the Council was a
continuation of the November 8, 2004, study session by Library Director
Paula Simpson on the status of the library system. He looked for Council’s
policy guidance as he began to develop the City’s next two-year budget for
2005-07. The current Long-Range Financial Plan revealed a $1.5 million deficit at midyear for the present fiscal year. It also anticipated a continuing
structural deficit of $5.2 million. If that deficit were not erased soon, the
growth would continue over the next ten years. The continued structural
deficit of $5.2 million remained even after the elimination of 40 staff
positions and restructuring, the raising of fees, and cuts in other expenses
over the past four years. The Library Director had documented that Palo
Alto, compared to similar cities, did not under-spend on libraries.
Comparable amounts were spent on staffing, operations, and collections.
However, the service model of three resource libraries and two branches did
not work, and would not be sustainable over time. Staff’s recommendation
would enhance library services for the community-at-large, and provide a
basis for moving forward on a larger vision.
Director of Library Paula Simpson said she came to Palo Alto with the strong
belief she would discover untapped deficiencies, strip away the marginal
services and programs no longer consistent with the library’s mission, and
find a clever way to not only maintain the existing five library service
models, but cause them to grow. Upon closer examination, she realized the
libraries provided a narrow range of services and programs, but it had not
kept up with the different ways public libraries were being valued in their
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communities; special services to meet local needs, reaching out to all
populations, and building partnerships. Due to the steady erosion caused by
the increased costs of staffing and, thus, the increased costs of maintaining
five service points, what the library did 10 or 20 years ago in terms of
cultural and literary programs, collaboration with the schools, and a
collection renowned throughout the region, had fallen by the wayside in
favor of just keeping the maximum number of service hours. Beyond the
basics, Palo Alto’s libraries struggled to provide a fraction of the library
services and programs commonplace in other communities. Palo Altans did
not want to just settle for the basics, nor did they want the College Terrace
and Downtown branches to close, but she did not hear ideas on how to turn
the library’s steady decline around. In terms of using more volunteers, the
library has done all it could do. There was a reason the subject kept coming
up, and a reason why a parade of library professionals, like herself, had
stood before the Council and recommended reducing the number of service
points and service hours. The irony was that by reducing service points and
redundancy, Palo Alto could have a better stronger library without additional
cost. The question was whether the City was ready to make the tough
choices to change course and start the library on an upward path. The long
term recommendations included: 1) adoption of a long range plan to
establish a single full service library for all of Palo Alto at an existing or to be
determined site; and 2) to appoint a blue ribbon commission with a charter
to develop a work program, timeline and funding plan for the long range
vision. The short term recommendations included: 1) to authorize the
conversion of the College Terrace and Downtown libraries to other community uses to be completed by June 30, 2007; and 2) to shift all
staffing and other resources from those branches to enhance services at
Main, Mitchell Park, and Children’s Library.
Mr. Benest said staff had proposed to develop a plan for Council’s
consideration on utilizing the branches for other community uses to include a
library service element, which would be put in place in the next two years.
Library Advisory Commission Chair Lenore Jones said the Library Advisory
Commission (LAC) worked closely with the Library Director in reviewing how
to address the future of the Palo Alto library. While both agreed Palo Alto
needed to create a full service library, the LAC also weighed the desires of
the community to not lose the benefit to those walkable neighborhoods. At
the LAC meeting of November 18, 2004, the Commission unanimously
recommended: 1) the City Council adopt a long term vision for the library
that involved a full service library on an existing or to be determined site; 2)
support a distributed branch library system that included the current
branches; and 3) the library be recognized as a Top 5 priority for the 2005-
07 budget cycle. While the LAC supported staff’s recommendation for the
creation of a full service library and the formation of a Blue Ribbon
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Commission to develop an implementation plan, they did not support the
short-term proposal to close the branch libraries. Study after study had
shown the City’s library services at all existing branches was highly utilized
and valued by residents.
Mayor Beecham declared the Public Hearing open.
Edward R. Holland, 1111 Parkinson Avenue, said the cost of building a new
central library in Palo Alto had to compete against the needs of the Palo Alto
Unified School District (PAUSD) and the City’s storm drain system to name a
few.
Winter Dellenbach, 859 LaPara, said the City Auditor’s Office should conduct
an audit in order to get a fresh view of the economics involved. The branch
libraries should not be closed until a plan was in place that included funding
and reconfiguration.
Eleanor Perkins, Thain Way, said three of the City’s main priorities and
challenges were the police building, the sewers, and the libraries. With some
imagination and time, the privilege to make them happen was one reason
people chose to live in Palo Alto.
Joan Holland, 1111 Parkinson Avenue, expressed concern about kids’ safety
in traveling to and from one centrally located library.
Gail Price, 4082 Orme Street, expressed support for staff’s recommendation.
The consolidation and enhancement of services simply made sense.
Shelby Valentine, 3116 Stelling Drive, expressed support for keeping the
branch libraries open.
Sara Benson, 245 Emerson Street, expressed support for keeping the branch
libraries open. She did not understand how closing the Downtown Library
would translate to only three additional hours at the Main or Mitchell Park
Library.
Janice Sedriks, 325 Waverley Street, expressed support for keeping the
Downtown Library open. She said it was a much-used resource in walking
distance to those who lived and worked in the Downtown area.
Wayne Swan, 240 Kellogg Avenue, expressed support for staff’s
recommendation. He would like to see a new main library in Palo Alto.
Betsy Allyn, Willmar Drive, said she considered libraries as important as
schools. It was a slight to the citizens of Palo Alto to once again make them
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come before the Council and beg for the libraries they had supported as a
Top 5 Priority for the past century.
Julia Mayberry, 425 Grant, #35, said it was disconcerting that Palo Alto
could afford to put an elaborate soccer complex at El Camino Real and Page
Mill Road, but could not afford to keep the branch libraries open.
Mike Liveright, 260 Byron Street, said the Council should decide whether
they want to spend $1 million per year extra and have a real library system
with distributed libraries, expanded resources, and approximately $50
million to build a new facility, or recognize that Palo Alto had libraries in
neighboring cities, such as Stanford and Mountain View. He did not believe it
was productive to try and keep an inadequate system open.
Gretchen Emmons, 169 Walter Hays Drive, said there were a number of
cost-saving methods in the library system that should be studied.
James Schmidt, 244 Forest Avenue, said the City had 30 parks, three
swimming pools, eight fire stations, 12 elementary schools, and three middle
schools. He asked why five library outlets were too many.
Norman Carroll, Emerson Street, expressed support for keeping the branch
libraries open.
Colin Mick, 2130 Hanover Street, proposed the libraries continue as they were, and that staff put together a Blue Ribbon Commission to look at what
services were lacking.
Paula Sandas, 2140 Columbia Street, expressed support for improving the
libraries, but was opposed to closing the College Terrace and Downtown
branches. She did not believe closing the branches would bring Palo Alto
closer to a full service library or improvements; however, a successful bond
measure or parcel tax would.
Robert Moss, 4010 Orme Street, said the Barron Park Association took a
survey of libraries some years ago and favored retention of the libraries in
southwest Palo Alto, which included College Terrace. They also favored
Internet access, expanding the collections, public transit, and increased
facility sizes. He expressed support for keeping the branch libraries open.
The Library Plan called for distributed library services and improving the
facilities and operations already in place.
Ellie Gioumousis, 992 Loma Verde Avenue, agreed with a statement by
Council Member Freeman that the City’s budget should be transparent,
arguable, and understandable by citizens and the Council. She believed that
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was part of the problem with questions about the libraries as well as other
things. She had heard from a number of people who wanted to keep the
libraries as they were. They did not feel the need for a shiny new library. As
a model, she referred to the library in Los Altos, which was not a state-of-
the-art library. It was just old-fashioned service, collection, and friendly
librarians.
Ellen Wyman, 546 Washington Avenue, urged the Council to keep the branch
libraries open. It was significant to note the library previously received 5.4
percent of the City’s budget annually. It had recently been as low as 3.8
percent, and was currently at 4.2 percent, which was well over $1 million
short per annum. She urged the Council to reexamine their funding
priorities. More than 80 percent of the survey respondents said a state-of-
the-art library was not important to them, but they loved their branches.
Martin Bernstein said he visited the National Central Library in Paris, France.
It was an educational experience and inspired him to learn more about the
world. He expressed concern about the cost of closing the two branch
libraries. Libraries were a part of the City’s historic fabric. As early as 1903,
Anna Shorkey solved the problem that faced Palo Alto today. She came up
with a Carnegie Grant, whereby citizens provided some monies and the
balance was provided by the Council’s budgeting.
Karen White, 146 Walter Hays Drive, offered the following cost effective
enhancements to improve library services to meet the present needs and accommodate new residents across Palo Alto: 1) reorganize the Main Library
to make more efficient use of existing floor and basement areas; 2) fill the
gap between Mitchell Park Library and the Community Center with flex space
that could be used as needed for library or community center patrons; 3)
increase the availability of computers for online research; 4) elevate and
train volunteers to paraprofessional status as a way to extend the capacity
of the library staff; and 5) keep the cost-effective satellite facilities open
until the community reached a working consensus on the best way to move
forward.
Maureen Devorak, 727 Seneca Street, said she had been an extensive
library user for more than 60 years in different communities. For the past
several years, she has had to utilize the Mountain View Library, which did
not seem right since she lived in Palo Alto.
Ellen Smith, 1469 Dana Avenue, said she no longer believed it was realistic
to keep open five libraries in Palo Alto. She did not see it being economically
feasible to restore them, let alone improve them to meet the future needs.
She expressed support for the consolidation of the City’s resources.
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Yoram Gat, 2083 Princeton Street, expressed concern about the possible
closure of the branch libraries. The College Terrace Library was an important
resource for him and his family. His children utilized the library at least once
a week. He said there seemed to be a debate over closing the branch
libraries in favor of a full service library; however, the City Manager had
already stated there was no additional funding available for the libraries.
Elaine Meyer, 609 Kingsley Avenue, spoke on behalf of the Board of
University South Neighborhood Association, and said she did not believe
what was being discussed had to do with libraries, but rather real estate.
The City Manager needed office space and had wanted to turn the Downtown
Library into an office building for many years. She wondered whether the
deficit provided a new way to solve that problem.
Herb Borock, P.O. Box 632, said the time for Council to make policy
decisions about spending money was during the annual budget cycle. The
Library Plan was balanced. It created better resource libraries and cut back
on neighborhood libraries. Unfortunately, City staff had consistently done
only one part of that.
Paul Lomio, 1467 College Avenue, said the library on Wellesley Street was
not the College Terrace Library. It was a City library in College Terrace. It
served Evergreen Park, Southgate, Barron Park via a very nice bike
pathway, Escondido Village, and future housing in the Stanford Research
Park. The staffing and collection size, though not trivial, was a small amount of the budget for the value to him and many others.
William Spangler, 471 Carolina Lane, expressed opposition to the short-term
shut down of the branch libraries as part of the vague long-term plan. He
favored Palo Alto having excellent libraries focused on books.
Stephanie Munoz, 101 Alma Street, said the community valued the
neighborhood libraries enormously. It was equivalent to a teen or
community center.
Kathy Miller, 849 Lincoln Avenue, President, Palo Alto Library Foundation
(PALF), said all of the library groups supported a long-term vision that
included a full service branch as an important feature. They also supported
distributed library services. Little could be gained by speaking of branch
closures at a time when there was no plan for what would replace them.
Kathy Durham, 2039 Dartmouth Street, said deciding to close the College
Terrace and Downtown branch libraries were permanent decisions. She did
not believe the Council had the data it needed to make a good decision. The
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benefits had been exaggerated and undefined, the true costs ignored, and
alternatives had not been seriously considered.
Emily Renzel, 1056 Forest Avenue, expressed support for keeping the
branch libraries open. The branch libraries provided important services for
children and the walkable City.
Doug Moran, 790 Matadero Avenue, said the Council needed to decide
whether staff’s recommendations advanced Palo Alto in producing quality
libraries. He did not believe people in the community saw the vision flushed
out, nor how it would move forward. He encouraged the Council to defer the
matter until more information was obtained.
Eugene O’Sullivan, 1547 Dana Avenue, said the decision before them was a
difficult and challenging one to make. Palo Altans not only loved libraries,
they loved them with a passion.
Joy Ogawa, Yale Street, expressed support for keeping the branch libraries
open. She believed the present library budget was sufficient to keep the five
libraries open, and the cost savings from closing the two branches would be
much less than $850,000.
Jeff Levinsky, 1682 Hamilton Avenue, President of Friends of the Palo Alto
Library, said 81 percent of Palo Altans rated the current library system as
good or excellent. The libraries were extremely popular places, which put them at the top of the rankings for California cities of equal size. He urged
the Council to ask questions of library staff and then vote to support keeping
all the branches open.
Eileen Hart expressed support for staff’s recommendation and urged the
Council to take action. The status quo was unsustainable, and inaction would
be intolerable. She said change was hard but did not need to be bad,
especially if the community came together and worked to do what was right.
Jerry Arnold, Cornell Street, said his children grew up in the branch library.
They played puzzles, read books, went through story time, and had a
personal relationship with the librarian. It was worth more than just saving
money when a City closed a distributed library that reached out to children,
seniors, and the community.
Paula Skokowski, 1319 Tasso Street, said the Palo Alto community had one
library success in its recent history, which was the collaboration of the PALF
and the City in raising funds needed to expand Children’s Library. If the PALF
could raise substantial funds to share the cost of building a full service
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library, they believed the community-at-large would be more likely to pass a
bond measure to pay for the rest.
Chris Kenrick, 528 Tennyson, concurred with the comments of Kathy Miller.
Sanford Forte, 280 College Avenue, said the City should not hold the branch
libraries hostage any longer, and believed branch library hours should be
restored.
Mayor Beecham declared the Public Hearing closed at 8:30 p.m.
RECESS: 8:30 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
Council Member Freeman agreed with the Library Director that a change to
the library system was needed; however, she disagreed with the proposed
approach. She reviewed the Service Efforts and Accomplishments (SEA)
Report created by the City Auditor and looked at the library staffing section.
She noted in the past five years staffing had increased by 10 percent, yet
the number of residents per full time equivalent (FTE) library staff had
decreased. The number of volunteer hours had decreased by 322 or
approximately 7 percent, the total number of hours opened annually had
decreased by 2 percent, and the hours of operation per FTE had decreased
12 percent. Between 1993 and 2003, library visits were up by 5,000, items
circulated were up by 301,000, the average item circulated during a three-
year period was up by 60,000, and the reference questions had decreased by 32,000. The number of branches went from six to five, the number of
hours opened per week was down by 46 hours, while program attendance
rose 12,000, and the collection size increased by 12,000. By closing the two
branches, 63 hours would be available; however, the staff report
(CMR:513:04) indicated the City would only get three hours in return. She
said the data did not support the notion that Palo Alto would not be able to
keep the branch libraries open. In the 2004-05 adopted capital budget, there
was approximately $4 million already earmarked for capital upgrades in the
libraries. She was not aware of any long-term financing to increase the
shuttle services to accommodate a full service library, or financing solutions
for a brand new library.
MOTION: Council Member Freeman moved, seconded by Kishimoto, for
staff, with the Library Advisory Commission (LAC) input, to return to Council
with a plan to: 1) amend the Library Master Plan to support one resource
library instead of two; 2) return with a recommendation for location of the
resource library at either Mitchell Park Library or Main Library, with the
location not chosen to remain as a branch library; 3) define the uses of
branches; 4) maintain all current branch libraries; 5) evaluate with the
PAUSD, the use of Gunn High School as a shared library facility in southwest
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Palo Alto; 6) develop a long-term CIP plan and operating budget for the
library system; and 7) recommend and cost out alternate models to increase
the book collection such as Link, which could improve the collection from
250,000 to 18 million books without construction.
Council Member Freeman said she did not believe quality should have to
suffer for the sake of access. The branch library system was a core value of
the Palo Alto community. Each of the branch libraries served multiple
neighborhoods, and she did not want to see any of the City assets removed.
Council Member Kishimoto asked two questions: 1) what was the nature of
the problem that staff’s solution would address; and 2) was it the current
budget deficit that drove the recommendation for the closing of the two
branch libraries. She pointed out the City was faced with a $5.2 million
shortfall for the coming year, which was the result of flat revenues combined
with a $5 million increase in salaries and benefits. As member of the LAC
stated earlier, the library budget was 5.5 percent of the General Fund in
1993, while in 2004 it was less than 4.4 percent. She had read recently the
rising cost of benefits was steadily crowding out important but arguably
discretionary spending, such as libraries. She agreed the service model was
not sustainable, but disagreed with the proposed solution.
Council Member Mossar said she was caught off guard by the goal of staff’s
proposal, which was to reverse a downward spiral. She thought the goal was
much more aligned with the deficit problems the community faced. Outside of budget conversations, it would be imprudent for the Council to take any
action, which would preclude them from making across the board cuts in the
next two years. She was supportive of distributed services, expressed a
willingness to have those services looked at differently, and welcomed a
report from the LAC on how to improve them. She felt unprepared to say
exactly what she would like to see; however, she was uncomfortable with
staff’s recommendation. She also expressed opposition to the appointment
of a Blue Ribbon Commission.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Council Member Morton moved, seconded by
Cordell, to deny the following staff recommendation:
1. Adopt a long-range plan to establish a single full-service library for all
of Palo Alto at an existing or to be determined site;
2. Appoint a diverse Blue Ribbon Committee representing all
stakeholders, with members to be recommended by the City Manager
and the Library Director, and a charter to develop a work program,
timeline, and funding plan for the long-range vision. The Committee
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will submit its report to the Council by January 31, 2007, in time for
the Council to incorporate it into the next budget cycle.
In line with the long-range vision of enhancing library services, staff further
recommends the Council:
3. Authorize the conversion of the College Terrace and Downtown Branch
Libraries to other community uses, to be completed by June 30, 2007;
4. Shift all staffing and other resources from the College Terrace and
Downtown branches by June 30, 2007, to enhance services at the
Main, Mitchell Park and Children’s Libraries.
Council Member Kishimoto asked for a point of order.
Mayor Beecham said a main motion was on the floor by Council Members
Freeman and Kishimoto, and Council Members Morton and Cordell were
proposing a substitute motion.
Council Member Morton said his intent was to clear the table of staff’s
recommendations.
Mr. Benest asked to clarify Council Member Mossar’s concern about how the
item related to the budget. He said it was clear the Library Director was
more concerned about the unsustainable service model, which did not work given the available resources. It was also clear the City Manager had a much
bigger problem, which was the $5.2 million deficit after tens of millions of
dollars had already been cut. When it came time to present
recommendations to the City Council he had the option of: 1) recommending
library services be evaluated in terms of all the other services or; 2) given
the recommendations of the Library Director, be willing to keep the library’s
whole and create a sustainable cost-effective service model over time, even
if that required some other cuts elsewhere. When the Council made its
budget decisions in May 2005, there would be some dramatic layoffs and
service cuts.
Council Member Morton said those who had served on the Finance
Committee or would in the coming year, were equally aware of the hard
choices ahead. However, none of staff’s recommendations made it clear to
him the City would get any closer to having a full service state-of-the-art
library by closing the Downtown and College Terrace branches. He would be
willing to work passionately to rebuild the Mitchell Park Library and believed
the City would approve a bond measure for the site.
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Council Member Cordell concurred with her colleagues about the concern
there might not be the financial gain or benefit that staff spoke of if the two
neighborhood libraries were closed. She said given everything she had heard
she did not believe transforming the City’s library from a neighborhood
model to one centrally located was in the best interest of everyone in the
community. She noted there had not been a huge outcry by Palo Altans
bemoaning the fate of the libraries. She would like to see the libraries
become a top priority and hoped the Council would make a decision and
move forward in determining a new vision for the City’s libraries. She
expressed support for the substitute motion.
Vice Mayor Burch asked whether the list of items read by Council Member
Freeman corresponded with the Library Director’s figures.
Ms. Simpson said she could not verify the numbers. She believed there was
a question of interpretation and offered to review them and give Council an
informed answer.
Vice Mayor Burch said he agreed the current situation was not sustainable,
and could not continue as it was. He believed staff had missed the mark
when they did not say whether Palo Alto could be creative in having one full
service library and provide several branch libraries to the neighborhoods. He
expressed support for the Blue Ribbon Committee.
Council Member Ojakian asked whether the $5.2 million for library services was all-inclusive, and included Information Technology (IT) and janitorial
services.
Ms. Simpson said there were certainly other costs associated with operating
the library not included in the Library’s Departmental Budget.
Council Member Ojakian asked what those items were and did she have an
estimated cost.
Ms. Simpson said she did not have that information readily available.
Council Member Ojakian said in the past IT services were not reflected in the
library’s operating budget, but was one of the major added costs. In his
opinion, library services in Palo Alto could be better; however, the
community could not agree. Former City Manager June Fleming had
extensive library experience. She proposed a plan to keep three libraries in
Palo Alto. The present Library Director believed the library system did not
function the way it could. In the short term, staff should rely on the LAC. He
expressed support for a full service library but did not believe it should be
done at the expense of the branch library system. He concurred with Vice
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Mayor Burch regarding the Mitchell Park Library. He suggested taking a look
at having someone “adopt” the Downtown Library. It could become a
specialized library that had a section of the collection devoted to business
books or other similar ideas to help the funding come from elsewhere.
Council Member Kleinberg said she was unclear whether the
recommendations by the Library Director were what needed to be done. She
had a number of unanswered questions: 1) what were the real savings from
the closures since it was suggested they would be used as another facility or
service; 2) what would be the budget savings if money was being
reallocated to different places; 3) what were the backfill strategies, if any;
and 4) what would be the cost of the City’s shuttle service, mobile library,
and mailbox drops. She expressed concern about the demand for more
library resources due to plans for increased housing in Palo Alto.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION PASSED 9-0.
MOTION: Council Member Freeman moved to maintain all the current
branch libraries.
MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND
MOTION: Council Member Kleinberg moved, seconded by Freeman, to
direct the Library Advisory Committee (LAC) to recommend a strategy for
creating a full service library at the existing or another site; a strategy to include maintaining neighborhood facilities and distributive services; to
maintain collection services; and to direct the LAC to recommend a
redefinition of branch services and to make libraries a Top Five Priority in the
2005/07 budget.
Council Member Kleinberg said, as an example, a full service library in
combination with distributed services was the hardest task to undertake.
However, she would welcome the LAC taking on the challenge in conjunction
with the Library Director.
Council Member Freeman said the LAC was looking for some direction in
which to put their time and effort.
Council Member Ojakian said he was supportive of having a full service
library, but expressed opposition to the motion. He did not want to tie the
Library Director’s hands.
Council Member Morton expressed support for the motion.
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Council Member Mossar said the motion was silent on budget direction and,
therefore, he would not support it.
Vice Mayor Burch expressed support for the motion.
Mr. Benest said should the motion be approved, it would not be completed
by budget time. He anticipated preparing a balanced budget for the Council
to evaluate, which included layoffs in a variety of areas.
Council Member Kleinberg clarified should the Council adopt the motion,
which stated they did not want the branch libraries closed, that would not be
included in the budget.
Mr. Benest said that was correct. If the Council indicated they did not want
to close branches, that would not be included in the proposed budget.
However, staff would not be able to come up with a doable, practical and
funded program by budget time.
Mayor Beecham said what he heard that evening was the same thing every
time the issue arose: 1) a full service library; 2) distributed libraries; and 3)
make the library a priority for the budget. He wondered what had changed
that caused the libraries to now become a priority for the budget. He did not
believe the project was any closer to working, nor would it work by sending
it back to the LAC. He expressed disappointment with the LAC. He
acknowledged they poured their heart into the libraries; however, the Council had heard them over the years shifting between keeping the
distributed libraries and letting them go. He did not believe the Council had
the information they needed to proceed further. There were no sacred cows
in the City. Every department would be considered in resolving the City’s
budget in the coming years.
Council Member Morton said he did not believe any of his colleagues
intended to make a motion which would in any way exempt the library from
budgetary cuts. He expressed support for the motion.
Council Member Kishimoto expressed support for the motion with the Top 5
Priority clause removed.
MAKER OF MOTION agreed to remove the Top 5 Priority clause from the
motion.
Council Member Kishimoto agreed the Council should learn from the past
mistake of giving a big task to the LAC without discussing the budget. She
said during the temporary closure of Children’s Library, approximately 15
FTE personnel would be shifted to other sites. She hoped senior staff would
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take that opportunity to invest in productivity changes previously discussed.
She disagreed with Mayor Beecham regarding the lack of progress. There
was a proposed model of one resource library and four satellite branches.
Council Member Freeman said from her perspective the Top 5 issue would
have been a valid way to ensure appropriate funding as the budget was
being developed.
MOTION PASSED 7-2, Mossar, Ojakian no.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
15. Public Hearing: Acceptance of Citizens Options for Public Safety
(COPS) Funds in the Amount of $100,000 for the Purchase of a Bar
Coding System, Evidence Collection and Detection Equipment, Upgrade
of Hostage Negotiation Equipment, Laptop for Sexual Assault
Investigations, and Upgrades of the Police Motorcycle Program
Mayor Beecham declared the Public hearing open at 10:55 p.m.
Aram B. James said Police Chief Lynne Johnson stated at the Human
Relations Commission (HRC) of December 9, 2004, one reason she could not
continue collecting the quantity and quality data on racial profiling was the
lack of staffing and/or funding. He suggested having money put toward the
continued collection of racial profiling data, as well as having review by an independent expert.
Mayor Beecham declared the Public Hearing closed at 11:00 p.m.
MOTION: Council Member Mossar moved, seconded by Kleinberg, to
approve the staff recommendation to accept Citizens Options for Public
Safety (COPS) funds in the amount of $100,000 for the purchase of bar
coding system, evidence collection and detection equipment, upgrade of
hostage negotiation equipment, laptop for sexual assault investigations, and
upgrade of police motorcycles.
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
16. Public Hearing: The City Council will Consider a Proposed Exchange of
Land Between the City of Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Unified School
District Adjusting the Boundary Between Walter Hays School and
Rinconada Park, a Dedicated Public Park, without Increasing or
Decreasing the Area of Either Property
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Council Member Freeman stated she would not participate in the item due to
a conflict of interest because of Government Code Section 1090, as she was
employed as a substitute teacher with the Palo Alto Unified School District
(PAUSD).
Council Member Kleinberg asked whether there was a deadline for Council‘s
consideration of the matter.
Assistant City Manager Emily Harrison said she did not believe there was,
however, the encroachment had been extended for quite some time.
Council Member Kleinberg said there were a number of people in the
audience who had been waiting a long time to speak to the issue, and
wondered if public comment could be taken first.
Ms. Harrison said staff did not need to make a presentation, and Council had
already reviewed the issue at length.
Mayor Beecham clarified it was the consensus of the Council to take public
comment that evening and then discuss the item.
Mayor Beecham declared the Public Hearing open at 11:04 p.m.
Gail Price, Vice President Palo Alto School Board, 25 Churchill Avenue,
encouraged the Council to vote in favor of staff’s recommendation. The resolution met the needs of all the parties.
Wayne Swan, 240 Kellogg Avenue, said several years prior the Palo Alto
Unified School District (PAUSD) mistakenly placed two portable classrooms
and constructed playground structures within the boundaries of Rinconada
Park. The portable classrooms were placed on the Walter Hays School site
with a low fence between the parcels. The PAUSD had promised to relocate
its facilities and remove the encroachment. He wondered how many dollars
had been spent by the City to resolve the problem. If the classrooms could
be relocated, why had the City not asked the PAUSD to move them off
dedicated parkland.
Norman Carroll, Emerson and University, said the issue had been floating
around for the past The City could possibly open itself up for a lawsuit if they
did not follow the procedure recommended by the Policy and Services
Committee.
William Spangler, 471 Carolina Lane, said he understood the PAUSD, as
another governmental agency, did not have to get approval from Palo Alto,
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have designs reviewed, or conduct inspections. He believed they should fix
the problem and pay for the error.
Herb Borock, P.O. Box 632, said the Council should reject staff’s
recommendation, place the land exchanges on the ballot, as required by the
City Charter, and subject the PAUSD to pay for the land swap. The Charter
Amendments of 1965 and 1969 required a vote of the people to remove land
from dedicated parkland.
Tom Jordan, 474 Churchill Avenue, urged the Council to vote against staff’s
recommendation. He did not believe the Council had the power to do such
an exchange based on the following: 1) there was nothing in the City
Charter that incorporated what staff had relied upon for the exchange; 2)
Enid Pearson, one of the authors of Article VIII of the City Charter previously
stated to Council that minor exchanges were not permitted under the
Charter; 3) the Charter Review Committee minutes indicated not even a
square foot of land could be given without a vote of the people; and 4)
former City Attorney Ariel Calonne advised the Council in 1990, 1991, and
via email in November 2003, the provision staff had relied upon did not
permit minor exchanges. He said the Council had three alternatives: 1) vote
in favor of staff’s recommendation which, in his mind, was illegal; 2) pay for
an election; or 3) require the PAUSD to remove the portable classrooms by
giving them a deadline to either remove the buildings or pay for the election
in full. He believed the PAUSD’s figure of $300,000 to remove the buildings
was highly inflated.
Mayor Beecham declared the Public Hearing closed at 11:15 p.m.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Burch moved, seconded by Ojakian, to approve the
staff recommendation to: 1) pass a Resolution overruling any protests and
authorizing the exchange of land between the City of Palo Alto and the Palo
Alto Unified School District for the purpose of adjusting the boundary
between Rinconada Park and Walter Hays School without increasing or
decreasing the area of either property; 2) introduce an Ordinance adjusting
the boundary of Rinconada Park; and 3) approve the Agreement for
Exchange of real property pursuant to Government Code sections 38440 et
seq. The purpose of the exchange is to abate the Walter Hays School
encroachment into Rinconada Park.
Ordinance 1st Reading entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City Of
Palo Alto Amending Exhibit A-17 to Section 22.08.210 of Chapter
22.08 of Title 2 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Adjust the Boundary
of Rinconada Park”
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Resolution 8492 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Authorizing the Exchange of Land Between the City of Palo Alto
and the Palo Alto Unified School District for the Purpose of Adjusting
the Boundary Between Walter Hays School and Rinconada Park, a
Dedicated Public Park, Without Increasing or Decreasing the Area of
Either Property”
Vice Mayor Burch said the idea that the residents of Palo Alto would want
either the City to pay the cost of an election or the PAUSD to pay the cost of
relocating the portable classrooms simply did not make sense. He did not
see any reason to punish the PAUSD for an honest mistake, nor was there
any reason to punish the City for whatever the Council decided to do.
Council Member Ojakian asked whether the City Attorney believed the
exchange of land was legally defensible.
City Attorney Gary Baum said both he and the Senior Assistant City Attorney
Wynne Furth discussed the matter at length and believed it was a perfectly
legal and acceptable solution to the problem. In response to Mr. Jordan’s
comments, the City Charter did refer to the General Law, which had an
exemption under which the City had proceeded. The General Law provision
found in California Government Code §38441 was directly referenced within
the Charter. He said testimony by the draftsman of a Charter was not
relevant. What was relevant was the language in the Charter and the
Government Code. A boundary adjustment from 1965 or 1968 was illustrative of something, but was not disposition of the present incident. The
Charter Review Committee minutes were not relevant to the current
proceedings. Ariel Calonne’s comments of 1990 were interesting for 1990,
but might not reflect on the current situation. While he and the Council had
a great deal of respect for Mr. Calonne, his comments via email, while he
was in Boulder, Colorado, applied to Boulder and not the City of Palo Alto.
He expressed no legal difficulties in advising the Council they could proceed.
Council Member Kleinberg asked for an explanation of the exemption.
Mr. Baum said the City Charter had a provision that stated how the City
dealt with land in City parks. The provision referred to the General Law and
attached Government Code §38441, which had a specific exemption. The
exemption said without a special election, the legislative body might convey
a minor portion of such a park in exchange for an equal or greater area. It
further stated the methodology used: 1) a notice and public hearing; 2) a
determination that it was in the public interest; 3) the adoption of a
resolution; and 4) the adoption of an ordinance.
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Council Member Cordell said she understood the language in the Charter and
the explanation given by the City Attorney; however, she respectfully
disagreed. It came down to what “minor” was and its definition. She would
not vote in support of the motion.
Council Member Kishimoto agreed the action taken by the PAUSD was a
small and honest mistake, and a fair exchange had been proposed. She said
she would stick with her previous position and not vote in support of the
motion.
MOTION PASSED 5-3, Cordell, Kishimoto, Kleinberg, no, Freeman not
participating.
COUNCIL MATTERS
17. Compensation Recommendations for City Manager Frank Benest, City
Auditor Sharon Erickson and City Clerk Donna Rogers
Council Member Mossar said the Memorandum before the Council was
unanimously supported by the Council-Appointed Officers (CAO) Committee,
reflected the outcome of the process, which involved the CAO Facilitator,
John Shannon, and input from the Council Members, both individually and as
a group. The CAO Committee felt the process valuable and effective.
Herb Borock, P.O. Box 632, said the motion by Council Member Mossar related to compensation of the CAO’s; however, the Committee
recommendation contained one additional item, which was to update the
Employment Agreement with the City Manager. He believed the language
should be deleted because the Charter stated the first duty of the City
Manager was to devote his entire time to the discharge of the duties of his
office. In addition, there was already an existing Employment Agreement
with the City Manager. If there was a recommendation to change the
Employment Agreement, both the previous and revised Employment
Agreements should have been attached to the staff report and made
available to the Council and the public.
Council Member Mossar thanked Mr. Borock for noting that the motion failed
to mention the fifth provision to update the City Manager’s employment
agreement, but it was a part of her motion.
MOTION: Council Member Mossar moved, seconded by Burch, to approve
the CAO Committee recommendations for compensation as follows: 1) each
officer will receive a 10 percent salary increase; 2) each officer will continue
to enjoy the same benefits for retirement, medical, dental and vision
coverage, and deferred compensation; 3) the City Auditor and City Clerk
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shall continue to receive a $3,900 Transportation Allowance (formerly
referred to as “Auto Allowance”). Council Appointed Officers are encouraged
to take advantage of transportation alternatives as feasible; 4) the City
Manager will continue to have use of a City-owned fleet vehicle, with the
understanding he is also encouraged to take advantage of transportation
alternatives as feasible; and 5) the City Council agrees to update the
contract for City Manager Benest to confirm the existing policy that he may
be involved in outside employment as long as it does not conflict or interfere
with his job as City Manager.
City Attorney Gary Baum said, as a point of clarification in response to the
public comment, the Council would not actually make any change to the
contract that evening, but rather direct staff to come back with it.
Mayor Beecham asked if there was anything the Council could do in order to
take action that evening.
Mr. Baum said he did not believe so.
Council Member Mossar said it should return on the Consent Calendar.
Mr. Baum said the change to the contract was minor.
MOTION PASSED 8-0, Freeman absent.
Council Member Mossar expressed thanks to Mr. Shannon for all his work in
helping the Council through the process.
Council Member Kishimoto concurred with the comments of Council Member
Mossar. She also thanked the CAO Chair Council Member Mossar for doing a
wonderful job in leading the Committee.
The City Council adjourned to a Special Meeting at 11:30 p.m. as the
Palo Alto Redevelopment Agency and reconvened as the City Council.
COUNCIL COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Ojakian thanked Mayor Beecham for his wonderful job as
Mayor this year.
CLOSED SESSION
The meeting adjourned at 11:38 p.m. to a Closed Session.
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Council Member Ojakian stated he would not participate in Item No. 20 due
to a conflict of interest because Hewlett Packard employed him.
City Attorney Gary Baum stated he could not participate in Item No. 20 due
to a conflict of interest because of his spouse’s employment.
18. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY -- EXISTING LITIGATION
Subject: In re Enron Corp., Debtor, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern
District of New York; Case No.: 01-16034(AJG)
Authority: Government Code section 54956.9(a)
19. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY -- EXISTING LITIGATION
Subject: Ina Jekel and Lance Jekel v. City of Palo Alto, et al.; SCC #1-
03-CV-010476
Authority: Government Code section 54956.9(a)
20. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY -- EXISTING LITIGATION
Subject: Telik, Inc., et al. v. City of Palo Alto, et al., Santa Clara
Superior 1-04-CV-027100
Authority: Government Code section 54956.9(a)
The City Council met in Closed Session to discuss matters regarding existing
litigation, as described in Agenda Item No. 18, 19 and 20.
Mayor Beecham announced there was no reportable action taken.
FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 11:55 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
NOTE: Sense minutes (synopsis) are prepared in accordance with Palo Alto
Municipal Code Sections 2.04.180(a) and (b). The City Council and Standing
Committee meeting tapes are made solely for the purpose of facilitating the
preparation of the minutes of the meetings. City Council and Standing Committee meeting tapes are recycled 90 days from the date of the
meeting. The tapes are available for members of the public to listen to
during regular office hours.
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