HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-19 City Council Summary Minutes
05/19/08 103-185
Special Meeting
May 19, 2008
STUDY SESSION...................................................................................187
1. Joint Meeting with Youth Council Regarding Palo Alto Youth Issues ......187
2. Library/Community Center and Public Safety Building Cost Estimate
Update and Review of Comments from Peer Review Committee...........187
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY................................................................187
3. Proclamation for Foster Care Appreciation Month...............................187
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS.......................................................................189
COUNCIL COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND REPORTS FROM CONFERENCES ......191
APPROVAL OF MINUTES .........................................................................193
CONSENT CALENDAR.............................................................................194
4. Approval of Memorandum of Agreement with the Bay Area Recycled
Water Coalition Regarding Federal Legislative Efforts. ........................194
5. Approval of Contract with Sherry L. Lund Associates in an Amount Not
to Exceed $26,500 for Facilitation of the Council Appointed Officer
Evaluations. .................................................................................194
6. Request for Referral of Regional Transportation Issues to the Policy
and Services Committee. ...............................................................194
7. Ordinance 5003 stating, “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Establishing Underground Utility District Number 45 (Palo Alto
Avenue, Alma Street, High Street, Lytton Avenue and Cambridge
Avenue) by Amending Section 12.16.020 of Chapter 12.16 of Title 12
of the Palo Alto Municipal Code”......................................................194
PUBLIC HEARINGS ................................................................................194
05/19/08 103-186
8. Policy and Services Committee Recommendation to Adopt an
Ordinance Amending Chapter 21.50 (Park Land Dedication or Fees In-
Lieu Thereof) of Title 21 (Subdivisions and Other Divisions of Land) of
the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Set the Park Land Dedication
Requirement to Five Acres Per Thousand Residents............................194
COUNCIL MATTERS ...............................................................................198
9. Colleague’s Memo from Mayor Klein and Council Members Burt, Barton
and Kishimoto Requesting Support for a Pilot Program Involving “Open
City Hall” On-line Civic Engagement Initiative. ..................................198
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:38 p.m. .......................200
05/19/08 103-187
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council
Conference Room at 6:05 p.m.
Present: Barton, Burt, Drekmeier, Espinosa, Kishimoto, Klein, Morton,
Schmid, Yeh
STUDY SESSION
1. Joint Meeting with Youth Council Regarding Palo Alto Youth Issues
No action required
2. Library/Community Center and Public Safety Building Cost Estimate
Update and Review of Comments from Peer Review Committee
Assistant Public Works Director, Mike Sartor presented a project cost update
for the Public Safety Building, Mitchell, Main and Downtown Libraries, and
Mitchell Park Community Center projects. The work of the Council directed
cost Peer Review Committee was presented. With the Committee’s review
Staff had identified potential project cost savings of about $1 million for the
Public Safety Building and about $3 million for the Libraries/Community
Center. The City received a Letter of Intent from the owners of an adjacent
parcel of land where the city plans to construct the new Public Safety
Building which will allow for a more efficient and cost effective project. He
mentioned that the Committee will continue to be consulted throughout the
design of the projects to provide input that may lead to additional project
cost savings.
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
3. Proclamation for Foster Care Appreciation Month
MOTION: Mayor Klein moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Drekmeier to bring
forward Council Comments to follow Oral Communications.
Mayor Klein stated that the Council had not commented while the police
investigation of the Children’s Theatre was being conducted on advice of
counsel. The investigation having been concluded Council Members wish to
speak and the public wants to hear these comments.
Council Member Barton stated his opposition for this Motion. He stated his
concerns were based on the Brown Act, ethics, and the notion that it could
possibly be prejudicial for the Council to conduct a discussion on this matter
at this time.
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Mayor Klein stated he had discussion with the City Attorney on this subject.
City Attorney Gary Baum stated that there is a Brown Act provision that
requires the Council’s discussion to be agendized. He stated that the parties
involved are City employees and the Council cannot give any direction
regarding any disciplinary actions.
Mayor Klein stated he was clear on the restrictions and that Council
Comments does allow for the Council to make comments.
Mr. Baum stated that the Council Comments section was designed for limited
Council comments on general issues and to request issues be brought back
at a future time. He stated that it does not provide for the Council to take
action or have detailed discussion.
Mayor Klein asked if that was different than the information Mr. Baum
provided earlier.
Mr. Baum stated he was not changing his position but to clarify he indicated
that in his experience there had not ever been a discussion by the Council
during Council Comments. It had been limited to quickly responding to a
matter and giving direction to Staff.
Mayor Klein stated he understood and asked Mr. Baum to reaffirm that he
had no objection.
Mr. Baum restated his caution to the Council.
Council Member Morton asked for confirmation that it would not violate the
Brown Act to ask Staff to bring a matter on the agenda back or explain the
request.
Mr. Baum stated that was correct.
Council Member Morton asked if the Council could still request Staff bring
the issue back with more information about the decision by the District
Attorney and the Police Chief not to pursue further action.
Mr. Baum stated that if there was an action for the Council to take on that
information then the answer would be yes.
Mayor Klein read into the record the agenda section Council Comments,
Announcements, and Reports from Conferences. The purpose of this agenda
item is to allow Council to question Staff briefly on matters upon which the
Council has taken action or given direction, make general comments as a
reference to Staff on factual matters of community concern, or make brief
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announcements in a manner consistent with Government Code. He stated
that the Council would be making general comments.
Council Member Burt stated Mayor Klein’s clarification helped address his
concerns and clarified that Council Members can ask questions of Staff but
cannot discuss the item or make comments regarding personnel matters.
Mr. Baum stated the primary issue is not violating the Brown Act and the
secondary issue is the Council cannot act outside of its legal role of policy
setting.
Council Member Burt asked for confirmation that the Council can ask
questions of Staff provided they are not prejudicial to potential personnel
actions.
Mr. Baum stated the Council can direct questions to Staff.
Council Member Burt asked for confirmation that the Council can make
comments provided there is no discussion among the Council Members.
Mr. Baum stated his confirmation of that statement with the caution that the
comments should be made in the context of future direction of action to be
brought back to Council.
Council Member Burt asked specifically if the Council Members were
permitted to make comments that do not constitute discussion among
Council Members on an item that was not agendized.
Mr. Baum stated the Council Members were permitted to make comments as
long as there was no discussion of an item that has not been listed on the
agenda.
Council Member Espinosa stated he will be opposing the Motion. He stated
that this is a very sensitive topic and that this was not the way to approach
the discussion. He stated his preference for agendizing the item as a Public
Hearing.
MOTION PASSED: 7-2, Barton, Espinosa voting no
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Barbara Slone, 2002 Barbara Drive, spoke regarding Burma.
Saw Mittun, 19400 Sorenson Avenue, Apartment 142, Cupertino, spoke
regarding Burma.
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Ms. Yasmin Vanya, 3265 Tenley Drive, San Jose, spoke regarding Burma.
Andy Hayes, Cupertino spoke regarding the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre.
Barbara Burgelin, Menlo Park, spoke regarding the Palo Alto Children’s
Theatre.
Jeremy Erman, Cowper Street, spoke regarding the Palo Alto Children’s
Theatre.
Katharine Saunders, 3289 Maddux Drive, spoke regarding the Palo Alto
Children’s Theatre.
Paula Collins, spoke regarding the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre.
Carl Gillespie, Jr., 4142 Armarante Court, spoke regarding the Palo Alto
Children’s Theatre.
Annette Ashton, 2747 Bryant Street, spoke regarding commendation for
Sheryl Contois, the Technical Services Coordinator, who was retiring.
Sheri Furman, 3094 Greer, spoke regarding commendation for Sheryl
Contois.
Mayor Klein stated his appreciation for Ms. Contois and her excellent work as
well as the Palo Alto Neighborhoods organization for recognizing her service.
He stated the only reason there was no official City of Palo Alto retirement
party was that is reserved for individuals with 20 years of service and Ms.
Contois is leaving after only eight years.
Nancy Ginsburg Stern, 30 Tevis Place, spoke regarding the Palo Alto
Children’s Theatre.
Dan Dykwel, 480 Gary Court, spoke regarding invitation to PTA event.
Donald Remsen, 20 Kirby Place, spoke regarding the Palo Alto Children’s
Theatre.
Cy Ashley Web, 2454 West Bay Street, spoke regarding the Palo Alto
Children’s Theatre.
Rick Saal, Bryant Street, spoke regarding the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre.
Suzan Stewart, 1550 Middlefield Road, spoke regarding the Palo Alto
Children’s Theatre.
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Bryan Minor, 4350 Miller Avenue, spoke regarding the Palo Alto Children’s
Theatre.
Dan Conway, 541 Hilber Lane, spoke regarding the City Manager.
Ralph King, spoke regarding Palo Alto Children’s Theatre.
Robert Moss, 4010 Orme Street, spoke regarding the Palo Alto Children’s
Theatre.
COUNCIL COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND REPORTS FROM CONFERENCES
Council Member Barton advised that he would excuse himself from the
discussion of the Children’s Theatre as he is very concerned about the
discussion that may take place. He advised he is concerned and deeply
interested in the Children’s Theatre investigation, he feels that this needs to
be done in a time, place, and manner consistent with the law, ethical
behavior and the rights of those involved. He stated he believes that the
discussion they will have tonight may be prejudicial to those being
investigated in one form or another. He advised he would step down from
the dais for the remainder of this discussion.
Council Member Barton left the Council meeting at 8:50 p.m.
Council Member Morton asked to have the following questions answered:
1) Did the police disregard the explanation of former Arts and Culture
Director Leon Kaplan regarding costume sales.
2) How did a burglary turn into the investigation of Staff and why did that
burglary seem to have lost the interest of the police department that it
was the Palo Alto Weekly who identified the location of the suspect
who recently confessed to the crime.
3) Did the police unnecessarily extend the investigation by failing to enlist
the assistance of the City Auditor’s Staff. Did an issue that was more
properly a question of accounting and documentation become
unnecessarily a lengthy police investigation.
4) Did the police fail to resolve the investigation because they failed to
discuss with Friends of the Children’s Theatre their claim that there
were over 150 incidents of duplicate reimbursements.
5) Was the decision to restrict Staff’s access to their place of work and to
prohibit them from speaking out in their own defense and to each
other really necessary to the conduct of the investigation.
6) Did this investigation continue for 11 months in some part because of
the police department’s refusal to question their presumption of guilt
and their refusal to entertain the possibility that their might be other
05/19/08 103-192
explanation other than criminal intent, for what might have at first
raised questions of appropriateness of transactions.
7) How do we undo the damage that might have been done by this
investigation, and the pain that it has caused to generations of
participants in the theatre, volunteers in the community, and to the
theatre Staff.
Council Member Morton went on to speak regarding the healing process that
will need to take place and how it will come from the people in the audience
who will have to pick up the pieces and put the theatre program back
together.
Council Member Burt asked the City Attorney what the process or
circumstances are to have the Police Auditor review the police investigation
of the Children’s Theatre.
City Attorney Gary Baum stated the Council can direct the Police Auditor to
investigate the Police Department’s handling of the investigation. This
cannot be done if the investigation is ongoing. The Police Auditor would
evaluate what has already been completed by the Police Department and
would not conduct their own investigation. This would be completed by
Council directing Staff to bring this back as a future item.
Council Member Burt stated that due to the degradation of trust and concern
in the community, it is very important to have as much transparency as
possible. The public needs to understand more fully what has happened and
we need to provide as much information as possible to them. He asked if
there is any intention by Staff to release the police report to the public.
Mr. Baum advised if there is a public records request it would be released,
with the redaction of privacy information for some of those involved.
Council Member Schmid stated he was pleased that the criminal
investigation had resulted in no criminal charges being filed against anyone.
He stated the Council has responsibility for policy and there are a number of
critical Council issues that need to be addressed.
MOTION: Council Member Kishimoto moved, seconded by Council Member
Morton to agendize an item to refer the criminal investigation of the
Children’s Theatre to either the Police Auditor or City Auditor.
MOTION PASSED: 8-0, Barton absent
Vice Mayor Drekmeier stated that the San Francisquito JPA has published a
job announcement for a new Executive Director, and that it will be on the
JPA website, and he would like everyone to spread the word.
05/19/08 103-193
Mayor Klein extended his appreciation to Steve Lowney of the District
Attorney’s (DA) office with regards to the Children’s Theatre investigation.
Mayor Klein has several questions, which he would like addressed by Staff:
1) A reconciliation between the comments made by the Police Chief and
the DA’s office.
2) He wants to know when Mr. Lowney informed the Police Department
of the problems with the case.
3) If Mr. Lowney advised the Police Department months ago that there
was no case, why wasn’t the case closed then.
4) When did the police learn about the statute of limitations problem.
5) When did the police learn that the no receipts only occurred between
2000-2004.
6) Why did no one from the city ask for receipts for the years 2000-2004.
7) Was the Children’s Theatre authorized to make transfers of used
costumes to the Friend of the Children’s Theatre by the city Staff.
8) Was the depreciation cost of the costumes taken into account
9) Why was it necessary to close the Children’s Theatre in January 2008.
10) How could the City Manager’s office review the press release issued by
the Police Chief and what authority did the Police Chief have to say
that the administrative investigation would continue in another press
release.
Council Member Burt stated he wants to understand what assurance the City
Council has of the independence between the police criminal investigation
and the City Manager’s administrative investigation. He also spoke
regarding the California Avenue fountain and the potential options to either
repair it or replace it with something else.
Council Member Kishimoto would like a brief update on the California Avenue
Development Association (CADA) streetscape.
Council Member Yeh asked about the latest CPI spill that had occurred this
morning.
Acting City Manager Kelly Morariu stated there was a non-emergency spill of
a liquid that went into the storm drain and it is being followed up by Staff.
The Council took a break from 9:30 p.m. to 9:35 p.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Council Member Barton moved, seconded by Vice Mayor
Drekmeier to approve the minutes of March 24, 2008 as submitted.
05/19/08 103-194
MOTION PASSED: 9-0
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Morton advised he would not be participating in Agenda
Item Number 7 as he owns property on the periphery of this district.
MOTION: Council Member Barton moved, seconded by Council Member
Espinosa to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 4-7.
4. Approval of Memorandum of Agreement with the Bay Area Recycled
Water Coalition Regarding Federal Legislative Efforts.
5. Approval of Contract with Sherry L. Lund Associates in an Amount Not
to Exceed $26,500 for Facilitation of the Council Appointed Officer
Evaluations.
6. Request for Referral of Regional Transportation Issues to the Policy
and Services Committee.
7. Ordinance 5003 stating, “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Establishing Underground Utility District Number 45 (Palo Alto
Avenue, Alma Street, High Street, Lytton Avenue and Cambridge
Avenue) by Amending Section 12.16.020 of Chapter 12.16 of Title 12
of the Palo Alto Municipal Code”.
MOTION PASSED for Items 4-6: 9-0
MOTION PASSED for Item 7: 8-0, Morton not participating
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. Policy and Services Committee Recommendation to Adopt an
Ordinance Amending Chapter 21.50 (Park Land Dedication or Fees In-
Lieu Thereof) of Title 21 (Subdivisions and Other Divisions of Land) of
the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Set the Park Land Dedication
Requirement to Five Acres Per Thousand Residents.
Council Member Kishimoto stated that the Policy and Services Committee
voted two to one to make this recommendation to the Council. She stated
that based on two years of experience working with the Quimby Act, Staff
has returned with this recommendation.
Department of Planning and Community Environment Administrator Jon
Abendschein stated the original ordinance was adopted in 2006. He stated
Staff is also recommending an increase of the in-lieu fees.
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Council Member Morton asked how the new requirement will impact parkland
that needs improvement and the use of Quimby fees for that purpose.
Mr. Abendschein stated the option of fee or land would still be available to
the City.
Council Member Morton asked if projects that contain internal green space
not accessible to the community qualified for the Quimby requirements.
Mr. Abendschein stated the park would have to be acceptable to the City as
a park. He stated that if it did not meet City standards for a public park,
then the City would not be required to accept it.
Council Member Schmid asked for qualification of the housing numbers used
in this report.
Mr. Abendschein asked if Council Member Schmid was referring to the large
multiple family developments proposed over the last few years, which show
a substantial increase in housing.
Council Member Schmid stated that the housing trend from 2000 to 2006
was three to four times more than is represented in this report.
Mr. Abendschein stated that the projected revenue of $1.5 to $2.0 million
would not be consistent from year to year. He stated that some years there
will be substantially more development than others.
Council Member Schmid asked what the housing projection is over the next
five years.
Mr. Abendschein stated that two projections were used. He stated that one
was developed by the Advance Planning Division and the other was based on
the trend over the previous five years. He stated that he used a range
rather than specific numbers.
Council Member Schmid asked for clarification of the “proposed fees per
unit” as listed in Table 2 and Table 3.
Mr. Abendschein stated that this is per constructed housing unit.
Council Member Schmid stated as the list of fees to be paid by developers
has expanded there seemed to be a financial incentive for developers to
build less than 30 units per acre, which is contrary to the City’s housing
goals.
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Mr. Abendschein stated that while the developer may save on fees, their
profit will decrease with fewer units.
Council Member Schmid stated that recently projects have reduced their
densities so this raises questions about the current housing policy. He
stated that a review of the Comprehensive Plan housing policies may be
necessary. He asked if Staff has agendized the housing policies to be
discussed by the Council prior to November.
Deputy City Manager Steve Emslie stated that Staff is trying to schedule a
Joint Meeting for the Council and the Planning Commission before the
summer break to begin work on the Comprehensive Plan and the Housing
Element.
Council Member Burt asked if there are developments being discussed with
over 50 units.
Mr. Abendschein stated there are none at this time.
Council Member Burt asked how it would be handled if a developer
segmented his project so as to avoid the parkland requirement.
Mr. Abendschein stated his understanding was the development would be
considered in its totality.
Council Member Burt asked for clarification of the events of the Elk’s Lodge
site development that came forward in several different stages.
Mr. Emslie stated that Map was on file before the ordinance was enacted so
this project was not subject to these requirements. He stated that they did
dedicate equivalent land for the total number of units on the site.
Mr. Baum stated that if it can be determined that a project is part of a larger
development then Staff will set the requirement accordingly. He stated that
there is a provision in the Quimby Act regarding new commercial
development being converted to residential within four years being subject
to the parkland requirements.
Public Hearing opened at 9:55 p.m.
Robert Moss, 4010 Orme Street, stated his agreement with the
recommendation to move to the five-acre requirement. He stated the
Silicon Valley Association of Realtors reported that there are 63 acres of
parkland per 1,000 based on the 2000 Census and about 59.8 acres is either
in the Baylands or the foothills and is not a neighborhood park. He stated
that school athletic fields are counted as three-fourths of an acre of public
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parkland per 1,000 and does not agree with that characterization. He stated
that rather than collecting fees and expanding facilities in existing parks, it
would be more beneficial to create more small neighborhood parks.
Tom Jordan, 474 Churchill, stated he is in favor of the recommendation. He
stated there is reference in the Comprehensive Plan, Policy C-24, calling for
four acres of neighborhood and district parkland per 1,000. He stated that
the ordinance requiring only three acres per 1,000 exacerbated the deficit as
it called for less than the Comprehensive Plan required. He stated the
concern over housing price increases due to this ordinance is small
compared to other current activities.
Public Hearing closed at 10:02 p.m.
Mayor Klein stated the Council received letters from Emily Renzel supporting
the recommendation and from the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors
opposing the proposed ordinance.
MOTION: Council Member Kishimoto moved, seconded by Council Member
Schmid to approve Staff and the Policy and Services Committee
recommendations to adopt an Ordinance amending Chapter 21.50 (Park
Land Dedication or Fees in-Lieu Thereof) of Title 21 (Subdivisions and other
Divisions of Land) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Set the Park Land
Dedication Requirement to Five Acres Per Thousand Residents.
Council Member Kishimoto stated this recommendation reflects the policies
in the Community Services chapter of the Comprehensive Plan.
Council Member Schmid stated he supported the public comments.
Council Member Barton stated his concern about the competing interests of
parks versus affordable housing needs. He stated that the program requires
the newest Palo Alto residents to shoulder the majority of the expense and
questioned that practice. He stated his preference for supporting the
affordability of housing. He stated that the wonderful open spaces cited by
public speakers should not be discounted and for all these reasons he will
not support the Motion.
Vice Mayor Drekmeier stated he voted for this recommendation in Policy and
Services Committee and will support the Motion. He stated with the
upcoming housing requirements being imposed on Palo Alto that this change
is needed to address some of the impacts on resources going forward.
Council Member Burt stated his view of the value of the open space districts.
He stated his disagreement with the notion that the newest Palo Alto
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residents shoulder this cost. He stated that the increase in population brings
the demand for more parks. He stated his support for the Motion.
Council Member Morton stated his support for this Motion. He stated his
differing view from Council Member Barton regarding the cost impacts of
parks on housing.
Council Member Yeh expressed his view of the value of parks.
MOTION PASSED: 8-1, Barton voting no
COUNCIL MATTERS
9. Colleague’s Memo from Mayor Klein and Council Members Burt, Barton
and Kishimoto Requesting Support for a Pilot Program Involving “Open
City Hall” On-line Civic Engagement Initiative.
Mayor Klein stated it might have been more appropriate to request this
matter be referred to the Policy and Services Committee.
Council Member Kishimoto stated this is a request to refer the item to Policy
and Services Committee. She stated this is a step towards “egovernment.”
She stated that this doesn’t replace existing procedures, it is an additional
resource to assist the public in participating in decision-making.
MOTION: Council Member Kishimoto moved, seconded by Council Member
Barton to direct Staff to bring this item to the Policy and Services Committee
to identify and clarify any policy or implementation issues to include: 1)
working with City Clerk and City Attorney’s office to ensure adherence to
Brown Act and other legal requirements; 2) who has responsibility for
framing and posting the questions for public feedback; 3) the initial budget
for the pilot program and funding source.
Council Member Barton stated there may be some misunderstanding in the
community about this program. He stated this does not replace any existing
methods available to the community to communicate with the Council.
Jeff Hoel, 731 Colorado Avenue, stated his dissatisfaction with continuing in
this direction and suggested working with members of the public instead to
create a new proposal.
Council Member Schmid stated there have been ongoing concerns in the
community about how the website operates. He stated his view that it
would be useful for the Policy and Services Committee to consider this
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program in the larger context of the worldwide web. He stated he was
concerned about the use of questions with only yes and no answer options.
Council Member Espinosa stated his concern that this service will not
address the issue of civic engagement. He stated that he has seen other
egovernment services that were preferable, so he would rather have Staff
research the subject and bring back alternatives. He stated that he would
align himself with the public speaker as well as the notions contained in the
emails received on this subject. He stated that as a member of the Policy
and Services Committee, he will be interested in reviewing this and will
support the Motion.
Council Member Morton stated that this is a waste of time in various ways.
He stated that in his view it was not necessary to setup a parallel option to
Palo Alto Online. He stated that this would be a time consuming and costly
endeavor and the budget has not been identified for it. He stated his
opinion that now is not the time to undertake this program.
Council Member Burt stated the Kitchen Democracy members, Staff, and the
ad-hoc committee created to review this asked many of the same questions.
He stated that there were a lot of questions and some skepticism but the
responses received were satisfying. He stated that IT Staff was required for
this project and the contract can be cancelled or modified at any time.
Vice Mayor Drekmeier stated his skepticism and concerns including the
yes/no only option and the anonymity allowed. He stated his intention to
vote against the Motion.
Council Member Yeh stated his appreciation to the Council Members who
signed the Colleague’s Memo. He stated that he had questions but would
vote for the Motion to refer this to Committee. He stated that possibly filling
the open IT Manager position discussed in the budget would allow more
opportunity for technical improvements.
Mayor Klein stated his estimate of the cost for a full year of operation would
be $10,000 and that should be available in the budget. He stated his view
that this would be an experimental solution that would further the Civic
Engagement goal. He stated his interest in providing an alternative to the
negativity appearing on Palo Alto Online and believes this is an approach
worth investigating. He stated that he would be open to other approaches
or services as this is investigated but sees this as a good first step.
Council Member Morton stated he sees this as a polling program and will
take time, money, and effort. He stated his view that this is not the best
way to engage the community or to get a clear picture of the community
preferences. He further stated that is not truly civic engagement.
05/19/08 103-200
MOTION PASSED: 7-2, Drekmeier, Morton voting no
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:38 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.