HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-21 City Council Summary Minutes04/21/03 1
Special Meeting
April 21, 2003
1. Public Employee Performance Evaluation..........................................4
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. ................................4
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS.......................................................................5
1. Appointment of Candidates to Library Advisory Commission................5
2. Appointment of Candidates to the Human Relations Commission .........6
3. Appointment of Candidates to the Public Art Commission....................6
4. Schedule for Phase 2 of the South of Forest Avenue Coordinated Area
Plan and Impacts on Other Planning Division Work Items and Related
800 High Street Referendum Issues ................................................7
5. Public Hearing: The City Council will consider an application by A & P
Family Investments for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and
Rezoning of a 1.84-acre parcel located at 2300 East Bayshore Road to
the Research/Office Park land use and LM(D)(3) zoning designations.
The property is currently zoned Planned Community (restaurant) and
designated for service commercial uses in the Comprehensive Plan......15
APPROVAL OF MINUTES .........................................................................24
6. Proposed “Green” Building Policy.....................................................27
7. Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. C8103688 Between the City of Palo
Alto and Turner Construction in the Amount of $76,800 for Additional
Testing and Inspection Services - Downtown Parking Structures
(CIP19530)..................................................................................27
8. Approval Of Appendix 6 Of The SAP Inc., Software License Agreement
in the Amount of $35,000 For Fiscal Year 2002-03 and $95,000 in
2003-04 for Training Services Related to the Implementation of the
04/21/03 2
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software or Resource and Financial
Tracking System (RAFTS) ..............................................................27
9. Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) Member Cost Sharing
Agreement for the Financing of the Planning and Development of the
POE Hydroelectric Project...............................................................27
10. Cost Analysis and Timing for Internet Broadcasting of Council Meetings28
11. Amendment No. 1 to Extend the Existing Contract No. C0125969
Between the City of Palo Alto and CompPsych Corporation
(CompPsych) in the Amount of $12,000 for the Employees Assistance
Program ......................................................................................28
12. Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and 3 Phases Energy Services
to Provide Renewable Energy Certificates and Sales and Marketing
Support for the Palo Alto Green Program for up to Five Years, Up to
the Amount of $1,890,000 .............................................................28
13. From Utilities Advisory Commission: Approval of Utilities Strategic Plan
Update ........................................................................................28
14. The Finance Committee recommends to the City Council re New Green
Power Program Rate Schedules, adoption of a resolution to establish
Green Power Rate Schedules E-1-G, E-2-G, E-4-G, E-7-G, and E-18-G .28
15. The Finance Committee recommends to the City Council, adoption of a
resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into agreements with
Western Area Power Administration to temporarily reduce the City’s
contract rate of delivery in 2003 and/or 2004 by up to 40 MW, and to
spend up to $20,000,000 on fixed price forward purchases for
replacement with creditworthy counterparts with BBB+ or better credit
ratings; and when contract gets to $15,000,000 in a 12-month period,
staff will report to Council ..............................................................28
16. The Policy and Services Committee recommends to the City Council to
direct staff to draft a resolution supporting a moratorium on the State
of California's death penalty ...........................................................29
17. Public Hearing: The City Council will hold a Public Hearing to consider,
among other items, mid-year changes to the 2002-03 Municipal Fee
Schedule, including the adoption of new fees, increasing existing fees,
rates or assessments.....................................................................30
18. Public Hearing: The City Council will consider a request by Clare
Malone Prichard of Stoecker & Northway Architects, Inc. on behalf of
Mr. & Mrs. Irving Grousbeck for consideration of Site and Design
04/21/03 3
Review and Variances for improvements to an existing single-family
residence located at 706 and 708 Los Trancos Road...........................31
19. Possible Further Directions to Staff Regarding Retention or Demolition
of Roth Building Spine and Related Matters.......................................32
20. Conference with City Attorney -- Potential Initiation of Litigation .........33
21. Conference with City Attorney -- Existing Litigation............................33
22. Conference with City Attorney -- Existing Litigation............................33
23. Conference with City Attorney--Potential/Anticipated Litigation............34
19A. Council Members Hillary Freeman and Judy Kleinberg re Semi-Annual
Reporting by Palo Alto Police Department on Demographic Data..........34
FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 11:57 p.m. .....................35
04/21/03 4
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council
Chambers at 6:05 p.m.
PRESENT: Burch, Freeman, Kishimoto, Kleinberg, Lytle, Morton Mossar,
Ojakian
ABSENT: Beecham
CLOSED SESSION
1. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Subject: City Manager Frank Benest
Authority: Government Code section 54957
The City Council met in Closed Session to discuss matters involving public
employee performance evaluation as described in Agenda Item No. 1.
Mayor Mossar announced that no reportable action was taken on
Agenda Item No. 1.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
04/21/03 5
Regular Meeting
April 21, 2003
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council
Chambers at 7:05 p.m.
PRESENT: Beecham, Burch, Freeman, Kishimoto, Kleinberg, Lytle, Morton
Mossar, Ojakian
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Bunny Good, P.O. Box 824, Menlo Park, spoke regarding business
incompetence.
Harold Justman, 828 Ramona Street, spoke regarding SOFA park dedication.
John K. Abraham, 736 Ellsworth Place, spoke regarding tennis project.
Trina Lovercheck, 1070b McGregor Way, spoke regarding moratorium.
Herb Borock, P.O. Box 632, spoke regarding registration and requirements
for telecommunications lobbyists.
David Coale, 766 Josina Avenue, spoke regarding the green building policy.
Sophia Dhrymes, spoke regarding public corruption and cruelty towards
Karras property.
Ed Power, 2254 Dartmouth Street, spoke regarding good government.
Carol Mullen, 618 Tennyson Avenue, spoke regarding taxpayer’s rights.
Sheri Furman, 3094 Greer Road, spoke regarding playing fields and parks.
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
1. Appointment of Candidates to Library Advisory Commission
FIRST ROUND OF VOTING FOR THE LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMISSION
VOTING FOR HOWARD OCKEN:
VOTING FOR PAULA SKOKOWSKI: Mossar, Ojakian, Kleinberg,
Burch, Morton
VOTING FOR SHELBY VALENTINE: Lytle, Freeman, Kishimoto,
Beecham
04/21/03 6
City Clerk Donna Rogers announced on the first ballot Paula Skokowski (with
5 votes) was appointed to an unexpired term ending January 31, 2005.
2. Appointment of Candidates to the Human Relations Commission
FIRST ROUND OF VOTING FOR THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
VOTING FOR EVE AGIEWICH: Kleinberg, Ojakian, Morton,
Burch, Beecham, Mossar,
Lytle, Kishimoto
VOTING FOR ADAM ATITO: Freeman, Kleinberg, Ojakian,
Morton, Burch, Beecham,
Mossar, Lytle, Kishimoto
VOTING FOR CHRISTIANE COOK: Freeman, Lytle, Kishimoto
VOTING FOR ANDREW FREEMAN:
VOTING FOR VICTOR FROST:
VOTING FOR LINDA LENOIR: Freeman, Kleinberg, Ojakian,
Morton, Burch, Beecham,
Mossar, Lytle, Kishimoto
VOTING FOR SHAUNA WILSON: Freeman, Kleinberg, Ojakian,
Morton, Burch, Beecham,
Mossar
City Clerk Donna Rogers announced on the first ballot Adam Atito and Linda
Lenoir (with 9 votes) and Eve Agiewich (with 8 votes) were appointed to
three-year terms ending March 31, 2006, and Shauna Wilson (with 7 votes)
was appointed to one unexpired term ending March 31, 2004.
3. Appointment of Candidates to the Public Art Commission
FIRST ROUND OF VOTING FOR THE PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
VOTING FOR GERALD BRETT: Morton, Burch, Beecham,
Kishimoto, Mossar, Freeman,
Ojakian, Lytle, Kleinberg
VOTING FOR PAULA KIRKEBY: Morton, Burch, Beecham,
Kishimoto, Mossar, Freeman,
Ojakian, Lytle, Kleinberg
04/21/03 7
VOTING FOR BARBARA MORTKOWITZ: Morton, Burch, Beecham,
Kishimoto, Mossar, Freeman,
Ojakian, Lytle, Kleinberg
City Clerk Donna Rogers announced on the first ballot Gerald Brett, Paula
Kirkeby, and Barbara Mortkowitz (with 9 votes) were appointed to three-
year terms ending April 30, 2006.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
4. Schedule for Phase 2 of the South of Forest Avenue Coordinated Area
Plan and Impacts on Other Planning Division Work Items and Related
800 High Street Referendum Issues (continued from 4/14/03)
Council Member Morton stated he would not participate in the item due to a
conflict of interest because he had a client within the SOFA Plan area.
City Attorney Calonne said it was Council Member Morton’s decision not to
participate. The matter did not create a foreseeable chance of an impact on
the outcome of the SOFA Coordinated Area Plan. He did not believe Council
Member Morton had to withdraw as a matter of law and he could participate
but was prudent not to do so and chance a concern arising with Federal
Political Practices Commission (FPPC).
Mayor Mossar said she would participate because she had determined that
she was not in conflict because it was a scheduling matter.
Mr. Calonne was in agreement with her participation.
Mayor Mossar asked Council to let her know if they were uncomfortable with
her participation. She told Council Member Morton his comments were
welcomed, but his personal choice would be honored. She asked him to
state for the record which decision he had made.
Council Member Morton was concerned that he had not heard from Mr.
Calonne that there was no conflict. However, given the possibility of a
conflict he excused himself from the discussion.
Director of Planning and Community Environment Steve Emslie explained
the management implications of accelerating the SOFA 2 project. SOFA was
an all encompassing plan divided into two areas: SOFA 1 encompassed the
old Palo Alto Medical Foundation site and SOFA 2 encompassed the area
between Alma, High, Emerson, and Ramona Streets. Transferring the
management of the project to a Senior Planner, which had been done by
Chief Planning Official Lisa Grote, could escalate the schedule. It would be
appropriate for that to occur in the advanced planning section where the
04/21/03 8
long-range planning was done for the community. Staff needed to remove
one item from the Senior Planner’s work list in order to do that, which was
primarily the Baylands. That would move the project from a fall
consideration up to a late July consideration by the Council. Ms. Grote would
discuss some future and current projects, some of which had a date certain
and needed to be acted on by Council.
Ms. Grote reviewed the background of the SOFA 2 Plan and gave an update.
On October 7, 2002, Council received two sets of recommendations, one
from the Working Group and one from the Planning and Transportation
Commission (PTC). Those recommendations had a number of similarities
regarding the policies and vision statements. However, there were some
notable differences on how to deal with floor area ratios (FAR) such as
whether Planned Community (PC) zone changes should be allowed in the
area, parking standards, and how to address non conforming uses. With
that consideration, Council directed that a massing model be produced to
help evaluate the different types of FAR limitations and how they would look.
That direction was given in October 2002, the model was completed in
November 2002 and brought back to the Historic Resources Board (HRB) in
December 2002, brought to Architectural Review Board (ARB) in January
2003, and taken to PTC in February 2003. At the February 2003 PTC
meeting several property owners from the area raised concerns about non-
conforming uses, parking standards and FAR. PTC recommended a meeting
with the property owners and the working group regarding those concerns
and to finalize their recommendations to Council. The Planning Department
prepared a fact sheet about the recommendations and how they would fit or
differ with the existing requirements. The largest impact to accelerating that
schedule was to the advanced or long-range planning section within the
division. Advanced planning was typically responsible for approximately
eight areas including the Baylands guidelines, El Camino Real Plan,
consolidating the Baylands Master Plan, and other long-range planning
studies. The senior planner was also responsible for the Below Market Rate
(BMR) housing programs implementation, Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) programs, data monitoring of Stanford lands and other
development potential areas within the City, outside agency review and
comment on their proposals such as the open space research district. A
Senior Planner was assigned to assist half time with the SOFA Plan while
working on the El Camino Real Study. An Associate Planner was reassigned
to assist with advanced planning. That person was assigned to data and
development monitoring and a quarter of their time would be devoted to
assisting the Associate Planner with the SOFA Plan. In addition, there were
15 development projects listed in the staff report (CMR:239:03) with the
potential for becoming active. The SOFA fact sheet would be completed by
the end of April 2003, after which time a meeting would be scheduled with
the property owners to review the questions and discussion items. A second
04/21/03 9
meeting would be scheduled two to three weeks later and within two to
three weeks after that meeting, recommendations would return to the PTC
for their final review. The recommendations and reports would be presented
to Council by the end of July 2003. There would be a public meeting or a
report to Council every two weeks in order to meet the July 21, 2003
deadline.
Herb Borock, P.O. Box 632 said Council should complete the SOFA 2 Plan
before dealing with 800 High Street again. Council had the capability to do
so. The schedule was reasonable and there was enough information. It
would be in order to reintroduce a motion to rescind the action on 800 High
Street. He reminded Council that over 3,000 citizens signed the petition and
one of the things they said, which was in the notice of intent, was that the
ordinance for 800 High Street ignored the coordinated plan process for the
SOFA area. The decision that evening clearly implicated that. Petitioners
stated they were not signing to give someone the authority to negotiate for
them. The Council could deal with SOFA 2 at the present time and it should
be done but, if there were any compromises made, it should be done in the
SOFA 2 Plan.
David Bubenik, 420 Homer Avenue, said when the issue was discussed on
March 31, 2003, questions were raised about the role of the Working Group
and, in particular, its relationship to the City Council. As a member of the
SOFA 2 Working Group, he researched City documents. Staff formed the
Working Group and the persons involved were Council appointed, like the
Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan), so they were not obligated to the Working
Group. Members of the Working Group were selected at the September 15,
1997, City Council meeting. Former Vice Mayor Andersen appointed the
PAMF/SOFA Working Group as directed by Council. He and former Council
Members Gary Fazzino and Lanie Wheeler reviewed over 40 applications and
selected 13 members and 4 alternates. The ordinance was passed the
following week at the second reading. It appeared the Working Group was
appointed by Council and was responsible to the Council. Title 19 of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) stated, “Each coordinated area plan will be
prepared pursuant to a program for City facilitated interaction between
residents, business and property and other interested persons. City Council
shall appoint 7 to 14 member working group comprising residents, business
and property owners and persons representing broader community interest
but not limited to environmental, community design, and business
perspectives. The working group shall be advisory to the staff Planning
Commission and City Council.” The role of the working group as stated in
Title 19 was to, “Create enhanced opportunities for building a sense of
community through public involvement in the planning processes which are
designed to satisfy constitutional due process requirements but also to
provide residents and business and property owners an early meaningful
04/21/03 10
opportunities to help shape the physical components of neighborhoods and
communities.” He believed the key words were early and meaningful
opportunities.
Larry Hassett, 875 Alma Street, said he appreciated the workload of the
Planning staff. The final phase of the process could be streamlined and
obstacles resolved before the November election. He wanted to know
whether the intended purpose of the coordinated area was to provide
residents, business, and property owners with early and meaningful
opportunities to help shape the physical components of their neighborhood
and community had any real meaning. Public trust needed to be restored.
The final report from the Working Group was finished almost a year prior.
Delays had been caused by staff and Council and not by the Working Group.
Council was warned not to approve PC projects before putting the
Coordinated Area Plan in place. Residents were living with the consequences
of Council’s previous PC approvals. He was convinced the recommendations
from the Working Group would fulfill the goals and objectives set forth by
Council without destroying the character of SOFA. He asked Council to
direct staff to bring the Working Group’s plan before Council without further
delay.
Mayor Mossar asked Mr. Hassett to clarify his statement on the importance
of completing the SOFA 2 Plan before the November election.
Mr. Hassett replied there was a need to have the guidelines for future
developments.
Bob Moss, 4010 Orme Street, said he was sympathetic to staff’s workload,
but he believed there were compelling reasons why the SOFA 2 Plan should
be completed as soon as possible. The project had been underway longer
than other projects and there was a referendum, which voiced the concerns
of residents and stated there was a problem with the way SOFA projects
were handled and approved. The proponents of the projects stated the plan
was not complete, so they were uncertain about how to proceed on the
project. Council had a duty to act. Vice Mayor Beecham had incorrectly
stated that signatures were not solicited with a specific request that Council
repeal the ordinance. Mr. Calonne cited three options to take when a
petition for referendum was before the Council. He urged the Council to
move forward with the PC review.
Dorothy Bender, 591 Military Way, said the $30,000 massing model should
be presented to Council. Since 800 High Street had been referended, it was
imperative that Council hear it so they could decide whether to rescind the
ordinance or place it on the ballot. Council had the authority under Section
19.10.030 of the zoning code to set the goals and maintain the plan
04/21/03 11
schedule. The working group’s recommendations should be taken into
account and considered at a public hearing. The massing model should have
been presented to Council prior to the vote on 800 High Street and should
be presented prior to the decision going to the voters. She urged Council to
agendize the item so the SOFA 2 working group could make their
presentation.
Thomas Jordan, 474 Churchill Avenue, said SOFA 2 should have been
completed and would save the City $40,000 in election costs. He perceived
that Council was in an odd predicament because they had approved 800
High Street prior to the SOFA 2 presentation. However, that should not
prevent Council from correcting the situation. He corrected Mayor Mossar
and Vice Mayor Beecham regarding the wording on the referendum.
Joy Ogawa, 2305 Yale Street, said the referendum ballot vote would not be
necessary if the SOFA 2 Coordinated Area Plan had been in place before a
decision had been made on 800 High Street. She believed Council acted
presumptuously. She was perplexed by Council’s action, which gave the El
Camino Real Master Plan priority over SOFA 2. The proposed El Camino Real
Master Plan included reduction of the number of traffic lanes from six lanes
to four lanes between Park Boulevard and California Avenue and on a section
near Barron Park. The field test proposal would cost the City $1 to $2
million. The EIR for the lane reduction was much more complicated and
expensive and required more staff time. She did not believe lane reductions
on El Camino Real should receive priority and Council needed to prioritize
the SOFA 2 project.
Elaine Meyer, on behalf of the University South Neighborhood Group
(USNG), 609 Kingsley Drive, said there appeared to be some confusion
about the relationship between USNG and the referendum. The referendum
effort was a citywide movement initiated independently of USNG. It had the
support of USNG and the active participation of a number of its members;
however, the referendum movement had its own leadership and therefore
USNG could not speak for the referendum or conduct negotiations on its
behalf.
Mr. Calonne said the Council should keep in mind the Working Group was
intended to give early opportunities for meaningful participation by the
public. The ordinance was specifically designed so the Working Group could
have conflicts of interest. The Working Group had conflicts of interest
because many of them owned property and had business interests within the
area. That meant Council had an obligation under the 1974 Political Reform
Act not to accept their recommendations without review. The working group
was an advisory and the trilogy in the ordinance of staff, PTC, and Council
was intended to try and balance a competing policies. There was a strong
04/21/03 12
interest in changes in governance to allow more participation by the
neighborhoods and was currently trying to balance that against the rules of
financial conflicts of interest. There was tension designed into the ordinance
and staff was doing their best given those laws.
Council Member Kleinberg asked about the 15 other projects that might be
delayed by giving priority to the SOFA CAP. She asked whether there was
any way to prioritize the projects and would delayed projects be jeopardized.
Ms. Grote replied the greatest delay would occur in the long-range planning
section rather than among the 15 planning related projects. The projects
listed in the one group were currently planning related and depended on a
number of things. Sometimes it had to do with where the projects were in
the review process, when it would be forwarded to Council, or whether
additional information was needed. It was difficult to say which of the 15
projects would be most affected; however, those anticipated to occur in mid
to late July would be most affected. The biggest delay would probably occur
in the advanced planning stage with the Baylands coordination or
consolidation of the Baylands Master Plan data monitoring. Projects related
to development in commercial areas or industrial areas such as the Stanford
Research Park, the shopping center, and some of the general use permit
monitoring. Some of those projects could have been put on temporary hold
while the SOFA 2 Plan was being completed.
Council Member Kleinberg said when Council discussed the Charleston Road
Traffic Study, staff made assurances about not preventing preliminary
reviews of that project. However, the staff report stated preliminary reviews
could happen. She asked what assurance there was as to which process
would be used.
Ms. Grote replied the prescreening did not prevent the process from going
forward for either the Charleston or the SOFA 2 Plan. That was not an
anticipated project scheduled to come forward in mid to late July.
Council Member Kleinberg asked whether listing it as the prescreening of the
project meant it would be off schedule.
Mr. Emslie replied that was correct. The current planning items were listed
primarily to give a sense of what projects were upcoming and which would
be placed on the agenda. The reason the SOFA 2 was moved to advanced
planning was to allow staff to remain whole and intact on the current project
should the other plans continue forward.
Council Member Kleinberg asked whether SOFA 2 would preempt the other
projects.
04/21/03 13
Mr. Emslie replied it was not a workload issue but a matter of getting
projects on the agenda. There were a limited number of Council meetings
between that current time and July 2003 and other projects could possibly
be preempted.
Council Member Kleinberg asked whether that meant there would be no
decision making.
Mr. Emslie replied that was correct but other options would have to be
considered.
Council Member Kleinberg said she was not reassured, but she understood
the explanation. She asked what was the status of the affordable housing
projects and BMR agreements for development proposals.
Ms. Grote said it was not scheduled or anticipated to have a schedule
change. The staff person involved with the housing program was not the
same person who would be involved with SOFA. The types of items
advanced planning worked on included housing, community development,
and block grants. The primary impact of SOFA would be in the area studies
and subsections of advanced planning.
Council Member Kleinberg asked whether moving forward with the SOFA 2
CAP Plan would alter Council priorities.
Ms. Grote replied it would not alter the Top 5 Priorities.
MOTION: Council Member Freeman moved, seconded by Kishimoto, that
staff complete the SOFA 2 CAP prior to August 2003.
Council Member Freeman said all of the listed projects were priorities. She
believed it was Council’s responsibility to complete the SOFA Plan, especially
with a potential referendum approaching and a decision to be made by
August on rescinding Council’s decision on 800 High Street or moving
forward with the referendum. Based on the Comp plan it was important to
look at working groups, PTC, and staff information. She understood some of
the projects would be slightly delayed because the end of July was only
three months away, and there were other items on that evenings’ agenda
that had been around for at least ten months. It was reasonable for Council
to complete at least one item, which had to do with growth in the City and
make a decision by going through the process before making a final decision
in August.
Council Member Kishimoto believed Council had a clear obligation and
commitment to the Working Group and to the community. In October 2002,
04/21/03 14
Council heard only five minutes of information from the chairman of the
Working Group. Council needed to hear their integrated vision for SOFA 2 to
understand why residents in the Working Group opposed 800 High Street.
She believed the community had a lot of work to do in terms of transit-
oriented development, what it meant, whether Palo Alto wanted it, and how
the City could meet the housing obligation.
Council Member Lytle said she would support the motion because Council
needed to complete what had been started. The speakers reminded Council
of the history of the process and the seniority it deserved as well as the
purpose of the Coordinated Area Plan. She was reminded of how Council
recommended the ordinance in the Comp Plan. The Council could develop a
consensus building process and a mutual education process that would not
take away from the planning process. The Council was trying to prevent
referendum, growth moratorium, citizen planning initiatives, and lawsuits
that were the typical reaction manner in which redevelopment was being
treated. It seemed that Council was in exactly the position they were
attempting to avoid through the Coordinated Area Plan process. A
compromise may or may not be reached even if the project was brought
forward. She believed it would be a way to boost confidence and help
Council focus in terms of being the policy makers in the community. She
had second thoughts about asking the over 3000 petition signers and
developers to strike a compromise on the 800 High Street situation. The
legislators and policy makers were responsible for formulating a
compromise.
Council Member Burch said he would support the motion but he had a couple
of qualifications. It was important to remember the Working Group was
advisory and their work was not of a legal nature. Council was responsible
for making the final decision and may or may not agree with the Working
Groups’ recommendations. Council could decide there would still be a PC
zone. The Working Group membership fluctuated after the initial Council
appointments as people left the group and new members joined, so Council
did not appoint each member. It was possible that some of the people who
signed the petition may or may not have read in detail what they were
signing. He agreed it was right to bring the project forward, but it would be
wise to remember that would not solve everything.
Vice Mayor Beecham said he would support the motion because it was
appropriate for Council to move forward as quickly as possible to develop the
SOFA 2 Plan so that everyone knew what Council would recommend for the
area. He clarified that Council had not delegated responsibility to the
developer to structure an agreement. Council had provided that opportunity
to the community and the developer to find common ground and bring that
back to Council. Council still had the responsibility to make the ultimate
04/21/03 15
decision. The petition was a confidential document and was not available to
the public as submitted. The Notice of Intent to Circulate was available and
it specified the petition requested the matter to go on the ballot. The
wording on the circulated petition may in fact be different from the published
Notice of Intent to Circulate. The differences did need clarification. Council
should ask staff to bring the matter back so Council could clarify SOFA 2 by
August 2003.
Council Member Kleinberg said she was pleased to hear staff responses
regarding what would or would not happen if Council brought the matter
forward. She was concerned that Council would create a problem by seeking
to solve a problem, particularly in the area of priorities and encouraging
affordable housing. She hoped it would not prevent people, who might be
interested in developing affordable housing, to lose confidence in the
commitment of the community. When the 800 High Street project went
before the Council, it was not in the context of the SOFA 2 Coordinated Area
Plan, She wanted to see the Plan brought before Council for consideration as
a context for looking at 800 High Street. Council made a valid effort in
reviewing the 800 High Street project and she believed Council stood firm in
their votes. She would support the motion.
Mayor Mossar said she would support the motion. SOFA discussions started
about ten years prior and predated the USNG. She was delighted when a
previous Council agreed to establish the working group. It was the type of
community participation the comprehensive plan advisory committee had
envisioned. The Working Group was a new idea and difficult for the Council
at that time to fully support. The SOFA 2 CAP was long overdue and she
agreed with the cautionary comments made by several colleagues. The
discussion focused on the Council’s being able to take action on other
planning matters but a larger vision would indicate what impacts that would
have on Council’s ability to handle other matters.
MOTION PASSED 8-0, Morton “not participating”
5. Public Hearing: The City Council will consider an application by A & P
Family Investments for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment and
Rezoning of a 1.84-acre parcel located at 2300 East Bayshore Road to
the Research/Office Park land use and LM(D)(3) zoning designations.
The property is currently zoned Planned Community (restaurant) and
designated for service commercial uses in the Comprehensive Plan
(continued from 4/14/03) (Public testimony closed)
Council Member Ojakian asked whether the site could be built out to 50,000
square feet.
04/21/03 16
Chief Planning Official Lisa Grote replied offices could be built on it and that
was the approximate range.
Council Member Ojakian said the original project heard by Council was for a
74,000-square-foot building, and it was suggested the site could take
24,000 square feet.
Ms. Grote said that was correct.
Council Member Ojakian asked what other types of businesses could be built
other than a restaurant and did the present building have to remain on the
site.
Ms. Grote replied a restaurant was the only type of business allowed under
the PC zone.
Council Member Ojakian asked whether it was solely restricted to restaurant
use.
Ms. Grote replied that was correct.
Council Member Ojakian asked whether the present building could be
demolished.
Ms. Grote replied the PC could be abandoned.
Council Member Ojakian asked what would be allowed on the property if the
present building were demolished.
Ms. Grote said it could only be used for what was allowed in the PC or the PC
could be amended. The land use was very restrictive.
MOTION: Council Member Morton moved, seconded by Ojakian, to approve
the staff and Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC)
recommendation to:
1. Adopt the proposed Negative Declaration for a redesignation of a
1.84-acre corner parcel at 2300 East Bayshore from Service
Commercial to Research/Office Park land use and a rezoning of
the parcel from PC for restaurant use to LM(D)(3) (Attachment B
of CMR:181:03);
2. Adopt the Resolution amending the land use map of the Palo Alto
Comprehensive Plan to change the designation of 2300 East
04/21/03 17
Bayshore from Service Commercial to Research/Office Park
(Attachment C); and
3. Adopt the Ordinance to change the zoning classification of 2300
East Bayshore from PC2785 to LM(D)(3) zone (Attachment D).
Resolution 8287 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending the Land Use Map of the Palo Alto Comprehensive Plan
to Change the Designation of a 1.84 Acre Parcel at 2300 East Bayshore
Road from ‘Service Commercial’ to ‘Research/Office Park’"
Ordinance 1st Reading entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of
Palo Alto Amending the Zoning Map of the City of Palo Alto to Change
the Designation of a 1.84 Acre Parcel at 2300 East Bayshore Road
from ‘Planned Community’ to LM(D)(3) ‘Limited Industrial with
Combining Districts’"
Council Member Morton said there was a narrow view of what sales tax
generation meant. People purchasing services created sales tax. People
who worked within the City was one of the largest groups of purchasers of
services. Economic analysis needed to recognize that each office building
had a set of people who shopped within the City. Economic analysis should
include the impact of those who would occupy the building to show fairness
as to what the alternatives were in terms of the economic impact. The
community would profit from having people come into the community for
jobs and, if jobs were going to be added, he wanted them added near the
freeway. The site was near a freeway ramp, which made an ideal place to
add office space.
Council Member Ojakian said the majority of adjacent properties were
LM(D)(3) and the zoning allowed for an office building. The one piece of PC
property would be restricted as to how much office space would be allowed.
That would not be significant in terms of the overall building or in terms of
the overall affects on the area. It would be beneficial to consolidate the
parcels to get the best building possible. He agreed with Council Member
Morton that it was a less than favorable area for various types of activities.
Council Member Lytle asked how many jobs would be created by using the
site for office space.
Ms. Grote replied it would be approximately 200 new jobs.
Council Member Lytle asked whether that was for the entire office building or
the corner parcel only.
04/21/03 18
Ms. Ms. Grote replied it was for the corner parcel only.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Council Member Kishimoto moved, seconded by
Lytle, to not approve the requested zoning and to deny the staff
recommendations.
Council Member Kishimoto said her reason for denying the request was that
Council was being asked to take several actions. One was a change in the
land use designation and the Comp Plan land use map. She looked at the
land in the context of where it was and in terms of overall allocations of land
uses around the City. She concluded the City was short on service
commercial land and there was a continuous strip of service commercial land
in that area. She was unsure what other businesses could go there, but it
seemed to make sense to keep the Service Commercial (CS) land use
designation. The zoning that would go with that was CS district and office
use would be limited to 5,000 square feet. There could be residential and
non-residential use there, which would probably be more appropriate for
what the City was looking for in terms of overall land use.
Council Member Lytle said she seconded the motion because she wanted to
hear the opposite side of the argument. She was conflicted over the
decision. The City owed the applicant the benefit of having standard zoning.
It was too restrictive to hold onto a historical rationale for what the land was
used for in previous years. That did not allow enough flexibility and she did
not feel comfortable with trying to maintain the status quo. She struggled
with what zone worked best for that location and she still had not made up
her mind.
Council Member Freeman said the vote was difficult for her because she had
a hard time voting for any more offices in the City. She understood Council
Member Morton’s perspective of more offices meaning more revenue for the
City and more tax dollars from people using local businesses. She also
worried that the state or her pro-housing colleagues would look more at the
fact that the City needed more housing. She was for affordable housing and
was concerned about the one to one new job new housing ratio and that
type of growth. She calculated approximately 100 new jobs would be
created on that particular parcel if it was used for office and approximately
50 new jobs if the parcel was used for a restaurant. If the other parcel
would be used for office, the new number of jobs would be approximately
50.
Ms. Grote said 96 jobs would result from 24, 000 square feet. There were
32 restaurant employees in the recent past. That would be 64 new jobs on
the corner parcel. On the adjacent parcel the existing parcel would allow a
04/21/03 19
building up to 50,000 square feet for about 200 employees but that was on
the adjacent parcel.
Council Member Freeman asked whether that parcel would be built out.
Ms. Grote replied yes.
Council Member Freeman said she had tried to rationalize the number of new
jobs. She would feel comfortable if Council did not feel compelled to
continuously infill the current neighborhoods to match one-for-one jobs to
housing, especially in a freeway accessible area. She did not want to feel
compelled to have one to one housing. Other Council Members might have
differing opinions but that was the one thing that would allow her to consider
a small office on that parcel. She asked whether the LM(D)(5) was for five
acres.
Ms. Grote replied that was for the minimum lot size for a five-acre parcel.
Council Member Freeman asked was there any solution Council could make
that would allow the City to be assured of a minimum size office if the two
lots would be used together.
Ms. Grote replied the two lots could be used together if they were merged
and a certificate of compliance would have to be issued to change the lot line
adjustment. The same zoning could be considered for both parcels, which
was why staff recommended the LM(D)(3) so the zoning would be the same
on what would become one parcel. That would allow a maximum floor area
of 30 percent whereas the LM(D)(5) was the same FAR. It was a different lot
coverage requirement but the same FAR.
Council Member Freeman asked what the difference was in lot coverage.
Ms. Grote replied it was 15 percent under the LM(D)(5) whereas it was 30
percent under the LM(D)(3). It was less lot coverage but with the same
amount of floor area.
Council Member Ojakian asked for clarification on the number of parking
spaces needed for office space and restaurant space.
Ms. Grote replied under the LM(D)(3) it was one space for every 300 square
feet.
Council Member Ojakian said the number of parked cars would indicate the
traffic pattern that would occur. A restaurant would have a more intense
traffic pattern than an office.
04/21/03 20
Ms. Grote said the parking requirement for a restaurant was one space for
every 60 square feet seating area and one per 200 square feet for the
service portion of the restaurant.
Council Member Ojakian said the traffic patterns affected his decision and
was the reason he wanted the zoning change. He preferred not to have a
restaurant on the parcel because the area was prone to traffic congestion.
He felt incremental office space was better versus something that would
generate traffic.
Council Member Burch said it always helped him to know the parameters.
Council could not dictate what would go on the parcel; however, the City
could control what would go on the parcel to a certain extent by zoning. If
the property owner wanted to build office spaces, there was little to prevent
it even if Council wanted to have another business parcel. The type of
building was the property owners’ decision. There were a number of office
spaces for lease and for sale in the area. There was no housing or shopping
near that area. He believed it was prudent to go along with the applicants’
request. He would support the LM(D)(3) zoning.
Council Member Kleinberg asked Mr. Calonne what the state required from
the City in terms of housing.
Mr. Calonne replied the legal term was there was not a self-executing
requirement. It would be picked up in the next Housing Element update, but
there was not a “real time to correct the problem as you go” requirement in
the law.
Council Member Kleinberg asked whether it would be a compulsory
requirement in the next Comp Plan update.
Mr. Calonne replied it would be a function of the regional housing need,
which was a fairly complex formula that would be based in part on the job
generation in the City, but the surrounding region would influence it.
Council Member Kleinberg asked whether the City had the power to decide
whether to do anything about the housing imbalance as new office buildings
were authorized.
Mr. Calonne replied it was within the Council’s power. The housing element
created a duty to do so and the Comp Plan contained language that came
close to creating a duty to avoid exacerbating the job-housing imbalance.
There was not an external self-executing enforcement mechanism that came
in project by project to tell Council to balance jobs and housing.
04/21/03 21
Council Member Kleinberg said in view of the fact that the State could
penalize communities in non-compliance, was that something the Council
would have to deal with.
Mr. Calonne replied yes.
Council Member Morton asked whether the approximately 50 jobs, which he
calculated at 1/10 of 1 percent increase in jobs, were of major significance in
the overall calculations.
Mr. Calonne replied the formula was not completely clear about how the jobs
would be added to whatever number to in order to determine the housing
cost. He agreed it was a small number.
Council Member Burch said there were a number of vacant office buildings in
that area and he asked whether the lost jobs were registered.
Mayor Mossar said there were no compelling reasons to move forward with
the rezoning that evening. There was a Zoning Ordinance Update (ZOU) in
progress, and she would be more comfortable considering the appropriate
zoning for that particular parcel as part of the ZOU. Highway 101 was
heavily congested at that location, and there was no public transit service in
that area nor was there any planned. The Valley Transit Authority (VTA) and
other transit agencies were facing budget concerns and there were no
immediate plans for that area to receive public transportation. There would
be no services available for residents if housing were built on that parcel.
Another reason to wait for the ZOU was the southern connector road was
potentially in the path of one of the alignments should that program go
forward. She thought there should be a little more clarity about what was
going on and it should be considered in the ZOU. She was not supportive of
restricting the use to restaurant, but she believed the rezoning application
should be considered in a larger context, therefore, she supported the
substitute motion.
Council Member Lytle said she would not want to freeze the PC. There were
some instances in the community where she would be interested in freezing
a PC. Another restaurant was not something the community was in dire
need of. When she considered the 20 office employees that could come
from the CS district 5,000 square feet and the number of employees that
could come from a commercial service use in that location, it made sense to
her. The potential project possibly being in the path of a future connection
helped her decide that she wanted to see an office building built in that path.
She would not support the substitute motion.
04/21/03 22
Council Member Kishimoto said she was aware that the discussion dealt with
job capacity and not actual jobs. She calculated that 31 housing units would
be needed for 50 jobs. If the substitute motion failed she had a second
idea.
Council Member Kleinberg said it was a difficult decision because it was in an
area that was a perfect place for a big office building. Housing could be built
there and just because the services were not there at that present time did
not mean services could not follow the housing. In previous years it would
have been difficult to imagine the types of retail services currently available
in East Palo Alto and that was just the beginning. East Palo Altans had been
coming to Palo Alto to spend their retail sales tax dollar and the City had
benefited from that so people who lived and worked in Palo Alto could go to
East Palo Alto to spend tax dollars. She viewed that as regional cooperation.
The developers were not interested in housing and she was not indicating
she would vote to put housing on that site. She was delighted about
Planning following up on the ZOU and the idea to rezone for mixed use along
the Highway 101 corridor mostly on the west side where there were empty
office buildings. That could be an encouragement for mixed use and more
housing above office. The City could be looking to the future and seeing
more residential uses along Highway 101. It was a sensitive location near
the Baylands, and there was the issue of increased traffic and what that
would do to the air quality and the traffic impacts of the East Bayshore Road
and Embarcadero intersection. Council had numerous discussions of the
overuse of that intersection when permission was given to the International
School to have its new entrance and exits. She did not want Council to
forget that and finally there was an issue about Palo Alto’s priority of
housing whether it was affordable or other types of housing. Council’s
responsibility was to provide a variety of housing, not only affordable
housing. There were many types of people living in the community, and she
hoped they always would. Affordable was the type of housing, which was
needed the most. She believed it was an ideal place for an office building,
but she did not think the City needed to make that decision at that time.
She would vote for the substitute motion.
Mayor Mossar said Council Member Kleinberg’s comments made her think of
services near that parcel. There were three restaurants, a golf course, a
post office, a school, a playing field, walking and biking trails, one of the
most unique open space areas in the entire Bay Area, a supermarket, and a
number of job opportunities. It actually was near existing services.
Council Member Freeman said that was a good analysis of what was near the
parcel. She served on the Storm Drain Committee and realized that area
was not a good location for housing. Houses would probably not have been
built in Crescent Park and the areas close to Highway 101 with the
04/21/03 23
information available at that time regarding the condition of the soil. The
map showed some liquidation issues with the soil. Although Council
probably wanted to see housing on that site, the safety factors needed to be
rechecked. She asked Council Member Kishimoto to clarify how she arrived
at 31 housing units for that parcel.
Mr. Emslie responded the statement meant 64 jobs would be created if the
site were used for housing. The number was arrived at by using 1.66 as the
multiplier, which yielded 31 housing units. That was a simplistic way to look
at it but as Mr. Calonne mentioned, it was far more complicated than that. A
variety of factors were considered including past records, environmental and
transportation factors, and right of land issues. When it was allocated on a
regional basis, it was probably difficult to back out the exact proportion. It
was more complex than the seemingly straightforward multiplier.
Council Member Freeman asked if it would be more complex rounded up or
rounded down.
Mr. Emslie replied it was partly based on judgment. The City participated in
the process because that was an opportunity to review and critique the
methodology and the adjustments made to the housing number. It was an
interactive process which staff was engaged in throughout the number
setting process. The current housing requirement was a little over 600, but
the City was over the housing projection by 20 percent.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION FAILED 3-6, Kishimoto, Kleinberg, Mossar “yes.”
MOTION FOR PREVIOUS QUESTION moved by Council Member Morton,
seconded by Ojakian.
MOTION FOR PREVIOUS QUESTION PASSED 6-3, Freeman, Kishimoto,
Lytle, “no.”
MOTION PASSED 6-3, Kishimoto, Kleinberg, Mossar “no.”
Vice Mayor Beecham said in the earlier discussions and in the staff report
(CMR:181:03) there was discussion about automotive services and sales
and, which was one of the considerations for that site. However, the
applicant had little interest in doing that. Automotive dealers brought $2.5
million in annual sales tax into the City. There was not a City policy on how
and whether the City wanted to support automotive dealerships. Two
dealerships were lost in the past two years. He understood that other cities
bought land and leased it to dealerships so the City could use it for parking.
Anderson Honda had an interest in moving to the Ikea site in East Palo Alto
before Ikea secured the land. The City was in danger of losing additional
04/21/03 24
revenue if auto dealerships moved away and the City could not find ways to
support them. At that time there was an Ad Hoc Committee on Economic
Vitality comprised of Council Members and staff persons. That committee
was working with businesses, including auto dealerships, on what they
needed to maintain their economic vitality in the City.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Beecham moved, seconded by Morton, to direct staff
to agendize the discussion regarding how to support automobile dealerships
in Palo Alto.
MOTION PASSED 8-1, Ojakian “no.”
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Council Member Morton moved, seconded by Burch, to approve
the minutes of February 10, 2003, as corrected.
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Council Member Morton moved, seconded by Ojakian, to approve
Consent Calendar Item Nos. 6-12, and 14-16, with Item No. 13 removed
from the Consent Calendar at the request of staff.
Council Member Freeman registered a “no” vote on Item No. 10.
Council Member Council Member Lytle registered “no” votes on Item Nos. 9,
10, and 11.
Mayor Mossar suggested Council Members register their “no” votes and
explain their votes during Council Comments.
Council Member Lytle asked Mayor Mossar for clarification of her directive.
Mayor Mossar explained Council had not been adhering to guidelines
regarding the Consent Calendar. She suggested the best way to handle the
Consent Calendar would be to register “no” votes and offer an explanation
during Council Comments.
Council Member Lytle said, given that explanation, she asked that Item Nos.
9, 10, and 11 be removed.
Mayor Mossar asked Assistant City Manager Harrison whether items 9 and
11 were time sensitive.
04/21/03 25
Ms. Harrison replied Item Nos. 9 and 11 were time sensitive.
Mayor Mossar moved Item Nos. 9, 10, and 11 to the end of the meeting.
Item No. 9 became 19B, Item No. 10 became 19C, and Item No. 11 became
19D.
Council Member Kleinberg suggested allowing members of the public who
had submitted speaker cards to speak at that time since items would be
moved to the end of the agenda.
Mayor Mossar said it was inefficient to pull items off the consent calendar
although it was Council’s right to do so.
Council Member Burch asked Council Member Lytle why she pulled Item Nos.
9, 10, and 11 after it became apparent that she could not explain her “no”
votes on those items.
Council Member Lytle replied she planned to vote “no” on Item Nos. 9, 10
and 11. and she had a brief explanation for each of her “no” votes. She
wanted the explanations to go with the “no” vote on the item and not on
Council Comments.
Council Member Burch said from his perspective it would be easier to appeal
to the chair to be allowed to make the brief comments instead of pulling the
items and prolonging the meeting.
Mr. Calonne said he raised the concern with Mayor Mossar because there
was a referral to Policy and Services Committee (P&S) about the Consent
Calendar. The Consent Calendar worked when it was a function of the
Council consenting to act on those items without discussion or debate.
Hopefully, that would be addressed with the P&S Committee. Meanwhile,
the Council had been expanding the kinds of commentary and questions
related to the Consent Calendar and that was not working as a Consent
Calendar. The Consent Calendar was operating as a disruptive interlude in
the middle of the meeting and it was not helping Council, staff, or the public.
Mayor Mossar suggested that, until further direction and recommendation
from the P&S Committee, to make it a policy that there would not be
individual discussion and comments during Consent Calendar time. That
policy would begin at the next Council meeting because it had caused such
concern. She would like to not reagendize the items, to take the comments
that evening, but in the future she would not do that. She agreed with Mr.
Calonne that it had become disruptive and it should be a time in the meeting
to move forward.
04/21/03 26
Council Member Morton asked if Council would follow the normal policy of
allowing the public to speak in Oral Communications before taking a vote.
Mayor Mossar said the public would always be allowed to speak before the
Consent Calendar was voted on.
Council Member Morton asked whether that would be done that evening.
Mayor Mossar replied yes, as long as they were not reagendized. If it
became an agenda item, the public would be allowed to speak.
Council Member Lytle asked whether Council should hear from the public
before she explained her “no” votes.
Mayor Mossar replied she should give her explanations at that time.
Council Member Lytle registered “no” votes on Item Nos. 9, 10, and 11. She
registered a “no” vote on Item No. 9 because there was insignificant policy
analysis to proceed with another hydro-partnership based on her experience
with Trinity River. She registered a no vote on Item No. 10 because she
valued those services more than some other things staff paid for such as
City Pages. She registered a “no” vote on Item No. 11 due to the lack of a
competitive bid process. She was not persuaded by the reasons given in the
staff report (CMR:240:03).
Bob Smith, 2291 Greer, promoted the idea of web casting City meetings
during the previous year, and he was pleased to see the City moving forward
on that idea. Staff indicated they proposed a delay because of budgetary
reasons. He did not find compelling reasons based on the proposed budget.
It was suggested that it would take half of the technologist at $60,000 a
year to operate the facility. Most companies, including non-profits,
performed web casting with existing staff and a limited budget. The City
might already have some of the needed equipment. He urged Council to re-
examine what it would take to get started, which would probably reveal the
project could be started without that kind of proposed budget. Collaboration
with radio station KZSU and the Media Center had been proposed, and
representatives from the Media Center indicated they were interested in the
project. The project did not have to be expensive, and there was an
opportunity to show the community the City did not have to employ
additional staff and budget each time a new service was provided.
Herb Borock, P.O. Box 632, said he agreed. He recalled a time in the past
when that item was on the agenda for action. Staff removed the item and, at
that time, there was an email from a member of the public who suggested it
could be done much cheaper. A reason was not given as to why the item
04/21/03 27
was removed. He appreciated the continuation of having the public speak to
Consent Calendar items that the Council had not removed. Former Mayor
Simitian set up the procedure and he referred to colleagues by title and last
name without having any protocols. The Consent Calendar process should
be very simple, Council Members either wanted to remove an item or
members of the public wanted to speak. He suggested that Council review
how the previous Council dealt with the Consent Calendar.
Arthur Keller, 3881 Corina Way, said one of the program proposals had
about 97% going for wind and about 2-3 % going for full voltage power. He
suggested the company which supplied full voltage power be directed to
install said photo voltage power within the confines of the City and not
elsewhere. That would reduce the need for transporting power into the City,
which would have losses in transmission as well as additional costs. He was
pleased the program was designed to break even to the extent that if there
was any surplus generated, he suggested the surplus go toward installing
additional photo voltage power on City facilities.
Council Member Kishimoto registered a “no” vote on Item No. 10.
ADMINISTRATIVE
6. Proposed “Green” Building Policy
7. Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. C8103688 Between the City of Palo
Alto and Turner Construction in the Amount of $76,800 for Additional
Testing and Inspection Services - Downtown Parking Structures
(CIP19530)
Amendment No. 4 to Contract No. C6076145 Between the City of Palo
Alto and Watry Design, Inc. in the Amount of $37,400 for Additional
Design Services and Request for Additional Contingency Monies for
Future Unforeseen Design Needs - Downtown Parking Structures (CIP
19530)
8. Approval Of Appendix 6 Of The SAP Inc., Software License Agreement
in the Amount of $35,000 For Fiscal Year 2002-03 and $95,000 in
2003-04 for Training Services Related to the Implementation of the
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software or Resource and Financial
Tracking System (RAFTS)
9. Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) Member Cost Sharing
Agreement for the Financing of the Planning and Development of the
POE Hydroelectric Project
04/21/03 28
10. Cost Analysis and Timing for Internet Broadcasting of Council Meetings
11. Amendment No. 1 to Extend the Existing Contract No. C0125969
Between the City of Palo Alto and CompPsych Corporation
(CompPsych) in the Amount of $12,000 for the Employees Assistance
Program
12. Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and 3 Phases Energy Services
to Provide Renewable Energy Certificates and Sales and Marketing
Support for the Palo Alto Green Program for up to Five Years, Up to
the Amount of $1,890,000
13. From Utilities Advisory Commission: Approval of Utilities Strategic Plan
Update (Item to be removed at the request of staff)
COUNCIL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
14. The Finance Committee recommends to the City Council re New Green
Power Program Rate Schedules, adoption of a resolution to establish
Green Power Rate Schedules E-1-G, E-2-G, E-4-G, E-7-G, and E-18-G
Resolution 8288 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Adopting New Utility Rate Schedules E-1-G, E-2-G, E-4-G, E-7-G
And E-18-G, and Amending Resolution Numbers 8058, 8075 And 8174
and Repealing Resolution Number 7938 Pertaining to Electric Service
Schedules E-1-G1, E-1-G2, E-1-G3, E-2-G1, E-2-G2, E-2-G3, E-4-G1,
E-4-G2, E-4-G3, E-7-G1, E-7-G2 and E-7-G3 of the City of Palo Alto
Utilities Rates and Charges”
15. The Finance Committee recommends to the City Council, adoption of a
resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into agreements with
Western Area Power Administration to temporarily reduce the City’s
contract rate of delivery in 2003 and/or 2004 by up to 40 MW, and to
spend up to $20,000,000 on fixed price forward purchases for
replacement with creditworthy counterparts with BBB+ or better credit
ratings; and when contract gets to $15,000,000 in a 12-month period,
staff will report to Council.
Resolution 8289 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Approving for a Limited Period of Time a Reduction in the Contract
Rate of Delivery Authorized Under Contract Number DE-MS65-
85WP59007 with the United States Department of Energy, Western
Area Power Administration”
04/21/03 29
16. The Policy and Services Committee recommends to the City Council to
direct staff to draft a resolution supporting a moratorium on the State
of California's death penalty.
MOTION PASSED 9-0 for Item Nos. 6-8, 12, and 14-16.
MOTION PASSED 8-1 for Item No. 9, Lytle “no.”
MOTION PASSED 6-3 for Item No. 10, Freeman, Kishimoto, Lytle “no.”
MOTION PASSED 8-1 for Item No. 11, Lytle “no.”
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS
MOTION: Council Member Morton moved, seconded by Beecham, to
continue Item No. 18 re 706-708 Los Trancos Road to the May 5, 2003,
regular City Council meeting.
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
Mayor Mossar entertained a motion to move the three Closed Session items
forward to become 18A, 18B, and 18C. The reason for doing so was there
were items to be discussed in closed session that may have an impact on
Item No. 19.
Council Member Morton asked whether Oral Communications could be taken
before the vote so the public would not have to wait and speak after the
Closed Session.
Council Member Lytle said because the Closed Session items were going to
be taken before Item No. 19, which dealt with the Roth building and the
Roth building Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) was also part of Item
No. 17, she asked whether the Closed Session items would be discussed
before Item No. 17.
Mayor Mossar said it was not part of Item No. 17.
Council Member Lytle asked whether it could become part of Item No. 17.
Mayor Mossar replied no.
Council Member Lytle asked whether it could become part of the mid-year
BAO.
04/21/03 30
Mayor Mossar replied no because that would require a two-thirds vote. Item
No. 19 would be left in place, the Public Hearing would be opened and
closed, and the matter would be continued after the Closed Session. That
enabled Council to hear from the public and Council received information
from staff they would need in Closed Session in order to hear Item No. 19.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
17. Public Hearing: The City Council will hold a Public Hearing to consider,
among other items, mid-year changes to the 2002-03 Municipal Fee
Schedule, including the adoption of new fees, increasing existing fees,
rates or assessments.
Council Member Morton said the Finance Committee unanimously approved
the item. The budget included some monies for the Roth building demolition
but not the additional amount that would be required to retain the spine.
MOTION: Council Member Morton moved, seconded by Burch, that the
Finance Committee recommend to the City Council re the 2002-03 Adjusted
Budget - Midyear Amendments and Capital Improvement Program Status,
adoption of a Budget Amendment Ordinance, which includes:
a. Proposed midyear adjustments to the 2002-03 Budget for the
General Fund, Enterprise Funds, Special Revenue funds, Internal
Service Funds, Debt Service Funds, and Capital Improvement
Fund;
b. New or amended 2002-03 CIP Project Descriptions;
c. Amendments to the 2002-03 Adopted Municipal Fee Schedule;
and
d. Amendments to the 2002-03 Table of Organization.
Ordinance 4785 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending the Budget for The Fiscal Year 2002-03 to Adjust
Budgeted Revenues and Expenditures in Accordance with the
Recommendations in the Midyear Report”
Council Member Lytle said on page 5 of 9 of staff report (CMR:160:03), it
stated that an additional $30,050 for the Roth building was available. She
asked whether a motion was in order to adjust that amount to accommodate
the spine removal as part of the BAO.
Mayor Mossar said Council could not take that action without a BAO
approval, which required a two-thirds vote.
04/21/03 31
Council Member Lytle said she thought the item before them was for a BAO
approval.
Mr. Calonne said the action required a two-thirds vote. He believed the
concern could be answered after the Closed Session. He did not believe
there was an advantage by including it with Item No. 17. He would be
concerned about Brown Act notice on it as well. He did not think it was
feasible.
Council Member Lytle asked whether the Roth building retention was
included.
Mr. Yeats said the item Council Member Lytle referred to recognized
additional revenue from Summerhill Homes, which added revenue to an
existing CIP. There was no additional funding for the demolition of the Roth
building wings included in the mid-year budget adjustment.
Council Member Lytle asked whether additional funds could be added.
Mr. Yeats replied that would put the mid-year budget adjustment out of and
would probably move the budget into the red at that particular time.
Mayor Mossar declared the public hearing open and hearing no requests to
speak, declared the public hearing closed.
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
18. Public Hearing: The City Council will consider a request by Clare
Malone Prichard of Stoecker & Northway Architects, Inc. on behalf of
Mr. & Mrs. Irving Grousbeck for consideration of Site and Design
Review and Variances for improvements to an existing single-family
residence located at 706 and 708 Los Trancos Road. The Site and
Design Review includes the following: a room addition, a new pad for
relocation of existing mechanical equipment, removal of a masonry
fireplace, the upper portion of the driveway to remain as concrete, two
existing free-standing fences, and a lot line adjustment to increase site
area. The Variance requests are for the following: the transference of
allowable impervious surface area from Lot 5 (708 Los Trancos Road)
to Lot 4 (706 Los Trancos Road) and an existing 8-foot high fence to
remain as constructed. Further, the City Council will consider a
request by Clare Malone Prichard of Stoecker & Northway Architects,
Inc. on behalf of Mr. & Mrs. Irving Grousbeck for consideration of Site
and Design Review of an existing free-standing fence that lies within a
portion of the property located at 690 Los Trancos Road (At the request of
staff, item to be continued to 5/5/03)
04/21/03 32
Item continued to the May 5, 2003, regular City Council meeting.
REPORTS OF OFFICIALS
19. Possible Further Directions to Staff Regarding Retention or Demolition
of Roth Building Spine and Related Matters
Karen Holman, 725 Homer, spoke on behalf of the Palo Alto History Museum
Project Committee. Council stated their policy direction to retain the Roth
Building spine, and later there was a conflict between the numbers needed
to retain the spine versus demolition of the spine. The committee asked
Council to continue their policy to retain the spine and they presented an
alternative, cost-effective proposal on how to do so. The proposal would
cost one-third to one-half of what was proposed for the more rigorous
fashion. The Committee presented the proposal to Public Works, it went
through their review process, and the Chief Building Official had determined
the proposal was a feasible alternative. The building’s elevator could be
used in its present condition without being replaced. She urged Council to
consider the less rigorous alternative for retention of the spine. Regardless,
of the demolition method, alternatives or amendments would have to be
made to the back retention wall. The less rigorous method would need to
have more structural support added.
Council Member Kishimoto asked Ms. Holman for clarification on the one-
third to one-half cost reduction.
Ms. Holman replied the committee’s architect and structural engineer said
the less rigorous proposal for retention of the spine would cost one-third to
one-half of what the more rigorous method in the original Public Works
proposal would cost.
Council Member Kishimoto asked whether that meant one-third to one-half
of the $1.03 million proposal.
Ms. Holman replied that was her understanding but would need to confirm
that with the architect or the structural engineer. The costs for structural
steel and cement were large numbers and cutting those to one-half or one-
third would bring the figure within the City’s budget.
Council Member Morton asked what was her understanding when the original
Request for Proposal (RFP) was published with respect to second floor access
and the coherence of the building.
Ms. Holman replied the staff’s recommendation in December 2001 was to
retain the spine and that option was included in the RFP. The Committee’s
04/21/03 33
understanding was that they would have the option to retain or remove the
spine at their discretion or any successful respondent would also.
Council Member Freeman asked Ms. Holman to point out in the figures in her
handout where the savings would occur.
Ms. Holman pointed out the column of figures that would reduce costs.
Council Member Freeman asked whether the less rigorous method meant the
spine would be retained and supported at the reduced cost.
Ms. Holman replied yes.
Council Member Freeman asked whether they would have to wait to find out
which non-profit would win the bid and have the opportunity to design the
building.
Ms. Holman replied yes.
Council Member Freeman said it would be easier to design the building by
using the less rigorous method than the more rigorous method because the
more rigorous method would have to tear down structures.
Ms. Holman said the more rigorous method would mean that more would
have to be removed in order to provide for entryways and windows.
MOTION: Council Member Morton moved, seconded by Ojakian, to move
the Closed Session items forward and continue the item after the Closed
Session.
MOTION PASSED 9-0.
CLOSED SESSION
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. to a Closed Session
20. Conference with City Attorney -- Potential Initiation of Litigation
Subject: Potential Initiation of Litigation on One Matter
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(c)
21. Conference with City Attorney -- Existing Litigation
Subject: Eugenia Weiner v. City of Palo Alto, SCC#CV796572
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(a)
22. Conference with City Attorney -- Existing Litigation
04/21/03 34
Subject: Philip Gibson v. City of Palo Alto, et al., Santa Clara County
Superior No.: CV805641
Authority: Government Code section 54956.9(a)
23. Conference with City Attorney--Potential/Anticipated Litigation
Subject: Significant Exposure to Litigation
Authority: Government Code section 54956.9(b)(1) & (b)(3)(A).
The City Council met in Closed Session to discuss matters involving potential
initiation of litigation, existing litigation and potential/anticipated litigation as
described in Agenda Item Nos. 20 – 23.
Mayor Mossar announced that no reportable action was taken on
Agenda Item Nos. 20 – 23.
The Closed Session adjourned at 11:55 p.m. and the City Council meeting
was reconvened.
CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF ITEM NO. 19
MOTION TO CONTINUE: Council Member Kishimoto moved, seconded by
Freeman, to continue Item No. 19 to the regular May 5, 2003, City Council
meeting.
MOTION PASSED 6-0, Beecham, Burch, Morton absent.
COUNCIL MATTERS
19A. Council Members Hillary Freeman and Judy Kleinberg re Semi-Annual
Reporting by Palo Alto Police Department on Demographic Data
Council Member Freeman said she received a reply to her memo from
Interim Police Chief Lynne Johnson. The reply answered all the questions in
her memo and she asked how the matter would return to the Council.
Mr. Benest replied after Ms. Johnson and her staff completed the analysis
and evaluation of the current data, as well as some of the other activities
she had identified, staff would return with a report to the Council. Staff
would propose to do some certain things depending on what that analysis
and evaluation contained.
Council Member Freeman asked whether there would be a report in June on
that information.
Mr. Benest replied yes.
04/21/03 35
Council Member Freeman asked whether it would just be an informational
report.
Mr. Benest replied it would be an informational item but she could suggest
that the matter be agendized.
Mayor Mossar said it sounded like no action was proposed for that evening.
No action required.
FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 11:57 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.