Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-03-18 City Council Action MinutesCITY OF PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL DRAFT ACTION MINUTES Page 1 of 7 Special Meeting March 18, 2013 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 6:03 P.M. Present: Council Members: Berman, Burt, Holman, Klein, Kniss, Price, Scharff, Schmid, and Shepherd Utilities Advisory Commission: Cook, Eglash, Foster, Hall, Melton, Waldfogel Absent: Utilities Advisory Commission Member Chang STUDY SESSION 1. Study Session with the Utilities Advisory Commission Regarding 1) Potential Expansion of the City's Fiber Optic Network and 2) Utilities Department and Utilities Advisory Commission Priorities for 2013 and Beyond. Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) Chair James Cook gave a brief overview of the last joint study session which occurred in 2011. Chair Cook reminded the audience that two particular issues were flagged in the last joint study session: a carbon neutral goal for the electric utility and a second electric transmission interconnection to Palo Alto. By way of quick update, Chair Cook noted the recent success marked by the Council’s approval of the implementation plan to achieve a carbon neutral electric supply, and Staff’s current and on-going efforts with regard to a second electric transmission interconnection. Council Members expressed support for re-visiting and renewing efforts to develop a fiber-to-the-premise plan in the context of Palo Alto being a “Connected City” and in the context of economic development. Several members reiterated their strong interest in electric reliability for the City through a second electric transmission interconnection. Other items of interest raised by Council Members included cybersecurity, smart grid, and programs to continue to fulfill climate protection plan objectives. DRAFT ACTION MINUTES Page 2 of 7 City Council Meeting Draft Action Minutes: 3/18/13 MINUTES APPROVAL MOTION: Council Member Kniss moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Shepherd to approve the minutes of February 2 and February 4, 2013. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Mayor Scharff, Vice Mayor Shepherd, and Council Member Schmid moved to move Agenda Item Number 3 to the first order of action under Action Items to become Agenda Item Number 10a. MOTION: Council Members Burt, Holman, and Klein moved to remove Agenda Item Number 10 from the Consent Agenda to become Action Agenda Item Number 13. MOTION: Council Member Kniss moved, seconded by Council Member Schmid to approve Agenda Item Numbers 2 and 4-9. 2. Approval of Contract Amendment No. One to Contract No. C12143146 in the Amount of $165,000 with RBF Consulting, Inc. for the Final Design and Construction Support Services for the Southgate Neighborhood Storm Drain Improvements and Green Street Project, Capital Improvement Program Project SD-10101. 3. Finance Committee Recommendation that the City Council Appoint an Electric Undergrounding Advisory Body. 4. Resolution 9323 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Utilities Rate Schedule C-1, Utility Service Calls.” 5. Resolution 9324 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving, and Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute, Electric Master Agreements and Delegating the Authority to Transact Under the Master Agreements.” 6. Finance Committee Recommendation of a Five-year Contract Extension for the Palo Alto Golf Course Management Services Agreement with Brad Lozares (Lozares); Amendment to Golf Course Pro Shop Lease with Lozares to Reduce the Term of the Option to Extend the Lease From Ten Years to Five Years; and Five-Year Contract Extension for the Golf Course Maintenance Services Contract with Valley Crest Golf. DRAFT ACTION MINUTES Page 3 of 7 City Council Meeting Draft Action Minutes: 3/18/13 7. Budget Amendment Ordinance 5189 in the Amount of $2.2 Million to Utilize the Additional Funds Added to the Infrastructure Reserve in FY 2013 for Infrastructure "Keep-up" to address street and sidewalk problems and to accelerate street and sidewalk improvements. 8. Ordinance 5190 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Reducing the Size of the Library Advisory Commission from Seven to Five Commissioners and Amending the Frequency of Regular Meetings to Bi-Monthly (1st Reading: March 4, 2013, Passed 9-0).” 9. Recommendation from the Council Appointed Officers Committee to Exercise an Option to Extend for One Year a Consulting Contract with Sherry L. Lund Associates for a Total Cost Not to Exceed $49,350 for; 1) Consulting Services related to the 2012-2013 Annual Performance Reviews for Four Council Appointed Officers for a Total Cost Not to Exceed $32,300; 2) Solicitation of Staff Feedback Related to Performance Evaluations for a Total Cost Not to Exceed $9,500; and 3) Mid-year Performance Review Updates for a Total Cost Not to Exceed $7,550. 10. Policy & Services Committee Recommendation to Approve Revisions to Section 2.4 of the City Council Protocols Setting Forth the Conduct of Council Liaisons to Palo Alto Boards and Commissions. MOTION PASSED FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2: 8-0, Shepherd not participating MOTION PASSED FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBERS 4-9: 9-0 AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS 13. (Former Agenda Item Number 10) Policy & Services Committee Recommendation to Approve Revisions to Section 2.4 of the City Council Protocols Setting Forth the Conduct of Council Liaisons to Palo Alto Boards and Commissions. MOTION: Mayor Scharff moved, seconded by Council Member Kniss to move Agenda Item Number 13 (former Agenda Item Number 10) “Policy & Services Committee Recommendation to Approve Revisions to Section 2.4 of the City Council Protocols Setting Forth the Conduct of Council Liaisons to Palo Alto Boards and Commissions” to a date uncertain. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 DRAFT ACTION MINUTES Page 4 of 7 City Council Meeting Draft Action Minutes: 3/18/13 ACTION ITEMS 10a. (Former Agenda Item Number 3) Finance Committee Recommendation that the City Council Appoint an Electric Undergrounding Advisory Body. MOTION: Vice Mayor Shepherd moved, seconded by Council Member Kniss to appoint an advisory body to solicit community input on potential changes to the City of Palo Alto Utilities electric overhead to underground conversion policy. MOITON FAILED: 4-5, Berman, Shepherd, Scharff, Kniss Yes 11. Downtown Parking Update and Direction Regarding Near-Term Parking Actions. MOTION: Council Member Holman moved, seconded by Council Member Schmid to direct Staff to evaluate and implement near-term (1-6 months) downtown parking improvements, including but not limited to: a) an attendant parking trial in select downtown parking garages or lots (Lot R), and b) a City commitment for reducing 50-100 employee permit spaces in the City Hall garage. SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Vice Mayor Shepherd moved, seconded by Council Member Kniss to direct Staff to evaluate and implement near-term (1-6 months) downtown parking improvements, including but not limited to: a) an attendant parking trial in select downtown parking garages or lots (Lot R), b) a City commitment for reducing 50-100 employee permit spaces in the City Hall garage, and c) evaluation of a potential public-private partnership for a new parking garage on Lot P. SUBSTITUTE MOTION PASSED: 8-1, Schmid no MOTION: Council Member Kniss moved, seconded by Council Member Klein to direct Staff to evaluate and implement near-term (1-6 months) downtown parking improvements, including but not limited to: d) evaluation of restrictions on the creation/use of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR). INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MAKER AND SECONDER to add after “restrictions,” “and or provide alternative incentives.” MOTION PASSED: 8-0, Holman not participating DRAFT ACTION MINUTES Page 5 of 7 City Council Meeting Draft Action Minutes: 3/18/13 MOTION: Council Member Kniss moved, seconded by Council Member Price to direct Staff to evaluate and implement near-term (1-6 months) downtown parking improvements, including but not limited to: e) eliminating or revising zoning exemptions from parking requirements. INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MAKER AND SECONDER to add after parking requirements: “and evaluate director approved parking adjustments.” AMENDMENT: Council Member Burt moved, seconded by Council Member Holman to add: and Staff evaluate mechanisms to control the relationship between employee density and parking. AMENDMENT FAILED: 5-2, Burt, Holman yes, Scharff, Shepherd not participating MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED: 7-0, Scharff, Shepherd not participating MOTION: Council Member Kniss moved, seconded by Council Member Price direct Staff to evaluate and implement near-term (1-6 months) downtown parking improvements, including but not limited to: f) initiating parking restrictions and/or permit parking in adjacent residential neighborhoods. MOTION PASSED: 5-0, Berman, Holman, Scharff, Shepherd not participating 12. Infrastructure Committee Recommendation to Modify List of Projects Approved by Council for Public Opinion Research for a Potential Infrastructure Revenue Ballot Measure. MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member Burt to make the following changes to the list of projects approved by the Infrastructure Committee on March 7, 2013 for the public opinion research firm to use in development of polling questions on a potential ballot measure to fund infrastructure needs: Remove Byxbee Park project, remove Cubberley Replace/Expand project, remove the Post Office project, remove the School Childcare Sites project, add the Downtown Parking Garage and California Avenue Parking Garage project. AMENDMENT: Council Member Burt moved, seconded by Council Member Holman to include Byxbee Park completion in the poll. AMENDMENT FAILED: 4-5, Burt, Holman, Kniss, Schmid yes DRAFT ACTION MINUTES Page 6 of 7 City Council Meeting Draft Action Minutes: 3/18/13 AMENDMENT: Council Member Berman moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Shepherd to remove “(accelerate resurfacing and Charleston/Arastradero)” from the list. AMENDMENT PASSED: 5-4 Burt, Klein, Price, Schmid no AMENDMENT: Mayor Scharff moved, seconded by Council Member Klein to separate item for polling on Charleston/Arastradero AMENDMENT PASSED: 8-1, Berman no MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED: 9-0 Council Member Kniss left at 11:30 P.M. MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member Berman to add the History Museum Project to the list of projects approved by the Infrastructure Committee on March 7, 2013 for the public opinion research firm to use in development of polling questions on a potential ballot measure to fund infrastructure needs. MOTION PASSED: 8-1, Klein no, Holman not participating, Kniss Absent 13. (Former Agenda Item Number 10) Policy & Services Committee Recommendation to Approve Revisions to Section 2.4 of the City Council Protocols Setting Forth the Conduct of Council Liaisons to Palo Alto Boards and Commissions. COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Council Member Klein said he was one of three Council Members who attended the National League of Cities Congressional Conference the previous week. He said he rejoined the Steering Committee on Energy Environment and Natural Resources. He said the post office sale could move forward as early as the upcoming spring, but discussions with the post office team are on-going. Vice Mayor Shepherd also attended the National League of Cities Congressional Conference and attended meetings with the Army Corp of Engineers to review with the California Civil Deputy ways to move the creek study forward and relieve the flood zone issues. She also reported the General Obligation Bond tax exemption was still in the Federal Budget. She also discussed the Amazon Tax and asked Staff to review what affect that DRAFT ACTION MINUTES Page 7 of 7 City Council Meeting Draft Action Minutes: 3/18/13 would have on Palo Alto. She discussed a student exchange program with Yangpu District. Council Member Berman left meeting at 11:41 P.M. Council Member Schmid said he was disappointed the City Council did not see the Downtown Development Cap Request for Proposal prior to release. Council Member Price announced she attended the Youth Council Retreat the previous week. She also attended a meeting regarding the Connected City Program. She said the Valley Transportation Authority Policy Advisory Committee and Technical Advisory Committee both voted to reject a connection between participation in the Habitat Conservation Plan as criteria for One Bay Area Grant funding. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 P.M.