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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-15 City Council Summary MinutesCITY OF PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 1 of 18 Special Meeting April 15, 2013 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 6:00 P.M. Present: Berman, Burt, Holman, Klein, Kniss, Price, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd Absent: CLOSED SESSION 1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his designees pursuant to Merit System Rules and Regulations (James Keene, Pamela Antil, Dennis Burns, Lalo Perez, Joe Saccio, Kathryn Shen, Sandra Blanch, Marcie Scott, Darrell Murray) Employee Organization: Palo Alto Police Manager’s Association (PAPMA) Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6(a) Donna Grider, City Clerk, noted that Darrell Murray would not be participating in the Closed Session but Dania Torres Wong would attend in his place. 2. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-EXISTING LITIGATION Subject: City of Palo Alto et al. v. California High-Speed Rail Authority Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, Case No. 34-2010-80000679 Authority: Government Code section 54956.9(a) The City Council returned from Closed Session at 7:15 P.M. Mayor Scharff reported that there was no reportable action from the Closed Session on labor negotiations. Mayor Scharff reported that on the Closed Session regarding High Speed Rail the City Council voted unanimously not to appeal the Judge’s decision. MINUTES Page 2 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 STUDY SESSION 3. Update on the Progress in Implementing the Climate Protection Plan Earth Day Report. The City Council learned that key Greenhouse Gas (GHG) goals contained in Palo Alto’s 2007 Climate Action Plan (Plan) were met, based on data for 2012, an important milestone year in the Plan. The 2012 GHG emissions from City operations were estimated to be 53 percent below 2005 levels, exceeding Council’s goal to reduce these emissions by 20 percent by 2012. GHG emissions in 2012 by the City and Community combined were estimated to be down 22 percent below 2005 levels, exceeding the Council goal of 15 percent reduction below 2005 levels by 2020. A detailed breakdown of these estimates was reported in the April 15, 2013 Staff Report. City Staff will begin to revise the Plan to accommodate a further reduction in GHGs and a rising sea level, leading to the adoption of new goals by City Council in 2014. This work will be done in concert with an update to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which is being done in the same timeframe. Transportation GHG emissions are roughly 40 percent of the community’s total and both the Comprehensive Plan and the revised Climate Action Plan will benefit from new vehicle use estimates which will be performed in the upcoming months. New GHG estimates were also assembled for the City’s largest facilities and a summary of related energy projects since 2005 was made available via the Staff Report. The City’s largest energy user is the Wastewater Treatment Plant, where a 16 percent GHG reduction has been achieved since 2005. The Wastewater Plant served 5 neighboring communities in addition to Palo Alto. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY 4. Proclamations Expressing Appreciation to Terry Godfrey, Rachel Samoff, Rob Steele, and Environmental Volunteers for Outstanding Public Service. Council Member Berman read the Proclamation for Terry Godfrey into the record. Rob De Geus, Recreation and Golf Division Manager, believed one of the most rewarding jobs in community service was working with residents. The residents of Palo Alto were engaged in building a strong and healthy community. Terry Godfrey wanted to improve the community culture for youth well-being. She was focused, tenacious, and result-oriented. Ms. Godfrey led the Project Safety Net Community Collaborative Team Developmental Assets Initiative. By 2021, the Team's goals were for two- MINUTES Page 3 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 thirds of Palo Alto youth to have at least 21 developmental assets, and none would be at risk or have less than 10 developmental assets. Terry Godfrey enjoyed working with the Community Services Department. She asked the Council to place youth at the top of the Council Priority list. Council Member Schmid read the Proclamation for Rachel Samoff into the record. Minka Van Der Zwaag, Community Service Manager, noted many studies indicated early childhood years were critical for later development, and that quality care environments were essential. Ms. Samoff daily demonstrated dedication, professionalism, passion, and commitment. Ms. Samoff dedicated her career to young children and Palo Alto families. While Ms. Samoff would retire as Executive Director of the Children's Preschool, she planned to continue on the City's Advisory Committee for early care and education to advocate for young children and education and support for educators. Rachel Samoff stated working with members of the community had been a pleasurable and interesting journey. She was pleased to be a member of a community with a long history of progressive attitudes and action. The City considered affordable and quality early care and education part of the infrastructure of a modern city. One of the challenges for early care was affordable and suitable facilities. The Council should remember the importance of facilities at Cubberley. She thanked the Council for the award. She hoped to continue to serve the community in various capacities. Council Member Burt read the Proclamation for Robert Steele into the record. John Aikin, Community Services Senior Program Manager, reported 24 years ago Mr. Steele accepted the position of curator at the Junior Museum and Zoo. The City of Palo Alto was fortunate that Mr. Steele worked with the Junior Museum and Zoo. Robert Steele appreciated the honor. The Toys for Kids drive was an incredible program. The City realized the importance of the program and would continue it. Vice Mayor Shepherd read the Proclamation for the Environmental Volunteers into the record. Daren Anderson, Open Space and Parks Division Manager, noted one of the MINUTES Page 4 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 best tools to accomplish the Open Space Mission Statement was environmental education. The City was blessed to have this amazing partnership with Environmental Volunteers, who provided high quality environmental education and interpretation to the community. Environmental Volunteers was instrumental in educating park visitors and in creating life-long environmental stewards. Barbara Carlitz, Environmental Volunteers Board Co-Chairman, was honored to receive a Star Award. Being housed in the Sea Scout House placed Environmental Volunteers in a natural collaboration with City Staff. Governments and non-profit organizations working together on a common goal was good. She was pleased to share responsibility for educating the community with the Open Space Division. Alan Berkowitz, Environmental Volunteers Executive Director, stated the project provided Environmental Volunteers with the opportunity to move into a nature preserve to do its work and expand its mission. The community had the wonderful opportunity to enhance the Baylands. The City's Open Space Staff were wonderful to work with. 5. Selection of Candidates to be Interviewed for the Library Advisory Commission for Two Terms Expiring on January 31, 2016. MOTION: Vice Mayor Shepherd moved, seconded by Council Member Holman to interview seven candidates for the Library Advisory Commission. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 6. Selection of Candidates to be Interviewed for the Public Art Commission for One Term Expiring on April 30, 2015. MOTION: Vice Mayor Shepherd moved, seconded by Council Member Price to interview four candidates for the Public Art Commission. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS Pamela Antil, Assistant City Manager, announced 1) on April 17, 2013 the new trees on California Avenue will be pruned to improve structure and performance, 2) Sheila Tucker, the Assistant to the City Manager has been working on the “Know Your Neighbors” grant program launched last week to assist residents to build a sense of community. MINUTES Page 5 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Robert Moss stated the Planned Community (PC) process was broken. Developers received huge benefits while providing no benefits to the public. Planning Staff did not know how to regain public benefits. He suggested the Council place a moratorium on PC Zoning for the remainder of 2013 until the Council could define public and private benefits and determine how to enforce public benefits. Mike Francois shared a Time magazine December 2012 article regarding diseases. A 2012 Harvard study indicated fluoride affected adolescent's ability to learn. Jackie Speier thought the Glass-Stegall Act should be the law of the land. The United States was considered to be the Saudi Arabia of natural gas. Aaron Greenspan reported many College Terrace residents were not aware of the adjacent EPA Superfund site. Monitoring wells showed increased levels of chemicals. No water and air data was available for the site, because no wells were installed. Landlords should be required by law to notify tenants of conditions harmful to tenants. CONSENT CALENDAR Vice Mayor Shepherd indicated she would not participate in Agenda Item Number 10 due to an interest in property within the Business Improvement District. Council Member Berman indicated he would not participate in Agenda Item Number 13 due to a business interest in plastic bags. Council Member Holman registered a No vote on Agenda Item Number 7. MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member Kniss to approve Agenda Item Numbers 7-15. Council Member Kniss received mail regarding automatic external defibrillators (AED). She supported use of AEDs and hoped they would be widely disseminated. Council Member Burt noted Staff planned to propose in the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget AEDs for each police vehicle. The Finance Committee recommended the Council implement a comprehensive program through use of the Council Contingency Fund. MINUTES Page 6 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 Stephanie Martinson, Racing Hearts, thanked the Council for its support of AEDs. The use of AEDs was critical for surviving sudden cardiac arrest. Annually almost 300,000 Americans died from sudden cardiac arrest. The Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) planned to place AEDs in all schools by June 2014. Trish Mulvey supported the plastic bag Ordinance, and suggested the Council adopt a 25¢ charge for paper bags after a transition period. In one year, Staff could provide a progress report on the use of reusable bags. If the goal was reached, then the 25¢ charge could be removed. 7. Recommendation that City Council Approve a Contract with OPower for the Provision of Home Utility Reports to Residents Comparing Energy and Water Use. 8. Resolution 9328 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute and Amend the Northern California Power Agency Operating Agreement for Scheduling Coordination Services for Renewable Resources. 9. Approval of Six On-call Building and Inspection Services Contracts as follows: 1) 4Leaf in the amount of $725,000, 2) Interwest Consulting Group in the amount of $50,000, 3) CSG Consultants in the Amount of $50,000, 4) West Coast Code Consultants in the Amount of $385,000, 5) Kutzmann & Associates in the Amount of $240,000, and 6) TRB & Associates in the Amount of $50,000. 10. Preliminary Approval of the Report of the Advisory Board for Fiscal Year 2012 in Connection with the Palo Alto Downtown Business Improvement District and Adoption of Resolution 9329 Declaring its Intention to Levy an Assessment Against Businesses within the Downtown Palo Alto Business Improvement District for Fiscal Year 2014 and Setting a Time and Place for a Public Hearing on May 6, at 7:00 PM or Thereafter, in the City Council Chambers. 11. Approval of Amendment No. 3 to Extend Contract No. C05109138 for Three Additional Years in the Amount of $62,000 per Year for a Total of $186,000 With The United States Geological Survey for San Francisco Bay Monitoring. 12. Approval of Finance Committee Recommendation Regarding Adoption of Budget Amendment Ordinance 5191 Amending the Budget for Fiscal Year 2013 to Adjust Budgeted Revenues and Expenditures in Accordance with the Recommendations in the Midyear Report. MINUTES Page 7 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 13. Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 5.35 to Expand Plastic Bag Ban to Retail and Food Establishments, Require Retailers to Charge Fee for Paper Bag Use and Provision of Phased Implementation. 14. Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Second Amended and Restated Memorandum of Agreement with the Bay Area Recycled Water Coalition to Pursue Federal Legislative Efforts Related to Recycled Water Projects. 15. Resolution 9330 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving Amendment Number One to the Water Supply Agreement with the City and County of San Francisco”. MOTION PASSED for Agenda Item Number 7: 8-1 Holman no MOTION PASSED for Agenda Item Numbers 8, 9, 11, 12, 14 and 15: 9-0 MOTION PASSED for Agenda Item Number 10: 8-0 Shepherd not participating MOTION PASSED for Agenda Item Number 13: 8-0 Berman not participating ACTION ITEMS 16. 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 (continued from March 18, 2013). Sheila Tucker, Assistant to the City Manager, recalled the Council asked the Policy and Services Committee (Committee) to review and consider the definition and responsibilities of a Council Liaison. The Committee recommended the Council Liaison role be identified by three tiers. The revisions were an attempt to define the expectations for meeting attendance and the expression of personal views at Tier 1, 2, and 3 meetings. The provisions included a limitation of two years of service for Tier 1 and Tier 3 Liaisons. Council Member Kniss reported the Committee struggled to differentiate among the different levels of Liaisons. Under Tier 1, certain things could MINUTES Page 8 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 impact a Liaison's attendance at meetings. The language regarding policy issues should be "but have discretion in representing the City on issues where the Council has not taken a policy position on a matter." The Committee expected a Tier 2 Liaison to attend meetings. Tier 3 included meetings of community-based organizations (CBO), and Liaisons had discretion regarding attendance. The Committee and Staff thoroughly vetted the recommendations. Council Member Burt questioned whether Tier 1 included other official advisory groups. Council Member Kniss asked if Council Member Burt meant ad hoc groups. Council Member Burt clarified groups such as blue ribbon task forces. Council Member Kniss noted those groups became ad hoc groups unless they were established as a long-term Commission. She was amendable to adding ad hoc groups to the language. Council Member Klein reported Staff cleaned up some of the Committee language. To be consistent, the Council should review the language on page 670. Staff correctly changed the language to "those appointed by the Mayor and Council, i.e., the City's Boards and Commissions." Council Member Burt asked how the various task forces fit into the scheme of tiers. Council Member Klein stated task forces were a Board or a Commission. He was agreeable to adding task forces. Council Member Burt wished to understand the intention. Tier 2 stated county, state, and federal levels; however, Attachment B contained many regional agencies that were neither county nor state agencies. He suggested the language be revised to county, regional, state, and federal. Council Member Kniss agreed. She and most likely the Committee would accept clarifying language. Council Member Burt noted Tier 2 indicated Liaisons that may be selected by those other than the Mayor, and inquired which Tier would contain Liaisons selected by the Mayor. Council Member Kniss indicated they were listed on page 666. MINUTES Page 9 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 Council Member Burt stated approximately half of the Liaisons under Tier 2 in Attachment B were appointed by the Mayor. The language indicated may be selected by those other than the Mayor. He assumed that language was not necessary. Mayor Scharff understood Council Member Burt to be stating an inconsistency. "By those other than the Mayor" should be deleted. Council Member Burt believed "and Council Members may vie for appointments" was not relevant. Council Member Kniss explained some positions were competitive. For instance, a Liaison serving on the Santa Clara County Cities Association could also run for an office within that agency. The intent was clear even if the Council altered the language somewhat. Council Member Burt inquired which elements under Tier 2 in Subsection H applied only to competitive positions as opposed to all positions under Tier 2. Council Member Kniss requested Council Member Burt clarify his question. Council Member Burt stated Subsection H provided a description of the Council Member role and expectations for Tier 2 positions. Tier 2 included positions that were competitive as well as non-competitive. He asked if there was something under Tier 2 in Subsection H that only applied to competitive positions. Ms. Tucker explained the additional detail to the Tier 2 level was an attempt to support the recommendations related to expectations for meeting attendance. If a Liaison had predictable involvement, then the Council would expect the Liaison to attend more frequently. Council Member Burt asked if that applied to all Tier 2 Liaisons. Ms. Tucker answered yes. Council Member Burt indicated all Liaison positions at the regional, county, state and federal levels were in Tier 2. Ms. Tucker suggested simplifying the language by stating Tier 1 was the City level; Tier 2 the county, state, and federal levels; and Tier 3 CBOs. Mayor Scharff agreed that would be simpler to understand. MINUTES Page 10 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 Ms. Tucker explained Staff and the Committee worked through issues in trying to define the role of Liaison. Council Member Kniss reported the assignment to the Committee was to make Section 2.4 more readable so people would understand the different assignments and expectations for those assignments. One of the issues was expectations for Liaisons, particularly with respect to CBOs. Ms. Tucker's suggestions were fine as long as the Council understood the intent of revising the language. Council Member Burt agreed with the Committee's intent. He hoped Tier 3 would better clarify the expectations for Council Liaison participation when representing the Council to CBOs. There had been questions regarding Council Members' participation and attendance at all meetings. Tier 1 should better clarify the roles, responsibilities, and limitations of Council Members. Deleting the original language could have reduced some of the clarification on Council Members' limit of authority in that representation. Council Member Price reported the Committee's original intent for Tier 2 in terms of the appointment process was to provide information that some appointments were not strictly a Mayor's decision. The Mayor recommended a Liaison, and then the City Council voted on the recommendation. By adding the detail, the Committee attempted to make the distinction that the Mayor did not appoint the Liaison in all cases. In its general discussion regarding responsibilities of Liaisons to CBOs, the Committee expected a Liaison's attendance at CBO meetings would be periodic. The Liaison would have more flexibility in his attendance responsibility, and would not attend each and every meeting. Council Member Holman believed it was appropriate for a Liaison to offer as examples policy guidance in discussions; institutional memory or background when appropriate; procedural guidance where appropriate; guidance on the scope of recommendations appropriate to provide to the Council; and to consider whether the body had the tools it needed to fulfill its role. She wished to include those elements in the description for Tier 1. A Council Member was to refrain from participating in meetings in such a manner that he could influence the policy, program, or project recommendation to the Council. A Council Member was not to participate as a Board Member or Commissioner. That language should be added. The language at the top of page 671 regarding policy established by a majority of the Council was redundant, because there was no policy unless a majority of the Council voted on it. Vice Mayor Shepherd requested the historic reason for the Council not MINUTES Page 11 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 having a Liaison to the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) and Architectural Review Board (ARB). Aaron Aknin, Assistant Director of Planning and Community Environment, discussed the matter with Director Williams, who reported in his tenure the Council did not have a Liaison to the ARB and PTC. The Liaisons to the PTC and ARB were eliminated so as not to jeopardize a Council Member's ability to participate in a Council action, and to allow the ARB and PTC to maintain some independence from the Council. Vice Mayor Shepherd felt there were inconsistencies, because some Commissions agendized a City Council Liaison report at their meetings and some did not. She suggested the Committee consider having a Council Liaison retire after reporting, so that the Commissioners did not feel the overhang of having an elected official present. The Commissioners and Board Members needed better training with regard to their roles. The debates about Tier 2 could be resolved by calling it regional. She considered eliminating the entire Liaison relationship with CBOs, because it was difficult to understand the Liaison role. Often Staff could resolve CBO concerns without involving the Council. She suggested the Committee narrow the list of CBOs for Tier 3 and determine the purpose of Liaisons to CBOs. MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Mayor Scharff to approve the recommendation from the Policy and Services Committee to include the following changes: Section 2.4 A title to change from “Conduct of Palo Alto Boards and Commissions” to “Liaisons to community, county, regional, state and federal bodies;” strike the words “and commissions” and add “commissions and task forces;” and change Tier 2 to “those of the county, regional, state and federal levels.” Council Member Klein felt the Agenda item was relatively minor and considered the conduct of Liaisons to various organizations. This item did not warrant referral back to the Committee and future Council discussion. Mayor Scharff agreed. Council Member Kniss' appointment to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District was not a Council Liaison position. His role on the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) also was not a Council Liaison position. He was concerned that those two positions were not bound by Council policy positions. Council Member Kniss was happy to support the recommendations as they were presented. In the interest of time management, the Council should vote. MINUTES Page 12 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 Council Member Schmid believed the recommendations were not clear with respect to the roles and responsibilities of Council Members. He suggested including a Liaison's responsibility to describe Council actions, to provide some institutional memory, and to provide context and scope of discussion. Those elements would provide specific roles for Liaisons other than simply observing meetings. He inquired whether there was a time and place for Liaisons to share information from meetings with Council Members. Council Member Holman suggested adding to Section 2.4 C, Tier 1, "Liaison should act as a resource and not participate as a Board or Commission Member." Council Member Klein proposed alternative language that a Liaison should act as a resource and not participate in the discussion on any Motion before the Board or Commission. Mayor Scharff would not accept that language. Boards and Commissions discussed topics for which the Council had a policy position, and the Liaison should participate in the discussion to explain the Council's position. Council Member Klein stated the Liaison could act as a resource, but should not influence voting. Mayor Scharff indicated the revisions included language that Liaisons should not provide their personal opinions. He requested Council Member Klein restate the proposed language addressing his concern. Council Member Klein reiterated that the Council Liaison should act as a resource only and not participate in the discussion of any matter before the Board or Commission. Council Member Holman felt the language she proposed prohibited a Council Member from participating as a Board or Commission Member. Council Member Klein disagreed, because the Council Liaison was not participating as a Board or Commission member; he was participating as a Council Member. He did not want Council Members trying to influence Boards and Commissions. AMENDMENT: Council Member Holman moved, seconded by Mayor Scharff to add to 2.4 C “Liaison should act as a resource and not participate as a Board or Commission Member.” Council Member Kniss reported language at the top of page 671 regarding MINUTES Page 13 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 the power or right to unduly influence the Board or Commission Members covered language proposed in the Amendment. Council Member Holman felt the Amendment language was somewhat different. The Liaison's role was not to participate fully in the discussion. Council Member Schmid inquired whether the Amendment language would be added at the beginning or end of Subsection C. Council Member Holman replied at the end of Subsection C. Council Member Schmid indicated the language would fit better in Subsection D. MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Mayor Scharff to call the question. MOTION PASSED: 7-2 Berman, Kniss no AMENDMENT TO MOTION PASSED: 6-3 Berman, Klein, Price no INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MAKER AND SECONDER in section H1 “it is appropriate for the Council Liaison to offer as examples the following at Boards and Commissions meetings stating existing Council policies, institutional memory, background, procedural guidance on the scope of what is appropriate to provide to Council and consider whether the body has the tools it needs to fulfill its role.” Council Member Klein felt policy guidelines were the same as advocating a position. Council Member Holman clarified that the Liaison's role was to represent the policy. The intention was to clarify Council policy for a Board or Commission. Council Member Klein believed that was covered by institutional memory. Council Member Holman noted institutional memory was part of the Amendment. Council Member Klein indicated the Liaison could report the Council's previous actions, including policy guidelines which would remove the effectiveness of the whole proposal. MINUTES Page 14 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 Council Member Holman agreed policy guidelines was not the best phraseology. Council Member Burt suggested "clarifying existing Council policies." Council Member Holman considered "noting existing Council policies." Council Member Klein proposed "stating existing Council policies." Council Member Klein did not agree with including "institutional memory," but he would accept it. Mayor Scharff saw no harm in leaving "institutional memory." Council Member Klein felt it was redundant. Council Member Burt noted under Subsection I non-Liaison Council Members at Board or Commission meetings should identify public comments as individual opinions. Council Members had a right to speak, but the Council should discourage that right. He inquired whether the Council was restricted in the language it could use in terms of the rights of a non-Liaison Council Member to attend and speak at a Board or Commission meeting. If the Council could not prohibit Council Members from speaking as individuals, then he wanted to include language that speaking as an individual was strongly discouraged. Molly Stump, City Attorney, reported the Council had the ability in terms of governing its conduct to state that the Council wished to discourage that type of activity. She did not suggest the Council go further than that. Council Members had the ability to attend meetings and speak as a member of the public. INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MAKER AND SECONDER to add to section 2.4 G that any public comments from a non-Liaison Council Member to a Board or Commission is strongly discouraged and should be identified. Vice Mayor Shepherd felt the Tier 3 agencies in Attachment B should be reviewed, because the list was not complete. AMENDMENT: Vice Mayor Shepherd moved, seconded by Council Member Price to add “as approved by Council” after “Community based organizations” in 2.4 A, Tier 3. MINUTES Page 15 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 Vice Mayor Shepherd stated the list of agencies needed to be approved by the Council. Council Member Price agreed. Council Member Klein preferred to leave Liaisons to the Mayor's discretion. Mayor Scharff did not support the Amendment. The City had a list of Boards and Commissions and CBOs, and none had been added to the list since he became a Council Member. AMENDMENT PASSED: 5-4 Berman, Klein, Kniss, Scharff no AMENDMENT: Mayor Scharff moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Shepherd to add to H2 “where appointed by the Council, Mayor, or Agency should” after “Liaisons.” Council Member Burt noted the Mayor appointed a Liaison to the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Policy Advisory Committee; however, the agency selected the Liaison for the VTA. Mayor Scharff believed being elected to a position and being appointed to a position was different. He would agree to include being appointed by an agency, because the Council set up the Council Member to be appointed by the agency. Council Member Burt expressed concern that the Council did not review each position. AMENDMENT PASSED: 9-0 MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED: 9-0 17. Colleagues Memo Requesting that the Staff and Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) Review Sidewalk Widths With a Focus on El Camino Real and the Grand Boulevard Plan and Return to Council with Suggested Zoning Amendments. Penny Ellson appreciated the Colleague's Memo. Because of her work in the community, she understood the importance of sidewalks to street life. Sidewalks along El Camino Real were important, because housing was being built there and kids used it as a route to school. MINUTES Page 16 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 Bob Moss reported the Architectural Review Board (ARB) failed to consider the scale of and setback for buildings a number of times. Placing commercial buildings against sidewalks was not New Urbanism. The City needed wider setbacks from the street. Suggestions in the Colleague's Memo were an excellent approach to accomplish that. Council Member Holman reported the City received much criticism of approved projects for reasons outlined in the Colleague's Memo. A number of buildings underachieved the community's standards. The Council should review the El Camino Real Plan and South El Camino Real Design Guidelines and codify the best principles in those documents. The sidewalk width as referenced in the El Camino Real Plan was inadequate. Some of the new buildings did not follow the basic design principle of form following function. MOTION: Council Member Holman moved, seconded by Council Member Schmid that the Staff, Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) and Architecture Review Board (ARB) review sidewalk widths and how buildings address the street with a focus on El Camino Real and with reference to the Grand Blvd. Design Guidelines and return to Council with suggested zoning amendments that implement the vision expressed in the Grand Boulevard Plan, and revise the South El Camino Real guidelines and zoning as appropriate to make them consistent with this vision. Other major thoroughfares, including but not limited to Alma, Downtown, California Avenue and Charleston should be addressed in this context, as Staff feels is appropriate at this time. Council Member Holman noted questions used to evaluate the success of a building. It was appropriate to say no to a project that did not positively contribute to the City. Buildings should be positive contributors to Palo Alto's built environment. Council Member Schmid enthusiastically supported the Motion. Buildings should include the public in their design and presentation. The Motion asked Staff, the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) and the ARB to consider other centers of activity in Palo Alto. The Motion suggested designing for sidewalks, but building to create an environment. Vice Mayor Shepherd asked how the Comprehensive Plan addressed issues in the Colleague's Memo. Aaron Aknin, Assistant Director of Planning and Community Environment, would review the Comprehensive Plan revisions and return to the Council with information. If the Council adopted these changes, they should be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan. MINUTES Page 17 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 Vice Mayor Shepherd inquired whether including policy changes would be complicated. Mr. Aknin did not believe it would be complicated. Staff would work through the ARB, PTC, and Council, and then incorporate changes into the different documents. Vice Mayor Shepherd asked if that work would delay the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Aknin did not believe so. Vice Mayor Shepherd inquired whether the Council should consider other components from the Grand Boulevard Design Guidelines. Mr. Aknin indicated sidewalks and architecture were the two main components. Another component could be setback standards for buildings. Other cities adopted similar guidelines for buildings along El Camino Real and other commercial thoroughfares, and Staff could review those. Vice Mayor Shepherd asked if Staff could review other cities' standards within the context of the current Motion. Mr. Aknin responded yes. Vice Mayor Shepherd would support the Motion with the understanding that Staff would review standards from other cities. Council Member Burt stated the Colleague's Memo was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan; however, zoning rules were arguably inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Recent building designs were not a good reflection of New Urbanism. Mayor Scharff thanked Council Member Holman for her initiative with the Colleague's Memo. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Vice Mayor Shepherd announced that there were copies of the Palo Alto high school magazines to help keep Council Members in tune with what the students are writing about. She recommended all Council Members read the MINUTES Page 18 of 18 City Council Special Meeting Minutes: 4/15/13 article in the Paly mag regarding the rape culture. Council Member Schmid experienced the High Speed Rail from Downtown London to Downtown Paris in 375 miles in 2.5 hours. He said it was very expensive and he counted only six buildings within 300 feet of the rail line between downtown London and the tunnel. Council Member Holman reminded the Council that Team Palo Alto would play in a bocce ball tournament the following Thursday. Council Member Kniss announced a contest with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District where contestants would rappel off a high story building at least 15 stories. Mayor Scharff spoke in support of Palo Alto Team Bocce. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 10:51 P.M.