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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-09 City Council Summary MinutesCITY OF PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL WORKING MINUTES Page 1 of 17 Special Meeting September 9, 2013 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 5:35 P.M. Present: Burt, Holman, Klein, Price arrived at 5:40 P.M., Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd Absent: Berman, Kniss CLOSED SESSION 1. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY/LEGAL COUNSEL Potential Litigation – One Matter Subject: Construction of the Mitchell Park Library and Community Center Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9 2. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-Potential Litigation (1 Case) Relating to State Water Project Property Tax Levy Govt Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) The City Council returned from the Closed Sessions at 7:00 P.M. and Mayor Scharff announced there was no reportable action. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY 3. Proclamation Expressing Appreciation for the Volunteer Efforts of Manao and Peter Keegan in Establishing a Student Exchange To Yangpu District, Shanghai, China. Vice Mayor Shepherd read the Proclamation into the record. The program participants spent three weeks in Shanghai visiting businesses and learning Chinese at the Fudan University. While there, they developed confidence speaking Chinese and learned about the Chinese social and business culture. The six students spoke to the Council individually to thank the City for establishing the exchange program. They explained how they WORKING MINUTES Page 2 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 were honored to share their experiences and memories from the Shanghai trip. They recognized that Palo Alto had an international and diverse identity and how the exchange program was providing a valuable, practical and global business experience for them. They noted expanding the exchange program would improve the diplomatic and cultural relationship between the U.S. and China. Mayor Scharff read a letter from Representative Anna Eshoo congratulating the students on their successful trip to China. He presented the students with Certificates of Recognition from State Senator Jerry Hill and Assemblyman Richard Gordon. He also read letters he wrote to the students and to Dr. Fong. AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS None CITY MANAGER COMMENTS James Keene, City Manager, recognized Vice Mayor Shepherd's work with the exchange program. The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board would present the City's Regional Water Quality Control Plant with the 2013 Dr. Teng-Chung Wu Pollution Prevention Award on September 11, 2013 at 9:00 A.M. in Oakland, California. The Junior Museum and Zoo would host a Bubble-Palooza on September 15, 2013, from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. The last major impediment to steelhead trout migration in Lower San Francisquito Creek was removed with Federal and State funding. A special community meeting to review the Rinconada Long Range Plan was scheduled for September 12, 2013 at 6:30 P.M. Staff would hold a community meeting with residents of the Southgate neighborhood on September 17, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. to present the final design and construction schedule for the Storm Drain and Green Street Improvement Project. Scheduled for September 15, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. was the Annual Midtown Neighborhood Association Ice Cream Social. He shared a letter of appreciation from American Airlines to Fire Chief Nickel regarding an in-flight medical emergency. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Sydnee Journal invited the public to participate in the Ninth Annual Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot to be held on November 28, 2013. The event raised and donated more than $3 million to charity in eight years. WORKING MINUTES Page 3 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 Jeff Rangel, Brocade Director of Corporate Affairs, extended an invitation for everyone to participate in the Turkey Trot. He explained the process for competing for the Mayor's Cup. Kathleen King, Healthier Kids Foundation, indicated the Turkey Trot was key to providing food and housing for children. One goal was to be the largest and fastest growing event. Vice Mayor Shepherd inquired whether the event sold out. Ms. King answered yes. They were planning for 28,000 participants; however, youth participants would be limited in number to 900. Vice Mayor Shepherd asked if all citizens could participate. Ms. King responded yes. Palo Alto Free Press referenced a Supreme Court opinion regarding self- expression. He urged the Council to reconsider its policy regarding public clapping at meetings. Clapping was not disruptive behavior. Herb Borock noticed advertising on the outside of a public toilet when it was Council policy not to have advertising. Art Liberman indicated the City needed a comprehensive traffic and planning vision for new developments. The current traffic process failed to provide a coherent context for new projects. Public involvement was essential because traffic issues were complicated and contentious. Sven Thesen asked the Council to direct the Planning and Transportation Commission to draft an Ordinance to require all housing stock to be electric vehicle ready; to direct Staff to create a task force to streamline the current permitting process and to reduce the permit fee; and to direct Staff to create a task force to develop a permitting process for residential curbside electric- vehicle chargers. Stephanie Munoz requested the Council place an item on the Agenda to discuss the closing of the JJ&F Market. The agreement to develop the property was to retain a grocery story on that site. WORKING MINUTES Page 4 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 MINUTES APPROVAL MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member Price to approve the minutes of August 5 and August 8, 2013. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Berman, Kniss Absent CONSENT CALENDAR Staff recommended that Agenda Item Number 14 be continued to September 16, 2013. MOTION: Mayor Scharff moved, seconded by Council Members Burt and Klein to move Agenda Item Number 7 from the Consent Calendar to a date uncertain. Jennifer Landesmann preferred the glass cube design for 240 Hamilton Avenue. The building should address proportion, balance and design. The ground floor should have increased ceiling heights. Trees or such should be utilized to reduce glare from the glass. Robert Moss noted inaccuracies in the Staff Report regarding the 240 Hamilton Avenue project. The project accentuated overflow parking into neighborhoods. The Council should not approve a project that did not provide adequate parking. The appearance of the building did not blend with the area. Douglas Smith believed the aesthetic design of the proposed building at 240 Hamilton Avenue was incompatible with surrounding buildings. The Municipal Code and Comprehensive Plan were not being followed as intended. Richard Brand indicated the proposed project at 240 Hamilton Avenue was deficient with regard to parking. The Council should not allow exemptions for lack of parking. Faith Bell felt the scale of the proposed building at 240 Hamilton Avenue should require more onsite parking. The resulting overflow parking would impact adjacent neighborhoods and businesses. The Council should consider underground parking. Ken Alsman thanked the Council for removing Item Number 7 from the Consent Calendar. WORKING MINUTES Page 5 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 Penny Ellson encouraged the Council to approve Agenda Item Number 10. The situation at Cubberley was improving; however, there was a recent citation for public intoxication at 11:00 A.M. Personal belongings were still located throughout the campus. She thanked City Staff for their work on the maps for the Safe Routes to School Program. Neilson Buchanan hoped the Council would consider the parking impact from the proposed project at 240 Hamilton Avenue. Herb Borock requested the Council accurately reflect the flow of funds for Measure D. Money from the Residential Housing In-Lieu Fund should fund the ballot measure. If the Residential Housing In-Lieu Fund had insufficient funds, then the General Fund should loan funds to the Residential Housing Fund. MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Shepherd to approve Agenda Item Numbers 4-6 and 8-13. Council Member Holman registered a no vote on Agenda Item Number 10. 4. Approval of Three Contracts with: 1) Navigant Consulting Inc. for Electric Regulatory and Technical Consulting Services for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $117,500 Over Three Years; 2) Flynn Resources Consulting Inc. for Electric Regulatory and Technical Consulting Services for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $225,000 Over Three Years; and 3) Navigant Consulting Inc. for Gas Regulatory and Technical Consulting Services for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $225,000 Over Three Years. 5. Approval to Increase the Existing Sole Source Purchase Authority with National Meter and Automation, Inc. in the Amount of $150,000 a Year for Two Years for a Total Not to Exceed Amount of $900,000 to Purchase Additional Meters for the Large Water Meter Replacement/Repair Project. 6. Approval to Utilize the Renewal of The Western State Contracting Alliance (WSCA) Contract for Wireless and Cellular Services with Verizon Wireless. 7. Council Review of an Appeal of the Director's Architectural Review Approval of a 15,000 square foot, Four-story, 50 foot, Mixed Use Building in the CD-C-GF-P Zone District located at 240 Hamilton Avenue and a Mitigated Negative Declaration. WORKING MINUTES Page 6 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 8. Ordinance 5207 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter 9.14 (Smoking And Tobacco Regulations) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Establish New Smoking Restrictions for All Parks; Increase No-Smoking Buffer Zones from 20 to 25 feet for Consistency with LEED Standards; and Make Findings Regarding the Purpose of No-Smoking Regulations (1st Reading August 12, 2013 PASSED: 8-1 Burt no)”. 9. Ordinance 5208 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Revising the Municipal Code Pertaining to Boards and Commissions Recruitment Process (1st Reading August 12, 2013 PASSED: 9-0)”. 10. Ordinance 5209 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto amending the PAMC to add section 9.61.020 to establish Community Facilities Hours, including Cubberley, Stern and Mitchell Community Centers (1st Reading August 19, 2013 PASSED: 7-1 Berman absent, Holman no)”. 11. Vote to Endorse the Slate of Candidates for the Division’s Executive Committee for 2013-14 and Direct the City Clerk to Forward to Jessica Stanfill Mullin, the Regional Public Affairs Manager for the Peninsula Division, League of California Cities the Completed Ballot for the City of Palo Alto. 12. Budget Amendment Ordinance 5210 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto in the Amount of $585,000 to Fund the November 2013 Election Costs for Measure D”. 13. Approval of Walk and Roll to School Maps for the Safe Routes to School Program for Public Schools. 14. Approval of Utilities Enterprise Fund Construction Contract No. C14141174 with DN Tanks, Inc. In a Not to Exceed Amount of $340,000 for Repairs at Mayfield Reservoir. MOTION to approve Agenda Item Numbers 4-6 and 8, 9, 11-13 PASSED: 7-0 Berman, Kniss absent MOTION to approve Agenda Item Number 10 PASSED: 6-1 Holman no, Berman, Kniss absent WORKING MINUTES Page 7 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 ACTION ITEMS 15. Policy and Services Committee Recommends Approval of the Allocation of the Stanford University Medical Center Funds. David Ramberg, Assistant Director Administrative Services, reported the Council referred the matter to the Policy and Services Committee (Committee) on May 6, 2013 for a discussion of Guiding Principles and a process for allocating funds. The Committee discussed the matter on June 25, 2013 and presented recommendations to the Council. The Committee recommended the Infrastructure Committee prepare a master list of infrastructure projects for the Infrastructure and Sustainable Neighborhoods portion of the Stanford University Medical Center (SUMC) Development Agreement funds. The Committee should review the Community Health and Safety portion of the SUMC Development Agreement funds. The Finance Committee should provide recommendations regarding utilization of funds to coincide with the Budget process. The Committee did not make recommendations regarding Guiding Principles; however, Committee discussion focused on funding being utilized for lasting and impactful projects with an emphasis on funding near-term projects. The SUMC Development Agreement categories of Infrastructure and Sustainable Neighborhoods and Sustainability would provide approximately $34 million in 2016-2017. Funds in the Community Health and Safety category in the amount of $2 million were devoted to Project Safety Net, leaving a balance of approximately $2 million. Funds in remaining categories were earmarked for specific linkage projects. Council Member Price noted the Committee discussed a logical process for allocation of SUMC Development Agreement funds. The Committee felt the process should be clear and deliberate to provide impactful results and the funds should be exhausted within ten years. Allocation of Community Health and Safety funds would benefit from further Committee discussion. MOTION: Council Member Price moved, seconded by Council Member Holman to approve the Policy and Services Committee recommendations: 1) once the City Council is in receipt of the Infrastructure Committee report, the Council will develop a ranked master list of projects to use for the Stanford University Medical Center funds (excluding the Community Health and Safety Category), and each year thereafter as part of the budget process; the Finance Committee and Council shall review the status of Stanford University Medical Center funds and projects on the master list for possible revision, until such time that the funds are exhausted, and 2) in a parallel process, the Policy and Services Committee will review the allocation of restricted funds under the category of Community Health and Safety of WORKING MINUTES Page 8 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 the Stanford University Medical Center funds and make recommendations to the Council until such time that the funds are exhausted. Council Member Price believed the distinction between infrastructure projects and programmatic items would benefit from further discussion. Council Member Holman felt the procedure as set forth was straightforward. Council Member Klein indicated the Infrastructure Committee was developing a list of projects in rank order with funding sources for Council consideration and adoption. Annually the Finance Committee would review the list of projects and reprioritize the projects as needed. The Committee wanted the projects to be implemented quickly. Council Member Burt inquired whether the Finance Committee would determine that a project ranked first or second would receive all funding from what was available in that category at that time or whether the Finance Committee would utilize the list to inform its decision regarding funding. Council Member Klein explained that when the Council developed the list, it would also determine how a particular project was to be funded. Council Member Burt was unclear as to the intent of the language. He inquired whether the Finance Committee review and revision meant revising the ranking of projects. Council Member Klein stated the Finance Committee could revise the ranking of projects. Council Member Burt remarked that a list could be made according to priorities but priorities might not align with sequence. He assumed the intent was that the list and priorities would inform the amount of funding and the sequencing and timing of projects. James Keene, City Manager, reported the Committee discussion focused generally on spending funding sooner rather than later and establishing a framework that would inform the Budget process. The thought was that the Council should have the ability to reorient funding while establishing a framework for use of the funds. Council Member Burt did not believe the revision process was clear as to whether revision would occur with respect to rank, priority or sequence. WORKING MINUTES Page 9 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 Council Member Klein felt the dichotomy between priority and sequence was false. Sequence had to be a part of the priority decision. If a project would not be ready for implementation in five years, then it would not be the first priority. The Finance Committee would be involved because the amount of money allocated to infrastructure projects would increase each year. Council Member Burt stated equating importance and sequence with respect to priority was a common fallacy. Importance and sequence informed prioritization. Often the two were merged in discussing priorities. INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MAKER AND THE SECONDER to delete “use for” and add “guide the allocation of the use of.” Council Member Price reported the Committee's intention was to provide a process with some flexibility. Many factors applied to any decision making. Council Member Burt asked if funds in all categories except Community Health and Safety would be allocated to capital projects. It was unclear whether all sustainability programs would necessarily be capital projects. Mr. Keene noted the Committee expressed concern that the funds be used for maximum impact rather than operational expenses. Council Member Burt felt all categories including Sustainability could possibly be capital projects. He wanted to ensure the Council did not predetermine use of funds. Council Member Schmid stated the process for the Community Health and Safety category was different. The Staff Report mentioned several suggestions for gathering potential topics such as a committee with Stanford University or a committee with the City Manager. He inquired about a method for generating a list of initial topics. Council Member Price explained that the Committee would discuss methods to carefully review and allocate Community Health and Safety funds. One of the Committee's initial goals was to ensure that Community Health and Safety funds were set aside for further discussion. The intent was to provide flexibility in discussing allocation of funds. Mr. Keene noted that the Council reserved $2 million of the $4 million in the Community Health and Safety category for Project Safety Net. The SUMC Development Agreement required a joint review process with Stanford University regarding allocation of Community Health and Safety funds; WORKING MINUTES Page 10 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 therefore, any process would obviously include Stanford University. Stanford University had several ideas regarding allocation of that money. He suggested the Council would want Stanford University's input along with a process to obtain input from other community perspectives to inform choices. Council Member Schmid wished to ensure that there was an open process to generate ideas. Council Member Holman suggested the Motion language be changed to "the Finance Committee and the Council shall review both the status of SUMC funds and the projects on the master list for possible realignment" to provide clarity. Council Member Price felt revision was stronger than realignment. Council Member Klein believed the change had no effect and would not support the suggested changes. Council Member Price preferred the original language. Council Member Schmid suggested Item Number 2 of the Motion include "accept suggestions from Stanford University and other Council Members and make recommendations." Council Member Price would not accept the change because it was too prescriptive. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Berman, Kniss absent 16. Adoption of a Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Renaming the Main Library as the Rinconada Library. Monique LeConge Ziesenhenne, Library Director, reported the Library Advisory Commission (LAC) recommended the Council rename Main Library to Rinconada Library as part of the Measure and Bond Projects. The matter was initially discussed in 2012 and most recently mentioned approximately one month ago. The LAC considered naming Main Library for neighborhoods, geographical area and location, and historical Palo Alto residents. Main Library was originally named for its function; however, resources and services were now available through all library branches, and Mitchell Park Library was now the largest library. The signage package for Main Library would be let for bids in October 2013. WORKING MINUTES Page 11 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 Jeremy Erman read a letter from his brother in opposition to renaming Main Library. Mitchell Park Library would not be a full service library. He requested the Council fund the restocking of Main Library. Susie Thom did not believe renaming Main Library for one person was appropriate. She urged the Council to rename Main Library as Rinconada Library. Robert Moss, Library Advisory Commissioner, reported on LAC discussions regarding renaming Main Library. The LAC suggested Rinconada Library as the new name because it was located in the Rinconada area. Elaine Meyer felt changing the name was erasing the history of Main Library. The Library Service Model Analysis and Recommendations (LSMAR) was clear that the Main Library should not be downgraded. The reasons for changing the name were not logical. Jeff Levinsky stated the name Rinconada Library did not reflect that area of Palo Alto and was ambiguous. The Council should allow the community to vote on a new name for Main Library. If the Council did not honor the commitments of the LSMAR and Bond Measure, the library would slide into mediocrity. Herb Borock noted the Council had a policy for renaming City facilities. The proposed renaming did not follow City policy. MOTION: Vice Mayor Shepherd moved, seconded by Council Member Schmid to approve the recommendation of the Library Advisory Commission and approve the Resolution to change the name of the Main Library to “Rinconada Library” as recommended by the Library Advisory Commission and supported by the Palo Alto Historical Association. Vice Mayor Shepherd felt the LAC did a fine job of selecting a new name for Main Library. The name Rinconada Library set a location. Council Member Schmid supported the historical roots of the name of Rinconada. SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member Price to refer this item to the Policy and Services Committee with directions that they work with Palo Alto Historical Association to bring a recommendation to the City Council to rename the Main Library for a deceased, distinguished Palo Altan. WORKING MINUTES Page 12 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 Council Member Klein noted Palo Alto did have a history of renaming facilities. When the character of the building was changed, it was appropriate to rename the facility. The function of Main Library would remain the same despite the name change. This was an opportunity to name an important building after a deceased, distinguished Palo Alto resident. There was no consistency in naming other libraries that had to be followed in renaming Main Library. The Policy and Services Committee should consider a number of names and make a recommendation to the Council for action. Council Member Price felt this was an opportunity to do something distinctive with the library site. Mayor Scharff stated Council Member Klein's arguments could be utilized for renaming Main Library as Rinconada Library. Most libraries were named for places. The Council should honor the LAC's recommendation. He inquired about the effect of further consideration of a new name on the construction schedule for Main Library. Ms. Ziesenhenne did not have the information with respect to cost or delay. Mayor Scharff recalled Ms. Ziesenhenne referred to six to nine months for a signage package. He asked about the effect of not having a signage package. Ms. Ziesenhenne reported the Public Works Department was waiting to complete the signage package until the name was known. The signage package would be delayed while a design was determined. Council Member Holman inquired whether designs for the signage was established. Ms. Ziesenhenne indicated the design was consistent with other libraries; however, a package had to be compiled with the number and locations of signs. There could be differences in how signage was affixed because of the renovation. Council Member Holman asked about the process for approving signage. Ms. Ziesenhenne stated library signage was part of the initial design process and was approved. Council Member Holman preferred leaving the name as Main Library or renaming it for a distinguished citizen. WORKING MINUTES Page 13 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 INCORPORATED INTO THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MAKER AND SECONDER to include that the Policy and Services Committee can recommend the continued use of the name Main Library if an appropriate individual cannot be determined. Council Member Klein expressed concern about the voting process if the Council was presented with three choices; a citizen's name, Main Library and Rinconada Library. Council Member Holman wanted the name to remain Main Library if an appropriate citizen's name could not be determined. Council Member Burt indicated the name Main Library was not distinctive. He was not concerned with a possible delay in installing signage. INCORPORATED INTO THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MAKER AND SECONDER to remove the words “deceased, distinguished Palo Altan.” and add “distinguished person in Palo Alto history.” Vice Mayor Shepherd noted the Library Foundation raised funds based on names for rooms. The location name of Rinconada Library could be utilized for a time until someone proposed a new name. SUBSTITUTE MOTION PASSED: 4-3 Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd no, Berman, Kniss Absent 17. Finance Committee Recommendation that the City Council Adopt a Resolution 9372 Suspending PaloAltoGreen's Full Needs Program for All Electric Customers and Reducing PaloAltoGreen's Commercial Electric Block Rate by Repealing Rate Schedule E-1-G and Amending Rate Schedules E-2-G, E-4-G, E-7-G and E-18-G, and Directing Staff to Develop a PaloAltoGreen Gas Program and a Plan for Accumulated PaloAltoGreen Revenues. Monica Padilla, Senior Resource Planner, reported the Finance Committee recommendation was to suspend the full-needs rate option of PaloAltoGreen; to reduce the commercial customer block rate of PaloAltoGreen from 1.5 cents to 0.2 cents per kilowatt hour; to direct Staff to develop a PaloAltoGreen gas program to be implemented by July 2014; and to direct Staff to develop a recommendation regarding excess revenues from PaloAltoGreen no later than March 2014. The Council adopted a carbon neutral plan for the electric supply portfolio to eliminate all greenhouse gas WORKING MINUTES Page 14 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 emissions. The plan was implemented through achieving aggressive targets in energy efficiency; continuing to develop local generation of solar power; continuing to procure long-term renewable resources; and using hydroelectric power sources and renewable energy certificates. Staff discussed several options with the Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) and the Finance Committee. The PaloAltoGreen gas program would neutralize greenhouse gas emissions associated with natural gas usage. Staff intended to return to the Council with details of a program which would be launched in July 2014. Staff would also develop a local solar strategy plan for Council consideration. Council Member Burt reported the Finance Committee was hesitant to retire a successful program. The PaloAltoGreen Program was now offered to all ratepayers at essentially no additional cost. The recommendation provided good alternatives for next phases. MOTION: Council Member Burt moved, seconded by Council Member Schmid to: 1) approve the attached Resolution suspending the PaloAltoGreen Full Needs Program for all electric customers and reducing rates for PaloAltoGreen’s Commercial Customer Block Program to $2 per 1,000 kWh block, or 0.2 cents per kilowatt-hour (cent/kWh), 2) direct Staff to develop a PaloAltoGreen Gas Program to provide an opportunity for participants to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions related to their natural gas usage, to be implemented by July 2014, and 3) direct Staff to return with a recommendation on how to allocate accumulated revenues, if any, associated with the PaloAltoGreen program by June 2014. Council Member Schmid believed this was a great triumph for the City with three times the number of participants as other cities and with full carbon neutrality. A gas program was the logical next step. Approximately $800,000 was generated in surplus funds. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Berman, Kniss absent 18. Approval of City Positions for the 2013 League of California Cities Resolutions. Sheila Tucker, Assistant to the City Manager, noted the primary voting delegate was Council Member Holman and the alternate was Council Member Price. Staff recommended support of both Resolutions. MOTION: Council Member Holman moved, seconded by Council Member Price to approve Staff recommendation that the Council authorize the City’s voting delegate to vote on the two (2) Resolutions to be considered at the WORKING MINUTES Page 15 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 Annual League of California Cities (LOCC) Conference to be held in Sacramento, September 18-20, 2013 and approve the general guidance as provided: 1) Resolution calling upon the Governor and the Legislature to work with the League of California Cities in providing adequate funding to prioritize water bonds to assist local government in water conservation, groundwater recharge and reuse of storm water and urban runoff programs (Support); and 2) Resolution calling upon the Governor and Legislature to enter into discussions with the League and California Police Chiefs’ Association representatives to identify and enact strategies that will ensure the success of public safety realignment from a local municipal law enforcement perspective (Support). Council Member Holman believed the positions were straightforward. Vice Mayor Shepherd indicated the two items were worthy of discussion and activity at the conference. Council Member Schmid inquired whether Resolutions could be presented from the floor at the conference. Ms. Tucker did not believe Resolutions could be presented from the floor. Cities and Committees had a limited opportunity to submit proposed Resolutions prior to the conference. Vice Mayor Shepherd added that the League of California Cities had a Committee which reviewed Resolutions prior to the conference. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Berman, Kniss absent COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Council Member Price said she participated in the launch of the Bike Share Program on August 29, 2013. The City Manager’s Office was working on how to fill the vacant Project Safety Net Manager position. The Ojakians received the Jefferson Award for their work with suicide prevention and mental health advocacy. Council Member Burt requested two items for future Council Meetings: 1) Consideration of discontinuation of the Transfer Development Rights (TDR) of downtown, and 2) a need to review with the Architectural Review Board the role of the downtown urban guidelines. Mayor Scharff said that the first item, regarding the TDR, was already being worked on by Staff. WORKING MINUTES Page 16 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 Council Member Burt asked what the expected timeframe was for Staff to bring the item to Council. James Keene, City Manager, said it would be within the next couple of months. Council Member Burt said that if it was part of comprehensive program that would take longer because of other components, he would like to have this piece move forward more quickly to avoid a compounded problem. Mayor Scharff said it was coming back within 45 days. Molly Stump, City Attorney said it was not being delayed due to being part of a comprehensive program. Council Member Burt said that 45 days was reasonable. His concern was founded by the ARB finding that the guidelines were irrelevant to Agenda Item Number Seven. He reformed his request to indicate that Council should agendize a review of the downtown urban guidelines and give direction to ARB on their future use. MOTION: Council Member Burt moved, seconded by Council Member Price to agendize for a future City Council meeting the consideration of Transfer Development Rights in downtown and to review with Architectural Review Board (ARB) the role of the downtown urban guidelines and provide direction to the ARB on their future. Council Member Holman asked that Staff bring to Council a review of the findings that are required of the Architectural Review Board and a standard for compatibility. INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MAKER AND SECONDER for Staff to bring to Council a review of the findings that are required of the Architectural Review Board and a standard for compatibility. Council Member Schmid asked if the report Staff was working on would include the comprehensive downtown parking study. Ms. Stump said no. This report would come in advance of that and would, on an interim basis, suspend the use of certain parking exceptions pending a larger conversation by Council. WORKING MINUTES Page 17 of 17 City Council Meeting Working Minutes: 9/9/13 NO VOTE REQUIRED ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 P.M.