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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-04 City Council Summary Minutes 01/04/2011 1 Special Meeting January 4, 2011 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 7:19 p.m. Present: Burt, Espinosa, Holman, Klein, Price, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd, Yeh Absent: SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY Mayor Burt welcomed everyone and recognized former Palo Alto Mayors, Council Members, and various members from local government representative offices. 1. Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor. MOTION: Council Member Klein nominated Vice Mayor Espinosa for Mayor, seconded by Council Member Schmid Council Member Klein stated he was very pleased to nominate Sid Espinosa to be the next Mayor. He stated that ice Mayor Espinosa went to Wesleyan University where he was now an Alumni Trustee, meaning that he was elected by his fellow Alumni to the Wesleyan Board of Trustees. He then went to the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and had worked for the Justice Department where he served as a close personal aide to then Attorney General, Janet Reno. He then took a job with HP as their Director of Philanthropy, and then moved on to become the Director of Citizenship for Microsoft. He takes a very careful independent look at issues and then speaks very eloquently as to what his position is and why we ought to join him. I think Sid has been a very careful, an analyst of the issues that we have had before us and has done a superb job in the time he has been on the Council. 01/04/11 2 Council Member Schmid stated he seconded the nomination of Vice Mayor Espinosa as Mayor for the reason that he had shown an active concern in the practical process of how to serve the needs of the City. Council Member Scharff stated he supported the nomination for the reason that he has a unique and strong background in government, business and the non-profit sector. Council Member Price stated she supported the nomination for the reason that his technical knowledge, compassion and commitment to social justices. She appreciates his thoughtful analysis of an issue and the clear manner in which he speaks to them. Mayor Burt stated he supported the nomination of Vice Mayor Espinosa as Mayor for the reason that his ability to bring together the Council as a whole and the community in a shared vision and commitment for the future of Palo Alto. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 Mayor Espinosa thanked his colleagues for their generous words and agreed to work hard to live up to the standards that had previously been set. He expressed the seriousness of the responsibility and the importance of the role of Mayor being able to work with the Council as a whole to strive for a better future for Palo Alto. He stated the time of opportunity was now to recognize, understand, and embrace changes in the community. MOTION: Council Member Burt nominated Council Member Yeh for Vice Mayor, seconded by Council Member Holman. Council Member Burt stated he nominated Council Member Yeh as Vice Mayor based on his knowledge base on public policy and his long-time understanding and appreciation of the Palo Alto community. He has shown a deep respect for his Colleagues and all of the community. Council Member Holman seconded the nomination of Council Member Yeh as Vice Mayor because he was a dedicated and compassionate person with a commitment to public service. Council Member Shepherd stated she supported the nomination because he has a rigorous understanding of community needs and of the non-profit sector. He also has a unique understanding and respect for the public sector workforce. 01/04/11 3 Council Member Scharff stated he supported the nomination for the reason that he was an advocate for Palo Alto on local and national issues for utilities. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 Vice Mayor Yeh thanked his Colleagues for the nomination and spoke to the attributes Mayor Espinosa will bring to the City. He stated he was looking forward to serving as Vice Mayor and working closely with Mayor Espinosa in this special capacity. 2. Adoption of a Resolution Commending the Outstanding Public Service of Patrick Burt as Mayor. Mayor Espinosa read the Resolution into the record. MOTION: Mayor Espinosa moved, seconded by Council Member Klein to adopt the Resolution commending the outstanding public service of Patrick Burt as Mayor. Council Member Klein commended former Mayor Burt on the manner in which he guided the Council and the Staff through an exceptionally complex financial year for the City. Council Member Shepherd shared her appreciation for former Mayor Burt and the strength he provided her as a new Council Member during her first year. Vice Mayor Yeh thanked former Mayor Burt for the strength and passion he demonstrated while serving the community. Council Member Holman thanked former Mayor Burt for his service to the community and noted outside of his seat on the City Council he served on the Planning and Transportation Commission for 9 years and neighborhood associations prior to that. The imprint he has left on the community through the many years of service has been immeasurable. Council Member Scharff stated it was a pleasure to work with former Mayor Burt. Mayor Espinosa stated working closely with former Mayor Burt was more of a mentorship. His depth of knowledge, passion for the City and the love of public service has left large shoes to fill. Paula Sandas, CEO Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, spoke to former Mayor Burt’s advocacy in bringing green tech businesses to Palo Alto. 01/04/11 4 Former Mayor Judy Kleinberg, Palo Alto, spoke regarding her great experience working with former Mayor Burt. Mark Petersen-Perez spoke regarding the accessibility that former Mayor Burt had shown to him. He expressed his appreciation for former Mayor Burt’s ability to listen and show genuine interest in the concerns of the citizens. Liz Kniss, Santa Clara County Supervisor, spoke highly of former Mayor Burt and his accomplishments in the City during the 2010 year. She presented a commendation from the County of Santa Clara for his efforts and achievements during such difficult times. Sara Armstrong, CARRD, thanked former Mayor Burt for his service to the community as a leader in the High Speed Rail efforts regionally and on a statewide level. Annette Glanckoff, Palo Alto, spoke regarding her gratitude to former Mayor Burt for his support for the emergency preparedness achievements and program growth. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 Mayor Espinosa thanked former Mayor Burt’s wife, Sally and his family for sharing former Mayor Burt with the Council and the community. Council Member Burt thanked his family for the sacrifice they had made so he could serve the community. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mark Petersen-Perez spoke regarding First Amendment Rights. Mayor Espinosa spoke highly of the community and their participation and commitment in creating such a wonderful place to live. He expressed his appreciation to his family for their support. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.