Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-10 City Council Action Minutes 01/10/2011 ACTION Special Meeting January 10, 2011 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 6:04 p.m. Present: Burt, Espinosa, Holman, Klein, Price arrived @ 6:30 p.m., Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd, Yeh Absent: STUDY SESSION 1. Update on Sustainable Communities Strategy (SB375) and Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Process. Curtis Williams, Director of Planning and Community Environment, provided an overview of the Sustainability Communities Strategy (SCS) and the housing needs (RHNA) process. Mr. Williams explained that SB 375, enacted in 2008, requires the preparation of a strategy by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) to outline land use and transportation patterns to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles by 15% below 2005 levels by 2035. The strategy is likely to be based on the Planned Development Areas (PDAs) specified by cities and counties across the region, and then supplemented by other "opportunity" areas with potential for growth. The process for developing the SCS will include meetings at the county or corridor level, as well as at the regional level. The City of Palo Alto will participate in meetings of the City/County Cities Association, Santa Clara County City Managers Association, and Santa Clara County Association of Planning Officials. Staff is also participating in the Regional Advisory Working Group, comprised of city and county staff, other public agencies, and nonprofits and other stakeholders. The process will include preparation of a baseline population and employment scenario, an Initial Vision Scenario, then subsequent Detailed Vision Scenarios to refine likely growth options. The draft Sustainable 2 01/10/2011 Communities Strategy will be released in late 2011 or early 2012. Simultaneous with the SCS process, the latest update of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), prepared by ABAG, is scheduled to take place at the regional level. Cities and counties may also opt to develop the RHNA for their communities at a subregional level. Participation at a subregional level is being considered by the cities in Santa Clara County and a decision is required by the group not later than March. Staff outlined to Council the schedule of items for the planning and housing efforts through 2011, and indicated that report updates will be presented approximately monthly, as well as items for action as needed. Mr. Williams also noted that it appeared likely that Councilmember Scharff would be appointed to the RHNA Methodology Committee. The Council offered a number of questions and suggestions related to:  the unrealistic timeline  the inadequacy of representation of the City and the county on regional committees  whether the economic forecasts account for the unique nature of Santa Clara County and the Silicon Valley's economy  the lack of school (and other infrastructure) financing  the need to tie housing production to transportation funding  looking at 21st century growth, and factors such as rail service and wireless communications (telecommuting)  partnerships with schools  concerns about exemptions from CEQA that wouldn't allow a community to address environmental issues like traffic  how the SCS would relate to a city's Comprehensive Plan  identification of what is needed to sustain the economy across the region  the need to look at downtown as compatible with the SCS objectives, but it is not included on the list of PDAs  the need to do more than just "tweak" the RHNA numbers  what happens if Caltrain fails, noting that MTC has not had a historical commitment to Caltrain  the thin relationship between vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gases (GHG) and noting that SB375 would reduce GHG from cars by only 0.4% 3 01/10/2011  a potential baseline fallacy of population growth based on historically poor predictions and overestimates of employment  how the place types for University Avenue and El Camino Real would impact those areas  the notion that "streamlining" CEQA (environmental review) would be in the city's best interest  using the 2010 Census as an improved updated basis for projections  general support for a subregional approach to housing  differentiating employment types by the types of accessible transportation Resident Bob Moss spoke to the potential enhanced use of fiber ring to reduce GHG by working at home, subsidizing changing stations in homes, and focusing on walking and biking rather than transit. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY 2. Resolution 9134 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Glenn Roberts Upon His Retirement.” MOTION: Council Member Shepherd moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Yeh to approve the Resolution expressing appreciation to Glenn Roberts upon his retirement. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 3. Resolution 9135 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Annette Coleman Upon Her Retirement.” MOTION: Council Member Scharff moved, seconded by Council Member Shepherd to approve the Resolution expressing appreciation to Annette Coleman upon her retirement. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Council Member Burt moved, seconded by Council Member Shepherd to pull Agenda Item No. 6 to become Agenda Item No. 12a. MOTION: Vice Mayor Yeh moved, seconded by Council Member Klein to approve Agenda Item Nos. 4-5, 7-12. 4 01/10/2011 4. Review and Acceptance of Annual Status Report on Developers' Fees for Fiscal Year 2010. 5. Adoption of a Storm Drainage Enterprise Fund Budget Amendment Ordinance 5110 in the Amount of $585,517 to CIP Project SD-11101, Channing Avenue/Lincoln Avenue Storm Drain Improvement Project and Approval of a Contract with Bay Pacific Pipeline, Inc. in the Amount of $1,668,652 for Channing Avenue Storm Drain Improvement Project, Capital Improvement Program Project SD-11101. 6. Finance Committee Recommendation to Adopt a Resolution Approving the Proposed Gas Utility Long-Term Plan (GULP) Objectives, Strategies, and Implementation Plan. 7. Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Contract C10135713 with K. J. Woods Construction, Inc. in the Amount of $170,000 for a Total Not to Exceed Amount of $2,202,800 for Asbestos Cement Pipe Removal and Disposal for Capital Improvement Program Project WC-08012 (Wastewater Rehabilitation and Augmentation Project 21) and Adoption of a Wastewater Enterprise Fund Budget Amendment Ordinance 5111 for Fiscal Year 2011 to Transfer Appropriation to Capital Improvement Project WC-08012 Wastewater Rehabilitation and Augmentation (Project 21) from Capital Improvement Project WC- 07004, Wastewater Rehabilitation and Augmentation (Project 20) in the Amount of $170,000. 8. Utilities Advisory Commission Recommendation to Adopt a Resolution 9136 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving the City of Palo Alto Utilities’ Legislative Policy Guidelines for 2011.” 9. Resolution 9137 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Patrick Valath Upon His Retirement.” 10. Appointment of 2011 Emergency Standby Council. 11. Authorization to Continue Participation in and Funding for the LINK+ Resource Sharing Library Consortium for a Period of Two Years for a Total Amount Not to Exceed $200,000, with the Friends of the Palo Alto Library (FOPAL) Contributing up to $100,000. 12. Ordinance 5112 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter 16.11 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code Pertaining to Storm Water Pollution Prevention Measures.” (First Reading December 13, 2010 – Passed 9-0) MOTION PASSED: 9-0 5 01/10/2011 AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS 12a. (Former No. 6) Finance Committee Recommendation to Adopt a Resolution Approving the Proposed Gas Utility Long-Term Plan (GULP) Objectives, Strategies, and Implementation Plan. MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member Price to agendize this to the next available Council meeting. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 ACTION ITEMS 13. Adoption of a Budget Amendment Ordinance for the FY 2011 in the Amount of $37,348 to Allocate Funds to Capital Improvement Project PG-09002 from the Infrastructure Reserve for Replanting of Trees at Eleanor Pardee Park. MOTION: Council Member Scharff moved, seconded by Council Member Klein to immediately remove all the trees and direct Staff to return with a plan for planting new trees. AMENDMENT: Council Member Holman moved, seconded by Council Member XXX to direct Staff to return with an amended site and planting plan that would include moving the Valley Oak tree on the corner of Center Drive and Channing Avenue closer to the corner. AMENDMENT FAILED DUE TO LACK OF A SECOND MOTION PASSED: 8-1 Shepherd no 14. Public Hearing: on Objections to Weed Abatement and Adoption of Resolution 9139 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Ordering Weed Nuisance Abated.” Public hearing opened and closed without public comment at 10:56 p.m. MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member Shepherd to adopt the Resolution ordering the abatement of weed nuisances in the City of Palo Alto. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 6 01/10/2011 COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Council Member Price acknowledged the recent shooting rampage in Tucson, Arizona and the trauma and grief the Tucson community was experiencing. Council Member Burt provided an update on recent rail transit activities. Mayor Espinosa spoke regarding the Palo Alto Community Service Day flyer located at each Council Members seat. He spoke about the many organizations participating in this event and it being a way to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. He stated tonight’s meeting was going to be adjourned in memory of Irene Sampson. Council Member Holman spoke regarding the passing of Irene Sampson on November 13, 2010. She stated that she was active in the League of Women Voters including service as President of the Palo Alto League and on the Bay Area League Board, and was passionate about the South Palo Alto Food Closet. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Irene Sampson at 11:06 p.m.