Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-07 City Council Summary MinutesCITY OF PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL FINAL MINUTES Page 1 of 10 Regular Meeting January 7, 2019 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 6:25 P.M. Present: Cormack, DuBois, Filseth, Fine, Kniss, Kou, Tanaka Absent: The Honorable Thomas Kuhnle administered the oath of office to Council Member Alison Cormack. Beth Minor, City Clerk, administered the oath of office to Council Members Tom DuBois and Eric Filseth. Mayor Kniss congratulated Council Members Filseth, DuBois, and Cormack on their reelection and election to the City Council. Special Orders of the Day 1. Election of the 2019 Mayor. Mayor Kniss recognized elected and appointed officials, both current and former, or their representatives present for the meeting. The meeting was historical in that it was the first Council composed of seven Council Members. Mayor Kniss recalled divisive issues in the Council's history. Over the prior year, the Council had worked diligently to become more moderate, less confrontational, and more civilized. NOMINATION: Mayor Kniss nominated Vice Mayor Filseth for Mayor for 2019. Mayor Kniss remarked that the Mayor represented the City regionally and worldwide. Vice Mayor Filseth would represent the City well and would enjoy serving as Mayor. Council Member DuBois believed Vice Mayor Filseth's public service had been exemplary. Vice Mayor Filseth had been a strong Vice Mayor with Mayor Kniss. He deserved to serve as Mayor. Vice Mayor Filseth's engineering mindset, FINAL MINUTES Page 2 of 10 City Council Meeting Final Minutes: 1/7/19 data-based approach, and corporate experience would serve the City well. Vice Mayor Filseth had both high standards and high personal ethics. Council Member Fine was happy to support Vice Mayor Filseth's nomination. Vice Mayor Filseth was a strong and effective Chair of the Finance Committee. Vice Mayor Filseth ran crisp and efficient meetings and helped the public move processes forward. In Council debates, Vice Mayor Filseth had been driven by reason and worked to reach compromises. Council Member Cormack was pleased to support Vice Mayor Filseth's nomination. She and Vice Mayor Filseth shared an interest in the City's Budget, and Vice Mayor Filseth would prioritize work on the Budget. Vice Mayor Filseth had demonstrated the ability to manage meetings, and he was willing and able to keep everyone on track. At times, Vice Mayor Filseth had set aside ideology and considered the issue at hand. She expected Vice Mayor Filseth would be a good leader for the Council. Council Member Tanaka thanked Vice Mayor Filseth for his work and appreciated Vice Mayor Filseth's support regarding the City's unfunded pension liability. Mayor Kniss felt the Council had been committed to working together and making the community proud in 2018. NOMINATION PASSED: 7-0 Mayor Filseth thanked the Council for their support, confidence in him, and kind words. He pledged not to let Council Members down. Serving as Vice Mayor with former Mayor Kniss had been a privilege. In the coming year, the Council needed to make progress on initiatives that former Mayor Kniss began in 2018. The Council needed to make progress on housing, transportation, and parking initiatives, including executing Comprehensive Plan directives. Job growth in the region continued to impact the City's housing, parking, and traffic. The Council needed to proceed with a number of infrastructure and service investments and to secure the City's long-term financial sustainability. The City would celebrate its 125th anniversary and closing the waste incinerator in 2019. He looked forward to working with Council Members, Staff, and the community. 2. Election of the 2019 Vice Mayor. NOMINATION: Council Member Kniss nominated Council Member Fine for Vice Mayor for 2019. FINAL MINUTES Page 3 of 10 City Council Meeting Final Minutes: 1/7/19 Council Member Kniss believed Council Member Fine brought integrity, intelligence, and succinctness to the Council. Council Member Fine had a good mind for math and a background in planning. Council Member Fine's effectiveness was not diminished by his youth. Council Member DuBois noted he and Council Member Fine did not always agree; however, he respected Council Member Fine's positions and intelligence. He would support the nomination. Council Member Cormack commented that Council Member Fine was always prepared and concise. He was both principled and gracious, which she considered to be hallmarks of an effective leader. His policy interests complemented Mayor Filseth's interests. NOMINATION: Council Member Kou nominated Council Member DuBois for Vice Mayor for 2019. Council Member DuBois declined the nomination. Council Member Tanaka advised that Council Member Fine served as his Vice Chair on the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC). As Vice Mayor, Council Member Fine would be instrumental to Mayor Filseth. Council Member Fine was innovative in his thoughts. NOMINATION PASSED: 6-1 Kou no 3. Resolution 9811 Entitled, “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Cory Wolbach as Council Member.” Vice Mayor Fine read the Resolution into the record. Antonia Zavala, Office of Supervisor Simitian, thanked former Council Members Wolbach, Holman, and Scharff for their service to the City and looked forward to working with Mayor Filseth and Council Members DuBois and Cormack. Lisa Chung, Office of Senator Jerry Hill, and Ellen Kamei, Office of Assemblymember Marc Berman, presented former Council Member Wolbach with a Joint Legislative Resolution thanking him for his service to the City. Rita Vrhel thanked former Council Member Wolbach for responding to emails, being on time, asking great questions, and voting with his heart. She appreciated his service. FINAL MINUTES Page 4 of 10 City Council Meeting Final Minutes: 1/7/19 Darlene Yaplee and Marie Jo Fremont would miss former Council Members Holman, Scharff, and Wolbach and thanked them for their time, advice, and resolve. They looked forward to the Council's support in addressing airplane noise and listed Council and Staff actions regarding airplane noise. Neva Yarkin presented former Council Members Holman, Scharff, and Wolbach with banana bread in appreciation for their hard work, time, energy, and strength. Emily Ramos thanked former Council Member Wolbach for his service to the community. His passion, bravery, and integrity inspired her every day. Council Member Cormack expressed gratitude for the service of the many people who had made Palo Alto a wonderful place for her family to live, work, and play. She thanked former Council Member Wolbach for his openness and for advocating positions that were not always welcome. Council Member DuBois thanked Mr. Wolbach for his public service and service to Palo Alto. He appreciated Mr. Wolbach's work on the minimum wage, data security, the Town Halls, and climate change. Council Member Kniss noted she had worked with former Council Member Wolbach on the Housing Work Plan. Former Council Member Wolbach had supported affordable housing, worked on the Comprehensive Plan Update, and been passionate, persuasive, and personable. Vice Mayor Fine appreciated his and former Council Member Wolbach's youth and history of growing up in Palo Alto. They had been allies on the issues of housing, transportation, and the environment. Council Member Kou had enjoyed working with former Council Member Wolbach on the Council and Council Committees. Council Member Tanaka appreciated former Council Member Wolbach's passion and compassion. Mayor Filseth thanked former Council Member Wolbach for advocating on behalf of housing, and disadvantaged and discriminated persons. He commended former Council Member Wolbach's willingness and eagerness to reach out and listen to all sides of an issue. MOTION: Vice Mayor Fine moved, seconded by Council Member Cormack to adopt a Resolution expressing appreciation for outstanding public service to Cory Wolbach as Council Member. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 FINAL MINUTES Page 5 of 10 City Council Meeting Final Minutes: 1/7/19 Cory Wolbach appreciated all the kind words. The ideas for which he had advocated came from members of the community. Palo Alto's greatest asset was the brain power of the community, the Council, and Staff. The community was moving toward consensus regarding a balanced future for Palo Alto. He suggested everyone unite around regionalism and view themselves as regionalists. The problems facing Palo Alto did not originate solely in Palo Alto and would not be solved by Palo Alto alone. He thanked City Staff for working very long hours with little recognition and few resources. He looked forward to the Council working collaboratively. 4. Resolution 9812 Entitled, “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Karen Holman as Mayor and Council Member.” Council Member DuBois read the Resolution into the record. Yoriko Kishimoto thanked Mr. Keene and former Council Members Wolbach and Scharff for their service to the community and congratulated Council Member Cormack on her election to the Council. Former Council Member Holman's legacy was unique in the length of her service to the City and the depth of her passion. Lisa Chung, Office of Senator Jerry Hill, and Ellen Kamei, Office of Assemblymember Marc Berman, presented former Council Member Holman with a Joint Legislative Resolution thanking her for many years of service with the City of Palo Alto. Fred Balin speaking for Shani Kleinhaus, Jeff Levinsky, Kimberly Wang, Nelson Ng, Jeff Greenfield, Ann Lafargue Balin, Annette Ross, Emily Renzel, Enid Pearson, and Margaret Heath, enumerated a few of former Council Member Holman's many causes and accomplishments on the Planning and Transportation Commission and City Council. Janet Dafoe thanked former Council Member Holman for being a voice for the people and a champion of historical preservation, senior and affordable housing, diversity, and slower growth. Former Council Member Holman was dedicated to the people of Palo Alto and their quality of life. Marilyn Keller, Canopy, thanked former Council Member Holman for being a true champion of the environment in Palo Alto and for her support for trees and Canopy's work in the community. Terry Holzemer had observed former Council Member Holman to be thoughtful, dedicated, and a professional public servant. He thanked former FINAL MINUTES Page 6 of 10 City Council Meeting Final Minutes: 1/7/19 Council Member Holman for being an advocate of local retail business and preserving Palo Alto's history. Rita Vrhel recalled former Council Member Holman's questioning of Staff during Council meetings. Former Council Member Holman's concern and the efforts to assist dedicated residents in the formation of Save Palo Alto's Groundwater. She thanked former Council Member Holman for her many accomplishments while serving on the Planning and Transportation Commission and City Council. Council Member Cormack commented that part of former Council Member Holman's legacy included the Library project. MOTION: Council Member DuBois moved, seconded by Council Member Kniss to adopt a Resolution expressing appreciation for outstanding public service Karen Holman as Mayor and Council Member. Council Member Kniss recalled former Council Member Holman's and her work on the Healthy City Healthy Community initiative. Former Council Member Holman's knowledge of the Comprehensive Plan was remarkable. Former Council Member Holman had often considered the less fortunate in the community. Vice Mayor Fine had enjoyed serving with former Council Member Holman, particularly their discussions of the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code. Former Council Member Holman had brought her understanding of the Zoning Code, the Comprehensive Plan, and other City Plans to the Council. Former Council Member Holman should be proud of her legacy. Former Council Member Holman had brought a compassionate and heart-warming voice to the issues of Buena Vista Mobile Home Park, Youth Services, and the Barron Park donkeys. Council Member Kou thanked former Council Member Holman for nearly two decades of community service, extensive community involvement, her knowledge, and her experience. Former Council Member Holman had supported the public's right to know, promoted meaningful public involvement, and credited others' contributions. Former Council Member Holman had approached projects with a focus on details with the intention of making projects meaningful. Serving with former Council Member Holman had been a pleasure. Council Member Tanaka appreciated former Council Member Holman's diligence and attention to detail. Her service was commendable. FINAL MINUTES Page 7 of 10 City Council Meeting Final Minutes: 1/7/19 Mayor Filseth thanked former Council Member Holman for her decades of service and tireless representation of the City's residents. He would long recall former Council Member Holman's passion for social justice issues. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Karen Holman noted that she had advocated for an audible alert system for emergency notification, purchase of the ITT property, transparent retail window requirements, restoration of the “Palmer” fix, and increasing Development Impact Fees to support below-market-rate (BMR) units. She had been honored to serve because of the community's trust and support. She highlighted her many interests in serving the community. 5. Resolution 9813 Entitled, “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to H. Gregory Scharff as Mayor and Council Member.” Council Member Kniss read the Resolution into the record. MOTION: Council Member Kniss moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Fine to adopt a Resolution expressing appreciation for outstanding public service to H. Gregory Scharff as Mayor and Council Member. Lisa Chung, Office of Senator Jerry Hill, presented former Council Member Scharff with a Joint Legislative Resolution thanking him for his public service. Council Member Cormack expressed gratitude for former Council Member Scharff's positive attitude and focus on execution. The community appreciated former Council Member Scharff's unflagging support for the Library project. His knowledge of utilities would be difficult to replicate on the Council. Council Member DuBois remarked that former Council Member Scharff had played an important role on many regional boards and committees. He had an analytical mind for policymaking and worked toward a pragmatic solution. Vice Mayor Fine remarked regarding former Council Member Scharff's deep understanding of City operations, dedication to infrastructure and utilities, and vision of Palo Alto. He appreciated former Council Member Scharff's humor. Council Member Kou thanked former Council Member Scharff for his work for the City and for answering her questions. She appreciated his assistance in obtaining a role with the Santa Clara County Emergency Operational Area Council. FINAL MINUTES Page 8 of 10 City Council Meeting Final Minutes: 1/7/19 Council Member Tanaka thanked former Council Member Scharff for his encouragement and mentorship. He admired his ability to get things done in government. Mayor Filseth had enjoyed serving on the Council with former Council Member Scharff because their thought processes were similar. Former Council Member Scharff had brought clarity of thought, incisiveness, and intellectual rigor to the Council. Progress on the City's Budget would not have occurred without former Council Member Scharff. Council Member Kniss noted former Council Member Scharff's unwillingness to leave an issue until it was resolved. Former Council Member Scharff had been willing to participate in regional and State bodies and had enjoyed the political aspect and the politics of being a Council Member. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Greg Scharff stated it was an honor and a privilege to serve the City of Palo Alto. In serving on regional bodies, he had learned that Palo Alto was at the forefront of everything. Being a Council Member from Palo Alto was an incredible opportunity. He thanked everyone for their support. He appreciated working with all the Council Members. He was pleased with the Council's efforts to protect retail, catch up infrastructure maintenance, and implement tobacco regulations. City Staff worked hard for residents and cared about them. 6. Resolution 9814 Entitled, “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Liz Kniss as 2018 Mayor.” Mayor Filseth read the Resolution into the record. MOTION: Mayor Filseth moved, seconded by Council Member Cormack to adopt a Resolution expressing appreciation for outstanding public service to Liz Kniss as 2018 Mayor. Lisa Chung, Office of Senator Hill, thanked Council Member Kniss for her service and successes as Mayor. Working with Council Member Kniss had been a pleasure. Council Member Cormack appreciated Council Member Kniss encouraging her to seek election to the Council. FINAL MINUTES Page 9 of 10 City Council Meeting Final Minutes: 1/7/19 Council Member DuBois believed Council Member Kniss should be proud of her efforts to accomplish infrastructure projects. Council Member Kniss had managed the leadership change well. Vice Mayor Fine remarked that the City and County of Santa Clara were better for her service on both the Council and Board of Supervisors. Council Member Kniss' connections in the community were amazing and an homage to her willingness to listen to community members. Council Member Kou appreciated Council Member Kniss holding Town Hall meetings and thanked her for serving as Mayor. Council Member Tanaka thanked Council Member Kniss for her leadership as Mayor and for her decades of public service. The City benefited from Council Member Kniss' experience. Mayor Filseth thanked Council Member Kniss for accomplishing many things during her year as Mayor. Council Member Kniss expressed gratitude for her family. Serving the community was an enormous privilege and a wonderful way to learn. She looked forward to a couple more years on the Council. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Oral Communications Kenneth Bayne reported approximately 30 tenants had been displaced from the Palo Alto Airport for approximately three months due to construction. The tenants were expected to continuing paying full rent during the displacement. He asked the Council to reconsider that position. Stephen Rosenblum advised that the deep-bore tunnel had received little study even though it was the community's favorite option. The San Francisco tunnel project would be an excellent template for the costs and conditions facing a similar tunnel project in Palo Alto. He urged the Council to make study of a tunnel option a priority. Dennis Backlund referred to a guest opinion in the Palo Alto Weekly dated October 26, 2018. The crisis at the Hotel President could have been prevented if City Staff had told AJ Capital that a change of use was prohibited. He requested the City suggest to AJ Capital that it should extend the deadline for tenants to evacuate the Hotel President. FINAL MINUTES Page 10 of 10 City Council Meeting Final Minutes: 1/7/19 Michelle Kraus commended the City and AJ Capital for their actions to date. She asked the Council to prioritize the situation at the Hotel President so that tenants would not be evicted on January 31. Chris Kellogg noted many Hotel President residents were not able to vacate their apartments because of age, disability, and cost. He asked the Council to make the situation a priority. Iqbal Serang stated the Council had an opportunity to consider the issues of housing, traffic, parking, and the Stanford University expansion. Many residents of the Hotel President did not know where they would live in February. The Hotel President offered the type of housing the Council wanted. Cedric de la Beaujardiere related the costs for the various options to separate at-grade rail crossings. With Measure B funds, the trench could cost the community $1 billion. He urged residents to educate themselves regarding the options and to express their preferences to the Council. Mark Cox remarked regarding discrepancies in Biblical teachings, the children of John Lennon and Ringo Starr, Steve Jobs, the bombing of Nagasaki, and the plane crashes of 9/11. Vijay Varma was disappointed by the Council's inability to reduce costs or increase revenues. Building more housing would result in more residents and a lower quality of life. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 P.M.