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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-21 City Council Summary Minutes 03/21/2011 Special Meeting March 21, 2011 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 6:05 p.m. Present: Burt, Espinosa, Holman arrived @ 8:45 p.m., Klein, Price, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd, Yeh arrived @ 6:26 p.m. Absent: STUDY SESSION 1. Development Center Blueprint Study Session. Staff presented the status of the Blueprint for the Development Center Improvements Project (Project). Staff indicated that the final recommendations would return to Council in early July 2011. Staff mentioned that several Development Center improvements were currently underway, including centralizing the Development Center management, implementing a project management system on a test basis, and researching the establishment of a Special Revenue Fund. The Council spoke on awareness of all Development Center customers, including neighbors adjacent to proposed projects, homeowners, and other stakeholders. The Council discussed utilizing systems implemented in other communities, concerns regarding the Special Revenue Fund, and the use of an online permitting module for simple projects. The Council was pleased with the direction of the Project, and acknowledged the significant effort Staff had put into the Project. 2 03/21/2011 SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY 2. Community Partners Non-Profit Presentation on the Magical Bridge. Friends of the Magical Bridge Playground Representative, Olenka Villarreal spoke on the mission of the Friends of the Magical Bridge Playground. Friends of the Magical Bridge Playground seek to create the first playground in the City where everyone can participate. She indicated that all of the City’s 34 public parks were not accessible to those with physical and cognitive challenges. The planned location of the Magical Bridge Playground was in an underused portion of Mitchell Park, generously donated by the City. She spoke on the unique features proposed, including an accessible playhouse, community stage, fluid ramping system, smooth rubber ground surface, fully accessible play stations, and sand tables. She spoke on the total funding needed of $1.6 million, and funds raised to date. She invited the community to the Kappa Sigma and Kids with Dreams’ First Annual Field of Dreams Event on April 3, 2011. STUDY SESSION 3. Update on Preliminary Analysis of a Potential Energy/Compost Facility at Palo Alto Landfill/Byxbee Park and the Alternatives. Council received an update from Staff and Alternative Resources, Inc. (ARI) on the Feasibility Study being prepared on a potential Energy/Compost Facility adjacent to the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant to convert organic materials to energy and compost. A Preliminary Analysis had been done by ARI on the cost and greenhouse gas emissions. Many comments were received from the public and Council Members. Staff did not recommend drawing conclusions from the Preliminary Analysis because the comments were applicable and should be addressed. Staff would return to Council on April 11, 2011 with a plan on addressing the comments and seek further direction from Council. Staff presented the status of other possible future facilities for managing organics within 20 miles of Palo Alto, as directed by Council. Staff reviewed emerging technologies which were being perfected and developed to extract energy and other resources from bio-solids, food scraps, yard trimmings, the three types of organics being studied by Palo Alto. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS City Manager, James Keene spoke on the following topics: 1) NCAA Women's Basketball would include Stanford University in the sweet 16 round; 2) Downtown Parking Study facilitated by Traffic Data Services; 3) new Parking Manager to start in April 2011; 4) community meeting with Professorville 3 03/21/2011 residents scheduled on April 26; 5) International Observance of World Water Day scheduled on March 22; 6) Updated Urban Water Management Plan kick-start meeting scheduled on March 24; 7) Neighbors Abroad Japan Earthquake Relief Fund update; 8) Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approval of $3 million, from the Stanford University General Use Permit Housing Fund, to support the 801 Alma Street Affordable Housing Project; and 9) free compost giveaway event at the Palo Alto Landfill. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mark Petersen-Perez spoke on Malcolm X and First Amendment Rights. Rita Morgin spoke on her concern for pedestrian safety and parking regarding the proposed improvement plans at the Main Library and Palo Alto Art Center. Herb Borock stated the Downtown Parking Study should include the leadership of all effected neighborhood associations. CONSENT CALENDAR Staff requested that Agenda Item No. 13 be pulled to be heard at a date uncertain. MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Yeh and Council Member Shepherd to pull Agenda Item No. 7 to become Agenda Item No. 15a. MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Yeh to approve Agenda Item Nos. 4-6, 8-12, 14-15. 4. Peak Electricity Reduction Pilot Program for Commercial Customers. 5. Resolution 9153 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto to Withdraw from the Financing Authority for Resource Efficiency of California.” 6. Approval of a Purchase Order with Western States Oil Company for a Three Year Period in the Total Amount Not to Exceed $2,676,675 for the Provision of Automotive Fuel. 7. Approval of a Conditional Use Permit and a Record of Land Use Action Amending an Existing Conditional Use Permit to Allow the Addition of Two Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Antennas Mounted to the Front Façade of the Hotel President at 488 University. 4 03/21/2011 8. Recommendation of the Utilities Advisory Commission to Approve the Bylaws of the Utilities Advisory Commission of the City of Palo Alto. 9. Resolution 9154 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Summarily Vacating Public Service Easements Within Areas of Underground Utility District No. 41.” 10. Resolution 9155 entitled” Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving Three Contracts with the Northern California Power Agency (a) Amendment No. Two to Agreement for Construction, Operation and Financing of Geothermal Project No. 3; (b) Amended and Restated Geothermal Project Operating Agreement between NCPA and the Project Participants; and (c) Amendment No. 2 to NCPA Facilities Agreement.” 11. 2nd Reading Ordinance 5116 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto amending the Existing Palo Alto Commons Planned Community (“PC”) to Add a 0.83 Acre Site and Rezone it to PC from CN and RM-15 for a new 3-story Building Providing 44 Senior Assisted Living Rental Units at 4041 El Camino Way.” (First reading March 7, 2011 – Passed 9-0) 12. Approval of the Council Priorities Report for Calendar Year 2011. 13. Approval of Amendment Three to Contract S1013554 with Capitol Advocates, Inc. to Extend the Term and Add $32,000 for a Total Not to Exceed Amount of $125,500 Legislative Advocacy Services Related to High Speed Rail. 14. 2nd Reading Ordinance 5117 entitled “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Section 2.04.270 (Introducing Ordinances and Resolutions for passage and approval) of Title 2 (Administrative Code) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Remove Provisions Related to Reading of Ordinance and Resolution Titles.” (First reading February 14, 2011 – Passed 9-0) 15. Approval of City Attorney Employment Agreement with Molly S. Stump. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS 15a. (Former No. 7) Approval of a Conditional Use Permit and a Record of Land Use Action Amending an Existing Conditional Use Permit to Allow the Addition of Two Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Antennas Mounted to the Front Façade of the Hotel President at 488 University. 5 03/21/2011 Acting City Attorney, Donald Larkin stated the purpose of the Staff Report was to determine whether to set a public hearing on April 4, 2011. He indicated that no other action was required from Council. MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member Holman to set a public hearing for April 4, 2011. Vice Mayor Yeh stated he had met with the Applicant and residents at 488 University Avenue. It was his belief that a public hearing would be appropriate to provide the proper forum for discussion. Michelle Kraus urged the Council to establish a Task Force before any amendments to existing public use permits were considered. Jeffrey Jones spoke on the lack of community outreach by the Applicant. Mary Riordan stated she was a resident at 488 University Avenue and would be directly impacted by this project. Director of Wireless Communications Initiative for Joint Venture Silicon Valley, Leon Beauchman spoke on forthcoming community meetings on how to best support wireless infrastructure in Palo Alto with the lowest impact on residents. Outside Counsel for AT&T Mobility, Paul Albritton spoke on his support for the conditions proposed by the Planning and Transportation Commission. Aron Hall spoke on his support for Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) service in the City; however, he did not support giving AT&T preferential access to the public spectrum. Silicon Valley Leadership Representative, Brett Barley spoke in support of bringing broadband mobile wireless technology to the City. Herb Borock spoke on his support for the return of this Staff Report as a public hearing. Mayor Espinosa stated there was a discussion on holding a broader conversation regarding comprehensive planning on wireless technologies. Director of Planning and Community Environment, Curtis Williams stated the Council meeting scheduled for April 4, 2011 would include a Question and Answer section. Reoccurring questions, from the Council, would be answered in a Staff memorandum prior to the meeting. 6 03/21/2011 Mayor Espinosa stated the preference would be for Staff and Council to have a broader conversation before the Staff Report was placed on the agenda. He inquired whether there would be a broader conversation held. Mr. Williams stated yes. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Council Member Shepherd inquired whether the Downtown Parking Study would include other impacted neighborhoods. Director of Planning and Community Environment, Curtis Williams stated yes. The six month analysis would look at areas around downtown, and would include permit parking programs and additional parking areas. Council Member Holman asked if the Downtown Parking Study would include the South of Palo Alto Area (SOFA). Mr. Williams stated yes. Council Member Holman inquired on a meeting this past week, where the topic centered around the proposed AT&T cell site. Mr. Williams stated there was an internal Staff meeting held last week. Council Member Klein reported on attending the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) meeting last week. The precipitation in the Hetch Hetchy catch basin was 159 percent of normal as of last week. The Audit, with the City of San Francisco, had been resolved for Fiscal Year 2007/2008 and the City received a $120,000 credit. BAWSCA’s budget, for Fiscal Year 2011/2012, would show no increase in Staff which meant the City’s contribution would be flat. Mayor Espinosa advised that the City continued to monitor water levels in City creeks. He spoke on the Youth Community Services organization and the 8th Annual Family Service Day scheduled on April 2. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 11:37 p.m.