HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-11 City Council Summary Minutes
07/11/2011
Special Meeting
July 11, 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, Klein, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd, Yeh
arrived @ 6:37 P.M.
Utilities Advisory Commission Members: Eglash, Keller, Berry,
Foster, Melton, Waldfogel
Absent: Price
Utilities Advisory Commission Member Cook
STUDY SESSION
1. Joint Meeting With the Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) Regarding
Policy Issues Coming Before the UAC and City Council in Fiscal Year
2012 and Other Potential Issues for UAC Review.
Council Members expressed their interest in the Utilities Advisory
Commission's (UAC's) work plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012. In addition to the
work already identified, several Council Members stated they would like the
UAC to review the possibility of developing a carbon neutral goal for the
electric utility. Several also indicated strong support for a second
transmission interconnection to Palo Alto as a high priority work item for the
UAC. The Council discussed some of the items not planned at this time for
UAC review including mandating energy and water efficiency upgrades upon
sale of a building.
2. Study Session for Update of the Palo Alto Rail Corridor Study.
The consultant, BMS Design Group, presented an introduction and update of
the Rail Corridor Study. The Rail Corridor Study was initiated by the City
Council in 2010 to evaluate land use, transportation and urban design
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elements of the rail corridor, particularly in response to the potential
improvements to fixed rail services along the Caltrain tracks. The Rail
Corridor Study was a three phase project: Phase 1- Context and Vision,
Phase 2 – Alternatives and Evaluation, and Phase 3 – Plan Preparation.
Following eight Rail Corridor Task Force meetings, the first community
workshop held on May 19th, and input from the Planning and Transportation
Commission June 8th hearing, work was beginning to form the vision for the
study as the project transitions to Phase 2. Several common themes have
been identified through the process, including the importance of protecting
existing single family neighborhoods, improving connectivity and improving
pedestrian and bicycle circulation. Further discussion will be necessary to
determine the implications of the rail alternatives, appropriate land use mix
and circulation improvements. Specific attention will also be focused on
evaluating additional outreach methods to encourage more public
involvement. The Council discussed the importance of connectivity and
pedestrian connectivity specifically. The study should acknowledge the
importance of the Pedestrian Transit Oriented Development (PTOD) zoning
district’s role in the corridor. The Council also agreed that the Bus Rapid
Transit project, as well as the Caltrain and High Speed Rail projects, should
be included in the analysis of the context. The Council emphasized it was
important to connect this Study to the City’s other efforts, especially the
Comprehensive Plan update and its components, such as the Housing
Element and California Avenue Concept Plan. The Council affirmed that it
was important to increase outreach to get better public involvement. Two
members of the Task Force and three members of the public spoke at the
hearing.
3. Community Partners Non-Profit Presentation: Friends of the Palo Alto
Library.
James Schmidt, President of the Friends of the Palo Alto Library (FOPAL),
said the organization began in 1938 and was one of the first Friend’s groups
in California. FOPAL held monthly book sales and had become one of the
most successful sales in the State. The sales were held at the Cubberley
Community Center and the Mitchell Park Library and had an inventory of
approximately 50,000 books. Over 100 volunteers organized the sales,
inventoried the books, and found new homes or donated books to other non-
profit organizations. FOPAL had contributed over $2 million to the Palo Alto
library system in the past 10 years. The organization’s future goal was to
supplement but not substitute or replace City funding for the library. FOPAL
helped enriched the library’s services by adding books, electronic media, and
other services that otherwise would not be available to the patrons.
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Pat Worthington said the Children’s Bookroom was located at the Cubberley
site. She said hundreds of toys and books were donated to the library
annually, and volunteers inventoried and categorized the items. The
Bookroom sold approximately 6,000 books each month and a few thousand
or more were sold or given away in the bargain room.
Council Member Shepherd spoke of the library’s portable module’s vibrant
setting in providing its service. She said the Friends’ had an aggressive plan
for furnishings and equipment for the reopening of the libraries. FOPAL’s
contribution to the Link Plus Program allowed community members to
navigate hundreds of libraries to gain access to information too difficult or
expensive to get.
Mayor Espinosa spoke on behalf of the City and thanked the Friends of the
Palo Alto Library for the informative presentation, their partnership, and
hard work.
PaloAltoFreePress.com spoke of the library’s technology becoming obsolete
and replaced with electronic technology such as E-books to obtain
information.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS
City Manager, James Keene, announced Palo Alto remained in the top 10 list
of the Solar Electric Power Association’s (SEPA) 4th annual nationwide review
of solar electric systems installation. The Twilight Concert Series kicked off
their concert series on July 2, 2011 at Rinconada Park. The reopening of the
Downtown Library and the Art Center was scheduled to reopen on July 16,
2011.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
John Brooke Hulgrem spoke regarding Palo Alto’s accomplishments and
recited a message from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. regarding social progress.
Marilu Lopez-Serrano spoke in support of Stephanie Stakes retaining her
position as Community Outreach Specialist with the Ravenswood Pre-school
Child Development Center.
Mark Petersen-Perez advised the Council that he would be addressing false
allegations brought against him by the Palo Alto Police Department’s (PAPD)
in the upcoming City Council meetings.
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Rita Morgin spoke regarding the Main Library’s construction and the paving
of the Community Gardens. She said 13 annex gardens and four parking
spaces would be lost by putting in a driveway. She asked the Council to not
approve Group 4’s contract.
Mary Holzer spoke regarding the proposed construction at the Main Library
and community garden. She said the connecting road for cars between the
parking lots would have an adverse affect on the community garden.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Espinosa noted the Staff had requested that Agenda Item No. 6 be
pulled and heard in September.
Council Member Shepherd asked for a response to 3 questions she had
submitted regarding Agenda Item No. 5.
Deputy City Manager, Steve Emslie said Staff was prepared to answer the
questions. Community Services Recreation Manager Robert De Geus would
respond to the Magical Bridge question, City Manager James Keene to the
Fire Study questions, and he would respond to the Project Safety Net and
Stanford questions.
MOTION: Council Member Shepherd moved, seconded by Council Member
Burt to pull Agenda Item No. 5 to become Agenda Item No. 8a.
Mayor Espinosa said members of the public would now speak to Agenda
Item No. 7.
Andrew Vought spoke against the expansion of the Newell Bridge from 18-
feet wide by 44-feet long to 46-feet wide by 75-feet long. He said
construction of the bridge would threaten the creek bed and cutting the
trees would damage Palo Alto’s tree canopy and permanently destroy habitat
of the long existing wild life in the area. Scaling the project back to normal
size would minimize environmental damage.
Vanessa Belland spoke against the expansion of the Newell Bridge. She said
widening the bridge would promote more traffic and change the scope of the
neighborhood. She suggested making the bridge pedestrian-friendly with
emergency vehicle access only.
Jeff Reese spoke against the expansion of the Newell Bridge. He said he
traveled the bridge almost daily since 1984 and not had a traffic incident,
but noted that people used excessive speed on the bridge and side-swiped
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parked cars near the bridge. Expanding the bridge would increase traffic,
cause harmful impacts to the neighborhood and devalue the properties.
Elspeth Farmer said she was in favor of replacing the bridge to address
seismic and flooding issues. She said people often ran the stop sign and
asked that traffic calming be added to the project specifically at the
intersection before the bridge and both sides of the bridge. Widening the
bridge would increase the traffic on the bridge.
MOTION: Council Member Holman moved, seconded by Council Member
Klein to pull Agenda Item No. 7 to become Agenda Item No. 8b.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Yeh moved, seconded by Council Member Shepherd
to approve Agenda Item Nos. 4, 8.
4. Approval of a Gas Enterprise Fund Contract with Hydromax USA, LLC in
the Total Amount of $3,523,950 for Professional Services for the Cross-
bore Investigation by CCTVing Sanitary Sewer Laterals and Adoption of
Resolution 9184 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Approving an Amendment to Utilities Rule and Regulation 23 (B and
C) Pertaining to Special Wastewater Utility Regulations.”
5. City Council Strategic Priorities Quarterly Report for the Period Ending
June 30, 2011.
6. Approval of a Renewed Public/Private Partnership Agreement with
West Bay Opera for the Cooperative use of the Lucie Stern Community
Theatre.
7. Adoption of a 1) Budget Amendment Ordinance Creating a New
General Fund Capital Improvement Program Project for Replacement
of the Newell Road Bridge over San Francisquito Creek; Adoption of
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Program
Supplement with the California Department of Transportation to
Receive Highway Bridge Program Grant Funds for the Replacement of
the Newell Road Bridge over San Francisquito Creek; Acceptance of
Local Matching Funds in Approximate Amount of $42,000 from the
Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority for the Replacement of the
Newell Road Bridge over San Francisquito Creek; and Approval of the
Scope of Work for Engineering Design/Environmental Planning
Consultant for Newell Road Bridge Replacement Project.
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8. Approval of Amendment No. 4 to Service Order S07121018 with Invers
Mobility Systems for the Purchase of an Automated Pool Vehicle
Reservation/Key Manager System in the Amount of $86,665.
MOTION PASSED for Agenda Item Nos. 4 and 8: 8-0 Price absent
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS
8a. (Former No. 5.) City Council Strategic Priorities Quarterly Report for
the Period Ending June 30, 2011.
Council Member Shepherd said the City allocated $300,000 towards the
Magical Bridge project and $100,000 was raised through fundraisers. She
said the project needed an additional $1 million and asked how the Council
could help make the project be a win-win situation.
Community Services Recreation Manager, Robert De Geus, said Staff would
be generating a Letter of Intent to partner with the Friends of the Magical
Bridge and would include the responsibilities between the City and the
Friends. The project was being promoted through fundraisers, options for
grants and through newspaper ads.
Council Member Shepherd said one of the Council’s goals was to monitor the
project. She wanted to make sure it got off to a good start.
Council Member Burt recommended the project be forwarded to the Policy
and Services Committee (P&S) for an in-depth review. He felt monitoring
the project should not be a Council goal since Staff had indicated they were
still in the process of identifying the responsibilities for the project. He
confirmed the project was the Magical Bridge Playground and not the Magical
Street Bridge.
Mr. De Geus said that was correct.
Council Member Shepherd spoke regarding the Fire Department’s Study and
said there was angst in the Open Space District community and had
concerns regarding the possible closure of Fire Station 8. She asked if Staff
had given the community any information regarding the evaluation study
and a method on how the community could weigh in with their concerns.
City Manager, James Keene, said no information had been provided at this
point. He felt it would be best to confirm recommendations and options
prior to moving forward with community outreach.
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Council Member Shepherd asked Staff to provide the community with an
update of the process.
Mr. Keene said Staff would do that.
Council Member Shepherd spoke regarding Project Safety Net and asked if
the Development Agreement (DA) with Stanford had been signed.
Mr. Keene said a Second Reading of the Ordinance was on this evening’s
Agenda. A tentative session was scheduled for July 25th to discuss with the
Council the community benefits portion of the Agreement.
Council Member Shepherd asked what the status was in filling a Staff
member position by January 2012 and moving the funds to the Project
Safety Net project.
Mr. Emslie said $4 million was part of the Stanford University Medical Center
Community Benefits package. The Council had designated $2 million
towards the Project Safety Net program. Staff had started the process of
creating the job description for the Staff member’s position. Additionally, on
July 25, Staff would be coming forward to recommend the Council appoint
two Council Members to the Joint Stanford/City Committee for Community
Health and Safety Programs and provide Staff direction regarding the
recommended process for expending the community benefit funds.
Council Member Shepherd asked if the Staff member would be onboard by
January 2012.
Mr. Emslie said he thought that was doable.
Council Member Burt clarified the Joint Committee Mr. Emslie was referring
to would not oversee the $2 million designated to Project Safety Net. He
spoke of a matrix that related to the Council priorities that was produced
during the Policy & Services Committee meetings and asked why it was not
included in the Staff Report. The multi-dimensional matrix cross-referenced
goal impacts, and how one goal could impact more than one of the priorities
which included civic participation goals. He spoke of the importance of the
matrix and the concept to permeate City initiatives not included in the list of
priorities. It was a mechanism Staff could use to see if initiatives were being
fulfilled. He asked City Manager Keene to comment on his concerns.
Mr. Keene said the reports were quarterly and felt that a recommendation to
bring the item back to Policy &Services Committee for further discussions
would be a good idea. Continued discussions between quarterly reports
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would allow opportunities to enhance the report. He said Council’s priorities
were carried-over from the previous year and through that process the
Council identified the progress on the initiatives. Tracking and reporting on
the initiatives was an evolving process in accountability and transparency
with the Council and the public. He concurred with Council Member Burt
that it was a way to see how initiatives were progressing.
MOTION: Council Member Burt moved, seconded by Council Member Klein
to return the City Council Strategic Priorities Quarterly Report for the Period
Ending June 30, 2011 to the Policy & Services Committee.
Council Member Burt expressed the importance of the multi-dimensional
matrix that should have been included in the report.
Council Member Scharff asked what matrix Council Member Burt was
referring to.
Council Member Burt said it was a matrix that was produced when the
Strategic Priorities Report went to the Policy & Services Committee this past
spring. The matrix listed all priorities for each goal. Each goal was cross-
referenced to show a multi-dimensional view on how one goal could impact
other priorities along with a portion that showed civic participation.
Council Member Schmid spoke of the Economic Development Strategic Plan
and asked if the item would be discussed by the Council as a whole.
Mr. Keene said it would come back to the Council after Policy & Services
Committee discussions.
Vice Mayor Yeh thanked Staff for their work on the report and asked if
discussions would be incorporated into the See-It site or was Staff moving
away from that process. He supported the Motion.
Council Member Shepherd needed clarification of what was being sent back
to the Policy & Services Committee.
Council Member Burt said the Second Quarterly Report was being forwarded
to feed into the First Quarterly Report.
Council Member Shepherd asked if the Second Quarterly Report was going to
be realigned with the matrix.
Council Member Burt said it was realignment along with any comments the
Council had on the listed goals.
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Council Member Shepherd felt the report could have been moved forward
into the third quarter. She supported the Motion.
Mr. Keene clarified the report was going back to the P&S Committee to
review structure, format, verbiage, and how the report could be used in
documents. Staff would continue to follow the identified timelines in the
report.
Council Member Shepherd commended and thanked the Policy & Services
Committee for their hard work on the matrix. She looked forward to seeing
the Council Priorities and matrix combined into the report. She said the
See-It site was outdated and would require a massive amount of Staff’s time
to update and maintain.
Council Member Klein commented that the Quarterly Report was being sent
back to the Policy & Services Committee but not the matrix.
Council Member Burt said the Motion was to refer the report to P&S
Committee for review and to ensure the matrix was included in the report.
Council Member Scharff said he concurred with Council Member Shepherd’s
comment regarding the See-It site. He suggested dropping the site.
Mr. Keene said the site had not been updated because the vendor for the
See-It site was out-of-business and the inability to get Staff support to do
the updates. He said he would look into dropping the site.
MOTION PASSED: 8-0 Price absent
8b. (Former No. 7) Adoption of a: 1) Budget Amendment Ordinance
5122 Creating a New General Fund Capital Improvement Program
Project for Replacement of the Newell Road Bridge over San
Francisquito Creek; 2) Resolution 9185 Authorizing the City Manager
to Execute a Program Supplement with the California Department of
Transportation to Receive Highway Bridge Program Grant Funds for the
Replacement of the Newell Road Bridge over San Francisquito Creek;
3) Acceptance of Local Matching Funds in Approximate Amount of
$42,000 from the Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority for the
Replacement of the Newell Road Bridge over San Francisquito Creek;
and 4) Approval of the Scope of Work for Engineering
Design/Environmental Planning Consultant for Newell Road Bridge
Replacement Project.
10 07/11/2011
Council Member Holman asked if the document prepared by Mr. Teresi was
sent to all the Council Members.
Public Works Senior Engineer, Joe Teresi, confirmed that he had sent the
“frequently asked question” document to all the Council Members.
Council Member Holman said the Staff Report indicated the City would need
to return grant funds to the Highway Bridge Program (HBP) if the proposed
bridge replacement was not constructed within ten years. She raised
concerns regarding the width measurement of the bridge stated in the Staff
Report.
Mr. Teresi said the measures in the Staff Report were placeholders since the
bridge design had not yet been done. The grant application required a cost
estimate of the project and needed to be based on square footage. The 46-
foot width was used to get the maximum square footage for the project and
to allow for any design adjustments and the environmental assessment
process.
Council Member Holman asked if there was a minimum width that would
satisfy the criteria to qualify for the grant.
Mr. Teresi said he could not give an exact minimum width at this time. The
existing lanes on Newell Road were 11-feet wide and could not be narrower
than 10-feet. Bicycle lanes were 5-feet on one side and 9-feet on the other
to accommodate parking. Parking allowance could be eliminated since
parking was not permitted on the bridge. Walk-ways were not required on
both sides of the bridge and a single walk-way would suffice.
Council Member Holman suggested conducting a preliminary evaluation on
the measurements prior to applying for the grant.
Acting Assistant Director of Public Works, Phil Bobel, said the City was faced
with an opportunity to apply for federal funds to solve two problems. 1) to
replace a bridge to withstand the 100-year storm, and 2) to address Caltans
traffic issues outlined in the Staff Report. The application period was short
and there was not enough time to do an evaluation. The goal was to use a
design process to satisfy the multi-objective problems and to have a bridge
with the correct width.
Council Member Holman asked what the cost would be to do an evaluation.
11 07/11/2011
Mr. Bobel said it was more of a timing issue at this point. Staying on track
in trying to get the grant did not allow the time to get a consultant on board
to make that determination.
Council Member Holman said she appreciated Staff wanting to take
advantage of the opportunity but did not want to create a hardship.
Council Member Klein said perhaps Council Member Holman’s concerns could
be answered with a different approach. He asked if the design was for
planning purposes.
Mr. Bobel said yes.
Council Member Klein said the process was for Staff to return with a design
to be reviewed by the Planning and Transportation Commission (P&TC) and
the Architectural Review Board (ARB). Staff may be asked by the Council to
make changes to the plan. He asked if it was a fair statement to say that if
Staff was asked to determine the minimum size, what Staff was really being
asked to do was to plan for the planning.
Mr. Bobel said that was a fair statement.
Council Member Klein asked if the following guidelines would help with the
plans: a) must fit into flood control program, b) must not increase traffic in
the neighborhood, and c) must not increase traffic on cut-through streets in
the area and d) must be traffic neutral in the neighborhood. He asked if
that would be workable.
Mr. Bobel said the guidelines would be helpful during the design process. He
said there could be other standards that may come into play and could not
be violated in accepting federal funds and Staff would be hesitant to
stipulate the absolute minimum.
MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member
Shepherd to; 1) Adopt the Budget Amendment Ordinance Creating a New
General Fund Capital Improvement Program Project for Replacement of the
Newell Road Bridge over San Francisquito Creek; 2) Adopt the Resolution
Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Program Supplement with the
California Department of Transportation to Receive Highway Bridge Program
Grant Funds for the Replacement of the Newell Road Bridge over San
Francisquito Creek; 3) Accept the Local Matching Funds in Approximate
Amount of $42,000 from the Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority for
the Replacement of the Newell Road Bridge over San Francisquito Creek;
and 4) Approve the Scope of Work for Engineering Design/Environmental
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Planning Consultant for Newell Road Bridge Replacement Project to move
forward with the grant, take into account the flood control program, and be
traffic neutral.
Council Member Shepherd said the project would be a long process but
would relieve the community’s angst in replacing the bridge to address
flooding issues.
Council Member Scharff said Mr. Teresi’s letter noted agreement issues
between Caltrans and the cities. He needed clarification on how the process
worked between the Cities of East Palo Alto (EPA) and Palo Alto. He
supported the Motion.
Mr. Bobel said it would be no different from other multi-jurisdictional issues
that come about and Staff would try to resolve those issues. The project
would cease to move forward if issues could not be resolved.
Council Member Scharff asked what would happen if the project ceased to
move forward.
Mr. Teresi said one of the stipulations was that the funds would need to be
returned if the structure was not completed in 10 years.
Council Member Holman asked if environmental sensitivity would be taken
into consideration when looking for an engineering firm, given the creek was
a natural creek and in a neighborhood setting.
Mr. Bobel said that was a good suggestion and would be taken into
consideration for an eco-friendly design and consistent with the local
environment.
Herb Borock said the project was subject to the California Environment
Quality Act (CEQA). Issues such as Council Member Holman’s concerns
would be taken into account in an Environmental Impact Review (EIR). He
said an EIR should be considered prior to approval of the full project.
Carlos Romero, East Palo Alto Mayor, said East Palo Alto and Palo Alto were
inextricably linked as far as traffic moving in and out of University Avenue.
East Palo Alto was a member of the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers
Authority (JPA) and viewed the bridge as a project that would address the
regional flooding issues with a design to satisfy all aspects such as traffic,
pedestrians, eco-friendliness, safety and seamless travel between
communities. The project was an opportunity to parlay government funds
into a bridge that would deal with flooding issues. He said the City of East
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Palo Alto was in favor of moving forward and working with Palo Alto and
engineers in constructing the bridge. He urged the Council to approve the
item.
MOTION PASSED: 8-0 Price absent
ACTION ITEMS
Council Member Holman said there were three items remaining on the
agenda. Discussion on Agenda Item No. 9 would be lengthy.
City Manager, James Keene, said Staff was in agreement with Council
Member Holman’s prioritization of the remaining items.
MOTION: Mayor Espinosa moved, seconded by Council Member Scharff to
pull Agenda Item No. 9 to become Agenda Item No. 11a.
MOTION PASSED: 8-0 Price absent
9. Update of SB 375/Initial Vision Scenario (IVS) for a Sustainable
Communities Strategy (SCS) and Direction on City’s Preliminary
Response to Regional Agencies, and Update of Regional Housing Needs
Assessment (RHNA) Process.
10. Resolution 9186 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Approving the Reorganization of an Approximately .65 Acre
Territory Designated “Major Institution/University Lands” Located in
the County of Santa Clara”, and Second Reading for the Adoption of
Two Ordinances: (1) Ordinance 5123 Amendment of Title 18 of the
PAMC to add a new Chapter 18.36 (Hospital District), adding Section
8.10.95 (Tree Removal in HD Zone) to Chapter 8.10 (Tree
Preservation and Management Regulations) of Title 8 (Trees and
Vegetation) and amending Section 16.20.160(a)(1) (Special Purpose
Signs) of Chapter 16.20 (Signs) of Title 16 (Building Regulations) and
amending Section 18.08.010 (Designation of General Districts) and
Section 18.08.040 to Chapter 18.08 (Designation and Establishment of
Districts) and (2) Ordinance 5124 Approval of a Development
Agreement Between the City of Palo Alto and Stanford Hospital and
Clinics; Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford; and the
Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University.
Council Member Klein advised he would not be participating in Agenda Item
No. 10 due to his wife was a faculty member at Stanford University.
14 07/11/2011
City Manager, James Keene, said the item was presented in June for a
Second Reading and Action was deferred by the Council due to a relocation
issue of the Arboretum Childcare Center.
Deputy City Manager, Steve Emslie, referred the Council to Attachment E of
the Staff Report, regarding a letter dated July 7, 2011 that outlined the
steps that Stanford University took in dealing with the transition of the
Arboretum Childcare Center to a temporary location. He said a Construction
Improvement Mitigation Plan (CIMP) at the Stanford University Medical
Center (SUMC) was required in the Conditions of Approval. Staff would
insure there was consistency between SUMC and issues in the letter
presented to the Council. The Childcare Center would be subjected to the
City’s building inspections since the Center was being relocated in Palo Alto.
There would be a final inspection and a Certificate of Occupancy prior to
returning the Childcare Center back to its location post construction of the
Hoover Pavilion Historic Restoration and the parking structure.
Jeff Shrager said he was speaking on behalf of the Parents of Stanford
Arboretum Children's Center Board and thanked the Stanford University, the
hospitals, and the Lucille Packer Children’s Hospital for their commitment in
relocating the Childcare Center and Palo Alto’s Staff and Committees who
were involved in relocating the facility. He raised concerns regarding the
CIMP on mercury and lead paint issues of the project and asbestos issues in
neighboring buildings of the Children Center. He said he would be
monitoring the issues in moving forward into the facility.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Yeh moved, seconded by Council Member Scharff to:
1) Adopt the Resolution Approving the Reorganization of an Approximately
.65 Acre Territory Designated “Major Institution/University Lands” Located in
the County of Santa Clara and Second Reading for the Adoption of Two
Ordinances: (1) Amendment of Title 18 of the PAMC to add a new Chapter
18.36 (Hospital District), adding Section 8.10.95 (Tree Removal in HD Zone)
to Chapter 8.10 (Tree Preservation and Management Regulations) of Title 8
(Trees and Vegetation) and amending Section 16.20.160(a)(1) (Special
Purpose Signs) of Chapter 16.20 (Signs) of Title 16 (Building Regulations)
and amending Section 18.08.010 (Designation of General Districts) and
Section 18.08.040 to Chapter 18.08 (Designation and Establishment of
Districts), and 2) Approval of a Development Agreement Between the City of
Palo Alto and Stanford Hospital and Clinics; Lucile Salter Packard Children’s
Hospital at Stanford; and the Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior
University.
15 07/11/2011
Vice Mayor Yeh expressed his appreciation to parents who were active in
discussions with Stanford University, the hospitals and clinics and
acknowledged Stanford’s work in addressing the parents’ major concerns.
Council Member Scharff thanked City Staff and Stanford for working
together. The process was long and he was pleased the item had finally
come to the Second Reading and approval of the project.
Council Member Holman needed clarification regarding a three-page,
unsigned document included in Attachment E.
Mr. Emslie said the attachment explained the details of the construction
modification to the schedule and the measures in dealing with the parents’
concerns. It was intended to bear the full force of the letter that was signed
by the University’s Chief Executive Officers (CEO).
Council Member Holman asked to make an Amendment to the Motion to add
clarity that the mitigations and conditions in the Stanford documents be
included in the CIMP referred to by Mr. Emslie.
Mayor Espinosa needed clarification regarding Council Member Holman’s
request for an Amendment.
Mr. Emslie said some were operational issues between Stanford and parents
and should not be included in the CIMP.
AMENDMENT: Council Member Holman moved, seconded by Council
Member Schmid to include in the Construction Improvement Mitigation Plan
(CIMP) the applicable construction mitigations listed in Attachment E of the
Staff Report.
Council Member Holman said the reason for the Amendment was to provide
clarity that mitigations would happen and the means and way in which they
would be enforced.
Council Member Schmid said he supported the Amendment to make it easier
for Staff to transfer the language.
Council Member Burt needed a clear understanding if Staff perceived
impacts to the Amendment would be problematic to the City or Stanford.
Mr. Emslie said as long as the Amendment included the understanding that
some items are not the City’s authority terms of construction staging and
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scheduling. Anything that relates to city concerns such as truck routes and
hours of operation are typically within the CIMP.
Bill Phillips, Stanford University School of Medicine and Hospitals
Representative, clarified the items set forth by the CEO’s and Provost to the
Childcare Center was considered as an employer-employee relations
document regarding the hours of operation and truck routes. He felt the
intent of Council Member Holman’s Amendment was to push forth into the
City document the potential items in the attachment, as opposed to the
employer-employee relations document. He was not in favor of the
Amendment.
Barbara Smith, Stanford University Attorney, clarified the Agenda item
before the Council was not an opportunity to impose new conditions.
Stanford representatives were present for the Second Reading of the Zoning
Ordinance and the Development Agreement Ordinance, and the Action on
annexation. The CIMP was to implement conditions that already have been
imposed. Stanford Hospitals would work with City Staff to prepare the
document and implement the existing Conditions of Approval. This was not
the opportunity to impose new conditions to the project.
Council Member Holman stated the intent of the Amendment was to give
clear guidance to Staff to include Attachment E mitigations in the Conditions
of Approval.
Council Member Shepherd said it was her understanding that work identified
in the Second Reading could not be altered. She did not support the
Amendment.
Council Member Scharff said he was in agreement with Stanford’s Counsel.
He did not support the Amendment.
Council Member Schmid asked if the Palo Alto City Attorney had a comment.
Senior Assistant City Attorney, Cara Silver, said it was important to
distinguish the importance between the Conditions of Approval that were
approved by the Council on the June 6th and the administrative document
referred to as the Construction Improvement Mitigation Plan (CIMP). The
administrative document was a plan submittal by the applicant once the
permits were granted and approved at the Staff level. It would be
appropriate for the Council to give direction on big picture items that should
be included in the CIMP but detailed issues would not be brought to the
Council.
17 07/11/2011
Council Member Holman clarified the Amendment did not provide any more
guidance to Staff.
Ms. Silver said that was correct because it would be done at the Staff level.
AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN BY MAKER
MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Klein not participating, Price absent
11. Council Consideration of Draft Letter of Interest to Foothill De Anza
Community College Including Options to Sell or Long Term Lease and
a Request to Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUDS) Support and
Possible Collaboration of Partnerships With Foothill College.
City Manager, James Keene, provided a brief presentation as outlined in
Staff Report ID#1907.
Ken Horowitz said he was in favor of sending the Letter of Interest to the
College. He said having a Community College in South Palo Alto would be a
good opportunity.
Nancy Krop said middle and high school enrollments were already impacted
and expressed the need to retain the 35 acres for future secondary school
facilities. She was not in favor of sending the Letter of Interest.
Makala Presti expressed the need for expansion of secondary schools in Palo
Alto and urged the Council to not give away with the Cubberley site. She
was not in favor of sending the Letter of Interest.
Herb Borock said the School District would like the City to hold the 8 acres
for their future needs and for the City to continue funding its operations. He
raised concerns regarding Foothill’s parking needs and advised Staff to look
at the City’s zoning codes on parking.
Bob Moss said the School District was an important organization in the
community and the Cubberley site should not be offered for sale. A long-
term lease would preempt School District use and Foothill would not be
interested in a short-term lease. He said Onizuka Air Force Base was on
Federal land and was offering free land. He was not in favor of sending the
Letter of Interest.
Diane Reklis said the Foothill-DeAnza Community College District had served
Palo Alto well for several years. Many would be inconvenienced if this item
was mishandled forcing Foothill to withdraw all of all of its programs. The
18 07/11/2011
School District would need a middle school in five years and a high school in
ten years. She was not in favor of sending the Letter of Interest.
Former Mayor Mike Cobb said the School District needed the land for
secondary school expansion within the next five to ten years and advised not
to sell the site. The site did not have enough land to support parking for the
College and the neighborhood would feel the brunt in dealing with parking
overflow. It was inconceivable the Cubberely site could serve both schools,
the College, and public services at the same time. The least-liked
combination to function was the College and the School District. The
mixture of middle school and a junior college transient population would be a
toxic mixture for students. He advised the City and the Palo Alto Unified
School District (PAUSD) to do some visionary planning for future generation.
Selling a needed and irreplaceable public asset was the wrong way to deal
with financial issues. He advised not to sell the site.
Penny Ellson said the School District did not see the partnership working for
them. PAUSD would need Cubberley for a school site and needed to find a
funding solution for maintaining the site. There was a need for a long-term
fiscal plan to preserve or create community space to provide homes for the
arts, childcare, and other community programs that were important to the
fabric of the community. She urged the Council to not sell the site.
Claire Kirer presented a petition that contained 342 in-person signatures and
over 500 on-line signatures from the community to not sell or lease the
Cubberley Community Center site. The School District would need all 35
acres for future middle and high school growths.
Former Mayor Lanie Wheeler said it was clear that the School District would
need the entire Cubberley site for a secondary school projected enrollment.
She asked the Council not to sell or lease the Cubberley site to Foothill.
Cubberley was the last site remaining in the community suitable for reuse as
a secondary school. She urged the Council and the School District to
immediately initiate an open dialogue. Adding members from the public or
from the existing Cubberely Advisory Committee in a form of a Task Force
would be a benefit to both parties.
Evan Lurie said the Cubberley site was a public asset being used for
disparate kinds of needs that were heartfelt in the community. This facility
needed a vision and determination from the Council, School District, and the
community to find a solution that would work for all. Leasing was not a
viable option.
19 07/11/2011
John Huffgren raised concerns regarding asbestos issues in the Cubberley
site buildings that needed to be addressed and removed.
Carolyn Tucher spoke of the agreement signed in 1989 that benefited the
community. The work of Council Member Klein, who was Mayor at the time,
and Former Mayor Cobb and the School Board’s work made the agreement a
win-win situation. It was the community’s commitment and generosity to
public education. The voters had passed the Utility’s User Tax (UUT) in
order to finance the entire project. She felt this could be done again.
Finding land for public education was a responsibility for the future of the
children in the community.
Elizabeth Alexis said not all community services offered at Cubberley were
advertised and needed to be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Yeh moved, seconded by Council Member Shepherd
to: 1) Direct the City Manager to return to the City Council by October 3,
2011, with a process, defined with PAUSD, that addresses each others
interests in the Cubberley site and adjacent properties, 2) Include the costs
for this process will be shared by both entities, 3) Include the issues to
include at a minimum will address when and how PAUSD will reopen
Cubberley as an active school, 4) Options for a portion of the City owned 8
acres to be committed to community services, 5) Cubberley Lease and
Covenant option for 2013/14 to include an exploration of the feasibility of
redirecting Cubberley Lease Covenant payments to a dedicated fund for
community services, 6) Direct Staff to explore community use of the
Cubberley playing fields when not used by PAUSD, and 7) Include the
implications that all this will have on the Cubberley Lease and Covenant
Option.
Vice Mayor Yeh said the intent of the Motion was to create a formal process
with the School District. He expressed the need to begin discussions
immediately since the covenant expired in 2014 and required a 12-month
notice to change which was due in December 2013.
Council Member Shepherd said a Colleagues Memo was brought forward to
the City-School Liaison Committee in February 2011 for the purpose of
identifying seven different areas for discussions. The first two were the
public facility inventory and sites for possible community and school use,
and the third was Cubberley which included the concept of a K-12, a
Community College, life-long learners, in addition to community programs
and classes. The Council’s intent was to have a smooth conversation going
forward so they took the approach of drafting a Letter of Interest to Foothill-
DeAnza Community College. The College was the largest tenant at
20 07/11/2011
Cubberley and offered programs the community benefited from which would
be a great loss to the community. The College will remain at the Cubberley
site during the course of their build. She asked the City Attorney to
comment on the Naylor Act in terms of land use.
City Attorney, Molly Stump, said the Naylor Act protected a school district-
owned playing fields and open space when a school district sold them for
development. If the fields met certain criteria identified by the law, the
district would need to offer them first to public agencies including the city
where the land was located. The city was given the opportunity to acquire
them at a favorable rate. The city would be obligated to retain the open
space and athletic character. The district could reacquire the land at
anytime. The Naylor Act did not speak to the district’s own land use when
operating a school facility. The district could have its own constraints and
requirements in their education code.
Council Member Shepherd asked if the fields would be subject to school use
which could include the buildings when the 27 acres were taken by the
School District.
Ms. Stump asked if the 27 acres were still School District-owned.
Council Member Shepherd said they were, but the lease prohibited the City
from building on the fields. She asked if the fields would be protected as
fields if the School District took back the 12 acres of fields.
Ms. Stump said it would necessitate having to look at each parcel and the
rules that applied since the site had different types of facilities including
playing fields and tennis courts.
Council Member Shepherd said the community had worked on difficult issues
in the mid-80’s and, through the covenant, secured the school sites and
prohibited building homes on the site. She said the original plan for the
Terman school site was to reopen with a 3-story building at 25 Churchill to
house the Jewish Community Center (JCC) and District offices. The public
objected to having a public-private partnership on public school site. The
JCC was relocated to the Mayfield site a week prior to the purchase of the
former Sun campus site where the JCC now resides. She said the ideal
enrollment for a middle school was 600 students. The school enrollment in
September 2010 was 2,636 students which meant there should be 4.4
middle schools. The build out for students were 700 at Terman, and 1100
each at Jordan and JLS Middle Schools. The schools would be at their
maximum enrollment level by 2021 with 180 students too many for the
three sites. She looked for the school trustee’s leadership to provide the
21 07/11/2011
information needed to collaborate a partnership between the School District
and the community college. She supported the framework of the City
Schools relationship to revise the covenant to take place between the School
District, the City, and community to reopen the 27 acres for a school site.
Council Member Holman asked about the timeline for this to return to the
Council.
Mr. Keene said it was difficult to be precise because the School District was
on recess during the month of July, the Council in August. Staff could
possibly get the process to the Council by early October.
Council Member Holman asked when the 12-month notice was due.
Mr. Keene said the due date was December 2013 and the agreement’s
expiration date was at the end of 2014.
Council Member Holman said she was interested in knowing what the
collective needs and opportunities were for the nonprofits and understood
there was a group that represented them. She suggested getting the
information and using the site to their advantage. She suggested the
Planning and Transportation Commission (P&TC) look at the site from a land
use perspective. It appeared the 8 acres were carved out to make an
arrangement. She raised concerns regarding the 8-acre limitations. She
wanted to get away from the 8 acres and to look at the site as a whole to
determine the needs of those involved and what the community wanted to
do in going forward.
Council Member Klein asked to make an Amendment to the Motion to send a
letter to Foothill declining the Letter of Interest and to let them know the
City would not be going forward with them.
Council Member Shepherd raised concerns about sites that the College was
looking at which could mean the loss of the Bond money. There were
opportunities for the college to partner with Palo Alto at other sites and
Foothill could always come back and talk to the City if they needed to build
in Palo Alto.
Council Member Scharff said a letter needed to be sent to Foothill and
questioned if the content of the letter should focus on Council Member
Klein’s comments or Council Member Shepherd’s comments regarding
opportunities at other sites in Palo Alto.
22 07/11/2011
AMENDMENT: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member
Shepherd to: 1) Direct Staff to send Foothill/De Anza College District a letter
stating the Council would not be forwarding a letter of interest and that the
8 acres are not available, and 2) Thanking them for their interest.
Council Member Klein said he was a strong advocate for Foothill and
explained his reason for the Amendment. He expressed the need to be
realistic and to acknowledge the fact that the plan would not happen on the
8 acres or any portion thereof. He felt five years down the road the
community would regret the relocation of Foothill and realize that building a
campus in Palo Alto was possible back in 2011. He said the School District
was intransigent and Foothill was not interested in splitting the land. He was
open to adding a comment to explore other sites in Palo Alto.
Council Member Shepherd asked to add a comment that the City was
interested in partnering with Foothill in looking at other sites in Palo Alto and
did not want to turn them away entirely.
INCORPORATED INTO THE AMENDMENT WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to include in the letter to Foothill-DeAnza that the
City is interested in exploring other sites within Palo Alto with them.
Council Member Burt said he was more inclined to indicate the possibility of
exploring more limited uses with Foothill at the Cubberley site or other sites
in the Palo Alto as they come available.
AMENDMENT TO AMENDMENT: Council Member Burt moved, seconded by
Council Member Scharff to authorize the City Manager to send a letter to
Foothill/De Anza to convey a willingness to explore, within more limited
uses, a portion of the City’s 8 acres at Cubberley or other sites in the City
should they be available.
Council Member Burt said he did not feel the City could offer the full 8 acres
to Foothill even for combined use but would be willing to listen to any
proposed collaborative uses Foothill may have that would serve the
community. He said Foothill had expressed an interest in retaining some
presence at Cubberley even if they moved to another city. He wanted to be
straightforward and honest with Foothill and to have ongoing conversations
regarding much more limited possibilities.
Council Member Scharff concurred with Council Member Burt’s comments.
He did not think Foothill was being lead down a path with illusions. It was
about keeping the options open. He wanted to explore initiating a discussion
regarding the 2.6 acres.
23 07/11/2011
Council Member Schmid said he felt the Amendment was incompatible with
the original Motion and questioned the portion that would remain for the
School District.
Vice Mayor Yeh understood the intention of the limited use on the 8 acres or
other available sites in Palo Alto. He was in favor of using other sites and
creating other options. He looked forward to discussions with the School
District and letting Foothill know they were valued and the City was open to
other alternatives.
Council Member Klein said he had moved an Amendment and was seconded
by Council Member Shepherd. Council Member Burt moved an Amendment
to the Amendment to add to the letter to Foothill that the City would be
open to talking to Foothill regarding the use of a portion of unspecified
amount of the 8 acres.
Council Member Burt said he believed he included a minority portion of the 8
acres.
Council Member Klein said his proposed Amendment included other
provisions about the letter to include that the City was open to talking to
Foothill about other sites in Palo Alto. Council Member Burt’s Amendment
would only add language that the City would be open to Foothill to discuss a
minority portion of the 8 acres.
Council Member Schmid needed clarity of what was being voted on.
Council Member Klein clarified the Council was voting on Council Member
Burt’s Amendment to the Amendment.
Council Member Shepherd said she would not support the Amendment to the
Amendment because of the angst in the community. She said it would not
be possible to fit everything on the 8 acres in addition to an entire high
school, middle school, and elementary school as it now sits. She hoped this
option was not being communicated to Foothill.
Mayor Espinosa said he would support the Amendment to the Amendment
because the language added did not close the door completely and gave an
opportunity for a comprehensive conversation. The City would be sending a
message to decline a Letter of Interest and the language helped to keep the
door open.
24 07/11/2011
AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT PASSED: 6-2 Klein, Shepherd no,
Price absent
Mayor Espinosa said the Council would return to Council Member Klein’s
Amendment regarding the language declining the Letter of Intent and the
willingness to explore other options within the City should they become
available.
AMENDMENT AS AMENDED PASSED: 8-0 Price absent
Council Member Klein said he supported the Motion consistent with a
number of public speakers and to move forward in having serious
conversations between the City the School District. The City no longer was
in the position of having the same resources or revenues as in the past.
Negotiations would be difficult and would recognize the School District was
short of money. There was the need to resolve the use of the 8 acres and
take into account the buildings on the site needed $10 million in
infrastructure improvements and repairs. He said School Board Members
had indicated the 8 acres may not be needed until 2030s which would put
the City in an awkward position. There were other potential uses for the 8
acres and he was not certain that the School District would need every last
acre. Discussions needed to move forward regarding the School District’s
needs and suggested the discussion begin with the School District no later
than October 15th.
Vice Mayor Yeh said the Council would need to first apply the date of when
Staff would come back to Council with the defined process.
Council Member Shepherd said there were ways to allow Staff to come back
with the process and meet with the School District.
Council Member Klein said he hoped the discussion would be fruitful. There
were several issues that needed to be worked out for the good of the
community. He hoped the decision made in 2013 was one that everyone
would be proud of.
Council Member Scharff asked Vice Mayor Yeh to clarify retaining a portion
of the 8 acres for community services.
Vice Mayor Yeh said the intent of his Motion was to identify options for
portions of the 8 acres to remain committed for community services.
INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to include options for a portion of the Cubberley
site be committed to Community Services Department programs.
25 07/11/2011
Council Member Scharff said he heard the School District say that they
needed all 35 acres. He thought the School District, in partnership with the
City, should start planning the Cubberely site to determine how many acres
would be required for school sites and developing a long-term plan for the
site.
AMENDMENT: Council Member Scharff moved, seconded by Vice Mayor
Yeh to direct Staff to work with PAUSD to identify options for the Cubberley
site with no firm number of acres.
Council Member Scharff asked Vice Mayor Yeh what his thoughts were in
partnering with the School District and through a process with the City’s
Planning Department, identify options for a long-term plan to support
decision-making when the item returns to the Council.
Vice Mayor Yeh said first a determination would need to be made regarding
when and how the School District would need to open Cubberely as an active
school on the Cubberely site.
Council Member Scharff asked if that was meant to incorporate what the
School District needed.
Vice Mayor Yeh said he heard at the School Board meeting that the rollout
phase approach would be used at the Cubberley site depending on the
acreage the School District needed. They expressed a desire to conduct
Study Sessions. The School Board had conducted a Study Session for an
elementary school and contemplated a Study Session for a middle school
and high school. He said he would not want the City to absorb the process
because of the associated Staff time and cost but there was the process to
define between the City and the School Board.
Council Member Scharff said there were School Board Members present and
could perhaps address their Study Sessions with the number of acreage and
get to the level of detail.
Mayor Espinosa asked if there was clarification on Council Member Scharff’s
comment.
Council Member Shepherd clarified Council Member Scharff’s concerns and
said the Trustees were interested in having comparable and compatible
options going forward for the Cubberley site and its entirety of 34 acres
would still be undersized compared to Gunn High School and Palo Alto Senior
High School (PALY) which were between 40 and 50 acres.
26 07/11/2011
Council Member Scharff confirmed he heard the School Board needed all 35
acres.
Council Member Shepherd said the Motion gave enough allowance for
Council Member Scharff’s intent.
Council Member Scharff said his intent was to determine how many acres
the School District would need and what portion of the site the community
services were leaving. He expressed an interest to include a financial plan
regarding maintenance as mentioned by Council Member Klein that the
buildings were deteriorating.
Vice Mayor Yeh said the Infrastructure Blue Ribbon Committee (IBRC) was
looking at the Cubberley site to identify costs associated with maintenance.
It was not long-ranged but he believed that was how the $16 million figure
was determined for infrastructure. He was comfortable with the IBRC and
the process instituted. He addressed Council Member Holman’s concerns of
what portion of the site was being referred to as the 8 acres. He said he had
specified 8 acres and clarified the first part of the Motion for the Council to
direct the City Manager to return to the City Council by October 1st with the
process defined with the School District that addressed each others interest
in the Cubberely site and adjacent properties. Community services were
directly related to what the City controlled.
INCORPORATED INTO THE AMENDMENT WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to explore the option of purchasing the adjacent
2.6 acres at the Greendell property at fair market value.
Mayor Espinosa said he needed clarification form the City Attorney whether
discussions to purchase adjacent property could be initiated this evening
since it was not on this evening’s agenda. It was his understanding that the
IBRC was not looking at Cubberley in a limited way.
Mr. Keene confirmed that the IBRC was looking in a general sense.
Council Member Scharff said it was noted in the Staff Report.
Council Member Burt suggested rather than initiate, it would be to explore.
Council Member Scharff said that would be fine.
Ms. Stump clarified the issue was not called out in the Agenda title, but
included in the Staff Report and could be included in this evening’s
discussion.
27 07/11/2011
Council Member Scharff said the Amendment would be to explore the 2.6
acres.
Council Member Burt asked to add “at fair market value” to the Amendment
Mr. Keene said the Motion seemed to direct Staff to have collaborative
conversations between the City and the School District and the addition
would be folded into bi-lateral work. He asked if the City could look into it
on its own.
Council Member Scharff said for the City to look on its own.
Senior Assistant City Attorney, Cara Silver, said the Motion was acceptable
in terms to explore. She believed there was the option to purchase the
property already pending but had to determine who the appropriate party
would be to explore those options and not interfere with existing contracts.
Council Member Burt asked if the Council was voting on the primary Motion.
Mayor Espinosa said nothing was being voted on at this point. He was
requesting the Maker of the Motion to reread the Motion for clarity.
Council Member Burt raised concerns regarding the Amendment. He said his
understanding of the contract was to deal with the party that had the option
and would preclude potential interference between the property owner and
whoever had the option at the time. He felt the clarification muddled the
Motion.
Ms. Stump said the Motion was general and gave overall direction to Staff.
The situation was complex and she recommended the Council keep it
general. She believed that Staff understood what they were asked to do.
She said they were not in the position to provide more specificity at this
evening’s discussion.
Council Member Burt said Vice Mayor Yeh spoke of a dedicated fund for
community services but did not clarify if funds would be used for operations
or for land and facilities.
Vice Mayor Yeh said he would be open to Council Member Burt’s preference
and turned to the City Attorney to see if Council Member Burt’s issue should
remain general.
Council Member Burt felt it was a policy issue.
28 07/11/2011
Mayor Espinosa asked Council Member Burt to state the specific language he
would like added.
Council Member Burt said, “that the dedicated fund for community services
would be for use of land acquisition and facilities capital expenditures.”
Council Member Scharff said many of the daycare services were being lost in
the process and expressed the importance having them addressed.
Vice Mayor Yeh said he supported Council Member Burt’s intent. He felt
daycare was partly feasible in Palo Alto because of subsidized rates and did
not did not know whether subsidized rates were operating costs.
Council Member Scharff said lowering the payments and giving subsidized
lease rates would not be an operating cost.
Mr. Keene said the Motion provided detailed direction for Staff to have
exploratory conversations with the School District and to return to the
Council with a defined process by October 1st. He said the Motion contained
enough general direction to get started and Staff could come back to the
Council for more clarification or redirection within a few weeks if needed. He
felt the addition to explore the acquisition of the 2.6 acres needed to be
addressed immediately and not wait until October 1st.
Council Member Shepherd raised concerns that the funds were being
dedicated only to land, facilities, and perpetuity. She needed clarification on
what portion of the UUT was the Motion referring to.
Council Member Burt clarified there was a misstatement in the Motion and
UUT was referred to as the lease covenant. There was a large portion of the
UUT that was beyond the lease covenant. His understanding was that it was
a lease plus a covenant and the Motion should reflect the lease with the
School District and the Covenant Not to Develop.
Council Member Shepherd said she thought the original Motion was to bring
forward and sunset the covenant in a clear manner to the Council, the
School District, and Staff and to manage portions of the funds that were
dedicated to the covenant and the lease.
Mayor Espinosa needed clarification from the City Attorney.
Ms. Stump said she understood the Motion to be a general Motion for the
City Manager to come back with a process with certain topics the Council
29 07/11/2011
wanted to hear. She clarified the various restrictions on funds was not on
tonight’s Agenda. What was agendized was consideration of the Letter of
Interest and to collaborate with the School District with respect to Foothill
De Anza College.
AMENDMENT: Council Member Burt moved, seconded by Council Member
Scharff to: 1) include a dedicated fund in the Community Services
Department that would be for the use of land acquisition and facilities capital
expenditures, and 2) request Staff come back with an alternative proposal to
allow redirection of the lease and covenant revenue to capital expenditures.
Council Member Klein said he found it unreasonable to introduce new ideas
prior to Staff working on the issues.
AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT: Council Member Klein moved,
seconded by Council Member Holman to delete the language proposed by
Council Member Burt.
Council Member Klein said his understanding of the original Motion was to
begin a negotiation process with topics the Council wanted discussed. He
raised concerns that the issues being discussed assumed getting large
amounts of money. There was no guarantee that would happen. He said
funds cannot be spent when negotiations had not even started. He
suggested returning to the original Motion to provide Staff with general
direction in getting the negotiations started.
Council Member Holman supported Council Members Klein’s Amendment.
She agreed the original Motion was to provide general direction and was
confident that Staff would return prior to October 1st if they needed
additional direction from the Council.
Council Member Schmid said redirecting funds could add up to $7 million per
year and should be negotiated and not permanently determined.
AMENDMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER BURT WITHDRAWN
AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN
INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to include the exploration of options for up to the
8 acres at the Cubberley site.
Mayor Espinosa noted the maker of the Motion accepted the appropriate
changes on the language that related to lease and covenant.
30 07/11/2011
Council Member Schmid said the purpose of the Motion was to work with the
School District and collaborate on mutual needs. He was in favor of looking
at other properties starting with the 2.6 acres to help find community
services at the Cubberley site. He addressed the openness to look at a
financial aspect and to move forward in making this work. He supported the
Motion.
Mayor Espinosa needed clarification from Vice Mayor Yeh regarding looking
into options for community services on the 8 acres at Cubberley site.
AMENDMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER SCHARFF WITHDRAWN
Mayor Espinosa raised concerns regarding this evening’s conversation as it
related to the Motion. He said the conversation had been characterized that
the Council did not want to have a broader conversation with the community
and School District and was forced by Foothill College. The Council had
wanted to have this conversation for quite awhile. Last year, the Council
brought together all parties involved with a plea to have a master-planning
conversation and to provide specificity on the goals and long-term
opportunities. He said the Council was committed to moving forward an to
have transparent public conversations with no delays and was ready to take
a leadership role in answering questions and to craft a long-term plan.
MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED: 8-0 Price absent
Mr. Keene said it was clear that Staff was directed to start work on the main
Motion as it related to the two Amendments 1) to decline the Letter of Intent
and to express that the City was open to working with Foothill-DeAnza
College at looking at other sites as they come available, and 2) to explore
the possible use of a minority portion of the City-owned 8 acres.
Mayor Espinosa said both options are to be incorporated into the Letter of
Intent.
11a. (Former No. 9) Update of SB 375/Initial Vision Scenario (IVS) for a
Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) and Direction on City’s
Preliminary Response to Regional Agencies, and Update of Regional
Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Process.
MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Yeh to
postpone Agenda Item No. 9 to the next available Council meeting.
MOTION PASSED: 7-1 Schmid no, Price absent
31 07/11/2011
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vice Mayor Yeh thanked the Community Services Department for their hard
work putting together the annual Chili Cook-off.
Council Member Shepherd spoke regarding her attendance at the Peninsula
League of Cities dinner held on June 30, 2011.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 12:24 a.m.