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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-14 City Council Action Minutes 11/14/2011 ACTION MINUTES Special Meeting November 14, 2011 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Conference Room at 6:04 P.M. Present: Burt, Espinosa, Holman, Klein arrived @ 7:00 P.M., Price, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd, Yeh arrived @ 7:00 P.M. Absent: STUDY SESSION 1. Joint Study Session With the Architectural Review Board. The Architectural Review Board (ARB) members presented an overview of their recent efforts, noting the volume of meetings and development projects, clarifying overlap and coordination with the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC), and discussing key questions. The City Council asked questions regarding processes, spoke regarding the key questions, and encouraged the ARB in their efforts to bring up various issues and coordinate with the PTC. MOTION: Mayor Espinosa moved, seconded by Council Member Scharff to move Agenda Item Nos. 2 and 3, to become Agenda Item Nos. 7a and 7b. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 2. Study Session with Pacific Gas & Electric Company on Gas Transmission Lines. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY 3. Community Presentation by the Downtown Street Teams. 4. Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Sandra C. Brown Upon Her Retirement. Staff requested this item be moved to a date uncertain. 2 11/14/2011 5. Resolution 9210 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing to Scott Wong Upon His Retirement”. MOTION: Council Member Price moved, seconded by Council Member Klein to approve the Resolution expressing appreciation to Scott Wong upon his retirement. MOTION PASSED: 9-0 6. Appointments for Three Positions on the Parks and Recreation Commission for Three Year Terms Ending on December 31, 2014. First Round of voting for three positions on the Parks and Recreation Commission for three year terms ending on December 31, 2014: Voting For Stacey Ashlund: Holman, Price, Schmid, Yeh Voting For Tricia Baker: Espinosa, Scharff, Shepherd Voting For Ty Butler: Voting For Deidre Crommie: Burt, Espinosa, Holman, Klein, Price, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd, Yeh Voting For Hank Edson: Burt, Klein Voting For Pat Markevitch: Burt, Espinosa, Holman, Klein, Price, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd, Yeh City Clerk, Donna Grider announced that Deidre Crommie with 9 votes, and Pat Markevitch with 9 votes were each appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission for Three Year Terms Ending on December 31, 2014. Second Round of voting for one position on the Parks and Recreation Commission for three year term ending on December 31, 2014: Voting For Stacey Ashlund: Burt, Holman, Price, Schmid, Shepherd, Yeh Voting For Tricia Baker: Espinosa, Klein, Scharff, Voting For Ty Butler: 3 11/14/2011 Voting For Hank Edson: City Clerk, Donna Grider announced that Stacey Ashlund with 6 votes, was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a three year term ending on December 31, 2014. 7. Appointment for One Unexpired Term on the Public Art Commission Ending on April 30, 2012. First Round of voting for one unexpired term on the Public Art Commission ending on April 30, 2012: Voting For Richard Ambrose: Burt, Espinosa, Holman, Klein, Price, Scharff, Schmid, Yeh Voting For Harriet Stern: Voting For Arlene Stevens: Shepherd City Clerk, Donna Grider announced that Richard Ambrose with 8 votes, was appointed to one unexpired term on the Public Art Commission ending on April 30, 2012. 7b. (Former No. 3) Community Presentation by the Downtown Street Team. Chris Richardson, Operations Manager for the Downtown Streets Team (DST) thanked the Council for its ongoing support of the organization through both Human Services Resources Allocation Process and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding. He explained that the contract with the Business Improvement District was to not only clean the downtown streets and garages, but to provide outreach to the un- housed. In an average week, team members provide over 400 man-hours of cleaning and “eyes on the street” in our downtown streets, garages, and alleys. They also work closely with the Palo Alto Police Department and the Community Services Department. Recent accomplishments for DST include the growth of the program from two to nine staffers and now the program has over 40 team members (the un-housed) in Palo Alto. Recently, they became a certified Community Development Based Organization (CDBO) and were awarded a CDBG grant to add an Employment Development Specialist and a Case Manager to do “whatever it takes” to graduate team members into employment. In less than four months, they have exceeded their quota for the year and experienced two consecutive record-breaking months, despite the tough economy. In addition, at the Council meeting, two current team members, Michael Davis and Shannon Giovacchi, shared their personal stories of how DST 4 11/14/2011 have helped them go from homelessness to employment and housing by working with the program. 7a. (Former No. 2) Study Session with Pacific Gas & Electric Company on Gas Transmission Lines. PG&E Representative, Todd Hogenson, gave a PowerPoint presentation on their Gas Transmission System Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan (PSEP) within the City of Palo Alto. The presentation provided general information on pipeline routes, age and weld types for the three gas transmission lines in Palo Alto (Lines 109, 132, and 101). Also covered was PG&E’s current program to monitor and test these pipelines and their plans for future maintenance and replacement. Several items came up for PG&E follow-up and they will be getting back to staff on those items. CONSENT CALENDAR Staff requested Agenda Item No. 9 be pulled to be heard on November 28, 2011. Staff requested Agenda Item No. 11 be moved to a date uncertain. MOTION: Council Member Shepherd moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Yeh to approve Agenda Item Nos. 8,10, and 12-13. 8. Finance Committee Recommendation to Accept the City Auditor’s Office Fiscal Year 2012 Proposed Workplan. 9. Adoption of a Budget Amendment Ordinance Amending the Fiscal Year 2012 to Provide Additional Appropriations of $1,210,704 to the Planning And Community Environment Department, $247,427 to the Public Works Department, $62,295 to the Fire Department, and $935,600 to the Information Technology Department to Fund the Implementation of the Blueprint Process Plan for the Development Center. 10. Approval of a Contract With Signs & Services, Inc. in the Amount of $474,403 for Signage for the Mitchell Park Library and Community Center (CIP PE-09006 and LB-11000). 11. Adoption of a Budget Amendment Ordinance in the Amount of $111,487.75 to Fund the Purchase of seven (7) Diesel Particulate Filter Devices; the Approval of a Purchase Order with Emissions 5 11/14/2011 Retrofit Group in an Amount Not to Exceed $60,550.72 for the purchase and installation of four (4) Diesel Particulate Filter Devices and the Approval of a Purchase Order with Diesel Emission Service in an amount not to exceed $50,937.03 for the purchase and installation of three (3) Diesel Particulate Filter Devices (Vehicle Replacement Fund Capital Improvement Project VR-07002) of a Budget Amendment Ordinance for Staffing Changes in the Development Center. 12. Approval of a Three Year Contract in the amount of $323,232 with Downtown Streets, Inc for Janitorial Services for the City's Five Downtown Parking Garages, Downtown Sidewalks and Alleys. 13. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Delegation Affirmation of Council Member Price. MOTION PASSED for Agenda Item Nos. 8, 10, and 12-13: 9-0 ACTION ITEMS 14. Adoption of the Revised Rail Committee Guiding Principles for City Council. MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member Shepherd to approve the revised Rail Committee Guiding Principles. AMENDMENT: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member Holman to amend the Guiding Principles by adding Roman Numeral I-Overall Policy and Roman Numeral II-Guiding Principles: I - Overall Policy City Council believes that the 2012 business plan of the High Speed Rail (HSR) Authority shows that HSR costs are too high, and its projected ridership too low, and therefore urge our legislators to terminate the HSR program or as an alternative place the matter on the November 2012 ballot for the people to decide the issue. II- Guiding Principles If HSR project moves forward the City’s Guiding Principles shall be: 1. The City is opposed to an elevated alignment of HSR/Caltrain in Palo Alto. 2. The City’s preferred vertical alignment of fixed rail in Palo Alto is below grade. 6 11/14/2011 3. All neighborhoods in Palo Alto affected by HSR/Caltrain should be treated with equal consideration with respect to vertical alignment impacts. 4. The City believes that the pending program EIR for the Central Valley to San Francisco portion of HSR is fatally flawed and that the HSR Authority should reopen and reconsider its decision to use the Pacheco Pass route. 5. The City supports the findings of the Legislative Analyst’s Office, State Auditor and the HSR Peer Review Committee which question the viability and accuracy of the Authority’s Business Plan on such matters as the, ridership projections, identification of sufficient and reliable funding sources, project management and operations of HSR. 6. The City favors legislation which would enable effective implementation of the HSR Peer Review Committee authorized by AB 3034. 7. Palo Alto supports transit and urban design solutions that will be compatible with our economic development strategies, transportation goals, and vision of the transit corridor within our boundaries; HSR/Caltrain needs to complement the goals and strategies of our Comprehensive Plan. 8. Palo Alto supports the use of the Context Sensitive Solutions related to HSR and Caltrain that is effectively funded and implemented by the Authority. 9. The High Speed Rail Authority should provide sufficient funding to affected Cities to allow them to hire experts to study reports requiring feedback and sufficient outreach to the community to capture their concerns and suggestions. 10.Proposed changes to the Caltrain corridor by either the Authority or Caltrain should provide realistic renderings of the various alternatives and also provide simulations that would help to provide an understanding of the sound and vibrations. 11.Palo Alto strongly supports Caltrain and the commuter rail service at the present or improved levels of service. 12.Palo Alto also supports the modernization of Caltrain, and/or as the lead agent for a phased alignment with but independent of HSR. 7 11/14/2011 13.Palo Alto will work cooperatively with neighboring communities with respect to HSR and Caltrain issues of mutual concern through vehicles such as the Peninsula Cities Consortium. 14.Palo Alto expects all current rail crossings to remain active. In the event that the modernization of Caltrain and/or HSR increases train service from current 2011 levels, Palo Alto supports grade separation for the Alma, Churchill, East Meadow, and East Charleston crossings. 15.The Guiding Principles of the Committee incorporates Council adopted written comments to the Authority, the Caltrain Joint Powers Board, and other relevant agencies. INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MAKER AND SECONDER to delete the words “ too low” in Roman Numeral I- Overall Policy, making the sentence “… and its projected ridership is fundamentally flawed…”. SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Council Member Scharff moved, seconded by Council Member Schmid to; 1) refer this back to the Rail Committee to evaluate whether the Council should take the stance that they believe the 2012 business plan of the High Speed Rail Authority showed that the High Speed Rail costs are too high, and its projected ridership is fundamentally flawed, and therefore urge our legislators to terminate the HSR program or as an alternative place the matter on the November 2012, and 2) the Rail Committee is to return to Council with a recommendation. SUBSTITUTE MOTION RESTATED: Council Member Scharff moved, seconded by Council Member Schmid to return the matter to the Rail Committee to draft language and rationale for the City to go on record urging the legislature to terminate the High Speed Rail Program or place the matter on November 2012 ballot. AMENDMENT TO SUBSTITUTE: Council Member Burt moved, seconded by Council Member Scharff to add the word “evaluate” prior to the wording “the draft language”. AMENDMENT PASSED: 8-1 Klein no SUBSTITUTE MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED: 9-0 MOTION: Council Member Holman moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Yeh to refer to the High Speed Rail Committee alternative language to Guiding Principle No. 14 as follows: “…Palo Alto will consider grade separation solutions for the Alma, Churchill,…” and add language at the end of the 8 11/14/2011 sentence “…that is effectively funded and implemented by the lead agency.” MOTION PASSED: 9-0 MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member Price to delete Guiding Principle Number 8- Palo Alto supports the use of the Context Sensitive Solutions related to HSR and Caltrain that is effectively funded and implemented by the Authority. MOTION FAILED: 3-6 Klein, Price, Schmid yes MOTION: Council Member Klein moved, seconded by Council Member Scharff to refer the entire Guiding Principles to the Rail Committee. MOTION PASSED: 8-1 Shepherd no COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Vice Mayor Yeh stated he would be participating in Assembly Member Gordon’s Local Government Advisory Committee meeting on November 17, 2011. The City Council convened into the Closed Sessions at 11:06 PM. CLOSED SESSION 15. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his designees pursuant to Merit System Rules and Regulations (James Keene, Pamela Antil, Lalo Perez, Joe Saccio, Sandra Blanch, Marcie Scott, Darrell Murray, Dennis Burns) Employee Organization: Palo Alto Police Officers (PAPOA) Association Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6(a) 16. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his designees pursuant to Merit System Rules and Regulations (James Keene, Pamela Antil, Lalo Perez, Joe Saccio, Sandra Blanch, Marcie Scott, Darrell Murray, Dennis Burns) - Employee Organization: Palo Alto Police Managers’ Association (Sworn) - Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6(a) 17. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his designees pursuant to Merit System Rules and Regulations (James Keene, Pamela Antil, Lalo Perez, Joe Saccio, Sandra Blanch, Marcie Scott, 9 11/14/2011 Darrell Murray, Val Fong) Employee Organization: Utilities Management and Professional Association of Palo Alto (UMPAPA) Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6(a) The City Council reconvened from the Closed Sessions at 12:15 A.M. and Mayor Espinosa advised no reportable action. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 A.M.