Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-09 City Council Summary Minutes SUMMARY MINUTES Page 1 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 City Council Special Meeting August 9, 2021 5:00 PM The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in virtual teleconference at 5:00 P.M. Participating Remotely: Burt, Cormack, DuBois, Filseth, Kou, Stone, Tanaka Absent: None. Closed Session 1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his designees Pursuant to Merit System Rules and Regulations (Ed Shikada, Rumi Portillo, Molly Stump, Kiely Nose, Bob Jonsen, Geo Blackshire, Dean Batchelor, Nick Raisch) Employee Organizations: Service Employees International Union, (SEIU) Local 521; Service Employees International Union, (SEIU) Local 521, Hourly Unit; Palo Alto Police Officers Association (PAPOA); Palo Alto Fire Chiefs’ Association (FCA) and Employee Organization: International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Local 1319; Palo Alto Police Manager’s Association (PAPMA); Utilities Management and Professional Association of Palo Alto (UMPAPA); Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6(a). MOTION: Council Member Filseth moved, seconded by Council Member Cormack to adjourn to Closed Session. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Council adjourned to Closed Session at 5:04 P.M. Council returned from Closed Session at 6:25 P.M. Mayor DuBois announced no reportable action. Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions Mayor DuBois advised that Agenda Item Number 15 was going to be heard prior to Agenda Item Number 11, and Agenda Item Number 13 may be heard at 9:00 P.M. Oral Communications Keith Bennett stated the City should not allow dewatering during droughts and requested the Council enact new regulations requiring recharge of all groundwater SUMMARY MINUTES Page 2 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 pumped for construction dewatering during periods of requested and mandated water conservation. David Coale discussed the United Nations' report on climate change. If the Council did not act, the City was not going to attain its climate action goals. He wanted the Council to seek exemptions from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements so that meaningful actions were possible prior to December 2022. Jimmy Apffel, Bloom Energy, invited the public to participate in the inaugural Stars and Strides community run to support frontline hospital workers and their patients. Stacey Ashlund looked forward to a Council discussion of a Safe Firearms Storage Ordinance, which the Council directed Staff to draft in December 2020. Debby Mytels commented that electricity supply, transportation, buildings, and industrial emissions were the main causes of greenhouse gases (GHG). The Fossil- Free Buildings Coalition offered an ambassador program to assist residents with switching from gas to electric appliances. Michael Elliott, Valley Medical Center Foundation Executive Director, indicated the Stars and Strides run was intended to raise funds to support COVID-19 response efforts. He encouraged the public to participate in the event. Chris Robell referred to social media posts regarding removal of a protected tree at 2470 Bryant and inquired about plans to hire a City Arborist. He hoped the Council was considering low-cost and no-cost actions to address climate change. Council took a break at 6:45 P.M. and returned at 6:55 P.M. Minutes Approval 2. Approval of Action Minutes for the June 14, 21 and 22, 2021 City Council Meetings. MOTION: Council Member Filseth moved, seconded by Council Member Kou to approve the Action Minutes for the June 14, 21 and 22, 2021 City Council Meetings. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Consent Calendar Council Member Kou registered a no vote on Agenda Item Number 5. Council Member Cormack registered a no vote on Agenda Item Number 10. Council Member Tanaka registered no votes on Agenda Item Numbers 3, 4, and 6. MOTION: Council Member Kou moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Burt, third by Council Member Tanaka to pull Agenda Item Number 5 to be heard on a date uncertain. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 3 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 Grace Mah, Stevenson House President, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, requested the Council require Move Mountain View to determine whether participants were violent felons, sexual offenders, or child molesters to ensure the safety of people visiting, working, and residing in the area. Xiuqun Wu with the aid of a translator addressed Agenda Item Number 5. She requested background checks for participants in the Safe Parking Program for the safety of Stevenson House residents. Her neighbor was interested in learning whether program participants were going to utilize restrooms at Stevenson House and going to be long-term residents at the parking lot. Shujjuan Han with the aid of a translator addressed Agenda Item Number 5. She supported the program as long as background checks were performed on participants. Stevenson House residents often left their windows open and were concerned about safety. Lifu Yan with the aid of a translator addressed Agenda Item Number 5. He concurred with Ms. Han's comments and inquired regarding the possibility of closing the bridge between Stevenson House and the parking lot nightly. Lien Tsang with the aid of a translator addressed Agenda Item Number 5. He did not support the Safe Parking Program because no one was going to regulate participants. He expressed concern that participants may not be vaccinated and may not comply with masking protocols while on Stevenson House property. Michael Slack, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, supported security background checks for Safe Parking Program participants. Eva Lang, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, concurred with conducting background checks for program participants. The church hosting the program operated a homeless shelter for more than 20 years, which seemed to indicate that the organization had a good record for running programs for the homeless. Micki Cooley, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, noted that the Safe Parking Program location was surrounded by schools, Magical Bridge and Mitchell Park, and Stevenson House. Background checks for program participants would ensure the safety of participants and the community. Jill Harris, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, indicated that background checks for Safe Parking Program participants would provide some security for residents of Stevenson House. Terry Prater, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, supported background checks of program participants as an important safety measure. Linda Henigin, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, expressed concern that public speakers assumed program participants may be dangerous. Move Mountain View staff were going to supervise participants, and participants were not going to be present when children commuted to schools. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 4 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 Hamilton Hitchings, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, noted that many programs screened participants to ensure they were not registered sex offenders or recent violent felons. Allegations that background checks violated fair employment and housing laws and were costly were not true. A requirement for participants to self-report criminal history was not effective. Christopher Kan, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, Unitarian Universalist Church Safe Parking Program Chair, urged the Council to approve the permit as Staff recommended. The program's safety plan met or exceeded recommendations and included checks to learn if participants were on parole or probation and legally allowed to reside in the parking lot. The church agreed to provide a 24-hour hotline, coordinate with the Palo Alto Police Department, and hire security. The program improved safety by helping the needy obtain permanent housing. Background checks were highly detrimental to people of color. Kevin Ma, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, asked the Council to approve the permit. The Safe Parking Ordinance required the operator to participate in the County of Santa Clara (County) program, and the County program's policy discouraged background checks. Without the Safe Parking Program, potential participants were living on streets in the area. Weijia Cheng, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, supported approval of a permit for the Safe Parking Program. Safe parking programs were both safe and effective. Angie Evans, Palo Alto Forward, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, supported the Safe Parking Program and Staff's recommendation to deny the appeal. The Santa Monica program was a model for programs across the country and did not recommend background checks. Kelsey Banes, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, understood people's concerns about safety; however, potential participants were members of the community and needed a safe place to live and connect with services. A background check was a barrier to services. Brooke Bishara, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, Unitarian Universalist Church Board of Trustees President, reported two shelters were housed on the church campus, and no incidents had occurred. The Safe Parking Program was going to improve the safety of all residents. The church would not support the program if it felt the program was a safety concern for Stevenson House residents and congregants. Edie Keating, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, hoped the Council denied the appeal and allowed the church to add four parking spaces. Requiring a background check sounded reasonable, but a requirement led to other issues. The good judgment of trained case workers was more valuable than a background check. Elizabeth Ratner, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, League of Women Voters, supported denial of the appeal. Background checks weakened protections for unhoused neighbors and the neighborhood. Absent evidence that established SUMMARY MINUTES Page 5 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 intake procedures reduced the safety of residents and neighbors, the appeal needed to be denied. Chuck Jagoda, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, believed the issue of background checks was complicated, and many homeless people also supported background checks. Kat Snyder , addressing Agenda Item Number 5, urged the Council to deny the appeal. Not everyone with a criminal history was a safety concern or violent. Dave Joki, addressing Agenda Item Number 5, remarked that characterizing vehicle dwellers as dangerous was unfair. MOTION: Mayor DuBois moved to approve Agenda Item Numbers 3 through 4 and 6 through 10. 3. Approval of a Design-Build Contract With INDECT USA CORPORATION in the Amount of $2,241,310; and Authorization for the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders up to a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $224,131 for the Downtown Automated Parking Guidance System Design-Build Project, Capital Improvement Program Project PL-15002. 4. Approve an Agreement Between the City of Palo Alto and the City of East Palo Alto for a Limited Emergency Water Supply Intertie. 5. QUASI-JUDICIAL. 505 E Charleston Road [21PLN-00068]: Appeal of Director's Approval of a Safe Parking Permit Application. Approved by the Director of Planning and Development Services on May 12, 2021. Environmental Assessment: Exempt per CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). Zoning District: Single-Family Residential (R-1). 6. Adoption of Resolution 9978 Establishing Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Secured and Unsecured Property Tax Levy for the City of Palo Alto’s General Obligation Bond Indebtedness (2008 Measure N - Library General Obligation Bonds). 7. Endorse and Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Joint Letter to the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) From the Cities of Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale Recommending a Measure B Funding Allocation for Grade Separations. 8. Adoption of Resolution 9979 Vacating Public Utility Easement at 3500 Louis Road. 9. Approve the Housing Element Working Group Alternate Replacement and Modify Protocols for Participation for Alternates During Working Group Meetings. 10. SECOND READING: Adoption of Ordinance 5529 Establishing Board and Commission Term Limits, Consolidating Appointments to April of Each Year, and Codifying the Human Relations Commission's Existing Role of SUMMARY MINUTES Page 6 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 Recommending Grant Funding (FIRST READING: June 21, 2021 PASSED: 6-1 Cormack no). MOTION PASSED FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3, 4, 6: 6-1 Tanaka no MOTION PASSED FOR AGENDA ITEMS NUMBER 7-9: 7-0 MOTION PASSED FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 10: 6-1 Cormack no Council Member Cormack was not comfortable with a term limit of nine years. Council Member Tanaka supported installation of a parking guidance system, but the contract contained two total amounts, and the cost per space was more than double the typical cost. Given the economic times and the receipt of only one bid, the City needed to be cautious. Agenda Item Numbers 4 and 6 should have been Action Items. City Manager Comments City Manager Ed Shikada reported masks were required indoors regardless of an individual's vaccination status. The delta variant of COVID-19 continued to impact healthcare capacity. COVID-19 testing was scheduled for August 23, 2021, and information about testing and vaccination sites was available at sccfreevax.org and cityofpaloalto.org/testing. An informational report in the Council packet contained updates regarding activities in July 2021. City services were available to the public through in-person appointments at City Hall and phone and online appointments. Phased reopening of all Library branches was underway. The next meeting of the Housing Element Working Group was scheduled for August 10, 2021. Staff planned to meet with County of Santa Clara (County) Staff to learn about the study that found high lead emissions from airplanes. The City of East Palo Alto was made aware of the issue. The Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Ad Hoc Committee was scheduled to meet on August 12, 2021 and the second Thursday of each month through December 2021. The Black Index exhibit at the Palo Alto Art Center was going to close on August 14, 2021. The Twilight Concert Series continued on August 14 and 21, 2021. Upcoming Council Agenda Items included a workplan for a potential Business Tax ballot measure, grade separation alternatives, Foothills fire mitigation strategies, Residential Preferential Parking (RPP) management and fees, objective standards for affordable housing, a Study Session with the Independent Police Auditor (IPA), and economic development. Vice Mayor Burt requested the City Manager comment regarding Agenda Item Number 7. Mr. Shikada advised that the agreement formalized division of Measure B funding allocated to grade separations. The City was going to receive 50 percent of $700 million allocated to grade separations in North County. Chief Transportation Official Philip Kamhi and Transportation Staff worked with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and the cities of Mountain View and Sunnyvale to accomplish the agreement. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 7 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 Action Items 15. Approval of the Appointment of Gayathri Kanth as Director of Libraries and Darren Numoto Director of Information Technology/Chief Information Officer. City Manager Ed Shikada reported the Council confirmed Department Director appointments. The Library and Information Technology (IT) Departments were unique and extraordinary. Recruitments for the positions began prior to the pandemic and were placed on hold during the pandemic. MOTION: Mayor DuBois moved, seconded by Council Member Filseth to approve the appointments of Gayathri Kanth as Director, Libraries; and Darren Numoto as Director, Information Technology/Chief Information Officer. Council Member Tanaka requested the salaries for each person prior to their appointments and for the prior Directors. Human Resources Director Rumi Portillo indicated their salaries were going to be approximately 7 percent more than their salaries as Interim Directors. She agreed to provide precise amounts for Ms. Kanth, Mr. Numoto, and prior Directors. MOTION PASSED/FAILED: 6-0-1 Tanaka Abstain Mayor DuBois congratulated Ms. Kanth and Mr. Numoto on their appointments. Acting Director of Libraries Gayathri Kanth thanked the Council for the opportunity to serve as Director of Palo Alto Libraries. Library Staff's passionate and professional attitude made working with them a joy. The Friends of the Palo Alto Library supported the Library for many years. The community's support and high expectations attracted her to Palo Alto and inspired her to continue improving services. Thirty years ago, Libraries provided her with resources and a welcoming space that inspired her to become a librarian. Acting Director of Information Technology/Chief Information Officer Darren Numoto expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve as Director of IT and for the diversity of the Bay Area. Serving as IT Director was an honor in light of Palo Alto being the birthplace of Silicon Valley. IT Staff collaborated and transitioned City systems to remote work within a week of the start of the pandemic and to continue providing services to the community. He committed to providing cost-effective, efficient, innovative, and secure technology solutions and to improve and streamline services. He acknowledged the support of the Executive Leadership Team and IT colleagues. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 8 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 11. PUBLIC HEARING/PROPOSITION 218: Adoption of two Resolutions: 1) Adopting the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Wastewater Collection Utility Financial Plan and Amending the Wastewater Collection Utility Reserve Management Practices; 2) Amending Utility Rate Schedules S-1 (Residential Wastewater Collection and Disposal), S-2 (Commercial Wastewater Collection and Disposal), S-6 (Restaurant Wastewater Collection and Disposal) and S-7 (Commercial Wastewater Collection and Disposal – Industrial Discharger). Director of Utilities Dean Batchelor reviewed the Resolutions before the Council. Utility Rate Manager Eric Keniston reported a portion of the proposed 3 percent rate increase was going to fund an annual contribution to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Reserve. Staff's alternative proposal of a 0 percent increase resulted in a $200,000 reduction in spending, and the Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) and Finance Committee did not believe that was appropriate. A Cost of Service Study revealed that residential customers' contribution to wastewater outflow had increased. Consequently, wastewater rates increased 4.7 percent for residential customers and 1.5 percent for commercial customers and decreased 2.1 percent for restaurant customers. Future projections included a 3 percent rate increase in fiscal year (FY) 2023 and annual 5 percent increases in FY 2024, 2025, and 2026. Charges for commercial customers were based on usage, and the minimum charge was eliminated. City Attorney Molly Stump advised that the public hearing was governed by Proposition 218. A notice of the hearing was mailed to effected wastewater customers on June 16, 2021, and the City Clerk accepted any written protests to the proposed rates. At the close of public comment, the City Clerk was going to cease accepting protests. Protests had to be written and received by the City Clerk. Customers wishing to submit a written protest needed to indicate their desire via Zoom to the City Clerk, who was going to provide instructions for submitting a written protest. At the end of the protest period, the City Clerk intended to count protests. If a majority of affected customers submitted protests, the Council was not allowed to impose a new rate. Otherwise, the Council was allowed to discuss and adopt the proposed wastewater rates. Public Hearing opened at 8:16 P.M. and closed at 8:17 P.M. with no public comment. City Clerk Lesley Milton reported receipt of one written protest prior to the meeting, and it was included in the Agenda packet. MOTION: Council Member Cormack moved, seconded by Mayor DuBois to: A. Adopt a Resolution approving: a. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Wastewater Collection Utility Financial Plan; b. Up to a $2.2 million transfer from the Operations to the Capital Improvements Projects Reserve in FY 2021; SUMMARY MINUTES Page 9 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 c. Up to a $4.35 million capital program contribution from the Operations to the Capital Improvements Projects Reserve in FY 2022; d. Amendments to the Wastewater Collection Utility Reserves Management Practices; and B. Adopt a Resolution approving adjustments to Wastewater Collection Utility Rates via the Amendment of Wastewater Collection and Disposal Rate Schedules: a. S-1 (Residential Wastewater Collection and Disposal), S-2 (Commercial Wastewater Collection and Disposal), S-6 (Restaurant Wastewater Collection and Disposal) and S-7 (Commercial Wastewater Collection and Disposal – Industrial Discharger). Council Member Cormack noted that the Finance Committee discussed proposed rate increases in detail and determined rate increases were the appropriate method to fund rising costs. Council Member Kou requested the number of written protests that constituted a majority of customers. Ms. Stump explained that 22,279 property owners and customers were subject to the rate changes. Written protests by 11,140 prevented the Council from considering rate changes. Council Member Kou inquired whether industrial customers leaving the system resulted in the rate increase for residential customers. Mr. Keniston clarified that some of the industrial customers scaled back or changed operations. Water usage was shifting from industrial customers to smaller commercial customers. Industrial customers were utilizing more water for irrigation than industrial processes, and irrigation usage did not affect wastewater. Council Member Kou asked if commercial customers' charges exceeded the minimum in the past. Mr. Keniston responded no. Council Member Tanaka asked if the Staff Report compared Palo Alto's rates to other cities' rates. Mr. Keniston shared a table of comparisons and noted the table was prepared subsequent to submission of the Staff Report. Council Member Tanaka inquired about a comparison of rates for commercial customers. Mr. Keniston referred to Slide 13 of the presentation. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 10 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 Council Member Tanaka remarked that the tables were not provided to the Council. Mr. Keniston indicated that the table for commercial customers was contained in the Financial Plan. Council Member Tanaka asked if Los Altos was a partner in the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP). Mr. Keniston answered yes. Council Member Tanaka requested an explanation of the difference in Palo Alto's and Los Altos' wastewater nonresidential bills. Resource Planner Lisa Bilir advised that Los Altos utilized reserve funds to pay for capital costs through FY 2024. Comparing rates among cities was difficult because customer types and customers were different in each city. Council Member Tanaka requested the rationale for not comparing Palo Alto's rates with the other RWQCP partners. Ms. Bilir explained that the cities in the table were the usual cities selected for comparison. Council Member Tanaka requested the names of the remaining RWQCP partners and the commercial rates for those cities. Mr. Keniston answered Los Altos Hills, East Palo Alto, and Stanford. He did not have the commercial rates for the three cities. Staff would provide the rates shortly. Vice Mayor Burt noted that the Staff Report contained links to Staff Reports presented to the Finance Committee, and all Council Members received those reports at the time of the Finance Committee meeting. The Staff Report for wastewater collection contained almost all of the information Council Member Tanaka requested. Residential rates for the partner cities were similar. Palo Alto's rates were on the low end of the range of rates. Rates for Menlo Park and Redwood City were almost twice Palo Alto's rates. The RWQCP provided favorable, competitive rates. Investments in the RWQCP were prudent. Los Altos' commercial sector was very small, and focusing on Los Altos' rates as a point of comparison was not relevant. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 12. Review of South Palo Alto Bikeways Phase 1 Community Feedback and Concept Plan Alternatives, and Approve Preferred Concept Plan. Chief Transportation Official Philip Kamhi advised that the recommended Preferred Concept Plan was developed and modified through input from the community and Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC). Staff believed the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) was likely to modify the grant agreement to SUMMARY MINUTES Page 11 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 match the plan design. The plan did not include removal of a parking lane in Segment 4 of East Meadow Drive. Manager of Transportation Planning Sylvia Star-Lack reported the City received a $919,000 grant to improve bicycle facilities on the Waverley multiuse path, Fabian Way, and East Meadow Drive. The understanding with VTA required the City to deliver a protected bikeway along Fabian Way or East Meadow Drive and a facility that was a protected bikeway along some segments of the corridor and a buffered bikeway without vertical separations along the remaining segments. The grant required Caltrans' approval of the project such that construction began by January 2023. The three corridors were key routes for school commutes and connections to various community facilities. The number of students biking to Stanford Middle School increased from 48 percent in 2009 to 70 percent in 2019. The number of students biking to Gunn High School increased from 33 percent in 2009 to 50 percent in 2019. Later start times for secondary schools beginning in the fall of 2021 were likely to result in even higher rates of biking and walking. A 2020 survey of Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) parents revealed that a lack of protected bikeways was the main reason elementary school parents did not allow their children to bike to school. Projects such as the South Palo Alto Bikeways Project supported mode shifts from vehicles to active forms of travel and were a relatively low-cost and efficient strategy to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and barriers to bicycling. The Waverley multiuse path's existing conditions combined with high demand during school peak periods led to falls and collisions for students. Existing bicycle facilities made Fabian Way a difficult school commute route probably due to large crossing distances, traffic volumes and speeds, and lack of separation from vehicle traffic. East Meadow Drive was a popular school commute corridor and provided one travel lane, one bike lane, and one non-standard-width parking lane in each direction. East Meadow Drive's existing conditions exposed bicyclists to dooring risks, and obstruction of bike lanes caused bicyclists to utilize sidewalks. Steve Davis, Fehr & Peers, reviewed the engagement period of April 28 to July 14, methods of engagement, and themes contained in public comments. The preferred alternative for the Waverley multiuse path was widening the path where feasible. The design had the potential to provide the greatest enhancement to users' experiences while minimizing effects on trees. Based on feedback, Staff intended to explore a continuous, rigid barrier to replace the existing fence. The preferred alternative for Fabian Way included a reduction in travel lanes and maintenance of on-street parking as part of a parking-protected bikeway in the eastbound direction. Improvements for the segment could be coordinated with improvement programs from the Charleston-Arastradero project. East Meadow Drive was divided into four segments for the identification of a preferred alternative. The preferred alternative for Location 3 included a buffered bike lane along the residential side of the roadway, widening the on-street parking lane, and a protected bikeway along the school side of the roadway. The preferred design for Location 4 included reducing the width of travel lanes and applying visibility treatments to the bike lane. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 12 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 Ms. Star-Lack advised that with Council approval, Staff planned to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for design, conduct additional community engagement and parking and traffic studies, and implement temporary treatments. Scott O'Neil, speaking on behalf of Gail Price, Sean Hyatt Holman, Yekaterina O'Neil, Yulia O'Neil, and Kirill O'Neil, supported the project with full protected bike lanes along East Meadow and expressed concerns about street sweeping and bollards in Location 1 of East Meadow and parking. Keri Wagner remarked that the project was going to reassure parents about allowing their children to bike to school and was good for the community. She asked the Council to support the PTC's proposal. Arnout Boelens, speaking as an individual, urged the Council to move forward with the project. The project provided alternatives to driving. Protected bike lanes on Fabian Way provided a connection to the new Bike Bridge. The Waverley multiuse path was in desperate need of improvements. Students and their parents were essential stakeholders in the project, but no Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings were scheduled over the summer. Sue Freeman commented that many residents along East Meadow and nearby streets were not aware of community meetings for the project. She supported the retention of parking on East Meadow Location 4 and the use of stencils on the bike path. Kenneth Fehl noted that traffic calming was not discussed previously. Reducing lane widths was acceptable, but installing obstacles that increased emergency response times was not acceptable. The roundabout needed to be removed and the bike lanes restored. He appreciated the plan to retain on-street parking in Location 4. Robert Neff indicated that improvements to the Waverley bike path were needed. Fabian Way was long overdue for improvements. He suggested Staff improve the pedestrian crossing on Fabian Way and consider additional crossings. Back-in parking was safer than angle parking. Katie Rueff supported the preferred alternative because it increased safety for bicyclists, encouraged active transportation, and reduced carbon emissions. Penny Ellson asked the Council to support the Staff recommendation. The Waverley path was substandard and hazardous. The intersection of the path with East Meadow needed some adjustments. Staff did not eliminate the risk of dooring in Segment 4. Bike volumes on Fabian Way were low due to the terrible environment for biking. Fabian was an excellent candidate for a road diet and protected bike lanes. Patricia Stayte remarked that East Meadow residents only recently learned about the project. Many stakeholders were probably not aware of the project or unable to attend meetings. The survey excluded whole groups of citizens and contained sampling bias. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 13 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 Alan Wachtel, speaking as an individual, urged the Council not to approve the plan because it was bad for bicycle safety. Lane reconfiguration, removal of some parking, and conventional bike lanes were easy and quick to implement. The so- called protected bikeways created new right-turn conflicts at every intersection and driveway. Debra Goldeen supported the Staff recommendation. If parking was retained in Segment 4, squeezes and speed bumps were needed to reduce vehicle speed. Back-in parking was imperative. Kelsey Banes encouraged the Council to support the plan. Roadways such as Fabian were not good for bicyclists. People needed to feel safe when biking. Angie Evans, Palo Alto Forward, supported the Staff recommendation. Protected bike lanes were a commitment to reduce traffic and GHG emissions. Protected bike lanes were necessary for the safety of bicyclists. Kevin Ma supported the project. Green paint was not as safe as protected bike lanes. Grant funding was necessary to begin the project. Council Member Cormack requested the number of accidents that occurred at the East Meadow roundabout between 2015 and 2020. Mr. Kamhi advised that specific locations of accidents were not available. Council Member Cormack requested photos of buffered and protected bike lanes and asked if bollards, concrete barriers, and landscaped barriers were utilized in Phases I and II of the Charleston-Arastradero Project. Ms. Star-Lack indicated concrete barriers, landscaped barriers, and parking were utilized in the Charleston-Arastradero Project. Council Member Cormack asked if traffic calming involved reducing the width of the roadway or something more. Mr. Kamhi explained that traffic calming was the use of physical design and other measures to improve the safety of all modes of transportation. Proposed traffic calming measures were reducing the width of one lane by 1 foot and applying green paint at intersections and bike lane stencils. Council Member Cormack wholeheartedly supported the use of green paint. She inquired about community engagement for the connection to the Bike Bridge. Mr. Kamhi remarked that the connection to the Bike Bridge was not a component of the project, but it was related to the project. Information about access to the Bike Bridge was not dependent on the South Palo Alto Bikeways Project. Vice Mayor Burt commented that the project was an important connection in the bicycle network and to job centers and destinations. The project improved the safety and ease of bicycling. Traffic calming was intended to reduce traffic speeds SUMMARY MINUTES Page 14 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 to the speed limit, not below it. Dooring and the Dutch reach needed to be included in bicycle education. MOTION: Vice Mayor Burt moved, seconded by Mayor DuBois to approve the preferred concept plan for the following project segments: A. Waverley Multi-Use Path Alternative 2 Widen Towards Either Side; B. Fabian Way – Protected bicycle lanes on both sides; C. East Meadow Drive Segment 1 between East Meadow Circle and Fabian Way – Standard bicycle lanes on both sides; D. East Meadow Drive Segment 2 between Alma Street and Waverley Street – Protected bicycle lanes on both sides; E. East Meadow Drive Segment 3 between Waverley Street and Middlefield Road –Protected bicycle lane on one side with buffered bicycle lane on the other side; and F. East Meadow Drive Segment 4 between Middlefield Road and East Meadow Circle –Traffic calming and bicycle lane visibility treatments, including travel lane width reduction from 11 to 10 feet. Mayor DuBois inquired about access to the Bike Bridge for people traveling along the south or east side of Fabian Way. Ms. Star-Lack advised that Staff continued to explore access to the Bike Bridge. Mayor DuBois asked Staff to use restraint in applying green paint to roadways and to provide block-by-block plans for the project in the future. He inquired about temporary installation of treatments. Ms. Star-Lack indicated Staff wanted to utilize temporary treatments to demonstrate changes. Council Member Stone requested additional details regarding construction impacts on trees along the Waverley path. Ms. Star-Lack explained that Staff was exploring construction methods that might avoid impacting trees. Mr. Kamhi added that tree roots raised the path in some locations, and construction was likely to impact them. Council Member Stone inquired about drop-off and pickup at Stanford Middle School and Fairmeadow Elementary School. Ms. Star-Lack related that a protected bike lane adjacent to Stanford Middle School precluded drop-offs and pickups in front of the school. The school's driveway, the SUMMARY MINUTES Page 15 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 opposite side of the street, and the Mitchell Park driveway were available for drop- offs and pickups. Council Member Stone asked if PAUSD provided input. Ms. Star-Lack indicated that PAUSD was aware of the project but had not provided comment. Mr. Kamhi added that PAUSD was an active partner in the grant and project. Council Member Stone supported the Motion because the project improved safety for students and reduced carbon emissions. Council Member Filseth supported the Motion and project. Council Member Tanaka requested the percentage of on-street parking proposed for removal. Mr. Kamhi clarified that the parking spaces were not striped. An in-depth parking study would provide that type of information. Staff was not proposing to remove parking in Segment 4. Council Member Tanaka requested parking occupancy in those segments. Ms. Star-Lack reported Staff did not conduct a parking occupancy study. Mr. Davis explained that the curb length of parking spaces considered for removal represented about 20 percent of the total curb length. Mr. Kamhi stated Staff did not believe parking was severely impacted. Council Member Tanaka expressed concern that bulbouts on Ross Road forced bicyclists into the vehicle lane of travel. Mr. Kamhi advised that Ross Road was not a component of the South Palo Alto Bikeways Project, and the project did not contain a roundabout. Council Member Tanaka asked if it was possible to place bike lanes traveling in opposite directions on the same side of the street and between the curb and a parking lane. In this manner, eliminating the two 3-foot-wide lanes with bollards provided space for a parking lane on the opposite side of the street. Mr. Davis reported removing the buffer was not allowed. Bike lanes in Cambridge, Massachusetts did not have buffers because they were constructed prior to implementation of standards requiring a buffer. Council Member Cormack noted that multiple levels of communications were beneficial for the community. Data gathered during the pandemic was not determinative. Parking on East Meadow near Ramos Park was intended for park SUMMARY MINUTES Page 16 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 visitors, not residents. Familiarity with proposed improvements was going to benefit the community. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Council took a break at 9:54 P.M. and returned at 10:05 P.M. 13. Adoption of a Resolution Endorsing the Santa Clara County Community Plan to End Homelessness 2020-25 and Discussion and Direction on Strategies for Services for Unhoused Palo Alto Residents, Including Direction Regarding Application for Project Homekey Program for an Emergency Shelter in a Portion of the Former Los Altos Treatment Plant (LATP) Site and Direction Related to Other Resources for Unhoused Palo Altans. Ray Bramson, Destination: Home Chief Operating Officer, described the Santa Clara County Community Plan to End Homelessness (Community Plan) and the continuum of care as a broad group of stakeholders dedicated to ending and preventing homelessness through community-wide efforts and effective programs. Between 2015 and 2019, the supportive housing system housed more than 14,000 people, doubled the number of supportive housing units and temporary housing and emergency shelter capacity in Santa Clara County. The 2016 Measure A Affordable Housing Bond supported implementation of the Community Plan. However, homelessness continued to grow due to a growing wealth gap, a shortage of affordable housing, and racial disparities. Katheryn Kaminski, Santa Clara County Office of Supportive Housing Deputy Director, shared the Community Plan's guiding values and core strategies to address the causes of homelessness, expand programs, and improve quality of life. Target goals included reducing the number of people who become homeless by 30 percent, housing 20,000 people, expanding early interventions to serve 2,500 people annually, and doubling temporary housing capacity, and addressing racial inequities. Thus far, programs had connected more than 6,800 households to shelter, distributed rental and financial assistance to more than 15,500 families, connected 4,664 people to permanent housing, and provided five temporary housing communities. Jo Price, LifeMoves Vice President of Real Estate and Operations, advised that LifeMoves provided a bridge from homelessness to housing. Project Homekey was temporary housing that provided units for single individuals, couples, and families, toilet and shower closets, laundry room, classroom, and offices for case management services. Using the Los Altos Treatment Plant (LATP) site, Project Homekey could provide 100 to 180 doors, 100 percent of capital costs up to $10 million, and 90 percent of capital costs up to $22 million. Operational costs depended upon the size of the project but were estimated at $2.5 million to $4 million per year. Manager of Human Services Minka van der Zwaag reported the City's support of organizations that serve the unhoused. The City did not have a full-time, street- based homeless outreach worker to build relationships with homeless people, SUMMARY MINUTES Page 17 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 provide services or connect individuals to services, train City Staff, and educate the community. The cost for an outreach worker ranged from $75,000 and $200,000 annually and depended on the scope of the worker's duties. City Manager Ed Shikada noted that Deputy City Manager Cotton Gaines was providing interim support for unhoused initiatives, but permanent support was needed. Assistant Police Chief Andrew Binder related the services and benefits provided by a special enforcement team. Angie Evans, Palo Alto Forward, supported the Council's endorsement of the Community Plan, a thoughtful discussion of a Permanent Safe Parking Ordinance, submission of a Project Homekey application, and hiring a qualified outreach worker. Owen Longstreth believed the Police Department did not have a role in homeless outreach and services. Mayor DuBois noted an at-places memorandum was provided to Council Members via email. Michaela concurred with Mr. Longstreth's comments. Rohin Ghosh, Palo Alto Renters Association, supported the Staff recommendation and opposed the creation of a special enforcement team. Bruce Gee supported Staff's recommendation as a way to improve quality of life for all. Hamilton Hitchings commented that the existing Safe Parking Program did not provide permanent onsite supervision of participants. Allowing sexual offenders and recent violent felons to participate in a Safe Parking Program did not fulfill the requirement for a program not to adversely affect the safety, health, and welfare of persons residing or working in surrounding areas. Aram James noted that some criminal offenders did not reoffend and lived productive lives. A special enforcement team was better served with highly trained case workers than police officers. Valerie Stinger supported Staff's strong proposal for services to the unhoused. Kelsey Banes urged the Council to support a plan to end homelessness and supported the hiring of an outreach worker. Elizabeth Ratner, League of Women Voters of Palo Alto, supported policies and programs that provided a decent home and suitable living environment for every American family. She urged the Council to direct Staff to establish a public-private partnership for a supportive interim housing site in Palo Alto. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 18 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 Mary Beth Train supported the Staff recommendation. Roberta Ahlquist, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, supported the Resolution, Community Plan, and a Business Tax and suggested the Council implement a rent stabilization plan. Vice Mayor Burt asked if Staff intended to contract with a nonprofit for an outreach worker. Ms. van der Zwaag replied yes. Vice Mayor Burt requested clarification of staffing for a special enforcement team. Mr. Binder indicated two officers typically staffed a special enforcement team. Staff could explore different deployment models to meet the Council's and community's goals. Mr. Shikada added that the enforcement team was likely to be staffed through overtime in the near term. Vice Mayor Burt inquired about funding for an outreach worker and the special enforcement team. Deputy City Manager Chantal Cotton Gaines reported the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund (BSR) was a possible funding source. Staff was exploring partnership opportunities to obtain the services of an outreach worker. Mr. Shikada noted that Staff sought general direction regarding areas of focus and priorities and planned to return with recommendations for implementation. Vice Mayor Burt asked if hiring an outreach worker or creating a special enforcement team was possible given the City's financial constraints and, if so, which Staff recommended implementing first. Mr. Shikada related that Staff sought the Council's feedback to guide a recommendation. Council Member Filseth requested the source for the County of Santa Clara's (County) goal of housing 20,000 people. Ms. Kaminski explained that the County housed 14,000 people in a five-year period. A point-in-time count revealed 10,000 people experiencing homelessness. Over time, more people were going to become homeless. The target of housing 20,000 people covered the 10,000 people from the point-in-time count and future homeless people. Council Member Filseth was impressed by the LifeMoves operation in Mountain View and LifeMoves' success in transitioning individuals from homelessness to housing. In the LifeMoves model, beds were the framework for providing services. With the right model, the City could house its homeless population. He noted challenges SUMMARY MINUTES Page 19 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 with utilizing the LATP and inquired about an alternative housing site. The City needed to invest in a special engagement team. Ms. Cotton Gaines agreed that Staff needed to research different aspects of programs for the homeless and sought Council's direction regarding next steps. Previously, the Council suggested a hotel or motel for use as temporary housing. Hotels/motels west of Highway 101 expressed some interest, but the Comprehensive Plan identified east of Highway 101 as the preferred area for a shelter. LifeMoves preferred a one-acre site, but a smaller site was feasible. Council Member Filseth expressed interest in options east of Highway 101, but sites west of Highway 101 were acceptable. He was interested in a LifeMoves project but not the LATP site. Ms. Price noted the limited time available to work out the details and submit an application to Project Homekey. The cost of a hotel was $300,000 per door and did not include remodeling costs. The LATP site was comparable to the Redwood City project site. Council Member Stone asked if Staff was aware of the number of persons who became homeless for every person who attained housing. Ms. Kaminski reported in 2020 approximately 80 households in Palo Alto were housed, approximately 150 households were assessed for the first time, and the total number of people assessed was about 260. Council Member Stone was excited by the prospect of providing housing through the LifeMoves model. He inquired regarding the number of additional doors that could be built if the building height was increased. Ms. Price advised that the next stage included development of project details. The exact number of beds had yet to be determined. Council Member Cormack supported the proposed Resolution. Project Homekey provided funding to the City at no cost. She asked if the LATP site accommodated the anticipated number of vehicles. Ms. Price indicated vehicles and parking were going to be explored with maximum onsite parking. Council Member Cormack expressed concern that the location of the LATP site was going to necessitate the use of vehicles. She requested Staff comment on the displacement of current uses of the LATP site. Public Works Director Brad Eggleston reported Green Waste utilized space adjacent to the potential housing site. Staging for construction of the Highway 101 Bike Bridge was occurring on the portion of the site being considered for housing. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 20 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 Council Member Cormack endorsed detailed review of the LATP site. A permanent Safe Parking Ordinance was worthwhile and an important component of permanent housing. She inquired about the layoff of sworn officers due to Budget cuts. Mr. Binder advised that no sworn officers were laid off, but attrition and resignations impacted the Police Department. In the past, an enforcement team was deployed when minimum staffing needs were exceeded. Council Member Cormack noted that the Budget Uncertainty Reserve and Stanford University Medical Center (SUMC) were one-time funds, and ongoing funding was needed for outreach efforts. One option for a Project Homekey project required a $2 million local match. While some community members opposed the Police Department's involvement in outreach, there had been some significant problems. Council Member Kou inquired about methods used to encourage homeless individuals to move into housing. Ms. van der Zwaag reported that homeless individuals may not be ready for housing when housing was available. Housing sometimes created anxiety in homeless individuals. Fortunately, case workers persevered in their efforts. Brian Greenberg indicated interim supportive housing was useful in reassuring individuals and offering services as a first step toward housing. Council Member Kou requested clarification of the portion of the LATP site proposed for the Project Homekey project. Mr. Eggleston explained that the red area on the map provided to the Council was the proposed housing site. Area B was the former treatment plant site and the potential site for a water purification facility. Area B was potentially a buffer between the housing site and the natural area of the Baylands. Council Member Kou inquired about use of Measure A funds. Ms. Kaminski explained that Measure A funding was available for affordable housing for very-low- and low-income families and permanent supportive housing. Council Member Kou expressed interest in learning the cost per resident for City services. Council Member Tanaka requested the Ordinances being enforced against Palo Alto's homeless population. Mr. Binder advised that Police Officers considered many factors when deciding to enforce City Ordinances. Police Officers utilized a compassionate approach and attempted to resolve issues without enforcement as a first step. At times, enforcement was necessary. City Attorney Molly Stump clarified that all Ordinances and sections of the Penal Code were available for Police Officers' use where appropriate, unless a court had SUMMARY MINUTES Page 21 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 invalidated them. No section of the Municipal Code or the Penal Code was enforced perfectly. Council Member Tanaka questioned whether a revenue-generating use of the LATP site and funding homeless programs was more effective than constructing temporary housing. Mayor DuBois remarked that the Mountain View Homekey project was impressive. Perhaps, reconfiguring the LATP site was possible so that it could better accommodate the water purification plant, Green Waste, and housing. Hopefully, the community would contribute funding for a Homekey project. A site east of Highway 101 was preferable. He wanted the Safe Parking Program to expand into private parking lots. Background checks excluded people who needed housing, and requesting criminal history on the application was an expedient and gentle way to manage concerns. A unified waiting list for affordable housing, more information about mental health program, and a partnership with the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital would be helpful. He wanted to understand funding and options for an outreach worker and a special enforcement team. MOTION: Vice Mayor Burt moved, seconded by Council Member Kou to: A. Support advancing an application for the Project Homekey Program for an emergency shelter in a portion of the Former Los Altos Treatment Plant (LATP) site with specific steps as follows: a. Pursue partnership with LifeMoves as the nonprofit partner; b. Pursue zoning changes necessary to allow for an emergency shelter at the LATP site; c. Direct Staff to identify funding sources and to include that information in the return report to the City Council; d. Return to City Council in September with sufficient time to make an application and include all application details, including the explanation of all costs; and B. Continue City Council discussion on the rest of this item to a date uncertain. Vice Mayor Burt noted that the Homekey project in Mountain View was exemplary. No site was perfect for a housing project, but issues could be resolved. Perhaps the City could contribute land rather than money to a Homekey project. Council Member Kou requested an environmental review of the LATP site and suggested parties consider reconfiguring the site to better accommodate housing. Council Member Tanaka commented that a revenue-generating use of the LATP site could benefit the homeless population more than a housing project. He suggested amending the Motion to include exploration of renting the LATP site and utilizing funding for homeless programs. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 22 of 22 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 08/09/2021 Vice Mayor Burt indicated that interim housing was likely to reduce the demand for safe parking sites. MOTION SPLIT FOR THE PURPOSE OF VOTING MOTION PART A PASSED: 6-1 Tanaka no MOTION PART B PASSED: 7-0 14. Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate for the Cal Cities 2021 Annual Conference to be Held September 22-24, 2021 in Sacramento. MOTION: Council Member Filseth moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Burt to approve Council Member Kou as the voting delegate and Vice Mayor Burt as alternate for the 2021 Cal Cities Annual Conference to be held September 22-24, 2021 in Sacramento, CA. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Council Member Questions, Comments and Announcements Council Member Cormack reported water restrictions were not mandated, but drought conditions were worsening. Mayor DuBois noted concerts were held in parks during July. Emergency Preparedness Volunteers were needed. Council Member Kou advised that she attended the Local Policy Makers Group meeting. Caltrain services were scheduled to increase on August 30, 2021. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 12:12 P.M.