HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-06 City Council Action MinutesCITY OF PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL
ACTION MINUTES
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Special Meeting
June 6, 2016
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council
Chambers at 5:00 P.M.
Present: Berman arrived at 5:05 P.M., Burt, DuBois, Filseth, Holman,
Kniss, Scharff, Schmid, Wolbach arrived at 5:14 P.M.
Absent:
Closed Session
1. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY
Existing Litigation - 1 Matter
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Buena Vista MHP Residents Association v. City of Palo Alto, et al.
Santa Clara County Superior Court, Case No. 115CV284763
Existing Litigation - 1 Matter
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Toufic and Eva Jisser, and the Toufic and Eva Jisser Revocable Trust v.
City of Palo Alto, et al.
United States District Court for the Northern District of California – San
Jose Division, Case No.5:15-CV-05295 EJD.
MOTION: Council Member Kniss moved, seconded by Council Member
Holman to go into Closed Session.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Berman, Wolbach absent
Council went into Closed Session at 5:02 P.M.
Council returned from Closed Session at 6:14 P.M.
Mayor Burt announced no reportable action.
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Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions
Staff requests Agenda Item Number 18 (New Agenda Item Number 14a)-
Authorization for the Mayor to Sign a Letter… be heard after Agenda Item
Number 14- PUBLIC HEARING: to Hear Objections to the Levy of Proposed
Assessments…
Staff requested Agenda Item Number 15- Review of Recommendations From
the Storm Drain Blue Ribbon… be continued to June 27, 2016.
Minutes Approval
2. Approval of Action Minutes for the May 9 and May 16, 2016 Council
Meetings.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Scharff moved, seconded Council Member Berman to
approve the Action Minutes for the May 9 and May 16, 2016 Council
Meetings.
MOTION PASSED: 9-0
Consent Calendar
MOTION: Council Member Kniss moved, seconded by Council Member
Holman to approve Agenda Item Numbers 3-13 including changes to Agenda
Item Number 10- Approval of the First Amended Agreement With the San
Francisquito… as outlined in the At Place Memorandum and Agenda Item
Number 13- Approval and Authorization for the Mayor to Sign… as outlined
during City Manager Comments.
3. Resolution 9590 Entitled, “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Approving two Escrow Deposit and Deposit Agreements,
Authorizing the Deposit of $6.1 Million Into Escrow Funds Related to
two Series of Library and Community Center General Obligation Bonds
and $2 Million for the University Avenue Parking Assessment District
Bonds for the Purpose of Early Redemption of Such Bonds, and
Authorizing Related Actions.”
4. Approval of Contract Number C16163554 for $206,056 With
Trafficware for San Antonio Road SynchroGreen Adaptive Timing
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System Implementation and an Associated Amendment of the Budget
Appropriation for the General Fund and Capital Fund.
5. Resolution 9591 Entitled, “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Summarily Vacating a Public Utility Easement at 3276 Kipling
Avenue.”
6. Acceptance of the Palo Alto Fire Department Quarterly Performance
Report for Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2016.
7. Approval of Four Contracts for On-Call Inspection and Plan Review
Services in a Combined Amount Not-to-Exceed $7,700,000 Over a
Three Year Term Ending June 30, 2019 With: (1) 4Leaf, Inc.; (2)
Kutzmann and Associates, Inc.; (3) SAFEbuilt; and (4) Shums Coda
Associates.
8. Approval of a Contract With Airport Management Consulting Group in
the Amount of $183,008 for Planning and Consulting Services at Palo
Alto Airport, Including Evaluation of Options in Managing the Office
Spaces and Hangars, Development of Primary Management and
Compliance Documents Including the Airport Rules and Regulations,
Minimum Business Standards and Leasing/Rents and Fees Policies, and
Related Matters; and Approval of Budget Amendments in the General
Fund and Airport Fund.
9. Approval to Amend the Current Purchase Order to Include Equipment
for new Ambulance Purchase.
10. Approval of the First Amended Agreement With the San Francisquito
Creek Joint Powers Authority and its Member Agencies for Funding of
Construction of the San Francisquito Creek Flood Reduction,
Ecosystem Restoration, and Recreation Project, San Francisco Bay to
Highway 101.
11. Ordinance 5384 Entitled, “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Repealing Ordinance Number 4936, the Council's Prior
Authorization for Natural Gas Purchases (FIRST READING: May 16,
2016 PASSED: 9-0).”
12. Ordinance 5385 Entitled, “Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Amending Municipal Code Sections 12.32.010 (Water Use
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Restrictions) and 12.32.020 (Enforcement) (FIRST READING: May 16,
2016 PASSED: 9-0).”
13. Approval and Authorization for the Mayor to Sign a Letter Responding
to the California High Speed Rail Authority's Notice of Intent/Notice of
Preparation.
MOTION PASSED: 9-0
Action Items
14. PUBLIC HEARING: to Hear Objections to the Levy of Proposed
Assessments on the Palo Alto Downtown Business Improvement
District and Adoption of a Resolution Confirming the Report of the
Advisory Board and Levying Assessment for Fiscal Year 2017 on the
Downtown Palo Alto Business Improvement District.
Public Hearing opened at 7:04 P.M.
Public Hearing continued to the June 27, 2016 Council meeting.
MOTION: Mayor Burt moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Scharf to direct Staff
to:
A. Review mechanisms for modifying the fee structure to require larger
companies to pay a larger portion of the District costs; and
B. Review mechanisms for modifying the contract with the Downtown
Business Association so that activities are not construed to include
lobbying.
INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to add to the Motion, “investigate other structures
for the Business Improvement District (BID) that may provide a more
efficient use of the funds that minimizes staff and administrative overhead
and focuses more on direct services.” (new Part C)
INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to add to the Motion, “evaluate the boundaries of
the BID to align with other Downtown boundaries.” (new Part D)
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MOTION RESTATED: Mayor Burt moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Scharf
to direct Staff to:
A. Review mechanisms for modifying the Fee Structure to require larger
companies to pay a larger portion of the district costs; and
B. Review mechanisms for modifying the contract with the Downtown
Business and Professional Association so that activities are not
construed to include lobbying; and
C. Investigating other structures for the Business Improvement District
(BID) that may provide a more efficient use of the funds that
minimizes staff and administrative overhead and focuses more on
direct services; and
D. Evaluate the boundaries of the BID to align with other Downtown
boundaries.
MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED: 8-1 Schmid no
14a. (Former Agenda Item Number 18) Authorization for the Mayor to Sign
a Letter Regarding the Governor's By Right Housing Proposal.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Scharff moved, seconded by Council Member DuBois
to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter regarding the Governor’s By Right
Housing Proposal including the first five paragraphs of proposed language in
the Staff Report and the text of the language included in the At Place
Memorandum beginning with “Amendments, published as recently…” and;
Direct Staff to include the following concepts in the letter:
A. The City is opposed to this bill being part of the budget process as
opposed to the regular legislative process; and
B. The City intends to work with the League of California Cities
concerning this bill; and
C. The proposed amendments would be at a minimum of modifications to
the bill.
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AMENDMENT: Council Member Holman moved, seconded by Council
Member XX to add to the Motion, “more thoughtful legislation should
address the potential loss of housing units.”
AMENDMENT FAILED DUE TO THE LACK OF A SECOND
INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to add to the Motion, “new development would
provide preference for residents, if any, displaced from the former
development.” (new Part D)
AMENDMENT: Council Member Wolbach moved, seconded by Mayor Burt to
add to the Motion, “include language so that a new project would not, as a
whole exacerbate the jobs housing imbalance.
AMENDMENT RESTATED: Council Member Wolbach moved, seconded by
Mayor Burt to add to the Motion, “include language so that a new project
would not, as a whole exacerbate the jobs housing imbalance, where such
exists. (new Part E)
AMENDMENT PASSED: 7-2 Berman, Scharff no
INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to add to the Motion Part B, “our lobbyists, and
legislators” after “California Cities.”
MOTION RESTATED: Vice Mayor Scharff moved, seconded by Council
Member DuBois to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter regarding the
Governor’s By Right Housing Proposal including the first five paragraphs of
proposed language in the Staff Report and the text of the language included
in the At Place Memorandum beginning with “Amendments, published as
recently…” and;
Direct Staff to include the following concepts in the letter:
A. The City is opposed to this bill being part of the budget process as
opposed to the regular legislative process; and
B. The City intends to work with the League of California Cities, our
lobbyists, and legislators concerning this bill; and
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C. The proposed amendments would be at a minimum of modifications to
the bill; and
D. New development would provide preference for residents, if any,
displaced from the former development; and
E. Include language so that a new project would not, as a whole
exacerbate the jobs housing imbalance, where such exists.
MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED: 9-0
Council took a break from 8:33 P.M. to 8:39 P.M.
15. Review of Recommendations From the Storm Drain Blue Ribbon
Committee Regarding Future Storm Water Management Funding and
Request for Council Direction on Whether to Proceed With a
Proposition 218 Hearing and Property Owner Ballot-by-Mail to Approve
Future Storm Water Management Rates.
16. PUBLIC HEARING: Request for City Council and Public Comments on
the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) and Fiscal Study
Prepared for the Comprehensive Plan Update. The Draft
Environmental Impact Report was Published on February 5, 2016 for a
Public Comment Period That Will end on June 8, 2016.
Public Hearing opened at 8:56 P.M.
Public Hearing closed at 9:18 P.M.
MOTION: Council Member Holman moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Scharff
to reopen the public comment period for the Comprehensive Plan Draft
Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) to run concurrently with the public
comment period for Scenarios 5 and 6.
MOTION RESTATED: Council Member Holman moved, seconded by Vice
Mayor Scharff to reopen the public comment period for the Comprehensive
Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for Scenarios 1-4, to run
concurrently with the public comment period for Scenarios 5 and 6.
MOTION PASSED: 8-1 Schmid no
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MOTION: Council Member Scharff moved, seconded by Council Member
Holman to continue this Agenda Item.
MOTION WITHDRAWN BY THE MAKER
MOTION: Council Member DuBois moved, seconded by Mayor Burt to add
the following assumptions to Scenario 5 for purposes of greater contrast
among scenarios:
A. Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or another method to regulate
employment densities; and
B. County Expressway Plan 2040 implementation; and
C. Community Commercial (2) subdistrict (CC2) Floor Area Ratio (FAR)
reductions near California Avenue.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Council Member Holman moved, seconded by Vice
Mayor Scharff to continue this Agenda Item to the soonest possible date.
CALL THE QUESTION: Vice Mayor Scharff moved, seconded by Mayor Burt
to call the question.
CALL THE QUESTION PASSED: 8-1 Schmid no
SUSTITUTE MOTION PASSED: 9-0
17. PUBLIC HEARING: Adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and
Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and Approval of a Site
and Design Application to Demolish the Existing Approximately 18,000
Square Foot Building and Construct a new Approximately 62,000
Square Foot Building for an Automobile Dealership Located at 1700
Embarcadero Road. The Application Includes Design Enhancement
Exception Request to Allow Deviation from the 10 Foot Build-to-Line
From Embarcadero Road and Bayshore Road. There is Also a Request
to Apply the Automobile Dealership (AD) Zoning Overlay.
Environmental Assessment: An Initial Study and Mitigated Negative
Declaration was Circulated. Zoning District: CS (D) Service
Commercial and Site Design Review Combining District. The Planning
and Transportation Commission Recommended Approval.
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Public Hearing opened at 11:25 P.M.
Public Hearing closed at 11:42 P.M.
MOTION: Council Member DuBois moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Scharff
to:
A. Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and
Reporting Program; and
B. Adopt an Ordinance adding the Automobile Dealership (AD) combining
district to the subject property; and
C. Approve an application for a Site and Design and Architectural Review
for the construction of a new automobile dealership; and
D. Approve an application for a Design Enhancement Exception for
deviation from the ‘build-to’ setback along Embarcadero and Bayshore
Roads; and
E. Require the building be bird safe.
AMENDMENT: Council Member Wolbach moved, seconded by Council
Member Berman to replace Part E of the Motion with, “require that the
building be bird safe in structure and that the Applicant work with Staff and
the Audubon Society on lighting impacts on wildlife.”
INCOPORATED INTO THE AMENDMENT WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to add to the Amendment, “as practical.”
AMENDMENT RESTATED: Council Member Wolbach moved, seconded by
Council Member Berman to replace Part E of the Motion with, “require that
the building be bird safe in structure and that the Applicant work with Staff
and the Audubon Society on lighting impacts on wildlife as practical.”
AMENDMENT PASSED: 9-0
MOTION AS AMENDED FAILED: 3-5-1 Berman, DuBois, Scharff yes,
Wolbach abstaining
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MOTION: Mayor Burt moved, seconded by Council Member Holman to refer
this project to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) with guidance to:
A. More carefully calculate the permissible Floor Area Ratio (FAR); and
B. Adjust the building’s height and mass to be more consistent with
Compatibility Findings.
INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to add to the Motion, “incorporate bird safe
design.” (New Part C)
INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to add to the Motion, “consider the Baylands
Master Plant List in the landscape design.” (New Part D)
INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to add to the Motion, “include the Baylands
General Design Principals in the project design and Record Of Land Use
Action (ROLUA).” (New Part E)
INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to add to the Motion, “include consideration of a
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program.” (New Part F)
INCPORORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to add to the Motion, “include cost implications
including fair share costs to Applicant of intersection improvements.” (New
Part G)
INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to add to the Motion Part C, “and lighting.”
MOTION RESTATED: Mayor Burt moved, seconded by Council Member
Holman to refer this project to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) with
guidance to:
A. More carefully calculate the permissible Floor Area Ratio (FAR); and
B. Adjust the building’s height and mass to be more consistent with
Compatibility Findings; and
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C. Incorporate bird safe design and lighting; and
D. Consider the Baylands Master Plant List in the landscape design; and
E. Include the Baylands General Design Principals in the project design
and Record Of Land Use Action (ROLUA); and
F. Include consideration of a Transportation Demand Management (TDM)
program; and
G. Include cost implications including fair share costs to Applicant of
intersection improvements.
MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED: 8-1 Scharff no
Inter-Governmental Legislative Affairs
18. Authorization for the Mayor to Sign a Letter Regarding the Governor's
By Right Housing Proposal.
Council Member Questions, Comments and Announcements
Council Member Holman commented that Council Members make an effort,
but are not always able to provide questions to Staff in advance of Council
meetings.
Mayor Burt reported his participation on a panel at the Silicon Valley Energy
Summit this past Friday. He noted that Palo Alto’s sustainability and climate
action efforts are viewed as models for other cities. He reported his
attendance at the Mobility Hackathon at SAP. The City’s Chief Information
Officer, Jonathon Reichental led the event.
Council Member Wolbach reported his attendance at the Hackathon.
Council Member Kniss reported her attendance at the League of California
Cities’ Tax and Revenue meeting last Thursday.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 12:35 A.M.