HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-12 City Council Summary Minutes Regular Meeting September 12, 1994 1. Joint Meeting with the Public Art Commission .......... 73-352 1. Presentation by Board Member Ted Laliotis, Congestion Management Agency, Regarding Merger with the Santa Clara County Transit District ......................... 73-353 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ........................................ 73-354 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY 18 AND 25, 1994 ................ 73-354 2. Lytton Avenue Neighborhood Traffic Study - Referral to Policy and Services Committee ......................... 73-354 3. Civic Center Parking Garage Painting, Phase I - Rejection of Bids ..................................... 73-354 4. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and Reliable Tree Experts for Tree and Stump Removal ............... 73-355 6. Ordinance 4235 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing an Amendment to the Contract Between the City Council of the City of Palo Alto and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (Management and Confidential) ......................................... 73-355 7. Ordinance 4236 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing an Amendment to the Contract Between the City Council of the City of Palo Alto and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (SEIU) ............ 73-355 AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS ................... 73-355 8. Conference with Labor Negotiator ..................... 73-355 9. Proposals for an Option to Lease Property Located at 351 Homer Avenue (Williams Property) .................. 73-356 10. Response to Grand Jury Recommendations Regarding the Standardization of Policies, Licensing, and Fee Schedules Associated with False Alarms ................ 73-372 ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 11:30 p.m. .......... 73-373
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Special Meeting September 12, 1994 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Conference Room at 5:40 p.m. PRESENT: Andersen, Fazzino (arrived at 6:25 p.m.), Huber, Kniss, McCown, Rosenbaum, Schneider, Wheeler ABSENT: Simitian ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. SPECIAL MEETINGS 1. Joint Meeting with the Public Art Commission No action required. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 7:10 p.m. PRESENT: Andersen, Fazzino, Huber, Kniss, McCown, Rosenbaum, Schneider, Simitian, Wheeler SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY 1. Presentation by Board Member Ted Laliotis, Congestion Manage-ment Agency, Regarding Merger with the Santa Clara County Transit District Ted Laliotis, Los Altos City Council Member and Congestion Management Agency Board Member, made a presentation regarding Congestion Management Agency's merger with the Santa Clara County Transit District (SCCTD). Council Member Andersen referred to the 76 percent of the Measure A funds earmarked for the bus transportation system and asked whether the figure included light rail. Mr. Laliotis said no. Council Member Andersen asked whether the 6.2 percent for light rail was comparable in terms of dollars spent and ridership, whether CalTrain had received the priority treatment it should have from the SCCTD, and whether that would change when the reorganization took place. Mr. Laliotis did not believe the dollars spent were proportional to ridership. Santa Clara County (SCC) had tried over the last 10 to 15 years to make an important transition to an area that had some mass public transportation. A lot of progress had been made, but it did not always follow the percentages. Light rail needed to eventually surround SCC, which was the T2010 plan. At that point, bus transportation might be reduced, but at the present time, buses worked the best in SCC. Lou Montini, Director, Santa Clara County Transit Agency, and also Acting General Manager of the Santa Clara County Transit District, said the bus system carried approximately 130,000 passengers per day and light rail carried approximately 20,000 passengers per day. He believed CalTrain had a similar ridership of 20,000 passengers per day. Council Member Andersen was concerned that there might be a shift in priorities with regard to CalTrain as the organizational structure and the decision-making process shifted. He believed CalTrain had been underrepresented, and he hoped there would be a shift in the priorities. The CalTrain system was an important part of the transit system, but the budget figures indicated a low priority. Council Member McCown said the assignment would be even greater beginning in January 1995 for Mr. Laliotis and other Congestion Management Agency (CMA) Board Members, and it was important to
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keep the communication open with all the cities. She asked whether there had been discussion regarding augmenting the level of CMA staff support for individual Board Members. Mike Evanhoe, Director, Congestion Management Agency, said there was a proposal from the Vice Chair of the CMA to the rest of the Board Members to augment staff to support the 12 Governing Board Members. A management committee of the Board was discussing the issue, and something would be presented to the full Board at either the October or November 1994 meeting. Mr. Laliotis said Council Member McCown did an excellent job as the Chair of the CMA for two years. No action required. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Edmund Power, 2254 Dartmouth Street, spoke regarding civic responsibilities (letter on file in the City Clerk's Office). Paul Weiner, Homeless Shelter, Mountain View, spoke regarding the Ad Hoc Task Force on Aggressive Panhandling. Margaret Ash, 446 Forest Avenue, spoke regarding the Ad Hoc Task Force on Aggressive Panhandling. Lee Alton, homeless, spoke regarding the Ad Hoc Task Force on Aggressive Panhandling. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JULY 18 AND 25, 1994 MOTION: Council Member Wheeler moved, seconded by Simitian, to approve the Minutes of July 18, 1994, as submitted. MOTION PASSED 8-0-1, Fazzino "abstaining." MOTION: Council Member Wheeler moved, seconded by Simitian, to approve the Minutes of July 25, 1994, as corrected. MOTION PASSED 9-0. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Council Member Fazzino moved, seconded by Schneider, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 2 - 7. REFER 2. Lytton Avenue Neighborhood Traffic Study - Referral to Policy and Services Committee ACTION 3. Civic Center Parking Garage Painting, Phase I - Rejection of Bids
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4. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and Reliable Tree Experts for Tree and Stump Removal 6. Ordinance 4235 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing an Amendment to the Contract Between the City Council of the City of Palo Alto and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (Management and Confidential)" (1st Reading 8/8/94, PASSED 7-0, Andersen, Fazzino absent) 7. Ordinance 4236 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing an Amendment to the Contract Between the City Council of the City of Palo Alto and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (SEIU)" (1st Reading 8/8/94, PASSED 7-0, Andersen, Fazzino absent) MOTION PASSED 9-0 for Item Nos. 2 - 4 and 6 - 7. AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS Mayor Kniss announced that Item No. 5 was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of a member of the public. City Manager June Fleming announced that Item No. 5 would become Item No. 11A. MOTION TO CONTINUE: Mayor Kniss moved, seconded by Simitian, that Item No. 11, Follow-Up Audit Report on Palo Alto Community Child Care, Inc., and Item No. 11A, Sublease Amendment Request from Santa Clara County Transit District for Reduction of Lease Responsibilities at the University Avenue Train Depot and Bagroom, be continued to the Monday, September 19, 1994, City Council Meeting. MOTION TO CONTINUE PASSED 9-0. CLOSED SESSION The item may occur during the recess or after the Regular Meeting. 8. Conference with Labor Negotiator Agency Negotiator: City Council Ad Hoc Personnel Committee (Chairperson Ron Andersen, Liz Kniss, and Dick Rosenbaum) Unrepresented Employees: City Attorney Ariel Calonne, City Manager June Fleming, City Auditor Bill Vinson, and City Clerk Gloria Young
Authority: Government Code ∋54957.6 MOTION TO CONTINUE: Council Member Fazzino moved, seconded by Wheeler, to continue the item to the Monday, September 19, 1994, City Council Meeting.
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MOTION TO CONTINUE PASSED 7-0, Kniss, Schneider absent. Public Comments None. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. Proposals for an Option to Lease Property Located at 351 Homer Avenue (Williams Property) Council Member Schneider said she would not participate in the item because of a conflict of interest due to a relative's participation in the Cleo Eulau Center for Children and Adoles-cents. Council Member Huber said he had previously not been able to participate in the item because of his membership on the Board of Directors for the Museum of American Heritage. He had since resigned his position on the Board and would participate in the item that evening. Mayor Kniss said she would not participate in the item because of her membership on the Board of Directors of The Palo Alto Fund. Council Member Fazzino had served on the Board of Directors of two of the organizations in the past and asked whether he could participate in the item. City Attorney Ariel Calonne said a separation from a board eliminated any appearance of impropriety. It was an appearance issue, and there was no political reform or conflict law that required a Council Member to disqualify themselves. Past partici-pation was not relevant unless a Council Member felt it created some bias. Vice Mayor Simitian asked for the City Attorney to describe the proposed action that the Council was being asked to consider that evening. Mr. Calonne said the Council was being asked to direct the staff to prepare an option to lease the Williams property, which followed on the Council's acceptance of a gift that came from Ms. Williams' will. The terms of the will were discussed in the staff report (CMR:422:94) and specifically stated "the real property shall be used for park or cultural purposes and shall not be sold by the city nor leased by it for any parking lot or other purely commercial venture." The will originally included a number of recommendations for possible uses, e.g., a general science library, a park, a center for cultural purposes, a convalescent unit for patients. The convalescent unit was later deleted in a codicil. The codicil stated "I now deem that such use would be impractical and might have commercial aspects which I do not desire." Vice Mayor Simitian said the Council was being asked to identify
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that evening a particular proposer for the later award of an option of lease and the approval of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project. Mr. Calonne said that was correct. Vice Mayor Simitian asked about the necessary majority for the Council to take action on the item that evening. Mr. Calonne said it would take four votes by the to take action. Vice Mayor Simitian asked about the necessary majority for the Council to take action on the ultimate award of a contract. Mr. Calonne said five votes would be needed by the Council. Council Member Fazzino said there were approximately 29 people who wanted to speak, and he asked how the process would proceed if the Council did not reach a decision that evening. Vice Mayor Simitian said it would be appropriate for the Council to have a discussion about the substance and the process after hearing from the members of the public. He said two Council Members had an appearance of conflict with respect to only one applicant each, and he asked whether the Council Member(s) could return to the process and participate further if at any point in the process either one of the applicants were eliminated. Mr. Calonne said the appearance of impropriety was gone once it passed the initial triage. Senior Financial Analyst Janet Freeland said seven proposals were received in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for lease of the Williams property at 351 Homer Avenue, and staff recommend-ed that Council select its preferred proposal for use of the property and direct staff to negotiate an option to lease with the selected proposer and return to the Council for approval of an EIA and the award of the option to lease. In response to Council direction given on May 23, 1994, staff advertised the RFP for lease of the Williams property in early June 1994. As directed by Council, the RFP stated that to be eligible for use of the property, any proposal must 1) meet the terms of Rhona Williams' will, 2) respond to the guidelines and standards for historic preservation of the property, 3) be financially viable, 4) be consistent with City goals and objects, and 5) provide public benefit or meet a defined public need. In response to the RFP, seven proposals and letters of interest were submitted. The proposals and letters were attached to the staff report (CMR:422:94), and the proposals were summarized in Attachment B to the staff report. As directed by Council, the proposals had not been evaluated or analyzed by staff, except for questions that related to the conditions of the will and the consistency of the proposed use with the zoning. Staff would return to the Council for approval of an EIA and the option to lease following the Council's selection.
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Council Member Rosenbaum said two of the proposers had suggested that they expected the City to perform certain things, e.g., Museum of American Heritage wanted the City to pay to bring the building up to code and The Palo Alto Fund wanted the City to undertake all capital improvements. He said staff estimated the cost to be $200,000 to $300,000 to bring the building up to code. Ms. Freeland said the estimate was based on the estimates that had been done by the City when it applied for the grant with the County of Santa Clara for the Lace Museum. The Lace Museum's proposed improvements were the minimum improvements that could be done to convert the use to a nonresidential use. The estimate at that time was approximately $200,000. It was unknown what particular need any potential tenant might have, so staff had estimated a range of $200,000 to $300,000 to convert to the house to a nonresidential use. Council Member Rosenbaum asked whether the estimate for improve-ments went beyond the code requirements. Ms. Freeland said the major improvements would be accessibility for the disabled, and an additional toilet for the disabled, and a second exit from the second floor might be required. There was considerable landscaping work that needed to be done. The garage might need to be renovated or removed depending on the proposed improvements and use. Council Member Andersen asked whether any of the proposers who suggested the City provide for the code improvements considered amortizing the cost over time. Ms. Freeland said staff did not discuss that issue with any of the proposers. Council Member McCown asked whether the code improvements listed in Attachment C of the RFP were necessary to make the home usable and accessible to the public. Ms. Freeland said yes. The list was the major items. In addi-tion, the floors and walls would need some renovation. Council Member McCown said the proposal from the Museum of American Heritage (the Museum) mentioned tenant improvements, but the City did not know what items were being put in which category. Ms. Freeland said that was vague. Council Member McCown asked whether the gasoline tank had been removed. Ms. Freeland said yes, and there was no soil contamination. Vice Mayor Simitian declared the Public Hearing open. Janet Hecht, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Children's Tree House, 1260 Terman Avenue No. 107, said The Children's Tree House
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provided free activities for deaf children and their families. There were also monthly family activities. She said a major problem for families with deaf children was that they could not find a babysitter who knew sign language. She wanted to start a respite care home for deaf children as one of the uses for the Williams property. A respite care home would allow the children to socialize for an entire weekend. In the State of California, there were no respite care homes for deaf children. She also wanted to use the house as a cultural center for the deaf so the community could become more involved with the deaf. She wanted the house to be open to the City to help with its Family Resource Center and be used by the entire community, not just the deaf community. She said most of the cost of renovation would be donated or discounted. Ken Kormanak, Board Member, Museum of American Heritage, 450 Ramona Road, Portola Valley, said the Museum would not remain open much longer unless it could acquire a permanent home. The Museum provided a significant cultural service unique in the Bay Area. It provided hands-on activities for children and adults that covered history and technology. The Museum had a travel trunks program that worked with financially troubled area schools to help supplement science and math programs. The Museum had established a sizable building fund to underwrite the renovation costs of the Williams property. A staff of organized volunteers was ready to begin the required restoration work. The description of the intended uses in the will was consistent with the Museum's current and future plans. The Museum gave more to the community than just a place to view a collection of old artifacts. It had provided wholesome, family entertainment since 1990. It was a supplement to the scientific and mathematic education of youth through its weekend and in-school programs, and it was a place that utilized the talents of the senior citizens. The socioeconomic benefits of such an enterprise nurtured the seeds for the area's future growth and stability. The Museum was a link in the chain of multifaceted institutions that gave life and vibrancy to the community. The community had to continue to demonstrate that Palo Alto embraces and supports institutions of enrichment and diversity. He encouraged the Council to keep the Museum in Palo Alto. Joe Ehrlich, Oak Avenue, Menlo Park, said the building would probably require a fire sprinkler system, and he thought that $200,000 was a reasonable amount based on his experience. The proposal by the Museum fulfilled the intent of the Williams' will. La Von Bobo, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Sandplay Therapy and Training Institute, Inc., 757 Ramona Street, said Attachment B, Chart Summary, indicated that Sandplay Therapy was for the treatment of sexual abuse. Currently, the Institute operated under an unsolicited grant by someone who knew the effectiveness of that type of treatment for children who had been sexually abused. Other grants were being solicited, and the intent was to use Sandplay Therapy for children with all kinds of needs and difficulties. Luana Rowland, Co-Founder and Clinical Director, Sandplay Therapy and Training Institute, Inc., 757 Ramona Street, said Sandplay
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Institute was the only sandplay institute in the world, and it was looking for a place to reside. Sandplay therapy crossed old cultures and spoke a universal language of the symbol which was the language of art and music. It healed at that level and was a nonverbal medium. The work promoted culture and reached the individual level as well as the broader perspective. The Insti-tute would conduct classes and lectures and would provide services to children and families who could not afford such services. A library would include books on healing appropriate for the layperson as well as professionals. The grounds would be main-tained as a park for public use. Dor H. Hesselgrave, 1640 Dallas Court, Los Altos, Education Director for the Museum of American Heritage, believed in the Museum's purpose and hoped the Council would see the merits of granting a home for its continuing education and endeavors. He spoke regarding the contributions that the Museum made to the education and enrichment of its visitors and the guide booklets that were given to every student who visited the Museum. He presented a sample of a crystal radio set that was built in one of their most successful classes and a tool board equipped with color-coded tools. The Museum had solid leadership, fiscal management, gifted volunteers, and eager membership, but it did not have permanent housing. Council Member Andersen asked how the traffic from 20,000 visitors would be handled. Cynthia Harrison, President, Palo Alto Youth Council, 121 Heather Lane, said the Youth Council wanted additional time to present a proposal that detailed its ideas. A proposal had been made the previous year to the Mountain View City Council to begin an under 21 years of age night club, but the idea did not develop. The Youth Council wanted to use the Williams property for a similar idea. She understood The Palo Alto Fund helped nonprofit organi-zations. Council Member Andersen appreciated the Youth Council's enthusiasm for a youth center, but he had not recommended it in the context of the Williams property. Katherine Manzini, President, the Peninsula Historic Clothing Society, 524 Bryant Street, said the Peninsula Historic Clothing Society (the Society) was the most compatible with the wishes of Rhona Williams, and its low-key, personal operation was compatible with the mystique of a beautiful antique house. The house would not be changed in any way except to make it accessible to the dis-abled. The gardens would be modeled after Allied Arts Guild. The vision for the home was to painstakingly refinish and furnish the rooms with period pieces from 1907 and, if possible, use the original floor plan. A library would be created for reference materials. The Society was a small organization, but it networked with 25 other organizations. The Institute would be the best tenant and would make a perfect museum for the home. Robert Lowman, 524 Bryant Street, said he was inspired by a
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neighbor who wore historic clothing to become involved in the antique industry. He was an organizer and would work with the Society in fund-raising to support the facility. He wanted to share the past with people from today's generation. Ronna Neumayer, 524 Bryant Street, said her personal interest in historic clothing began ten years before. She had become more involved in community fund-raiser by modeling her vintage cloth-ing. The vision of the Society was not just to inform but also to share and help attendees experience earlier times. A museum that reflected the clothing and lifestyles of the past was culturally informative, educational, and it highlighted the human experience of all ancestors. Deborah Johnson, Director, Peninsula Historic Clothing Society, 524 Bryant Street, said Attachment B, Chart Summary, indicated the funds would come from fund-raising efforts, but the Society would also be applying for grants and loans. The wording was misunder-stood under "What is the cost to City?" The intent was for the Society to raise the funds so that the City did not incur costs. The proposal did not address fees, but there would be a minimal fee for entry into the museum and attendance at the classes. The Society had decided to redefine its scope and purpose if it were awarded the lease. It would no longer be known as the Society, but it would become the Williams Museum. The members wanted to broaden the scope beyond clothing. She spoke regarding the organizations that supported the museum and what the museum would exhibit. Home economic was no longer offered in the schools, so there would be a real contribution on that level. The Society had already been assured of $300,000 available specifically for historic preservation. The garage would be restored and used as a workshop. The intent was to raise $600,000 within two years so the City would not incur any costs. The Rockwood Museum in Willington, Delaware, had approved establishment of a sister relationship, which meant it would give advice for fund-raising. The goal was to make the museum a financial success and offer an educational and cultural vehicle for the community and surrounding communities. Council Member Huber asked whether the Society was assured of receiving $300,000. Ms. Johnson said funds were available specifically for that purpose, and the Society could apply because it met the criteria. Council Member Huber asked what hours the museum would be avail-able to the public. Ms. Johnson said the museum would probably be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but it might be shorter in the beginning until the staff was expanded. Council Member Wheeler asked whether projections had been done regarding the level of public usage and the number of visitors per week that might be attracted to the museum when it was fully operational.
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Ms. Johnson said an estimate would be done once the restoration process was started. Some events would attract more people than others. A written proposal could be submitted. It was hoped that parking could be leased from the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Beverly Nelson, Board Member, Museum of American Heritage, 3030 Country Club Court, said the Museum fit all the terms of the will and was the only museum of its kind in the Bay Area. Every exhibit benefitted people of all ages through its lectures every month that tied into the exhibit, the class for children, the tours of school and nursery groups, and seniors. The purpose of the Museum was a celebration of mankind's technical ingenuity in the past as an inspiration for the future. The mission for the past four years was to find a permanent home for the Museum. Council Member Fazzino asked about the degree of participation by the Palo Alto Historic Association (PAHA) and whether the PAHA would be involved in the decision making regarding the use of the facility. Ms. Nelson said the Community Advisory Board had recommended an auxiliary. The PAHA would be willing to complete some of the rooms in the house, but the amount of involvement had not been determined. The Museum had the knowledge, and it looked forward to working with PAHA throughout the process. Council Member Huber said there were single-family residences in the area, and the Museum had indicated it had served 20,000 visitors per year in the past and that it wanted to expand. He asked what the expansion meant in terms of vehicle traffic and the costs the Museum would bear versus the costs the City would bear. The tenant improvements needed to be defined. Ms. Nelson said another speaker would address the questions. Council Member Andersen said the Museum indicated its lease would expire in February 1995, but it was unlikely that the facility would be available in February 1995. He asked how that time difference would affect the Museum's operation. Ms. Nelson said the Museum had been pursuing many possibilities and had been approached from outside of the community. The Museum recognized that it would need a place in the interim if it were accepted as the tenant for the Williams property. The lectures and classes would continue until a facility was available. Robert Mason, member, Board of Directors, the Pacific Art League of Palo Alto, 668 Ramona Street, read the Summary and Conclusion on pages 8 through 10 of the proposal. He said a general con-tractor and an architect had looked at the facility, and they did not believe it was advisable to remove all the stucco on the building. There might be other items in the cost estimate that were inflated. Council Member Rosenbaum asked where the financial backing would
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come from to renovate the house. Mr. Mason said a subsequent speaker would expand on the financial plan. Council Member Huber wanted community-wide usage and asked whether the Pacific Art League of Palo Alto (the League) would have a broader usage and how many people were expected from that kind of usage. Mr. Mason said a subsequent speaker would answer that question. Council Member Wheeler asked about the level of usage and the trips that would be generated on a monthly basis. Mr. Mason said curriculum classes would be held in a renovated three-classroom space in the garage structure behind the house. Rooms on the lower level would be used for classrooms also. The second story rooms would be used for artists' studios. The parking recommended by the City's architects was more than adequate. Council Member Wheeler clarified the expected usage on a daily basis would be low. Mr. Mason said that was correct. Steve Mayer, architect and member of the Board of Directors, the Pacific Art League of Palo Alto, 10 Vista Verde, Portola Valley, said it spoke well to the diversity of Palo Alto that there had been so many wonderful proposals for the use of the property. The high volume of activities would continue in the Downtown, but the use of the property could be selective. The League had 900 active members and it supported 400 shows per year. There were 200 classes held each year and a significant percentage was for school children. The Williams property was located close to retirement homes, so there would be an opportunity to extend classes into that area. Approximately 7,000 people had gone through the galleries during the past year. Its biannual program had regional recognition throughout the West Coast. He supported the League because of its large outreach program, particularly to children and elderly people who were not professional artists. Council Member McCown asked how many class offerings at the property would be for children. Mr. Mayer said the low traffic programs could be moved to the Williams property. The six artists' studios generated revenue that could support the school programs for the Downtown property. The intent was to have minimum impact on the residential communi-ty. Council Member McCown asked whether the intent was to hold classes for children at the Williams site as opposed to the existing building.
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Mr. Mayer said the classes would be held at both locations. The intent was to put in a darkroom facility. The darkroom programs would be done at the Williams site, but the educational programs would continue at the Downtown facility. The programs would be unique to that site. Robert Peterson, architect and member of the Board of Directors, the Pacific Art League of Palo Alto, 335 Webster Street, said an important issue for the reuse of a facility was to make sure the use meshed with the existing building so that the amount of changes would be minimal and to breathe new life into the build-ing. The League was such a use. The use of the second-story rooms as studios would allow the rooms to remain the same. The site had a unique open space in an urban area which was a perfect mesh with the sculpture studios proposed in the garage and the renovation of the garden to a sculptural garden that would be open for public use. He would continue to be the architectural advisor for the League during the remodeling. RECESS: 9:35 P.M. - 9:44 P.M. Dick Sperisen, Coordinator Emeritus, San Mateo County Office of Education, Arts Education and School Design, 76 South Gate, Atherton, said the League had projected the vital importance of the arts to both youngsters and adults. The League's four strong components were perceptual development, creative expression, art heritage, and the aesthetic value of critiquing, interpreting, and building upon the other components. The League planned to expand the adult program to interface with the young so the young could participate with artists in residence and to broaden the four components. He emphasized the four components were the framework for arts education in the State of California and were projected for the upcoming, ongoing programs and for the proposed use at the Williams property. Roberta Roth-Patterson, President, Board of Directors, the Pacific Art League of Palo Alto, 668 Ramona Street, said the League had always been a community-oriented organization. The League was 73 years old, was healthy, vibrant, and looked forward to the future. The League recommitted itself to providing the Palo Alto community with not only art classes and exhibits but also a complete interactive experience. The faculty and curriculum had been expanded, and co-sponsored classes had begun. Recently, over 100 children were hosted at the annual summer arts camp. The League's outreach to the community had transpired on levels other than academic, e.g., AIDS awareness day events. She said between the Cubberley Community Center and the League there was a waiting list of almost 200 artists who had requested space. Emerging artists could be educated with more exhibition space while providing the community with another space to enjoy the artwork. The open space available at the Williams property would be used as public sculpture gardens. More space would enable the League to answer the need of Palo Alto photographers for darkroom and exhibition space and classes. For nearly 75 years, the League had rooted in and had rooted for Palo Alto, and the League hoped that Palo Alto would return the kindness.
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Council Member Andersen asked whether the artists who rented space in the facility would be paying rent comparable to the Cubberley facility. Ms. Roth-Patterson said the rent would probably be in between the rent at Cubberley and the market rate. The League would need to generate enough income to maintain the facility and promote the program. The charge would be by square footage, but a figure had not been determined. Council Member Andersen asked about the cost of the workshops and whether school groups were charged. Ms. Roth-Patterson said a workshop could cost $30 per day or a weekend. The tuition for classes was between $50 and $120 per quarter, which was 10 to 12 weeks long. School groups were charged the same per person rate as the public for workshops or classes. Council Member McCown asked what the projected levels of usage at the site were. Ms. Roth-Patterson said at the Downtown location, there were people in the building from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. six days a week. The academic program would not be that extensive at the Williams property. It was anticipated that the development of the sculpture garden would create an area for the public to visit for lunch or rent for a special event. Catherine Calvert, representing the Pacific Art League of Palo Alto, 555 Bryant Street, No. 211, emphasized that the League was not asking for any money from the City. The League had been self-supporting for 73 years and would organize a fund-raising campaign specifically tailored for the project. Money would also be raised through foundation grants and loans. The League had already received grants from the James Irvine Foundation, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Syntex. It would cooperate with the City for inclusion of the Williams property on the National Registry of Historic Places and would pursue any necessary financing in that area. Donations would be solicited from the membership and interested citizens. The League's current facility was debt free, and it was confident a lender would allow a loan against that concrete asset. Revenue for the ongoing maintenance of the facility would come from membership dues, class registration fees, arts and crafts sales, and studio rentals--the same four sources that had maintained the League for 73 years. In addition, rental was anticipated for the grounds for private receptions, weddings, and children activities. Dan Miley, 734 Waverley Street, said he would be pleased to have any of the proposers as immediate neighbors. The neighborhood had a distinctly residential tone. He wanted to address the issue of site parking and access to the Williams property and how that might affect the satisfaction of the five criteria of the Request for Proposal (RFP). Several proposers had specified large parking
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lots in the rear of the property. He asked whether a proposal that required a large parking lot would fall within the five criteria of the RFP, whether a large parking lot was necessary, and whether the applicants could find a creative solution to allow the guests or residents access to the property without a serious negative impact to the rear gardens. He reviewed the RFP criteria with respect to the parking. He believed off-site parking for the Williams property might encourage people to visit other areas in Palo Alto. Vice Mayor Simitian said the Siegels and the Toors spoke at a previous Council meeting. He asked whether the neighbors were aware that the Council was considering the issue. Mr. Miley said he purchased 734 Waverley Street from the Siegels. He had not contacted his neighbors. Council Member McCown asked whether Mr. Miley was gleaning his conclusion about the large asphalt requirement from the City's requirements that a certain number of parking spaces needed to be provided. Mr. Miley said each of the proposers had projected a high usage, and the usage seemed to have a tendency toward larger parking spaces. Council Member McCown asked whether any of the proposers projected more parking than required by the City for the site. Ms. Freeland said no. Council Member McCown clarified it was a Palo Alto Municipal Code requirement, and none of the proposers had proposed more than the requirement. Mr. Miley said one of the proposals indicated a need for a second driveway. Carl Moerdyke, Chairman of the Board, Museum of American Heritage, 275 Alma Street, said the Museum wished to continue as a vital part of the Palo Alto community. It complied with and satisfied the terms of the Williams' will with the cultural, scientific, and educational benefits that it offered. The Museum was dedicated to the preservation, as well as the presentation, of historical items and artifacts, and its usage of the Williams property could only enhance the historical aspects of the residence. The Museum had generated substantial financial support for its relocation efforts and expected to successfully meet the financial requirements of the Williams property. Assistance was requested of the City to bring the structure up to code; however, he reminded the Council that during previous discussions, Santa Clara County indicated it would make available $100,000 to the City for restoration of the house. The first relocation fund-raising event held the previous evening generated a profit in excess of $10,000. Approximately $50,000 had already been pledged and a substantial amount col-lected for relocation. In the past, there had been assurances from the community and the neighborhood groups that they supported
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the Museum's occupancy and use of the Williams property. Under the present schedule, the Museum operated approximately 750 hours per year, and the total patronage was approximately 26,000 which was boasted by a single exhibition that generated 13,000 visitors. The present hours of 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday averaged 26 visitors per hour. The visitors also included school groups that arrived by bus which lessened the impact. In addition, there was a long-term plan to expand the Museum to involve off-site locations for exhibits. The Williams property would not lend itself to the major exhibition but would fit well with the permanent exhibits which did not generate as much traffic as the special exhibits. The Museum had a proven track record of providing the community with historical, educational, and cultural benefits. He urged the Council to assure the Museum's continued presence in the community and vote in favor of an option to lease to the Museum. Council Member Huber asked for an explanation of why the proposal had been submitted, withdrawn, and resubmitted. Mr. Moerdyke said the Relocation Committee recommended withdrawal after review of the restrictions of the RFP. The Museum received encouragement from the staff to address some of the problems; and it drafted a proposal that better fit the Museum's requirements, working within the guidelines of the RFP as much as possible. Council Member Huber clarified the use proposed for the Williams property would not include larger exhibits. Mr. Moerdyke said a major exhibit might not fit because of the space restrictions. Smaller exhibits would adapt to the facility. Council Member Huber said the Museum had indicated an interest in the University Avenue Train Depot and asked whether the two locations would fit together. Mr. Moerdyke said a written proposal was submitted that evening for that location. The intent was to expand the Museum and use different locations that would lend itself to different types of exhibits and would allow major exhibits at a different location which would lessen traffic impacts. The University Avenue Train Depot was envisioned as a possible site. Council Member Huber said the Museum's proposal wanted the City to pay for all the costs except the tenant improvements. He asked the definition of tenant improvements. Mr. Moerdyke said the Museum would pay for everything necessary beyond code requirements to accommodate its usage. Council Member Wheeler said the Museum's proposal indicated a need to create a driveway along the back fences of the Waverley Street neighbors, and she asked whether the driveway was essential. Mr. Moerdyke said the driveway was not absolutely necessary, but there was a safety concern and the Museum felt the issue should be
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addressed in the proposal. Council Member Wheeler said the proposal mentioned the need to replace the current garage structure. She asked about the general size of the new structure. Mr. Moerdyke said the new structure was not envisioned to be substantially larger than the existing structure. The Museum had conducted a number of educational programs that it wanted to accommodate at the site. Council Member Wheeler clarified the replacement building would be approximately the same size and in the same location. Mr. Moerdyke said the Museum was willing to work with the City. Council Member Huber asked whether the Museum would be open additional days or hours if it had use of the Williams property. Mr. Moerdyke said yes. It might be necessary to expand the house as public support and visitation grew. Presently, there was special visitation by appointment during the weekdays at the Museum. Council Member Andersen asked whether the proposal would be withdrawn if the Council did not agree with the proposed costs for the improvements. Mr. Moerdyke said Santa Clara County had indicated previously to the City that up to $100,000 would be available for restoration. If the Museum made a grant application to the County in place of the City for that specific fund, then the Museum could work around the problem. Larry Klein, member, Board of Directors, The Palo Alto Fund, 872 Seale Avenue, said John Northway, President-elect, The Palo Alto Fund, had observed that most of the previous applicants had been trying to fit the house to their needs. Organizations should be found that fit the house's needs, and new organizations or programs fit that description. The length of time new organi-zations or programs would be in the building could be limited, and the organizations would not have the need to reshape the building. The Palo Alto Fund existed solely to support other nonprofit organizations, particularly the organizations that had new programs deserving of support. The leverage of financial support would be possible by allowing the organizations to have either free or reduced rent in the Williams property. The City would be able to enhance a broader section of the community by rotating the organizations that would be in the building. If an organization had a limit of four years in the Williams property and there was room for six organizations, over a 20-year period 30 different organizations would be at the facility. The Palo Alto Fund saw it as an opportunity for the City to continue its excellent support of nonprofit organizations. The Palo Alto Fund's application offered the Council a different approach for the Williams property.
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Len Levy, Chairperson of the Board, Cleo Eulau Center for Children and Adolescents, 2412 South Court, said the organization would make a substantial contribution to Palo Alto. The mission of the Cleo Eulau Center for Children and Adolescents (the Center) was to be a service and study institute dedicated to developing solutions to child and adolescent trauma. The problems associated with child and adolescent trauma provided a serious challenge to the community and the country. The results that were seen were an increase in child abuse, juvenile felonies, domestic violence, and child homelessness. The Center advocated early intervention. The Center was inspired and honored to carry the name of an outstand-ing leader in the field of mental health for children and adoles-cents. The Center would be a significant contributor to the development and improvement of techniques that help children and adolescents to achieve responsible, productive, and happy lives. It would be a bridge between academic theory and applied mental health service. Collaborative solutions involving other independent service providers would be stressed. The major task of the Board was to pursue fund-raising, and he gave an overview of the Board Members. Karita Hummer, Executive Director, Cleo Eulau Center for Children and Adolescents, 711 Colorado Avenue, said the Center emphasized training and research and was a cultural organization. Its purpose was to develop the intellectual and moral faculties through education. The Center was committed through its research, training, and service programs to advance the knowledge of the conditions that underscored childhood trauma and to alleviate and disseminate that knowledge. The Williams property would become a think tank atmosphere in which solutions to childhood trauma would be generated. There would be a library in the house open to the public and other professionals that related to childhood trauma. It would also house an exhibit of the life and work of Dr. Williams and his family. A separate, rotating exhibit would be maintained on the history of child mental health in the community and the pressing needs of children in the region and society. The Center would be unique in the region with its child advocacy exhibit. The Center would strictly adhere to the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. The physician's office restoration could be incorporated into the plan as an exhibit space. The gardens would be restored and open to the public. The garage would be retained for arts uses in the community and expressive arts therapy. She emphasized the building's restoration would meet the Center's mission to include groups like the East Palo Alto Historical and Agricultural Society (EPA) and the California Conservation Corps (CCC) to train disadvantaged youths in a collaborative effort. Peter Fenerin, 1102 Guinda Street, said he was a preservationist and knew that Ms. Hummer had great sensitivity to any historical issues and would be wonderful for the Williams property. Trevor Burrowes, President and Founder, East Palo Alto Historical and Agricultural Society, 1923 University Avenue, was impressed with Ms. Hummer's dedication and intellectual power. The EPA
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tried to regenerate a troubled community by preservation and working collaboratively with Ms. Hummer was extremely important. It was clear from his conversations with Ms. Hummer that the EPA needed to move in a collaborative direction and work with a broader base of people. The EPA was an environmental, cultural, and also a social service organization. The project would be an example of holistic thinking and it would educate the broader community. He hoped to direct the California Conservation Corps and lend its expertise in historic preservation. It would lead to a broad dissemination of historic preservation values. The Center dealt with health, and it was the health of the entire region. The EPA would provide innovative ways to preserve the landscape and create a more pedestrian friendly, sustainable type of preservation for the property. Bob Wilkins, Project Coordinator, California Conservation Corps, 2200 University Avenue, East Palo Alto, said the California Conservation Corps (CCC) was a work ethic program sponsored by the State that worked on tree planting, trail building, public access to wildland areas, floods, earthquakes, and fought fires. He planned to integrate the crew into the emergency response network of the local cities. He had been forced to look for creative ways to develop funding for his crew since it was not funded by the State and had joined in partnership with Mission College to develop a restoration department. The college would teach the core members restoration skills, and the buildings obtained to restore would become a laboratory to apply the skills the core members had learned in the classes. The core members would be certified in specific skills. The original plan was to work with buildings in East Palo Alto, but he decided to look for a broader base area. It seemed appropriate for youths coming out of a traumatized area to be involved in a project that restored a building that would be used as intervention for young people who had been traumatized. Bob Moss, 4010 Orme Street, agreed that the building should be brought up to code and the property owner who leased the facility should make it legal and safe. The City should waive the costs if the proposed uses required more in code repairs than others. The City should not put money into capital improvements to benefit a particular tenant. The track record of the applicant should be considered and should demonstrate an ability to operate without additional City funding. Compliance with the terms of the will was important, and noncommercial use should be emphasized. Charging for admission to a museum was not a commercial use, but charging for classes or fees for service bordered on commercial use. It should serve a broad range of community interest, but it should not be so broad that it became intrusive on the neighborhood. There should be a fit between the user and the house. He suggested the City charge rent for the facility but defer the collection of the rent until the end of the year and evaluate the performance of a tenant. If the performance were satisfactory, the City could defer or forgive all or a portion of the rent. It would give the City an opportunity to require the tenants to perform.
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Chet Villalba, Board Member, Cleo Eulau Center for Children and Adolescents, 770 Clipper Street, San Francisco, believed the Center would be unique in its collaborative and alliance rela-tionship. The Williams property would be the center for research and training and some direct services; however, most of the services would be throughout the two counties at other agencies. The concept of collaboration was not used in the communities, but it was absolutely necessary. The Center integrated services of research and training and also expressive arts which fit into the intent of the Williams property. Children's work would be created and displayed as part of the therapeutic process. He said in addition to national experts, the advisory committee had psychotherapists and researchers from Stanford University and California Institute of Clinical Social Work. Citizens had also agreed to help with fund-raising. He hoped the Council would consider the Center. Gladys Woodhams, 601 Melville Avenue, said the Williams property should be the main concern. The proposers that evening had spoken regarding their use of the house. The historic house was from a craftsman period that needed gentle care. The Council needed to remember it was working toward the future. The Museum of American Heritage and the Pacific Art League of Palo Alto should look for appropriate permanent facilities elsewhere. The Society was the only group that qualified because it involved a house museum. Palo Alto needed the Williams house as a house museum. Crystal Gammage, President, Palo Alto Historical Association, 1568 Channing Avenue, had supported the historical use of the house. The Museum of American Heritage had asked PAHA to look over the house and determine how the PAHA could complement its efforts to maintain the legacy in Palo Alto. The PAHA was pleased to state that it could be mutually accommodating in providing Palo Alto with a long-needed presence of its history beyond what the PAHA now had at the main library. The Museum would make space available to PAHA, and there was discussion about restoration of the doctor's office. The PAHA wanted to continue the momentum of the Centennial year, and a historical use of the Williams property would complement Professorville. The PAHA was pleased to have been included in the proposal by the Museum. Gloria Brown, 1766 Fulton Street, was impressed with the caliber of the exhibits and the people who worked at the Museum. She wanted the Museum to stay in Palo Alto. Beth Wyman, member, Historical Heritage Commission, 12231 Fredericksburg, Saratoga, said Ms. Hummer founded the Preservation Action Council in San Jose and made a big impact on the preserva-tion community. One of her biggest contributions was forming Destination Cities which was a task force of historic preservation to coordinate activities to apply for Intermodal Surface Transpor-tation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) funds for transportation enhancement. The teamwork resulted in receiving more than $6 million in ISTEA funding. Ms. Hummer was very capable and dedicated and was the best caretaker to correctly preserve the adaptive reuse of the Williams house. She intended to make it a
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house museum. Yvonne Low-Cox, 1496 Greenbrier Road, San Carlos, spoke on behalf of deaf/hard-of-hearing children and the Children Tree House. She was confident that Dr. Hecht would assure that the house would be done according to the will and that the program would lend itself to the other stipulations in the will as well as meeting a real community need for families in Palo Alto and the Peninsula. The program needed a place to continue to grow and provide community support and education. The program had helped her son adjust to his daily living and school. The program would meet one require-ment of the will to enhance the life of children. The deaf community had been a silent community and had not an identified program with which to meet the needs of the children. She was confident through fund-raising efforts that the building could be restored to its intended use. Keith McFarland, 13661 La Paloma, Los Altos Hills, spoke regarding Dr. Hecht's amazing programs for recreation and cultural growth for the deaf. Palo Alto was prominent in teaching the deaf and had an opportunity to be a world-famous center for recreation and cultural activities for the deaf. The Williams house would be a wonderful community center where parents could discuss problems. Another advantage would be that the meetings would be in the evenings and weekends and there would not be traffic problems during the day. Gail Woolley, former Mayor and Council Member, 1685 Mariposa Avenue, believed that the Cleo Eulau Center was a perfect fit both in terms of the needs of the community and the needs of the house. Children were experiencing much more trauma, and there was an increasing need in the community for that kind of service. The Executive Director of the proposal had both the vocation and advocation that fit beautifully with the needs of the house. Ms. Hummer had been Co-Chair of the Committee of Preservation Action in San Jose, and the California Preservation Foundation had been impressed with the activity and accomplishments of that group. Ms. Hummer had a track record in writing and receiving grants. She had a tremendous respect for the Williams house but she also knew how to bring about the restoration. The Cleo Eulau Center was the group that could do the best and fastest job. Ms. Hummer had been involved in the Guadalupe Gardens project and had had a strong voice in the design of that huge garden and her expertise could be applied to the garden at the Williams house. The expertise of the Executive Director of the Cleo Eulau Center proposal was incredibly congruent with the needs of the house and the community. Vice Mayor Simitian declared the Public Hearing closed. MOTION TO CONTINUE: Council Member Fazzino moved, seconded by Huber, to continue the item to the Monday, September 19, 1994, City Council Meeting. MOTION TO CONTINUE PASSED 7-0, Kniss, Schneider "not participat-ing."
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REPORTS OF OFFICIALS 10. Response to Grand Jury Recommendations Regarding the Stan-dardization of Policies, Licensing, and Fee Schedules Asso-ciated with False Alarms Police Chief Chris Durkin said in response to a complaint that fines and penalties levied for false burglar alarms in San Jose were both exorbitant and inconsistently applied, the Grand Jury recently initiated inquiry into the administration of burglar alarm programs in ten Santa Clara County cities. The Grand Jury determined that the various cities' burglar alarm ordinances, policies, and procedures varied and were inconsistent. The Grand Jury subsequently made eight recommendations that dealt with the standardization of policies and procedures. Only five of the eight recommendations had any relationship to the City's alarm ordinance. The five recommendations primarily dealt with response requirements by officers, alarm permits and annual registration, automation of records, standardization of false alarm reporting periods, and that fines be allowed to accrue during the annual permit period and to be payable in full at the time of renewal, cancellation, or termination of a permit. Staff believed Palo Alto's present alarm ordinance and procedures were adequate and reasonable, and they struck a balance of assessing responsibility for false alarms while recovering the costs. MOTION: Vice Mayor Simitian moved, seconded by Fazzino, to authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the Santa Clara County Grand Jury indicating the City of Palo Alto's response to the recommendations. MOTION PASSED 9-0. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 11:30 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: City Clerk Mayor NOTE: Sense minutes (synopsis) are prepared in accordance with Palo Alto Municipal Code Sections 2.04.200 (a) and (b). The City Council and Standing Committee meeting tapes are made solely for the purpose of facilitating the preparation of the minutes of the meetings. City Council and Standing Committee meeting tapes are recycled 90 days from the date of the meeting. The tapes are available for members of the public to listen to during regular office hours.
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