HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-12-19 City Council Summary Minutes Regular Meeting December 19, 1994 1. Palo Alto Child Care Task Force Report ................ 74-345 2. Resolutions of Appreciation to Palo Alto Child Care Task Force Members .................................... 74-346 3. Appointments to Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation Board of Directors .......................................... 74-352 4. Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation Public Access Award .. 74-352 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ....................................... 74-352 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 7 AND NOVEMBER 9, 1994 ..... 74-353 5. Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. S4024678 between the City of Palo Alto and Lawson Software for In-House Training .............................................. 74-353 6. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and ESCOM for Class Registration and Facilities Scheduling Software . 74-353 7. Approval of Official Statement and Resolution Authorizing Sale of Utility Revenue Bonds 1995 Series A 74-353 8. Utilities Advisory Commission recommends to the City Council approval of a Power Purchase Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Bonneville Power Administration and British Columbia Power Exchange Corporation for Firm Energy, Firm Capacity, and Replacement Energy Sales .............................. 74-353 9. Resolution 7474 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing the Use of Credit Cards as a Medium of Payment for Any Fee, Charge or Tax Due the City and Authorizing the Imposition of a Fee for the Use of a Credit Card in Payment of Any Such Fee, Charge or Tax .................................... 74-354 10. The Finance Committee recommends to the City Council approval of the staff recommendation to adopt the ordinance authorizing: 1) closing of the 1993-94 Budget 74-354
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10A. Conference with Labor Negotiator ...................... 74-354 11. PUBLIC HEARING: Resolution Ordering Weed Nuisance Abated ................................................ 74-354 12. PUBLIC HEARING: Planning Commission recommends to the City Council approval of an application to rezone property located at 2650 Park Boulevard and 204, 228, and 230 Sheridan Avenue from RM-40 (High Density Multiple Family Residence) District to PC (Planned Community) underground parking and site improvements (a 141-foot front yard setback variance and a Tentative Subdivision Map to create condominiums are also required) ............................................. 74-356 13. Ordinance Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1994-95 to Provide an Additional Appropriation to Extend the City's Option to Purchase 725 and 753 Alma Street for Single Room Occupancy Housing ......................... 74-356 14. City Auditor's Status Report .......................... 74-357 15. Mayor Kniss re Cancellation of Regular City Council Meetings of December 27, 1994, and January 3, 1995 ... 74-359 16. Council Comments, Questions, and Announcements ........ 74-359 ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION: The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. to Closed Session ................................ 74-359 FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. ..... 74-360
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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 ABSENT: Schneider, Simitian, Wheeler SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY 1. Palo Alto Child Care Task Force Report Child and Youth Coordinator Ilene Hertz said the Palo Alto Community Child Care Task Force (PACCTF) represented an example of a citizen's advisory group which defined it mission, created a constituency in the community, and took seriously its charge to create and implement a child care master plan. After five years of implementation, the PACCTF was ready to declare its mission complete and move into another phase. She thanked the PACCTF members and liaisons who had served since 1986. Palo Alto Child Care Task Force Chairperson Janet Greig said what was being submitted to Council was the result of 20 plus years of the City's commitment to the issue of child care. If it had not been for people in the early 1970s who brought the measure forward and worked on it diligently over the years, Palo Alto would not be where it was today. An editorial San Jose Mercury News spoke about child care and spoke specifically to the City of Palo Alto along with some other corporations' support for network accredita-tion of child care facilities. Although, the PACCTF could not take credit for that, it was an example of Palo Alto's commitment to the issue of child care. The PACCTF had been in place since 1986 and there were approximately of 60 people who committed a lot of time and effort. The report suggested that the PACCTF be sunsetted. The Master Plan was five years old and 90 percent accomplished. There were a few issues still open and it was the PACCTF's recommendation that there be a Child Care Advisory Board and that it work on those issues such as child care real estate land use, resource and referral services, sick child care program, and review of the subsidy program. The Child Care PACCTF would be meeting in January 1995 to work with staff on a detailed recommendation to return to Council in February 1995. The PACCTF was pleased with the level of success that had accomplished and wanted to acknowledge the City's commitment to child care in terms of funding staff, after school and preschool programs at 11 elementary schools, and the subsidy that helped support families. Council Member Fazzino thanked all of the members of the PACCTF. He was pleased with all that had been accomplished and the time spent over the past ten years in the area of child care. Any one of the accomplishments could stand on its own. In particular, he wanted to thank the members for their leadership and assistance in working with City staff to restructure Palo Alto Community Child Care (PACCC)in dealing with a very serious crisis and preserving the community-based child care program. He felt there would be opportunities in the future to bring together leaders such as in the PACCTF to address future child care challenges.
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Council Member Andersen agreed with Council Member Fazzino with regard to the accolades for the efforts that had been carried out by the PACCTF. Given the excellent recommendations that were included in the Executive Summary of the staff report (CMR:540:94), he wanted to encourage the PACCTF members that were concerned and interested to attend some of the Comprehensive Plan meetings dealing with some of the PACCTF's land use issues described in the staff report. Council Member Huber thanked the PACCTF and expressed his appreciation for its hard work, early hours, and great accomplish-ments. It was phenomenal that a PACCTF could be created, accomplish its purpose, and be sunsetted. It was a model for most things that were done in a community such as Palo Alto. Ms. Greig thanked Council Member Huber for his sentiments but felt it was important to recognize that the PACCTF was not going away. The PACCTF itself was being sunsetted, but the commitment to child care and the newly structured group would exist to meet immediate issues and whether those issues were met would determine whether the PACCTF would go away as a group or not. The PACCTF was very grateful to the Council and its predecessors and felt it appropriate to thank them because without their support nothing could have been accomplished. Mayor Kniss echoed all of the sentiments put forth and indicated she was very grateful to some of the PACCTF members that had also been working on an ad hoc group during the year regarding families and the future of families and child care in Palo Alto. No action required. 2. Resolutions of Appreciation to Palo Alto Child Care Task Force Members MOTION: Council Member Fazzino moved, seconded by Huber, to adopt the Resolutions. Resolution 7419 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Regina Abdul-Mateen for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7420 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Dorothea Almond for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7421 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Stephen Avis for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7422 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
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City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to James Battersby for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care PACCTF" Resolution 7423 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Mary Bobel for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7424 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Dana Bunnett for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7425 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Coryn Campbell for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7426 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Cynthia Cannady for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7427 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Deborah Clark for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7428 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Laura Cory for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7429 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Jeannette Cosby for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7430 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Margo Dutton for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7431 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Kate Feinstein for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7432 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Joan Fisch for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7433 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Susan Frank for
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Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7434 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Janet Greig for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7435 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Sunaina Gulati for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7436 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Diane Horgan for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7437 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Anne Horne for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7438 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Cindy Howard for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7439 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Chop Keenan for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7440 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Irene Kennedy for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7441 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Carolyn Koerschen for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7442 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Nancy Klimp for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7443 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Sheila Mandoli for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7444 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Julia Mannheimer for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto
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Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7445 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Jeanette Marquess for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7446 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Fran McIntyre for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7447 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Robin Parker Meredith for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7448 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Leland Muckey for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7449 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Carol Olson for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7450 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to June Parker for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7451 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Gail Price for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7452 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Michele Pruitt for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7453 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Kathy Randall for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7454 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to C.A. Salberg for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7455 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Rachel Samoff for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force"
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Resolution 7456 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Joan Berman Segall for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7457 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Martin Selznick for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7458 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Christine Shambora for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7459 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Lynn Silton for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7460 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Sheila Springs for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7461 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Lorene Stanley for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7462 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Lisa Stelck for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7463 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Susan Stulz for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7464 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Michael Sullivan for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7465 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Kathleen Sullivan for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7466 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Tanya Swezey-Gleason for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force"
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Resolution 7467 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Mary Sylvester for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7468 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Margaret Toor for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7469 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Mary Van Patten for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7470 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Don Way for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7471 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Gretchen Wehrle for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" Resolution 7472 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing Appreciation to Robin Winston for Outstanding Public Service as a Member of the Palo Alto Child Care Task Force" MOTION PASSED 6-0, Schneider, Simitian, Wheeler absent. Chop Keenan, Palo Alto Child Care Task Force member, said it had been a pleasure to work with the PACCTF members, most of whom were working women. The fact that the PACCTF met at 7:15 a.m. was proof that the PACCTF was borne of necessity and met at a time when working women raising children could find time in their busy schedules to meet. The PACCTF was borne of local necessity and responded to with local solutions. The focus and dedication of the PACCTF members was remarkable. Christine Shambora, Palo Alto Child Care Task Force member, said as an early member of the PACCTF, it was a thrill to reflect back from the beginning at how much the PACCTF had accomplished over the years. She personally had a need for child care after school for her five-year old and was delighted it was there for her. It was a wonderful gift to all Palo Altans to have child care services provided in the community, and she also wanted to thank the Council and its predecessors who thought child care was important enough to form a task force. Mary Van Patten, Palo Alto Child Care Task Force member, taught at Walter Hayes School for 22 years and worked in a PACCTF during World War II. When she applied to be on the PACCTF, she was the only grandmother among many young mothers, but she had years of knowledge of the types of problems mothers had with obtaining care
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for young children. She was happy the report was now complete, that there was something to show for all of the hard work put forth, and that City staff support made it easier for the PACCTF to accomplish that. 3. Appointments to Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation Board of Directors Mayor Kniss said she would vote for former Mayor Mike Cobb who had a particular interest in communications. She was very impressed by both Roger Smith and Ruth Lacey and encouraged them to apply for other boards or commissions if they did not receive the appointment that evening. Council Member Fazzino said Roger Smith was someone that could serve the community in a number of ways and encouraged him to apply for further boards or commissions in the future. It was a very difficult call between Ruth Lacey and Mike Cobb, and he would like to see both on the Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation (M-PAC) Board of Directors. His first ballot would be cast for Mike Cobb because he saw a real need for marketing and public relations expertise in M-PAC. Mr. Cobb could bring some real communications skills to that venture and perhaps make more individuals in the community aware of M-PAC's outstanding programming. FIRST ROUND OF VOTING VOTING FOR COBB: Andersen, Fazzino, Huber, Kniss, McCown, Rosenbaum VOTING FOR LACEY: VOTING FOR SMITH: City Clerk Gloria Young announced that Mike Cobb received six votes, with Vice Mayor Simitian, and Council Members Schneider and Wheeler absent, and was appointed on the first ballot. 4. Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation Public Access Award Elliot Margolies, Executive Director, Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation, shared their Access Award with the City and showed a five-minute video. No action required. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Tricia Ward-Dolkas, 412 Everett Avenue, spoke regarding the Comprehensive Plan process. Tom Sheehan, 237 Homer Avenue, spoke regarding a traffic situation and thanked the Police and Fire Departments for their immediate response. He also asked that Homer and Channing Avenues be reviewed.
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Donald Mayall, 531 Alger Drive, spoke regarding cable and his role on the Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation Board. Edmund Power, 2254 Dartmouth Street, spoke regarding dishonesty in government (letter on file in the City Clerk's Office). Irvin Dawid, 3886 LaDonna Avenue, congratulated Council Member McCown for her appointment to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the CalTrain Joint Powers Board. Bob Moss, 4010 Orme Street, spoke regarding the graffiti program. Council Member Fazzino asked when the graffiti program would be placed on a Council agenda. City Manager June Fleming said the graffiti program would be placed on a Council agenda in January 1995. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 7 AND NOVEMBER 9, 1994 MOTION: Council Member Fazzino moved, seconded by Andersen, to approve the Minutes of November 7 and November 9, 1994, as submitted. MOTION PASSED 6-0, Schneider, Simitian, Wheeler absent. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Council Member McCown moved, seconded by Fazzino, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 5 - 10. 5. Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. S4024678 between the City of Palo Alto and Lawson Software for In-House Training 6. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and ESCOM for Class Registration and Facilities Scheduling Software 7. Approval of Official Statement and Resolution Authorizing Sale of Utility Revenue Bonds 1995 Series A Resolution 7473 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing Sale of Not to Exceed $9,450,000 Principal Amount of Utility Revenue Bonds, 1995 Series A, Adopting Official Notice of Sale, Notice of Sale, Notice of Intention and Official Statement and Authorizing Official Actions Related Thereto" 8. Utilities Advisory Commission recommends to the City Council approval of a Power Purchase Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Bonneville Power Administration and British Columbia Power Exchange Corporation for Firm Energy, Firm Capacity, and Replacement Energy Sales 9. Resolution 7474 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing the Use of Credit Cards as a Medium of Payment for Any Fee, Charge or Tax Due the City and
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Authorizing the Imposition of a Fee for the Use of a Credit Card in Payment of Any Such Fee, Charge or Tax" 10. The Finance Committee recommends to the City Council approval of the staff recommendation to adopt the ordinance authoriz-ing: 1) closing of the 1993-94 Budget; 2) reappropriating funds into the 1994-95 Operating Budget; and 3) closing various capital improvement project balances, for projects which had been completed, to the Budget Stabilization Reserve Ordinance 4254 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing the Closing of the Budget for Fiscal Year 1993-94" MOTION PASSED 6-0, Schneider, Simitian, Wheeler absent. CLOSED SESSION The item may occur during the recess or after the Regular Meeting. 10A. Conference with Labor Negotiator Agency Negotiator: City Council Ad Hoc Personnel Committee (Ron Andersen, Dick Rosenbaum, Liz Kniss) Unrepresented Employees: City Manager June Fleming, City Attorney Ariel Calonne, City Auditor William Vinson, City Clerk Gloria Young
Authority: Government Code ∋54957.6 Public Comment None. PUBLIC HEARINGS 11. PUBLIC HEARING: Resolution Ordering Weed Nuisance Abated Council Member McCown asked if the list of properties affected by the ordinance was available that evening or at another meeting. Deputy Fire Chief Phil Constantino replied that a list was available, but once it has been established that there were nuisances available, Santa Clara County (the County) inspectors would be sent out and that was the list that would go on the tax assessor rolls which would go to the Council in the summer months. Council Member McCown asked whether specific property owners had been notified about the meeting that evening. Mr. Constantino said yes, both the County and the City notified the property owners. Mayor Kniss said that evening was the time and place set for a public hearing on Resolution 7368 declaring weeds to be a nuisance. She asked that the record reflect that notice of
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hearing was given in the time, manner, and form provided for in Chapter 8.08 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code. City Clerk Gloria said one written objection was received at places that evening. Mayor Kniss declared the Public Hearing open. Receiving no requests from the public to speak, she declared the Public Hearing closed. She noted that one written objection was received against the weed abatement proceedings, and that any resolution passed by the Council on the matter would reflect that finding. City Attorney Ariel Calonne said the Council had the authority and obligation to either approve or reject the objection. City Manager June Fleming said Mr. Constantino could explain the process when a complaint was received and advise that staff would respond to the person who expressed the concern in the written objection. Mr. Calonne said it was a good idea to get some evidence as to the reasons for overruling the objection. Mr. Constantino said the County would inspect a particular site if it were one of the parcels in question. However, in checking the rolls received from the County, staff could not find any evidence that that particular parcel had ever been on any of the tax assessor or inspection program rolls previously, so the property owner must have received notification erroneously. The County established three or four inspections prior to the actual movement of placing the parcel on the tax assessor rolls. The property owner was given ample opportunity to correct the situation and was asked to respond back to the County advising them whether to perform the work or whether the property owner wanted to do the work. After three or four notifications, the City received approximately 100 people on the assessor rolls and the County usually performed the work for them. Council Member McCown said she had asked about a list earlier because when she saw the letter she could not tell whether the person was referring to a piece of property about which he/she had received some kind of notice or not. It appeared to her that it was a much more generalized objection to the idea of whether the government should be involved in the program, not specifically related to a property. She understood staff would follow up and contact the person to try and clear up any communication problem there might be as to whether the property was or was not affected. Mayor Kniss said as she read through the letter, she agreed that it seemed to be a more general concern and had to do with government intrusion in general. MOTION: Council Member Fazzino moved, seconded by McCown, to adopt the Resolution. Resolution 7475 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the
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City of Palo Alto Ordering Weed Nuisance Abated" MOTION PASSED 6-0, Schneider, Simitian, Wheeler absent. 12. PUBLIC HEARING: Planning Commission recommends to the City Council approval of an application to rezone property located at 2650 Park Boulevard and 204, 228, and 230 Sheridan Avenue from RM-40 (High Density Multiple Family Residence) District to PC (Planned Community) underground parking and site improvements (a 141-foot front yard setback variance and a Tentative Subdivision Map to create condominiums are also required) MOTION TO CONTINUE: Council Member Andersen moved, seconded by Huber, to continue the public hearing to the Monday, January 23, 1995, City Council meeting. MOTION TO CONTINUE PASSED 6-0, Schneider, Simitian, Wheeler absent. ORDINANCES 13. Ordinance Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1994-95 to Provide an Additional Appropriation to Extend the City's Option to Purchase 725 and 753 Alma Street for Single Room Occupancy Housing Senior Planner Catherine Siegel said it was the first step in moving the proposed Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing project from the feasibility study phase to actual construction of a new housing development. Staff and the Palo Alto Housing Corporation (PAHC) had developed a tentative schedule to move the project forward during the next six months. The schedule would be discussed in more detail in a staff report being prepared for the January 17, 1995, Council agenda. The excelerated schedule had three key advantages: 1) it would allow completion of a combined environmental review on both the purchase of the property and the housing project; 2) it would also allow a Council decision on the zoning entitlements prior to the June 30, 1995, expiration of the extended option period; and 3) it permitted submittal of financing and tax credit applications in 1995. Staff would return to Council on January 17, 1995, with a predevelopment loan agreement with the PAHC which would advance funding to cover the cost of preparation of the zoning and financing applications. Council Member Rosenbaum said for the record that the actual cost would be somewhat less than indicated in the staff report CMR:538:94 because the money was in an account earning interest, whereas if the property were purchased now that would not be the case. The real cost was more on the order of one half of the amount. MOTION: Council Member Fazzino moved, seconded by McCown, to 1) adopt the Budget Amendment Ordinance authorizing the transfer of $32,501 in Housing Reserve Funds (Industrial-Commercial Account) to provide funds to extend the City's option to purchase the
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property at 753 Alma Street through June 30, 1995; and 2) direct the City Manager to extend the City's option to purchase 753 Alma Street on a month-to-month basis, as necessary, through June 30, 1995, to allow completion of the appropriate environmental review processes assessing the purchase of the property and the development of a Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) housing project, as proposed in the Palo Alto Housing Corporation's Feasibility Study. Ordinance 4255 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1994-95 to Provide an Additional Appropriation to Extend the City's Option to Purchase 725 and 753 Alma Street for Single Room Occupancy Housing" MOTION PASSED 6-0, Schneider, Simitian, Wheeler absent. REPORTS OF OFFICIALS 14. City Auditor's Status Report City Auditor William Vinson said the report reflected the activi-ties in the City Auditor's Office for the first six months of Fiscal Year 1994-95. The report showed audits and reviews issued, completed, and currently in progress. Audits indicated as completed had been presented to the City Manager for review and comment and would be issued pending receipt of her response. The report also showed results of reviews completed during the period. Reviews were projects that were significantly less in scope than audits and were not generally included in the annual audit plan. During the period, the City Auditor's Office completed and issued three audits, the field work for two major audits which would be issued in the third quarter, made significant progress towards completing audits of timekeeping and sales tax, reviewed the City Clerk's Vital Records and the City's Gasoline Credit Cards, and assisted the external auditors in completion of the City's annual financial audit which would be issued in January 1995. At the request of Council, the Palo Alto Sanitation Company (PASCO) audit had been agendized for January 23, 1995, and the Contract Adminis-tration audit would be agendized upon completion. Council Member Andersen asked about the property tax item. He appreciated that the scope of the audit had been expanded to looking into the methodologies used in providing projections to the City. He asked if Mr. Vinson could expand on what he anticipated that might include and what would be the benefit for the City in that regard. Mr. Vinson said that the scope had been expanded from a traditional recovery audit to include a significant forecasting mechanism for cities and other municipalities that relied on property tax in its budgeting process. What was anticipated with that step was to work with other entities, i.e., the City of San Jose and other cities within the County, to identify how the property sales tax was determined, how forecasts were communicated, what the methodology was to attain those amounts, and also to look specifically at the City of Palo Alto to see if
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it was getting reasonable, clear, and accurate information and if it appeared to be the actual amounts received. Council Member Andersen complimented Mr. Vinson and noted some of the problems that were seen in other municipalities, particularly with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) and the problems it had with regard to the property tax calculations. He hoped that through the cooperative effort, the City could encourage other cities and municipalities to put some pressure on the new County Tax Assessor. Council Member McCown said Mr. Vinson had eluded to interviews with the County personnel. She asked if there were any aspect of that that was adversarial in terms of what kind of cooperation there would be and how the City could make it work well with another agency. Mr. Vinson said until staff actually met with the County and viewed how things were done, it would be hard to say how the relationship would be. There was a possibility that the relationship might be adversarial, not unlike that which accompanied any audit that was done. He was hopeful that by stating the City's objectives clearly and letting the County know exactly what it wanted would minimize that. Staff would work with the County's staff but knew that the methods currently being used by the County were somewhat archaic. Staff had heard about a lot of inaccuracies that had resulted from those methods. It was important to get the audit done, but it was fair to assume that staff might have a tough time. Council Member McCown asked whether the City was entirely dependent on the County's voluntary cooperation or whether the City had authority to demand information. City Attorney Ariel Calonne said only to the extent of the Public Records Acts which was limited in that area. Council Member McCown said the extent to which the County was or was not helpful would relate to how City staff would be able to approach County staff and also what kind of time demands the County had for its other responsibilities. Mr. Vinson said it was not unchartered territory in the sense that auditor's did it all the time. There were firms that specialized in property tax audits and city auditors did property tax audits fairly regularly, although Palo Alto had not nor had many other cities in Santa Clara. Even though it might be a precedent in Santa Clara County, it was not unprecedented in the field. He did not foresee any problems in getting information since it directly related to amounts that were remitted to the City of Palo Alto which would give the City some right to thee records. Council Member Andersen said in addition to the Public Records Act, the fact that there was a newly elected County Tax Assessor and especially if there were a coordinated effort on the part of the cities to join in the effort, he felt there would be a very
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positive response on the part of the County. He asked that the item be agendized in order that the Council could have that follow up. Mayor Kniss asked if a change in the administration of the County Tax Assessor's Office would alter how the City would deal with that particular problem. Mr. Vinson did not think so. Staff's approach would be the same regardless of who the tax assessor was. In a sense, it would be beneficial because if the City did go in and find problems, the new tax assessor would not be carrying old baggage and it would be in the tax assessor's best interest to work with the City to help resolve the problems. He felt the timing for an audit was good. Mayor Kniss felt there was very strong community support as well and she urged that the audit happen. She was very interested in knowing the results. No action required. COUNCIL MATTERS 15. Mayor Kniss re Cancellation of Regular City Council Meetings of December 27, 1994, and January 3, 1995 MOTION: Council Member Fazzino moved, seconded by McCown, to cancel the City Council meetings of December 27, 1994, and January 3, 1995. MOTION PASSED 6-0, Schneider, Simitian, Wheeler absent. 16. Council Comments, Questions, and Announcements Mayor Kniss announced that Alfred Wherry had his 106th Birthday on December 15, 1994. She also congratulated Council Member McCown on her appointment to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). Council Member McCown said she looked forward to her service on the MTC. It would be an enormous challenge to educate herself on all of the transportation issues that MTC dealt with. She said her appointment to the CalTrain Joint Powers Board was an added bonus. Council Member Fazzino also congratulated Council Member McCown on her appointment to the MTC. He thanked Mayor Kniss for an outstanding and "delightful" year during her service as Mayor, particularly during the Centennial Year, and for accomplishing all of her goals. ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION: The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. to Closed Session The City Council met in Closed Session to discuss a matter involving labor negotiations as described in Agenda Item No. 10A.
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Mayor Kniss announced that no action was taken. FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:55 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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