HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-06-19 City Council Summary Minutes Regular Meeting June 19, 1995 1. Palo Alto/University Rotary Club - $20,000 Donation for the After School "Outlet" Program.....................76-184 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS........................................76-184 AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS...................76-184 2. PUBLIC HEARING: Adoption of the 1995-96 Budget and approval of Budget Adoption Ordinance, including the 1995-96 Capital Improvement Program, changes to the Municipal Fee Schedule, Utility Rates and Charges, and various changes to Compensation Plans.................76-185 3. Policy and Services Committee re Traffic Safety Issues76-200 4. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation for Cablecasting Services..........76-201 5. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. S3036240 between the City of Palo Alto and Geodesy for the Performance of Geographic Information System Application Software Development Services..................................76-201 6. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. S5051816 between the City of Palo Alto and Sure Flow, Inc. dba Roto-Rooter for the Performance of Sewer Lateral Maintenance Services to Palo Alto Residents...................................76-201 7. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and Graphic Data Systems Corporation for Geographical Information System Hardware and Software Maintenance Services............76-201 8. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and J. P. Services for the Performance of Software Maintenance Services to the Electric Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System........................................76-201 9. Resolution 7525 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the Seventh Amendment to Agreement to Provide Local Law
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Enforcement Access to the California Identification System................................................76-201 10. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and City of Los Altos Hills for Renewal of Emergency Animal Control and Care Services.........................................76-201 11. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and Ameritech Library Services for Library Computer System Maintenance76-201 14. Amendment No. 6 to Contract No. C0006277 between City of Palo Alto and the Peninsula Area Information and Referral Services, Inc. for Provision of Telephone Information and Referral Services and Operation of Landlord/Tenant and Community Mediation Services..........................76-202 15. Amendment No. 8 to Contract No. C0001714 between the City of Palo Alto and the Senior Coordinating Council of the Palo Alto Area, Inc. for Provision of Services for Senior Adults................................................76-202 16. Amendment No. 6 to Contract No. C0006279 between the City of Palo Alto and Adolescent Counseling Services for Provision of Counseling Services for Adolescents......76-202 17. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Community Association for Rehabilitation for Services for Provision of Services to the Developmentally Disabled...........76-202 18. Agreement between City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Unified School District for Provision of Counseling Services at Gunn and Palo Alto High Schools.......................76-202 20. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Peninsula Sports Officials Association for Scheduling of Umpires and Officials for Adult Softball and Basketball Leagues76-202 21. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and John Whitlinger for Tennis Instructors.....................76-202 22. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Gymnastics West for Instructors for Gymnastics and Related Classes76-202 23. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Skyhawks Sports Academy for Instructors for Sports Camps.......76-202 24. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) for Rental of Facilities for Recreation Programs...............................76-202 25. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Housing Corporation for Provision of Affordable Housing
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Services and Administration of Below Market Rate Housing Program...............................................76-202 26. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and the Urban Ministry of Palo Alto for Services for the Homeless...76-202 27. Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. C5072778 between the City of Palo Alto and Royston, Hanamoto, Alley & Abey for Consulting Services related to Capital Improvement Program Design Consulting Services....................76-202 28. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. S4043199 between the City of Palo Alto and Quality Assurance Engineering, Inc. dba Consolidated Engineering Laboratories for Special Inspection, Materials Testing Services and Construction Inspection Services...................................76-203 29. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and Empire Equipment Company for Heavy Equipment Repairs.........76-203 30. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and Cavallino Collision Repair for Repair Service to City Vehicles and Equipment.............................................76-203 30A. (Old Item 13) Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Community Child Care, Inc. for Provision of Subsidized Child Care and Administrative Support for Operation of the Subsidy Program......................76-203 30B. (Old Item 12) Contract between the City of Palo Alto and California Land Management for Ranger Patrol Services in Palo Alto's Urban Parks...............................76-203 31. Council Comments, Questions, and Announcements........76-204 ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m...........76-204
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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. Palo Alto/University Rotary Club - $20,000 Donation for the After School "Outlet" Program Mayor Simitian presented a proclamation to the Palo Alto/University Rotary Club. David MacKenzie, President, Palo Alto/University Rotary Club, said Sunny Dykewell, Chairperson, Epicurean Debut fund-raising event, did an excellent job and the event showed what an organization such as the Rotary Club in Palo Alto could do when the community was behind them. The community came together to help raise the money. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Lynn Chiapella, 631 Colorado Avenue, spoke regarding possible cuts of the Utilities transfers being made up of Utility Users Tax. Anne O'Neill, 130 Bryant Street, spoke regarding disposal of impounded bicycles. AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS MOTION TO CONTINUE: Council Member Fazzino moved, seconded by Wheeler, to continue Recommendation No. 1, "Establish radar enforceable speed limits not to exceed 35 miles per hour on three selected streets for a three-month trial basis," of Agenda Item No. 3 to a future City Council Meeting. Horace Anderson, 1087 Embarcadero Road, questioned the details of the recommendations as accepted at the previous Policy and Services (P&S) Committee meeting. He recalled that Embarcadero Road was included among the streets for a traffic survey using radar. The residents protested the initiation of any kind of test that raised the speed limit on Embarcadero Road until some of the alternatives they had proposed were tried (letter on file in the City Clerk's Office). Mayor Simitian clarified the item would be referred to a later date which would give citizens an opportunity to comment and the Council an opportunity to clarify the contents of the motion prior to that time. When the item returned to the Council, it would only move forward on a study basis. He recalled that a speed limit could not be raised unless it was done by a resolution or an ordinance. The motion contained in the P&S Committee's minutes did not
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specifically include a reference to increasing or changing the speed limit on Embarcadero Road. The City staff was authorized to conduct a speed survey on a number of different streets which would probably include Embarcadero Road. Staff would return to the Council after the speed survey had been conducted with a recommen-dation for possible action. Citizens could oppose conducting the survey at that time. City Attorney Ariel Calonne said the procedural steps outlined were correct regarding a change in the speed limits. The Motion to Continue was debatable and the Council was able to limit the public comment to the propriety of the continuance. Council Member Fazzino asked whether the entire traffic safety should be deferred to a later date. City Manager June Fleming said some items were folded into the budget that related to traffic but did not involve the study or setting the radar limits. She asked the Council to consider those other items that were not directly related to speed or radar. Staff understood the importance of Recommendation No. 1 and would make certain that concerned citizens would be notified when the item was to appear on the Council's agenda. MOTION TO CONTINUE PASSED 9-0. Mayor Simitian announced that Item No. 13 would become Item No. 30A and Item No. 12 would become Item No. 30B. City Manager June Fleming announced that Item No. 19, Rejection of Bids for Landscape Maintenance Services and Extension of Current Landscape Contracts, had been removed by staff and would be reagendized for the City Council meeting of Monday, June 26, 1995. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. PUBLIC HEARING: Adoption of the 1995-96 Budget and approval of Budget Adoption Ordinance, including the 1995-96 Capital Improvement Program, changes to the Municipal Fee Schedule, Utility Rates and Charges, and various changes to Compensation Plans. These items are incorporated in CMR:307:95 and are hereby known as the "Proposed 1995-96 Budget." City Manager June Fleming introduced the Town Architect, Cortie Hill, who had made sure that the projects were better coordinated and were more artistically planned. Council Member Rosenbaum said the presentation of the first Mission Driven Budget (MDB) to the City Council for approval was a momentous occasion. The monumental effort started with the City Manager, Finance Director Emily Harrison, and the Finance Depart-ment but more importantly it extended throughout the entire City
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staff. Staff had done a tremendous job and the end result had been helpful and useful to the Finance Committee. He thanked the Finance Committee for its thorough review of the budget. The Finance Committee hearings were without great controversy and very few changes were made to the staff recommendations. The Finance Committee recommended $5,000 be given to the Humane Society for its efforts during the next six months. A discount in the electric rate was continued for residents that had solar hot water systems in contrast to a staff recommendation to discontinue that discount. There was 3:1 vote to approve an increase for the half-time Human Services Management Assistant position in the Community Services Department, and also a 3:1 vote on the question regarding adding two new traffic officers. He was the dissenting vote in both cases as noted in the Finance Committee minutes. It was the first time in four years there had been a significant addition in programs both in the General Operating Budget and the Capital Improvement Budget. He wanted the Council and staff to consider in more detail how the City was able to come up with funds to do that. He referred to viewgraphs that showed both revenue and expenditure increases and decreases. The comparison summary with the previous year's budget showed that expenditures were increasing $1.3 million. He noted under revenue changes that the traditional revenue sources--sales and property taxes--had increased by relatively modest amounts. The item that enabled the City to increase some expenditures for the current year was the Utility Equity Transfer. The City had made a number of capital improve-ments in its utility system. The Utility Equity Transfers were computed in a way that took the investment in the system and multiplied it by the rate of return that was allowed by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for private utili-ties. The City had a relatively sizable increase in its investment for the current year and there was an increase in the allowable rate of return which reflected the increase that occurred late the previous year in interest rates. Staff did not anticipate anything on that order of magnitude for next year and believed it might be a $400,000 increase based on the City's increase investment. Interest rates had been declining, and if the rate of return allowed by the CPUC dropped, the Utility Equity Transfer item would not change at all from the present year to the next year. Interest earnings flowed into the same category. There were some special one-time factors, and that type of increase might not appear next year. The revenue decreases were from the rent from the utilities and the Utility Users Tax because the utility rates had decreased. He referred to the expenditure changes which represented an increase of $770,000 in the City's capital spending primarily for infrastructure improvement; new programs related to youth, families, and community which was a Council priority; additional tree trimming in partial response to the recommendations of the Tree Task Force; additional traffic enforcement; and Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) field maintenance. The major item in expenditure increases was the estimated salary adjustments which represented a 2 percent increase in salaries and benefits. He said
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the Council should keep in mind the half-million dollar percent increase in salaries and benefits compared with the relatively modest increase in programs. There were a number of one-time expenditures in the previous year's budget such as the City's contribution in aiding police protection in East Palo Alto, the World Cup Soccer, and the Comprehensive Plan that enabled the City to make the increases in the current budget. There was a modest savings from the organizational review study and the reductions in booking fees paid to Santa Clara County, police base budget, and vehicle budgets that were permanent savings. The increases made in programs for the current year were one-time circumstances which could not be counted on for future years. MOTION: Council Member Rosenbaum for the Finance Committee moved approval of the Budget Adoption Ordinance, including the 1995-96 Capital Improvement Program, changes to the Municipal Fee Schedule, Utility Rates and Charges, and various changes to Compensation Plans. These items are incorporated in CMR:307:95 and are hereby known as the "Proposed 1995-96 Budget Ordinance 4278 entitled "Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 1995-96" Approval of the City of Palo Alto Statement of Investment Policy and Proposed Changes to the City's Investment Policy Resolution 7519 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Compensation Plan for Classi-fied Personnel (SEIU) Adopted by Resolution No. 7346 to Change Certain Salaries and Classifications" Resolution 7520 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Compensation Plan for Manage-ment and Confidential Personnel and Council Appointed Officers Adopted by Resolution No. 7351, and Amended by Resolution No. 7505, to Change Certain Salaries and Classifications" Resolution 7521 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Utility Rate Schedules W-1 and W-4 of the City of Palo Alto Utilities Rates and Charges Pertain-ing to General Water Service" Resolution 7522 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Utility Rate Schedule G-3, and Establishing Utility Rate Schedules G-4 and G-7 of the City of Palo Alto Utilities Rates and Charges Pertaining to Non-Core, Transportation-Only and Large Commercial Natural Gas Service" Resolution 7523 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Utility Rate Schedules E-2, E-6 and E-7 of the City of Palo Alto Utilities Rates and Charges
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Pertaining to Domestic, Commercial, Unmetered and Large Commercial Electric Service" Resolution 7524 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Travel and Expense Policy for the Reimbursement of Expenses Incurred in the Performance of Council Members' Duties" Finance Committee recommendation for staff to issue a Request for Proposal for low-impact use of the Arastra House, and that the $90,000 allocated for the Arastradero Main House and Caretaker House project remain in the 1995-96 Budget, but demolition not be implemented until after Council had had an opportunity to study the responses to the Requests for Proposals and direction was given to do so. Finance Committee recommendation re approval of the three recommendations of the Planning Commission contained in the letter of April 6, 1995, to the Planning Commission from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Subcommittee: 1) The subcommittee recommends that it meet with staff to explore options on how a specific plan or similar process would best be funded and agrees with staff to discuss the options in August. 2) The subcommittee recommends that the City Manager involve members of the Planning Commission early in the CIP process to review the budget and make recommendations regard-ing the setting of priorities for implementation of the Plan. 3) The subcommittee recommends that the Utilities Department continue to explore options to minimize conflicts between efficient, cost effective, easily maintained equipment and a walkable, attractive community with healthy trees and shrubs. Finance Committee recommendation that staff be directed to investigate and provide suggestions with regard to controlling parking on sidewalks and rolled curbs. Council Member Fazzino was unclear of the Council's commitment in the budget with respect to the Tree Management Program. He understood that the City Manager had made a commitment to return to the Council with a plan to fund any actions which might be taken by the Finance and Policy and Services (P&S) Committees relative to the Tree Task Force (TTF) recommendations and that $100,000 had been added to the budget for tree trimming. He asked where the extra money would come from and whether there was any extra money set aside for planting of the urban forest. Council Member Rosenbaum said three City employees would be replaced with five contract employees which would provide two more people without using the $100,000. The additional $100,000 would provide three additional contract people so the net increase recommended by staff would provide five additional people to work on trees.
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City Manager June Fleming said the budget was responsive to the Council's concerns regarding trees and the maintenance of PAUSD fields which the City utilized. Staff was not confident on a long-term basis that there would be enough funds to take care of the items in the manner in which the Council wanted. Funds were allocated in the current budget, and she was committed to putting funds in the next year's budget to increase the level of service in those two areas while staff reviewed with Council the long-range financial options in the two areas. She suggested the Council consider a landscape and lighting assessment district. The money put in the budget would allow staff time to work through the procedure approved. The TTF recommendations would be referred to the P&S and Finance Committees and the P&S Committee would make its recommendations first so that the Finance Committee would know the policies that had been recommended before it dealt with the issue. The TTF report was due to be sent to the P&S Committee in July 1995 and would be then be referred to the Finance Committee. The financial and policy proposals would return to the Council for endorsement and staff would proceed for the current year. She hoped that one of the endorsements would be to look for additional resources for funding a long-range tree program. Council Member Fazzino clarified there was no special fund in the budget to handle recommendations which might come from the two Standing Committees regarding tree planting or other proposals. Along with the recommendations that related to the TTF's work, the City Manager would come up with a proposal for a new revenue source to pay for the program. Ms. Fleming said that was correct. Council Member Fazzino did not see any references to planting in the budget and asked whether there were funds dedicated to tree planting during the current year. Director of Public Works Glenn Roberts said the recommendation for $100,000 was for increased tree trimming and the City had existing programs for tree planting. Staff currently replaced about 1 percent of the City's tree inventory per year which represented approximately 500 trees per year. The TTF recommended that the rate of replacement be doubled to 2 percent per year and dealing with a significant backlog of approximately 10,000 tree locations that needed to be planted over time. The recommendation did not address either the increase in rate or reducing the backlog. The issues would be considered during community discussions in the coming months for which an ultimate funding program would be necessary. The priority given for the increase in trimming was driven by staff's belief that it was more important to properly maintain the trees that the City had and not add inventory that staff could not maintain. The staffing issue of administering the contract would have to be addressed with contract work. Staff did
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not want to present a premature recommendation for staffing and administrator responsibilities of the program to the Council. Council Member Fazzino clarified 500 additional trees would be planted during the current year if the Council made no additional recommendation that evening. He also clarified there was no way short of imposition of a new revenue source to add additional trees to the planting program. Ms. Fleming said there were a number of options available. The Council could increase the funding or divert resources allocated for other places to provide a higher level of service in the area. Mayor Simitian clarified an increase in expenditure would draw down the Reserves. Ms. Fleming said Reserves could be drawn down or the funding could be moved within the budget. Council Member Fazzino asked the cost of planting 100 additional trees. Deputy Director of Public Works Operations Mike Miller said the initial planting cost was $100 per tree. The first year that a tree was planted required significantly more care. The maintenance cost per year was $30 per tree. Council Member Huber asked the maintenance required for the first one or two years. Mr. Miller said each year for the first five years required one hour per tree for pruning. Life cycle costing was calculated in the staff report (CMR:260:95) and for the first five years the cost would be approximately $100 to $150 per tree. Council Member Huber recalled that the trees required the coopera-tion of the individuals that lived nearby to water the trees during the first few years. Mr. Miller said when street trees were planted in front of residences in Palo Alto, staff requested the property owner to water the trees twice a week until the trees were fully estab-lished. If staff could not get an agreement, it preferred not to plant since the tree would probably not survive. Council Member Huber asked how many trees were lost even when property owners agreed to take care of the tree. Mr. Miller said during the previous summer, staff chose 30 or 40 tree locations not to plant or remove trees because there was no agreement from the property owner.
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Mayor Simitian clarified there was an additional incremental maintenance cost associated with the new trees and asked whether the cost could be absorbed with the work done by the five new employees in tree maintenance and pruning. Mr. Miller said the use for the $100,000 was identified for tree trimming exclusively and to defer funding into planting would mean that some mature trees would not be pruned and the loss of large branches or the entire tree could be at risk. It was easier to plant a new tree later than to lose a mature tree now. Mayor Simitian asked how the City managed to survive with three people doing the work and why the City could not decrease the pruning and do some planting with an increase of five people on the job. Mr. Miller said the Hughes, Heiss & Associates report recommended that the City go to a 5.8 year trimming cycle from the current 10-year cycle. If the money were differed, the cycle would be reduced. Council Member Kniss was puzzled that the City was not committed to the "tree canopy." It would cost approximately $65,000 per year to add the trees, and she asked whether staff had explored other avenues such as property owners picking up and planting the trees themselves or other mechanisms used to get the trees planted. Ms. Fleming reassured the Council and the community that staff was committed to the "tree canopy." Staff looked carefully at the TTF report and the Hughes, Heiss & Associates recommendation and had decided it could not do justice to what needed to be done within the existing financial resources. Staff would continue to solicit the cooperation of residents in planting trees. Recently, the Ventura neighborhood participated in that program. Staff was open to suggestions to maximize the dollars available. Mr. Roberts said the item would be before both the P&S and Finance Committees as part of the recommendation from the TTF report, particularly working with nonprofit groups and the public to do more plantings. Staff was supportive of the concept and had looked at what was being done in other communities. Staff was currently not at a point in the process to advocate funding in the adoption of the 1995-96 Budget. There would be elements of that proposed when staff brought forward its recommendation. Council Member Kniss asked what would be the plan at that point since funding had not been allocated in the current budget. Ms. Fleming said staff made a commitment to the support trees by putting an additional $100,000 in the budget rather than ignoring the issue and waiting for the report. Until the policy decisions were made, the Council's direction was unclear to staff.
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Mayor Simitian declared the Public Hearing open. Hal Michelson, Vice President, Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, 167 Greenmeadow Way, saluted the hard work done by the Finance Committee and City staff in preparing the City's budget for 1995-96. He thanked the City Manager and the Finance Director for explaining the new MDB format to the Government Action Council of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber) as well as other community groups. The new MDB format made it easy to know the cost of each program, but it was harder to see whether a program cost more than it should. For example, one of the Chamber's Board of Directors calculated the City spent $219 per employee for Transpor-tation Demand Management (TDM) and mobility alternatives for the City's work force; but private industry spent $62 per employee for similar programs. The challenge was finding out whether the City's programs were being delivered in the most cost-effective way. Both the City staff and the Council needed to build upon the energy and creativity that was brought into the current budget and make the new format effective as a management tool by benchmarking with people who did things differently, market testing, and follow-through on the excellent impact measures adopted in the budget. Kate Feinstein, 1600 Bryant Street, said the TTF's discussions would be exciting and productive in the next several months. Marge Abel, 1601 Castilleja Avenue, Chairperson, Tree Task Force, said the budget took a step in the right direction in addressing the tree maintenance needs for the City but the budget was still significantly below the recommendations. The current service levels in the budget would continue the decline of the overall canopy of the trees. The TTF concurred with the allocation of $100,000 for tree maintenance. Another critical part of the planting component was the tremendous burden on staff time that was not counted in the cost. The City Arborist could struggle with the additional contract administration which was less of a burden than the tree planting. A critical component of more tree planting was TTF's recommendation to leverage City money with a nonprofit organization to have citizens involved in tree planting, early tree maintenance and pruning levels, and public education. The TTF's business plan to get tree planting on track through citizen involvement for the current year was on hold until the Council made a decision. Lynn Chiapella, 631 Colorado Avenue, hoped the Council would reconsider the Hughes, Heiss & Associates recommendation to combine the Street Tree Division with the Parks Maintenance Division and separating the turf area. It was an inefficient method of dealing with the same area. Another way to save money would be to use a volunteer group to do the early pruning and identify the volunteer trees. Many areas in the City had volunteers that came up at the edge of the canopy which would provide a new tree. The survival
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rate was not good on the 500 trees being planted, and a lot of problems would be eliminated if the survival rate was better in the first five years. Judith LoVuolo-Bhusham, 3838 Mumford Place, supported the recommen-dation to delete the dollar expenditure for demolition of the Arastradero house and the allowing for new proposals to come forward on preserving the Arastradero house. Bay Area Action wanted to submit a proposal to lease the Arastradero house and serve as stewards of the Preserve. Bay Area Action would comply with all the requirements to refurbish and update the home. The issue was a public benefit versus a private interest. Jim Steinmetz, 886 Loma Verde, co-Director, Bay Area Action, encouraged the Council to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a lease agreement for the use of the Arastradero house. Bay Area Action was ready to implement a fund-raising campaign and had a committed group of people from the community willing to work with the City on a scenario that could be agreed upon. Bay Area Action was able to restore the home and put into place a beneficial low-use scenario for the project. Erin Everett, 668 Hamilton Avenue, supported Bay Area Action assuming stewardship of the Arastradero house and Preserve. The City's reputation would be enhanced by its support of an environ-mentally minded group. Christian Whitaker, 4284 Manuela, suggested the proposed expendi-ture to demolish two houses at the Arastradero Preserve be deleted. He supported Bay Area Action and hoped that the houses could be turned into an educational center that would benefit the youth of Palo Alto and surrounding areas. Peter Drekmeier, 831 Sutter Avenue, co-Director, Bay Area Action, said Bay Area Action was started five years previously because there was so much support for the environment. Bay Area Action wanted to become stewards of the Arastradero house and the Preserve and work on habitat restoration. He encouraged the Council to preserve the houses and move ahead with the RFP. Council Member Andersen asked whether Mr. Drekmeier had contacted any of the neighbors of the Arastra property. Mr. Drekmeier said no. Bill Terry, 925 Laurel Glen Drive, urged the Council to follow the staff recommendation and remove the houses on the Arastra Preserve and give the community the undeveloped open space that it promised 19 years previous. The Palo Alto Weekly indicated the house was worth $1.5 million but that included 10 acres of land. If the land were zoned and developed for R-1 use, the land would be worth $1.5 million. The cost of refurbishing the house did not take into
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consideration the 51-year old structure or the present city, state, or federal codes. Staff responded in 1992 to an interested third party's request for an estimate of repairs that the costs were unknown but there was extensive termite damage and asbestos had to be removed. He summarized the repairs needed to the house as well as the issue of the road. He said the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) would cost approximately $100,000, there would be Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) requirements, and the asbestos removal could be expensive. The refurbishment would cost $500,000 to $1 million without the road. Holly Kaslewicz, 2057 Amherst Street, encouraged the City to accept the proposal to keep the Arastradero Preserve and the buildings in-tact. She was a business management consultant and was prepared to take on the responsibility to raise all the funds necessary to enable Bay Area Action to carry out its plans for the Arastra property. Bay Area Action had been characterized by its energy, its enthusiasm, its accomplishments, and its willingness to work with people. Bay Area Action was willing to work with the neighbors. Caleb Allen, 3307 Alma Street, member of Bay Area Action, encour-aged the Council to follow the recommendation of the Finance Committee that the $90,000 remain in the budget but the demolition wait until the merits of the proposals had been looked at. Paul Blackburn, 2110 Palm Avenue, San Mateo, Second Harvest Food Bank, thanked the Council for its continued support. A new capital campaign was being mounted and Second Harvest Food Bank would open a new Peninsula Food Distribution Center in San Carlos. The center would enable Second Harvest to provide 10 percent more food every year for 5 years on an annualized basis so that Urban Ministry and other areas projects would benefit. The increased utility of the building would enable Second Harvest to provide both county and regional coverage. Mayor Simitian declared the Public Hearing closed. Council Member Kniss asked the status of the volunteer grant that the City had applied for and whether the grant could be used for tree direction. Ms. Fleming said the Council had approved the staff processing a grant request, and staff outlined in the report that if the grant were funded, the funding would be used in the City's volunteer organization effort. Some of the energy could be directed toward putting together a volunteer program consistent with the decisions the Council would make on the tree program. Vice Mayor Wheeler asked the timing of the receipt of the grant. Ms. Fleming said the City would be notified by September 15, 1995.
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Vice Mayor Wheeler clarified the fall planting season would be missed. Ms. Fleming said it would put a program in place that would be tremendously beneficial in future years. Council Member McCown echoed the comments by previous speakers about the quality of the document, the way in which MDB had proceeded, and the Finance Committee's work and minutes. She supported the Finance Committee recommendation regarding the Arastra house since the funds would not be spent for anything else and would allow for the further pursuit of possible proposals; however, she was extremely skeptical that anything would material-ize. The Council did not support the opposition of some of the immediate neighbors to reasonable and effective public use of the site, but the issue was the structure. Mr. Terry's comments were probably very accurate. If the City of Palo Alto were considering using the site consistent with low-intensity park purposes, the City would not invest in rehabilitating the building. The building would be demolished and something more appropriate built. The City planned to invite some well intended people to propose how they would rehabilitate the building which the City would never do. The costs for the project did not make any sense, and she believed that the right direction reluctantly was to demolish the house and allow the park to continue to be used as a park for low-intensity use. Council Member Andersen said the City Manager had indicated previously that not all of the $300,000 in the budget for East Palo Alto would be used, and he asked whether there had been any communication with East Palo Alto regarding the use of the funds. Ms. Fleming said the budget proposal recommended the funds be carried forward to next year's budget. She and Police Chief Chris Durkin had had discussions with East Palo Alto. East Palo Alto was aware of the time line under which the City was working and was also aware that several months prior Palo Alto had called the larger regional group together and had reached an agreement that East Palo Alto would work with the police chiefs and the sheriff to begin to develop landmarks for phase out. East Palo Alto under-stood that staff would return to the Council in September 1995 with a recommendation for the following year. She believed that recommendation would be in consultation with East Palo Alto. Council Member Andersen clarified that previously appropriated money would be used. Ms. Fleming said that was correct. Council Member Andersen asked what the total amount of money in General Reserves was.
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Director of Finance Emily Harrison said the projection for the Budget Stabilization Reserve would be approximately $12.5 million by the end of the year. Council Member Andersen had heard that the City of San Francisco's Reserve Fund had decreased from $10 million to $1 million due to a policy decision made by the Mayor. He said the timing was correct for the City to move forward with an innovative budget process since the City's organizational review had received an excellent rating regarding the efficiencies of the organization. He hoped the Council would support the recommendation regarding the Arastra house. He believed Bay Area Action's energy and enthusiasm might save the house and he encouraged the neighbors to listen to Bay Area Action's proposal. The proposal was sensitive to the neighborhood and would not adversely affect the environment. He suggested that in the near future a capital improvement should be considered for the Council Chambers. Council Member Fazzino appreciated the process staff had recommend-ed with respect to careful consideration of the TTF recommendations and was delighted that the issues would be considered by both the P&S and Finance Committees in the near future. The City Manager had accommodated the TTF recommendations and found places in the budget to allow for the possibility of significant expansion of the Tree Management Program. He was pleased with the additional funds devoted to tree trimming using contract labor. He wanted to move forward with a recommendation for additional funding for tree planting; however, given the fact the issue would be before the Committees in the near future, he was willing to delay a recommen-dation if he received assurance that there would not be a single option of a landscape assessment district being proposed to the Committees in order fund the program. If the City moved forward with that revenue source, it would have to be voted on by the public. He asked whether the staff would propose other options to provide for additional tree planting needs if the Council were unwilling to move forward and embrace the entire concept of a landscape assessment district and the resulting revenue. Ms. Fleming said the options available to the Council to provide the level of funding that she understood would be needed based on the TTF recommendation would require a new source of revenue. The options were limited, e.g., the Utility Users Tax or extending the taxing capabilities of the telephone. Council Member Fazzino wanted assurance that if the Council did not move forward with a proposal that evening to add additional funds of $25,000 or $30,000 to tree planting, the staff would not indicate to the Council when it returned with a recommendation that that alternative was closed for the current fiscal year. Mayor Simitian clarified even if the City Manager presented such a recommendation, the Council had the ability to approve a Budget
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Amendment Ordinance (BAO) for the funding. Any Council Member that was unsatisfied with the recommendation could propose a BAO. Ms. Fleming said that was correct. Council Member Fazzino asked whether any momentum would be lost over the following two or three months by not putting a small amount of additional funds in the budget for tree planting. Mr. Roberts said staff was working on the issue of the TTF recommendations and was not losing momentum. If the Council wanted to direct staff to do additional fall planting, the appropriate time to put the funds in the budget was that evening. However, if the Council proposed additional funding for planting, it would put some other activity at risk of not being done. Additional administrative resources were not in place to take on the addition-al burden at the present time. If more tree planting were done by a combination of contract and staff forces, the amount of tree trimming would have to be reduced. Staff was not in a position to absorb more dollars without restructuring the entire program. Council Member Fazzino asked the manageable number of additional trees that staff could plant without significantly moving resources and priorities around. Mr. Miller said 100 trees or less would be a manageable number because staff had reached its limit for administering contracts. Effective July 1, 1995, staff would be taking over medians in the public right-of-way. The Hughes, Heiss & Associates report identified that any increase in planting programs would require the addition of staff to manage contracts. Council Member Fazzino clarified additional funding of $13,000 to $15,000 would be necessary to plant 100 trees. Mr. Miller said that was correct. AMENDMENT: Council Member Fazzino moved, seconded by Kniss, to amend the Proposed 1995-96 Budget to provide for planting of an additional 100 trees during the fall in an amount not to exceed $15,000. Council Member Fazzino was convinced that staff could handle the additional planting. He was concerned that the City would lose the entire planting season given the fact that the TTF recommendations would not return to the Council until the fall. The additional funding was a small amount, and he suspected that not many priorities and resources would need to be moved around in order to accomplish the work. The additional funding was a clear demonstra-tion on the Council's part that it was committed to reforestation of the City.
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Council Member Huber supported the amendment. It was an indication that the Council was interested in moving forward with the program. The Council still needed to focus on the material that was provided by the TTF because it was more important that the Council create the volunteers that would become involved in the program and end up with a public/private partnership that would be needed to rebuild the urban forest. Public education about the trees was necessary and the private partnership would help the City. Vice Mayor Wheeler concurred with the comments of Council Member Huber and supported the amendment. The City had delayed planting for a number of years due to the lack of water situation. The City was behind in its normal program and should take advantage of the great climatic condition for the current year to begin to make some inroads into the backlog that had been created by the drought years. The Council also needed to move forward with the larger issue. Council Member Kniss said the amount was a minuscule part of the $80 million budget but it represented a commitment on the part of the Council and the community. Many people in the community were concerned about what was happening with the tree canopy in the City. She hoped that as the Council moved forward with the TTF recommendations that there would be other ways to raise the consciousness of both the Council and the community about the necessity of the program. Council Member Schneider supported the amendment. She challenged Palo Alto residents to match the planting of 100 trees by the City. Staff would be willing to assist residents with information regarding which trees should be planted. AMENDMENT PASSED 9-0. Council Member Fazzino congratulated staff on the success of the MDB which had allowed him to understand the cost of the City services that were provided. The Finance Committee did an excellent job of moving through the budget. He was pleased that the half-time management assistant for the Human Services Division was added back into the budget; but he requested that the Human Services staff and the Human Relations Commission (HRC) use the reports of committees and commissions and the Council Agenda to communicate with the Council on a more regular basis and bring more items to the Council for consideration. He looked forward to a closer relationship with the HRC and the Human Services staff during the coming year. Vice Mayor Wheeler was delighted that the MDB came to fruition. Some additional work would need to occur on MDB during the current year. It was clear that certain departments embraced the project and were able to make more progress in the first year than other departments were able to make. Some of the functional areas and
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major activities would need clearer definition. The document was very readable. She echoed the comments of Council Member McCown about the Arastra house and caretaker's cottage. She hoped staff would consider the more simplified process that was used on the Williams Property as it proceeded further into shaping the RFP process. She was disappointed that the City Manager's budget showed that the annual report was scheduled for deletion. She understood the rationale for the deletion but felt strongly that the City needed to communicate with the citizens of Palo Alto in a formalized and organized manner. She was uncertain about the function of the Public Information position in the City Manager's Office and whether that would meet the same kind need that the annual report did. She asked whether the City Manager might consider a less expensive and staff intensive effort but still a formalized and regular communication from the City Manager's Office and the Council to the community such as a quarterly newsletter. Ms. Fleming said the annual report was deleted from the budget because her office had to make a contribution toward keeping the City's expenses in line just as the other City departments had done. An unusual amount of money was spent on the annual report during the Centennial Year as compared to other annual reports. Her office would look at ways to communicate as suggested by Vice Mayor Wheeler; and if staff came up with a way that was not so expensive, it would be included in next year's budget. The intent was when the City reached a landmark year, a one-time expenditure would be put in the budget for an annual report. Vice Mayor Wheeler had had several conversations with people regarding the fees charged by the City. She was concerned that the fees charged individuals or nonprofit associations were getting to be more than the market would bear. She understood the intent and that there were certain activities that the City wanted to recover direct costs. She believed the City was beginning to discourage people from engaging in activities that should be encouraged because the fees for some of the Community Services programs were becoming too aggressive. Some of the fees in the Planning Department were too much for an individual citizen to bear. She hoped that the staff would review the Municipal Fee Schedule when it began preparation for the next year's budget. Council Member Huber said the MDB process was interesting, but he reminded the Council that it would really become important in the future years when history could be compared with the goals, proposals, etc. That was when the hard work truly began and the Council would have the opportunity to make meaningful decisions in terms of shifting moneys amongst areas in the budget. Council Member Kniss commended the Finance Director and her staff, particularly the City Manager who had wanted to put MDB in place for a long time. The MDB document said a great deal about the City and showed that the City had tried to make it easy for the citizens
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to understand how the money was spent at City Hall. There was a great deal of money that went into City Hall and a great deal of service that came out; and it was very important for the community to trust the City and easily understand how the money was spent. She especially thanked the Finance Committee for its effort. Mayor Simitian recalled that one of the Council's priorities for the current year was additional expenditure in infrastructure investments. He asked staff to describe the increase in infrastructure investment for the current year. Ms. Harrison said both the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) and overall infrastructure spending were above the prior year by approximately $800,000. She referred to staff reports (CMR:244:95 and CMR:273:95) which looked at the areas both in terms of infra-structure projects from year-to-year and in terms of the overall general CIP once it had been adjusted for one-time events. Mayor Simitian wanted to note the accomplishment of that increase with respect to the City's $3 million CIP budget. He had hoped that the City could reach at least $.5 million more in CIP spending, but the staff returned with a budget with an additional $800,000. He had been and continued to be concerned that at every level of government, local, state, and federal, that people were financing present services at the expense of not only the future infrastructure but the next group of taxpayers that followed. When a city stated it would accept the responsibility to find the funds to invest in maintaining and building on the infrastructure, it was important and responsible not to put off until 5, 10, or 20 years later when the bill came due and leave the burden on someone else. He hoped the City could do even better next year because the infrastructure had been neglected for some time and the needs were getting greater with every passing year. It was the mark of real responsibility in terms of putting together a balanced budget. It was easy to put together a balanced budget if the infrastructure were unfunded until 20 years hence. He believed the value of the MDB would be seen when the City faced a tough year. The Council would have a document that allowed it to make well-informed choices that reflected the values and the policies of the Council and the community. The Council was able to spend time on the tree issue that evening because the budget was brought to the Council in such good shape by both the staff and the Finance Committee and its chair. Ms. Fleming appreciated the comments by the Council about the MDB. It was easy for a city manager to have an idea or a concept, but it was another thing to have it implemented. It was easy to come up with a concept because she had listened to the Council and the public very carefully, but it was another thing for the staff to spend time and energy and do a bottoms-up process. She thanked the Council for taking a courageous stand in allowing the City the
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privilege to tear the budget apart and redo based on a concept and idea. The Council showed great confidence and faith in the staff. MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED 9-0. RECESS: 9:45 P.M.- 9:55 P.M. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS 3. Policy and Services Committee re Traffic Safety Issues Council Member Fazzino said staff had designed a comprehensive set of recommendations to address traffic safety concerns in the community, which did not include Recommendation No. 1. There were four specific items, and the Policy and Services (P&S) Committee decided to hold a number of items in abeyance. Staff would report on the success of the programs in six months as well as additional information regarding several other programs, including the possibility of stop light monitoring. There was a third recommendation that had to do with actions that would be taken under the Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Simitian declared the Public Hearing open. Receiving no requests from the public to speak, he declared the Public Hearing closed. MOTION: Council Member Fazzino for the Policy and Services Committee moved approval of the staff recommendations re Traffic Safety Issues (CMR:192:95) as follows: 1) establish radar enforceable speed limits not to exceed 35 miles per hour on three selected streets for a three-month trial basis; 2) approve the concept of the use of motorcycles for traffic enforcement; 3) endorse the concept of increasing enforcement in the locations where accident rate is higher than normal; 4) establish a Neighbor-hood Speedwatch Program with a single neighborhood on a six-month trial basis; and 5) endorse the concept of a City Vehicle Safe Driving Program for a six-month trial basis. Council Member Rosenbaum said the issue was brought to the Council because of the concern of a number of residents, and he believed a specific priority regarding controlling speed on certain residen-tial streets should be included in Recommendation No. 3. He asked whether the P&S Committee discussed the issue. Council Member Fazzino said no. AMENDMENT: Council Member Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Schneider, to amend Recommendation No. 3 to read as follows: 3) endorse the concept of increasing enforcement in the locations where the accident rate is higher than normal "and increasing the enforcement of speed limits and other traffic regulations on City streets."
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Council Member Andersen asked whether additional resources would be required if the Council approved the amendment. City Manager June Fleming said no additional resources would be required other than those requested. Council Member Andersen asked whether staff would be shifted from an accident area to other non-traffic related assignments. Assistant Police Chief Lynne Johnson said the request for addition-al staffing resources would allow the traffic team to focus both on accident locations and monitoring speed limits. Ms. Fleming explained that under the Mission Driven Budget (MDB) format, staff would revise the impact measure to reflect the amendment. Council Member Andersen cautioned that Council should be aware that if the limits were pushed too far, it would take away from other elements within the Police Department. He gave other elements in the Police Department higher priority and was more concerned with the issues surrounding the youth programs. AMENDMENT PASSED 8-0, Kniss absent. MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED 8-0, Kniss absent. REPORTS OF OFFICIALS MOTION: Council Member McCown moved, seconded by Wheeler, to approve Item Nos. 4 - 12, 14 - 18, and 20 - 30. 4. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation for Cablecasting Services 5. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. S3036240 between the City of Palo Alto and Geodesy for the Performance of Geographic Information System Application Software Development Services 6. Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. S5051816 between the City of Palo Alto and Sure Flow, Inc. dba Roto-Rooter for the Perfor-mance of Sewer Lateral Maintenance Services to Palo Alto Residents 7. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and Graphic Data Systems Corporation for Geographical Information System Hardware and Software Maintenance Services 8. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and J. P. Services for the Performance of Software Maintenance Services to the Electric Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System
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9. Resolution 7525 entitled "Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the Seventh Amendment to Agreement to Provide Local Law Enforcement Access to the California Identification System" Amendment No. 7 to Contract No. C0014413 between the City of Palo Alto and the County of Santa Clara for California Identification System 10. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and City of Los Altos Hills for Renewal of Emergency Animal Control and Care Services 11. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and Ameritech Library Services for Library Computer System Maintenance 14. Amendment No. 6 to Contract No. C0006277 between City of Palo Alto and the Peninsula Area Information and Referral Services, Inc. for Provision of Telephone Information and Referral Services and Operation of Landlord/Tenant and Community Mediation Services 15. Amendment No. 8 to Contract No. C0001714 between the City of Palo Alto and the Senior Coordinating Council of the Palo Alto Area, Inc. for Provision of Services for Senior Adults 16. Amendment No. 6 to Contract No. C0006279 between the City of Palo Alto and Adolescent Counseling Services for Provision of Counseling Services for Adolescents 17. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Community Associa-tion for Rehabilitation for Services for Provision of Services to the Developmentally Disabled 18. Agreement between City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Unified School District for Provision of Counseling Services at Gunn and Palo Alto High Schools 20. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Peninsula Sports Officials Association for Scheduling of Umpires and Officials for Adult Softball and Basketball Leagues 21. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and John Whitlinger for Tennis Instructors 22. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Gymnastics West for Instructors for Gymnastics and Related Classes 23. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Skyhawks Sports Academy for Instructors for Sports Camps
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24. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) for Rental of Facilities for Recre-ation Programs 25. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Housing Corporation for Provision of Affordable Housing Services and Administration of Below Market Rate Housing Program 26. Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and the Urban Ministry of Palo Alto for Services for the Homeless 27. Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. C5072778 between the City of Palo Alto and Royston, Hanamoto, Alley & Abey for Consulting Services related to Capital Improvement Program Design Consulting Services 28. Amendment No. 3 to Agreement No. S4043199 between the City of Palo Alto and Quality Assurance Engineering, Inc. dba Consoli-dated Engineering Laboratories for Special Inspection, Materials Testing Services and Construction Inspection Services 29. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and Empire Equipment Company for Heavy Equipment Repairs; change orders not to exceed $8,000 30. Contract between the City of Palo Alto and Cavallino Collision Repair for Repair Service to City Vehicles and Equipment; change orders not to exceed $5,000 MOTION PASSED 8-0, Kniss absent. 30A. (Old Item 13) Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and the Palo Alto Community Child Care, Inc. for Provision of Subsi-dized Child Care and Administrative Support for Operation of the Subsidy Program MOTION: Council Member Huber moved, seconded by Schneider, to approve the Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Community Child Care, Inc. for Provision of Subsidized Child Care and Administrative Support for Operation of the Subsidy Program MOTION PASSED 7-0, Wheeler "not participating," Kniss absent. 30B. (Old Item 12) Contract between the City of Palo Alto and California Land Management for Ranger Patrol Services in Palo Alto's Urban Parks Contract between the City of Palo Alto and California Land Management for Ranger Patrol Services in Palo Alto's Refuse Area, Byxbee Park and the Baylands Nature Preserve
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Lynn Chiapella, 631 Colorado Avenue, said the budget showed that there would be 3.5 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions for enforcement and emergency response. She was concerned that the areas of maintenance and wildlife resource management had been decreased in order to increase the emergency response and enforce-ment areas in the parks. There were not resources available to provide the open space area that was enjoyable for the public use. More effective ways could be used to handle City park problems rather than diverting the rangers who were trained in the open space areas. MOTION: Council Member McCown moved, seconded by Wheeler, to approve the following: 1. Authorize the Mayor to execute the attached contract with California Land Management in the amount of $104,328 for ranger patrol services in Palo Alto's urban parks for three years; and 2. Authorize the Mayor to execute the contract with the California Land Management in the amount of $193,680 for ranger patrol services in Palo Alto's Refuse Area, Byxbee Park and the Baylands Nature Preserve for three years. MOTION PASSED 8-0, Kniss absent. COUNCIL MATTERS 31. Council Comments, Questions, and Announcements Mayor Simitian announced that the lighting of the Civic Center Plaza had begun. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10:15 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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