HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-12-08 City Council Summary Minutes Special Meeting December 8, 1997 1. Conference with Labor Negotiator......................85-346 ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.............85-346 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS........................................85-347 1. Finance Committee and Policy and Services Committee Recommendation re Public Safety Building..............85-347
2. Ordinance 4467 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Provide an Additional Appropriation to Pay for an Audit of the County of Santa Clara Transportation Authority Airport
Enterprise Fund≅ ......................................85-348
3. Resolution 7722 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Citywide Stop Intersection
System Map≅ ...........................................85-348 4. PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Provide an Additional Appropriation for the Police Department to Receive Supplemental Funding for the Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) Program - State Assembly Bill (AB) 1584 85-348 5. PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Accept a Block Grant from the United States Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance for a Local Law Enforcement Program for the Police Department.....................85-349 6. PUBLIC HEARING: The Palo Alto City Council will consider an appeal from the decision of the Director of Planning and Community Environment, as recommended by the Historic Resources Board, on the proposed window replacement design for a Landmark residence listed as a Category 1 historic structure
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and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, for property located at 100-110 Waverley Oaks. ...........85-350 7. Recommendation to Authorize an Appeal of the Proposed Flood Elevation Determination in the Federal Emergency Management
Agency=s Revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps for San Francisquito Creek....................................85-350 8. Mayor Huber re Appointment of Sandra Eakins to the Board of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.......85-353 9. Mayor Huber and Council Member Eakins Recommending Referral of Process for Establishing Council Priorities to the Policy and Services Committee....................................85-353 10. Council Comments, Questions, and Announcements........85-354 ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.............85-354
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The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 6:04 p.m. PRESENT: Andersen, Eakins, Huber, Kniss (arrived at 6:10 p.m.), McCown (arrived at 6:05 p.m.), Rosenbaum, Schneider, Wheeler (arrived at 6:05 p.m.) ABSENT: Fazzino CLOSED SESSIONS 1. Conference with Labor Negotiator Agency Negotiator: City Council Ad Hoc Personnel Committee (Joseph H. Huber, Dick Rosenbaum, and Lanie Wheeler) Unrepresented Employees: City Attorney Ariel Calonne, City Manager June Fleming, City Auditor William Vinson, and City Clerk Gloria Young Authority: Government Code section 54957.6 The City Council met in a Closed Session to discuss matters involving labor negotiations as described in Agenda Item No. 1. Mayor Huber announced that no reportable action was taken on Agenda Item No. 1. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. * * * * *
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Regular Meeting December 8, 1997 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 7:11 p.m. PRESENT: Andersen, Eakins, Huber, Kniss, McCown, Rosenbaum, Schneider, Wheeler ABSENT: Fazzino ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Huber welcomed Boy Scout Troop 57. T. J. Watt spoke regarding photos from Sand Hill EIR. Edmund Power, 2254 Dartmouth Street, spoke regarding the polluted press. Ruth Carleton, 2350 Ross Road, spoke regarding Neighbors Abroad. Joe Carleton, 2350 Ross Road, spoke regarding Neighbors Abroad. Cathy S. Brandhurst, homeless, spoke regarding immigration. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Vice Mayor Andersen moved, seconded by Rosenbaum, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-3. 1. Finance Committee and Policy and Services Committee Recommendation re Public Safety Building The Finance Committee recommends to the City Council approval of the scope of services for consultant assistance with site evaluation and selection, project development, and concept designs for a public safety building and to direct staff to issue a Request for Proposal for consultant services. The Policy and Services Committee recommends to the City Council approval of the scope of services for consultant assistance with site evaluation and selection, project development, and concept designs for a public safety building and direct staff to issue a Request for Proposals for consultant services.
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2. Ordinance 4467 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Provide an Additional Appropriation to Pay for an Audit of the County of Santa Clara Transportation Authority Airport
Enterprise Fund≅
3. Resolution 7722 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Citywide Stop Intersection
System Map≅ MOTION PASSED 8-0, Fazzino absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS 4. PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Provide an Additional Appropriation for the Police Department to Receive Supplemental Funding for the Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) Program - State Assembly Bill (AB) 1584 Assistant Police Chief Lynne Johnson said those who had been involved with the Positive Alternatives for Youth (PAY) Program were excited about the progress that had been made in a short time. She publicly acknowledged the businesses which were instrumental in getting the program, especially the job placement program, off the ground. Those businesses included the Cardinal Hotel, Baskin
Robbins, Palo Alto Hardware, Noah=s Bagels, the Y.M.C.A., and
Sophia=s Coffee Roasting Company. She introduced the coordinator of the PAY Program, Amy Schultz, and Barry Weiss from the Recreation Division had also instrumental in getting the program up and running. Mayor Huber declared the Public Hearing open. Receiving no requests from the public to speak, he declared the Public Hearing closed. MOTION: Council Member Schneider moved, seconded by Wheeler, to approve the staff recommendation to adopt the Budget Amendment Ordinance in the amount of $137,770 that amends FY 1997-98 budget to reflect an additional appropriation provided to the Police Department by Assembly Bill 1584.
Ordinance 4468 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Provide an Additional Appropriation for the Police Department to Receive Supplemental Funding for the Citizens
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Options for Public Safety (COPS) Program - State Assembly Bill (AB) 1584" Vice Mayor Andersen said he received some very positive experiences with young people involved and believed the program was working very well. He complimented all those who were working with the program. MOTION PASSED 8-0, Fazzino absent. 5. PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Accept a Block Grant from the United States Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance for a Local Law Enforcement Program for the Police Department Mayor Huber declared the Public Hearing open. Receiving no requests from the public to speak, he declared the Public Hearing closed. MOTION: Council Member Schneider moved, seconded by Andersen, to approve the staff recommendation to adopt the Budget Amendment Ordinance that amends the FY 1997-98 budget to provide an additional appropriation offset by funding awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance Local Law Enforcement Block Grants program to the Police Department in the amount of $31,330. Further, that grant funds be used for compensation for the Positive Alternatives for Youth coordinator.
Ordinance 4469 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1997-98 to Accept a Block Grant from the United States Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance for a Local Law
Enforcement Program for the Police Department≅ MOTION PASSED 8-0, Fazzino absent. 6. PUBLIC HEARING: The Palo Alto City Council will consider an appeal from the decision of the Director of Planning and Community Environment, as recommended by the Historic Resources Board, on the proposed window replacement design for a Landmark residence listed as a Category 1 historic structure and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, for property located at 100-110 Waverley Oaks. (Appellant has withdrawn appeal) No action required.
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REPORTS OF OFFICIALS 7. Recommendation to Authorize an Appeal of the Proposed Flood Elevation Determination in the Federal Emergency Management
Agency=s Revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps for San Francisquito Creek Council Member Schneider said she would not participate in the item because the location of her home was within the affected area. City Manager June Fleming was able to participate in the item because, although her home fell within the flood zone, it was not a part of the newly added area. The City Attorney had advised she had no conflict. City Attorney Ariel Calonne was able to participate in the discussion for the same reason. Ms. Fleming said the issue was given serious consideration and many hours were spent reviewing it and working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Director of Public Works Glenn Roberts said the issue was not unique to the City of Palo Alto. FEMA was in the process of revising its flood maps nationwide. Many other local communities were experiencing the same issue. Menlo Park and East Palo Alto were in a similar situation with San Francisquito Creek. In Santa Clara County, there were approximately 22,000 properties added to flood maps in communities such as Mountain View, San Jose, Santa Clara, and Milpitas during the past year. Staff recommended going forward with an appeal and asked the Council for authorization to pursue the technicalities for preparing such an appeal and to hold a community meeting in January to discuss the proposed map revisions with the public. The ultimate solution was one that was beyond reach at the current time and involved the drainage capacity of San Francisquito Creek itself, which was a sensitive issue for the community. There was no short-term solution for the potential flooding problem. Vice Mayor Andersen asked whether or not there was an opportunity for convincing FEMA to change its methodology when it seemed as though FEMA was arranging for every city to get involved. The data appeared to be rigged to include as many cities as possible. He suspected it was a means for insurance companies to increase funds to cover areas that were high risk. Mr. Roberts said FEMA experienced major increases nationwide in flood claims over the past few years and was interested in securing
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all potential damageable properties into its revenue base. The odds for success were reasonable enough to warrant pursuing an appeal. The first two alternatives in the staff report (CMR:487:97) were ones that did not have a reasonable chance of success. Staff believed the other two alternatives could succeed. The first alternative looked at the contour lines for how far the
flooding went. Historically, FEMA=s own policy had been to cut off at the one-foot line. With the new map, FEMA chose to extend the flooding limits out to essentially anything that got wet, even if it were less than one foot. Second, staff believed the more
accurate topography contained in the City=s Geographical Information System (GIS) would enable a more accurate analysis of how far the flooding went than what FEMA was able to do with its scant data base. Staff believed a logical and successful appeal could be made and also provide a fall-back position on the one-foot contour line cutoff that ensured a basis for appeal in any case. Vice Mayor Andersen asked to whom the appeal was made and what, if any, alternatives existed if FEMA denied an appeal. Senior Engineer Joe Teresi said the appeal was submitted to FEMA. There was an engineering firm in Washington, D.C. that acted as an independent third party to review an appeal and its merits. The firm was the final arbiter of whether or not the appeal was accurate. Mr. Calonne said a court review would take place after the FEMA decision. From what he understood from the regulations and supporting materials, there was no hearing. Within 60 days of the
administrator=s decision, a challenge could be made in the Federal District Court. FEMA could not be arbitrary. He encouraged the Council to keep an open mind regarding whether the City would want to challenge the decision in court. Cathie Lehrberg, 1085 University Avenue, President of the Crescent Park Neighborhood Association, supported the staff report (CMR:487:97) and asked the Council to endorse the January public meeting. She understood a study was forthcoming from the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) on flood implications in San Francisquito Creek. She thought it would be helpful if the SCVWD presented some of the issues at the January meeting. San Francisquito Creek was the last natural creek in the area and there was great interest in maintaining it as such. MOTION: Council Member McCown moved, seconded by Rosenbaum, to approve the staff recommendation to: 1) Direct the Public Works
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Department to prepare an appeal of the revised San Francisquito Creek Flood Insurance Rate Maps; and 2) Direct the Public Works Department to conduct a community meeting in mid- to late January to present the revised San Francisquito Creek Flood Insurance Rate Maps to the public for review and comment at that time. Council Member McCown asked whether there was any wisdom or logic in filing a joint appeal with the cities of Menlo Park and East Palo Alto. Mr. Roberts said there were pros and cons. The argument against was on the technical side. What was happening in Palo Alto was independent in terms of the topography and grades. The basis for the appeal staff was recommending was independent of what went on in Menlo Park or East Palo Alto. However, there might be some advantage politically in alliance to pursue those issues. Staff was in contact with those agencies, and they were not at the same point because their draft maps had not yet arrived. FEMA had delayed the schedule for Palo Alto to allow the other two cities to catch up and have the process be simultaneous. If the Council desired, staff could pursue a joint appeal. Council Member McCown thought it made sense, particularly with the City of Menlo Park, that a combined effort might be more effective. She believed the motion could go forward as proposed by staff. MOTION PASSED 7-0, Schneider Αnot participating,≅ Fazzino absent. COUNCIL MATTERS 8. Mayor Huber re Appointment of Sandra Eakins to the Board of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority MOTION: Council Member McCown moved, seconded by Andersen, to appoint Council Member Sandra Eakins to the Board of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. MOTION PASSED 7-0, Schneider, Fazzino absent. 9. Mayor Huber and Council Member Eakins Recommending Referral of Process for Establishing Council Priorities to the Policy and Services Committee Council Member Eakins said an opportunity had presented itself to initiate a new process for establishing Council priorities using the Mission-Driven Budget (MDB) process similar to what was being done in the Comprehensive Plan.
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MOTION TO REFER: Council Member Eakins moved, seconded by Huber, to refer to the Policy and Services Committee the concept of discontinuing the current Council priority process and using the Mission-Driven Budget process to establish Council priorities starting in fiscal year 2000-2001. Council Member Wheeler was concerned that by folding the process into the Development of Budget Guidelines where the Finance Committee members would have an opportunity for a good, hard look at the priorities, the rest of the Council would be significantly less involved in their development. She hoped the Policy and Services Committee would address that aspect. INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MAKER AND SECONDER that the Policy and Services Committee consider the concern of the lack of involvement of the entire Council in priority setting. MOTION PASSED 7-0, Schneider, Fazzino absent. 10. Council Comments, Questions, and Announcements Council Member Kniss reported on her attendance at the National League Conference which was held in Philadelphia. She participated in a panel that spoke about technology activities. She also
referred to the New York Times article regarding Palo Alto=s involvement in high speed data.
Council Member Eakins referred to the City Attorney=s report regarding 1042 Metro Circle code enforcement. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor NOTE: Sense minutes (synopsis) are prepared in accordance with Palo Alto Municipal Code Sections 2.04.180(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
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available for members of the public to listen to during regular office hours.
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