HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 9312Resolution 9312
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE
TO SIDNEY A. ESPINOSA AS COUNCIL MEMBER AND MAYOR
WHEREAS, Sid Espinosa was first elected to the Palo Alto City Council in 2007, and served with energy,
compassion and insight; and
WHEREAS, Sid served as Mayor of the City of Palo Alto from January 4,2011 through January 3, 2012
and led Council meetings and the community with style and grace, launching a monthly Mayor's Messages
newsletter, creating regular office hours including "Mobile Mayor" office hours across the community, constantly
inviting people from across the City to volunteer and get actively involved in City issues, speaking at numerous
environmental conferences and events, declaring 2011 "The Year of the Bike" in Palo Alto, actively promoting
Earth Day and Safe Routes to School for our City's youth, honored by environmental non-profit leader Hidden
Villa with the Humanitarian of the Year Award, bringing together people and organizations from across the City
to focus on youth engagement, and speaking at school, non"profit, and business events regarding these issues and
strongly supporting the Project Safety Net initiative, which was recognized this year by the League of California
Cities with a Helen Putnam Award for Excellence in Health and Wellness programs, and generally appearing 2417
at all city, regional, state, and national events; and
WHEREAS, Sid advocated for visionary and much-needed infrastructure, including the completion of
negotiations for the Stanford Hospital and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital expansions, advocating
passionately for the library bond (Measure N), finishing the Downtown Library renovation, breaking ground on
the 2.5-million gallon emergency water reservoir construction, and supporting the important work of the
Infrastructure Blue Ribbon Commission (IBRC), which will establish a long-term and comprehensive plan for
infrastr"4cture maintenance, planning, and investment across the City; and
WHEREAS, Sid focused on the long-term health and financial strength of the City, helping to ensure
balanced budgets, supporting critical structural changes in the City's labor agreements, promoting the
development of an economic development
strategy for Palo Alto; supporting the use oftechnology to revolutionize the way that Palo Alto provides
government services and interacts with its citizens, pushing for the completion of the new website, launching new
mobile applications, and actively using video as a means of communicating, among others; and
WHEREAS, Sid successfully advocated for the Palo Alto Stanford Trails Program in collaboration with
Stanford University to present a truly united and mutually supportive position for the benefit of both the Palo Alto
and Stanford communities resulting in a grant of 10 million dollars towards bike and pedestrian trails in our
community, and ensuring the update of the City's Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, Sid did all of the aforementioned work and more with incredible energy, creativity, and
professionalism, while maintaining a spirit of goodwill, perspective, a sense of humor, and a strong commitment
to Palo Alto.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby commends the
outstanding public service of Sidney A. Espinosa and gratefully records its appreciation, as well as the
appreciation of the citizens of this community, for meritorious service rendered and contributions made during his
City Council term. We can't wait to see what Sid does next.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: JANUARY 7, 2013
AYES: BERMAN, BURT, HOLMAN, KLEIN, KNISS, PRICE, SCHARFF, SCHMID,
SHEPHERD
NOES:
ABSENTIONS:
ABSENT:
ATIEST:-APPROVED:
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Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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