HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-28 City Council Summary Minutes Regular Meeting June 28, 1999 1. Appointments for Utilities Advisory Commission.........88-388 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS........................................88-388
2. Ordinance 4570 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1998-99 to Provide an Additional Appropriation of $758,000 for the Community Theatre Renovations, Capital Project Number 19910"............88-389 AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS...................88-389
2A. (Old Item No. 5) Ordinance 4571 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending in Full Chapter 16.49 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (Historic Preservation Ordinance) and, Amending Section 16.52.040 (Flood Hazard Regulations), Adding Chapter 18.18 (Special Standards for Single-family and Two-family Uses on the Palo Alto Historic Register) and Amending Section 18.90.050 (Variances, Home
Improvement Exceptions, and Conditional Use Permits)≅ .88-389 3. PUBLIC HEARING: Adoption of the 1999-01 Budget and Approval of Budget Adoption Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 1999-01 (Attachment One), including: 1) Exhibit A -- The City Manager's Proposed 1999-01 Budget - Volume I: General Government Funds and Volume II: Utility and Internal Service Funds; 2) Exhibit B -- All changes detailed in the Amendments to the City Manager's Proposed 1999-01 Budget: Volumes I and II; 3) Exhibit C -- 1999-00 Proposed Municipal Fee Schedule; 4) Exhibit D -- Changes and revised pages in the Table of Organization; Exhibit E -- Amendments to the Municipal Fee Schedule.88-392
4. Resolution 7874 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Determining the Calculation of the Appropriations Limit of the City of Palo Alto for Fiscal Year 1999-00"..............................................88-402
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6. Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation in the Amount of $157,800 for Cablecasting Services and Local Programming Support................88-403 7. Amendment No. Two to Agreement No. C96-018 Between the City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Unified School District of Santa Clara County in the Amount of $338,000 Concerning the Maintenance of Certain District-Owned Athletic Fields and Tennis Courts Jointly Used by School Students and the General Public88-403 8. Agreement Between the City of Palo Alto and Skyhawks Sports Academy in the Amount of $175,000 for Recreation Youth Sports Contract Camps........................................88-403 9. Human Services Resource Allocation Process (HSRAP) Service Agreements for Fiscal Year 1999-00....................88-403 10. Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and Open Data Systems in the Amount of $148,525 for Purchase of Permit Information Tracking System.......................................88-403 11. Request for Authorization to Enter Into Agreement for Legal Services With Whitmore, Johnson & Bolanos, in Accordance with Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.30.070.............88-403 12. Renewal of Agreement No. S8096587 Between the City of Palo Alto and Sure-Flow, Inc. dba Roto-Rooter in an Amount Not to Exceed $100,000 for Sewer Lateral Cleaning Services...88-403 13. Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. C8096901 Between the City of Palo Alto and Underground Construction Co., Inc. for Electric Utility Trench and Substructure to Extend Service Period Installation and Increase Contract Amount by an Additional $377,727..............................................88-403 14. Amendment No. 8 to Contract No. S3036240 Between the City of Palo Alto and Geodesy in the Amount of $163,800 for Consulting Services for Application Development for the Geographic Information Systems (GIS).............................88-403 15. Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and Group I Software, Inc. in the Amount $341,539 for Development of a Utilities Bill Printing Application.............................88-404 16. Mayor Fazzino re Cancellation of the Regular July 6, 1999, City Council Meeting..................................88-404 17. Council Comments, Questions, and Announcements........88-404
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The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Eakins, Fazzino, Huber, Kniss, Mossar, Ojakian, Rosenbaum, Wheeler ABSENT: Schneider SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY 1. Appointments for Utilities Advisory Commission Council Member Rosenbaum supported Richard Carlson who had previously served on various school district advisory committees. He was pleased that Mr. Carlson was willing to devote his talents to City activities. He suggested that the Council reopen the application process if both vacancies could not be filled. FIRST ROUND OF VOTING VOTING FOR RICHARD CARLSON: Mossar, Kniss, Fazzino, Wheeler, Huber, Eakins, Rosenbaum VOTING FOR RICHARD GRUEN: Ojakian, Kniss, Fazzino VOTING FOR H. KEITH HENSON: VOTING FOR CHARLES POWARS: Mossar, Ojakian, Huber City Clerk Donna Rogers announced that Richard Carlson received five votes and was appointed on the first ballot. MOTION: Council Member Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Eakins, to reopen the application process for the second vacancy. Mayor Fazzino supported the motion. Only five members of the Council were available to interview the candidates; therefore, he supported reopening the application process. MOTION PASSED 7-1, Kniss Αno,≅ Schneider absent. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Ed Power, 2254 Dartmouth Street, spoke regarding politics of the press. Murray Suid, 1111 Greenwood Avenue, spoke regarding civility. Stephanie Munoz, 101 Alma Street, spoke regarding the ballot.
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Ann Elise Emerson, 1849 Middlefield Road, spoke regarding putting the historic preservation ordinance on the ballot. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Council Member Kniss moved, seconded by Mossar, to approve Consent Calendar Item No. 2.
2. Ordinance 4570 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1998-99 to Provide an Additional Appropriation of $758,000 for the Community Theatre Renovations, Capital Project Number 19910" Award of a Design/Build Contract with Berkeley Builders, Inc. dba BBI Construction in the Amount of $613,000 for the Addition of a Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning Unit for the Community Theatre at the Lucie Stern Community Center MOTION PASSED 8-0, Schneider absent. AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS MOTION: Mayor Fazzino moved, seconded by Mossar, to move Agenda Item No. 5 forward ahead of Item No. 3. MOTION PASSED 7-0-1, Kniss Αabstaining,≅ Schneider absent. City Manager June Fleming announced that Agenda Item No. 5 would become Item No. 2A. ORDINANCES
2A. (Old Item No. 5) Ordinance 4571 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending in Full Chapter 16.49 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (Historic Preservation Ordinance) and, Amending Section 16.52.040 (Flood Hazard Regulations), Adding Chapter 18.18 (Special Standards for Single-family and Two-family Uses on the Palo Alto Historic Register) and Amending Section 18.90.050 (Variances, Home
Improvement Exceptions, and Conditional Use Permits)≅ (1st
reading 6/15/99, PASSED 6-0, Kniss Αnot participating,≅ Huber, Schneider absent) MOTION: Council Member Mossar moved, seconded by Wheeler, to adopt the Ordinance amending in full Chapter 16.49 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (Historic Preservation Ordinance) and, amending Section 16.52.040 (Flood Hazard Regulations), adding Chapter 18.18 (Special Standards for Single-family and Two-family Uses on the Palo Alto Historic Register) and amending Section 18.90.050 (Variances, Home Improvement Exceptions, and Conditional Use Permits).
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Council Member Mossar said the proposed Historic Preservation Ordinance (HPO) was excellent. She believed the HPO was a fair
ordinance and would protect the community=s historic heritage. The inventory done identified the breadth of the history in Palo Alto and explained why the people cared deeply about their heritage. In the interest of long-term change and growth the number of homes covered under the HPO were limited to a reasonable number. The HPO enabled people to remodel, expand, and make interior changes to their homes without conditions of regulation. Staff made every effort to ensure that the process homeowners would go through were fair and punctual with adequate appeal procedures that would be handled by law in a timely manner. She supported adoption of the HPO. Council Member Eakins concurred with Council Member Mossar. She believed the community, instead of being criticized for a long and drawn-out debate, should be congratulated for a thorough and conscientious exploration of issues. The opponents of the HPO did the community a great service by pointing out regulations that were too restrictive to the community. She wanted to meet with people who had trouble during the interim HPO and to hear all sides of the story. She walked through many neighborhoods throughout the City with people who opposed the interim HPO and questioned what they did not like about the interim HPO and what they saw as detriments. In the process she learned that Palo Alto was a place that cared about balance of community values, aesthetics, and individual rights. Regulations should not distress people who wanted to do the right thing. She respected the people who valued individual property rights. She realized that the position was not against historic preservation, but was a position concerned about regulation. The HPO stated that individual rights would not be violated. She thought the incentives package was appropriate for
the City=s economic climate.
Vice Mayor Wheeler supported Council Member Eakins= and Mossar=s sentiments. There were some difficult moments during the HPO process; however, each one of the discussions and criticisms presented to Council were justified. Staff and the Council were willing to listen to the constructive criticism and react to move the HPO in a direction that was fair and balanced to all the citizens. The HPO was subject to amendments to correct certain items that did not work. Everyone should take pride in knowing that a number of structures in the community were identified as worthy of national recognition. Council Member Ojakian said the goal was to preserve historic homes. He viewed design review as a separate issue and one that would have much public dialog over the next year since it was in
the Planning Department=s work plan. He respected people that said the HPO issue was one of design review; however, he believed design
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review was a separate issue to be discussed in the future. Citizens asked the Council to make the difficult choice between the democratic process and community values. He believed it was difficult to pick one over the other since ideally the Council was trying to do both. The HPO was a balanced approach, which was a hybrid ordinance that required compliance for certain groups of homes and homeowner consent for other groups. The HPO incentives were unique and significant. At a prior meeting, a representative from a statewide organization pointed out that she had not seen an ordinance with the type of incentives that the City offered. He did not understand why people were being charged to provide funds for a program the Council wanted to implement. He was glad that the fees were being waived. The process was not strictly a staff process, the Council allowed for an appeal approach that went to the Council if the issue was significant. The Council tried to make the process one where people would be able to voice their opinions. He addressed placing the HPO on the ballot. Council Member Rosenbaum supported the HPO. He believed the formation of the Palo Alto Homeowners Association (PAHA) was essential to the HPO process. The postcards the City sent out in 1998 had a great deal to do with getting the community to recognize the seriousness of the issue. He commented on the ability to repair or demolish a home damaged by a natural disaster. The HPO was modified to provide that the Council would have authority over any ruling by the state. Mayor Fazzino said the HPO was the most complex issue the community had ever faced. In retrospect, the issue of historic preservation should be separated from the issue of design standards. He believed the postcards sent out by the City in 1998 were far to legalistic and scared many people unnecessarily. The HPO did address the legitimate concern over the loss of historic homes and
the necessity to preserve Palo Alto=s neighborhood character. The Council began the process as a result of a loss of historic homes and the concern that the community was changing. The number of homes was restricted on the Resource List, significant flexibility was added to renovation and repair, real correctability of the process in terms of timetables added, and an appeals process added to ensure everyone had the opportunity to be heard in the final analysis by the Council if it objected to the final decision of the HRB or staff. The Council also took action to make the HRB more a quasi-judicial group rather than a group that solely advocated historic preservation. Significant incentives were added to the HPO; such as, a property tax waiver, transfer tax waiver, building fee waiver, and additional square footage. Opponents acknowledged the excellence of the incentives. A number of organizations and individuals had an impact on improving the HPO. He supported placing the HPO on the ballot; however, he suggested placing the HPO on the March 2000 ballot rather than the November 1999 ballot.
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MOTION PASSED 6-0, Huber, Kniss Αnot participating,≅ Schneider absent. Mayor Fazzino thanked Mr. Gawf and Ms. Furth for their leadership on the issue. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. PUBLIC HEARING: Adoption of the 1999-01 Budget and Approval of Budget Adoption Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 1999-01 (Attachment One), including: 1) Exhibit A -- The City Manager's Proposed 1999-01 Budget - Volume I: General Government Funds and Volume II: Utility and Internal Service Funds; 2) Exhibit B -- All changes detailed in the Amendments to the City Manager's Proposed 1999-01 Budget: Volumes I and II; 3) Exhibit C -- 1999-00 Proposed Municipal Fee Schedule; 4) Exhibit D -- Changes and revised pages in the Table of Organization; Exhibit E -- Amendments to the Municipal Fee Schedule. Chairperson Huber for the Finance Committee, said the 1999-01 Budget (the Budget) was a two-year budget that included the General Fund, Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and Utility Budgets. The Finance Committee held seven meetings to discuss the Budget with various departments within the City. The Finance Committee attempted to refine the Mission Driven Budget (MDB) process in prior years. The staff projected revenues of $103,814,000, approximately $3.6 million more than the current adjusted budget. The bigger items that generated money were sales tax estimated at about $20 million, property tax at $9.5 million, utility users tax which was $5.7 million, transit occupancy tax at approximately $7 million, service fees at $10.3 million, and utility transfer tax holding for the third consecutive year at approximately $11.8 million. He believed although staff projections were conservative, particularly in regard to property tax, it was a safe way to proceed. Staff was in the process of looking into another economic future study which would return to Council sometime at the end of 1999 or early 2000. Transfers from the utilities remained constant for three years, but the City engaged a consultant to review rate setting and revenue return to the City. A report would be presented to the Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) at the end of 1999, and returned to the Council at the beginning of the year 2000. Expenditures were projected to be $102,955,000, approximately $3.6 million above the adjusted 1998-99 Budget. The net result was a $949,000 surplus after factoring the Finance
Committee=s review of Appendix 1 and staff=s recommended changes. An item that generated the most interest was the senior golf fees located under the Community Services Department. In prior years, the monthly fees were $90.00 for a monthly card. Staff proposed to eliminate the monthly card and instead implement a 10-play card good for any time during the week for $175. The Finance Committee
agreed with staff=s recommendation to attempt to recover increased
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costs by increasing fees. Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) had a rate reduction that would save $3 million; however,
staff recommended the money be applied to Palo Alto=s unfunded liabilities for health benefits rather than reducing payments. He discussed funding for various departments within the City. City Manager Fleming said there were issues she wanted to bring to
the Council=s attention; however, she was not requesting action be taken on those issues. The issues were divided into two categories. The first was potential major financial projects, and the second was the state budget which was presented to Governor Davis for review. There were concerns raised by Council Members and the public regarding items staff was keeping track of but were unable to identify funding strategies or funding sources for in the Budget. The concern was categorized as a lack of planning and
foresight on staff=s part. She clarified that major projects were discussed and major lists developed. The list consisted of projects such as the shuttle, the safety building, parking structures, San Francisquito Creek, storm drainage, the development and implementation of a Library Master Plan and traffic calming. She cautioned that the list was only a piece of the picture. If the list consisted of only seven or eight big-ticket items, staff would be able to return to the Council with a financial plan and economic strategy; however, there were many other things that Council discussed such as, the retrofit of the Municipal Service Center, Fiber-to-the-Home, infrastructure, discussions surrounding the Performing Arts Center, a potential cooperative gymnasium project which the City would work on with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD), implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, and implementation of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation/South of Forest Avenue (PAMF/SOFA) study. The list was daunting; however, with reason, care, patience, and the realization that everything could not be done at one time, she believed the list was doable. She cautioned that the decision Council made around issues such as infrastructure would take approximately 10 to 12 years. Staff viewed the list as long-range, future-oriented objectives being set so staff could return to the Council a structure with which to make decisions. Each issue had different funding potentials and impacts. The key was to prioritize items and make wise decisions because the City would need staff and other financial resources to accomplish the work. The plan was being developed and staff was on schedule to return to the Council in Fall 1999. Residents were financially impacted not only by decisions made by the Council but also by decisions made in other areas within the City and the larger district; for example, funding for the San Francisquito Creek would not come solely from Palo Alto, but would also come from District 5. Other impacts the community would feel would be decisions it would have to make about the future of the PAUSD. Staff realized it had to be clear about fund usage and must communicate clearly and openly with the public as it proceeded with the plan. Despite the challenge of major projects, the Budget
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still remained sound. The Budget was balanced between things that were essential and things that made the community special. Administrative Services Director Carl Yeats said for the first time since 1989, the state budget would return money to local governments. Since 1990-91, the City sent over $9 million in property tax revenues in the form of Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) revenues. The City would be reimbursed a
sum of approximately $187,000. The second item of the Governor=s budget was permanent relief contingent on constitutional change. Assembly Bill 1661 was passed by the legislature and authorized perspective relief to local governments. If a constitutional amendment to reform local government finances was approved by state voters in November 2000, AB 1661 would cap the growth on the ERAF funds and return it to counties and local governments. Another item returned that was not signed and could still be cut from the Budget was relief from booking fees. One thing the state budget did was take monies away from the counties allowing counties to charge cities for booking criminals. Since 1990-91, the City paid approximately $1.4 million in booking fees. AB 1662 would provide for continuous appropriations to offset City booking fees based upon 1997-98 levels. Staff estimated the amount to be approximately $200,000, and if the bill was signed as part of the
Budget, it would start sometime in the year 2000. The state=s budget provided approximately $20 million in augmented funds for public library support. In total, the City provided the state with approximately $12.7 million. Mayor Fazzino opened the public hearing. Ted Noguchi, 3832 Nathan Way, did not understand the increase to golf fees since data showed substantial surpluses in both fiscal years. The data indicated that the average golf fee for regular play in and around the area was approximately $28 per round. The staff proposal in the Budget was $26. By an increase of $1 per round for regular green fees, $100,000 would be generated based on approximately 100,000 rounds of golf a year. He urged the Council to accept the recommendations contained in his petition. Al Soderquist, 743 E. Charleston Road, President, Citizens Golf Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee), said the Advisory Committee was active and had worked on the golf course renovation project since 1985. The Advisory Committee was looking forward to viewing the new renovated golf course in operation in July 1999. He believed the Advisory Committee had good communication with staff and the Council. At its April 14, 1999, meeting the Senior
Mens= Golf Club (Golf Club) met with Director of Parks and Golf Division Paul Dias. Mr. Dias apprised the Golf Club about the new fee schedules which was $20 for resident seniors, $25 for non resident seniors, and $175 for a 10-play card. Mr. Dias informed the Club that the monthly play card would be eliminated. The
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Advisory Committee would hold a special meeting should the Council wish the matter be pursued further. Walter Scott, 564 Santa Rita Avenue, said in the past, the Council approved budgets that contained reasonable fees recognizing the limited income of retired seniors. When the reconstruction project was announced, it was stated that senior fees would be raised from $85 to $90. There was a proposal to limit play to 10 times per month for $175, which was in excess of a 90 percent increase. The proposal compared unfavorably to a less than 10 percent increase to the non residents who used the course during off-peak play. On
page 155 of Volume 1 of the City Manager=s 1999-2001 Proposed Budget (the Budget), under Community Facilities and Services, the
fourth paragraph stated ΑThe Golf Services Program would continue to improve the quality and affordability of youth and senior
services.≅ He suggested that an increase of $85 to $175 was contrary to considering affordability for senior citizens. He
supported the recommendations outlined in Mr. Noguchi=s petition. He asked why non residents were being charged below-market rates, and the senior residents penalized. Conrad M. Lamond, 330 Bryant Street, said many people were angry over the increase in fees. He asked the Council to be fair to the people who paid taxes, whose life savings went to purchasing homes, and who lived on fixed incomes. Robert Carlstead, 147 Walter Hays Drive, said he reviewed the Council packet and was impressed by letters written by several prominent people regarding senior golf fees. The people requested that the Council reconsider eliminating the monthly senior play card in order to support increased physical activity at a reasonable cost to seniors. Any junior golfer, regardless of residence, could purchase a play card for $75 which allowed unlimited play on weekdays. A junior golfer 10-play card allowed play anytime for $150. No monthly play card was available for seniors, and a 10-play card restricted to weekdays only was available for $175. The unfairness between the junior and senior play card was apparent. He suggested that the Council approve the proposed junior fee schedule and reinstate the senior monthly play card. The new 10-play card should be approved; however, the card should not be restricted to residents only and be valid anytime. A 10-play card should also be created for junior golfers. Reed Moyer, 708 Greer Road, said there was a presumption that senior golfers were taking space on the golf course from golfers who would pay a higher rate which was not true. Substantial revenue was earned at the golf course on weekends and holidays, at
a time when the senior play card did not apply. The Senior Mens= Group played early Monday mornings when the golf course was empty or had little play. The perception that the senior play card
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resulted in a reduction in revenues was overstated. He urged the Council to continue the monthly rate card. Tony Klein, 58 Seville Drive, spoke on behalf of the Friends of the
Palo Alto Children=s Theatre (the Friends). The Friends approached the Finance Committee and staff on the behalf of the Palo Alto
Children=s Theatre staff (the Children=s Theatre) to point out there was a need for additional permanent staffing. He thanked the Finance Committee for its approval for a $50,000 allocation including a study to review further staffing issues. He thanked the City Manager for her thoughtful suggestions and proposals for
staffing at the Children=s Theatre. He urged the Council to support the $50,000 allocation. He was sure the study would support the additional permanent staff members. Forest Preston, Chairman Steering Committee for Canopy, 4155 Interdale Way, acknowledged the support from the City both with regards to the original establishment of the Steering Committee for Canopy (Canopy) organization three years prior, and the financial support provided since. He requested that the Council give
additional consideration to Canopy=s request that funding be approved by the Finance Committee for three years rather than two years. The funding would give a strong message that the City supported what Canopy was accomplishing and that Canopy would exist for a significant period of time. Longer term City support would enable Canopy to continue focusing on its core activities and enable its paid staff of two to be secure in knowing their jobs would not be in jeopardy for another two years if funding were approved. Supporting Canopy would enable it to continue to encourage residents to become more interested in trees. The minutes of the May 13, 1999, Finance Committee meeting, which read that only 2 trees survived of the 200 that were planted in the first two years. In fact, only 2 trees died of the 200 that were planted. Canopy was not requesting complete funding for its activities, and continued to pursue private funding. Private funding grew from less than $500 its first year to over $20,000 the prior year. Membership grew from 100 to 350 volunteers. He urged
the Council to consider Canopy=s request for three years of funding. Roger Mansell, 550 Santa Rita Avenue, said approximately one year prior he asked the Council to raise the senior golf fees. There were no statistics as to actual usage by senior golfers or junior golfers. He suggested that a database be created so usage and cost could be analyzed. The Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course was one of the few courses that did not charge a nonresident fee. He believed that a nonresident fee should be instated. He wondered where the City Charter authorized to give money to charities such as the Urban Ministry.
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Stephanie Munoz, 101 Alma Street, Apt. 701, was embarrassed to live in a City that drastically cut the budget of the Urban Ministry, an organization that helped the homeless. She believed that the Council should not cut the Urban Ministry budget item. Bob Moss, 4010 Orme Street, said he found it strange that the City was not charging nonresidents additional fees to use the golf course as the City charged nonresidents to use the pool at Rinconanda. He believed raising the fee for non-residents and reducing the increase for senior fees was appropriate. Craig Allen, 315 Melville Avenue, said he was not eligible for the senior fees; however, he believed that every round of golf should be charged the same. He believed that if the golf course was required to generate revenue to pay back the bond, green fees should be increased in order to pay the debt. He recommended the Council reconsider the issue of monthly play. Mayor Fazzino closed the Public Hearing. MOTION: Council Member Rosenbaum moved, seconded by Wheeler, to restore the monthly card for senior residents Monday through Thursday for a fee of $120 and retain the 10-play card. Vice Mayor Wheeler said that information received from the petitioners indicated that there was a perception that the golf course was returning a lot of money to the General Fund. She asked staff to inform the Council what the actual revenues were versus expenditures regarding the golf course. City Manager Fleming said the surplus figure quoted to the Council was not accurate. The figure did not take debt into consideration. Administrative Services Director Carl Yeats said the surplus was approximately $713,000 and the debt service on the bond was approximately $700,000 per year, so there was not a significant surplus. Vice Mayor Wheeler clarified that the City did not try to make a profit from the golf course. She was still unsure whether enough research was done. The whole structure of the golf fees needed to be reviewed. She recommended the Council request the Park and Recreation Commission, once it was in place, discuss the golf course fee schedule issue as an early assignment and report back to the Council in 2000. INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MAKER that the Park and Recreation Commission review the fee schedule and report back at the next budget review. Council Member Ojakian asked whether the statement made by an individual who said that raising the nonresident fee by a dollar
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would generate $100,000 was correct. He asked what information that statement was based on. Ms. Fleming said she did not know whether the statement was accurate or not. She believed the statement could be reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission. Mr. Yeats said staff estimated that raising the nonresident fee by $1 would generate approximately $53,000. Council Member Ojakian agreed with Ms. Fleming. Council Member Mossar said trying to decide what the fair thing to do was difficult with no available data. She asked what the cost to the general public was to play one time at the golf course. Mr. Yeats said the rate was $26 for one play. Council Member Mossar said a 10-play card that cost $175 was a significant discount at $17.50 per play. She supported the motion. Council Member Eakins asked whether the 10-play card would be restricted to Monday through Friday and the monthly play card restricted to Monday through Thursday. Mr. Yeats said that was correct. Council Member Eakins questioned limiting the monthly play card to Monday through Thursday. She asked whether the monthly weekday pass could be restricted to Monday through Friday. Council Member Rosenbaum said the level of play increased on Fridays, and it would be prudent to restrict play from Monday through Thursday, given the low fee per round. Mayor Fazzino said there was not enough information before the Council to make an informed decision. He was concerned with the disproportionate increase in fees as opposed to other categories of users. The issue pertaining to golf course fees deserved a hearing by the new Parks and Recreation Commission. He was concerned about the resident versus nonresident issue. Mayor Fazzino appreciated the testimony from Mr. Klein of the
Friends of the Children=s Theatre. The Children=s Theatre was understaffed and was an important program for the youth. The City would work with the Friends to address the staffing issue. Canopy was an outstanding public/private partnership in the community. The reality was that the City would not have begun the replenishing of its urban forest without the leadership of Canopy. He hoped the City would maintain its support of Canopy beyond two years.
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Council Member Kniss said the City=s infrastructure was difficult to maintain because of the increasing population. The items most
important to her were the Αpeople≅ items. What the Council was really about was supporting the people in the community and providing the services that made the City desirable to live in. Ms. Fleming said both the Finance Committee and the Friends raised a concern about the funding that was in the budget for a staffing study. She informed the Council that the plan was on her desk and awaiting approval of the budget. Pending approval of the Budget, the $50,000 would be put into place immediately. Council Member Ojakian reviewed the staff increases and changes within the Budget. He asked the Finance Committee to explain the changes. Council Member Huber said that Council Member Rosenbaum suggested at the Finance Committee meeting of May 25, 1999, that a shift in personnel in the Police Department rather than adding another motorcycle officer. The Committee also questioned staff in regard to the addition of a financial analyst. He did not recall specifics of the discussion. The Committee members were satisfied with the staff recommendation. Council Member Ojakian believed the matter was worth discussing. Ms. Fleming said the organization and responsibilities were changing. Duties and responsibilities were being added to departments that did not have them before, and rather than add positions, the City had reclassified the position and added responsibilities to them. Jobs in departments such as Transportation could not be reclassified, so more resources were added. Council Member Ojakian said the Deputy Director of Community Services was a position the City did not have before. Ms. Fleming said yes; however, there was a growing trend toward reclassifying positions as the City was required to do more analysis and coordination within departments. Therefore, various positions within departments were reclassified to the deputy director level which the City could ask for that kind of skill and service without having to add a position. Council Member Ojakian clarified that the individual in the deputy director position would take a more analytical role, and the City should see some indication that emphasized the shift in duties and responsibilities. Ms. Fleming said that was correct.
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Council Member Ojakian commented on the Budget in general. He believed the Budget presented to the Council was basically what was asked for; such as, infrastructure improvements, traffic calming, and traffic safety. There was an increase of 22 percent in the
City=s youth population in six years. He hoped the City would put together a Youth Master Plan. On page 199 of the Budget, Major
Activities, the youth and teens section increased almost 22 times. He also found approximately 12 other items in the Budget where money was provided for young people. Ms. Fleming clarified there were few services within the City that could not be enriched if the Council chose to. She gave credit to
the Friends who did not simply raise the issue that the Children=s Theatre needed more staff, but instead raised the issue of what was happening. Hearing those facts caused her to take a look at the staffing issue. Council Member Ojakian supported the continuation of the Canopy fund, the service Canopy provided the City was worthwhile. The cities of Menlo Park and Mountain View both approved significant dollars to improve foliage on El Camino Real, and it behooved the City to do the same. Ms. Fleming requested the Council incorporate language that allowed staff to make the necessary revenue adjustments or reductions. Mayor Fazzino said that the bottom line was that the City continued to be low-debt. There was a significant reserve fund. He disagreed with the comment that the City did not focus on routine maintenance. The City made major investments in the infrastructure in the 1950s and 1960s and now was the time to focus on significant maintenance as well as improvements to the infrastructure. The City had a municipally-owned utility, which weathered the challenging era of direct-access and deregulation. There was significant support for social services despite the fact that under Proposition 13 the City had few opportunities at the local level to raise revenue. INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MAKER to direct staff to take the steps necessary to reflect the revenue reductions caused by restoring the monthly card for senior residents Monday through Thursday for a fee of $120 and retaining the 10-play card. MOTION PASSED 8-0, Schneider absent. MOTION: Chairperson Huber for the Finance Committee moved the staff recommendation as follows: 1. The Budget Adoption Ordinance which includes:
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a. The City Manager=s Proposed 1990-01 Budget: Volume I General Government Funds and Volume II Utility and Internal Service Funds
b. All changes detailed in the ΑAmendments to the City
Manager=s Proposed 1999-01 Budget≅ c. Proposed 1999-00 Municipal Fee Schedule d. Changes and revised pages to the Table of Organization e. Amendments to the Proposed 1999-00 Municipal Fee Schedule 2. Utility Rate Schedule Resolutions: a. Decrease in Electric Utility rates b. Increase in General Water Service Rates c. Increase in Wastewater Collection Rates 3. Resolution Approving and Adopting Rules and Regulations Governing Definitions and Abbreviations, Direct Access, and Special Electric Utility Regulations 4. Resolution Amending the Compensation Plan for Classified
Personnel (Service Employees= International Union, Local 715) 5. Resolution Amending the Compensation Plan for Management and Confidential Personnel 6. City of Palo Alto Statement of Investment Policy and
Proposed Changes to the City=s Investment Policy
Ordinance 4572 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 1999-00 and In Concept Approving the Budget for Fiscal Year 2000-01"
Resolution 7868 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Utility Rate Schedules E-1, E-2, E-4, E-7, E-8, E-9, E-10 and E-13, adding new Utility Rate Schedules E-11, E-12 and E-17, and repealing Utility Rate Schedules E-5 and E-6 of the City of Palo Alto Utilities Rates and Charges pertaining to residential electric service, small commercial electric service, medium commercial electric service - seasonal demand and energy rates, large commercial electric service - seasonal demand and energy rates, large commercial direct access electric service, net energy metering service, medium commercial direct access electric service, medium commercial electric standby electric service, and large
commercial electric standby service, respectively≅
Resolution 7869 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Utility Rate Schedules W-1 and
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W-4 of the City of Palo Alto Utilities Rates and Charges
pertaining to General Water Service≅
Resolution 7870 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Utility Rate Schedules S-1 and S-2 of the City of Palo Alto Utilities Rates and Charges
Pertaining to Wastewater Collection≅
Resolution 7871 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving and Adopting Rules and Regulations Numbers 2, 19, and 20 Governing Definitions and Abbreviations, Direct Access, and Special Electric Utility Regulations Effective July 1, 1998"
Resolution 7872 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Compensation Plan for Classified Personnel (SEIU) Adopted by Resolution No. 7782 and Amended by Resolution Nos. 7812 and 7837, to Change Certain
Salaries and Classifications≅
Resolution 7873 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Compensation Plan for Management and Confidential Personnel and Council Appointed Officers Adopted by Resolution No. 7811, and Amended by Resolution Nos. 7825, 7831 and 7836, to Change Certain
Salaries and Classifications≅ Approval of the City of Palo Alto Statement of Investment Policy and Proposed Changes to the City's Investment Policy as described in CMR:224:99 The Finance Committee recommends the City Council approve the funding allocations in Attachment One of CMR:248:99, as amended by the Finance Committee during its May 27, 1999, meeting to include a CPI adjustment for all agencies resulting in increased costs of $31,791, be included in the 1999-00 Human Services Contract Program; and that Human Services contracts, and any other necessary documents concerning contracts, be authorized and executed by the City Manager or her designee as described in CMR:248:99. The Finance Committee recommends the City Council approve additional, one-time funding of $31,000 for Urban Ministry to cover operating expenses. MOTION PASSED 8-0, Schneider absent. RESOLUTIONS
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4. Resolution 7874 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Determining the Calculation of the Appropriations Limit of the City of Palo Alto for Fiscal Year 1999-00" MOTION: Vice Mayor Wheeler moved, seconded by Eakins, to adopt the resolution determining the Proposition 4 (Gann) Appropriations Limit Calculation for Fiscal Year 1990-00. MOTION PASSED: 8-0, Schneider absent. REPORTS OF OFFICIALS MOTION: Council Member Kniss moved, seconded by Mossar, to approve Item Nos. 6-15. 6. Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and Mid-Peninsula Access Corporation in the Amount of $157,800 for Cablecasting Services and Local Programming Support 7. Amendment No. Two to Agreement No. C96-018 Between the City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Unified School District of Santa Clara County in the Amount of $338,000 Concerning the Maintenance of Certain District-Owned Athletic Fields and Tennis Courts Jointly Used by School Students and the General Public 8. Agreement Between the City of Palo Alto and Skyhawks Sports Academy in the Amount of $175,000 for Recreation Youth Sports Contract Camps 9. Human Services Resource Allocation Process (HSRAP) Service Agreements for Fiscal Year 1999-00 Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and Adolescent Counseling Services, Inc. in the Amount of $89,716 for Consulting Services Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and Avenidas, Inc. in the Amount of 420,623 for Consulting Services Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and Palo Alto Community Child Care, Inc. in the Amount of $402,005 for Child Care Subsidy Program 10. Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and Open Data Systems in the Amount of $148,525 for Purchase of Permit Information Tracking System 11. Request for Authorization to Enter Into Agreement for Legal Services With Whitmore, Johnson & Bolanos, in Accordance with Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.30.070
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12. Renewal of Agreement No. S8096587 Between the City of Palo Alto and Sure-Flow, Inc. dba Roto-Rooter in an Amount Not to Exceed $100,000 for Sewer Lateral Cleaning Services 13. Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. C8096901 Between the City of Palo Alto and Underground Construction Co., Inc. for Electric Utility Trench and Substructure to Extend Service Period Installation and Increase Contract Amount by an Additional $377,727 14. Amendment No. 8 to Contract No. S3036240 Between the City of Palo Alto and Geodesy in the Amount of $163,800 for Consulting Services for Application Development for the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 15. Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and Group I Software, Inc. in the Amount $341,539 for Development of a Utilities Bill Printing Application MOTION PASSED 8-0 for Item Nos. 6-8 and 10-15, Schneider absent. MOTION PASSED 7-0-1 for Item No. 9, Wheeler Αabstaining,≅ Schneider absent. COUNCIL MATTERS 16. Mayor Fazzino re Cancellation of the Regular July 6, 1999, City Council Meeting MOTION: Council Member Kniss moved, seconded by Ojakian, to cancel the Regular July 6, 1999, City Council Meeting. MOTION PASSED 8-0, Schneider absent. 17. Council Comments, Questions, and Announcements Mayor Fazzino announced the Chili Cook-off on July 3, 1999. Vice Mayor Wheeler announced a Youth Soccer Clinic at Palo Alto High School Saturday, July 3, 1999, at 9 a.m. which would be open to all children free of charge. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
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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 available for members of the public to listen to during regular office hours.
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