HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-11-22 City Council Summary Minutes Special Meeting November 22, 1999 1. Joint Meeting with the City Manager Recruiting Committee re Public Employee Appointment...........................89-197 2. Public Employee Appointment...........................89-197 ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.............89-197 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS........................................89-198 APPROVAL OF MINUTES........................................89-198 1. Agreement Between the City of Palo Alto and National Parking and Valet, Pacific Parking LLC in the Amount of $71,700 for Operation of the Off-Street Attendant Lot Parking.....89-198 2. Approval of New Water Vault in El Camino Park.........89-198 3. The Policy and Services Committee recommends to the City Council re Train Whistle Noise........................89-198 4. Construction Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and Andes Construction, Inc. in the Amount of $606,732 for Project 9 Greer Park Relief Sewer - CIP Project No. 37773.......89-199 5. Proposed Revisions to Utility Rule and Refuse Rate Schedules Resolution............................................89-199 6. Conference with Labor Negotiator......................89-199 7. PUBLIC HEARING: 301 University Avenue: Review of an Appeal of the Director of Planning and Community Environments Denial, After Review and Recommendation by the Architectural Review Board, of an Application for the Installation of a New Automatic Teller Machine and Increased Letter Height and Additional Lighting for Existing Signs Advertising Wells Fargo Private Client Services...............................89-199
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8. PUBLIC HEARING: Pursuant to United States Bureau of Justice Assistance regulations, the City Council will consider the
City of Palo Alto=s proposed use of Local Law Enforcement Block Grant funds.....................................89-200 9. PUBLIC HEARING: Pursuant to Government Code Section 30061, Title 3, Division 3, relating to the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund, the City Council will consider the
Police Chief=s request for funding frontline law enforcement programs..............................................89-200 10. The Finance Committee recommends to the City Council re the Information Technology Strategic Plan and the Proposed Phase One Implementation Plan...............................89-201 11. The Policy and Services Committee re Proposed Revision to the Administrative Code to Properly Define the Current Activities of the City Auditor...................................89-205 12. Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Declaring the Results of the Consolidated General Municipal Election Held on Tuesday, November 2, 1999.....................89-205 13. Mayor Fazzino, Vice Mayor Wheeler, Council Member Eakins, and Council Member Ojakian re Housing Opportunities for Emergency Workers...............................................89-206 14. Council Comments, Questions, and Announcements........89-212 ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION: The meeting adjourned to a Closed Session at 8:37 p.m...................................89-212 FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. in memory of
Alf Brandin, former manager of Stanford University=s business affairs...............................................89-212
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The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 5:15 p.m. PRESENT: Eakins, Fazzino, Huber (arrived at 5:35 p.m.), Kniss, Mossar, Ojakian, Rosenbaum, Wheeler ABSENT: Schneider City Manager Recruiting Committee PRESENT: Beecham, Burch, Kleinberg (via teleconference at 5:20 p.m.), Lytle ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. SPECIAL MEETING 1. Joint Meeting with the City Manager Recruiting Committee re Public Employee Appointment No action required. CLOSED SESSION 2. Public Employee Appointment Title: City Manager Authority: Government code section 54957 The City Council met in Closed Session to discuss matters involving Public Employee Appointment as described in Agenda Item No. 2. Mayor Fazzino announced that no reportable action was taken on Agenda Item No. 2. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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Regular Meeting November 22, 1999 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers at 7:10 p.m. PRESENT: Eakins, Fazzino, Huber, Kniss, Mossar, Ojakian, Rosenbaum, Wheeler ABSENT: Schneider ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Jeff Shore, 1905 Edgewood Drive, spoke regarding the Wind River project. C.J. Myers, 1863 Edgewood Drive, spoke regarding the Wind River project. Mayor Fazzino had a conversation with Mr. Zlotnick from Santa Clara Water District one week prior and was advised that he was comfortable with the decision made. He believed it was be important for the Council to get together with the residents and address some of the lingering issues. Linda Jolley, 3757 Haven Avenue, Menlo Park, spoke regarding new landscape technology. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Vice Mayor Wheeler moved, seconded by Kniss, to approve the Minutes of October 12, 1999, as submitted. MOTION PASSED 7-0-1, Mossar Αabstaining,≅ Schneider absent. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION: Council Member Kniss moved, seconded by Ojakian, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 1-5. 1. Agreement Between the City of Palo Alto and National Parking and Valet, Pacific Parking LLC in the Amount of $71,700 for Operation of the Off-Street Attendant Lot Parking 2. Approval of New Water Vault in El Camino Park 1st Reading - Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving and Adopting a Plan for Improvements to El Camino Park 3. The Policy and Services Committee recommends to the City Council re Train Whistle Noise to direct staff to prepare a
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Budget Amendment Ordinance for $30,000 and a Request for Proposal for a consultant to prepare a feasibility study for supplemental safety measures at railroad crossings. Further,
to direct staff to pursue Caltrain=s offer to explore the issue. 4. Construction Contract Between the City of Palo Alto and Andes Construction, Inc. in the Amount of $606,732 for Project 9 Greer Park Relief Sewer - CIP Project No. 37773 5. Proposed Revisions to Utility Rule and Refuse Rate Schedules Resolution
Resolution 7906 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Utility Rate Schedules R-1, R-1-FA and R-2 Pertaining to Refuse Collection and Approving and Adopting Rule and Regulation 11 Governing Billing,
Adjustments, and Payment of Bills≅ MOTION PASSED 8-0, Schneider absent. CLOSED SESSION
This item may occur during the recess or after the Regular Meeting. 6. Conference with Labor Negotiator Agency Negotiator: City Council Ad Hoc Personnel Committee (Lanie Wheeler, Sandy Eakins, Gary Fazzino, Dick Rosenbaum) Unrepresented Employees: City Attorney Ariel Calonne, City Manager June Fleming, City Auditor William Vinson, and City Clerk Donna Rogers Authority: Government Code section 54957.6 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7. PUBLIC HEARING: 301 University Avenue: Review of an Appeal of the Director of Planning and Community Environments Denial, After Review and Recommendation by the Architectural Review Board, of an Application for the Installation of a New Automatic Teller Machine and Increased Letter Height and Additional Lighting for Existing Signs Advertising Wells Fargo Private Client Services (Item to be continued to a date
uncertain at the request of the applicant) MOTION: Mayor Fazzino moved, seconded by Wheeler, to continue the item to a date uncertain. MOTION PASSED 8-0, Schneider absent.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS 8. PUBLIC HEARING: Pursuant to United States Bureau of Justice Assistance regulations, the City Council will consider the
City of Palo Alto=s proposed use of Local Law Enforcement Block Grant funds. Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1999-00 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 Fazzino declared the public hearing open. Receiving no requests from the public to speak, he declared the public hearing closed. MOTION: Council Member Huber moved, seconded by Wheeler, to approve the staff recommendations as follows: 1. Approve the Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) that amends
the Police Department=s FY 1999-2000 budget to provide an additional appropriation provided by a Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) in the amount of $26,192. 2. That the Grant funds be used for compensation for the Positive Alternatives for Youth (PAY) coordinator.
Ordinance 4597 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1999-00 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, Schneider absent. 9. PUBLIC HEARING: Pursuant to Government Code Section 30061, Title 3, Division 3, relating to the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund, the City Council will consider the
Police Chief=s request for funding frontline law enforcement programs. Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1999-00 to Provide an Additional Appropriation of $135,900 for the Police Department to Receive Supplemental Funding for the Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) Program - State Assembly Bill (AB) 1584
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Mayor Fazzino declared the public hearing open. Receiving no requests from the public to speak, he declared the public hearing closed. MOTION: Vice Mayor Wheeler moved, seconded by Kniss, to approve the staff recommendation to adopt the Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) in the amount of $135,901 that amends the fiscal year 1999-00 budget to appropriate funds received by the City from the State of California and allocated by Santa Clara County for the continuation of the Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) program.
Ordinance 4598 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1999-00 to Provide an Additional Appropriation of $135,900 for the Police Department to Receive Supplemental Funding for the Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) Program - State Assembly Bill (AB) 1584" MOTION PASSED 8-0, Schneider absent. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS 10. The Finance Committee recommends to the City Council re the Information Technology Strategic Plan and the Proposed Phase One Implementation Plan Council Member Huber said the recommendation was a consolidation and an internal reorganization of the Information Technology (IT) Division positions, philosophy, plan, etc. The Council was asked to approve the IT Strategic Plan and fund Phase One for which
monies were available and were already in place in the prior year=s budget. Phase Two, the hardware and software, would occur in fiscal year 2000-01 budget. Administrative Services Director Carl Yeats said staff worked on the IT Strategic Plan diligently and was already realizing the benefits from some of the minor changes made. In the packet was an update on the Customer Information System (CIS), the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) System, and the automated Records Management System which were all up and running. Staff was moving forward at a rapid pace with technology within the City. The IT Strategic Plan allowed staff to move further into the future with staffing changes, consolidation, and general architecture of the division. Information Technology Manager Rod Massey said Palo Alto historically enjoyed a reputation as a leader in the use of technology to provide service to its citizens. In order for staff to further that vision and develop a long-term strategy for the
future, the Warner Group was retained to analyze the City=s use of information technology and assist in the development of an IT Strategic Plan. The IT Strategic Plan consisted of findings in four key areas: hardware, network, software, and organization
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staffing. Staff=s recommendations ranged from broad-base to highly specific. The key issues identified were a lack of standardization among all the technologies, to unify the support processes and include after-hour support, to increase service to departments through service level agreements, and expand IT services to meet the business needs of the organization. The technical support suffered from lack of coordination. The key items from the IT Strategic Plan were to standardize and unify the technologies. Staff could then achieve the economies at scale and allow for more effective training. If IT supported eight different operating systems and many data bases, that made it difficult to have expertise in any one technology. IT needed to unify the support processes and include after-hour support, increase service to departments through service level agreements, and gradually restructure and expand to meet the business needs of the organization. The IT proposed reorganization supported the key recommendations of the IT Strategic Plan and addressed other noted vulnerabilities. It created three areas of excellence: 1) client services and operations designed to focus on customer service and support; 2) infrastructure services designed to address the recent convergence of voice video and date within the technology industry; and 3) project management and applications designed to address the evolution of the IT shops from an internal application development philosophy to warn of implementing third-party applications and systems. Staffs next steps would be incorporated into the next budget cycle and would include a long-range plan for technology initiatives and a replacement plan for existing technology and systems. Council Member Kniss asked why FTE time was still not saved, and asked what would be gained by enhancing, streamlining, and updating
the City=s systems if time was not saved. Mr. Massey said there were two types of savings: hard dollar and soft dollar savings. With system enhancements, staff was not eliminating positions, but building capacity for the future. Whenever new systems were implemented and more efficiencies were created in operations, things were done quicker, smarter, faster,
and more efficient. It gave staff flexibility to enhance IT=s service level and the ability to add staff. While not every technology initiative did that, over the long run, there were significant benefits to achieve in addition to the reduction of positions or hard dollar savings. The soft dollar savings would ultimately yield tremendous benefits. The key was the way it was done and how new services were provided. Council Member Kniss asked how IT was affected with regard to
maintaining staff due to Silicon Valley=s low unemployment rates. Mr. Massey said since he started with the City, IT had not lost staff but had gained. The vacant positions were being filled. To recruit and retain staff in Silicon Valley was a challenge. While
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it was difficult for the public sector to compete with the private sector from a monetary compensation level, there were additional strategies that could be taken. IT staff not only related to more dollars, but also to the work environment, the quality, types of applications, and making a difference. When those types of people
were found, an organization could be built effectively. The City=s best strategy was to be diligent and proactive instead of reactionary to addressing a loss. Mr. Yeats said one of the key components missing previously was the ability of talking to the people who were recruited about the strategic direction in which the City was going. When he recruited Mr. Massey, they shared a vision for the direction in which technology was going. They talked about using GIS in the local environment, connecting the systems, sharing data between departments, etc. Mr. Massey used that strategic vision staff was developing in recruiting. If staff continued on the path of thinking strategically and keeping technology current, there would be a better ability to recruit. Council Member Kniss felt technology was an important area in the City. She noted much stride was accomplished in the past five years. Council Member Rosenbaum opposed the IT Strategic Plan. He recalled the IT Strategic Plan involved the addition of three positions. Mr. Massey said that was correct. Council Member Ojakian asked for an explanation of the costs related to the three positions and what those people would be doing. Mr. Massey said two positions were Senior Systems Analysts, the first supported Public Safety for the Police and Fire Departments. Given the newly implemented CAD system and a variety other systems, there needed to be resources for support in those areas. The second Senior Systems Analyst position would to support office automation including a large amount of software technology throughout the City such as Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.
The position would be proactive to staff=s approach as to how those technologies would be leveraged. The third position was for an Executive Assistant for contract administration as the City moved toward a third-party application environment. Mr. Yeats said the 1999-00 costs were approximately $185,000, and Utilities would pay approximately 24 percent. The ongoing future staffing would be approximately $314,000. Council Member Ojakian said Phase One was the addition of staffing and Phase Two was software and hardware enhancements. He asked for
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a rough estimate of what the cost would be. Staff was proposing major systems including an accounting system. Mr. Yeats said the Phase Two costs were estimated based upon staff and preliminary changes to the hardware environment in order that
the City=s network infrastructure matched that of the Utilities system. Currently, the departments were on different servers, and there was a lack of connectivity between the two. He was correct that there was a need in the future for a long-term commitment of funding to replace the Legacy systems which were expensive. Staff anticipated the first undertaking, a top priority for the City, was a replacement of the Financial Management System which would cost approximately $2 million. Staff would return to the Council after Y2K with a strategic replacement plan of those Legacy systems. Currently, staff was putting together a committee, and the executive staff would be the Review Committee who would prioritize that replacement through the City. The IT Strategic Plan needed to be put together and moved forward. He envisioned something similar to the infrastructure plan, except it would be internal infrastructure of the computing environment. Council Member Ojakian asked if staffing would be needed for Phase Two. Mr. Yeats said the staffing in Phase Two was insuring there were systems analysts to support the user environment. Staff reached 24
by 7 support for the Police Department=s applications, was nearing completion of the Fire RNS system which needed 24 by 7 support, and would like to provide Utilities with 24 by 7 support for the CIS, especially when it moved into a fully GIS environment. Most of the money was for that and for the concept of business analyst in the department to help analyze how technology was used to address business needs. MOTION: Chairperson Huber for the Finance Committee to direct staff as follows: 1. Approve the Budget Amendment Ordinance, amending the Table of Organization and appropriating $80,327 from the Utility Funds for the implementation of Phase One of the Information Technology Strategic Plan; 2. Approve the resolution amending the Compensation Plan for Management and Confidential Personnel and Council Appointed Officers; 3. Direct staff to return with an update of the status of Phase One of the IT Strategic Plan and the initial recommendations for the implementation of Phase Two, including proposed funding requirements, as part of the 2000-01 Budget.
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Resolution 7907 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. 7890 and Amended by Resolution Nos. 7897 and 7902 to Change Certain Salaries and
Classifications≅
Ordinance 4599 entitled ΑOrdinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the Budget for the Fiscal Year 1999-00 to Provide an Additional Appropriation of $269,893 for the Information Technology Strategic Plan and Phase One
Implementation Plan≅ MOTION PASSED 6-2, Ojakian, Rosenbaum Αno,≅ Schneider absent. 11. The Policy and Services Committee re Proposed Revision to the Administrative Code to Properly Define the Current Activities of the City Auditor. Council Member Eakins thanked the the City Attorney and City Auditor for working together constructively to follow the directions of the Colleagues memo dated October 7, 1999, and also thanked the Audit Committee. The Auditor job description was updated including the scope and responsibilities, timelines and expectations; clarified the City Managers involvement; and clarified the relationship with the City Attorney. In the age of an abundance of information and the need to know, significant resolution of protections for individual employee privacy and adequacy of information available to the Auditor was important. MOTION: Chairperson Eakins for the Policy and Services Committee to approve the proposed revision to the Administrative Code to properly define the current activities of the City Auditor to include: 1. The addition of a time frame for the Auditor to return to
the Council once the City Manager=s response is received; 2. Make clearer the intent to consult with the City Manager in the development of audit plans; and 3. Direct the City Attorney and City Auditor to arrive at a consensus for language to be used in Section 2.08.130(h) of the Proposed Changes to the Administrative Code for the Office and duties of the City Auditor contained in the Colleagues memo dated October 7, 1999. 1st Reading - Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.08.130 [City Auditor] to Specify Revised Duties for the City Auditor
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MOTION PASSED 8-0, Schneider absent. REPORTS OF OFFICIALS 12. Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Declaring the Results of the Consolidated General Municipal Election Held on Tuesday, November 2, 1999 MOTION: Vice Mayor Wheeler moved, seconded by Kniss, to adopt the resolution canvassing the results of the November 2, 1999, General Municipal Election pursuant to Article III, Section 4 of the City Charter.
Resolution 7908 entitled ΑResolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Declaring the Results of the Consolidated General Municipal Election Held on Tuesday, November 2, 1999" MOTION PASSED 8-0, Schneider absent. Mayor Fazzino congratulated the newly elected Council Members Bern Beecham, Jim Burch, Judy Kleinberg, and Nancy Lytle. COUNCIL MATTERS 13. Mayor Fazzino, Vice Mayor Wheeler, Council Member Eakins, and Council Member Ojakian re Housing Opportunities for Emergency Workers MOTION: Council Member Eakins moved, seconded by Kniss, to approve the following recommendations:
1. Adopt a policy statement establishing the City=s position and goals as follows:
ΑIt is the policy of the City Council of the City of Palo Alto to encourage City emergency workers to live
within or near Palo Alto. The City will use all reasonably available means to provide or negotiate incentives, preferences, benefits, conditions and
requirements in order to encourage local residency.≅ 2. Direct the City Manager to investigate the feasibility and means of establishing a housing opportunity program.
The City Manager=s investigation should include a survey of programs used by other public agencies. In addition,
we are mindful of the fact that the term Αemergency
workers≅ may, depending upon the results of the City
Manager=s investigation, include essential employees and positions from many City departments.
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Council Member Eakins said extending housing opportunities to public employees would require exploration to achieve a focus to get started, recognizing that Palo Alto housing was not affordable to many people. San Jose Mercury News columnist Joanne Jacobs wrote a column the previous week which stated that before long there would be no middle class left in Santa Clara County. The
trend was troublesome and required the Council=s serious consideration. Goals were established in the Comprehensive Plan to provide housing for all economic segments of the community including those with low and moderate incomes. Also established was a desire for a safe community with the ability to handle natural disasters. There should be housing choice opportunities available in Palo Alto or nearby to emergency workers. Local
residency would improve the City=s disaster response by assuring the availability of more emergency workers and by assuring the workers close access to families and loved ones. Local residence would enhance the pride and sense of community the workforce shared with residents. Developing a practical and fair housing preference program would take serious analysis and lengthy staff effort. The Colleagues memo dated November 17, 1999, proposed a two-step approach: to approve a Council policy, and to direct staff analysis. The Council needed to commit itself to a course of direction for action in order to commit resources, especially significant staff resources in exploring the issue. Developers wanted to build in Palo Alto, which was the right time to take advantage of providing more housing. If there was a policy and the analysis was complete, it could be used on upcoming projects. She urged her colleagues to support the two-step approach. Mayor Fazzino endorsed the motion. The issue was discussed in 1990 and everyone wondered what happened. He believed the issue was a major crisis facing the entire area. With the outrageous price of housing, it was increasingly impossible for anyone to move into the area. The City was presented with a challenge to provide housing for those individuals who served the community. He supported the Colleagues memo. Emergency workers included not only police and fire but also individuals in emergency-oriented positions such as Utilities or Public Works. Those individuals needed to have access to the community during emergencies or times of crisis. The memo provided for emergency workers and, in time, he hoped there would be the opportunity to develop a partnership with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) to look at the issue of housing for teachers which was just as important. The Santa Clara Unified School District took the initiative to look at creating housing for its teachers, which he felt was a great proposal. The answers were not easy to find. One alternative might be to give emergency workers priority for below-market-rate (BMR) housing or the possibility of housing exclusively designed for emergency workers, etc. The Council was asking the City Manager to return with that type of information. The issue was not limited to Palo Alto but to the entire area. It was going to be much more difficult to find
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workers in the future who had those types of jobs unless the problem was dealt with. Council Member Mossar agreed with the concept and asked why after being discussed in 1990 the issue did not surface. She asked whether the Council was recreating a fatal flaw and what that flaw might be. City Attorney Ariel Calonne said he did not have a research assignment in his office in August 1990. The only fatal flaw he was concerned with was the interaction with state and federal fair housing policies that might make it difficult to have that type of policy implemented through a direct preference in certain housing types. The policy statement made sense, and worked out looking at specific opportunities, he did not have an answer he and the City Manager worked out looking at specific opportunities, he did not have an answer to . Council Member Mossar clarified that the purpose of the motion was to set a Council policy and to make an assignment to the City Manager to return to the Council with some feasibility information. City Manager June Fleming did not participate in the assignment in August 1990 as she was not the City Manager. She was present when the issue passed, but no real work was done. The motion was clear and specified what the City Manager was to do. It was one which would need to be worked on together with the City Attorney. She could begin the work but did not know whether it would be completed prior to her retirement. The Council made it clear that she was to leave a clear record and status of projects being worked on. She an the executive staff worked on a format so nothing would be lost in the transition. The issue was doable but not quickly. Staff would pay attention to the issues the City Attorney raised. Working on the issue together was the most appropriate way to proceed which was not the way it was acted upon the last time. Mr. Calonne added that the policy statement was important because it would be a guide with regard to the budget and what kind of resources would apply. He believed a policy statement from the Council to him was a clear direction that he make something happen through existing resources. If those resources were not there, he would return to the Council to see whether resources were in the budget. He did not suggest he would return to the Council with respect to the budget, but a written policy statement was a definite action which showed clear Council support to move forward. Ms. Fleming said the policy statement made a vast difference because there might not be a specific program to bring to the Council but various things came up. If staff knew there was a Council policy on an issue, creative thinking could be applied. Council Member Mossar asked with the policy statement in place, it seemed to her that as a Council, they would not get a full blown
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feasibility report in the near future, but would that open up possibilities that as development projects came through the City, the Council would look at those for that type of housing. Ms. Fleming said with great confidence and assurance that was true. Council Member Kniss said looking back, the Council discussed those individuals that lived a great distance and having places they could stay during the week. She believed that was still true with firefighters. With regard to the issue of permanent housing, she asked whether the City ever made available other kinds of housing that could be used on a short-term basis for individuals on call versus permanent housing. Ms. Fleming did not know of any consistent assistance the City provided for people to live within a certain radius so they would be available on call. On a case-by-case basis where there were some unique circumstances, assistance was provided which was not a coordinated, well thought out plan. Council Member Kniss said she sympathized because it was not only emergency needs but for other individuals needed on a regular basis to support the ongoing needs of the community. Almost ten years had passed since it was discussed previously and there were dramatic changes in the Valley. She asked how staff would begin to choose which workers would be selected. Ms. Fleming said the first thing would be to look at what other cities had done. She would work with the established guidelines to define emergency and bring to the Council for consideration some hierarchy of emergency level needed to be able to respond. She believed health and safety would top the list. Staff could give the Council some options and let the Council make the policy decision. She would base that strongly with what was available in the market in addition to what other cities were doing. She would also talk to other outlying cities to see whether there was a benefit by doing something together. Council Member Kniss said housing was an out-of-sight price range.
Ms. Fleming said it was apparent when the vanpool ΑRides≅ program was brought to the Council as the City was bringing in staff from as far away as Patterson. The Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) contacted Palo Alto, and other cities were currently interested. There were some possibilities, and staff needed to do what could be done when it could be done and not wait. Mr. Calonne wanted to make sure the Council was reading the policy statement in the same way as staff. It stated that workers were encouraged to live within or near Palo Alto and encouraged local residency. There was some lead as to how that encouragement should
happen, and the policy was specific in saying, ΑIn addition to
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incentives, preferences, and benefits, conditions and requirements
can be used as well.≅ That was an effort not to mislead employees about how the issue might work out. He did not know how that would work out, and the language left room to pursue many options. President of the Fire Fighters Union Tony Spitaleri said the subject of employee housing was broached in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990. The early years were with respect to how upper level management could move into Palo Alto with low interest loans, moving benefits, etc. He was encouraged that the City was looking at a way to resolve the issue. He had mixed emotions because if the issue was solved in 1990, they would not be facing those issues currently. At one time, there was 100 percent residency of firefighters in Palo Alto. Currently, 6 out of 120 firefighters lived in Palo Alto. The firefighters were not asking to live in Palo Alto. The issue was to live close to Palo Alto in order to respond. The question was how could emergency personnel could be close to Santa Clara counties for availability to respond and interact with the community. In order to make the issue a vital program and to move forward, he believed the union representatives needed to be part of any study group and needed to be heard. There were many firefighters who came from as far as Tracy, Santa Cruz, Sonora, and further. He did not know if a program where individuals could stay in town between shifts would work because of family obligations, commitments, etc. He was encouraged that the issue would go from a policy statement to some action. He encouraged the Council to allow the employees to be involved in the studies and receive their input. The issue needed to be addressed in order for quick response. It was not only a matter of time but one of the ability to get to Palo Alto during a crisis from such outlying areas. He offered to work on developing a policy to help improve the situation. Council Member Kniss asked whether Mr. Spitaleri had seen anything positive happening in communities that were in the nine county areas. He asked whether there was something the City could look at or replicate in order not to start from ground zero. Mr. Spitaleri said San Francisco went back to a residency
requirement, and a sheriff=s department up north was providing no interest home loans in order to attract employees. The problem was everywhere, particularly in Silicon Valley, due to the economic boom during the previous ten years. The important thing was to gather information not only from California but from other states that might have had unique situations dealing with public employees. The union had resources that could be shared with the City. Council Member Kniss asked since San Francisco had a residency requirement, did it subsidize housing for firefighters as part of the hiring process.
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Mr. Spitaleri said not at that time because the goal was to improve the opportunities for local residents to work for the city. He did not know the current status because it recently dropped the residency requirement in order to hire 130 new firefighters. Council Member Rosenbaum recalled the issue in 1990 and believed nothing happened because staff could not find a way to accomplish it. The Council had the best intentions for the reasons cited, but he was concerned with adopting a policy and trying to figure out its feasibility after the fact. To many people, the most important emergency group was the firefighters. The total compensation for a
firefighter after 32 years was $74,000 per year. When it came to looking for a house, in the normal situation which included a working spouse, the income might be in the order of $100,000 per year which would not buy someone a house in Palo Alto. It would buy someone a house on the fringes of the Bay Area. The compensation numbers for police were similar but packaged differently. He felt it was foolish to adopt a policy and asked staff to see what could be done as opposed to doing the feasibility first. AMENDMENT: Council Member Rosenbaum moved that the policy declaration be removed, and to direct staff to pursue the feasibility and means of establishing a housing opportunity program. MOTION DIED FOR LACK OF A SECOND Council Member Mossar said the Council would be foolish to believe the policy would result in home ownership for emergency and other important personnel for the City. The opportunity was long past. There were a lot of opportunities with regard to rental, not home ownership. The net result was what could be offered would not be attractive to all emergency personnel, but would be attractive to some. Council Member Rosenbaum was correct and that was not what the Council would substitute for. Council Member Ojakian supported the motion. He recalled growing up in Palo Alto when many emergency personnel lived in his neighborhood. There was not only the benefit of the service one received, but also the whole intercommunity bonding that was created. It brought a certain sense of security. His perspective was there needed to be a clear policy statement. His approach was to find opportunities to get individuals to live in or near Palo Alto whether through rental or some other way. It would also show a good faith effort to Mr. Spitaleri and other employees. Council Member Eakins understood the City Manager to say it was only the existence of a policy that would make staff continue to pay attention. That was not what she understood, but that with the existence of a policy in working with applicants, there would be something to use as a springboard to making opportunities happen.
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Vice Mayor Wheeler said in addition to the public sources of information that Council Member Kniss stressed in her request for direction, there was private expertise such as affordable housing organizations which had done some research. In addition, she had the opportunity to hear a presentation from the Tri-County Apartment Association related to a program directed at teachers. Tri-County Apartment Association was willing to work with cities to discuss programs sponsored by the private sector that would assist city and school district employees. Mayor Fazzino said there were some outstanding examples of other communities across the country addressing the issue which could not be handled alone. It was important that the City work with the Manufacturing Group and others to identify alternatives. An important parameter was that the Council not necessarily look for housing in Palo Alto but in the general area. MOTION PASSED 7-1, Rosenbaum Αno,≅ Schneider absent. 14. Council Comments, Questions, and Announcements Council Member Mossar spoke regarding the recent San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) workshop. Council Member Kniss spoke regarding the loss of Alf Brandin,
former manager of Stanford University=s business affairs, who passed away the prior week. ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION: The meeting adjourned to a Closed Session at 8:37 p.m. The City Council met in Closed Session to discuss matters involving Conference with Labor Negotiator as described in Agenda Item No. 6. Mayor Fazzino announced that no reportable action was taken on Agenda Item No. 6. FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m. in memory of
Alf Brandin, former manager of Stanford University=s business affairs. 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
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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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