HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 9484RESOLUTION 9484 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE
TO LARRY KLEIN AS COUNCIL MEMBER AND MAYOR
WHEREAS, Lany Klein was first elected to the Palo Alto City Cotmcil in 1981 andre-elected in 1985, where he seJVed as Mayor in 1984 and
1989;and
WHEREAS, Lany often described himself as a "recycled'' Cmmcil Member when he was again elected to the Cotmcil in 2005 and re-elected in
2009 where he has brought his considerable talents as an attorney, former Mayor and Council Member and as the "Institutional Memory'' of the
Council for the past three decades; and
WHEREAS, Lany seJVed a third term as Mayor in 2008 and led Council meetings and the community with style and grace, steering that year
through the successful Measure N Librruy Bond initiative, which culminated in improvements to all five City libraries including the new Mitchell Parl<:
Library and Community Center which opened to public acclaim in 20 14; and
WHEREAS, Lany has been an active member and Chair of Council Committees during this term including Finance, Policy and Services,
City/School Liaison, Council Appointed Officers, High Speed Rail, Cubberley Policy Advisoty and Infrastructure and Technology; he has also ably
represented Palo Alto on regional boards including the Bay Area Water Supply and ConseiVation Agency (BA WSCA), BA WSCA Policy
Committee, San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water System Financing Authority, the Santa Clara County Cities Association and locally as Council
liaison to the Board ofRealtors, Chamber of Commerce, Avenidas and California Avenue Area Development Association; and
WHEREAS, Lany during the "Great Recession" advocated for and achieved sustainable fiscal reform, in the areas of employee pension and
health care benefits and the City Budget which laid the foundation for current fiscal smpluses; Lany also chaired the City's Cubberley Committee
which led to reform and renewal of the Cubberley Lease with the Palo Alto Unified School District; and
WHEREAS, Lany focused on long-term initiatives by championing the citizen lead Infrastructure Blue Ribbon Commission which identified,
detailed and prioritized all infrastructure needs into a "catch up," "keep up" and ''moving fmward" project master plan, which culminated in dedicated
funding for infrastructure and an infrastructure funding plan which includes a Public Safety Building, fire stations, maintenance yards, parl<:s and
recreation areas and public facilities ensuring that Palo Alto will have updated buildings, public facilities and modem emergency systems into the new
centuty, which are supported by General Fund revenues, new revenues from hotels and Measure B initiative funds, which was approved by over 70
percent of voters in November 20 14; and
WHEREAS, Lany also advocated strategically and tirelessly on issues against the California High Speed Rail project, successfully protecting the
Palo Alto rail corridor by securing a ''blended" system and shared use of the Caltrain tracks using a blended schedule and eliminating the massive four
track project threatening Palo Alto properties and roadways; and
WHEREAS, Lany, over the course of his terms, declared a moral imperative to fight Climate Change as the single most important challenge
facing our generation by creating an aggressive Climate Action Plan, resulting in significant Green House Gas emission reductions and Palo Alto
achieving carbon-neutral electricity; Lany has also advocated for an Anaerobic Digester Facility at the Regional Water Quality Treatment Plant,
se!Ved on the National League of Cities Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Steering Committee, advocated for fuel switching initiatives,
Zero Waste, expansion of electric vehicle charging stations; and
WHEREAS, Lany did all of the aforementioned work and more with incredible energy, statesmanship, candor, creativity and professionalism,
while maintaining a spirit of goodwill, perspective, a sense ofhumor and strong commitment to Palo Alto.
NOW, mEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City ofPalo Alto hereby commends the outstanding public service of Larry
Klein 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 and Mayoral terms.
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INTRODUCED AND PASSED: January 5, 2015
A YES: BERMAN, BURT, DUBOIS, FILSETH, HOLMAN, KNISS, SCHARFF, SCHMID,
WOLBACH
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
~ APPROVED:
~;U-
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City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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