HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-05-22 City Council Summary MinutesCITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
-PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGSARE BROADCAST LIVE VIA KZSU- FREQUENCY90.1 ON FAA DIAL -
Special Meeting
May 22, 1989
Oral Communications
Minutes of April 17, 19C9
Consent Calendar
PA9E
61-363
61 863
61-363
1. Revolution re Merit System Rules and Reg la- 61-363
tions
Resolution Adopting A Compensation Plan for
Classified Personnel (SEIU) and Rescinding
Resolution No, 6610 as Amended
2. Amendment No. 1 to Contract Restatement and
Amendment with East Palo Alto Sanitary
District for Wastewater Treatment Services
3. Contract with Co lir Mechanical Services
for Downtown Library Heating, Ventilating,
and Air Conditioning System Replacement
4. Contract with Davey Tree Surgery for Street
Tree Trimming
5. 1989 Street Resurfacing and Reconstruction
Project
6. Ordinance Establishing Underground Utility
District No. 31
61-364
61-364
61-364
61-364
61-364
61-361
5/22/89
7. PUBLIC HEARING: Finance and Public Works
Committee Recommendation re Community
Development Block Grant Program
S. Ordinance to Exempt City Co -Sponsored
Events at which Wine is Served from the
Prohibition of Alcoholic Beverages at the
Civic Center Block
61-364
61-365
9. Compostable Program 61-367
10. Consultant Agreement with CSS Associates
for Site Condition Survey at Cubberley
School
11. Council Members Sutorius and Woolley re
Local Government Coordination, Santa Clara
Cities; Proposed Consolidation of Intercity
Activities
12. Council Members Cobb, Levy and Woolley re
Treatment of Residential ,Facilities in the
Parking Assessment Districts
Adjournment to a Closed Session re Litigation and
Employer/Employee Relations at 9:25 p.m.
Final Adjournment at 10:05 p.m.
61-370
61-371
61-374
61-375
61.376
61.362
5/22/89
1
Special Meeting
May 22, 1989
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the
Council Chambers at 8:00 p.m.
Mayor Klein announced that a Special Joint Meeting was held with
the Visual Arts Jury at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Conference Room.
Mayor. Klein said Council would adjourn to a Closed Session to
discuss 1) Initiation of Litigation pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956.9(c), and 2) Employer/Employee Relations pursuant to
Government Code Section 54957.6 immediately following the Council
Meeting.
PRESENT: Bechtel, Cobb, Klein, Fletcher, Levy (arrived at
8:01 p.m.), Patitucci, Renzel, Sutorius, Woolley
QRALLSMICHNATIM
1. Fari Reimers,
of Jiri Wolf,
2. Edmund Power,
Alto Harbor.
886 Tohman Drive, spoke regarding the release
a Czechoslovakian activist.
2254 Dartmouth Street, spoke regarding, the Palo
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
NOTION, Council Member Renzel moved, seconded by Klein, approval
of the Minutes of April 17, 1989, as submitted.
NOTION PASSED 9-0.
QNSENT c.ALENDAR
NOTION: Council Member Sutorius moved, seconded by Renzel,
approval of Consent Calendar Items 1 - 6.
1. RESOLUTION $778 entitled "RESOLUTION OP THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING SECTION 1401 OF THE MERIT SYSTEM
RULES AND REGULATIONS" (5 01) (CMR : 2 6 6 : 9 )
RESOLUTION §779, entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALO ALTO ADOPTING A COMPENSATION PLAN FOR CLASSIFIED
PERSONNEL (SEIU) AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 6610 AS
AMIANDED BY RESOLUTION NOS. 6624, 6641, 6685, 6726 AND 6730"
61-363
5/22/89
2. Amendment No. 1 to Contract Restatement and Amendment with
East Palo Alto Sanitary District for Wastewater Treatment
Services (1122)
3. Contract with Com Air Mechanical Services for Downtown Library
Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning System Replacement;
Change Orders not to exceed $11,000 (810-04) (CMR:274:9)
4. Contract with Davey Tree Surgery for Street Tree Trimming
(1015) (CMR:262:9)
5. 1989 Street Resurfacing and Reconstruction Project (1010)
(CMR:265:9)
Contract with G. Bortolotto & Co., Inc.; Change orders not to
exceed $218,000
Agreement with the County of San Mateo to Improve a Portion
of Page M111 Road
Agreement with the City of Mountain View to Improve a Portion
of Leghorn Street
Agreement with the Town of Los Altos Hills for the Improvement
of a Portion of Manuel& Avenue
ORDINANCZ n71 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1988-89
TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROJECT NO. 18670, "STREET MAINTENANCE," AND TO AUTHORIZE
RECEIPT OF FUNDS FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS FOR STREET
MAINTENANCE"
6. ORDINANCE 3874 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PALO ALTO AMENDING SECTION 12.16.020 OF CHAPTER 12.16 OF
TITLE 12 OF THE PALO ALTO MUNICIPAL CODE BY ESTABLISHING
UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 31 (1st Reading 4/10/89,
PASSED 9-0) (1105) (NPG)
MOTION PASSED 9-0,
Punic HANGS
7. PUBLIC HEARING: Finance and Public Works Committee Recom-
mendation re 1989-90 Community Development Block Grant P- ograun
(41202) (CMR:259:9)
MOTION: Council Member Cobb for the Finance and Public Works
Committee moved that the City Council make the following findings:
61-364
5/22/89
i
1
1. That the proposals and related funding as recommended by the
staff and the Citizens Advisory Committee in the staff report
(CMR:221:9) are to be included in the 1989-90 Community
Development Block Grant program; and
2. That staff be authorized to submit an application to the
Department of Housing and Urban Development to include the
Palo Alto 1989-90 program, certified to be consistent with the
City's Community Development Block Grant Plan
RESOLUTION 6780 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALO ALTO APPROVING THE USE OF THE 1989-90 COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS"
Council Member Cobb commended the Citizens Advisory Committee.
Administrator, Human Services Margo Dutton introduced Suzanne
Richards, who was coordinating the Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Program for the current year.
Mayor Klein declared the Public Hearing open.
Nicholas Rose, 455 E.Charleaston Road, #A219, was a resident of
Stevenson House, and thanked the City for all its efforts in the
area of human services.
Jane. Geiser, Stevenson House, thanked the Council for its consid-
eration.
Mayor Klein declared the Public Hearing closed.
MOTION PABBED 9-0.
QERINANC S
8. Ordinance to Exempt City Co --Sponsored Events at Which Wine is
Served from the Prohibition of Alcoholic Beverages at the
Civic Center Sleek (701-01) (ciR:194:9)
Council Member Renzel said the General Assembly of the Association
of Bay Area Governments (IIBAG) recently focused on the problems of
substance abuse in the work place, and she queried whether there
were City policies relating to alcohol use on City properties by
City employees.
City Manager Bill Zaner said the consumption of alcoholic beverages
was not permitted within City Hall, and there was also an ordinance
which prohibited the consumption of alcoholic beverages on specific
downtown park areas, e.g., Cogswell Plaza and the City Hall
61-365
5/22/89
grounds. If concerts occurred at Lytton Plaza, the area was often
posted as a no drinking area as part of the parks and recreation
effort, There were also internal policies which prohibited the
consumption by City employees of alcoholic beverages during working
hours.
Bunny Good, Founder, International Group Organization for the
Disabled, P. O. Box 824, Menlo Park, 94026-0824, opposed the
proposed ordinance.
Council Member Levy said the proposal called for authorization to
serve wine only at events for which the City was co-sponsor, which
was too limiting. Non -City sponsored events, similar to City -
sponsored events which would allow for wine, should also have
authorization to serve wine.
MOTION: Council Member Levy moved; seconded by Klein, to approve
staff recommendation as amended and to introduce the ordinance
amending Section 9.60.070 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to allow
serving wine at Civic Center events. Subsection (b) of ordinance
shall be amended to reads "(b) This section shall not apply to the
consumption of wine which has been provided by authorized persons
at any event at which such wine .is served and for which the City
Manager has specifically authorized in advanced the serving of
wine. The City Manager may impose reasonable terms and conditions
on any authorization he may give pursuant to this section,
including, but not limited to, requiring insurance coverage
indemnifying the City, arising from the event. The City Manager
may deny authorization for the serving of wine and beer at an event
which poses, in the exercise of his reasonable discretion,
disruption in the general area due to increased noise, traffic or
any other threat to the public health, safety, convenience or
welfare."
QRDINANCE jOR FIRST RdADING entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING SECTION 9, 60.070 OF THE PALO
ALTO MUNICIPAL CODE TO EXEMPT CITY CO -SPONSORED EVENTS AT
WHICH WINE I8 SERVED FROM THE PROHIBITION OF ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES AT THE CIVIC CENTER BLOCK"
Council Member Levy said the proposal gave the City Manager
discreti^^_ to approve o.: not approve whether wine was served at
non -City sponsored events.
AMINDKRKT: Council Member Patitucci moved, seconded by Sutorius,
to substitute the phrase "wine and beer" wherever the word "wines"
appears,
AXEMDI[ENT PABSRD 9-0.
61-366
5/22/89
1
Council Member Renzel asked whether the amended language would pose
any problems with implementation.
Mr. Zaner did not see any problems; however, he had not had the
opportunity to really consider the question. He reserved the right
to return to the Council at second reading of the ordinance and
recommend that Council not proceed if necessary.
MOTXO$ AB ENDED PASSED 9-0.
REPORTS OF OFFIQIALIS
9. Compostable Program (1074) (CMR:264:9)
Council Member Sutorius asked about the effect of plastic bags on
the compost machine and the effect of the shredded plastic that
would inevitably be in the compost material.
Deputy Director, Public Works Operations; Mike Miller said plastic
bags were presently shredded with the machine used in the compost
area without any effects on the machine. Staff had no way of
measuring the long --term effect of shredded plastic in the compost
material. Visual calculations estimated approximately one bag per
one cubic yard of finished compost, or somewhere under eight or ten
ounces of plastic per three tons of dirt. It was not seen as a
significant problem. Without more experience with the program, it
was difficult to determine how much plastic would actually be
race ived .
Council Member Patitucci supported the compost program ';at asked
why the material contained in the bags could not be dumped into the
compost machine and the bags pulled out.
Mr. Miller said the program was currently mechanized and a loader
was used to pick up between one and one-half to two yards of mixed
material. Separating the bags wrIuld require breaking the material
out of the large piles and grabbing the bags and opening them. Two
people currently worked on the program and he did not know how much
additional time such a process would take.
Council Member Woolley queried where the plastic bagg cane from.
Mr. Miller said the plastic bags came primarily from commercial,
gardeners, tree trimmers, and people who did ya:•d work and chose
to bring the material out to the landfill rather than putting it
out for rubbish pickup. Staff had not determined how much compost
material arrived in plastic bags, but he did not believe it was a
significant amount. The compost material could be placed in boxes
or bundled.
61-367
5/22/89
Stephen Avis, 284 Margarita Avenue, represented the War on Waste
(WOW) Committee, who supported the City's compost program. The
Committee was concerned about the use of plastics for the collec-
tion of compost material, and encouraged further study. The
Committee was also concerned about the City's current policy of
unlimited refusepickup in conjunction with the compost program
because it seemed to defeat the purpose of minimizing what went to
the landfill. If the City did not provide unlimited pickup, it
would encourage more people to participate in the recycling and
compost programs. The WOW Committee was willing to work with Mr.
Diller to assist in research into alternatives to the use of
plastic bags, and requested the program be continued to allow for
the effort.
Jennifer Raymond, 284 Margarita Avenue, was a member of the WOW
Committee, which was an advisory committee on ways to reduce solid
waste in the City. The WOW Committee was concerned that a good
compost program would be counterproductive in terms of decreasing
the amount of plastic waste. While the plastics would not be in
the landfill, they would be ground up into the soil, the effects
of which were unknown. Before commencing a program which might
allow for large amounts of plastic to be ground up and added to the
[mil, other alternatives needed to be considered. She queried how
the collectors of rubbish and compost material wou+3 be able to
determine what was rubbish and what was compost if collection was
made the Pam* day. If compost was placed in a reusable container
and had to be dumped into the truck, noncompost materials could be
observed in the dumping. The recommendation for disposable
containers appeared to be a short-term solution because it would
lead to longer -term problems. She urged that the WOW Committee be
given the opportunity to discuss with Mr. Miller other alterneti,ves
and to look into dscradable plastic bags.
Council Member Woolley agreed with the speakers. The proposed
program was contrary to the Council's priority goal of encouraging
recycling. Council was trying to reduce wastes of all types, and
unlimited curbside pickup did encourage people to reduce their
amount of trash. Council recently passed an ordinance in an
attempt to reduce the use of plastic in Palo Alto, and the proposal
flew in the face of that action and encouraged the continued use
of plastic in order to dispose of yard debris.
MOTION: Council Member Woolley moved, seconded by Bechtel, to
approve the proposed Compost Program and that unlimited curbside
pickup be limited to compostable plant debris when the new program
goes into effect. Further, direct staff to report back in six
weeks with: a) a method of pickup not involving the regular
plastic bags; and b) an outline for a public relations program
explaining changes in services and changes in containment.
61-368
5/22/89
1
Council Member Woolley said Council was recently presented with a
work program and one of the items had to do with changing the
garbage rates. While Council had no time set for the par`ticular
task, consideration had been given to the day when Council would
need to discourage people from having more than one garbage can
probably through the rate structure. At a time when Council was
changing to a compostable debris program, the logical first step
was to discourage unlimited curbside pickup. Some communities were
using degradable bags, which she believed would be an improvement
over the typical plastic bag, but she was convinced a reusable
container would be far more preferable to any type of disposable
container. The proposal was impractical in that the community-
would not be retrained if all people had to do differently was put
the yard debris bags in one place and rubbish in another. The
proposal did not present a clear message..
Council Member Cobb said the WOW Committee pointed out that
unlimited curbside pickup was not a good idea for non-compostables.
People needed to get trash to the landfill and the alternative to
some kind of curbside pickup for non-compostables was to get a
truck and go to the dump. He queried the alternative to unlimited
curbside pickup since there needed to be some ability to dispose
of things at the curt.
Mr. Miller said the current rate structure provided for a "special
pickup" whereby a resident could call the Palo Alto Sanitation
Co*pany (PASCO) and request a special pickup at the curb for up to
one-half or three-quarters df a yard, e.g., a 3 x 3 x 3 box about
three-quarters full, of material for an additional fee of $8.
Refuse handbooks were sent out to customers each time rates were
adjusted which explained the different rata structures and
different services available,
Council Member Fletcher associated with the comments of Council
Member Woolley and the members of the WOW Committee, and agreed it
seemed counterproductive to encourage more use of plastic bags.
Council Member Sutorius stressed that any public relations program
should be in outline form as opposed to detailed.
Mayor Klein agreed.
Council der levy was concerned Council was moving too quickly
in . a direction he was uncomfortable with because he did not believe
he had enough of the details and elements of the plan proposed by
Council Member Woolley. He believed it might be best to return to
the WOW Committee to review and comment on the staff's proposal.
61-369
5/22/89
SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO CONTINUE: Council Member Levy moved, seconded
by Klein, to continue the item for ■even weeks for staff and the
War on Waste Committee to review the program, particularly limiting
curbside pickup to compostable plant debris; a method of pickup not
involving plastic bags; and an outline for a public relations
program explaining charges for services and containment.
Vice Mayor Bechtel opposed the motion to continue because she
believed Council heard the comments from the WOW Committee. Staff
might have misinterpreted Council's previous concern about changes
in terms of continuing the unlimited trash pickup curbside. She
believed the original motion provided a clear message. Ninety-nine
percent of her own curbside pickup involved garden cuttings, and
she put other material in trash containers. In a real emergency,
one could call PASCO.
Council Member Patitucci believed Council should move ahead with
the program. The problems were now identified. He preferred staff
deal with the plastic bag problem by not grinding them up into the
compost. If a better solution was found, it could be instituted.
Council Member Woolley agreed with Council Member Pat,tucci, but
said it was not ersy to train a City of 56,000 people to do
something. To start on one system and than three months or six
months later change the rules;- was not a good way to go about it.
Council needed to wait until it had the right system in place and
then tram: its citizens. She urged support of the main motion.
Mayor Klein urged support for the continuance because he was
anxious to see Council move forward in wanner which was sustainable
and acceptable to the public. He was concerned about the lack of
staff study input from the full WOW Ceuittee. Council would be
remiss if it did not take advantage of both sources of information
and be as close as possible to 100 percent sure the program was
done right. Seven weeks was insignificant compared to the desire
to ensure the program worked.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION PASSED 5-4, Bechtel, Fletcher, Renzel, Woolley
"nos"
10. Consultant Agreement with CSS Associates for Site Condition
Survey at Cubberley School (300) (cMR:269:9)
MOTION: Council Member Bechtel moved, seconded by Sutorius, to
approve the staff recommendation to:
1. Adopt a Budget Amendment Ordinance to establish CIP 18907,
Cubberley Site Condition Survey, appropriating $31,500 from
the Reserve for Streets and Sidewalks to the CIP;
1
61-370 III
5/22/89
2. Waive Policy and Procedures 1 - 10 pertaining to review by
the Finance and Public Works Committee;
3. Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the consultant
agreement with CSS Associates in the amount of $27,500 for a
site condition survey for Cubberley School; and
4. Authorize the Project Manager to negotiate and execute
amendments for services related to, or incidental to, the
scope of work or services, the total value of which amendments
shall not exceed $4,000.
PRDINANCE 1§75 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1988-89
TO ESTABLISH AND FUND A NEW CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROTECT,
"C:.JBBERLEY SITE CONDITION SURVEY"
MOTXON PASSED 9-0.
CG�}�iCI� M+iAfiTEFtS
11. Council Members Sutorius and Woolley re Local Gover„ruent
Coordination, Santa Clara Cities; Proposed Consolidation of
Intercity Activities (1520-03)
Couacil Member Sutorius referred to Council discuasion earlier in
the year wherein concern was expressed about the unnecessary
activities of some of the existing intergovernmental processes, and
that better coordination was needed. The continued review of the
matter and the specific incorporation of input relative to the
League of California Cities turned out to be very positive.
NOTION: Council Member Sutorius moved, seconded by Woolley, to
endorse Conceptual Outline for Consolidation of Santa Clara County
Cities Organizations proposing general principles for the con-
solidation of Santa Clara intercity activities into a single
organization as follows:
1. Cities agree to consolidate the activities and bodies of the
Iptexclty Council. Mayors CQnfer *ice, and City „selection
Co mittee into a Santa Clara County Section of the Peninsula
Division of the League of California Cities.
2. The Santa Clara County Section of the Peninsula League
Division would serve as the single umbrella organization for
Santa Clams County-Citiea.
3. Membership in the Section would be open to x+.11 Section dues
paying cities in Santa Clara_ County, with membership being
held in the name ofeachcity.
51-371
5/22/89
4. Bylaws for the Section will be developed for the approval of
all member cities.
5. The Section would function as a cooperative association of
cities whose purposes would include:
a. To develop and act on a common agenda for Santa Clara
County Cities;
b. To review, study, develop consensus positions, and
recommend on issues of interest to Santa Clara County
Cities;
c. To serve as a unified voice for Santa Clara County Cities
in relationship to other agencies, organizations, and
levels of government;
d. To provide a focal point for non -city groups,
organizations and the private sector to address items of
interest to those groups which impact cities;
e. To serve as the City Selection Committee and make
appointments to regional and local bodies as required by
law;
f. To serve as a source of education and information and
networking for council members from all county cities; and
g. To develop statewide legislative policy through the
structure of the League of California Cities.
6. The Section would be governed by a Board of Directors
consisting of one representative appointed by the City council
of each member city. Officers, as identified in the bylaws,
will be selected by the Board of Directors. Each director
will have one vote on all items of business before the
Sectinn.
7. Dues will be established annually based upon the approved
budget for the Section. Each city shall pay an equal share
of the approved annual budget.
8. The Section shall employ a part-time
part-time support staff as necessary.
9. The projected first year budget for
exceed $40,000.
executive director and
the Section is not to
61-372
5/22/89
10.. The Section may create subcommittees as necessary to study
various issues and carry out the work of the Section.
11. The Board of Directors, a representative from each city, will
Meet monthly in a public session to transact the business of
the Section. There will be regularly scheduled general
membership meetings. Mayors and Council members from all
member cities are encouraged to attend the general membership
meetings.
Council Meer Woolley said the proposal allowed Palo Alto to
participate closely with 14 other cities in Santa Clara County and
it would still continue to be a part of the Peninsula Division of
the League of California Cities so it retained contact with Menlo
Park, East Palo Alto, and its close neighbors in San Mateo County.
Council Member Fletcher supported the motion, and believed the
proposal would enhance the activities of the cities and the link
to the League of California Cities would strengthen the relation-
ship.
Council Member Cobb said sometimes Santa Clara County needed to
speak with one voice and as a subset of the Peninsula Division of
the League of California Cities, he queried whether the 14 citien
of Santa_Clara County could still speak out on their own through
the proposed organization on those issues which affected the fourth
largest county in the state. He wanted to ensure there was an
avenue to speak as one voice without having to go through the
filter of the League when it might not be appropriate.
Council Member Levy supported the conceptual outline, but was
concerned about creating a bureaucracy with a part-time executive
director and part-time support staff. He believed it was better
to start off without part-time staff and utilize the staff of the
individual cities and hire staff as necessary.
AMENDMENT; ENT; Council Member Levy moved to delete support for Item
8 from the conceptual outline.
SET DIED FOR LACX OF A SECOND
Council Member Levy referred to Item 7 where each City would pay
an equal share of the approved budget, and expressed concern about
such a f rmula being unfair to towns with a population of loss than
10,000.
Council Member Woolley said the dues structure was extensively
discussed and the structure also provided "one city, one vote"
which went along with the dues structure. It was felt to be
preferable that the proposed organization be comprised of 15 cities
61-373
5/22/89
each with one vote. The subcommittee was comprised of a represen-
tative from each city.
Council Member Levy said if he was sitting on the Council of Monte
Sereno he would be concerned about the system.
Mayor Klein said he would have trouble supporting the concept if
the smaller cities received reduced dues because the smallest towns
in Santa Clara County had the highest per capita income and wealth.
He supported the motion, and looked forward to proposals from the
InterGovern.mental Council which might go into how decisions were
made in Santa Clara County.
MOTION PARSED 9-0.
12. Council Members Cobb, Levy and Woolley re Treatment of
Residential Facilities in the Parking Assessment Districts
(410-03)
Council Member Levy said it was never Council's intent to assess
full-time residents as part of the parking assessment district.
A residential care facility should receive recognition as being
esssentir ily a full- °;ime residential building except assessments
should be made of its paid personnel and any commercial ventures
such as beauty parlors, etc., which might be on the site. If a
residential care facility changed its use to a hotel, it should pay
the appropriate assessment from that point forward. Council had
been informed that a res{dential care facility could be exempted
from the assessment by filing for a PC zone. A PC application
involved many elements not the least of which were certain expenses
which would be incurred by the facility to simply file for the PC.
When the PC was no longer desired, there were additional expenses
and unknowns to secure revised zoning. He believed the process
represented a lot of bureaucracy when the goal was equitable
treatment for purposes of a parking assessment.
XOTIOW: Council Member Levy moved, seconded by Cobb, to direct
staff to develop an appropriate approach for assessment of
residential facilities within the Parking Assessment District and
to specifically review the use of Casa Olga as a residential
facility.
Vice Mayor Bechtel wanted to ensure there were mechanisms in place
to track whether Casa Olga remained a residential care facility.
When the operator and owner of Casa Olga was questioned; he
expressed concern about losing his flexibility and that if he
ceased operating as a residential care facility, he would have
problems.
61-374
5/22/89
Council Member Renzel said the parking assessment district paid
for a given amount of parking and the beneficiaries were those
buildings without parking or with less parking than necessary. She
was concerned the City might go through a substantial payoff of
the bonds for the limited number of new spaces and then have any
particular user be able to convert to a more demanding use and have
avoided paying for those limited spaces which were available to
all. While she was sympathetic to ongoing residential uses and
would support the referral, she would pay close attention to how
the proposal protected those who paid for the limited number of new
spaces and the effect a change in usage of a big facility such as
Casa Olga could have on the existing parking demand.
Mayor Klein shared some of the same concerns as Vice Mayor Bechtel
and Council Member Renzel. He was not persuaded as to why the Casa
Olga ownership had not applied for a PC. He was not opposed to the
referral, but was concerned the cure not be worse than the problem.
Council Member Sutorius asked whether the motion applied to
residential care facilities or all residential facilities.
Council Member Levy said the intent of the motion was to treat all
long-tera residential facilities the same. Currently, apartment
houses and homes were excluded from the assessment district, and
he believed any other facility in which the residents were long-
term should also be exempted.
Council Member Sutorius associated with the comments of Mayor
Klein, and supported the motion.
Vice Mayor Bechtel said Council made the same referral on the same
issue one year ago, and staff recommended the cleanest and most
equitable solution was for Casa Olga to apply for a PC. It was not
done. She was not sure it made sense to make the referral again.
MOTION PASSED R-1, Bechtel "no."
ADJOURNMENT: 9:25 p.m. - ADJOURNMENT TO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS
1) INITIATION OF LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT
CODE SECTION 54956.9 (c) , AND 2) EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE
RELATIONS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION
54957.6 - Personnel Conference Room
61-375
5/22/89
FINAL ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
ATTE S : APPROVED:
City Clerk
NOTE: Sense minutes (synopsis) are prepared in accordance with
Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.04.200(b). The City Council
meeting tapes are retained in the City Clerk's Office for two years
from the date of the meeting, and the Finance and Public Works
Committee and Policy and Procedures Committee meeting tapes are
retained for six months. Members of the public may listen to the
tapes during regular office hours. .y
61-376
5/22/89