HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-06-03 City Council Summary Minutes1
1
CITY
COUNCIL
MINUT€s
Regular Meeting
June 3, 1985
CITY
OF
PALO
ALTO
ITEM PAGE
Oral Communications 5 8 3 6
Minutes of May 6, 1985 5 8 3 6
Consent Calendar 5 8 3 7
Referral 5 8 3 7
Action 5 8 3 7
Item #1, Residential Conservation Program 5 8 3 7
Item #2, Blanco Water Pipeline in Foothills Park 5 8 3 7
Item #3, Purchase of Three Vacuum Circuit Breakers 5 8 3 7
Item #4, Consultant Selection for Remote Terminal 5 8 3 8
Unit Installation Design and Documentation
Item #5, Book Publishing Company Contract Amendment
for Printing Supplements to the Palo Alto Municipal
Code
Item #6, No Smoking Ordinance
Item 47, Ordinance Establishing Underground Utility
District No. 28
5 8 3 8
5 8 3 8
5 8 3 8
Item #8, Ordinance Re Moratorium on Applications 5 8 3 8
for New Office Uses in GM Zone
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions 5 8 3 8
Item #9, PUBLIC HEARING: Planning Commission
Recommendation Re Application of Stanford
University for a Tentative Subdivision Map for
Property Located at 1100 Welch Road
Item #10, Appeal of Michael Lee from the Decision
of the Architectural Review Board and the Director
of Pl.nning and Community Environment to Approve an
11,869 Square Foot.. Office Building at 409 Sherman
Avenue
Item #11 Planning Commission Recommendation Re
Appeal of Michael J, Lee Re Variance for Property
Located .at 332 Ki pl i ng Street
Item 412, Budget Amendment Ordinance - Cubberley
Fields Lease
5 8 3 9
5 8 4 1
,5 8 4 2
5 8 4.3
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6/03/85.
ITEM PAGE
Item #13, City of Palo Alto Utilities Department
Electric Resource Plan
Item #14, Request of Councilmember Woolley Re
Potential Sites for Low/Moderate Income Housing
Item #15, Request of Councilmember Fletcher Re AB
2198 (Felando) Urgency Item Requesting Council -
members to Write Letter
5 8 4 3
5 8 4 6
5 8 4 7
ADJOURNMENT: 8:55 p.m. 5 8 4 7
5 $ 3 5
6/03/85.
Regular Meeting
Julie 3, 1985
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the
Council Chambers, 250 Hamilton Avenue, at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Bechtel, Cobb, Fletcher, Klein, Levy, Renzel,
Sutorius, Witherspoon (arrived at 7:50 p.m. and left
at 8:00 p.m.), Woolley
Mayor Levy announced that a Closed Session re Employer/Employee
Relations was held in the Council Conference Room at 6:30 p.m.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
1. Jack Morton, 2343. Webster Street, Trust for Community Ice
Skating, said on Thursday, May 30, 1905, the Trust unanimously
voted not to file its petitions with the City Clerk, but
rather to file them with the City Council. The expectations
of the 3,559 who signed the first initiative and the 3,147 who
signed the second initiative would rest with the Council. The
Trust transferred to the City Council the responsibility to
complete the exchange subject to voter approval in November.
Dependent upon the outcome of the public hearings, the Council
would have to draft a second ballot measure or further sim-
plify the November ballot. The signatures on the initiatives
were overwhelming proof of the public support for the ex-
change. Council could accept the exchange in principal, sub-
ject to voter approval of the undedication. The Trust urged
Council merely to ask the voters to approve the undedication.
Although the Trust would continue to be concerned about the
future, in full confidence of the success of the ballot mea-
sure plus full confidence in Council's ability to work out the
exchange, the Trust began the facility improvements for the
next season. It set forth for the summer to do the planned
upgrades. Council might wish to await the results of the
formal appraisal of the Geng Road property before proceeding
to the next stage of the agreement, and the Trust expressed
its willingness to work in whatever capacity possible in order
to be able to provide the final measure for the long-term
skating in Palo Alto.
MINUTES OF MAY 6, 1985
Councilmember Klein had the following correction:
Page 5707, third line from bottom of page, should read "...on the
other hand, he did not believe the 80 condominiums suggested for
the Middlefield site were a given either."
Councilmember Sutorius had the following correction:
Pa_ge 5111 and 5712, motion should read as follows:
MOTION: Councilmember Sutorius moved, seceded by Cobb, that
staff be directed to draft language for a proposed ballot measure
for exchange of a Palo Alto -owned undeveloped lot for a site o,f
similar value containing the Winter Lodge Ice Skating facility.
With respect to the Geng property, i t should speak to transaction
of negotiations as it refers to the Geng property. It ., should
modify the availability of property by terminology that says up to
3.74 acres or not to exceed 3.74 acres. With respect to the
Middlefield property, . the language should be based on the princi-
ples that the proposed acquisition is for the purposes of with-
holding the Middlefield property from near term development with
the attendant impacts of demolition of the recreational facilities
and construction of market rate housing to provide adequate
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MINUTES OF MAY 6, 19€I ► (Cont' d)
planning control and interval in order to determine long-term uses
of the overall property, allowing continued availability of a
Winter Lodge facility for community ice skating until the 1991-92
skating season so long as all of the operation, capital, and
maintenance costs are user -supported. Staff to draft language
that the exchange negotiation measure is a companion of the mea-
sure to undedi cafe and can only be implemented if the undedicated
measure is approved by a majority of the electorate.
MOTION: Councilmember Fletcher moved, seconded by Klein,
approval of the Minutes of May 6, 1985 as corrected.
MOTION PASSED unanimously, Witherspoon absent.
CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Vice Mayor Cobb moved, seconded by Sutorius, approval
of the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Klein advised that he would "not participate" on
Item #1, Residential Conservation Program due to a conflict of
interest.
None
Referral
Action
ITEM #1,
RESIDENTIAL CONSERVATION PROGRAM (ENV 9-5) (CMR:342:5)
Staff recommends that Council authorize the Mayor to execute con-
tracts with the following contractors: All American Insulation as
primary contractor and Alten Products Company and Energy Conserva-
tion Insulation as secondary contractors.
AWARD OF CONTRACTS
All American Insulation
Alten Products Co.
Energy Conservation Insulation.
ITEM #2, BLANCO WATER PIPELINE IN FOOTHILLS PARK (PAR 2-15)
(CAR: 341 :S )
Staff recommends that Council:
1. Award a contract in the amount of $155,900 to West Valley
Construction Company for the construction of a 3,100 foot, 8
inch pipeline and appurtenances in Foothills Park; and
2. Authorize staff to execute additional change orders to the
contract, if necessary, not to exceed five (5) percent
($7,845) of the original contract.
AWARD OF CONTRACT
West Valley Construction Co.
ITEM #3, PURCHASE OF THREE VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKERS (UTI 2)
(04:3f0:5-1
Staff recommends that Council:
1. Authorize the Mayor to sign the contract with Golden Gate
Switchboard Company for $50,880; and
2. Authorize staff to execute\change orders to the Agreement
Lip ; to $1,000 for additional' services if required.
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6/03/85
CONSENT CALENDAR (Cont'd)
AWARD OF CONTRACT
Golden Gate Switchboard Co.
ITEM #4, CONSULTANT SELECTION FOR REMOTE TERMINAL UNIT
DiSTALLATION-DEWIN AND TOCEJMENTATION DITI 1-8) CCMR:346:Ta 1
Staff recommends that Council:
1. Authorize the Mayor to sign the contract with Westi,
Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $24,500 for the SCADA RTU
installation design; and
2. Approve the execution of change orders to the agreement up to
$5,000.
AGREEMENT - SCADA RTU DESIGN INSTALLATION
Westin Engineering, Inc.
ITEM #5, BOOK PUBLISHING COMPANY CONTRACT AMENDMENT FOR PRINTING
LEG 1)
Staff recommends that Council approve the amendment to agreement.
AMENDMENT MO. 5 TO AGREEMENT MO. 2861
Book Publishing Company
ITEM #6, NO SMOKING ORDINANCE (2nd Reading) (LEG 5-2)
ORDINANCE 3618 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
ALTO AMENDING CHAPTER 9.14 OF THE PALO ALTO
MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCREASE THE REQUIRED KO SMOKING AREA
IN RESTAURANTS ►AND TO PROHIBIT SMOKING IN THE OFFICE
WORKPLACE CAFETERIAS, LUNCHROOMS, AND EMPLOYEE LOUNGES
WHICH ARE LESS THAN 650 SQUARE FEET IN SIZE" (1st
Reading 5/20/85, PASSED 9-0)
ITEM #7, ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICT NO.
28 (2nd Reading) (UTI 8-10.
ORDINANCE 3619 entitled 'ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PAL -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. 28' (1st
Reading 5/20/85, PASSED 9-0)
ITEM #8, ORDINANCE RE MORATORIUM ON APPLICATIONS FOR NEW OFFICE
USES IN GM no ea ng
ORDINANCE 3620 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF .PAEU ALTO EXTENDING THE EXISTING MORATORIUM Old
THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR MEW OFFICE USES OF
5,000 SQUARE FEET OR MORE IN ° THE GM ZONE" (1st Reading
5120/85, PASSED 9-0)
MOTION PASSED unanimously, Witherspoon absent, Klein 'not
participating'' en Item #1, Residential Conservation Program.
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
Cduncllmember Fletcher added Item #15, re AB 2198.
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ITEM #9, PUBLIC HFARIHG: PLANING COMMISSION RLC0MMLNDATI0N RE
APPLICATION OF STANFORD UNIVERSITY FOR A TENTATIVE SUBDIVISION MAP
FOR PROPERTY LOCATEZ AT ria WELCH ROA6 iton£inue( from 1/14/85T
(PLO 3-1) (CMR:351:5)
Mayor Levy commented that a memo was contained in the Council
packet wherein staff learned the legal notice in the Peninsula
Times Tribune for the proposed mitigated negative declaration for
We "hornetel" development at 1100 Welch Road and the accompanying
apartment/condominium development ran one day late. Part of the
problem was the Memorial Day holiday, but consequently, they were
one day short of the four -day review period specified in the City
of Palo Alto's procedures for the implementation of the California
Environmental Quality Act. He recommended the hearing be held
that evening, but action not be taken, and deliberations on the
matter be continued until June 10, 1985 and the matter concluded
at that time.
Councilmertiber. Renzel said the drainage proposal indicated they
were not supposed to hook up into the storm drains which ran under
Willow Road, but rather to go into the ditch that ran across the
Stanford West property. She asked why.
Associate Planner Sarah Cheney said the storm drain underlying
Willow Road was presently at capacity, but the line connected to
the drainage ditch. The suggestion was to run the drainage from
the project directly to the ditch.
Councilmember Woolley asked about the status of the amendment
dealing with the provision for a below -market -rate (BMR) unit
should the "hometel" units be sold as condominiums.
Ms. Cheney responded it was an amendment to the BMR agreement
which was signed by Stanford.
COUNCILMEMBER WITHERSPOON ARRIVED AT 7:50 p.m.
Councilmember Fletcher said regarding the parking for both proj-
ects, she saw no references to bicycle parking, and asked if it
would automatically be provided for both projects.
Ms. Cheney said yes, in compliance with the zoning ordinance.
Councilmember Fletcher confirmed that would apply, even though the
office building was technically not in Palo Alto's jurisdiction.
Ms. Cheney said the office building was not part of the project.
Councilmember Fletcher clarified thet Council was reviewing it.
Ms. Cheney said not as part of the "hornetel" project. The project
before the Council was a tentative subdivision for 150 condominium
units.
Chief Planning Official Bruce Freeland said the information was
provided because -it was pertinent to the environmental setting and
helped explain some of the cumulative growth and traffic in the
area which was why there were traffic mitigations in the docu-
ment.
Councilmember Fletcher said parking was discussed in detail.
Mr. Freeland said the medical center office building rags not
before the Council. It was a Santa Clara County project and was
returning to the County Planning Commission that June 6, 1985 for
final approval. It was an important project happening concur-
rently, but it was a separate item.
Councilmember Fletcher understood it was referred to Council for
review and comment,
5 8 3 9.
6/03 /85
Mr. Freeland said it was referred to the Planning Commission for
review and comment, which was the customary procedure.-. The Plan-
ning Commission had made comments to the Santa Clara County Plane
ni ng Ccmmi ssi on already.
Councilmember Fletcher understood that everything that went
through the Planning Commission went to the Council.
Mr. Freeland said occasionally Stanford land use matters were
directed to the Council , but the normal review process was that
Palo Alto's Planning Commission reported to the County's Planning
Commission.
Councilmember Witherspoon referred to Condition 12, which was the
right-hand turn lane from Welch , onto Pasteur if necessary. When
she reviewed the plans, it did not seem there was enough room for
it to go in later. The buildings were close to the sidewalk and
she assumed at least 20 feet would be needed for a new lane to
turn.
Ms. Cheney said they intended to remove the parking along the.
area.
Councilmember Witherspoon asked if parking would be deficient if
that was done.
Ms. Cheney said the parking on site would not be removed, just the
parking on the street.
Mayor Levy declared the public hearing open.
Kathryn Dickson, represented Citizens for Sensible Planning, 380
Hayes Street, Suite One, San Francisco, CA 94102, and received a
copy of the staff report, dated May 30, 1985, regarding the proj-
ect, in her office that morning. The notice and comment period
for purposes of analyzing the report consisted of the few hours
that day. She wanted to be afforded the opportunity to submit
written comments it addition to her oral testimony and understood
that since the hearing would be kept open until next Monday
evening, it would be permitted. She was surprised to not have
received direct mail notice of the particular project, but was
informed indirectly that the project would be before the Council.
She represented Citizens for Sensible Planning before the City
Council regarding the Stanford West project, and recalled Council
was adamant that anything connected with the Stanford West project
would return to the Council. She understood those interested in
the Stanford West project would receive notice that further pro-
ceedings would take place on the project. . Although the 1100 Welch
Road project was an integral part of the Stanford West project and
formed an integral part of the environmental analysis reviewed on
the project, it was difficult to find a mention of Stanford West
anywhere. She wondered about the decision to sever the 1100 Welos
Soad project from the Stanford West project and why. The. major
problem raised by the negative declaration and staff report was
Stanford's,. failure to keep the City Council informed of. its plans.
She .found it shocking that after the Willow_ Road EIR was adopted
by the Council in September, that a few months later, City staff
was surprised to find out about another .new: large office building
being planned by Stanford in the same corridor and that all
figures before the Council in the Willow Road EIR were no longer
viable. She wondered how long the numbers in the negative dec-
laration before Council that evening would retain any vitality
given the rapid change occurring in the piece -meal project analy-
sis Council was forced to undertake because of the, way Stanford
presented projects to the. City: She recalled intense discussion
by the Council during the Stanford West project hearing and com-
plaints to Stanford about the problems being posed to Palo Alto,
but did not see that any progress was made in gaining control over
the procedure based on the negative : declaration and the staff
report before the Council. There was no revised analysis _ of the
possibility that the cumulative air quality impacts from all
5 8 4 0
6/03/86
the projects discussed in the staff report would exceed the State
standards. There were revisions to the traffic flow analysis
which were significant in some respects, and she wondered whether
the State standards would be exceeded by the cumulative traffic.
The EIP analysis presented in a letter dated August 31, 1984 from
Richard Pollack (which is on file in the City Clerk's office),
clearly was only for the 1100 Welch Road project. There was no
revision of the analysis of the cumulative air quality impacts,
which indicated the need for an environmental impact report on the.:
project because of its cumulative effects with all of the other
projects now identified in the negative declaration. Based on the
staff report and medical school office building report, she asked
how the term "Willow Road extension" was defined for purposes of
the analysis in the negative declaration and in the medical school
office building. She asked whether it included the third lane and
associated further developments or simply the two-lane extension
between Pasteur and El Camino. It was significant because the
additional traffic to be brought onto Willow. Road by the third
lane and associated developments would have a cumulative impact
with the .other proj ects identified in the negative declaration.
It was important for the Council and public to be clear about the
definitions of the terms being used and the extent of the proj-
ects, The analysis clearly demonstrated that all of the develop-
ment projects in the Willow Road corridor were inextricably inter-
twined; and Council needed to prepare a programatic EIR or a com-
prehensive EIR on the traffic impacts of all developments proposed
by Stanford. She believed it was eloquently stated by Dave
Fairchild in his January 4, 1985 memo, "In the absence of an over-
all land use and circulation plan which specifies the location of
traffic generating uses and indicates the geometry and vehicular
capacity of the affected roadway network, the traffic impact on
the adjacent roadway of each proposed land use was separately
assessed with respect to the cumulative traffic generated by any
previous existing orproposed use, It's time for a comprehensive
report.'
MOTION: Mayor Levy moved, seconded by Cobb, to continue the
Public Nearing (still open) and action on this item to June 10,
1985. .
MOTION PASSED unanieiously.
ITEM #10, APPEAL OF MICHAEL LEE FROM THE DECISION OF THE
ARCH!TEt JRAL l7 vIEW 8OA D A D H DIREti LAWN N6 AND
C61 RuWITY Ewv'rRoNME'HT TO PPROYE AN 11,869 SQUA FOOT OFFICE
-BUIL fNO AT 409 SHERMAN AVENUE (PLA 3-1) (CMR:33$:5J
Michael Lee, 164 Hawthorne Avenue, appealed the office building dt
409 Sherman because it did not relate to its site surroundings
which were a complicated combination of a two-story Wri ghtl a€r
1960s structure on the corner and a more contemporary, but still
horizontal, three-story office building on the other side. The
building should be a harmonizing bridge between the two with a
horizontal flow to it, Ideally, the third story should be set
back in front rather than at the back as proposed, and de-
emphasized, which would make it the horizontal building it wanted
to be. Instead, the proposal tried to be a vertical imposing
facade ill at ease with its surroundings, packed in and too busy.
Since the 1a,000 . square foot building was exempted from all on -
site parking requirements, it should give back something in
return, hopefully real elegance and design. The proposal reminded
him of the early Lytton office buildings historical schemes which
tended to overstate the buildings The proposal would fight with
existing similar sized neighbors, but there was no breathing space
between adjacent buildings. He feared the proposal would be an
imposing white elephant, especially because of its contemporary
surroundings,
Moses Lake, Architectural Design Works, 834 Stari ite Lane, Los
Altos, architects for the project, showed a picture of the pro-
posed building, and' was available to answer questions.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Cobb moved, seconded by Klein, to uphold the
decision of the Architectural Review Board (ARB) and the Director
of Planning and Community Environment, and approve the EIA, recom-
mending a Negative Declaration, and project design, including the
following findings and condition:
Findings: The project design is consistent with the standards set
forth in Section 16.48.120 of the Palo Alto Muni c' pa.l Code, in
that:
1 The proposed building design, with the stucco finish, built-up
stucco, the banding and detailing, recessed entry arcade, and
special paving, create a project which is compatible with
office buildings and multiple -family structures in the immedi-
ate environment of the site.
2. The project design, which included antique lien head statues,
french windows and doors wrought iron railings, and wood
shutters and awnings, has a unified design_. with a historic
character.
3. The 10 -foot rear setback of the project, which retains a large
oak tree, and provides for the ability to plant additional
landscape screening make a harmonious transition in scale and
character to the existing multiple -family residential project
adjacent to the site.
Condition: That the final landscape and paving plan return for
ARB review and approval.
MOTION PASSED unanimously, Witherspoon absent.
ITEM #11, PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RE APPEAL OF MICHAEL
L E VAR N R Pe A A K N PLA
Michael Lee, 164 Hawthorne, said the variance appeal was an exer-
cise in architectural historical design because of two existing
white twins. The symmetry was compelli og and a gift from the
past. Changing the relationship of the duo if they remained with
the same distance -to the front i ot lines would not work. It would
be strained and forced as shown on the elevation studies. No. 332
would appear to tower above its surroundings, and if pushed back
with the required RMD front setbacks, it would probably make more
livable sense as a two-story building. The way to solve the prob-
lem was a slight front light well for the front basement. bedroom
window and a full light well for the back kitchen and living room
rear basement windows. The next door twin had fairly reasonable
existing basement windows on. the side for reference. The front
stairs seemed overpowering so close to the sidewalks when con-
trasted to the neighbors front entry stair. Kipling Street for
the most part retained a small scale since it was originally an
alley. As a short, 30 -foot wide street between the Varsity
Theatre and new park, it should stay as historically scaled as
possible. It was the retention of the two twins, as twins, near
mid -block that would hopefully always dominate the block.
John Long, 332 Kipling, said his project was before the City
Council, Building Department, Zoning Administrator and Planning
Commission, and met with approval at each stage.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Cobb moved, seconded by Svtgrius, to adopt the Planning Commission recommendation to deny the appeal of
Michael J. Lee ;and to uphold the decision of the. Zoning Adminis-
trator to grant a variance, making thefollowing findings:
1. There are exceptional or extraordinary circumstances or condi-
tions applicable to the property involved that do sot apply
generally to property in the same district in that the subject.
property is substandard in area, width and depth, and the
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6/03/85
MOTION CONTINUED
present residence is located .within the required setbacks.
This property has also been exempted by the City Council from
provisions of the recently adopted RM-D zone district;
2. The granting of the application is necessary for the preserva-
tion and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the
applicant, and to prevent unreasonable property loss or unnec-
essary hardship in that relocation of the residence would
serve to limit rear yard recreational area and to constrict a
presently narrow vehicular driveway; and
3. The granting of the application will not be detrimental or
injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity in that
increase in the height of the residence, as proposed, is per-
mitted on this parcel within required setbacks. The raising
of the residence will not have significant detrimental im-
pacts on the adjoining property or on the surrounding neigh-
borhood and is in keeping with the goals of the RM-D(NP) zone
district. The setback variances to permit the increase in
height of the residence in its current location will not
exacerbate any potential impacts.
Councilmember Renzel said the Long's proposal was precisely the
kind ,f thing Council wanted to encourage on the north side, and
she supported the motion.
MOTION PASSED unanimously, Witherspoon absent.
ITEM #12, BUDGET AMENDMENT ORDINANCE - ,LBBERLEY FIELDS LEASE (PWK
- 6 ) (CMR: 6:5i -
Councilmember Woolley advised that she would not participate on
the item.
MOTION: .Councilmember Klein moved, seconded by Cobb, approval
of the budget amendment ordinance.
ORDINANCE 3621 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL.
YEAR 1984-85 TO PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATION FOR PAYMENT OF
CUBBERLET FIELDS LEASE'
MOTION PASSED unanimously, Woolley "not participating,
Witherspoon absent.
ITEM #13, CITY OF PALO ALTO UTILITIES DEPARTMENT ELECTRIC RESOURCE
PLAN (1TI 7fRRIT:339:5)
Councilmember Bechtel said she spoke with former Mayor Fred Eyerly
who was interested in the City's power situation. He expressed
concern that the City needed to forecast and project further. into
the future than was presently being done. She asked staff for
comment.
Director of Utilities Richard Young said most utilities limited
their projections to about five years. The 20 -year projection
represented by the City incorporated a lot of estimates and guess
work that would have to be refined as time went on. Staff hesi-
tated to go much further, although it advanced year by year.
Staff hoped the needs could be satisfied without going too far and
making guesses that could not be backed up.
Councilmember. Renzel referred to the supply side description, , and
said the City would continue to support the Northern California
Power Agency (MCPA) in its efforts to participate in economical
projects, including projects of large utilities and power pur-
chases from other agenc`;es. The City previously had a general
policy of not participating in nuclear projects, and she asked if
the policy still stood,
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6/03/85
Mr. Young believed the policy was clearly understood by staff, and
they often expressed concern along those lines to NCPA. I ` NCPA
chose to involve themselves in a nuclear project , Palo Alto would
not participate.
Fred Eyerly, 101 Alma, said the Electric Resource Plan before the
Council was a good one, and he urged adoption. He could not
believe the City did not want to plan beyond the year 2004. He
was concerned by the statement in the report on page 26, second
paragraph under Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), "the
major proposals presented in this ERP presume that Palo Alto's
allocation will remain essentially unchanged following the year
2004." He did not believe that would happen. The contract con-
tinually had price increases and would undoubtedly have more, and
whether it was the City's most viable source of power by 2004
remained to be seen. If it was still reasonable and viable that
the City would not be alone in seeking what power WAPA had to
offer when renegotiating new contracts or discussing new con-
tracts, he referred to two major raids on the WAPA power• --one with
Santa Clara and one with other cit'es in NCPA who were PG&E
cities. There were settlements in both cases and the impacts
those people had on the power :jade WAPA go out and seek further
sources of power which was not as economical as it was and they
had received allocations. It was hard for him to believe that on
renegotiation of contracts, the City would be able _ to hol d the 175
megawatts it presently had because there would be enumerable
entities seeking the power if it was low priced. The resource
plan indicated the early 1990's would be the time to renegotiate
and if it did not look viable then, Palo Alto would seek other
power sources. He did not believe that was adequate time to be
planning for power and pointed out the Calaveras Project started
eight or nine years ago when the first contracts were signed and
would not be on line for another three or four. It did not leave
much time to find replacement sources of power for WAPA if talking
did not begin until 1990. He believed the Council should assign
staff to search for economically viable replacement power with
renewable resources that might possibly be used after 2004. The
power should be marketable so that if the WAPA power could be
renegotiated, the excess power could be marketable and the City
would not have a loss. It was a tough assignment, but it was the
only way to keep low cost electric power to the residents of Palo
Alto past the turn of the century. Regarding the Transmission
Agency of Northern California (TANG , on page 30, Palo Alto had =;i0
megawatts of that transmission, and presently, there were good
opportunities for writing long range contracts for reasonable
power out of the northwest, but the main problem was how to get it
down here. He believed Palo Alto should set a policy for staff to
investigate the power out of the northwest in terns of what type
of contracts might be written, .what the prices might be, and if
contracts. can be arranged, the City should proceed on them while
simultaneously expanding its share of the JPA on the transmission
line. He urged that Council adopt the plan with a couple of
amendments and for staff to seek further ways to have low cost
power, which was historically the endeavor in Palo Alto. It could
happen with proper planning.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Cobb moved, seconded by Sutorius, to adopt
the City of Palo Alto Utilities Department Electric Resources
Plan,
Vice Mayor Cobb generally agreed with the casements of former Mayor
Eyerly and believed the City needed to think beyond the year 2004.
The City ahould take as a given, .that it was less, rather than
more, likely to return from whatever those negotiations produced
with anything resembling the present City power. He believed Mr.
Eyerly's admonition was appropriate, and the City should start
thinking well beyond the year 2004. In terms of other power
sources, rather. than do I , thdt evening, he would take the sugges-
tion to heart, and after some discussion, Council might take a
more focused action at a later time.
Councilmember Bechtel concurred with Mr. Eyerly's comments, and
the City did need to look beyond 2004. On page 2 and 3 under
major proposals, staff stated that Palo Alto should pursue oppor-
tunities .to develop power independent of NCPA. She believed staff
had the message from Council because WAPA power was not a sure
thing. She supported the plan before the Coenc i 1 .
Mayor Levy commented that Palo Alto's rates were well below the
rates of surrounding communities because of the foresight of indi-
viduals. It was incumbent on the Council to exercise the same
foresight. He believed the plan did that, and it worked well in
looking for alternative sources of energy for the future, which
included the TANC line from the northwest, geothermal, and
Cal averas, and in working to limit the growth in demand for elec-
tricity. The work done by the City's . Utilities Department, in
working with the larger users of electricity to limit their demand
particularly on the critical days when the City's total usage went
above its total allocation, was effective and should be commended
If the City thought ahead, it could not only have economically
sound power, but power which was environmentally sound. He was
satisfied with the City's work and believed the plan before the
Council was sound in terms of planning alternatives for the
future. The City must continue to give itself as many alterna-
tives as possible. He supported the motion.
Councilmember Sutorius associated himself with the comments of the
previous speakers. The Council was trying to perform as capably
as Mr. Eyerly to do the right type of educational and lobbying job
with the various agencies with an impact on the provision of muni-
cipal power so the importance of the process was well understood
and there could be the greatest possible reliance on the contrac-
tual process and the history behind it. For that legacy of
strong, informed, and fair advocacy, he expressed his appreciation
to Mr. Eyerly and hoped the Council did as effectively in the
future.
Councilmember Klein agreed with the previous comments and sup-
ported the plan before the Council. He welcomed Mr. Eyerly's com-
ments because he believed they were correct particularly with
respect to the WAPA contract. He was concerned about that con-
tract, although it was impossible to judge what would happen in
2004 or if the contract was renegotiated in /990's. Presumably,
the negotiators were not even on board for the City or WAPA. It
had to be a big question mark, and Mr. Eyerly was correct that the
City should be studying the question more closely despite the
policies pointed out by Councilmember Bechtel.
AMENDMENT: Councilmember Klein moved, seconded by Bechtel, to
add on page 26, new paragraph, between last two paragraphs - ".The
City Council has directed staff to examine various alternative
strategies based on scenarios in which Palo Alto will receive less
than 175 megawatts from WAPA after 2004."
Councilmember Klein used the word "cenarios" because he wanted
staff to .look at varying levels because the City had no idea
whether it would end up with 175, 150 or 125 megawatts of power.
What the City ended up with made a difference in its strategies.
AMENDMENT INCORPORATED INTO MAIN MOTION
MOTION PASSED unanimously, Witherspoon absent.
5 O 4 5
6/03/85
ITEM #14, REQUEST OF COJNCILMEMBER WOOLLEY RE POTENTIAL SITES FOR
1
Councilmember Woolley said that during the discussions regarding
the Gamble property, many affirmations of support for lower and
moderate income housing were heard: She believed it was important
for the City to proceed in that direction. She checked with
Director of Planning and Community Environment Ken Schreiber who
indicated the proposed study would not be a burden. He believed
it could probably be turned around as fast as . roam could be made
on the Council agenda --=-about four to sic weeks.
MOTION: Councilmember Woolley moved, seconded by Fletcher, that
staff be directed to survey all City -owned property and recommend
potential low -moderate income housing sites,
Councilmember Renzel clarified the outcome of the study would be
for staff to recommend particular sites. She asked what would
happen at tnat point. Unless a project was proposed or ready for
the sites, the City was apt to have the entire town discussing
non -projects before the Council. She supported inventorying what
sites were available in town, but was not sure whether it was
appropriate to ask for a recommendation, or an evaluation of the
sites.
Councilmember Woolley believed a recommendation was needed in
terms of which sites were appropriate at some point. Some sites
would probably not be appropriate at any time. The only federal
funding presently available was for senior housing so in terms of
an immediate project, Council would look primarily in that direc-
tion. Council action might then be to consult with the Palo Alto
Housing Corporation (PAHC) on a possi bi l e specific project for one
of the sites.
Vice Mayor Cobb concurred with Councilmember Renzel. When he read
the sentence "in order to determine which sites they are and to
begin planning for their development," he read more of an action
plan than was actually intended. Some considerations might be
current use, alternative uses that could or should be considered,
and some kind of rank ordering ' as to which sites might be more
appropriate than others. He also wanted a handle on the kind of
densities needed to accomplish low cost housing, and desired more
of a focus on senior housing since that was the opportunity most
recently not used. At a minimum, the distinction of which sites
were appropriate for senior housing, which were appropriate for
any kind of low cost housing, and which might be appropriate for
fmaily housing were appropriate additions to the list.
Councilmember Bechtel had the same questions as Councilmember
Renzel. The agency most likely to be in the position to do any-
thing about the sites was the PAHC, and the PAHC was well aware of
all property owned by the City of Palo Alto. The only sites she
could think of were behind the Cultural Center on Embarcadero, and
the Peninsula Conservation site on Park Boulevard, which lease
ran until 1988. She had no objection to referring the matter to
staff,. but was concerned about the expectations. In response to
Vice Mayor Cobb's suggestion. to push for senior housing, the only
reason senior housing was proposed for the Gamble property was
because it was the only possible kind of housing where any money
was available from the federal government. The money was not a
sure thing and it did not mean that senior housing was the only
housing needed in. Palo Alto. Family housing was desperately
needed, but there was no ;subsidy money available for it. She did
not believe the limitation shoul d be strictly senior housing.
Counc i lmeraber Fletcher had no illusions than there was a long list
of possible sites because a few years ago a developer offered the.
the City two homes if sites could be found for the a Only one
site was found and the other home was demolished. Palo Alto was
not overflowing with vacant land waiting to be developed.
Mayor Levy supported the motion, but suggested the various sites
around town were useful for uses other than housing. By dis-
cussing their use for housing, he hoped they were not reserved for
housing to the exclusion of other more appropriate possibilities.
He urged staff to present the proper context as they surveyed the
various properties.
Councilmember Renzel was concerned about the language "recommend
potential low and moderate income housing sites" because she
envisioned staff identifying the various City properties with
housing potentiel, their shape and size, their surrounding land
use, and any kinds of constraints on the property. She presumed
they would all be zoned PF. As the next step, she saw. Council
either Oeci di ng to invite proposals or the PAHC making proposals
with respect to one or more of the sites. She believed it was
premature to make a recommendation at the conclusion of the inven-
tory and suggested deleting the language "and recommend."
AMENDMENT: Councilmember Renzel moved, seconded by Bechtel,
that the language be amended to °direct staff to survey all City -
owned properties and indicate their appropriateness as low
moderate income housing sites.
AMENDMENT INCORPORATED INTO MAIN MOTION
Councilmember Renzel said Vice Mayor Cobb raised questions regard-
ing the many alternative uses that could or should be made on the
sites, and she believed they should be added to the list of fac-
tors included in the memo from Councilmember Woolley{.
MOTION PASSED unanimously, Witherspoon absent.
ITEM #15, REQUEST OF COUNCILMEMBER FLETCHER RE AB 2198 (FELANDO)
URGENCY I TE�i U l
Councilmember Fletcher said the legislative Committee met that
morning, and AB 2198 (Felando) was a bill to repeal the provisions
of the Naylor Bill, which permitted cities to purchase open space
and school sites at 25 percent of market value. The bill would go
to the floor of the Assembly at any time and, therefore, there was
an urgency involved. The City sent letters, but staff believed
passage of the bill was likely and individual Councilmembers might
want to send letters of their own. She had called Byron Sher's
office that afternoon and he still had not taken a position as far
as staff was aware. Staff also suggested that some of the
Councilmembers might know either Naylor himself or Gloria Hom, who
was appointed by the Governor to the State Board of Education and
who might be interested in Palo Alto's viewpoint and might have
some influence in Sacramento. She urged Cuoncilmembers to become
actively involved in trying to defeat the legislation.
A`IJOURNMENT
Council adjourned at 8:55 p.aa.
ATTEST:
APPROVED:
1