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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-01-26 City Council Summary Minutes1 N OTY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF PALO ALTO Regular Meeting January 26, 1981 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in a Reyu',ar Meeting at 7:4C' p.m., in the Council Chambers, 250 Har,iilton Avenue, Mayor Henderson presiding. Present: Bechtel, Eyerly, Fazzino, Fletcher, Henderson, Levy, Renzel, Witherspoon Absent: None Mayor Henderson: "This morning we received the very sad news that we had lost a highly respected'colle gue and dear friend, Frances Brenner. A Memorial Service is being planned, the details of which will not be available until _tomorrow. It is hoped that the old Council Chambers, now the Cultural Center Auditorium, will be available on Saturday for the services. 0f course we would all like to express our feelings at the service but that would be difficult from a time standpoint. Consequently, with your permission, I will appoint Emily Renzel to represent the City Council. You should know also about the establishment of the Frances Hallam Brenner Memorial Land Acquisition Fund for Protection of the Stevens Creek Watershed, Contributions may be made through the Mid - Peninsula Regional Open Space District, 375 llistel Circle, Suite Z-1, Los Altos, California 94022. Frances meant so much to each of us in individual ways so we each have our special memories, but there were special 4ifts_ that Frances brought to all of us --her true and unselfish 'dedication to public service,,her unique sense of hi-storical perspective, her special expertise in planning and her always thoughtful, calm, ra'asonabl a approach on all subjects. Although I am filled with memories .Srom ten years of association with Frances, what. will remain with me always is the memory of the past few months. I don't know what Prances knew or felt about her con- dition, but..1 do know that after each visit with her at the Hospital Myrene and I marveled at her optimism, her continuing interest in what the Council was doing, her cheerfulness and her -graciousness. Never was there the slightest sign of self pity. Never -did she let any of us think in :any way other. than optimistic and, 'as always, she was gracious,' -dignified and caring. - i n the, future when I reflect back about Frntes , : one thought wi l l be uppermost. Frances Hai l am Brenner, you were a lady. .I would move that this meeting of the Palo Alto City Council be adjourned in honor of Frances Hallam Brenner to February 2, ' 1981. The motion I thi=nk has been seconded by.a l the -other Counci lmemb'ers Does anyone else wish to peak?" Councilmember Bechtel: "Frances was a truly special person to. me, a friend, a mentor and . an advisor. Her sense of humor, good cheer and strength were unique. Her involvement and knowledge were long standing, her files copious. She knew the planning history of most of Pail b Alto. Staff members new to the. Cityand some not so new, came to _ her for valuable i nfor- ation on planning items. She gave a tremendous amount of herself to the community as President of the League of Women., Voters, as Planning Commi ssi Drier and as a City Councilwoman, and I will 'miss' her." 600 1/26/81 Councilmember Lyerly: "Frances is gone and I appreciate the opportunity to say something about her tonight. Moya and I have known Frances for many years. We got acquainted while some of our children were ;n grade school. I haveknown her in many different roles --es a resident in community affairs, as a customer, as a political°activist, as a participant in City governmento. as a worthy political advisory, and as a Councilmember more recently. In all these vales she was always'dedicated, giving unselfishly of her time and energy. I always found her straightforward and friendly with a willingness to comunicate regardless of sometime differing views. It has been a privilege to know her and my prayers are now with her and her family." Councilmember Levy: "Frances was a marvelous person. It's been said that she had expertise in many areas. Of course she did, but she `combined that wisdom with common sense. She was very forthright and practical and yet, without ever losing her sense o'r vision for this Community and all the people in it. Frances reminded me very much of Hubert Humphrey. She was compassionate, innovative; she was always positive and optimistic and she truly loved every individual with whom she dealt. 1 think no Councilmember was more conscientious or more concerned with the future life of this community. We have all been very enriched by her presence." Councilmember Witherspoon: "There are three words which come to mind --warm and witty and wise. I didn't always agree with her but I learned a lot from Frances." 1 Councilmember RenzeE: "Frances, for me, was a dear friend and 4/6/81 a dear colleague. For years as a citizen I admired Frances' Correction ability and energy in ----representing the public interest. As a SeePg7 planning commissioner she -always put herself in the neighbors' shoes with an overall view towards the good of the City. Frances exhibited her skill and dedication and forging of our far-sighted comprehensive plan for Palo Alto. Her interest in neighborhood; protection, stewardship of natural areas, and sensible City planning are woven throughout that document and, indeed, throughout the fabric eaf this City. As a_ Councilmember, Frances worked hard for the -City and always treated fellow councilmenbers and the public with respect and good will. Although Frances is gone she has left us a valuable legacy and the ,results of her many years of public dedication. We citizens shall miss Frances." Vice -Mayor Fletcher: "Frances had a very deep concern for the protection of the residential quality of Palo Alto and great compassion for the welfare of all the citi_zens, especially the less fortunate eamong us For her 12 years. of service en thee, Planning Commission -she had a more intricate knowledge of the .development .of Palo Alto: -than any1ne I know. She must have visited every site she had before her as ' a planning - commissioner and a councilmember. She was a resource_ for me on historical .-backgroun•f..and planning matters before us.- I shall -miss her dearly." Counr_ilriember Fazzino: "Leh of usi of- course, has our own.,. special, 'me.rnory of Frances. t ;suppose I will always look back with -great joy on our_ campai gn together and _ al l through 1'97 7'. She was one of the rnost i ncl usive, peo',. 1 e. I ever :-knew. Her campaign, her care and appreciation for- the City went far beyond political issues, and she'wanted a council composed -of -people of many different ages__and many different phi l o_sophl es and worked very hard ta.._-see that this Council represented 6 0 1, 1/26/81 those kinds of views= Enid (Pearson) said it very well in the paper tonight --Frances was one grand lady, and i feel that my lira and our lives arequite a bit emptier tonight, Mayor Henderson adjourned the meeting at 7:50 p.m. in Memory of Frances Hallam Brenner.