HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-10-04 City Council Summary MinutesCITY /
COUNCIL
M1NUTES
Regular Meeting
October 4, 1976
ITEM
Minutes of September 15, 1976
Oral Communications
Consent Calendar - Action Items
Home Insulation and Solar Energy Utilization: Proposition
3 and 12
Retirement of Homer Collins
Public Hearing: Conflict of Interest Code
Policy and Procedures Committee Recommendations Re Solid Taste
Management Plan for Santa Clara County
Finance and Public Works Committee Recommendation Re Police
and Fire Communications Contract With Stanford University
Finance and Public Works Cemmittee Recommendation Re Long
Term Power Supply Alternatives and Procurement of Power
El Camino Study
Adjournment
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CITY
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ALTO
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7
October 4, 1976
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto set on this date st 7:30 p.m.
in & regular meeting with Mayor Norton presiding.
PRESENT: Carey, Comstock, Eyerly, Norton, Sher, Wither poor,
Seahrs, 8erwald
ASSENT: Clay
Councilmen Eyerly stated that neither he nor Councilman Beahrs were present
at the September 15 meeting, and asked that the minutes be changed to so
read.
Pi /OM: Councilman an Eeahrs moved, seconded by Witherspoon, that the
minutes of September 15 be approved as corrected.
The motion passed unaniosus1y. .
CATIONS -- NON -AGENDA ITEMS
1. Mr, McKaig, 452 Marion Avenue, said he was pleased that the matter
of animal control had relaxed, but he did feel the iapouudiug fees
were too high.
2. Mr. Hal Hudson, 535 Everett Avenue, was appearing as President
of the Palo Alto Housing Corporation to say that the Webster
Project had been approved by the California housing Finance
Agency last Tuesday. Be said Proposition 3. would be on the
November ballot in compliance vith the State Supreme Court
mandate that local voters ratify bousing developments being
financed by the CHFA. Roth the Council and the League of Women
Voters had approved it also. The project bounds are Middlefield,
Webster, Addison and Coming, excepting the 'mortuary at Middle-
field and Addison. The plan for law -density housing, called
Webster mod, to be first-class rental lousing with correeposading
rental rates; another portion will be for low-income people including
elderly and handicapped who qualify for federal subsidies. Tbeae
units will be two -storied. Funding is established, voter approval
merely ratifies. In forty-five years the City can buy back the
entire development., for $1.00. The development e,u1 oot increase Palo
Alto taws, and he urged citizens to vote for Proposition 1.
3. Mite Goddard, 1140 Hamilton, representing the Crescent Park and
University Avenue Association, spoke of the Association's desire
that the Squire House be kept as a single residence, in compliance
with the ?resent zoning.
CONSENT CALENDAR - ACTION I
Councihvaaam Witherspoon said she wool* iihM to move Its $o. 2 with regard
to tbe Ordinance can impoundins fees f ron . ibis- cousent Calendar.
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The following item remained for consideration under the Consent Calendar:
HOME INSULATION AND SOLAR ENERGY UTILIZATION: PROPOSITIONS 3 AND 12
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the resolution, indicating
its support of Propositions 3 and 13 in the November 2 general elections.
RESOLUTION 5261 entitled "RESOLUTION OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO ENDORSING
PRO, OSITIONS 3 AND 12 ON THE )}ALLOT FOR THE
NOVEMBER 2, 1976, GENERAL ELECTION RE
HOME INSULATION AND SOLAR ENERGY UTIL-
IZATION"
NOTION: Mayor Norton moved, seconded by Everly, approval of the Consent
Calendar recommendation and adoption of the resolution.
NOTION PASSED: The motion to approve the Consent Calendar and adopt Resol-
ution 5261 passed unanimously, ly, Vice Mayor t . ev al+seut .
(CMR:461:6)
Mr". Ed Aghjayan of the Utilities department said that Mr. Collins had
begun work as a member of the service installation crew in 1952, and
had spent many years prier to his retirement as a faithful member in
repairing Gas Systems.
MOTION: MayorAorton moved, seconded by Serwa1d, that a plaque. and .thanks
be extended Mr. Honer Collins on the occasion of his retirement from 24
years of service in Utilities in Palo Alto, and the Resolution of Apprecia-
tion be adopted.
RESOLUTION 5260 entitled "RESOLUTION OF
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO HOMER
COLLINS UPON HIS R.ETIR ENT"
NOTION PASSED: The motion passed unanimously, Vice Mayor Clay abet.
LIC H.E'ARI. w. NG : Cj T ODD
Mayor Norton anted the City staff to present a summarised report of the
contents of the code.
Robert X. Booth, City Attorney, stated the record should show that
the notices of this public hearing were published on Friday add Saturday,
October 1 and 2 in the Palo Alto Tines,. although there are no specific
revdremente in the law that a formal public hearing be held. Be said
this code is presented in a form approved, by the Fair Political Practices
Commission sod general.3y incorporates the provision of Proposition
9 for the members of the City Cdouncil. Those are outlined'In the
report. At a later time the Council will be asked to establish a lion
datefor Conflict of interest Codes for members of boards„ commissions,
council -appointed officers and a large number of members of the city
staff. It is staff's recommendation that Council not eaeteblisa such a
d fte at this time, since the law is being changed by the legislature on
an annual basis and the commission continues to render opinions and adopt
remotions which have a eubetantia1 effect on the number of persona and the
typos of conflict which should be covered. As soon as the 'situation
clarifies itself, $toff will be back to askCount!' to establish a data
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for persons other than the City Council. The resolution before Council
must be the hands of the Commission before October 10, so it is hoped
that the action can be completed tonight.
Mayor Norton asked Mr. Booth if the resolution incorporates the requirements
of Proposition 9.
Mr. Booth responded affirmatively.
Mayor Norton asked if anyone in the audience wanted to address the Council.
He asked if Ms Petrosian was in the audience. He said that Me. Petrosian
had given members of the Council a letter dated October 4, 11976, which was
self -exp l.anatory .
There being no response, Mayor Norton declared the public hearing closed.
Councilman Eyerly stated that his comments were prompted by Ms. Petrosian's
letter. He said by the tone of her letter she indicated that r altorss
should not be an the City Council. He said he was not here to protect
any realter that was on the City Council but he did not see how the City
could exclude any type of occupation and still represent the people of the
City. Councilman Eyerly said the letter was not well taken by him and he
hoped not by other members of the Council.
Mayor Norton asked Mr. Booth to touch on the legal •propriety of singling
out that articular occupation.
Mr. Booth said he believed the Constitution of the State of California
would prohibit the City from adopting any regulations prohibiting any
particular person or occupational group from being elected or holding a
public office. It was his opinion that the Fair Political Practices
Commission provisions of Proposition 9 are apparently adequate to
deal with any potential conflict that affects the real estate business, as
well as any other businesses. He commented as to real estate brokers,
paying they are subject to far more stringent requirements about their
holdings and their income, along with attorney, than other occupational
groups covered by Proposition 9,
Mayor Norton asked if attorneys are excluded.
Council Carey stated that since the subject had been opened and he is
in the real estate business, he wanted to comment. He said that a person
in the real estate business, when questions before the Council dealt with
land use, laced planning, re-z+ooing and . the like, had to be extra cautious.
But to said he felt that to say a person isn any certain occupation cannot
bold office vas frightening. He said that once they started excluding
cl.asssea of people, no swatter how genuine the exclusion vas, initially,
it cnvid only lead to some undemocratic processes. Csal tied further, as
the Pryor suggested, maybe attorneys should be excluded, or presidents of
neighborhood associations because they have certain intermit* in certain
areas of the tonnes, and on, and on. He took note of the letter referring to
the section of the land developer being on the Council. The San Jose
Mercury, after the last election, quoted Ron Miller as aayiag the last
thins be developed since 1969 was a roll of file. That is essentially
true. Councilmen Carey said he is *lso an attorney so he is doubly tainted.
They mot, no scatter what the class is, sakes such a sweeping generalisation.
Be said be is well aware of the conflice-of-interest statutes; changes in leg-
islation become more and more defined and for the moat part for the hotter,
although it does work hardships on certain occupations. Referring to his own
occupation, be said the bookkeeping be is required to smthtein for 1976-77
records silo • tua ass a half -year's salary for a secretary. if anyone wants
to }snow who be is dealing with, that person need only check tbs public files.
Be also answered the cents in the letter with reesenpect to $f =yam
is the public did not like they revAution, be was sure tbst this mil
would react, listen to comments, and cage the recommendation. E.
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referred to Section 4, line 6, of the resolution commencing with the words
"the public generally, on any financial interest," and he said the word
should be "or."
Nt. Booth said the word "on" was correct.
Councilman Carey asked if there weren't twofold standards in the proposed
ordinance, one having to do with a foreseeable and material effect in the
future, and the other being essentially Proposition 9, the State requirements
having to do with the defined financial interest.
Mrs Booth replied it was all one test; the wording following that is
contained in Proposition 9 and the regulations the Commission has adopted
to define some of these terms.
Councilman Carey said that essentially, it is a supplement to the State law
on the conflict of interest.
Mr. Booth replied affirmatively.
Councilman Carey asked if the State legislation applies in addition
to the proposed resolution.
Mr. Booth said that was correct. This does not impose greater burdens
or let anyone off the hook on Proposition 9 or any other conflict of
interest.
Councilman Carey said that it is not a lessening of the standard test
set by Proposition 9.
Mr. Booth responded, not is the least.
Councilman Berwald said he would like to add that the first paragraph
of the letter suggests the writer is very interested in participating
in a discussion on the subject of conflict of interest code and he
assumed the City Attorney would be available to respond to this letter.
He said he did not feel competent to respond.to this particular matter
and he suggested the City Attorney respond to it.
Councilwoman Witherspoon said she understood from the City Attorney's
report that he would be costing forth sooner or later with recommendations
for codes other than Council -appointed officers. She remembered during
the discussion of the handbook, Ann Tanner, the City Clerk, was preparing,
containing ba.ekground information . on conflict of interest of Commissioners
sod Council -appointed officers. She said Ms. Tanner had thought of drawing
up a guideline, not s code, for items that were less definable regarding
financial conflicts of interest. Councilwoasd Witherspoon -wondered,
if it would be possible for staff to work out some of those considerations
into the recommendation and return it to Council in a few moths.
If not, maybe take it to the Policy and Procedures Committee to do
eome brainstorming on it. She addressed Ht. Boots saying there was
discumalon to what extent the voluntary involvement constituted a
conflict of interest, if one is or a decision -making board in a community,
those were not financial but moral conflict of interests. She said tbe
difficulty lay in knowing where to drew the lam.
Wr. Booth resided by saying it was eatremely difficult to draw those
lines. In his opinion, one of the weaknesses of Proposition 9 is it does not deal with that subject at all. However, the proposed conflict -of -
interest code will be coming before the Council, he would estimate in 6
to 8 aontbs, with specific suggestions.. We said it.had been theirpractice
in the past to advise hers of boarder and commissions not to participate
in decisions where a group in a poling capacity, such as a board of
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directors, bred taken an official stand on an item. He said that under the law
there was no conflict at this time, however.
Councilman Beahrs said that as a long-term member of the Council he found the
general implication of Ms. Petrosian's letter quite offensive. Carrying
her logic to extreme, Councilman Beahrs said, it would be impossible for
anyone of talent to serve on any public body. Certainly, in view of those
implications, for she did not make specific statements, he had some need
to say that their colleague had been remarkably helpful and generous in
his advice, and that his wisdom and experience were immensely beneficial
for the best interests of this City. He said if, as:in the wetter of trust
spoken of by one of the presidential contenders, he would say, "I trust
Scott Carey."
MOTION: Councilman Beahrs introduced the following resolution and moved,
seconded by Eyerly, its adoption:
RESOLUTION 5262 entitled "RESOLUTION
OF-TBE CITY OF PALO ALTO APPROVING A
CONFLICT -OF -INTEREST CODE FOR THE CITY
COUNCIL"
The motion passed with a unanimous vote, Vice Mayor Clay absent.
PO . Y 6 P -• 'CEDURE C 4M Ti RECOMMENDATION
CI. RA fOe (O(O:R:398:6)
MOTION; Mayor Norton moved, in the absence of Vice Mayor Clay, on behalf
of the Policy and Procedures Committee re Solid Waste Management Plan
for Santa Clara County as follows: 1) Authorize the Planning Policy
Comaittee representative to present to the Planning Policy Committee
the plan addendum attached to City Manager's Report CHR:39B:b and urge
its approval by all fifteen cities so the Plan can be adopted and submitted to
the State; 2) Reiterate its commitment to pursuing resource and energy
recovery methods; 3) Direct the staff to meet with six North County
cities and draft goals, objectives, and alternative methods of study
and acti.en for the proposed Joint Powers Authority; and Committee further
reeds that Council direct Staff to pursue the question of specific
ways to reduce the amount of solid waste in Palo Alto which would include,
for example, the banning of naersreturnable bottles.
Councilmen Carey urged the Council to pass the recommentations, forgarbage
was perhaps the w,st critical issue before the City tow. The term
"solid waste" doesn't have the urgency of "garbage." He said that
all the technology and money available still would not provide places •
to dump the garbage, so that in 1980 there will inevitably be talk
about ar scone- third- and fourt_h lift, He urged adoption of the County
plea, and negotiating to create a joint powers agency with neighboring
cities in the north to solve this forth County problem.
Councilmen Berveld said that since he would be hearing about this more in the
Plemniig Policy Committee he wanted to hear the thoughts of Staff on •
the setter.
Ben Pavloski, Director of Public Works, said the Board of Supervisors had set
that morning to consider the Solid Waste Management Plan, and they head
edbpted items 2, reconeended facilities plan, and 4, the solid waste pen.
Neither of than is in conflict with recommendatices for -the Ciao mitten.
Comeilwoeinn Witherspoon said echo *4.ratood the reason a joint powers agency
could not be started at this Ube was that a pisn bed to be adopted.
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Mr. Pawloski agreed, saying Palo Alto's plans would have to conform to
the solid waste management program adopted by the County, and try to
find an area -wide solution to the problem.
Councilwoman. Witherspoon said she understood further that any funding
• available was contingent on conformity with such a plan.
MY. Pawloski said not many federal' or state funds were available, and he
understood that the funds might become available if there were a county-
wide plan.
Councilman Eyerly spoke of getting an extension of time some time back
from the Army Corps of Engineers so that dumping on the Baylands could
continue. The report that Palo Alto might go intn talks with six North
County cities and possibly South San -Mateo County cities was commendable,
but he said he would like such talcs with other comities to have
a cut-off date and perhaps solve Palo Alto's problem on its own land,
but not to prolong discussiou so long as to neglect existing deadlines':-.
Mr. Pawloski said that the time for talking about schemes for processing
or the like had passed, for the landfill area, by 1980, would be gone,
and Palo Alto would have to start on a second lift at the present site;
chile working out a county -aide plan.
Councilman Eyerly asked if there were any other areas in Palo Alto '
suitable for fill.
Mr. Pawloski replied tat there were none that wouldn't cause a furor.
Councilman Sher concurred with Councilman Carey that a few years ago
the Army Corps of Engineers said that garbage disposal was the most
serious problem facing Palo Alto, and that the problem now a few years
later was just as serious. He asked qtr. Pawloski if there was a date on
frhich some joint -effort Would be undereay:
Mr. Pawloski said at the moment they were trying to get the area into
conformance with requirements of the various regulatory agencies, such
as a grading plan, as well as how to proceed with a second lift at
the present site. He thought Council would be presented with plans
for a second lift shortly, but the other alternatives would not be
ready for preaentation for some time. Questions about the second lift
would be: which areal how high should it bel what kind of contours
would be best toward what taitimate use?
Councilman Sher asked if a second lift, then, was inevitable.
Mt. Pawloski said that was the "fallback" poeition if no alternative
could be worked out under the Joint Planning Authority.
lfr. George Sipelq City Manager, agreed with Mr. Pawloski saying that
a send lift was the only solution that was totally within the City's
control.
Councilman Sher said that another alternative was that they could find.
another city whom they could pay to take Palo Alto's garbage. He asked
if that alternative would also be presented so that Council could Mee
the comparative costs.
Me Sipel said that five or eiz alternatives were being looked at.
The problem was that they required =other party to consent, which
presents. difficulties for ether communities bed the eme problems.
Hr. Sipel said that he hoped to have, within this fiecal year, amt.
alternatives solution for Palo Alto's garbage dieaipoewl vithian the next
five to eight years.
14,4/715
Councilman Sher spoke of the part of the motion directed toward reducing
the amount of garbage, specifically by banning.nbn-returnable bottles.
He said that sometime ago he brought to the Council a proposal that
the City support at the State level a law prohibiting nonreturnable
beverage containers. .Re said the law had passed here but not in the
State legislature; he said that since the State had not acted it waR
very likely within the purview of the city. Councilman Sher asked
if Council, in the motion before them, was requiring informatic about
an -ordinance against non -returnable bottles.
Councilman Carey said he had made the motion; and the intent was not
to mandate an ordinance but rather to look into as many ways as possible
of reducing the amount of garbage, therefore the amount of land needed,
end postponing the time when the City would have to go to a second
lift.
Councilman Sher said that he did not -_want to -mandate floating studiesa. _ _
and he thought a report on specific ways to reduce the amount of garbage
could be submitted at the same time the alternatives to garbage disposal
were submitted.
Mr. Sipel said that with limited staff not much would be accomplished
on anything if too many studies were undertaken.
councilman Sher said that if it was the most serious problem facing
the City it ought to be given a high priority.
Mayor Norton said he would like to know if the City had the power to
4adopt an ordinance on the matter of disposability of various consumer
items.
Mr. Pawloski asked if Council intended that garbage disposal alternatives
be presented before the matter dealing with methods of proceeding on
the second lift on the present garbage area at the Bayshore.
Councilman Sher replied affirmatively:
Mayor Morton said that he would strongly oppose a second lift. He
then asked Mee. Booth whether or not the City was legally entitled to
adopt an ordinance regarding usage of glass containers and the like.
Mk. Booth replied that the matter had not been tested in California
but that, without having done any research an the topic he thought
that it could be done. However, he west an, a challenge would certainly
follow from the container industry.
Councilman Comstock concurred with Mayor Morton on his feelings about
a second lift. He referred to a solid -fill site in New York oa about
its 100th lift which had achieved a height of 98 feet and was now
a scenic lookout site. Be voiced concern that the sense of urgency
behind what wan being, said be imparted. Re asked what `t.he `City ,coial.d
do if no other co mities would work with Palo Alto, or if the Corps
of Engineers would not want a second lift. They are talking, he said,
as though both cooperation fro others and permission from the Corps of
Engineer, would be granted and Palo Alto could go ahead and build its
own "Mount Trashnore." Be thought they should feel more anxiety. Ne
offered an amendment to the Committee recommendation, as a preface to
Part 3.
Ate: Councilman Comstock moved, eeconded by kaitherspoon that
No. 3 of. the recommendation be prefaced with: "Palo Alto views with
great cometrn the disdaishing sites available for solid waste disposal.,
feels a need for urgent solutions 3s before us and, to that end, ..etc."
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0.
Mary McLean, 930 Los Robles Avenue, representative of League of Women
Voters, conveyed the League's support of environmentally sound measures
to handle solid waste, reduce vaste, encourage resource recovery and
increase demand for secondary materials. Regional planning, she went
on, should begin now emphasizing source separation, recycling, shredding,
and energy production. The League supports the formation of a Joint
Powers Agreement as a regional solution to waste management.
Councilman Berwald said he supported Councilman Comstock's amendment. He
said the Council's action on vaste management might, seem redundant for
Staff had already begun work on it; he did not favor Staff spending much
time on the matter of a local ordinance against nom recyclable goods for he
felt State legislation Was the solution.
AMENDMENT PASSED! : The amendment passed unanimously, Vice Mayor Clay absent.
AMENDMENT: Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Berwald, to add to the
end of the motion "...and to direct staff to report on the results
of the study on alternatives for solid waste no later than the time
of report on the second lift and related matters."
-Mr. Mark Harris, Resource and Energy Utilization Analyst, said that
Staff was working toward the ends Council recommends, for example,
backyard collection of newsprint, encouraging recycling, probably a
program in composting to help dispose of a considerable amount of refuse,
lie said that condensed reports and some idea of costs involved in. implement-
ing waste disposal would also be forthcoming.
Councilman Sher said he wanted more than recommendations --he wanted
an action program.
Councilman Carey said that Council would have to look at how much each
step toward eliminating solid wastes wevid cost the City.
AMENDMENT PASSED: The amendment passed unanimously, Vice Mayor Clay absent.
•
MOTION AS AMENDED: The motion as amended passed unanimously, Vice Mayor
Clay Absent.
.CE ANT) PUBLIC WORR3
`'44i t
MOTION: Councilman Berwald, on behalf of the Finance and Public Works
Committee, moved approval of the contract and adoption of the budget ordinance.
PALO ALTO/STANFORD EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AGREEMENT
ORDINANCE 2948 entitled "ORDINANCE OF THE
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO A? INC
THE SET FOR THE FISCAI. 'TEAR 1976-77 TO
ENABLE THE CITY TO PROVIDE EMERGE cm-
musicAnws SERVICES TO STANFORD UNIVERSITY"
Councilman Sher stated that because he is an employe Of Stanford he
will abstain from participation in this natter.
Council.aaan saswaid said that this contract, on which approval is seeded,
is the third contract with Stanford an emergency communications activity
3 4 3
1O/4n6
s�,
and fire services. The Policy and Proce-3ures Committee recommended that
this utter be referred to the Finance and Public Works Committee in order
to deal with final costs. This agreement and the ordinance amending the
budget to enable these services, are at hand. The agreement will result
in a savings of some $50,000 annually. The addition of three communicators
results in an increased expenditure of $40,443.
Councilwomen Witherspoon asked if Staff had any comment.
Councilman Berwald said the Committee had discussed. potential couflitt
with employees of Stanford, and also the equitable dim ribution of
aervicesa for' both Palo Alto and Stanford.
MOTION PASSED: The motion approving the contract and adopting Ordinance
2948 passed unanimously, Vice Mayor Clay absent, Councilman Sher not
participating. -
PE � 3six t1� :!;:�,. !ry! *4....
.PL' AL t' fx Txlt;t i►*ia+�-
IIMMIMMOMMO
MUM: ; Ceunci1. an Berwald, tn. behalf of the Finance and Public Works
Committee, moved adoption of the Committee's recommendations re the
Long Term Power Supply Alternatives and Staff Recommendations on
Procurement of Power:
A) That the City work with the Bureau of Reclamation to
encourage conservation of energy by its customers;
B) That the following staff recommendations be accepted
as city policy: The City consider the commitment for firm
power through its contract with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
as its primary power supply. The City should legally,
politically, and financially.oppose all efforts to modify
the terms of the contract which has as its purpose to reduce
the Bureau's commitment to the City and its existing preference
customers. The City should encourage and assist the Bureau
throw, the Northern California Power Ageucy (NCPA) to
mitigate or eliminate contractixal" conatr iuts imposed'
upon the Bureau which unfairly limit and allocate the capacity
end energy available from the Bureau's Central Valley project
to the preference customers in its service area. It should
encourage and assist the Bureau through RCM to make arr e-
eesats far the purchase and use of low-cost dump power supply
from the Pacific Northwest for delivery to its preference
customers of the Pacific Noarthvest-Southwest Intertie;
C) That the City should continue to participate as a amber
of the MCPA and take advantage of opportunities for developing
jointly power supply resources that will meet Palo Alto's
needs and cost less than purchasing supplementary power
from E; further, Committee recommends +Approval of Palo
Alto's participatiosa in the BPA Development Fund Agreement.
As a member of MCPA, the City should oppose wbolesale rate
increases to any of its steers considered to be unjustified,
trasterverires in actions taken by other public or private agencies
When it Is considered in its best interest to do so, take
action art proposed legislate= in a manner that ,laid be
considered in its beet interest, and look for ways to
improve the joint -action effort to develop pier sentration.
D) That the City abould continue to consider PC4g as s
viable pow!' supply resource and to maintain an open and
cooperative relationship with tom►. Ir4 the City mould
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a
pursue opportunities to develop power supply resources
independently of the NCPA, separately or in joint action
with other agencies, and it is recognized that such action
may ultimately require additional expertise in the form
of consultants and/or staff.
E) That the balance of the report be kept in Committee
for consideration of other recommendations and statements,
and direct staff to comment on them as appropriate from
time to time during the year.
P) That staff, prior to bringing this back to Council,
supply Council with a report on the bonding capacity of
members of the Development Committee as well as other members
of the NCPA.
G) That the City Attorney provide a report on the ability
of breaking this contract if procurement of powers goes
against the wishes of the majority of the Council.
Mr, Sperry, 3958 Duncan Place, commented on sub -paragraph (C) suggesting
an amendment. His concern was thatit was recommended that the City become
a participant in the Development Fund Agreement of NCPA, and he felt the
City should not, through contributing to the Fund, become a participant
to the agreement, but that participation be contingent upon adopting a
resolution to that effect.
City Attorney Booth said it was not intended that any of the actions taken
on that topic co it the City to a contract.
Mayor Norton told Mr. Sperry that only at a future time would anything
contractually binding appear.
Mr. Sperry said that he wanted the Council to consider an amendment to
sub -paragraph (C) following the phrase "...Committee recommends approval
of Palo Alto's participation in the NCPA Development Fund Agreement," . .
then, Mt. Sperry said, to add something similar to the following, and he
read, "...provided that it shall be the policy of the City that the question
of Palo Alto's participation .in any projects brought to fruition by NCPA
shall be submitted to the electorate of the City for appropriate voter
approval." He said he would lice Council to affirsa that such is the City's
policy.
1
Mr. Richard Rosenbaum, 7]7 Garland, Chairman of the Citizens' Cosmittee
on Lang Term Power Supply Alternatives, stated he had addressed the Finance
and Public Works Committee. He said the general issue before the Council
was hoe Palo Alto could supply its long team power needs independent of
PC&E. He felt Staffs report did not answer that question. The specific
issue, Mt. Rosenbaum said, was whether or not Palo Alto would accept 8
percent of what CPA would ld generate or if Palo Alto would insist on returning
to the 23 percent allotment which had been agreed upon for a number of
years. Be felt Staff's recommendation that Palo Alto accept the 8 percent
vas counter to long range interests of the City. He said the 23 percent
requirement was based on the fact that Palo Alto's requirements were in
fact 23 percent of the total used by NCPA cities. He said Palo Alto had
been paying, accordingly, 23 percent of dues and fees required by.HCPA.
He said the 8 percent number was reached by subtracting the amount of power
Palo -Alto would be getting from the Central Valley Project (CVP) in 19$5,
from its estimated needs at that time. Central Valley Power, he said,
was a transient phenomenon. Hu es►id the contract expired in 28 years,
2004 A.D., a relatively short time when planning for power needs. in 2004
there will be no more power for this city, be +aeetdv orb 1f there is, it
will be divided equitably among all the municipal systems in California,
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b°hich gives Palo Alto no advaptage. A power plant built under the terms
of this development fund, might start operation in 1985. If it ran for
40 years Palo Alto would have 20 years of operation of that plant, though
they would have no CVP power but they would be getting 8 pe cent of the
output of that plant. The 23 percent, he said, represented Palo Alto's
proportionate use of power, and Palo Alto would have to Insist on getting
it. Another, threat to Palo Alto power is that the City of Santa Clara
is suing the Bureau of Reclamation to get a firm allocation of CVP power.
If Santa Clara succeeds, their allocation would cone at Pelo Alto's expense.
If that happens, the calculations that led to Palo Alto's receiving 8 percent
would still be valid, and that is all they would get.:Mr. Rosenbaum went
on to say that the capacity of the NCPA is strictly limited by their bonding
capacity. Staff prepared a short report and the report bore out that
capability. In 1976 the bonding capacity of $CPA cities, aside from Palo
Alto and Redding, is $63.5 million dollars. Staff report of August 26,
page eight, shows current estimates of cost for geothermal power are at
variance with the report on bonding capacity which estieates that geothermal
power could be built at $400 a megawatt, which figures come: from the citizens'
report. But later information developed by the NCPA using those same figures
suggests that costs by 1977 would be $600 a megawatt. Using the $600
figure, the bonding capacity of the NCPA is 100 megaxatts...uo more. In
1985 with estimated bonding capacity assuming that profits of electrical
systems hold up, the bonding capacity would only be 200 megswatts.. Perhaps,
Mr. Rosenbaum said, bonding capacity was assumed to be equivalent to power
in 1985, but the power has to be looked at a good deal earlier, when the
bonds were sold, which is always considerably in advance of when power
is generated. Even disregarding that, only 200 megawatts would be acquired,
not the figure of 310 given in the report. Eight percent of 200 megawatts,
Palo Alto's share, would be 16 megawatts, an inadequate asount for the
needs of the City. And so Palo Alto's acquiescence to 8 percent sri11 not
produce what is needed to become independent of Pubs. Still, he said,
the Staff report gave no alternatives, except for some mention of following
the efforts of Alameda and the report of Redwood City about burning garbage
to generate power. The reports on this are pessimistic, and it is not
likely to happen in the Bay Area. In the course of discussing power generation
some years back the City of Santa Clara insisted that cities using 10 percent
of the power of :CPA have veto power over accepting or rejecting proposals
on how funds were to be spent. The choice of the number of 10 percent
is not clear for Santa Clara itself wa.s entitled to 36 percent, : and Palo
Alto was glad to go along and also to have the veto power. Sometime later,
the City of Santa Clara realized their inequality, and in the absence of
either of Palo Alto's representatives, tor. Rosenbaum and Mr. Eyerly, decided
to change the percentage allocations, and that was when Palo Alto went
down to 8 percent, though there was little basic justification for it having
Ikea place. Xn any case, Staff let it take place with a "let'ae--go--alang-
whatecan " attitude, and that is bow Palo Alto got into this intolerable
position. Last Friday an item in the paper said that the City of Santa
Clare is bidding on land in the geothermal area. Ay? Under the current
development fund agreement they are entitled to 49 percent. Their present
power needs are ooe and one-half tie** Palo Alto's. They are more interested
in rapid growth than Palo Alto is, and their percentage might increase some-
what. As the egreement now stands they are going to get six times the
powee Palo Alto gets (with Pala Alto getting 8 percent) rind in addition
they are hunting power on their ones, whereas the position of thia city
is that Palo Alto should be _happy with mat it gets er4 wait for heaven
to give additional power. Palo Alto if only 100 mails from the only g eottberm-
al producing area in this country —an a ports ity for **curia; power at
aeoarewhat lower costae than PG&E can produce lisps in that geothermal area.
M r..losenbaun acid that there vies no guarantee that anyone other than PG&E
was ever god to have any success up there. He felt, however, that en
effort should be made, and be felt that Staff did not acknowledge that
opportunity nor suseest any aggressive plans for reatediatiting Palo Alto's
unfavorable position in NOTA. Mr. Rosenbaum summed up his comments saying
that unless Palo Alto old get 23 percent, they should agressively seek
**urea* of geothermal power on their own.
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Councilman Beahrs commended Mr. Rosenbaum for his thoughts, though he was
not sure everyone on the Council would agree. He said that in relation
to solid waste disposal, however, they had to act as soon as possible,
for, as Mr. Rosenbaum had pointed out, there was considerable lag time
involved. He spoke of all reserve funds having been spent, which certainly
made going out on their own unreasonable.
Mr. Rosenbaum stated that he thought Palo Alto was relatively wealthy compared
to Santa Clara. He said he thought the money -making utility operation
had to be kept separate from the general operation of'the City. As is
the case with profit -oriented undertakings, there were times when money
had to be invested in order to secure the future, and he thought this
was one of those times. He said a surcharge could be added to the electric
bill and users would recognize the virtue of the investment.
Councilman Carey asked Mr. Rosenbaum if the citizens' committee had made
any analysis of the bonding capacity of the City, were the City to decide
to go it alone.
Mr. .Rosenbaum responded negatively.
Mayor Norton told Mr. Rosenbaum that he would appreciate it if he would
be around to answer questions.
Councilman Berwald said there was much merit to what Mr. Rosenbaum had
said, and also that Staff agreed that some "dirty tricks" had been pulled
in the percentages allocation when the Palo Alto percentage became 8 instead
of 23. He said Staff was doing a professionaljob of looking into the
future, not waiting for heaven to provide, and he wanted Staff to have
an opportunity to respond. He wanted to be candid, and in relation to
the report the Counci?.members had received from the City Attorney, he wondered
if it were best to discuss it in Executive Session or in public --he left
it up to Mayor Norton. He would leave that for the time being, however,
and ask Mr. Aghjayan to respond to some of Mr. Ro seebau `s points.
•
Mr. Ed 4ghjayan,_Director of Utilities, said different levels had to be exam-
ined to put the 8 vis-a-vis 23 percent into perspective. The various
degrees of desperation of the different cities had to be looked at. Cities
such as Lodi and Alameda who were buying rower directly from PG,&E were
paying 20 mills for power, 2c per killovatt-hour, which figure was expected
to escalate rapidly. Cities like Palo Alto, Redding, and Rosev-alle' t#asst
have a bureau allocation are paying 5 ills for power. Accordingly, he
went on, Palo Alto's present cost for power is far lower, and will be for
the foreseeable future, than what the other cities are paying. So the
other cities have to do something right uow so that they cas stay in business.;
may of them are losing money with rates that are higher than surrounds
areas served by PG4E. Expectation is that the cost of "n*w" power will
fall somewhere between 5 and 20 milts, and estimates are that the costs
for geothermal power in 1977 and 1978 will be between 13 and 20 mulls.
All the 7G4E,citiea vill replace power they now get from PG4E. On the other
hand, cities like Palo Alto and Roseville are really only looking for supplemental
paver ---growth needs beyond the year in which the Bureau will serve them with
a maximum aunt. For Palo Alto, in the year 1983 they hope to be buying no
power from any source other than the Bureau of Reclamation, They are talking
*bout 10 megawatts by the year 1985; by the year 1990, they are talking about
40 alegewatte. Besaid that the new power after 1983 will came from some sup-
plemental source, and he thought that would be generated most cheaply by the
City, He said the 23 percent figure had to be looked at with an eye to what
opportunities were available. He gave the Rancho Seco lI project as en example.
win had asked for 200 megawatts, and if Palo Alto were to get 23 percent of that,
their shore would be 46 megawatts, which would be coming on the line around
3985--m hooding capacity, if tbs project is ever built, of $55 minim.
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Rancho Seco 1, the first nuclear unit built by SMTJD has been out of
action for a year he said. He thought that for a relatively small
need of 10 megawatts by the year 1985, Palo Alto would be committing
itself to a $55 million indebtedness with the hope that they would get
46 megawatts, ten, of which they could use, and perhaps sell 36. Mr.
Aghjayan felt that gas too high a risk for the benefits to be attained.
He went on to soy that Palo Alto's choice lay not between 8 percent
and 23 percent, but rather 8 percent and zero percent. The Development
Fund Agreement, he said, was signed in July, 1975; it has been in oper-
ation for about 16 months, and if they approach NCPA saying they want
23 percent or they will riot be participants, they would say Palo Alto
only has $4.5 million. in the fund already.
Ms. Aghjayan continued that the argument about diversifying risk spoken about
in Finance Committee meetings is important. At the present NCPA is
looking at sesreral.geothermal projects and also a hydroproject, as well as
nuclear, and a joint project in solid waste generation. Staff's recommenda-
tion for an 8 percent entitlement would allow Palo Alto to take a moderate
mount from each of the projects that are developed and thus diversify
the risk. He said in conclusion that the present agreement was not
a final answer to the needs of Palo Alto, and was intended to be a short-
term approach toward the development of power for the eleven cities,
and it runs out in 1985. It appears that all of the money that is in
that agreement is committed to geothermal projects. It was Staff's
expectation that future agreements had to be formulated, and that if
needs change there was no necessity to abide with the agreement,
Councilman Bervald asked Mr. Aghjayan to comment on Santa Clara's move
toward geothermal power end what effect that could have on Palo Alto's
decisions.
Mr. Aghjayan said tlrat Santa Clara was bidding on 130 acres which afforded
a generating capacity of only 20 megawatts --considered too small for
an NCPA development and further there was not enough time to act on
it. Mr. Aghjayan said that he understood the NCPA knew about it and
turned it down. Santa Clara bid in excess of $1.1 million, for the
potential of a 20 -megawatt plant, for land that still has to be proved
out. In relation to the $600 versus $400 per megawatt figure costs
in geothermal plant installation, mentioned by Ms. Rosenbaum, Mr. Aghjayan
said the figurea did not include the cost of the ateamgttthering system.
Councilman Sher said he wanted to commend the Citizens` Committee, par-
ticularly 3r. Rosenbaum, the Chairman, for a helpful report._ He then
asked Mr. Aghjayan about "the desperation level" of other cities saying
that the development fund was talked about with the expectation of Palo
Alta being a 23 percent participant consonant with the share the City
bore in the costa of NCPA, and that all the cities bad the same desperation
level at that time.
Mr. Aghjayan agreed, saying that meet of that money eras spent for attorneys
sad engineers defending NCPA cities in rate cases before the CVP or
the Power Commission and in that respect Palo Alto received fair share of
the benefits.
Councilman Sher said he did not vent to place Mr. Aghjayan in the position
of being an advocate of the 8 percent rate, but that the original contemplated
participation of Palo Alto had been 23 percent, determined by the amount
of power they used, and so the 8 percent figure vas arbitrary in spite
of any aadventages; it wale not historically an equitable percentage.
and not acceptable in spite of "desperation level" of other cities.
Councilman Sher then aaked about the $55million commitment if the
*nacho Seco cue on line 3n 1985. He asked if cities bad to partticipate
if they did- not wish.
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10/4/76
Mr. Aghjayan said they did not. Each city could elect to participate
when it came up to the bonding stage. If the city were bondable, the
city in question could elect to receive its coney back.
Councilman Sher asked the total investment for Palo Alto if the Rancho
Seco II project did come on line based on Palo Alto's $55 million share,
based on 23 percent.
?tr. Aghjayan said that the total investment would be about $220 million
which would exceed their projected bonding capacity based on their income
levels as they are projected from now. But they could raise their rates
and raise their net income allowing them to have additional bonding -
capacity in anticipation of investing in such a venture. He pointed
out that Staff had concluded in their report that bonding capacity
did not appear to be a serious problem.
Councilman Sher said he understood that, and asked if the $600 figure
included the steam -gathering facilities.
Mr. Aghjayan said that was true for the geothermal figures. The $400
figure was based on buying steam at the generating plant, with steam
delivered to the facility. The $200 jump was for installing steam -
gathering equipment over a sizable portion of land. -
Councilman Sher asked if the 310 --megawatt capacity was based on the
$400 figure.
Mr. Aghjayan said it was, saying the difference between the $400 and
$600 figure depends cn which company is making the proposal to sell the
steam and the land, and was a smatter of how the contract was developed.
*e said there was some benefit to budding a steam -gathering system
because there was equity, and it could be built at lower interest rates.
The benefit of having the steam delivered right to the facility came
in the lower cost of $400.
Councilman Sher said that perhaps the only 'leverage Palo Alto had with
NCPA might be that if Palo Alto withdrew its 23 percent, it would lower
MCPA's bonding capacity. He thought, however, that it would be best
if. Palo Alto participated at its historic 23 percent. Be shared the
concern that CVP was a transient source, and that Santa Clara's action
to get a share of CVP could reduce Palo Alto's share even before 2004;
he felt NCPA should be called to account for their unfair treatment
and that Palo Alto should have its rightful entitlement. He said MCP.A
should resist the change in percentage allocation; he said that at
the appropriate time he would so move.
Councilman Eyerly said he was in agreement with the general staff report.
e said that for 15 months he was a representative to NCPA and attended
innumerable mrceetidgs, that he, Mr. Aghjayan and Joe 3csza also net often,
and he felt progress was being made in settling some problems regarding
the light and power in Palo Alto. He thought Staff was succeeding in
setting as well as attaining some conservation goals, but that the
Citizens' Committee said that such conservation only delayed, not removed,
need fur additional energy. Councilman Eyerly said that Central Valley
Poser wee the primary source of energy ---teat Palo Alto should protect
that source of energy ---that nevertheless by 2000 they would need 'S
to 110 megawatts over the CVP supply. By 1933 they vin. need more than
.CVP can provide. Palo Alto's viable contract with PG&E should be protected --
it is a fallback source. PG&E is expensive, of course, and each mill
per kilowatt hoar saved equals $7.70,000 and from 1933 to 2000 it would
*mount to about G3 million, per mill. He added that if they do use
PG&E power, they gust bear in mind that it is• e algawated power, coming
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from a variety of sources, that is, hydro, oil, nuclear. The decision to
be made at this time was whether or not Palo Alto wanted to join their development
committee. Then, he said, Palo Alto would not be going it alone, as Mr.
Aghjayan had said. Palo Alto also was working on other contracts, such as with
Shell. This search for energy sources was difficult but paid off in money saved
and sources protected. The development contract with NCPA, he went on, is
signed by each city. While the percentage for Palo Alto is disappointing,
those eleven other cities are not about to give Palo Alto additional percent.
Palo Alto would be foolish to bring it to a showdown, in his opinion. If
NCI% was successful in searching other sources, Palo Altr, would be helped
in the 1980's,. If Palo Alto did have 23 percent, it would have more power
than needed, but to sell it would not be morally right, = for NCPA was founded
to prevent profiteering by providing an alternative for PG&E. If Palo Alto
had to buy free PG&E, it would still be lower, cost than what thev are gathering
from CVP, which, he thought, was another reaaon for not taking the risk of going it
alone. The nuclear worry has bean expressed, and while Palo Alto cannot control
where themoney is spent that they put into NCPA, they can control where they draw
their energy. NCPA has litigation underway, not only for PG�L cities but also
for CVP and Staff should help fight rate increases. In a group effort Palo Alto
boa more influence than if they go it alone. The Citizens' Committee has
done much good for the City; and their efforts have helped the Council,
The Council recessed from 9:40 to 10:00 p.m.
Council . Comstock spoke to the uneasiness citizens might have hearing this
discussion about power, arising from Palo Alto's seeming stance of trying --
to -get -along with these power. sources. The City, he said, recognized that
in the strictest sense the residents were customers, and that the City would
continue to see that the service was good, the price was right, and community
interests were served. He said further that if those standards were not
u®et,they would have to get out of the business, but that at present those
criteria were being met, and he voiced the wish that extreme vigilance be
kept toward any efforts to diminish those goals, including the talked -about
reduction of allocation by some suppliers. Palo Alto has to serve its interests
first, and if others happened to benefit, finer .f not, that was not Palo Alto's
problem. Councilman Comstock said that he had been angry at Santa Clara
for trying to find separate sources, but he had to admit they were doing
what was best for theme.. He thought Palo Alto would do well also to risk
some venture capital, as well as participating in development funds and specific
projects. Se said he did not think 8 percent would be adequate in 20 years,
and that Palo Alto had to stake preparations for many contingencies, and he
hoped for an aeendaent to the motion that would strengthen Palo Alto's position
of providing residents with continued good service at reasonable prices.
Councilman Mehra expressed appreciation of the learnedness of "...all of
our pro's tonight."
Councilman Carey voiced agreement t with Councilman Co stock's concerns for service
as wall as the cut by NCPA from 23 to 8 percent. Re wondered if in getting
8 percent of the power Palo Alto -was paying only 8 percent of the cost; he asked also
if Palo Alto's bonding capacity was bed used only to the extent of its allocation.
i
Mir. Aghjayan said Palo Alto's bonding capacity was only to the extent of
8 percent. Cost of NCPA projects was only 8 percent.
Councilmen Carey pointed out that Palo Alto had $400,000 in the NCPA kitty, whereas
Santa Clara bald $2.S million, so logically they get more; if Palo Alto had wanted
to take more of the pie in putting up more gambling stakes, it could perhaapo have
been done. With the present risk of 8 percent, and benefits of 8 percent, Palo
Alto easnor turn down e chance of setting power it will need, at a reasonable cost.
3S3
10/4/76
1
1
e
1
I
Councilwoman Witherspoon referred to the bottom'of page 17 of the Finance and
Public Works Committee minutes and Mr. Aghjayan's statement "...Even though
the city may have only. shared in 8 percent of the development of that resource,the
city can still buy 15 or 20 percent of the project." Councilwoman Witherspoon
.asked how long the City was committed to 8 percent.
Mr. Aghjayan replied that the Development Fund Agreement was limited by both
time and money; the fund was $4.5 million to $5 million. Projects might use up
that money by 1985, and then a modification agreement would have to be made;
also other agreements will have to be entered into and at those times the
City can contract for percentages according to its needs.
Councilman Sher said he agreed with Councils Carey's statement that the
extent of the City's share in the gains from risks toward finding alternative
energy sources was only as great as its participation, yet, historically, Palo
Alto was entitled to 23 percent participation, Also, he said, he worried
about how much Palo Alto's utility revenues could pay toward retiring bonding
indebtedness. He suggested that should charges have to be charged to the
utility revenues of the City, that those charges be only in proportion to
Palo Alto's share in the project. Councilman Sher said the City did not
want to participate In a joint powers agreement for bonding in which the
City could be looked to for a full amount of the revenue, for Palo Alto
had the greateet bonding capacity. Re said that In Part B he would later
move an amendment to read that the City would call upon NCPA to join the
City in opposing any efforts to modify customers contracts with the Bureau --
an action lung overdue, he said. In Part C of the motion, ne said, he would
move at an appropriate time, an amendment that Palo Alto would join in the
development fund if it admitted at a participating level of 23 percent.
Failing the passage of that amendment, he said he would move Palo Altc join
at a lower percentage but only if the Bureau of Reclamation allocation is
adjusted, and that participation shares of the members in the development
fund be adjusted in a proportionate amount. He said he would put his amendments
on the floor singly, to expedite the process.
Mayor Norton suggested they vote upon items 7A through 7C separately, and he
called for a vote on 7A.
MOTION PASSED: The motion to adopt Section 7A passed unanimously, Vice
Mayor Clay absent.
Mayor Norton said Section 78 was now before Council
AMENDMENT: Councilman Sher weaved, seconded by Comstock, that $.n Section S
after the words "...its existing preference customers," the statement read,
"land that the City should call upon I*CPA to join Palo Alto in opposition to
modifying the contract."
0
AMENDMENT PASSED: The amendment to Section g passed with the following vote:
AYES: Carey Comstock, Norton, Sher, Witherspoon
NOES: kleabrs, lerwald, !yerly
ANENT: Clay
APTiON PASSED: The motion to adopt Section 78, as mod, passed unanimously,
Vic. Mayor Clay absent.
Mayor Norton said Section 7C was now on the floor.
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10/4/76
nen
AMENDMENT: Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Comstock, that there be added
the phrase, "provided that Palo Alto is admitted at a participation level
of 23 percent."
Mayor Norton said he did not favor that for he felt 8 percent was better
than no percent.
AMENDMENT FAILED: The amendment to Section 7C failed with the following vote:
AYES: Comstock, Sher
NOES: Carey, Beahrs, Morton, Witherspoon, Eerwaald, Eyerly
ABSENT: Clay
Councilman Sher said that vote was not unexpected, and he moved an alternative.
AMENDMENT: Councilman Sher moved, seconded by Comstock, to add to Section
C "provided that if the CVP allocation to any nester city is adjusted either
upward or downward that the participatiop share in the Development Fund will
be adjusted in a proportionate amount."
Councilman Sher expanded on the reasons behind his proposed amendment, saying
that if the City cf Santa Clara is successful in its lawsuit against the Bureau
of Reclamation, Palo Alto would have to give up some of its power to Santa
Clara The basis for share in the Development Fend was that power received.
from Central Valley Power he excluded.
Mx. Bosea pointed out that if each member's participation were so based, then
each member would have to go to its respective Council to have the agreenent
voted upon again, He said he doubted if that would come about.
Councilman Sher asked if qVP members did not have to ask their Councils even
if Palo Alto came in.
Mr. Bosza replied in the negative, and said that the organization did not have to
vote on that. As the agreement is written, it has the potential of all the cities
joining and that the only entrance requirement is to meet some of N i'A°s terms.
Councilman Sher stated he would just as soon other cities did have to go back
and ask t1eir councils.
Mr. Agbjayan said that most likely the participating members would not approve,
for it room doubt as to exactly how muth power is being signed up for when
they enter into a development fun 'agreement. if they commit a elty like
B*aldsburg or Ukiah or Lodi or Lompoc for a sue of mosses, and the rules change,
they are put in as precarious position. Reallocation might affect Pao Altos but
not other cities. Pro rata participation in the agreement, Mr. Aghjayan agreed,
hewer, was based on certain assumptions of CVP per allocations, and subsequent
agreements wCuld have tetake a possible change in CVP allocation into consideration.
Councilman Sher said that be saw no future agreements in the picture, end that
Ibis 8 percent agreement served to be "the only game in town," and Palo Alto was
locked into it.
Mr. Bosea said the 8 percent weals only with the pretest fund agreement running
out in 1985, and there vill be others ea time peaces.
Mayor Norton asked COUACiiMili Sher if the 8 percent formal* affected the amount
from federal funding, or from Northern California Power funding.
Councilman Sher replied tbet it would reflect a change in federal funding.
Councilmen der added that when the contract with NCPA came up for renenel
,_J it appeared that PG6I ciao nosed have control by numbers,
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Councilman Carey asked who was instrumental in changing the Palo Alto allocation.
Mr. Agbjayan said the majority of the cities, and that the 23 percent was
based on a projection of Palo Alto's peak demand, a period of perhaps 1975
to 1980, as a ratio of the total peak demands of all the cities, with most
of the PG&E cities theorising that Roseville. and Redding and Pluaaa-Sierra
really wouldn't need that much power, for what they wanted was supplemental
power; whereas some of the other -cities were looking to replace all of their
power rather than buy from PG6E, And so, Mr. Aghjayan said, they subtracted
Palo Alto's allocation from the Bureau, which they were sure Palo Alto would
keep, using that as a ratio for the total peak demands of all of the cities
Councilman Carey asked what the vote was, and who got the allocation.
Mr. Agbjayan said he did not know the vote; CVP cities had their allocations
lowered --Redding, Lodi, and others ---then those reductions were reallocated
to ?WEE cities who were buying all of their power from supplementary sources.
Councilman Carey said he was favorable to the motion, for he thought adjust-
ments ahoeald be evade on the same basis as allocations were made. He spoke
of concern on other cities having to get approval if their allocations were
reduced, for such reductions would seen an increase in cost to their users. He
added that such an investment power
e tment i n pc� er source exploration was similar to drilling
for oil --that it was risk money, and Palo Alto's $40,000 was risk money,
but when CVP reallocates thane will not be the risk, and in 1985 when Palo Alto
puts up development money there will not be the risk, should this amendment
pass.
?fir. Booth, replied there were great difficulties in trying to change allocations
at this paint. For one thing; - roe of the citi€'e had already paid their -allocations
in full, and change in allocations would put them in a position to ask for
their money back with interest; and if the project were successful, they
might not want it back under any circumstances, yet, if the search turned
out to be a "dry hole," they might be very happy to pass larger allocations
on to others.
Councilman Carey asked Mr. Booth_about the possibility of modifying the renewal
provisions. That is, the agreement could be extended by a majority vote,
probably eaade up of non-CVP cites, but that when the agreement was renamed,
it be done by power needs based on the sage formula that justified the reduction
o!Palo Alto's allocation.
The City Attorney thought that at good suggestion.
Councilman Carey asked if the cities would have to go back to their Councils
for approval.
Mt. Booth replied affirmatively, saying they would have to in any event.
Councilmen Carey urged that renewal conditions be evade z stipulation in than
present paerticipatioa. ae;greement under consideration in the discussion of the
amendment to Section C.
1
Mayor Norton suggested that Council Carey's suggestion be taken as a separate
amendient.
Councilmen $eeahrs felt thatt to areaeks it a condition of agreement for a time
in 1485 or 1986 would be ill-advised,- a telegraphing of intentions which Is
often ter -productive, and that it would be wise to do a little maneuvering
instead of asking it a bard-anr»faat policy statement. Be thought it would
be vise to "hang loose," that Palo Altomagic even vent sore than 23 pent,
and by as little wheeling and dealing it sidgbt be obtainable.
Councilman Eyerly said that in view of the number of cities involved Councilman
Sheer's amendment aright not come to pass, in spite of its morality.
Councilman Sheer summarised his proposed amendment: to condition Palo Alto's entrance
into the Development Fund on a modification agreement to make an adjustment
in the shares of the participating cities that would reflect any adjustment
in the CVP allocations fro the Federal governzaent.
Councilman Serweld asked if the majority of cities voted it down, would Palo Alto
not enter the fund?
Councilman Sher said that if it were voted down, he would like to address
it at that tie, and that be would like to sere Palo Alto go to the NCPA on
the basis stated in the want.
Councilman Berweld said that ha thought the defect was still the all -or -nothing
base.
AKEND4ENT FA/LED: The amendment to Section C failed with the following vote:
ATES: Sher, Comstock, Norton
NOES: Beahra, Carey, Witherspoon, Berwald, Eyerly
ABSENT: Clay
Councilman Sher spoke of hi approval in participating with NCPA to the extent
of 23 percent but he did want to know about what exposure Palo Alto utility
revenues and those of othat cities would have if revenue bonds were issued, and
is wanted to make it clear to NCPA that when any revenue bonds are sold to
finance any of the enterprise, Palo Alto will agree to charge on the utility
bills only to the extent of its proportionate participation in the Development
Fund. In other weeds, he explained, if $100 million in bonds are sold, Palo Alto
will take on liability only for 8 percent, or $S million. He urged that it be
made explicit.
Ate': Council Sher moved, seconded by Comstock, that Section C be
aameeded to say that the revere: bonding obligation of Palo Alto should not
exceed the pro rate *hare of the project.
oemeilmen Baehr* asked Mk. Booth the customary practice in the question
of liability in revenue bonding.
Mr. Booth answered that he understood that Palo Alto was responsible only
for its share, though three wets no hares in being explicit with the emendment
Mr. Bosse said that under the present plan of financing 14CPA would be responsible
for issuing the revenue bonds, to be secured by pledges or taker -pay contract
signed by each of the cities for their share of the contract, with WCPA.
Should any of those bonds default, the h PA would be responsible. The cities
would be obligated to the extent of pledging their revenues, thus paying
for their taker -pay contract. If therm were a default, rates would be adjusted
in order to at the band-eeervicieg requirements.
Councilmen Baehr* observed that it was than possible to pick up some nobility
beyomi that original obligation. Me asked if cities that defaulted lost their
power.
Mr. keaa replied that MCPA would have to look to other sus of marketing
the power.
Conaetlseea Mehra asked then if 4 city defaulted it wield the lase it* snarl tion?
.3 5 7
10/4/76
Councilman Sher said he was prepared to have Mr. Buaza rephrase the amendment,
and that his own main wish was to be on record that no revenue bonds were
to be issued which would increase Palo Alto's charge beyond their own .contractual
obligation. Re thought too, that at some time Council should talk about
what the terms of the bonds would be; he wee quite sure they would be what
the market required, and if those bands cannot be marketed without pledging
greater revenue, and Palo Alto happens to be the City that has the biggest
possibility in its electric utility, thou bonds may not be so marketable,
and he felt extreme clarity was needed so that Palo Alto did not get stuck
with more than its proportional share.
MOMENT R3? -STATED: That the revenue bonding obligation of Palo Alto would
not exceed the pro rate share of the project it was joined with..
Mayor Norton wanted to know if Palo Alto's general utility revenue were
being pledged?
Mir. Aghjayan replied in the negative, that the vote would affirm that Palo
Alto would not incur any obligation beyond its prorate share,
Council Sher said that since the contract wastor takepay, Palo Alto would
not pay for what it did not take.
Councilman Eyerly asked if it was an amendment to the contract, or just
a statement of position.
Co.uacilsaan Carey said he was still concerned and from a September 30 letter
to Councileembers from Mr. Aghjayan aad Mr. Sipsl he read "It is evident
that with Palo Alto and Redding participating with the Development Fund
ambers, the burden ou them for capital funding vould be considerably eased
since almost 60 percent alarm bonding capacity could be realized."
He wanted to knot if pledging our bonding capacity were the sane as pledging
its general fund capacity. He asked what the security for the boss was--
oblieation on the part of the parties to purchase the power?
Councilman Carey went on to say that obligation to purchase power did not
sears to be the answer, because Palo Alto is also wanted because it represents
40 percent of the bonding capacity. If that is the caee, he said, the City was
entitled to 40 percent of the power.
Mr. Aghjayan clarified tbat .the banding capacity assume that as fixed -value
plant of a specific dollar value would be built, and therefore other communities
would have lase dead on them because Fele Alto oases be buying a share
of that plant.
Councilman Carey asked if late Alto's prowls* to buy power is the security
for issuing revenue bands.
Mr. 3'loisca referred to the history of this undertaking. Re cited the Bartle hells
study, giving an off-the-cuff estimate on the order of magnitude of the capacity
that could be realised with the revenues from the distribution system of the
member cttLe.s of NCFA.
Councilman Cerny d sgSst if Palo Alto's promise to buy power wee the
sole security for boaedra.
Mk. lose replied affirmatively.
`-
Councilman fibre pointed out that any inveetment banker would .buy these
bonds with the assumption that Palo Alto would be behind the d percent
orb hundred percent.."
ANNOMINT pis The to Section 7C reseed with the following x:: ;':
35e
10/4/76
AYES: Sher, Carey, Norton, Witherspoon, Comstock,
Betwald, Eyerly
NOES: 5eaahre
ABSENT: Clay
Councileel Carey asked if there vat any estimation haw much money in revenue
bonds would have to be floated to acco pIieb the proposed Development Fund
project.
Mr. Aghjayan said that .the Staff report on September 30 gave the answer,
that approximately. 130 megawatts were needed, and assuming geothermal vas
built, 500 ow could be built throng .t.he 1985 bonding level, with a deficit
of 330 ow, based on projected operating income.
Councilman Carey asked what such a plant would cost to build.
Mi.Bosxa calculated at currant estimated coats, about $250 million.
Councilman Carey questioned that such an aunt in bonds could be issued
without individual cities bonding capacity being looked at.
Mx. A.ghjaya n replied that when NCPA. floats bowls, the tekeepay agreements
with all the cities will be put up as collateral. The financial advisors
will look at the bonding capability of the individual cities; the un erwriter
and the bondwriter will look a a at them as well. There will be an implicit
obligation attested to by the marketability of the bonds.
Councilman Carey queatioYeed what bonding experts would deduce when they asw
Santa Clara was going to want half the power., yet had a bonding capacity
of only $22 million; but Palo Alto, with double the bonding capacity, i3
going to buy only 8 percent of the power,
Mr. Agb j ayaan said $ ntaa Clara would have to save some improvements to be
given that kind of credibilit3. It has the option of doing that by raising
its rates and increasing its net operating income and along with that its
}ding capacity. If it falls to do that and has a poor financial statement
in the year the bonds are floated, it in probable the consultant end f.inasanciel
underwriter will advise Santa Clara not to get involved in the floating
of bonds for that particular project, or to that extent.
Counci..lmen Carey said that be jot wanted to asks it clear that Palo Alto
tae only committing $ percent, aud people vbo do bonding ebould look at that fact only. He said that hip,proposed amendment had to do with p rapaph
1.2 on page 13 of the proposed aereament, and had to do with termination.
At4BMPT: Councilmen Carey moved, seconded by Beahre, that the following
three* be wed to Section C: "In the event of any renewal of this Agreement,
it shall be uaderstoed that tha .anticipation parcel -it -ages for the cities
will be adjusted to reflect current allocations of power by the Cam."
Mayor Norton suggested that "Palo Alto" take the place of "cities."
Mr. Bossy said he tit the coodition should apply to the other CVP cities
vbo were just as involved as Palo Alto.
Mr. Aghjayon asked it the amesubent urea intended to apply retroactively,
or veld ,apply to extension • and . growth.
oCo a op red ilman Carey answe t a t. . sea no ns it retry tive 'meanest
mousey.
COmmflmt,a Uk .bill netts e end theneht it meld be
11 alit the ttee oaf reeeeel the pow seeds et the cities mere e revs eked
3S9
10/4/?'i
Councilman Carey replied that if his eecnnd,agreed he would make that addition.
AMENDMENT R:STATED:"In the event of any renewal of this agreement, power
needs of particip*ting.c.itiea will be reviewed and participation percentages
for the cities will be adjusted to reflect current allocations of power
by the CVP;"
AMENDMENT PASSE):. Inuaamendment to Section C passed unanimously, Vice Mayor
Clay absent.
moTroN AS AMENDED PASSED: Section C as amended passed on a unanimous vote.
Mayor Norton~ suggested voting for Sections D through G as a group.
Councilman Berwald suggested only Sections D -F be voted on. Section G was
merely direction to Staff and no separate vote was necessary. Re said that he
had a question about it after the voting.
MOTION PASSED: The motion.to adopt Sections D through F passed unanimously, Vice
Mayor Clay absent.
Speaking on Section G, Councilman Berwald said that since the City Attorney had
stated various pnaelh4litqes, in particular that should the City elect not to
participate in a prrject the money Palo Alto had in the Fund could not be recov-
ered. Councilman Berwald read: "Were Palo Alto to join this agreement and there-
after wish to withdsaw,it is highly likely that any installments then due and owing
would ccntinue to beso. and moreover a claim could be made th&t.;the City
is committed to all future installments as they become due." The letter
went on to say the matter had to be studied in more detail, and that since
the issue is comple , _Cow ei lmen Berwald said that Council should await
some answers to :aosme_queations in the September 30 memorandum -from the City
Attorney. He suggested .Staff find out just what the City's liabilities
were, so that the possibility of damages being sued for wouldbe. avoided.
Mr. Booth said he thought getting agreement from other Sateabara_ ht be a difficult
tack right now, for Pale. Alto was not in the best bargaining. position and the
time to decide wheXher. ,at. not to get into the Developeent Fund _wae running out.
He pointed ont that it Paie:Alto did not like a particular project, they could
opt out and the money would not be lost. He felt the agres t.did not allow
for withdrawal .arf any .party prior to the termination of it. ThaDevelopment
Fund needs a fixed ameient and its viability would be affected . try, ha ties coming
in and out of it en whim, and. he did not think the agreement would permit modification
of it in that feeble+:.
A.MENDNY Tr Councilman Berwa►id moved that when the agreement comes back for a second
time, the City Attcrney,.,after discussing with NCPA, provide report for the City
Council ao to the semen¢ . cel Palo Alto's obligation and tbllr.possibility of termination
and withdramrae1 frees the Development fund Agreement.
Mayor Norton $ if that were intended to be different from the way Section 0
now reads.
Councilman Berwald said it spoke to the fact that oomething more definitive was
in the wording now.
The motion died for lack of a second.
Mayor Norton asked if. Mr. Booth understood the intent of Couecilmae 1atweld's
notion.
Mac. Both saidseid'.tbettneee-informetien could probably be providaad., atth further
research. H aaid_that_the report in the packet had dischetedeLJOmt.aseigmment
of Council for t . & tt. t .present tine. He said that if the Council wished
to give furrier assignment they should do so.
Meyer Benoit asked Mammy Booth if - be felt it was pointless for the Council
to act on *lotion 0.
36 1
10/4/76
Mr. Booth replied affirmatively, unless Council wanted more information,
which he understood Mr. Berwald'a motion to mean. He said the Council
had to peas a motion saying the policy statement is not a project, ao that
an environmental impact report to not needed.
MOTION!: Councilman Bervald moved, seconded by Coalstoek, that the Council
find that all of what has been done and said with regard to Item 7 was not
to be cons 4ered a project,
MOTION PASSED: The motion passed unanimously, Vice Mayor Clay absent,
Councilman Comstock said that the time ,aa 11:30 and that .some agenda items
would generate some discussion and also that the Council was due to have a
discussion about classified officers and he made the foilcwirg motion;
? TJOEI: Councilman Comstock moved, seconded by Norton, that Council take up
Item 8 and at the conclusion, adjourn to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 5, at
which tine it will consider the remainder of the agenda, (Items 8a-13).
Mayor Norton asked if it was Councilman Comstock's intention that the personnel
business not be done on this evening.
Councilman Comstock replied affirmatively.
Mayor Norton informed the audience of the items that would be discussed so
they could choose to stay or leaver
MOTION PASSED: The motion to discuss only item 8 and then adjourn to 7:30 p.m.
on Tuesday, October 5, passed with the following vote:
AM: Carey, Beahrs, Norton, Witherspoon, Comstock, Eyerly, Berwald
N0 S: Sher
A,BSR fT Clay
si_ a stn cv (Continued from September 27, 1976)
Councilman Eyerly reminded Mayor Norton that six votes were needed for a budget
amendeent and that Vice Mayor Clay, who was absent, was one of the supporters, so
he did not know if the six votes needed would be aavaitable. Be suggested the die-
cueatoo os the ordinance for funding an urban design study be continued, and
that they move on to discuss the moratorium. Re thought the moratorium item
rams not a budget item,
Mayor Morton said they could have a first reading on -the moratorium item, but
,opt as an urgency item, and that would require a second reading in two week,
and it would mart go into effect for thirty days, which might be better than
trying to fd a full Council.
MOTION: Maur Norton moved, seconded by Berwaid, to approve the budget ordinance
emending the budget for fiscal year 1976-77 in that amount of $15,000 to provide
funds for an urban design study of El. Camino Real.
ORDINANCE OF Tag C C1I. OF THE CITY OF
PALO ALTO AMENDIM THE BEET FOR
FISCAL TEAR 1976--77 TO FROV/DE FONDS TOR.
AN CRAM DES/GO STUDY OF EL CAMINO REAL
MOTION FAILED: The motions to approve the budget ordinance felled with the following
vote:
361
10/4/76
AYES: Carey, Norton, Witherspoon, 8erwald, Eyerly
NOES: Sher, Beahrs, Comstock
ABSENT: Clay
MOTION: Mayor Norton moved, seconded by Berwald, to continue the Budget Ordinance
to the regular meeting of October 12.
MOTION PASSED: The motion carried with the following vote:
AYES; Norton, Witherspoon, Comstock, Eyerly, Carey
NOES: Beahrs, Sher
ABSENT: Clay
Councilman Carey stated he would not participate in the vote on the moratorium.
He left at 11:3? p.m.
MOTION: Mayor Norton roved, seconded by Eyerly, adoption of the moratorium
ordinance,
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALO ALTO IMPOSING A MORATORIUM ON ALL
NEW BUILDING PROJECTS, ZONE CHANGES, AND
CHANGES GES OF USE FOR SIX MONTHS ALONG A
PORTION OF EL CAMINO REAL AND PROVIDING
AN EXCEPTION PROCEDURE E FOR RESIDENTIAL
AND NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL USES IN
P -C ZONES, AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY
Councilman Sher teked about point 2 in Section 2, talking about exceptions for
applications previously approved, and he wondered which applications that applied to.
Mr. Boot, replied thst one vaa Dividend Industries Project, the other Avis Rent-
l.CCeer, which were strs4dy underway.
Councilmen Sher said that at the time the ordinance was moved he had an amendment.
Mayor Newton pointed out that there was the necessity for eight votes on an
urgency matter, or first reading if ft is a non -urgency matter.
Mr. Booth said that a vote of four -fifths of the Counci.lme*bers present,, or
6 votes, wms required. 1O spots about Item 3 in the staff report = the Seder
property. The property bad been developed as a sporting gds store and an
applicatiem vas pendia; for planned City zoning to legalize the existing
business, need that it could be proposed as as amendment to Section 3.
Mayor Norton said he had a question on Section 2, paragraph 2, to verify that
it referrerd pat only to existing P -C zones but zones which might come up
duriaa the eeoretorirae2 period to be approved by the Council.
tom. Berth said that was correct.
Councilmen Ber old said he did not want to vote for the moratorium without
more study.
Councilmen Sher asked Mr. Booth if item 3 meant it could coma into P -C rearing
or could sot.
qtr. Booth replied that it could, aced that he bed acme proposes lausuage to m01610
3 6 2
10/6/16
sure that application continued through its processing, and that it was scheduled
to be heard this week by the Planning Commission. He said he would like to add
"...ex.cept applications for P -C zones" to Section 3 of the ordinance.
Councilman Sher asked why it did root come in on Section 2.2.
Mr. Booth Raid there was queettr'n about whether or not it was "nieghborhood
commercial" and also the term "accepted for process" want only new applications,
and he wanted to make that clear.
Councilman Sher said he wanted to amend Section 2.2 to delete the exceptions.
APSE: T CoLencilman Sher moved that Section 2.2 have the
ential and commercial uses in P -C planning in these zones."
The motion died for lack sf a second.
language
"for raesid-
Mayor Norton asked Mr. Booth if he wanted to introduce the ordinance as an urgency
matter.
Mr. Booth replied affirmatively and aatd he also wanted to add to Section 3, after
the word "wherein" the following, "except applications for P -C zones" which would
deal with the sporting goods store.
Mr. Daniel Modena, 421 Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, Attorney -at -Law, spoke
on behalf of his client, Mr. Sal Niossi, who was in the process of building an
automobile shop on El Camino Real. He said they asked the City two months
ago if itwas all right to go ahead. They spent money for an architect who
proceeded to draw plans. One month ago they dale application to the City
and the City took all their papers, indicating that the project was legitimate
and that they could go ahead, which they did. Mr. Modena said they had a hearing
before the Architectural Review Board Thursday and then this morning they found
out there is a moratorium. He said Mr. Niosst had owned the property since 1972,
and prior to his purchase he asked the City about putting a transmission shop
there. Mr. Niotsai era two other shops, one in San Bruno and one in Belmont.
He explained that tba shop is not objectionable, for the only business is to tasks
out old transmissions and put in new transmissions. In 1973, Mr. Modena went on,
they contacted the Playing Department, who told them to ,go ahead with the
construction. The City, he said, had never told them of their proposed changes
in El Camino planning. They have spent several thousands of dollars on architectural
fees, end submitted the plea to the Architectural Review Board and also bed an
Environmental Impact Report, thus complying with everything. Also, he said, the
company entered into a contract with a chain etore in llorthern California to do
their ttamme miseia i vork, which they now will not be able to tuitil1. He appreciated
that Palo Alto was trying to upgrade the El Camino and at the same time he thought
it was the business of the Afl to do that. He said it was not fair to deny
him permission to go a.head at this late date. He explained that the smell lot
was located between Shaksy's Pima and a massage parlor.
Mt. Steve Mylroie, 415 Fernando Avenue,
said he supported the moratorium,except
to in agreement with present as well as
Council to press toward 'speeding up the
speaking for the Ventura Avenue Association,
for the McElroy Lumberyard project which
potential use its the are*. He urged the
improvement of El Cassino.
Mr. *icherd Oliver of Dividend Industries, Eon 2903, Santa Clara, wanted to confirm
that their project was passed.
Mr. Booth confirmed that it would be if the ordinance is passed.
MDT/ON FAILED: The motion to approve the moratorium ordinance failed with the
following vote (six votes required to pass):
AYES Norton, Withaerepoon. Eys t1y, Comstock
• a . ors, Sher
ASSENT* - Clay
• ' , Purictratmcs Carey
363
10/4/76
NOTION: Mayor Norton moved, seconded by Berwald, to continue the moratorium
ordinance to the regular meeting of October 12, 1976.
MOTION PASSED: The motion to continue the moratorium ordinance to the regular
meeting of October 12, passed on the following vote:
AYES: Norton, Witherspoon, Eyerly, Comstock
NOES: Beahrs, Sher
ABSENT: Clay
NOT PARTICIPATING: Carey
The meeting adjourned at 12:00 midnight to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 5,
1976, at 7:30 p.m., with the agenda to begin with item 8a (Ordinance relating
to impounding fees).
ATTEST:
L i i fit. _. •,
City Clerk /
APPROVE:
Mayor