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03131975
CITY COUMCIL MNUEs ITEM Special Meeting March 13, 1975 CITY PALO ATO PAGE Postal Facility 1 0 1 7 s East Palo Alto Economic and Community Development --Joint Efforts of Neighboring Communities; Industrial Park --Help its Attracting Tenants; -Nairobi Shopping Center —Help in Attracting Tenancy 1 0 2 1 Purchase of Street Trees from Palo Alto 1 0 2 5 Access Roads to East Palo Alto Without Relation to a New Dum- barton Bridge 1 0 2 5 Loan of Palo taco Planning Personnel to last Palo Alto 1 0 2 7 Utility Service to East Palo Alto -'(Particularly Electric) 1 0 2 7 Develop a Program to Deal with Police Problems 1 0 2 8 Faber and Laumeister Tracts 1 0 2 9 Deposits in Local Banks 1 0 3 1 Chid Communications 1 0 3 2 Adjournment 1 0 3 2 1016 3/13/75 March 13, 1975 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at 7:30 p.m. in a special joint meeting with the Eat Palo Alto Municipal Council with Mayor Sher and Mayor Anthony presiding. Palo Alto Council Members Present: Mehra, Berwald, Clay, Comstock, Henderson, Norton, Pearson, Rosenbaum, Sher East Palo Alto Municipal Council Members Present: Anthony, Burley, Satterwhite, Wilks Mayor Sher welcomed this meeting as an opportunity for the two communities to make some progress in their mutual relationships. He assured Eaat Palo Alto Council Members that Palo Alto was not interested in telli.n; another community how to solve its problems. However, Mayor Sher stated that Palo Alto wanted to hear of any ways in which assistance might be provided to East Palo Alto. If such assistance were feasible, then Palo Alto would want to do what it could in suggested areas, Mayor Anthony stated that the East Palo Alto Municipal Council had come to the meeting with open minds, and the hope was that an arrangement would be worked out whereby the two communities could work together. Posta1 Paci1 tv w..�r.rrrsr�r Mayor Sher opened the discussion by saying that the Postal Service was proposing to construct a mid -regional pastel facility in Palo Alto on West Bayshore Road at Loma Verde. The residents in that area of Palo Alto are not interested in having the facility located there, and lest Palo Alto had expressed a desire to look into the possibility of the Postal Service considering a location in that city for the new facility. Mayor Sher explained that Naphtali Knox, Director of Planning for Palo Alto, had stated that the final decision regarding location had not been arcade; therefore, staff was working on the two assumptions that the new buildings might and might not be located in Palo Alto. Mr. Knox had pointed out that unless there is a strong shoving of opposition from the community, the postal facility would probably be located in Pa:to Alto. Mayor Anthony commented that East Palo Alto was interested in developing an industrial park, and such a facility would be a good start. With Palo Alto's stated support, lest Pelt) Alto representatives would like to ask the pofital officials to review the idea of locating its new -operation in East Palo Alto. Mayor Sher noted that he agendlzed this matter for the Council meeting to be held on March 17, and so the discussion was timely. 1 0 1 7 3/13/75 Councilman Beahrs asked if East Palo Alto had taken any action at all thus far on this matter. Since there was opposition in Palo Alto to having the facility, Councilman Beahra suggested that a joint resolution of the two communities might be helpful in securing the operation for East Palo Alto. Mayor Anthony recalled that when the Postal Service first considered putting a nets facility in Palo Alto, it also considered the possibility of locating a service post office in East Palo Alto. Officials selected a site in East Palo Alto and turned the utter over to a private corporation. Representatives from East Palo Alto contacted the Postal Service officials and received input regarding requirements for the facility. Mayor Anthony noted that the East Palo Alto Municipal Council had not taken a formal position as yet on locating the new operation in its community. It was thought that a decision might be made as a result of this meeting. Councilman Clay asked what problems East Palo Alto anticipated in regard to having the postal, facility in it:s community. Mayor Anthony responded that there would no doubt be a traffic problem. Three hundred and sixty-six people would be employed at the facility, and that would require good access to the community. As a practical matter, this meant there would have to be a direct avenue from Palo Alto to the proposed industrial p. -ark area. Vice Mayor Henderson assumed that since this was intended to be a regional postal facility, it would have to be located near the Ba:!shore Freoway. Mayor Anthony agreed because the operation would serve Palo Alto and the surrounding region, and an Embarcadero route would be helpful. Mayor Sher asked if there were enough room around the present post office for the proposed facility. Mayor Anthony responded that there is a nursery on one side of the post office and greenhouses behind it. There was some undeveloped land to the right of the post office near Embarcadero Road. Mayor Sher asked if East Palo AJ.to would use that site if it were nada available even though it is technically in Palo Alto. Mayor Anthony replied that traditionally people in his community had held on to federal employment, and this new operation would be a benefit to the citizene of East Palo Alto. Councilman Clay asked how much land was needed for the new facility. Councilman Burley responded that about 63,000 square feet would be needed. Mr. Knox reported that Palo Alto had tot received any information from the postal officials in San Bruno regarding plans or statistical data. He understood that they were talking about the need for 50,000 square feet of space, and the site on Frontage Road is about 125,000 square feet. Mr. Knox said this site in use near Embarcadero Road was leased to the poet office, and there was sole questions as to whether that site would be retained. The lease would be up in June or July of this year, and it would have to be renewed for a period of a year or two if the facility is to be retained. Until there was an opportunity to speak with the postal officials, there would be 1 0 1 8 3/13/75 /: no way of knowing which would be closed, whicl- would have customer service, and which would provide carrier service. A date would soon be set when the postal officials would come to a Palo Alto Planning Commission meeting, and these details would become known. Mayor Sher asked Mr. Knox what the best approach would be to the postal service if it were the consensus of the two Councils that an effort should be made to have the new facility located on an expanded present site or on a new site in East Palo Altc. Mr. Knox responded that staff would be willing to assist East Palo Alto to the degree that it wanted assistance in this matter; at the same time, staff would have to continues to work under the assumption that the facility would be located in Palo Alto. If Council gave staff specific directions to do so, it would talk, to postai officials about locating the new operation in East Palo Alto. Councilman Clay asked what the benefits would be to East Palo Alto. Mayor Anthony responded that the two main benefits would be employment opportunities and a beginning for the proposed industrial park. Councilwoman Pearson recalled that as of 1969, Council gave clear direction to staff that it did not want the facility on the proposed site it Palo Alto; and that stand was given to the federal government. If that is still t'he position of Council, that should be reconfirmed; and the message should be gotten through to the proper people. Councilman Burley asked why Palo Alto did not want the new postal operation - Mayor Slur explained that the neighbor$ in the area are concerned about the increased number of vehicle trips. The Bayshore Frontage ?sad is present?.y saturated, a. d they fear that the traffic would be greatly increased on residential streets. Councilman Comstock stated that when this matter was first discussed, the City Council reacted to the same concerns that were presently being eupreseed; and Council cams to the conclusion that the location would not be a good one. Councilman Beahrs commented that he understood Councilman Burley's vexation. Be thought it must appear incredible to the people of East ealo Alto to see another community prevent this kind of development, Councilman Rosenbaum observed thrt the laud in question was zoned light manufacturing, end that implies people arriving in the morning and leaving at night. The residents view a postal facility as more of a retail type of use since people would be driving to and from it all day long every day. Mayor Sher noted that it would be useful for Palo Alto to knew before the Monday Council meeting if East Palo Alto were sure it wanted the postal facility, Mayor Anthony was not sure East Palo Alto wanted to say this for sure until it had an opportunity to have postal officials review the proposed site, Mayor Sher asked if East Palo Alto would like the Palo Alto Council to direct staff to explore with the Postal Service the feasibility of locating the new facility in East Palo Alto. 1 0 1 9 3/13/75 Mayor Anthony responded affitmativel Councilman Beahrs asked Mayor Anth recommend the site unless there were an F.mharcadero Road access. Y. any if East Palo Alto would not Mayor Anthony stated that East Palo Alto was equally concerned about traffic. On the other hand, his community wanted to do sores developing, therefore, it wanted the regional postal facility, Access was needed to such a facility so that the traffic would not be detrimental to East Palo Alto. If the Embarcadero route is barred, the answer to Councilman Beahrs question would be "ye Councilman Beahrs asked if if it could not get the Em Mayor Anthony responded about that. What East to do a feasibility stu a favorable site for t Councilman Clay aske suggesting. Mayor Anthony resp it =wanted the sup 811. East Palo alto would want the facility barcadero route. that the Municipal Council would have to talk alo did want was for the postal officials dy that would look into that community as being he regional facility. why Palo Alto should do whet Mayor Anthony was jaded that Fast Palo AI.te would do it alone, but port of Palo Alto so there would he a joint effort. Councilman Berwald said there was a tremendous amount of citizen resistance to having the facility in Palo Alto when it was proposed in 1969, and the city had received the cooperation of congressmen in opposing the placement of the postal operation at the West Fsayshore and Loma Verde site. The city was successful in its opposition for such reasons as traffic, lights, noise, etc. Councilman Berwald understood that the present proposed facility was a of the same as the one that had been undt r cor.siderat ion in 1969. The autometive maintenance would not be included, for instance, Councilman Berwald felt this meant there might not be as much resistance, but that the majority of the pe: le in the community would still oppose the plan. Councilwoman Pearson suggested a joint resolution of the Councils for a study to be done to determine the feasibility of locating the new facility as an expansion at the present post office site or near by site and/or a completely melt site in East Palo Alto. With both Councils looking at their own properties, a step forward would be made. Further, Councilwoman Pearson euggeatsd that there be resolutions from the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to the effect that the facility be located east of the Bayshare Freeway at or near the present site or at it new site acceptable to East Palo Alto. Councilman Berwald thought that perhaps Palo Alto city staff could get some details regarding the number of square feet needed, what services would be offered, projected amount of traffic, etc. Mayor Anthony said the East Palo Alto Municipal Council would agree to a Joint Resolution, but the wording would have to be worked out. Mayor Sher suggested that Palo Alto staff draft a resolution and send it to the East Palo Alto Council for its response, 1 0 2 0 3/13/75 / East Palo Alto Economic and Conuaunit eve o mend oint E orts o Ne - orin o es. nc ustr a '•ar -- f ttract n: Tenants Nairobi Sho•,in_. ,enter-- v :e n ' ttract, •g enants Referring to the first of then a three agenda items, Councilman Comstock said he thought there could be some mechanism by which the City of Palo Alto and the community of East Palo Alto could construct a legal or corporate entity together that would provide a basis for economic development. It seemed to Councilman Comstock that an economic development program involved a lot of effort, planning, development of utilities, land preparation, land acquisition for long-term lease -back, etc. Councilman Comstock pointed out that Palo Alto existed as a corporate entity, and East Palo Alto was presently unincorporated. ie thought perhaps a special district could be formed for such an idea as he was suggesting, or perhaps East Palo Alto envisioned the possibility of incorporating at some point. Councilman Comstock pictured a system whereby the two communities could work together to provide a technical, professional, and perhaps financial base that might not be present as thinge now stood. What Councilman Comstock proposed was a sharing of resources and strengths as a way of joining together to allow the two communities to go forward with such a program. Mayor Anthony responded seat East Palo Alto's General Plan spoke to the development of a corporation that the community was trying to put together, and that could be expanded to include what Councilman Comstock was suggesting. He commented that Menlo Park had made a similar offer. Councilman Comstock remarked that if East Palo Alto were annexed to Menlo Park or Palo Alto, all skills and resources of either city would be automatically available; but he added that might be the last thing that East Palo Alto would want to consider. He assumed East Palo Alto might want to incorporate before it would do anything such as consider being annexed. Councilman Comstock's main point was that Palo Alto would be open to the joint pooling of resources that would strengthen the kind of development the East Palo Alto Municipal Council had in mind. If the two Councils decided they wanted to do something, Palo Alto's legal and planning staff could be of much assistance. Councils Wilke stated that East Palo Alto needed more land and acceas. She appreciated what was being said; but her own feeling was that if Palo Alto moved its hand, East Palo Alta would do such things on its own. Councilman Comstock wanted to be sure that Councilwoman Milks understood F that Palo Alto would do things "with" East Palo Alto, not "for" East Palo Alto. Councilwoman Wilks reiterated that East Palo Alto was fenced in. Councilman Beahrs amid that the comments made by Councilwoman Wilks were very realistic onss. Ono of the biggest problems would be to what extant financial assistants could be given since the City of Palo Alto was obligated to a charter which did not give Council the power to arks; a gift of money. This was a fact that needed to be kept in mind. 1 0 2 1 3/13/75 Lbuncilman Clay thought it would be difficult for Palo Alto to get involved in helping to develop East Palo Alto's economic base, which is primarily the responsibility of the private sector. He added that public bodies did not have the reputation of doing a good job on these kinds of thing. Councilman Clay's opinion was that it was East Palo Alto's responsibility to establish its own environment into which private money would go. He also saw this natter as being somewhat foreign to Palo Alto's own way of thinking in that the city did not have the reputation of being a developer. It seemed to Councilman Clay that Palo Alto was saying it would be a developer as long as the devei©prent would be in East Palo &Ito. He did not see what Palo Alto could do to attract tenants to the industrial park or to the Nairobi Shopping Center. Mayor Anthony stated his disagreement with Councilman Clay's position. He noted that Palo Alto was rapidly expanding as a financial center, and many people went to the City Manager's Office or to the Planning Department searching out industrial sites. Mayor Anthony felt it would. be quite helpful if some of those developers were referred to East Palo Alto. East Palo Alto wants to tame the lead in the development of its own community, bet it was important to have the cooperation of the surrounding communities. Councilman Clay could not see that Palo Alto's saying that East Palo Alto was a good place in which to do business would get tenants for the Nairobi Shopping Center or for the industrial park. Further, he did not believe that wise the way East Palo Alto would want it all to happen. Coun,:i1aaa Clay felt that East Palo Alto would develop its community on the basis of its own commitment and its own development of the environment, It was Councilman Clay's opinion that if developers went to East Palo Alto because of action taken by Palo Alto, that put East Palo Alts in the position of taking handouts, assuming a second-rate position to Palo Alto, or something along those lines. Councilman Burley observed that East Palo Alto was not asking for handouts or money, it was thought that the Planning Department of Palo Alto might share ite expertise regarding what developments might be done and how they might be done. Councilman Burley explained that East Palo Alto was not caking Palo Alto to come in and develop another community, but it was asking for Palo Alto's ideas. He pointed out that finances and money segregates people. Money segregates white people from one another, and money segregates black people from one another. Councilman geahrs felt the whole subject revolved around community attitudes. Palo Alto had done everything it could for the last ten years to keep out developers. In Councilman Beaters' opinion, the whole general community had to change its outlook and collectively encourage progress and development - most of which would be directed to East Palo Alto. East Palo Alto was feeling the effects of the opposition to development by the surrounding communities. Councilwoman Wilke said that Palo Alto really did control both communities, and it indirectly dictated how much East Palo Alto could grow. It disturbed Councilwoman Wilks that she felt a back of respect from some people for decisions made by the East Palo Alto Municipal Council when, in fact, those decisions had to be made through the Board of Supervisors. Councilman Berwald gave a copy of the minutes of the Palo Alto Council meeting of February 24, 1975, to Mayor Anthony and his colleagues. 1 0 2 2 3/13/75 In those minutes was the dialogue that took place and led up to Councilman Comstock's motion calling for a joint powers agreement or other appropriate mechanism to create an agency useful to East Palo Alto in the development of a tax base, etc, Councilman Berwald commented that the East Bayshore Community Comprehensive Planning Program contained some elements which created more questions than answers. He said it would be helpful to him to listen to the Council members from East Palo Alto talk about any aubject they wished. Councilman Berwald said that when he began thinking about this whole matter, which began with a newspaper aartiole, proceeded to Councilman Norton's and his suggestion on the Laumeistar and Faber Tracts, and concluded with the Comstock substitute motion, he was thinking of something far beyond community development than just enlarging the tax base. Councilman Berwald felt it would be very helpful to hear some of East Palo Alto's aims, hopes, and needs, and what the Municipal Countii.thought Palo Alto could do to assist and cooperate so decisions could be made that would be beneficial to East Palo Alto and the adjoining jurisdictions, particularly northern Santa Clara County and southern San Mateo County. Councilman Berwald had observed that not very much listening had been done at previous meetings between the two communities, and there was no real concrete evidence of forward -looking cooperation on a meaningful scale. The subject under discussion was how Palo Alto and East Palo Alto could work together for mutual betterment, and he waated to hear some ideas. If those ideas hurt a little bit, that was all right. Vice Mayer Henderson co ented that he did not know what Palo Alto could do to assist :ast Palo Alto in developing its own economic base and, mast importantly, in becoming an incorporated city. There were several possibilities in which Vice Mayor Henderson was interested, but he wanted to hear more from the East Palo Alto Council. For instance, with or without the Dumbarton Bridge, access was needed to East Palo Alto. Also, Palo Alto's Comprehensive Plen would be completed soon; and Vice Mayor Henderson understood there would be planning staff available at that time. If East Palo Alto could use some planning assistance, Vice Mayor Henderson saw that as an area where Palo Alto could cooperate. If it were feasible for East Palo Alto to have its cwt utility services, that would mean that community could give advantages to firms coming into the area. Mayor Anthony commented that the process of cooperating together was something that would be developed over a long period of time. One fact. was that the people wbo lived in East Palo Alto shopped in Palo Alto. Another was that the Palo Alto Airport generated a lot of nine over Feat Paolo Alto. The Faber Trect closed in East Palo Alto on ono side, and Menlo Park closed it in on the other. Mayor Anthony said that geese were some of the teal problem the community faced. Also, East Palo Alto had to be forced to vote for the Dumbarton Bridge ,eescuse it needed access roads. Mayor Anthony, referring to remarks that had been made regarding developers not venting to build in Palo Alto, stated that there were new buildings going up at Stanford Industrial Park. There was also some development in process near the Bayshore Freeway, and a new restaurant was being built on Embarcadero Road. EEtat Palo Alto mould like some future developments of that type in its community, and Mayor Anthony thought Palo Alto could direct such developments in the future to East Pala Alto. Councilman Clay did not think th.st telling someone who wanted to develop in Palo Alto that he ought to go to East Palo Alto would make anything happen. He could not think Past Palo Alto would want . its progress to be made" that way since that procedure reflected a paternalistic attitude. Businesses knew that East Palo Alto was there, and they 1 0 2 3 3/13/75 knew where the land was located. It took something else to cause business to locate in East Palo Alto; and whatever that was, it should not simply be a unilateral action on the part of Palo Alto. Mayor Anthony responded that the people in East Palo Alto knew there were many things that they would have to do to upgrade their own community. The East Palo Alto Council was talking about cooperative efforts, and he was certain that this kind of meeting generated interest. Councilwoman Pearson did not think Mountain View, for instance, would feel the least bit second-rate to Palo Alto if this city. referred industries to them; and she did not see why East Palo Alto should either. Secondly, until there was a name change, Councilwoman Pearson thought it would be tensible to capitalize on Palo Alto/East Palo Alto in regard to making referrals. Councilwoman Pearson's third comment was that ways should be explored to provide utilities at a more reasonable rate in East Palo Alto. Finally, she indicated that planning functions could be paid for by San Mateo County. Councilman Beaters stated that Palo Alto enjoyed great benefits from its tax base; and it also paid tremendous penaltiee such as traffic levels, noise, pollution, politics, and social upsets. It was Councilman Beahrs' feeling that everyone should be willing to suffer some of the penalties in order to encourage progressive outlooks in sound and reasonable developments, much of which would go to East Palo Alto. George Sipel, City Manager, Palo Alto, asked Mayor Anthony where East Pei° Alto stood in the creation and development of a Chat,ber of Commerce kind of group that had been talked about some time ago. Mr. Sipel said that would be the kind of organization within which the Palo Alto staff could work effectively. Stanford University and the Palo Alto Chaffer of Commerce could also work with such a group, Mr. Sipel explained that this effort needed to be a city-- wide one, rather than something that would be done just by the City Manager's Office and the Planning Department. Mayor Anthony responded that East Palo Alto would have a Chamber of Commerce operating sometime this year. Such organizations could work together iedependert1y of the two Councils. Councilman Satterwhite stated that he was sensitive to Councilman Clay's positiou. &e aaid that referrals alone might have some small impact, bet it would have no fundamental impact. He indicated a desire to hear a point of view that would sum up the second item on the agenda and asked Councilman Clay to present any thoughts he might have. Councilman Clay responded that this item waa not one that he placed on the agenda, but it would be well if everyone could get to the point of identifying a project that could be vfszuulized. Councilman Satterwhite commented that one possibility would be for the East Palo alto planning staff to inform Palo Alto's planning staff as to the substance of their planning processes. Those two groups working together might be able to isolate some areas that fit under the second item on the agenda. Councilman Clay noted that Items 2 on the agenda grew from the Faber and Lauaeiater Tracts discussion. Council started a discussion about the tracts and gravitated toward East Palo Alto economic and community development. 1 0 2 4 3/13/75 Councilman Berwald said that there were many exciting ways to develop a community, and East Palo Alto would not create much capital by having the new postal facility located there. Also, the postal facility would not create any tax base. There were ways for East Palo Alto to develop and to keep the capital in East Palo Alto. A method needed to be developed so that East Palo Alto could do all of the cultural, educational, social and economic things that it wanted to do without opening the community to exploitation by adjoining cities or private parties. To Councilman Berwald that meant a lot of other communities besides just Palo Alto working in a joint private/public organization to achieve results. ,Purchase of Street Trees from Palo Alto Councilman Comstock noted that Councilwoman Wilke was the first person to mention the word "incorporate", and this helped Palo £Ut.o City Council members to understand what East Palo Alto was talking about because this city is incorporated. Clearly, there were financial benefits to be derived in joint purchases, whether the purchase was street trees or municipal equipment. Mayor Anthony appreciated Councilman Comstock's thoughts, and he added that East Palo Alto was still a member of the Mid -Peninsula Citizens' Study Group. Since East Palo Alto put the purchase of street trees on the agenda, Councilman Beahrs felt they should know that the University of California could give them excellent assistance in this area. Mr. Sipel noted that the East Palo Alto Master Plan calls for heavy e araeis on the planting of street trees. Some expertise has been furnished from. Palo Alto, and the city is ready to continue that kind of input. Access Roads to Past Palo Alto arton Bb ide Vice Mayor Henderson stated that one of the most exciting events he had experienced since he had been on the Council vas working with the group, which included Mayor Anthony, that case up with a compromise on the Dumbarton Bridge, Because of that group, Palm Alto became enlightened as to just what East Palo dltw needed with regard to scce.a roads. Eaet Palo Alto WAS a closed -in commuxnity. There was one road j am mead full of commuters, and there was no access to the •rasa that were being considered for development. Palo Alto City Council approved a plan for the Dumbarton Bridge that included the idea of an access road on the southern side that would leaf' to the property designated for development. Vice Mayor Henderson wanted to be sure that Palo Alto did not lose sight of what it said it was willing to do, in the midst of all the Dumbarton argumenta. In Vice Mayor Uenderson's opinion, Palo Alto has made a commitment on the access problem; and he considered it an ongoing topic regardless of what happens concerning the bridge. Mayor Anthony asked what role Palo Alto would play in providing access roads to East Palo Alto. Vice Mayor Henderson responded that this would be in the acceptance of having a road come in through Palo Alto. ,V0)2 5 3/13/75 Mayor Anthony asked if he were speaking of the Embarcadero route. Vice Mayor Henderson said this was correct. He explained he was not talking about how to get people from East Palo Alto to Palo Alto, but how to get them from Bayshore into East Palo Alto, and especially into the areas designated for industrial development. East Palo Alto had available land, and tho problem was one of how to get to it. This was an area where Palo Alto could cooperate. Councilman Beahrs asked where the money would come from for the road. Vice Mayor Henderson replied that the state would pay for it. Mayor Anthony said that East Palo Alto had in mind having Enbarcadero Road opened up ell the way, with the state bearing the cost. Vice Mayor Henderson agreed that thie was what he was talking about. Mayor Anthony said it was his understanding that Vice Mayor Henderson was talking about a road that would be an access to Palo Alto from East Palo Alto. Vice Mayor Henderson responded negatively, and he said he was talking about the same road Mayor Anthony was the so-called Alternative Plan, with a two-lane southern or Embercadero a.rt�proaCh. Councilman Baehre commented that there were 22,000 automobiles a day on Embarcadero Read, and he was opposed to iucreasing the traffic there. In Councilman Beahrs' opinion, the increased traffic load would have to go on the Oregon Expressway. Mayor Anthony felt it needed to be said that although everybody had been referring to Embarcadero load, they were really peeking of Oregon Lxpreseway. Vice Mayor Henderson explained exactly where the road would go eni where the book -up would be to Oregon Expressway. Mayor Anthony asked if the suggestion were that the route would be built regardless of what happened concerning the bridge and that Palo Alto would approve of it. Vic* Mayor Henderson responded that if the Alternative Plan were nut supported, this subject still seeded to be discussed. Mayor Sher asked who would pay for the road if it were not pert of a state plea. Vice Mayor Henderson noted that at the scent, it is part of a proposed state plan; and if that did not materialize, new funding would have co be sought. Councilmen Burley asked if it did not awake sense to route the traffic around the exclusive residential areas, which meant putting it on Oregon Expressway. Vice Mayor Henderson said this was exactly what he was talking about, except that Councilman Burley was referring to traffic that would be increased because of a new Dumbarton Bridge. 1 0 2 6 3/13/75 `Loan of Palo Alto Plannin Personnel to East Palo Alto Vice Mayor 11enderson commented that at the completion of the Comprehensive Plan, there would be some staff available whose expertise could be helpful in doing some of the planning work needed in East Palo Alto. Mayor Sher pointed out tilat there were some staff members who would probably be interested in working in East Paio Alto, but the City Manager had -noted that any staff member who did so would have to be replaced -to carry out Palo Alto's projects. Mayor Sher asked if it would be possible to take a staff person, paid for by the city budget, and assign him to work outside the city. Marilyn Norek Taketa, Assistant City Attorney for Palo Alto, said that an exchange of personnel would be very easy to justify. If Council wanted to loan an employee to East Palo Alto, a lot would depend upon whether or not the employee would experience job enrichment. Mrs. Taketa thought that kind of arrangement could be justified since it would be almost like a sabbatical leave. Mayor Anthony remarked that East Palo Alto was not .actually terribly much in need of planning staff. Utilit Service to East lo Alto -- art cu .ar ectr c Vice Mayor Henderson considered this to be a very complicated subject, bat he thought it would be very worth while to have a study done. For instance, perhaps East Palo Alto .ould be one of Palo Alto's customers at a wholesale rate. Councilman Burley commented that this sounded like a very expensive situation, Mayor Sher added that the city had an agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric that it would not go into their territory, and P G & E would not sell electricity in Palo Alto. Councilman Comstock said his ideas on this subject presupposed that Last Palo Alto would be incorporated or would form a service district. Palo Alto is an electrical distributor, and this_providea a very deairabie source of revenue. If East Palo Alto wanted to do something similar, it would have to go through several hurdles. For one thing, the community would have to support the take-over of a primate system and make a commitment to go into operation. If East Palo Alto were of a mind to do that, Palo Alto has experience as a utility operator; and that would be one opportunity to assist the community in getting under way with this kind of operation. This idea would have the potential of providing revenue from another source besides taxes. 1r. Sipel noted that this was one of the ideas brought out in East Palo Alto's Comprehensive Plan, and Palo Alto had some qualified people who could help in a study that would enable East Palo Alto to decide if it wanted to go ahead with such a project. Couneilmnan Beahrs felt it was neceseary to point out that this would be an expensive project, and Palo Alto cannot give anything away. Councilman &erweld registered strong dissent on this particular item. For one thing, he felt this matter raised false hopes. Palo Alto was having problems with its utilities in that rates were going up —mall , a supplies were short, 1 0 2 7 3/13/75 Mayor Anthony clarified that Palo Alto had a person on its staff who worked with utility problems, and East Palo Alto would just like to use his expertise at times. Devicelota a Program to Deal with Po i P ob1 n Mayor Sher stated that Police Chief Zurcher had been working with the Law Enforcete nt Committee in East Palo Alto regarding relationships between the two communities' Police Departments. Councilwoman Wilks explained there was concern about the fact that youngsters from East Palo Alto were harassed in Palo Alto. Young people in stores were suspected of shoplifting almost any time they entered business establishments. Mayor Anthony added that Chief Zurcher attended East Palo Alto's Criminal Justice meeting, and he requested that an arrangement be agreed upon whereby complaints made about Palo Alto be referred to the Palo Alto Police Department. There is a standing order by the Palo Alto Police Department that any youngster from East Palo Alto who had a problem in Palo Alto would be referred to his own Communit:, Responsibility Programs, and than, is being done. Councilman Satterwhite commented that this agenda item could be an attempt to create a program to deal with problems that Palo Alto is having with youngsters Crow:: East Palo Alto, or it could be a program to deal with the problems that the people are having with the police. Mr. Sipol stated that his desire was to have the Councils tabs publicly about discussions that have been held in East Palo Alto about harassment of young people and whether it is a police problem or a general community problem. Mr. Sipel asked if East Palo Alto had suggestions as to ways that Palo Alto could alleviate the problem and if there were ways that the Palo Alto Police Department could better relate to the East Palo Alto community. Mr. Sipel said, he was sensitive to the fact that Palo Alto was not the law enforcement jurisdiction in Eeet Palo Alto, and the Police Department had to work through the Sheriff's Office. Palo Alto police were happy to work with the Sheriff's Office, and they would be happy to work with East Palo Alto's Law Enforcement Committee. Mr. Sipel commented that Palo Alto had been developing an exchange program with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department in order to become sensitized to problems in the black community.: Mayor Anthony thought it would be well if Palo Alto developed a program for its police to deal with the problem. Mayor Sber asked if such a program should sensitize police officers to the automatic referral kind of action. Mayor Anthony responded affirmatively. Mayor Anthony observed that there were a lot of people who came from East Palo Alto to Palo Alto to do their shopping, and the q.eeetlon being looked et by Palo Alto's Human Relations Commission and East Palo Alto's CriMinal Justice Committee was whether or not those people were being harassed by the Palo Alto Pol.'.ce Depart nt. 1 0 2 S 3/13/75 Mr. Sipel stated that it was very important for Palo Alto to receive information about specific incidents of harassment. Councilman Beahrs pointed out that everyone, black or not, is harassed at some time or another. Mayor Anthony summed up by saying that since large numbers of black people caste into Palo Alto, a program needed to be developed that would improve the present situation. Mayor Sher agreed that this was important, and he asked that East Palo Alto inform Palo Alto as soon as possible when incidents occurred so there could be soiue follow-up. Faber and Lau ister Tracts Mayor Anthony said that the East Palo Alto Council members had read the minutes of the meeting where this subject had been discussed, ut they had a desire to hear first hand about the ideas that had een presented at the Palo Alto Council meeting, b b Councilman Norton stated that the ittent of hie motion was that Palo Alto study the 200+ acres of the Faber and Lauseister Tracts iri tte unincorporated area of San Mateo County owned by Palo Alto, realizing that these lands are of considerable ecological value to the city as well as to the larger community, realizing the background of interchanges of BCDC, etc., to re -open the Faber Tract to tidal action, realizing that at the meeting at the Interpretive Center three or four years ago when ECDC had hearings on the subject - there was representation from East Palo Alto eloquently stating their views with respect to certain representations that were made at the time the county line was changed stating their view that carryirg out of certain undertakings that apparently were made were not only fair, but also made sense from a planning point of view for East Palo Alto. With these and other ideas in mind, it seemed to Councilman Norton that the City of Palo Alto ought to be willing to take another look at that, recognizing that in this environmentalist, conservationist ball_ game, there have to be trade-offs. To Councilman Norton, this was a reasonable trade-off to study. It had been his hope that the City Council would study that area and determine what lands could be made available out of those general areas for the purpose of creating recreational, industrial, and other employment kinds of baaia for the community of East Palo Alto. Councilman Norton assumed that the discussion would involve the use of twenty or thirty acres, but he did not mean to put that constraint in his memorandums. He explained that it was part of his motion that Council be willing, once having determined which lands could be devoted to that use, to have a committee formed representing Palo Alto, East Palo Alto -- and possibly others, that would try to develop a plan that would utilize those Palo Alto owned lands as well as other vacant lands In East Palo Alto that might go into a logical development plan. Councilman Norton commented that he had no preconceived ideas, but he did not necessarily see that the lands would be exclusively for industrial use. He thought there might be a mix of industrial and recreational. Councilman Nortor, had hoped that such a committee would come up with a plan which, when approved by Palo Alto and East Palo Alto, would be adopted. The city would then let go of the lands on a long, -term lease or other kind of basis, and the income from that project would go to the community of East Palo Alto. Councilman Norton thought his proposal was a reasonable one, and he continued to support it. 1 0 2 9 3/13/75 Councilman Berwaid added that there were people on this side of Bayshore who had been wanting to do something but had not been able to get offer) au effective start. This was an opening suggestion for Palo Alto to m{.ke a commitment and take the leadership in eventually achieving a regional commitment to do something about East Palo Alto's needs. Cooperation was needed from more than one community. The approach to the Faber and Laumeieter Tracts was simply a beginning, but it could be a contribution eed a catalyst to the needed cooperation by other adjoining conmmulities. Councilman Norton's motion suggested that an investigation of the lands be made by a committee, a committee be formed of interested officials and private representatives from t both communities; a community plan be prepared; a comprehensive proposal be drafted; a non-profit organization or other legal entity be formed; and other necessary mechanisms be provided - all subject to approval of the two Councils. One of the things that had occurred to Councilmen ,Berwald was that this kind of sub -regional government cooperation, which was available under the District Planning Act, has really never been implemented. The reason Chapter Five of the District Pleasing Act was being repealed was because it had never beau 'used. Here is a real opportunity for sub -regional, two -county cooperation in solving soma needs. Councilman Berwald explained that he was saying the affluent communities have to participate in the sap way that the courts mandated that the educational systems would have to cooperate with one another so that communities with the least tax base did not have inferior educational opportunities. Councilman Berwald'a view was that at acme time, comeunitiee have to assess the critical factors of the community development and decide what is needed to make that community a quality one. East Palo Alto can do this for itself, and Palo Alto can do it for itself; but the two communtiee could help each other bring about some of the needed human and physical goals. As East Palo Alto stated .in its Comprehensive Plan, that community needed the wherewithal to make some progress. There is a lot of private talent, there is some private money, there is foundation money, and there are public funds. With a lot of people helping one another, beneficial solutions to problems could be found. Councilman Be iald summed up that the Norton/Berwaid motion was one approach to that end. Mayor Anthony reiterated that East Palo Alto's position had always been that it was in favor of some development within the Faber Tract because^ it writ land that was traded by San Mateo County to Santa Clara County, and that has always been one of the bones of contention between the two communities. East Palo Alto's 701 Plan calls for some reasonable development to occur on six to ten acres of the Laumeiater Tract. Mayor Anthony wanted to be sure Palo Alto understood East Palo Alto's position, and the uaatter would be left with Palo Alto to come to a conclusion as to its position. Councilman Satterwhite was bothered by the presumption on the part of some ambers of the Palo Alto City Council that the ;?avast Palo Alto Municipal Council would not want to discuss the Ember and Lemuel/beer Tracts at this meeting. Secondly, he was disturbed that it had been stated that the land was zoned for recreational and open space purposes, when a part of it had been zoned for light industrial. develops nt. Councilman Satterwhite was in favor of investigating some industrial development on tie two tracts.. He thought the beet thing that could come out of this meeting would be for the Palo Alto City .:ouncil to take a hard look at what it really means by cooperation and collaboration. 1030, 3/13/75 Councilman Beaters considered the proposal a solid one. However, he felt it was a premature one until some of the significant problems are overcome, such as access. There would be no reason to develop the Faber or l.aumeister Tracts until effective access was in existence. Perhaps there could be development in East Palo Alto on land that is presently available. The motion had startled Councilman Beaters because of the intense ecological interest on the part of Palo Altans. Councilwoman 'silks felt that the bird -watchers and the people who did not want any more traffic through their residential streets might need to reach a compromise position in order to let Fast Palo Alto get going. Councilman Comstock noted that with regard to the flood basin, which is not a tidal marsh, there is a proposal that it be opened to tidal action. When this was being reviewed at a Planning Commission meeting, a number of conservationists pointed out that this was now a fresh water marsh; and they opposed having it made into a salt marsh. Councilman Comstock felt it would be very unfair to East Palo Alto for him to say he voted for the substitute notion in place of the original motion without thinktug of that fact. His substitute motion was clearly a. limiting thing, and he was not prepared to be anything but straightforward with East Palo Alto on the matter. Councilwoman Pearson pointed out that Palo Alto was having trouble disposing of the spoils from the Yacht Harbor. If the Palo Alto Yacht Harbor were closed and a Cooley Landing Marina supported, Council- woman Pearson wondered if the Palo Alto Yacht Harbor would be willing to move: to Cooley Landing. Mayor Anthony responded that access would be a real problem. He said teat the marina is in Menlo Park, but that East Pilo Alto would be amenable to developing Cooley Landing. Mayor Sher said this prompted aim to e•,ay that Mayor Bonde of Memo Park had heard of this meeting and had expressed a desire to have the three Councils meet together. Mayor Anthony said there was a plan for the East Palo Alto Municipal Council to meet with the Menlo Park City Council. After that, he hoped that all three Councils would have a meeting. 2e2o.tta in L. CL Barka Mayor Anthony thought that this idea was one which gave Palo Alto a choice to do something constructive, maintain control, and help East Palo Alto. He asked that Palo Alto deposit five or six million dollars in East Palo Alto's local banks oo they could he in a poaiticn. to loan money. Palo Alto would still maintain the interest and control, but it would simply move some of its money from Palo Alto bad to Eact Palo Alto banks. Mr. Sipel responded that he would likes to look into this suggestion. One of the requirements is that the banks have to be able to put up a certain amount of money in reserve to secure the deposits that would be made; and if five or six million dollars were being talked about, perhaps the East Palo Alto banks would not have enough reserve. Putting money is East Palo Alto banks would represent a departure from present policy of depositing in local banker, but Mr. Sigel said he would look into this suggested possibility. 1031 3/13/75 Mayor Anthony said that East Palo Alto would ask Menlo Park and the county to deposit money in East Palo Alto banks, but he was hoping that Palo Alto would lead the way. ral Cosmnunications 1. Georganna Hy-mes, 140 Azalea Drive, East Palo Alto, asked that everything possible be done to keep the post office or the east side of Bayshore Freeway. 2. Philip Conway, 40 Rondo Way, Menlo Park, felt that the Councils of East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, and Menlo Park needed to discuss development of a tax base for East Palo Alto. Mayor Anthony thanked the Palo Alto City Council for meeting with the East Palo Alto Municipal Council. He said this was a good opportunity to sit together and go over some of the issues. Mayor Anthony was optimistic about further developing what had been started at this meeting. Mayor Sher expressed his appreciation to the members of the East Palo Alto Municipal Council for rieetinl; with the Palo Alto Council. Because of the meeting, Mayor Sher said he now had a clear idea of what Eaat Palo Alto regarded as fundamental issues. It was his feeling that as long as those fundamental issues were being talked about, progreaa would be made, Add ou: naaent The joint meeting of the two Councils adjourned at 10010 p.m., and the Palo A.Ito Council retired to an Executive Session. 1 0 3 2 3/13/75