HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 9935Resolution
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO ADRIAN FINE
FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AS
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER
WHEREAS, Adrian Fine served as Council Member from January 2017 through December 2020, including as
Vice Mayor in 2019, and as Mayor in 2020; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as Mayor our city faced an exceptionally difficult year due to the COVID-19
pandemic, the resulting economic recession, and calls for much-needed social justice and police reform. This
resulted in challenges on many fronts which gave Adrian a chance to demonstrate his collaborative leadership
skills by repeatedly reaching out to former Mayors and stakeholders throughout the city and beyond, assigning
each Council Member a relevant and specific role early in the Coronavirus response, and playing a critical role in
coordinating both communications and our public health response; and
WHEREAS, Adrian strived to serve the whole community: people who live here and people who work here,
businesses big and small, public and private schools, hotels and restaurants; by opening up California and
University Avenues for people and restaurants and leading the implementation of one of the biggest budget cuts in
city history. Hard but necessary decisions were made which were prompted by the dramatic reductions in tax
receipts from sales and hotel stays, which proved our interdependence of neighbors, residents, businesses, city
services, and much more; and
WHEREAS, Adrian immediately responded to the murder of George Floyd with a powerful Black Lives
Matter Resolution, speaking at one of the largest protests our city has ever seen, supporting and promoting a mural in front of City Hall, the creation of four ad-hoc committees which advanced significant reforms to our police
department, and launched a citywide diversity and inclusion initiative; and
WHEREAS, throughout his years on Council, Adrian was a consistent and urgent voice for Palo Alto’s future,
one with more homes for more neighbors of all ages and backgrounds, with better transportation choices, with
Foothills Park open for all, with a focus on investing in opportunities for both current and future residents, and
providing high-quality city services; and
WHEREAS, Adrian led the update of zoning and other regulations to support housing, transportation, and local
businesses; including the Housing Incentive Program, the Affordable and Workforce Housing Overlays, Accessory
Dwelling Unit changes, Planned Home Zoning, updates for local retail businesses, and parking reforms; and
WHEREAS, Adrian demonstrated his commitment to transportation solutions across the region by serving on the
Caltrain Local Policy Maker Group, the Rail Committee, and the Palo Alto Transportation Management
Association, helping to create a more sustainable future for Palo Alto.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby commends Adrian’s
outstanding public service and gratefully records both its appreciation, and the appreciation of the citizens and
businesses of this community, for his meritorious service and commitment as Mayor, especially in this most trying
year.