HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-26 City Council Agenda Packet (2)CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
January 31, 2015
Special Meeting
Mitchell Park Community Center
El Palo Alto Room
3700 Middlefield Road
8:30 AM
Agenda posted according to PAMC Section 2.04.070. Supporting materials are available in the
Council Chambers on the Thursday preceding the meeting.
1 January 31, 2015
MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA
PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE.
DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
PUBLIC COMMENT Members of the public may speak to agendized items; up to three minutes per speaker, to be determined by the presiding officer. If you wish to address the Council on any issue that is on this agenda, please complete a speaker
request card located on the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers, and deliver it to the City Clerk prior to
discussion of the item. You are not required to give your name on the speaker card in order to speak to the Council, but it is very helpful.
TIME ESTIMATES Time estimates are provided as part of the Council's effort to manage its time at Council meetings. Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the meeting is in progress. The Council
reserves the right to use more or less time on any item, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to
another meeting. Particular items may be heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to best manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public. To ensure
participation in a particular item, we suggest arriving at the beginning of the meeting and remaining until the item
is called.
8:30-9:00 AM Welcome: Coffee, Breakfast and Gathering
9:00 AM Call to Order
9:00 AM Mayor’s Welcome and Overview of Day
9:10-9:25 AM Oral Communications
9:25 AM 1. 2015 Work Plan
10:40 AM Break
10:50 AM 2. Council Annual Priorities Setting
11:50 PM Working Lunch
CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
2 January 31, 2015
MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER DISTRIBUTION OF THE AGENDA
PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN THE CITY CLERK’S OFFICE AT PALO ALTO CITY HALL, 250 HAMILTON AVE.
DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
3. Getting the Work Done
Meeting Management
Staff-Council Roles & Relations
Communications, reports
Committees and Commissions
Liaisons Roles
Any other procedures and protocols review and
changes
5. Wrap-Up and Next Steps
Adjournment
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Library
Ada's Cafe
Courtyard Entrance
City Council Retreat LocationRestrooms
1
Comp. Plan Update
Prepare an update to the City’s governing land use plan based on
significant public input and conduct concurrent environmental
review of cumulative impacts to the Year 2030.
2015 Tasks:
Work with the Leadership Group to plan and convene a
“summit” for a community discussion of issues and choices
Use the summit to recruit volunteers for work sessions needed
to finalize draft goals, policies and program
Conduct community work sessions concurrent with PTC and City
Council discussions
Circulate a draft EIR for public review
(Hillary)
2
Coordinated Area Plan
for Fry’s Site
Prepare a detailed plan for the 15-acre Fry’s site
through a community-based planning process.
2015 Tasks:
City Council review of a draft scope of work &
discussion of grant funding
Selection of a consultant
Formation of an Advisory Committee
Initiation of data collection and analysis task
(Elena)
3
Annual Limit on Office/R&D
Support a discussion by the City Council regarding ways
to meter the pace of office/R&D development and
gather input as part of the Comp. Plan Update.
2015 Tasks:
Seek City Council direction –February 9, 2015
Define and analyze approaches for consideration with
the Comp. Plan Update
Develop interim actions for stakeholder input and
Council consideration
(Hillary)
4
Sustainability and Climate Action
Plan
2015 Tasks:
Produce comprehensive plan and
implementation roadmaps to achieve basic
and aggressive greenhouse gas emissions
reductions –with measures are technically,
financially, legally and socially feasible
Provide findings and recommendations to
Council and community
Align City policies and operating practices
with sustainability goals
Launch visual dashboard of timely
sustainability performance data for staff,
Council and community
Develop Mobility as a Service pilot to
evaluate impacts of “car-free” services on
congestion, parking demand and emissions
Develop world class goals and strategy to guide next generation
sustainability efforts for City and community
(Gil)
5
Parks, Trails, Open Space &
Recreation Master Plan
2015 Tasks:
Complete the community
based master planning
process
Develop Master Plan Report
and present to community
Adoption of the Master Plan
in Winter 2015
Develop a Parks and Recreation Master Plan to guide future
renovations, expansions and improvements
(Peter)
6
Cal Ave Streetscape
Completion in March 2015
(Jaime)
7
Public Safety Building Project
2015 Tasks:
Create CIP with funding from Infrastructure Plan
Evaluate potential sites
Selection and Council approval of Site Location
Hire Architect and begin Design Development and EIR
Create a new facility built to Essential Services standards to
house Police, 911 Dispatch, Emergency Services, Fire Admin, and
the Emergency Operations Center
(Council Infrastructure Plan project: Top Priority)
(Brad)
8
Fire Station No. 3 Replacement
2015 Tasks:
Create CIP with funding from
Infrastructure Plan
Hire Construction Management
Firm
Hire Architect
Begin Fire Station and temporary
facility design
Rebuild Fire Station No.3 at Embarcadero Road and Newell Road
(Council Infrastructure Plan project)
(Matt)
9
Lucie Stern Mechanical &
Electrical Upgrades
2015 Tasks:
Obtain building permits
Issue Invitation for Bids to construct the project
Construct the upgrades while coordinating with existing building users
Rehabilitate and improve the existing building systems including
fire/life safety components for Lucie Stern Community Center,
the Children’s Theater and the Community Theater
(Matt)
10
El Camino Park Project
2015 Tasks:
Construction begins February and
scheduled to end October 2015
Park reopens November 2015
Restoration of El Camino Park following the Emergency Water
Reservoir Project with new amenities including athletic fields and
lighting, restroom, parking lot, and bike path
(Elizabeth)
11
Baylands Interpretive Center
Improvements
2015 Tasks:
Complete Boardwalk Feasibility
Study
Select consultant to begin
concept development and design
for the building improvements
Improvements to aging Center including Boardwalk repair
feasibility study, and replacement of Center railing, decking,
siding, flooring, cabinetry and doors
12
Sidewalk Repairs Project
2015 Tasks:
Complete sidewalk program
assessment to set new program
goals and standards
Complete sidewalk repairs in
Sidewalk Replacement Districts
32, 33 and 34
Continue sidewalk repairs to complete 30 year district cycle
leveraging budget doubled per IBRC recommendations
(Holly)
13
Street Resurfacing Program
2015 Tasks:
Complete paving of 50 city blocks
–includes first 14 blocks to finish paving
Middlefield and Alma with additional
funding over 3 years
Complete preventive maintenance
of 80 city blocks
Continue frequent community
outreach
Raise citywide PCI score to 80
Continue resurfacing streets to meet average citywide pavement
condition index (PCI) score of 85 by 2019
(Holly)
14
Organics Facilities Plan
2015 Tasks:
Sludge dewatering and truck loadout facility
–Commence work on final design
–Commence and complete CEQA
–Apply for low-interest rate state construction loan
Complete preliminary design of anaerobic
digester facility
Replace incinerators with new biosolids handling system
(Jamie)
15
Byxbee Park –Landfill Capping
and Trail Construction
Completion of landfill capping and new trail construction in
advance of larger Council Infrastructure Plan Byxbee Park project
2015 Tasks:
First 29 acres capped to be
opened in early 2015
Final 22 acres to be capped during
2015 and opened to the Public
soon afterward
Trails constructed along with the
cap
Other features (signage, benches,
vegetative islands) to be
constructed in late 2015/early
2016 (Ron)
16
Cubberley Community Center
2015 Tasks:
Begin Master Plan study in collaboration with
school district
Complete deferred roof replacements at
Wings M and P
Assess other maintenance needs and begin
addressing short term items
Begin maintenance and planning in accordance with new
city/school district lease
(Brad)
17
Foothills Park 7.7 Acres
Dedicated as Parkland –
August 18, 2014
Tours and Public Meetings –
October 2014
Parks and Recreation
Commission Discussion –Jan
/ Feb 2015
Next Steps:–Seek Commission Recommendation February 2015
–Bring Recommendation to Council April 2015
(Daren)
18
Junior Museum & Zoo Project
LOI –Approved by Council 11/14. City
Initiating EIR
Negotiations on a P/P Partnership
Between the City and Friends Begin in
February (Inc. CSD, PSO, ASD, CAO
Staff)
Friends Have Pledges of $15M of a
$30+M for Capital Campaign
Return to Council with draft agreement
between JMZ Friends and City by
December 2015 (Rhy)
19
Utilities Infrastructure
Replacement & Improvement
2015 Tasks:
Electric Undergrounding
Gas Main Replacement
Water Main Replacement
Seismic Water System
Improvement
Wastewater Collection System
Augmentation
Continue replacement of aging infrastructure on Water, Gas,
Wastewater and Electric Utilities
Stewardship
(Tomm Marshall)
20
Utility Meter Replacement Program
•Install meters to
serve new customers
•Replace end-of-life
meters
Stewardship
•Evaluate and expand advanced meter program
to improve service reliability
(Dean Batchelor)
21
Sewer Lateral Cleanout & Replacement
•Continue to provide sewer connections to serve
new customers
Stewardship
•Replace existing
connections due to:
•Redevelopment
•Erosion
•Tree root intrusion
•Ground movement
•Third-party excavation
damage
(Dean Batchelor)
22
Utility Substation Improvements
Continue to provide high level of service
reliability by:
Stewardship
•Replacing deteriorated
equipment
•Repairing storm damaged
equipment
•Performing maintenance
(Dean Batchelor, Tomm Marshall)
23
Electric Utility System
Improvements
Continue to increase system capacity for
load growth by:
Stewardship
•Replacing deteriorated
equipment
•Repairing storm
damaged equipment
•Performing
maintenance
(Tomm Marshall)
24
Downtown Parking Garage
2015 Tasks:
Return to Council with draft Scope of Work for RFP
Create CIP with funding from Infrastructure Plan and hire architect
to begin design process
Finalize location, select design concept, begin preliminary design
(Council Infrastructure Plan project)
(Matt)
25
Highway 101 Pedestrian/Bicycle
Overcrossing at Adobe Creek
2015 Tasks:
Presentation of three designs and
design selection -February
Contract with design firm to
develop selected bridge concept
–Spring
Complete environmental
assessment
Select design concept and begin preliminary design for new,
year-round Pedestrian/Bicycle Overcrossing
26
Charleston/Arastradero
Corridor Project
2015 Tasks:
Community Outreach
Finalize concept plan line
Coordinate with Caltrans and
JPB/Caltrain
Complete environmental
assessment
Preliminary design and environmental assessment for the
corridor project from Fabian Way to Miranda Avenue
(Council Infrastructure Plan project)
(Holly)
27
NOFA
Make the city’s affordable housing funds available for
the renovation or construction of deed-restricted
affordable housing.
2015 Tasks:
Issue an updated notice of funding availability
Review proposals
Recommend tentative awards to the City Council
Analyze proposed projects submitted for City review
and funding
Support project approvals and funding commitment
by the City Council
(Tim)
28
Housing Impact Fee Update
Support the City Council’s review and adjustment of the
City’s impact fee program for affordable housing.
2015 Tasks:
Receive and review Draft Nexus study
Presentation to Finance Committee for direction on
desired fee changes
Consideration of ordinance changes and updated fees
by the City Council
(Tim)
29
Seismically Vulnerable
Building Ordinance
Update the inventory of seismically vulnerable buildings and support
City Council consideration of an ordinance with priorities and
incentives and requirements for addressing hazards.
2015 Tasks:
Update inventory of vulnerable buildings and categorize by
construction type and occupancy
Research best practices related to prioritization and model
ordinances
City Council check-in
Outreach to property owners and stakeholders
Begin drafting ordinance for review by the City Council
(Peter)
30
Business Registry
2015 Tasks:
Build/ integrate/ test tool
Launch tool
Inform/educate Business
Community
Deliver reports
Plan for phase 2
Implement an easy to use, online business registry tool and
deliver key data about businesses in Palo Alto
(Thomas)
31
Bike and Pedestrian Plan
Implementation
2015 Tasks:
Conduct community outreach
and obtain PTC recommendations
and City Council approval.
Complete design of Churchill
Avenue Enhanced Bikeway
project.
Complete construction of
Matadero Ave Bicycle Blvd Phase
1 Improvements
Complete construction of Maybell
Ave Bicycle Blvd Phase 1
Improvements.
(Jaime)
Finalize Concept Plan Line work for 23 ongoing bicycle boulevard
projects.
32
TMA Formation
2015 Tasks:
Community outreach & stakeholder group
formation
Organizational Development and Data Collection
Implement low cost “pilot” programs
Establish a physical presence for the TMA in
downtown
Establish an independent non-profit organization to provide
information and incentives aimed at reducing use of single
occupant vehicles by people who work in Palo Alto.
(Jessica)
33
Shuttle Expansion
2015 Tasks:
Obtain private sector support and
launch 4th Shuttle Route in PA
Increase frequency of service on
the Crosstown route
Bring Automated Vehicle Location
(AVL) technology to the existing
fleet;
Develop and implement a
coordinated design and marketing
program to include schedules,
stops, vehicles, and the web site
Initiate discussion of alternatives
to the shuttle for the future.
(Ruchika)
Expand shuttle service and implement other strategies to
increase shuttle ridership.
34
Parking Guidance System and
Garage Access/Revenue Controls
2015 Tasks:
Contract with vendors
Complete design
Stakeholder outreach
ARB review and
approvals
Bid construction
(Jessica)
Implement garage technologies that make it easier for
drivers to access parking garages.
35
Parking Garage “Wayfinding”
2015 Tasks:
Complete preliminary design
Community outreach
ARB review and approvals
Bid construction
Replace and enhance signage so that drivers can find
parking, building in capacity for changeable messages
where appropriate (i.e. parking guidance systems).
(Jessica)
36
Traffic Signal Modernization
Upgrade the City’s traffic signals to improve
their reliability and functionality.
2015 Tasks:
Project Implementation
Improve organizational capacity for ongoing
operation and adjustments as needed
(Jaime)
37
Speed Survey Updates
Develop new speed surveys along residential
arterial streets to allow for traffic enforcement.
2015 Tasks:
Conduct speed surveys
Adjust posted speed limits as needed
Consider concurrent safety improvements as
needed
(Ruchika)
38
Embarcadero Road
Improve traffic operations on the segment of
Embarcadero Road between Alma and El Camino
Real.
Award bid for Phase One construction (signal
consolidation at Town and Country)
Complete Phase One construction
Initiate planning and design of Phase Two
including agency consultation and community
input.
(Jaime)
39
Parking Capacity Projects
Increase the off street parking spaces available
to serve employees and visitors.
2015 Tasks:
Complete preliminary design and of analysis
of satellite parking concept
Assist Public Works with development of a
scope of work for garage design
Support contract award for design
(Jaime)
40
Downtown Parking Mgmt Study
Analyze the issues and opportunities associated
with establishing paid parking Downtown.
2015 Tasks:
•Engage an expert to analyze
potential impacts and revenue,
needed infrastructure, and
effects on parking demand and
traffic patterns
(Jessica)
41
Midtown Connector Project
Phase 1 study to evaluate East-West Bicycle and Pedestrian
Connection through Midtown.
2015 Tasks :
•Form New Citizens
Advisory Committee
•CAC to develop project
content to be shared with
the public regarding
project alignment options
(Shahla)
42
Telecom Ordinance
Support the City Attorney’s office project to update the City’s
Telecom Ordinance to reflect recent Federal rule making.
2015 Tasks :
Work with the City Attorney to develop a memo
summarizing the new federal wireless law and
recommending that the wireless plan initiative be
abandoned for now
Prepare a staff report and draft ordinance for
consideration by the City Council
(Jonathan)
43
Fiber-to-the-Premise Master Plan
Assessment
2015 Tasks:
Obtain Council approval to award contract
to telecom consulting firm to work with
staff to develop plan
Assess City infrastructure (e.g. PROW, poles
and conduit) and conduct engineering
study to support citywide FTTP network
deployment
Define network build costs, network
technical requirements and design, assess
potential business models and evaluate
prospective service offerings
Provide findings and recommendations to
Council for citywide FTTP deployment and
ask for direction
Perform assessment to evaluate the feasibility of building out a
citywide Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) Network in Palo Alto.
(Todd)
44
Wireless Network Master Plan
Assessment
2015 Tasks:
Obtain Council approval to award contract
to telecom consulting firm to work with
staff to develop plan
Evaluate Wi-Fi connectivity for general
public and businesses
Conduct assessment to determine need
for wireless solutions for public safety,
field-based City staff and other mobile
government applications.
Provide findings and recommendation to
Council for Wi-Fi and/or other wireless
solutions and ask for direction
Perform assessment to evaluate the feasibility of building out a
citywide Wireless Network in Palo Alto.
(Todd)
45
Retail Preservation Ordinance
(Downtown)
Support City Council Consideration of Potential
Modifications to Retail Protections in Downtown.
2015 Tasks:
Data collection and analysis of retail trends
Outreach to stakeholders
Return to City Council for direction
Draft one or more ordinances for consideration by the
PTC and the City Council
(TBD)
46
Retail Preservation Ordinance
(Cal Ave)
Support City Council Consideration of Potential
Modifications to Retail Protections in the Cal. Ave. area.
2015 Tasks:
Outreach to stakeholders and data collection
regarding existing uses
Return to City Council for direction
Draft one or more ordinances for consideration by the
PTC and the City Council
(Jonathan)
47
Parking Exemption Ordinance
Support City Council consideration of changes to the list
of available parking exemptions in the City’s Zoning
Ordinance.
2015 Tasks:
Prepare a Draft Ordinance for review and discussion
Consideration by the PTC and the City Council
(TBD)
48
PC Zoning Reform
Support City Council Consideration of Reforms to the PC
Zoning Process.
2015 Tasks:
Draft an Ordinance for consideration by the PTC and
City Council.
Concurrently revise
prescreening procedures.
(Consuelo)
49
CPI –Related Zoning Ordinance
Draft an Ordinance for consideration by the City Council regarding
siting and risks associated with plating shops of similar uses.
2015 Tasks:
Return to the City Council for amendment of the consultant
contract and further direction
Neighborhood Outreach
Amortization Study
Draft an Ordinance for consideration by the PTC and the City
Council
•(Hillary)
50
Lot Consolidation Ordinance
for Small Housing Sites
Begin implementation of the City’s adopted housing
element by initiating discussion of a lot consolidation
ordinance.
2015 Tasks:
Planning and Transportation Commission study
session
Data collections and Analysis of Options
Outreach to Stakeholders in preparation for ordinance
development in 2016
(Tim)
51
Vacation Rental Ordinance
(also Home Occupations)
Support the City Council’s consideration of an ordinance
regulating vacation rentals in residential zoning districts.
2015 Tasks:
Study Session in March 2015
Prepare a summary of options and seek public input
Draft an ordinance for the PTC and Council’s
consideration
(TBD)
52
Individual Review (IR) Program
Review
Conduct an impartial review of the IR process and
recommend any necessary changes.
2015 Tasks:
Gather input from stakeholders
Retain impartial expert to conduct a peer review
Work with stakeholders to develop suggested updates
to the guidelines and implementing ordinance
Review guidelines with the PTC & City Council
Prepare and draft ordinance for review with the PTC
and City Council
(Amy)
53
Professorville Design Guidelines
Complete neighborhood specific guidelines.
2015 Tasks:
Reach out to stakeholders in Professorville
regarding the objectives and scope of the
work
Finalize recommendations and agendize for
review by the PTC and City Council
(Amy)
54
Annual Code Clean-Up
Undertake an annual review of code interpretations and
needed zoning code (clean-up) changes.
2015 Tasks:
Work with the City Attorney to identify needed
technical corrections and clarifications
Present an ordinance for consideration by the PTC
and the City Council
(Jonathan)
55
Build to Line
Eliminate the Build to Line requirement in some
areas and adjust in others to eliminate the need
for design enhancement exceptions when wider
setbacks are proposed.
2015 Tasks:
Bring forward recommendations of the ARB
and PTC to the City Council for consideration
(Amy)
Page 1 January 31, 2015
The City Manager and the Executive Leadership Team will organize the 2015 Council Priorities work program based on
Council priorities established at the January 31 retreat. This worksheet is provided to identify key project work in the
areas of Land Use (Comp Plan and Zoning), Transportation, Infrastructure, and Technology & Connected City that is
already underway or targeted for potential work/action in 2015. These correspond to the leading priority responses from
Council in advance of the retreat. An initial reaction and potential ranking of importance from each Council Member
could be helpful and will allow staff to allocate available resources appropriately in the work program, recognizing that
most City staff are engaged in ongoing programs and service delivery, and only a small percentage are charged with
fulfilment of projects like these.
Projects related directly to Social Services. Healthy Cities, and Transparency and Open Government have not yet been
identified (one Council Member in each of these areas identified these as priorities).
Some blank rows are at the end of the sheet for Council to add possible projects.
COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING
c Comp. Plan Update
Prepare an update to the City’s governing land use plan based on significant public input and conduct concurrent environmental review of
cumulative impacts to the Year 2030.
High Medium Low
C Coordinated Area Plan for Fry’s Site
Prepare a detailed plan for the 15-acre Fry’s site through a community-based planning process.
High Medium Low
C Annual Limit on Office/R&D
Support a discussion by the City Council regarding ways to meter the pace of office/R&D development. High Medium Low
C Sustainability and Climate Action Plan
Develop world class goals and strategy to guide next generation sustainability efforts for City and community.
High Medium Low
C Parks, Trails, Open Space & Recreation Master Plan Develop a Parks and Recreation Master Plan to guide future renovations, expansions and improvements High Medium Low
INFRASTRUCTURE
I Cal Ave Streetscape Completion in March 2015. High Medium Low
I Public Safety Building Project
Create a new facility built to Essential Services standards to house Police, 911 Dispatch, Emergency Services, Fire Admin, and the
Emergency Operations Center
High Medium Low
I Fire Station No. 3 Replacement
Rebuild Fire Station No.3 at Embarcadero Road and Newell Road
High Medium Low
I Lucie Stern Mechanical & Electrical Upgrades
Rehabilitate and improve the existing building systems including fire/life safety components for Lucie Stern Community Center, the
Children’s Theater and the Community Theater
High Medium Low
I El Camino Park Project
Restoration of El Camino Park following the Emergency Water Reservoir Project with new amenities including athletic fields and lighting,
restroom, parking lot, and bike path
High Medium Low
I Baylands Interpretive Center Improvements
Improvements to aging Center including Boardwalk repair feasibility study, and replacement of Center railing, decking, siding, flooring,
cabinetry and doors High Medium Low
Categorize by Council
Priority Here Rank by Importance
Here
Page 2 January 31, 2015
I Sidewalk Repairs Project Continue sidewalk repairs to complete 30 year district cycle leveraging budget doubled per IBRC recommendations High Medium Low
I Street Resurfacing Program
Continue resurfacing streets to meet average citywide pavement condition index (PCI) score of 85 by 2019
High Medium Low
I Organics Facilities Plan Replace incinerators with new biosolids handling system
High Medium Low
I Byxbee Park – Landfill Capping and Trail Construction
Completion of landfill capping and new trail construction in advance of larger Council Infrastructure Plan Byxbee Park project
High Medium Low
I Cubberley Community Center
Begin maintenance and planning in accordance with new city/school district lease
High Medium Low
I Foothills Park 7.7 Acres
High Medium Low
I Junior Museum & Zoo Project
High Medium Low
I Utilities Infrastructure Replacement & Improvement
Continue replacement of aging infrastructure on Water, Gas, Wastewater and Electric Utilities High Medium Low
I Utility Meter Replacement Program
High Medium Low
I Sewer Lateral Cleanout & Replacement High Medium Low
I Utility Substation Improvements
High Medium Low
I Electric Utility System Improvements Continue to increase system capacity for load growth High Medium Low
I Downtown Parking Garage
Finalize location, select design concept, begin preliminary design
High Medium Low
I Highway 101 Pedestrian/Bicycle Overcrossing at Adobe Creek Select design concept and begin preliminary design for new, year-round Pedestrian/Bicycle Overcrossing High Medium Low
I Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Project
Preliminary design and environmental assessment for the corridor project from Fabian Way to Miranda Avenue
High Medium Low
LAND USE
LU NOFA
Make the city’s affordable housing funds available for the renovation or construction of deed-restricted affordable housing.
High Medium Low
LU Housing Impact Fee Update
Support the City Council’s review and adjustment of the City’s impact fee program for affordable housing.
High Medium Low
LU Seismically Vulnerable Building Ordinance
Update the inventory of seismically vulnerable buildings and support City Council consideration of an ordinance with priorities and
incentives and requirements for addressing hazards.
High Medium Low
LU Business Registry
Implement an easy to use, online business registry tool and deliver key data about businesses in Palo Alto
High Medium Low
TRANSPORTATION
T Bike & Pedestrian Plan Implementation
Finalize Concept Plan Line work for 23 ongoing bicycle boulevard projects
High Medium Low
T TMA Formation
Establish an independent non-profit organization to provide information and incentives aimed at reducing use of single occupant vehicles
by people who work in Palo Alto.
Page 3 January 31, 2015
High Medium Low
T Shuttle Expansion
Expand shuttle service and implement other strategies to increase shuttle ridership.
High Medium Low
T Parking Guidance System and Garage Access/Revenue Controls
Implement garage technologies that make it easier for drivers to access parking garages. High Medium Low
T Parking Garage “Wayfinding”
Replace and enhance signage so that drivers can find parking, building in capacity for changeable messages where appropriate (i.e.
parking guidance systems).
High Medium Low
T Traffic Signal Modernization
Upgrade the City’s traffic signals to improve their reliability and functionality.
High Medium Low
T Speed Survey Updates
Develop new speed surveys along residential arterial streets to allow for traffic enforcement.
High Medium Low
T Embarcadero Road
Improve traffic operations on the segment of Embarcadero Road between Alma and El Camino Real.
High Medium Low
T Parking Capacity Projects
Increase the off street parking spaces available to serve employees and visitors.
High Medium Low
T Downtown Parking Management Study
Analyze the issues and opportunities associated with establishing paid parking Downtown.
High Medium Low
T Midtown Connector Project Phase 1 study to evaluate East-West Bicycle and Pedestrian Connection through Midtown. High Medium Low
TECHNOLOGY
Tech Telecom Ordinance Support the City Attorney’s office project to update the City’s Telecom Ordinance to reflect recent Federal rule making. High Medium Low
Tech Fiber-to-the-Premise Master Plan Assessment
Perform assessment to evaluate the feasibility of building out a citywide Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) Network in Palo Alto.
High Medium Low
Tech Wireless Network Master Plan Assessment Perform assessment to evaluate the feasibility of building out a citywide Wireless Network in Palo Alto. High Medium Low
ZONING
Z Retail Preservation Ordinance (Downtown) Support City Council Consideration of Potential Modifications to Retail Protections in Downtown. High Medium Low
Z Retail Preservation Ordinance (Cal Ave)
Support City Council Consideration of Potential Modifications to Retail Protections in the Cal. Ave. area.
High Medium Low
Z Parking Exemption Ordinance Support City Council consideration of changes to the list of available parking exemptions in the City’s Zoning Ordinance. High Medium Low
Z PC Zoning Reform
Support City Council Consideration of Reforms to the PC Zoning Process.
High Medium Low
Z CPI – Related Zoning Ordinance
Draft an Ordinance for consideration by the City Council regarding siting and risks associated with plating shops of similar uses.
High Medium Low
Z Lot Consolidation Ordinance for Small Housing Sites
Begin implementation of the City’s adopted housing element by initiating discussion of a lot consolidation ordinance.
High Medium Low
Z Vacation Rental Ordinance (also Home Occupations)
Support the City Council’s consideration of an ordinance regulating vacation rentals in residential zoning districts.
High Medium Low
Page 4 January 31, 2015
Z Individual Review (IR) Program Review Conduct an impartial review of the IR process and recommend any necessary changes. High Medium Low
Z Professorville Design Guidelines
Complete neighborhood specific guidelines.
High Medium Low
Z Annual Code Clean-Up Undertake an annual review of code interpretations and needed zoning code (clean-up) changes.
High Medium Low
Z Build to Line
Eliminate the Build to Line requirement in some areas and adjust in others.
High Medium Low
3. Meeting Management/Procedures and Policies Committees/
Boards/Liaison Role
Staff received the following suggestions from Council Members regarding
meeting management.
Mayor Holman:
1. Council to set policy by prioritizing projects/directives for the staff
based on a work plan provided by the various CAO's. Prioritization to
be based on timeliness, urgency, desire, nearing completion, staffing,
etc
Reason: It should not be a pressure on staff to decide/guess what they
should be working on among a long list of projects especially as prioritization
is a policy decision.
2. Direct staff to bring to Council those issues/trends emerging and
otherwise that present policy questions that are best discussed and
decided after public vetting of the issue. Issues should be brought
forward in a timely manner and as soon as is practicable, individually
or collectively whichever is the more timely.
There might also be issues that staff wants to/should make Council aware of
such as the lot combinations that currently appear to be taking place on
California Avenue.
Examples include:
• loss of retail/services uses converting to general office
• basement space converting from traditional retail support use to general
office (leads to changed office population, parking/traffic concerns, etc)
• increased office occupancy density beyond what is considered in code (4
per thousand)
• parking considerations that may need reconsideration from a policy
perspective (mixed use
• demolition of historic homes whereby the owner has circumvented
Individual Review (CEQA) by proposing a single story home and then sells
to another owner who then proposed a two story home.
3. Meeting efficiency: In the event that a Council Member intends a
motion other than the staff recommendation, provide the motion to
the City Clerk via digital means. This will alleviate the staff having to
transcribe in real time and save time in deciphering and editing by the
author.
4. Meeting efficiency, transparency, balanced information: Staff reports
to offer options that are available to the Council (Board/Commission).
This will save time exploring and crafting motions by Council
members.
5. Meeting efficiency, public participation: Make every effort to keep us
on schedule, commit to hearing the public who have come to speak to
an item in the timeframe that the item was noticed. If this cannot be
accomplished due to an especially complex item on the same agenda,
make best effort to inform the public their item will not be heard. The
mayor will remind Council of this during the meeting.
Vice Mayor Schmid:
1. Set a hard ending time for Council sessions at 11pm and plan
accordingly. Exceptions only under extreme circumstances.
2. When Council time estimates call for it, limit Council times for
questions (pre-Council written questions should cover most of key
issues)
3. Give Chair more discretion to limit Council comment time
4. Give Council periodic agenda item to make comments on Council
agenda priorities
Council Member Burt:
1. Completion of Core Values adoption.
2. Prospective legislative proposals. First, reforms that may be needed to
correct consequences of the state housing density bonus legislation
that appear to be counter to the intentions of the legislation by
exacerbating jobs/housing imbalances. Second, identification of
legislative reforms that would be needed to remove barriers to future
best environmental practices of fuel switching to clean electricity.
3. Proactive senior staff level participation in identification of community
trends that may need CC policy reconsideration prior to accumulated
severe impacts and consequent crisis management.
4. Greater use of “committee as a whole” meetings of the CC to have less
formal and deeper discussions of given high level topics. These would
be similar to Study Sessions, but involve more informal dialogue
among CC members, similar to how the annual CC retreat functions.
5. Review of CC Policies and Procedures by P&S. Consideration of
different telephone participation guidelines for Closed Session items
than for Open Session items. Consideration of whether brief comments
should be permitted on Consent Items by CC members other than
comments on items to be pulled from Consent or items that a CC
member opposed. Clarify the respective roles of the CM/staff and the
Mayor/Vice mayor in the setting of agendas.
Council Member DuBois:
1. We should challenge ourselves to a Council meeting "moonshot" with
the goal of keeping council meetings to 3 hours. This will require
saving time on nearly all aspects of meetings;
a. Staff reports - limit to 15% of allocated time, be concise and focus
on new info not in report.
b. Public comment - recognize people that make a point, poll the
audience for agreement, and then ask that only NEW points be
made
c. Consider a "chess clock" style of time keeping - all council
members have a suggested 40 minutes for Q&A/Motions per
meeting to be split among items as they desire. Start as a
recommendation, allowing people to exceed time limit it, but track
and report it to encourage self regulation.
d. Try to change culture so that everyone doesn't feel need to speak on
every item.
e. Use electronic devices to send motion to clerk to save time
dictating/editing.
f. Specify sub-times in large agenda items and study sessions, x% for
presentation, y% for Q&A
2. Council committee for each of top priorities to enable Council to have
more policy involvement on its top priorities. Model after
RHMC. Quarterly updates on goals to entire council.
3. Consent calendar needs to be non-controversial items. Consider
changing back to 2 votes to remove from consent, specifying dollar
limits for what goes on consent. Updating appeal procedure for
resident that pays money to have appeal heard - should get to speak
for 10 minutes.
4. Council priorities should be outlined with directions to our key advisory
commissions and boards on how we want projects evaluated and
criteria we'd like them to use in their report back to us. Council to
approve and send specific directions to ARB, PTC. HRB, and Parks &
Rec
Council Member Kniss:
1. Time and topic management
2. Breaks…to take or not to take.
3. Public Comment- Better time to take, than at the start of the
meeting?
Council Member Wolbach:
I have three suggestions with the goals of improving efficiency of City
Council meetings, saving time; saving money (for staff and consultant time);
and encouraging civic participation.
1. Schedule of Council meetings
Change regular Council meetings to the first and third Mondays of
each month, with the second and fourth Mondays reserved as
"overflow" in case of unfinished business from the regular meetings.
This adds an incentive to be concise and keep meetings on schedule
(to avoid extra meetings), and saves time for all involved. Also,
unfinished items would be picked up again in a week at a short
meeting, rather than disappearing into the ether.
2. Digital timers
Add two digital timers to the presentation wall (facing Hamilton Ave) in
Council Chambers. Start the first timer (at zero, counting up) at the
start of each agenda item. Start the second timer (at zero, counting
up) when each person begins a comment. Apply to council members,
staff, and public, whether or not there is a time limit to their
comments. This would serve as a subtle, constant, and public reminder
to be concise.
3. Utilizing written record and technology; avoiding reading aloud
at meetings
Staff reports, updates, slide presentations, and resolutions should be
made available digitally and in print in advance of (and following)
meetings and entered into the official record without generally needing
to be read aloud during a meeting. Where possible, this should apply
to other city meetings (committee, commission, and public outreach)
as well. Verbal comments should add valuable content, rather than
simply voicing an already written document.