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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 6495 City of Palo Alto (ID # 6495) City Council Staff Report Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 2/8/2016 City of Palo Alto Page 1 Summary Title: Community Services Element Title: Review and Discussion Regarding the Draft Community Services & Facilities Element Recommended by the Comprehensive Plan Update Citizens Advisory Commission (CAC) From: City Manager Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment Recommendation Staff recommends that Council review the Draft Community Services & Facilities Element recommended by the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) for the Comprehensive Plan Update, and provide staff with comments to inform a revised version for consideration in the context of a completed draft of the Comprehensive Plan Update. Executive Summary The draft Community Services & Facilities Element is the first of six elements that the CAC will recommended for consideration by the City Council over the course of this year. This element is the product of hundreds of hours of work by the full CAC, a subcommittee of the CAC, staff, and consultants, and was based on the City Council’s direction regarding vision and goals, as well as input from the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) and the public. The City Council’s initial review and comments will inform preparation of a revised version that will be considered further in the context of a completed draft of the Comprehensive Plan Update. Background Since as early as 2008, the City began its process to update the existing Comprehensive Plan. The Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) provided their recommendation to the City Council in 2014, and subsequently adopted a broad outreach plan to re-integrate community involvement in the process. Following a successful set of community meetings that culminated in the May 2015 “Summit”, the City Council created a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to inform the Comprehensive Plan City of Palo Alto Page 2 update and serve as a bridge between high-level Council guidance on the goals and vision statements for each element and residents comments and suggestions. The CAC first met in July of 2015 and has held six meetings and four subcommittee meetings since. The first element reviewed by the CAC was the Community Services & Facilities Element, in August 2015. Council provided their feedback on the goals and vision statement that month, and the CAC created a subcommittee to review the CAC’s work and incorporate staff and other community feedback in October. A draft element was reviewed by the CAC in November, and referred back to the subcommittee in December. Discussion Per Council direction, the draft element retains much of the character and structure of the existing document. No new goals have been added, although Goal 3 is an amalgamation of the existing Goal 3 and the PTC’s work on this goal, and Goals 4 and 5 are based on the PTC’s suggestions. Where possible and appropriate, the CAC and staff attempted to better align the policies and programs using a simple construction – policies are intended to be high-level and ongoing approaches to achieving the goal they are grouped under, while programs are intended to have a beginning, middle, and end, and can be deleted when the program is completed. Themes Incorporated into the Draft The CAC embraced a suite of themes that they believed should be reflected in the draft element. These themes are a mix of new concepts not in the previous element; responses to new trends or issue; and/or attempts to better reorganize concepts. These themes are evident throughout the draft element. Staff identified these themes as the following: 1. Inclusion Early in the discussions at the CAC was recognition that the existing element does not satisfactorily incorporate the need to include all of the City’s residents into the varied collection of community services provided. Not only did the CAC feel as though that at times the existing element did not use the right terminology to describe the City’s diverse population, but that the element needed to better describe how residents could be included and be made aware of the services available. Examples of how inclusion is incorporated into the draft element include: A policy that focuses on promoting inclusiveness, tolerance and acceptance of others through teen programs and activities is included. To ensure inclusiveness among groups of varying ages, ethnicities, genders, socioeconomic groups, and physical and mental abilities; policies and programs are incorporated that promote greater community participation by identifying strategies to remove barriers to participation such as reducing language and cultural barriers. 2. Participation in civic life – The concept of participation in civic life was also recognized early by CAC members as missing from the existing element. The CAC believed that City of Palo Alto Page 3 simply having and publicizing the city’s community services was not enough; instead, it was important to cultivate the notion that by taking advantage of the services available residents were participating in the public sphere and that should be celebrated. Examples of how participation in civic life is incorporated into the draft element include: a policy that encourages public participation in civic life, and a program that establishes a way to inform new residents and business of opportunities to become involved in civic life. 3. Vitality of Palo Alto – A unifying idea for most CAC members is that Palo Alto has such a rich collection of community services (libraries, arts, culture, parks, etc.) that the City is a more dynamic and vibrant place. “Vitality” is the term agreed upon to describe this mix. 4. Better connection to schools and school-age children’s needs – A Comprehensive Plan is the guiding document specific to the municipality that creates it. Because schools and other self-governing entities fall outside the scope of comprehensive plans (they are not guided by them and have their own principal documents), schools are only indirectly referenced. However, there are many opportunities to discuss the desired relationship between the City and the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD), and CAC members provided language and feedback to strengthen the connection between the two entities. Examples of how the City and PAUSD connection is incorporated into the draft element include: Several policies and programs are included that highlight the importance of a City and PAUSD partnership to improve access, maximize the use of school facilities and programs, coordinate mutual interests, and avoid duplication of programs. References to pre-K children have also been included. 5. Services for teens – CAC members, as is the Palo Alto community at large, expressed their desire to expand the current set of services available to teens. Palo Alto’s tragic recent history played a key role in the CAC’s work related to better connecting Palo Alto’s teens and the services available to them from the City. Examples of how services for teens is incorporated into the draft element include: polices that focus on funding and promotion of programs and activities specifically for teens that strengthen leadership skills, and encourage a culture built on community service, inclusiveness, tolerance, and acceptance, including a policy to identify places in the community specifically for teens. 6. Emphasis on the diversity of citywide programming – As articulated by CAC members and in particular members of the subcommittee, the existing element does not adequately describe the myriad community services available and their richness in quality and quantity. Examples of how citywide programming diversity is incorporated into the draft element include: Special attention was paid to expanding the library City of Palo Alto Page 4 section of the narrative, and adding new language related to the arts and culture opportunities in the City. Several policies also recognize the need for programs that satisfy the diverse range of interests of youth and teens. 7. Redefinition of “customer service” – Both the City Council and CAC members expressed concern that the existing element did not define the concept of “customer service” properly and that the policies and programs under Goal Two did not sufficiently express the strong relationship between residents and City staff. For many members of the CAC, the term “customer service” expressed an association with service provided during a retail or commercial exchange. Members believed that the service provided by City staff is a “higher level” of service, and that its nomenclature should reflect this difference. It was difficult for members to agree upon a term that best expressed this difference, but most were comfortable with “public service” or “service to the public” to communicate the concept. Examples of how issues around customer service are incorporated into the draft element include: removal of the term “customer” throughout the element to focus on providing a higher level of service to the community through staff training and performance reviews. Programs include periodically evaluating City service delivery and developing continuously improvement strategies. 8. Increased and stronger connection to metrics to measure success – As currently written, the existing element does not widely incorporate metrics to measure success of programs. CAC members wanted more and better metrics to be included to ensure that there would be quantifiable ways to measure programmatic achievement. Metrics were discussed to measure the success in city service, in the provision of the service, and how well staff was doing. In those places where no metrics exist or none could be agreed upon, programs directing staff to create such metrics were included. Examples of how metrics are incorporated into the draft element include: use of metrics to measure service delivery performance of City departments. 9. Recognition of upcoming Parks Master Plan – The Community Services Department’s (CSD) Director and staff played a key role in informing the CAC during their deliberations on the draft element, and are the key department to be affected and required to implement the language in this part of the Comprehensive Plan. CSD is currently in the final stages of drafting a draft Parks, Trails, Open Space and Recreation Master Plan for review by the City Council in Fall 2016. The Master Plan will have a much greater level of detail than the high-level goals, policies, and programming that this (or any) Comprehensive Plan typically has. Additionally, fundamental concepts around the appropriate amount of parkland per resident, among others, will be City of Palo Alto Page 5 addressed in the Plan, and as such, the draft element contains references to the Plan where information is not yet available. Examples of how the Parks Master Plan is incorporated into the draft element include: reference to and reliance upon the Master Plan document with respect to maintenance, enhancement, and development of community facilities and open spaces. Timeline As stated previously, the Community Services Element is the first of six elements to be reviewed by the City Council after their development and recommendation by the CAC this year. Once all elements are recommended and reviewed by the City Council, they will be incorporated into a complete draft of the Comprehensive Plan Update for additional review and consideration by the City Council. Staff anticipates that the CAC will assist staff to better connect the document together as a whole, review final narrative language, and “tie up” any remaining issues as the complete draft is assembled towards the end of this year. In addition to the six elements being developed and recommended by the CAC this year (Community Services and Facilities, Transportation, Land Use & Community Design, Natural Resources, Safety, and Business & Economics), the complete draft will contain an implementation chapter prioritizing the implementation actions from each of the elements, and a governance chapter or users guide explaining how decisions are made in Palo Alto and how the Comprehensive Plan is used to inform those decisions. City Council review and guidance will be necessary as these final chapters are developed. Resource Impact General plan updates are significant undertakings for any jurisdiction and since 2008, the City of Palo Alto has invested time and resources in the project. The need to allocate multiple members of City staff, significant time on the City Council’s agenda, and financial resources for consultant assistance and event/meeting programming will continue until the adoption of the updated Comprehensive Plan and its companion environmental document. Some new programs within the draft element will require additional or redirected resources. The Community Services Department has been reviewing the draft element and working with the CAC since its earliest meetings, and is aware of this potential. Environmental Review A Draft Enivornmental Impact Report (DEIR) is being prepared. A Final EIR incorporating the DEIR, substantive comments on the DEIR as well as written responses to those comments, and needed changes to the text and analysis of the DEIR will be proposed for adoption concurrent with the Comprehensive Plan Update. Attachments:  Attachment A: Draft Community Services & Facilities Element (PDF) COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-1 6 This preliminary draft element was prepared by City staff on the basis of input from the CAC and members of the public received in August 2015. The element was reviewed by the full CAC on November 17, 2015 and referred back to the CSF Subcommittee. That refined product will be presented to Palo Alto City Council in February 2016. INTRODUCTION Palo Alto provides a diverse array of community services and facilities for those who live, work, and go to school in the city. Community services and facilities play a vital role in fostering public health and enriching the social life of the community. A nationally recognized leader in delivery of public services, the City of Palo Alto is committed to providing high quality, responsive service for its residents and businesses. The City of Palo Alto is also committed to a leadership role within the Mid-Peninsula and greater Bay Area region, promoting efficient service delivery and addressing shared community service needs that cross jurisdictional lines. The Community Services and Facilities Element is not explicitly required by State law; however, the topics addressed here are all key components of the high quality of life that Palo Alto offers. This Element describes the range of community services, programs, and facilities currently provided in Palo Alto, and outlines City policy intended to maintain and enhance these services and facilities to suit the needs of the city's diverse population now and in the future. VISION: Palo Alto will provide high quality community services to its residents, businesses, and visitors. Its schools, libraries, parks, community facilities, and arts and cultural centers are treasured and will be enhanced to serve current and future generations. Its police and fire services will be managed to provide consistently high levels of public safety. The City will continue to provide services and programs that meet the needs of special populations—including children, seniors, and people with disabilities—as well as programs in recreation, lifelong learning, and the arts that benefit all populations. Palo Alto’s success in providing these services will be expressed and measured by the satisfaction of the public at large. The City will pursue new ways to deliver community services in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. It will coordinate its efforts with other public agencies, nonprofits, and the private sector to reduce overlap and maximize the use of resources. ATTACHMENT A PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-2 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 CONNECTIONS TO OTHER ELEMENTS Different aspects of the topics addressed in this Element are echoed in other Elements of the Comprehensive Plan. For example, police and fire prevention services are addressed in the Safety and Noise Element, while solid waste collection and disposal services—and the potential associated environmental impacts—are addressed in the Natural Environment Element. The Housing and Transportation Elements also have strong connections to this element, as the appropriate placement for various populations of Palo Alto residents near the amenities listed in the element, as well as their ability to travel to and from such amenities is critical. While parks, recreational, and cultural facilities are a central focus of the Community Services Element, the protection and preservation of natural open spaces is a key concern of the Natural Environment Element. The theme of partnering with other organizations in the community and collaborating with regional initiatives to provide services to Palo Alto residents is also an important feature of the Governance Element. EXISTING COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES PARKS, RECREATION, AND CULTURAL AMENITIES With approximately 4,150 acres of parkland and open space within the City limits, Palo Alto provides more parkland than most other communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. The City also operates three community centers, an aquatics center, three theatres, two museums, plus a robust public art program, artist studio program, art classes and space, galleries, and maker space program. The City also offers a wide variety of classes, programs, and special events for people of all ages and abilities. Table C-1 lists parks, recreation, and cultural facilities in Palo Alto, providing a brief description of amenities available at each location. Map C-1 shows the location of parks and recreational facilities. In addition, Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) schools and Stanford University all have parks, recreational and cultural facilities in or Cogswell Plaza Scott Park Johnson Park Bol Park Eleanor Pardee Park Terman Park Briones Park Boulware Park Mitchell Park Bowling Green Park Seale Park Wallis Park Peers Park Bowden Park Monroe Park Robles Park Ramos Park Weisshaar Park Werry Park Mayfield Park Cameron Park Greer Park El Camino Park Baylands Athletic Center Foothills Park Esther Clark Park Heritage Park Hoover Park Hopkins Creekside Rinconada Park El Palo Alto Park §¨¦280 |ÿ82 £¤101 Foothill Expressway Mountain View East Palo Alto Stanford Los Altos Hills Menlo Park S A N F R A N C I S C O B A Y Middlefield Road Los Altos Arastradero Preserve Baylands Preserve Byxbee Park ·«1 ·«2 ·«3 ·«4 ·«5 ·«6 ·«7 ·«8 ·«9 ·«10 ·«11 ·«12 ·«13 ·«14 ·«15 Alma Street El Ca min o Real Oregon Expressway Em ba r c ad e ro Ro ad East Charleston Road Louis RoadWaverly Street Seale Avenue L o m a V erd e Aven u e Channing Avenue East M e a d o w Driv e San Antonio Road C olora d o A ve n ue Willo w Road Lincoln Avenue Hamilton Avenue West Charleston Road University Avenue Source: Palo Alto Unified School District, 2012; PlaceWorks, 2015. P RE L IM I NAR Y D RA F T M A P C-1 P A R K S , R E C R E A T I O N A L F A C I L I T I E S A N D O P E N S P A C E P A L O A L T O C O M P R E H E N S I V E P L A NCOMMUNITY S E R V I C E S & F A C I L I T I E S E L E M E N T 0 0.25 0.5 Miles Arastradero Preserve Foothills Park Los Trancos Open Space Preserve Monte Bello Open Space Preserve S A N F R A N C I S C O B A Y ! ! ! ! ! ! Baylands Preserve Byxbee Park 1 Stanford-Palo Alto Playing Fields 2 Art Center 3 Baylands Interpretive Center 4 Children's Library 5 Children's Theater Cubberley Community Theater Junior Museum and Zoo Lucie Stern Community Center Rinconada Pool 6 College Terrace Branch Library 7 Cubberley Community Center 8 Downtown Branch Library 9 Golf Course 10 Gunn H.S. Pool 11 Main Library 12 Mitchell Park Branch Library 13 Mitchell Park Community Center 14 Senior Center of Palo Alto 15 Skateboard Park at Greer Park Railroads Park/Open Space Recreational Facilities City Limit ·«# Recreational Facilities PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-4 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-5 TABLE C-1 PALO ALTO PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES Park or Facility Acres Amenities Mini Parks Bowden Park 2 Open turf area, children’s playground, benches, picnic tables, and public art Bowling Green Park 2 Lawn bowling area, clubhouse, open turf area Boulware Park 1.5 Open turf area, children’s playground, picnic tables, benches, basketball court Cameron Park 1.1 Open turf area, children’s playground, benches, and picnic tables Cogswell Plaza .5 Open turf area, seating area, and benches. During the summer months there are free concerts held at noon on Thursdays El Palo Alto Park 0.5 Paved bike path used for walking and biking, and the site of El Palo Alto Mayfield Park 1.1 Open turf area, picnic tables, and benches Monroe Park 0.55 Open turf area, children’s playground, benches, and a paved pathway Scott Park 0.4 Open turf area, basketball court, children’s playground, bocce court, and benches Weisshaar Park 1.1 Open turf area, two tennis courts, benches, and picnic tables Werry Park 1.1 Open turf area, children’s playground, and picnic tables Wallis Park 0.3 Benches and public art Neighborhood Parks Baylands Athletic Center 6 One softball diamond, one baseball field with a 500-seat grandstand, snack facility, restrooms, benches, picnic tables, and a parking lot Bol Park 13.8 Open turf areas, lighted bicycle/pedestrian paved path, and a children’s playground Briones Park 4.1 Open turf area, children’s playground, basketball court, picnic tables, and benches Byxbee Park 126.7 Trails, park benches, interpretive signs, restrooms, and a parking lot Eleanor Pardee Park 9.6 Open turf area, two children’s playgrounds, paved path, picnic tables, community garden, multi- purpose concrete bowl, and a September 11 memorial grove El Camino Park 12.2 Open turf area, artificial turf soccer/lacrosse field with bleachers and lights, natural grass softball field with bleachers and lights, restroom, parking lot, paved bike path, decomposed granite walking path, picnic tables, and benches Greer Park 22 Five soccer fields, three softball fields, one little league diamond, two basketball courts, small dog run, skateboard bowl, and a children’s playground Heritage Park 2.01 Open turf area, children’s playground, picnic tables, benches, and walking path Hoover Park 4.2 Open turf area, children’s playground, two tennis courts, two handball courts, tennis backboard, softball field, and a dog run Hopkins Creekside 12.4 Two open turf areas, benches, and picnic tables Johnson Park 2.5 Children’s playground, basketball half court, picnic tables, sand volleyball pit, and community garden Mitchell Park 21.4 Open turf areas, shuffleboard courts, checkerboard/chess tables, seven tennis courts, two paddle and four handball courts, jogging trails, group picnic areas with barbecues, four children’s playgrounds, two restrooms, dog park, parking lot, public art, multi-purpose bowl, horseshoe pits, Magical Bridge Playground Peers Park 4.7 Open turf area, children’s playground, two tennis courts, picnic tables, benches, basketball court, field house, and restroom Ramos Park 4.4 Open turf area, walking path, children’s playground, picnic tables, basketball court, benches, and a multi-purpose bowl Rinconada Park 19 Open turf areas, community swimming pool, picnic areas, nine tennis courts (six with lights), two shuffleboard courts, playground, paved walking paths, restroom, multi-purpose bowl, redwood grove, community garden PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-6 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 TABLE C-1 PALO ALTO PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES Park or Facility Acres Amenities Robles Park 4.7 Open turf area, pathway, children’s playground, multi-purpose bowl, benches, picnic tables with barbecues, and a softball backstop. Seale Park 4.3 Open turf area, children’s playground, multi-purpose bowl with basketball hoop, picnic tables, and benches Terman Park 7.7 Open turf area, four tennis courts, one basketball court, two soccer fields, one softball field, and a walk/bike path Cultural Children's Theater N/A Offering over 170 performances a year by children for children Cubberley Comm. Theater N/A 317-seat venue with modern technical facilities, suitable for dance performances, orchestra or music concerts, corporate or cultural presentations, film screenings and lectures provides year round performances of high quality operas, plays and musicals by the West Bay Opera, TheatreWorks and Palo Alto Players Art Center N/A Regional visual art center offers art classes and has exhibition program that focuses on recognizing the art of the San Francisco Bay Area Junior Museum and Zoo N/A Children’s science education center with year-round after-school science programs, interactive science exhibits and zoo featuring 50 exotic and native animals Avenidas Senior Center of Palo Alto N/A Classes, lectures, trips, tours and special events Recreation Cubberley Comm. Center N/A Space for community meetings, social events, dances, theater performances, music rehearsals and athletic events Golf Course N/A 18-hole championship length course, lighted driving range, restaurant, and practice putting green area Gunn H.S. Pool N/A Lap swim Lucie Stern Community Center N/A Rooms are available for rent for meetings, weddings, receptions, and parties. Community Theater provides year-round performances, operas, plays, and musicals by the West Bay Opera, TheatreWorks, and Palo Alto Players. Mitchell Park Community Center N/A Dedicated Teen Center, meeting rooms for retreats, events, meetings and classes Rinconada Pool N/A Aquatic programs including lap swim, recreational swim and swim lessons for every age and interest; dressing rooms and showers Skateboard Park at Greer Park N/A Concrete bowl Stanford-Palo Alto Playing Fields N/A Two regulation-size soccer/rugby fields, restrooms, snack facility, benches and small picnic tables Open Space Baylands Preserve 1,940 Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center, wildlife observation platforms and benches, trails, duck pond, native plant nursery, Eco-Center, and sailing station boardwalk Esther Clark Nature Preserve 21.7 Undeveloped nature reserve of grasslands and oaks Foothills Park 1,400 Hiking trails, fishing and boating lake, camping facilities, Nature Interpretive Center, picnic area Pearson-Arastradero Preserve 622 Trails, fishing, parking lot, and Nature Center PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-7 adjacent to Palo Alto. The City and PAUSD have a long-standing cooperative agreement that provides community access to PAUSD playing fields at all elementary and middle schools when PAUSD does not need use of the fields. Palo Alto’s parks, community centers, and cultural amenities are an important part of what makes the City a desirable place to live. The City is committed to the continued investment in, and proactive stewardship of, its infrastructure and public facilities, as resources are available and in consideration of the costly effects of delayed maintenance. This commitment requires a strong emphasis on maintenance, rehabilitation, and modernization. Retrofitting and renovating existing facilities is important to ensure that community facilities remain relevant and accessible. In addition, the City is committed to providing new facilities in areas that are under- served, and in areas where change is expected in the future. The principle of equal access and inclusivity for all members of the Palo Alto community is an integral part of this commitment. Equal access is based on the location of facilities, their design, and the availability of transportation to reach them. New parks, plazas, community facilities, and cultural amenities will help the City achieve the goal of “walkable” residential neighborhoods and sustain its position as a model for public service delivery. New facilities should be designed to allow for changing community needs and demographics. Flexibility is essential, both in the initial layout of the space and in its on-going use. The City will also adapt existing facilities to ensure their accessibility and inclusivity to all persons, and will improve bicycle, pedestrian, and transit provisions to reduce reliance on the automobile. LIBRARIES The Palo Alto City Library operates five branches that cater to the needs of a wide range of users, from preschool-aged children to teens, adults, and senior citizens. Collections include adult and children’s fiction and non-fiction books, reference material, magazines, newspapers, local community archives, DVDs, and CDs. Branches offer lending materials and a host of additional services, including free wireless internet access, public internet computers, laptops for loan, and a meeting room. Robust programs include story times, teen programs, book and author introductions and non-profit shared events. Table C-2 shows the locations of the branches and a description of the facilities and services they provide. PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-8 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 TABLE C-2 PALO ALTO LIBRARIES Library Name Location Square Footage Facilities Services Year Constructed Year Renovated Mitchell Park Branch 3700 Middlefield Road 41,000 Conference room, five meeting/ study rooms, kiosks, public internet terminals, reference materials, magazines and newspapers, DVDs and CDs, Books-on-CD Wireless internet access, laptops for loan 1958 2013 Rinconada Library 1213 Newell Road 30,313 Conference room, two meeting rooms, public internet terminals, archives, public internet terminals, historic collections, and research Wireless internet access, laptops for loan 1958 2014 Downtown Branch 270 Forest Avenue 8,774 Children reading space, meeting room, collection of CDs, DVDs, magazines, newspapers Wireless internet access, laptops for loan 1971 2011 Children’s Library 1276 Harriet Street 6,043 Public internet access, public reading space, internet stations, media collections, children’s magazines, a preschool computer Wireless internet access, laptops for loan 1940 College Terrace Branch 2300 Wellesley Avenue 2,392 Remote access and delivery, DVD collection Young children story time, wireless access, laptops for loan 1936 2009 Library E-Branch Online n/a Conference room, five meeting/study rooms, kiosks, public internet terminals, n/a 1936 2009 The Palo Alto City Library has embraced technology to enhance the delivery of services to the community. The Library website functions as a virtual branch, offering online reference materials, online registration for library cards; downloadable e- books, audio books, films, music, and museum passes; online training and practice tests; and other electronic resources for all ages. Additionally, all branches offer well- used self-service check out kiosks. All five library branches were renovated between 2006 and 2015 to meet the diverse and varied needs of the community. Renovation and expansion of the Mitchell Park Library was completed in 2014 and the facility and is now the largest branch, with state-of-the-art equipment and a collection of over 140,000 items, including books in various languages. Major renovations on the Main Library were also completed in 2014, and the branch re-opened with a new name—Rinconada Library. The remodeled branch now houses a new program room, group study rooms and new PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-9 public restrooms. The City Library also completed extensive renovations of the Downtown Branch in 2011 and a seismic retrofit and upgrade of the Collage Terrace Branch in 2009, as well as a major expansion of the Children's Library. The City Library receives funding from a $76 million general obligation bond passed in 2008. Library revenues are supplemented through the fund-raising activities of Friends of the Palo Alto Public Library (FOPAL), an active member-supported non- profit organization dedicated to supporting the Palo Alto Public Library and its users through volunteerism, book sales, and advocacy. The Palo Alto Library Foundation played an important role in raising funds for a modern, dynamic library system to serve the needs of Palo Alto; however, its mission was deemed complete with the re- opening of Rinconada Library and the Foundation ceased operating on June 30, 2015. ARTS AND CULTURE The rich cultural offering in Palo Alto contributes to the high quality of life in the community. Collectively, public, private, and non-profit groups provide a diverse and expansive arts and cultural experience, with venues for an array of activities that cater to children, adults, seniors, and families. City-operated venues, including the Palo Alto Arts Center and the Lucie Stern and Cubberley Community Centers, host exhibitions, music and dance classes, concerts, school performances, and theatre productions, as well as classes and educational programming for people of all ages. Through the Cubberley Artist Studio Program (CASP), the City sponsors affordable studio space for artists, and the Junior Museum and Zoo offers science and nature programming. The City also supports a Public Art Program and a Public Art Commission. HUMAN SERVICES The Palo Alto Office of Human Services provides a safety net of services to the community, working to enhance the quality of life in Palo Alto through the delivery of services for children, youth, teens, seniors, people with disabilities, and the unhoused. The Office of Human Services also administers a grant program to support community organizations that deliver human services to Palo Alto residents. According to the State Department of Finance, between 2015 and 2030 the proportion of seniors in Santa Clara County is projected to grow significantly, and the percentage of Palo Altans under the age of 18 will grow slightly. In recognition of this PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-10 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 trend, it is essential to develop long-term and short-term strategies to deliver the comprehensive package of services needed by these groups. At the same time, human services for all groups are constrained by limited resources. Coordination among the many agencies and organizations serving these populations is therefore critical to stretch these resources as far as possible. SERVICES FOR CHILDREN The Office of Human Services contracts for after-school care at each of Palo Alto's 12 elementary schools and maintains a register of licensed child care facilities in the city that serves as a resource for residents. The City also provides child care subsidy assistance for income-eligible residents administered through Palo Alto Community Child Care (PACCC), a private group that operates several center-based facilities in Palo Alto. This subsidy can be used at PACCC-run facilities or at other child care centers. The City has an Early Care and Education Committee that advises the City Manager on child care issues. Additionally, the Office of Human Services acts as a clearinghouse of information on how to open a child care facility in Palo Alto. YOUTH AND TEEN SERVICES The City of Palo Alto prioritizes the development of healthy youth and teens by fostering a culture of peer-to-peer support and developmental asset building. The Office of Human Services offers a wide range of services, programs and facilities for youth and teens, and partners with schools and community organizations to provide access to a broader range of educational and recreational activities available in Palo Alto. Expanding access to programs and services that meet the diverse range of interests and vocations among youth and teens is essential to their development. The City of Palo Alto supports teen leadership groups such as the Teen Arts Council, Recreation Teen Advisory Board, and Palo Alto Youth Council and operates The Drop—an afterschool teen center program at Mitchell Park Community Center. The City also continues to support programs for youth and teens that address developmental disabilities and teen mental health by partnering with nonprofit and government agencies that implement community-based mental health support, including education, suicide prevention, and intervention strategies. SENIOR SERVICES Palo Alto has, and is projected to continue to have, a higher percentage of persons over 60 years of age than almost any other city in Santa Clara County, and therefore, has a greater demand for senior services than neighboring communities. The City’s Human Relations Commission acts on behalf of any person or group that does not PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-11 benefit fully from public or private resource in the community, including expanding resources to meet the needs of seniors. The City’s Community Services Department offers a comprehensive array of services in coordination with community service providers including Avenidas, a nonprofit organization that offers a comprehensive range of services for the independent living, education, and enrichment of people age fifty and over. Avenidas’ Palo Alto Senior Center provides a central facility for the delivery of these services, as well as a social center for seniors. The City also encourages social activities that engage the senior population at its existing community facilities, including parks. SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES The City of Palo Alto supports services for persons with physical and developmental disabilities through the Human Relations Commission, Parks and Recreation Division, and City Departments including Community Services. The City also helps connect people with disabilities to specialized service providers located in the community. Additional activities for disabled persons supported by the City include The Omega Club for special needs adults 21 and over; Summer’s Excellent Adventures Camp, a summer camp for special needs children ages 5 to 13 years old; and the Santa Clara County Special Olympics. The City’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator is the Chief Building Official in the Department of Planning and Community Environment. The primary challenge for the City in the area of providing services to disabled persons is the implementation of the Compliance Plan required by the ADA. This plan identifies all of the public access projects necessary for the City to comply with the ADA. SERVICES FOR THE UNHOUSED Despite significant efforts on the part of public agencies and non-profit organizations, homelessness remains a continuing problem in all parts of Silicon Valley. Each year, thousands of residents experience an episode of homelessness, including families with children, adults employed in lower wage jobs, developmentally disabled people, youth, teens, victims of domestic violence, and veterans. The transient nature of the homelessness makes tracking the unhoused population difficult; however, as many communities in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties share boundaries, the issue of homelessness is best approached on a regional basis in coordination with other local jurisdictions and non-profit organizations. PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-12 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 In Palo Alto, services to the unhoused community are provided primarily by non- profit groups. InnVision Shelter Network operates the Palo Alto Opportunity Service Center, providing supportive services, counseling, job labor referral, transportation vouchers, and shower passes to unhoused people. The Center also coordinates the provision of groceries for needy individuals through the Food Closet located at All Saints Episcopal Church in downtown Palo Alto, and operates the "Hotel de Zink" emergency shelter out of twelve local churches, using a different church each month of the year. Heart and Home Collaborative, a nonprofit corporation operated by a group of Stanford students together with unhoused and formerly unhoused individuals, operates a seasonal shelter for women in Palo Alto. The City of Palo Alto works to address homelessness by supporting the provision of services and shelters in the community. The City administers Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Services, and has financed the development of different homeless facilities that serve the local unhoused population. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Delivering high quality City services with finite fiscal resources requires efficiency and coordination, along with recognition of changing community needs. Demand for services like child and senior care, education, and recreation continue to grow and change. Technology has revolutionized the way many services are provided, but has also added a new level of complexity. At the same time, the service delivery system itself has changed. Services that were once exclusively provided by the City may now be provided by another public entity or by a nonprofit agency or private company. The result of this trend has been a growing emphasis on partnership and coordination. The only way to achieve maximum efficiency in City service delivery is to collaborate with other jurisdictions, avoid duplication of efforts, build coalitions with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD), and enlist the assistance of businesses and volunteers to supplement City resources. The City has capacity to provide a multitude of community services because of strong partnerships with more than 50 local nonprofits and the support of active nonprofit arms including the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation, Friends of the Junior Museum and Zoo, Friends of the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, Friends of the Parks, the Palo Alto Recreation Foundation, and Friends of Foothills Park. PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-13 SCHOOLS Public schools in Palo Alto are run by the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD), an independent special-purpose local government institution separate from the City of Palo Alto. PAUSD serves students from the City of Palo Alto, portions of Los Altos Hills and Portola Valley, and the Stanford University Campus. Residents of the Monroe Park neighborhood of Palo Alto attend schools in Los Altos. PAUSD operates twelve elementary schools (grades K-5), three middle schools (grades 6-8), and two high schools (grades 9-12). These schools are shown on Map C-2. Additionally, PAUSD serves special populations through a pre-school, Young Fives program, Adult School, and the Hospital School at Stanford’s Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital. The City and PAUSD rely on many partnerships, from the City/School Liaison Committee to the ECE, to foster and maintain high levels of information-sharing and coordination on key issues. These relationships form the basis of many policies and programs in this element. HEALTH AND WELL-BEING The City supports the health and well-being of its residents, workers, and visitors by increasing access to healthy food, parks and recreation, cultural programs, and by encouraging healthy workplaces. For example, the Community Services Department provides recreational activities, supports healthy eating by promoting farmers markets and healthy grocery stores, and fosters well-being through art, music, and social events. The City’s employee wellness program offers efficient service delivery by reducing health care costs and fostering a creative work environment. In addition, the City collaborates with community organizations to ensure that social services remain affordable for all community members. Supporting active participation in civic life is also important so that Palo Alto continues to be a leading example of open government dedicated to the physical and mental health and well-being of the public. PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-14 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 This page intentionally blank ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º ¹º §¨¦280 |ÿ82 £¤101 Foothill Expressway Mountain View East Palo Alto Stanford Los Altos Hills Menlo Park S A N F R A N C I S C O B A Y Middlefield Road Los Altos Arastradero Preserve Baylands Preserve Byxbee Park Alma Street El Ca mino Real Oregon Expressway E mb ar ca d e r o R o ad East Charleston Road Louis Road Waverly Street Seale Avenue Lo m a Verde Av enue Channing Avenue E a st M e a d o w D rive San Antonio Road C olora d o A v e n u e Willo w Road Lincoln Avenue Hamilton Avenue West Charleston Road University Avenue Greendell School Henry M. Gunn High Duveneck Elementary Palo Verde Elementary Terman Middle Palo Alto High Ohlone Elementary Hoover Elementary Addison Elementary Escondido Elementary Fairmeadow Elementary El Carmelo Elementary Walter Hays Elementary Barron Park Elementary Lucille Nixon Elementary Juana Briones Elementary David Starr Jordan Middle Jane Lathrop Stanford Middle Source: Palo Alto Unified School District, 2012; PlaceWorks, 2015. P RE L IM I NAR Y D RA F T M A P C-2 P A L O A L T O U N I F I E D S C H O O L D I S T R I C T S C H O O L S Railroads Park/Open Space ¹ºSchools City Limit P A L O A L T O C O M P R E H E N S I V E P L A NCOMMUNITY S E R V I C E S & F A C I L I T I E S E L E M E N T 0 0.25 0.5 Miles PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-16 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-17 GOALS, POLICIES, AND PROGRAMS EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY GOAL C-1 Deliver community services effectively and efficiently Policy C-1.1 Encourage public participation in civic life and neighborhood associations, and promote the suite of community services and facilities available to local residents and businesses in Palo Alto. [NEW POLICY] Program C1.1.1 Periodically review public information, outreach, and community relations activities to evaluate effectiveness. Program C1.1.2 Establish an online concierge to assist local residents and businesses with questions about City services and facilities. Program C1.1.3 Identify barriers to participation in City programming and facilities across gender, age, socioeconomic and ethnic groups, as well as mental and physical abilities, and adopt strategies to remove barriers to participation. [NEW PROGRAM] Program C1.1.4 Explore innovative ways to encourage residents to volunteer, take pride of ownership, and contribute to Palo Alto’s community services. [NEW POLICY] Program C1.1.5 Establish a program to inform residents and businesses, including new arrivals in Palo Alto, of opportunities to become involved in civic life, volunteer, and actively encourage broader participation. [NEW PROGRAM] Policy C-1.2 Reduce language and cultural barriers within our diverse community to encourage greater citizen participation and inclusiveness. [NEW POLICY] PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-18 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 Program C1.2.1 Based on identified needs, continue to provide and expand the provision of multilingual literature, program information, and educational displays at public community facilities and parks (NEW PROGRAM). Program C1.2.2 Establish a cross-cultural outreach program to engage residents of all ages, cultural, social, and linguistic backgrounds in educational, recreational, and cultural activities offered throughout the City of Palo Alto. [NEW PROGRAM] Policy C-1.3 Collect and analyze changing demographics and data on the use of community services and facilities to streamline and improve delivery and provision of services and to meet the changing needs of our population. [NEW POLICY] Program C1.3.1 Develop and implement a plan to collect and analyze data on demographics, use of community service facilities, and needs of the community as related to parks, open spaces, recreation, arts, and culture. [NEW PROGRAM] Policy C-1.4 Promote City parks, open spaces, recreational facilities, classes and cultural activities for community members recognizing that these facilities and services build and strengthen community. [NEW POLICY} Program C1.4.1 Use Cubberley Community Center as a critical and vital part of the City’s service delivery system while also planning for its future. Policy C-1.5 Use metrics to measure service performance of City departments. [NEW POLICY] Policy C-1.6 Take a leadership role in addressing community service issues within the Mid-Peninsula region and the greater Bay Area to seek effective solutions to shared problems and community service needs including services such as police and fire protection, libraries, and recreation needs and to leverage available County, state, and federal resources. [Previously Policy C03] PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-19 Policy C-1.7 Work with private, nonprofit, faith-based, and public community service organizations to ensure safe, non-discriminatory access to community services. [NEW POLICY] Policy C-1.8 Partner with Stanford University with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for both communities by increasing opportunities for shared use and by developing programs, facilities, and community services. [NEW POLICY] Policy C-1.9 Welcome and encourage business participation in the provision of community services. [Previously Policy C08] Program C1.9.1 Establish a program to facilitate continuing corporate support for community services through contributions of funds, time, materials, and expertise. [Previously Program C08] Policy C-1.10 Partner with property owners to facilitate public access to privately owned open spaces and facilities. [NEW POLICY] Policy C-1.11 Facilitate access to schools, parks, and community facilities by a variety of transportation modes. [Previously Policy C30] Program C1.11.1 Evaluate whether existing shuttle routes should be changed or a new shuttle route established, to facilitate safe access to parks, community facilities, and schools and maximize connecting to other transit services. [NEW PROGRAM] Policy C-1.12 Provide services for seniors at convenient locations that are accessible to public transit, parking, walking, or biking. [NEW POLICY – PTC Recommended Policy C-1.15] Policy C-1.13 Increase access to educational, recreational, and cultural services by continuing to provide financial assistance programs for residents with low-incomes and/or disabilities. [Previously Policy 31] Policy C-1.14 Recognize the importance of schools to the social and economic vitality of the City. [Previously Policy C05] PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-20 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 Policy C-1.15 Maintain an effective, collaborative relationship with the PAUSD to maximize the use of school services and facilities for public benefit, particularly for children, youth, teens, seniors, and people with disabilities. [Previously Policy C04] Program C1.15.1 In cooperation with existing public and private businesses, non-profit organizations, and PAUSD, develop a service program that will coordinate the efforts of agencies providing services to families and youth in Palo Alto. [Previously Program C01] Program C1.15.2 Determine the potential for City shared use of PAUSD facilities for child care, libraries, recreational facilities, community meeting space, education, language education, health care, culture, and computer resources by reviewing best practices and specific needs and opportunities. [Previously Program C03] Program C1.15.3 Explore expanded opportunities with PAUSD to make school facilities more available to the community for weekend, summer, and evening use. [Previously Program C04] Policy C-1.16 Maximize use of the City/School liaison committee to promote collaboration between the City and PAUSD, initiatives, and other areas of mutual interest. [Previously Program C02] Policy C-1.17 Make it a high priority to assist PAUSD in anticipating and addressing land development-related school enrollment impacts. [Previously Policy C06] Program C1.17.1 Provide regular status reports to PAUSD and to the public on potential and approved development projects. [Previously Program C06] Policy C-1.18 Require an assessment of impacts to schools prior to the approval of development projects that require legislative acts, including general plan amendments and zoning changes. Report impact findings to PAUSD and to the community. [NEW POLICY] PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-21 Policy C-1.19 Actively work with the PAUSD and private, nonprofit, faith-based, and public community service organizations to define roles, avoid duplication and to coordinate the delivery of services like child care, senior services, language education and recreation. [Previously Policy C07] Policy C-1.20 Continue strong support for and long-term commitment to school age child care programs on PAUSD sites. [Previously Policy C13] Program C1.20.1 Support and promote the provision of comprehensive child care services in Palo Alto by public and private providers, including employers. [Previously Policy C11] Program C1.20.2 Work with the Palo Alto Advisory Committee on Early Childhood Education to evaluate the feasibility of requiring child care impact assessments for proposed development projects. [Previously Program C14 - Not Applicable] Policy C-1.21 Coordinate delivery of child care services with other service providers, including the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD), addressing the needs of infants, toddlers, and pre-kindergarten as well as school- aged children. [Previously Policy C12] Program C1.21.1 Establish standards for evaluating the impacts of new development on child care service needs and guiding the equitable delivery of child care services in Palo Alto. [Replaces Program C13] Program C1.21.2 Utilize the Early Care and Education Committee to connect providers and professionals working with families with young children, explore challenges and opportunities to programs and services for young children, and support early education programs in the community in their efforts to enhance quality. [NEW PROGRAM] Program C1.21.3 Collaborate with Palo Alto Community Child Care (PACCC) to identify, develop, and promote high quality early learning environments to serve all families in our community. [NEW PROGRAM] PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-22 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 Program C1.21.4 Explore opportunities to provide access to childcare for families of City employees. [NEW PROGRAM] Program C1.21.5 Task the Early Care and Education Committee to Develop/Update the Child Care Master Plan. [NEW PROGRAM] Policy C-1.22 Support provision, funding, and promotion of services and programs for children, teens, and youth and support the teachers and staff who provide such services. [Previously Policy C17] Policy C-1.23 Periodically assess the need to increase the development of after- school and evening programs that provide a safe place to play and learn for children, youth and teens. Maximize participation in such programs by increasing the number of locations where the programs are provided and by supporting transportation options to these locations. [Previously Program C18] Program C1.23.1 Identify staff and financial resources to support arts, science, and recreation organizations that foster healthy children, youth, and teen development. [NEW PROGRAM] Policy C-1.24 Support provision, funding, and promotion of services, programs and activities for teens that strengthen leadership skills, encourage a culture of community service, inclusiveness, tolerance, and acceptance of others, and promote a diverse range of interests and vocations. [NEW POLICY – PTC Recommended Policy C.-1.11] Program C1.24.1 Identify funding sources for expanded outreach and increased involvement to support youth and teen leadership programs and events. [NEW PROGRAM] Program C1.24.2 Regularly conduct surveys of teens to evaluate the range of programs offered by the City and community partners to ensure a balanced offering representing the diverse interest of teens. [NEW PROGRAM] Program C1.24.3 Leverage available funding to pursue support of teen mental health programs [NEW PROGRAM] PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-23 Policy C-1.25 Support the continuation and development of programs for children, youth, teens and adults that address developmental disabilities. [NEW POLICY] Program C1.25.1 Leverage available funding to pursue support for youth and adults with developmental disabilities. [NEW PROGRAM] Program C1.25.2 Improve access for persons with non-physical or sensory disabilities, including cognitive or social/emotional needs. Partner with agencies for support so that all children can participate as appropriate in Palo Alto recreational programs. Policy C-1.26 Support existing senior programs and seek opportunities to expand programs, including programs promoting health, life-long learning, recreation, arts, and cultural experiences designed for seniors at all public community facilities and parks. [NEW POLICY – PTC Recommended Program C1.14.2] Policy C-1.27 Support provision, funding, or promotion of services for persons with disabilities through the Human Relations Commission, the Parks and Recreation Division, the Arts and Sciences Division, and other City departments. Exceed requirements of with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) when feasible. [Previously Policy C19] Policy C-1.28 Support and promote activities, events, and services that welcome and engage the senior population. [NEW POLICY – PTC Recommended Program C1.14.3] Program C1.28.1 Develop a program to engage the talents and skills that seniors possess that would provide volunteer opportunities throughout the City. [NEW PROGRAM – PTC Recommended Program C1.14.4] Program C1.28.2 Support, promote, and publicize the provision of comprehensive senior services in coordination with senior service providers. Comprehensive services include addressing senior nutrition, mental health and transportation. [Previously Policy C18] PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-24 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 Program C1.28.3 Establish support programs for caregivers of seniors and people with disabilities by working with private, nonprofit, faith-based, and public community service organizations. [NEW PROGRAM] Program C1.28.4 Identify staff and financial resources to support institutions and initiatives that promote healthy aging, both at home and in care centers. [NEW PROGRAM] Policy C-1.29 Support and promote County, City, and non-profit services addressing the needs of the low income and unhoused community especially in the areas of temporary housing, food, clothing, health care, mental health, and transportation. [Previously Policy C20, with edits recommended by PTC] Program C1.29.1 Increase awareness about caring and compassion for the unhoused and those who suffer from mental and/or physical disorders through educational programming in partnership with community organizations. [NEW PROGRAM] Program C1.29.2 Work with Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, non-profit agencies and other organizations to define roles and responsibilities in the comprehensive provision of temporary shelter, food, clothing and transportation for those in need. [NEW PROGRAM – PTC Recommended Program C1.7.1] SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC GOAL C-2 Demonstrate a commitment to excellence and high quality service to the public among City of Palo Alto officials and employees. Policy C-2.1 Deliver City services in a manner that creates and reinforces positive relationships among City employees, residents, businesses, and other stakeholders. [Previously Policy C09] Every day, Palo Alto officials and employees interact with the public in delivering services and representing the City. Excellence and high quality service are important objectives when interacting with residents, businesses, community groups, visitors, and other stakeholders. PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-25 Program C2.1.1 Establish performance review criteria for City employees that consider the quality of service provided. [Previously Program C09] Program C2.1.2 Establish incentives and enhance rewards and recognition programs to encourage City staff to deliver high quality services. [Previously Program C10] Policy C-2.2 Treat all with care, respect, and dignity emphasizing mutual responsibility. [NEW POLICY] Program C2.2.1 Periodically perform evaluations of City service delivery and develop strategies for continuous improvement. [Previously Policy C10] Policy C-2.3 Budget for City staff training in service-oriented management techniques. [Previously Program C11] Policy C-2.4 Encourage City work groups to examine and improve operating procedures. [Previously Program C12] Policy C-2.5 Develop highly motivated, professional, engaged staff and volunteers who are valued for their integrity, commitment, and contributions towards the City and community. [NEW POLICY] MAINTENANCE OF PARKS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES GOAL C-3 Recognize the intrinsic value and everyday importance of our parks and community centers, libraries, civic buildings and cultural assets by investing in their maintenance and improvement. Policy C-3.1 Where appropriate, maintain existing community facilities in public ownership to prevent potential shortages in the future. [Previously Policy C21] Policy C-3.2 Reinvest in aging facilities to improve their usefulness and appearance. Avoid deferred maintenance of City infrastructure. [Previously Policy C24] In October 2010, Palo Alto City Council appointed a 17-member Infrastructure Blue Ribbon Committee (IBRC) to look out 25 years and make recommendations on infrastructure needs, priorities, projects, and associated funding mechanisms to address the existing infrastructure backlog as well as future needs. The IBRIC Final Report, entitled Palo Alto's Infrastructure: Catching Up, Keeping Up, and Moving Ahead, was presented to City Council in December 2011 and formed the basis of the City’s current infrastructure plan. PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-26 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 Program C3.2.1 Develop improvement plans for the maintenance, restoration and enhancement of community facilities, and keep these facilities viable community assets by investing the necessary resources. [Previously Program C19] Program C3.2.2 Conduct comprehensive analyses of long-term infrastructure replacement requirements and costs. [Previously Program C20] Program C3.2.3 Consider the extent to which new development may affect the quality of services and/or facilities and prepare an updated nexus study to support increased impact fees if warranted. Policy C-3.3 Maintain and enhance existing park and recreation facilities consistent with the Parks, Trails, Open Space, and Recreation Master Plan, which is incorporated here by reference. [Previously Policy C26] Program C3.3.1 Periodically evaluate how parks and recreation programs and services are being used and develop strategies for improving their use overall. Program C3.3.2 Study and recommend methods of private and public financing for improved park maintenance, rehabilitation, and construction of facilities, including those used for arts and culture. [Previously Program C23] Program C3.3.3 Evaluate the costs of retrofitting all park facilities with water efficient appliances, fixtures, and irrigation systems and develop an implementation schedule to phase-in use of non-potable water conservations measures where and when feasible. [NEW PROGRAM] Program C3.3.4 Conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility of re- structuring park fees so that they rise in conjunction with the market. Periodically assess the need to adjust parkland mitigation fees to ensure they remain proportional to real estate values in Palo Alto. [NEW PROGRAM] PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-27 Program C3.3.5 Utilize Public Art Master Plan as a guide for the continued maintenance and preservation of the Public Art Collection. [NEW PROGRAM] Policy C-3.4 Preserve El Camino Park as a recreational resource for the community. [Previously Program C24] Policy C-3.5 Make infrastructure improvements on public open space only when these improvements incorporate sustainability concepts and are consistent with the goals of protecting and conserving the natural environment. [Previously Policy C25] Program C3.5.1 Develop comprehensive conservation plans for Foothills Park, Baylands Nature Preserve, and the Pearson Arastradero Preserve that will address both conservation and passive recreational needs. Policy C-3.6 Stewardship of our parks and open spaces shall be carried out with the acknowledgement, maintenance, and preservation the City grants to all of its landmarks and valued facilities. [NEW POLICY] PLANNING FOR PARKS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES GOAL C-4 Plan for a future in which our parks, open spaces, libraries, public art, and community facilities thrive and adapt to the growth and change of Palo Alto. Policy C-4.1 Develop new community facilities as needed to meet the growing needs of residents and employees of Palo Alto consistent with the Parks, Trails, Open Space, and Recreation Master Plan, which is incorporated by reference. [Previously Policy C27] Program C4.1.1 Adopt the Parks, Trails, Open Space, and Recreation Master Plan as a blueprint for the City’s recreational facilities and open spaces, and update the Plan as needed to reflect changes in circumstances in the future. Policy C-4.2 Strategically locate new public facilities and parks to serve all neighborhoods in the City. [Previously Policy C29] NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION STANDARDS FOR PARKS OBJECTIVE 4.1 Use National Recreation and Park Association Standards as guidelines for locating and developing new parks, recognizing that these represent long-term aspirational targets:  Neighborhood parks should be at least two acres in size, although sites as small as one-half acre may be needed as supplementary facilities. The maximum service area radius should be one-half mile. Two acres of neighborhood parkland should be provided for each 1,000 people.  District parks should be at least five acres in size. The maximum service area radius should be one mile. Two acres of district park land should be provided for each 1,000 people. PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-28 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 Policy C-4.3 Design and construct new community facilities to have flexible functionality to ensure adaptability to the changing needs of the community. [Previously Policy C22] Policy C-4.4 Consider potential park sites when preparing coordinated area plans. [Previously Program C25] Policy C-4.5 Encourage public involvement and input when identifying potential parks sites and recreation facilities. [NEW POLICY] Policy C-4.6 Use National Recreation and Park Association Standards as guidelines for locating and developing new parks, recognizing that these represent long-term aspirational targets. [Previously Policy C28] Policy C-4.7 In planning new open spaces, balance the enjoyment and community use of public land with protecting natural ecosystems. [NEW POLICY] Policy C-4.8 Expand the space available in the community for art exhibits, classes, and other cultural activities, including virtual recreation and other activities made possible by technical innovation, while maintaining and enhancing natural areas. [Previously Policy C23] Policy C-4.9 Work with stakeholders to give form and identity to places in the community that are specifically for children, youth, and teens. [PTC Recommended Policy C-1.10] Policy C-4.10 In residential or neighborhood commercial development projects, strongly encourage child care and/or senior care facilities, along with measures to mitigate potential conflicts between these facilities and surrounding uses. [Previously Policy C15] PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-29 Program C4.10.1 Study changes in zoning, parking, and landscaping requirements that would facilitate the development of neighborhood child and/or senior care facilities. [Previously Program C15] Program C4.10.2 Identify existing or potential locations for child and/or senior care in public facilities and actively promote the establishment of such facilities, including by facilitating the application process. [Previously Policy C16] COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELL-BEING GOAL C-5 Sustain the health, well-being, recreation, and safety of residents and visitors, and improve the quality, quantity, and affordability of social services for all community members, including children, youth, teens, seniors, the unhoused, and people with disabilities. Policy C-5.1 Establish Palo Alto as a leading example of a community that is dedicated to the health and well-being of the public. [NEW POLICY] Program C5.1.1 Allocate staff time and resources to create and support initiatives to increase the health and well- being of the public. [NEW PROGRAM] Program C5.1.2 Establish a community-sourced online clearinghouse of information and activities related to health promotion in the community. Policy C-5.2 Promote programs that sustain the physical and mental health, well- being, recreation, safety, and cultural opportunities of all residents and visitors. [NEW POLICY] Program C5.2.1 Conduct a study of barriers to accessing healthy living choices across age, gender, socioeconomic, and ethnic groups as well as mental and physical abilities, and adopt strategies to remove barriers identified. [NEW PROGRAM] Policy C-5.3 Celebrate cultural diversity in Palo Alto. [NEW POLICY] PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-30 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 Policy C-5.4 Foster a culture of peer-to-peer support and community connections through existing and new programs that promote and encourage the building of Developmental Assets within the community. [NEW POLICY] Policy C-5.5 Encourage the continuation and development of mental health programs that center on education, depression, isolation, stress, suicide prevention, and intervention strategies. [NEW POLICY] Policy C-5.6 Promote the connection between health and well-being for residents, workers, and visitors in Palo Alto. [NEW POLICY] Program C5.6.1 Incorporate health and well-being topics, including arts and culture, into existing events and programs at City-owned park and recreation facilities. [NEW PROGRAM] Program C5.6.2 Pursue marketing City employee health and wellness programs as a model for local businesses and other organizations to implement. [NEW PROGRAM] Program C5.6.3 Actively work to implement the Healthy Cities Healthy Community Resolution that supports healthy social, cultural, and physical environments that promote and support well-being and creative expression for ourselves, our families, and our community. Policy C-5.7 Provide public green spaces, community gardens, and informal gathering places that enhance public health. [NEW POLICY] Program C5.7.1 Work with schools and community organizations to provide programs that educate residents, workers, and visitors on health and well-being topics. [NEW PROGRAM] Policy C-5.8 Ensure that City-owned and leased indoor and outdoor facilities, including parks, provide a variety of functions that meet the physical activity, health, and well-being needs of all residents. [NEW POLICY] Extensive research at the Search Institute in Minnesota has led to identification of 41 Developmental Assets that promote positive behaviors and attitudes in youth, while at the same time protect them from taking part in at‐risk behaviors. The Developmental Assets that are highly correlated with thriving youth. For more information, visit www.projectcornerstone.org. PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016 C-31 Policy C-5.9 Increase opportunities for access to healthy food, including fresh fruits and vegetables at City-owned or leased spaces and facilities. [NEW POLICY] Program C5.9.1 Identify existing and potential indoor and outdoor locations for community gardens and farmers markets at City-owned or leased facilities and spaces. [NEW PROGRAM] Policy C-5.10 Encourage and reward healthy eating, physical activity, and a productive and healthy work/life balance for City employees. [NEW POLICY] Program C5.10.1 Create a reward and recognition program for City employees engaged in furthering the efforts of City- sponsored healthy eating, physical activity, and/or well-being programs. [NEW PROGRAM] Policy C-5.11 Incorporate health evaluation criteria into every community services and facilities planning process. [NEW POLICY] Policy C-5.12 Give priority to public health and well-being when balancing the potential impacts and benefits of private development projects or public infrastructure investments. Policy C-5.13 Ensure that public facilities comply or exceed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. [Previously Policy C32] PALO ALTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES & FACILITIES ELEMENT C-32 PRELIMINARY DRAFT – FEBRUARY 1, 2016