HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3336
City of Palo Alto (ID # 3336)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Consent Calendar Meeting Date: 12/17/2012
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Council Priority: City Finances
Summary Title: Budget Amendment Ordinance For Cogswell Plaza
Title: Acceptance Of A Contribution of $9,291 From TopCorner, Incorporated,
For The Enhancement Of Cogswell Plaza; Adoption Of A Budget Amendment
Ordinance To Allocate The Contribution to Project Cost Centers
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Community Services
Recommendation
Staff recommends that Council:
1) Accept a contribution of $9,291 from TopCorner, Incorporated, to the City’s
Technology Fund to be used for the enhancement of Cogswell Plaza Park by the
installation of a Wi-Fi router for public enjoyment; and
2) Adopt the attached Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) (Attachment A) for the
allocation of the $9,291 contribution to the Information Technology program
budget for the installation and operation of the Wi-Fi router and associated
wiring.
Executive Summary
In March, 2012, TopCorner.org, a local entrepreneurial philanthropic company,
approached the City about raising funds from individual donors for the enhancement or
beautification of a City park or community center. Through consultation with the City
Manager’s Office and various City Departments, it was suggested that with the
renovation of Cogswell Plaza Park a Wi-Fi router could be attached to an existing
pathway light in order to provide the same type of free Wi-Fi internet access that is
provided at City libraries, community centers and City Hall. Staff has worked with
TopCorner to investigate the feasibility of this enhancement and fundraising drive, and
has encouraged TopCorner to solicit pledges for the project. TopCorner has been
successfully in reaching the target of $9,291 to cover all design, installation and
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operating costs of the Wi-Fi system for the first year of a trial application. Staff
recommends the approval of this trial project and the use of contributed dollars to the
City’s Technology Fund for this project.
Background
City staff and the Mayor’s Office were contacted in March 2012, by TopCorner.org Co-
Founder Chris Frank, about the application of their fundraising and community building
website for the improvement or expansion of a City program or facility. After
brainstorming various current projects with members of the TopCorner team and
striving to find a project that would be both feasible in the short-term and inspirational
to TopCorner participants and contributors, staff recommended to TopCorner the
enhancement of Cogswell Plaza in conjunction with other park improvements that are
currently being accomplished as part of Capital Improvement Project PG-11001.
On July 23, 2012, Council adopted a Park Improvement Ordinance for the renovation of
Lytton Plaza, which includes the installation of new pathway lighting, electrical systems,
irrigation systems, park benches, tables and other park amenities (Attachment B, link).
The recommended privately-financed enhancement to the park would be affixed to the
approved pathway lighting and would utilize existing park electrical conduits. The
recommended Wi-Fi router project would not alter the intent of the Park Improvement
Ordinance or interfere with park uses.
Discussion
Pursuant to City Policies 1-12 (Grant and Funding Requests) and 1-25 (Public/Private
Partnerships), staff has worked with representatives of the Information Technology,
Community Services, Public Works, Utilities, City Manager’s Office and City Attorney’s
Office to ensure that the development of this trial public-private partnership would
cover all costs associated with this project during the first year of operation.
In the past four years Wi-Fi internet routers have been installed in various City facilities
for the use and enjoyment of library, community center, nature center and City Hall
visitors. Staff believes that the installation of a free Wi-Fi hotspot at Lytton Plaza will
not only provide a much-needed community benefit to park visitors on a daily basis, but
will also enable the City to stage and produce special events, such as the popular
“Hack-A-Thon,” as a way of supporting creativity and innovation in the community.
Timeline
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If the project and Budget Amendment Ordinance are approved by Council, staff will
proceed with the installation of necessary internet wiring through existing conduits and
the installation of a small outdoor router. The project will be completed by February
2013.
Resource Impact
Funding of the design, installation, and wiring of the router, is completely paid for by
the $9,291 contribution from TopCorner. Contributions also cover part of the first year
of internet service fees (Utilities). The project is a 12-month experiment; staff intends
to return Council in the next year with possible policy recommendations of how to fund
on-going costs for public-benefit Wi-Fi connections.
Funding for the renovation of Cogswell Plaza park was separately financed by Capital
Improvement Project PG-11001 (Cogswell Plaza Improvements) as well as Benches,
Signage, Walkways and Fencing (PG-06003).
Policy Implications
This project is consistent with City Policies 1-12 and 1-25, and Policy C-23 of the
Community Services Element of the Comprehensive Plan: “Study and recommend
methods of private and public financing for improved park maintenance, rehabilitation,
and construction;” with Policy C-26 of the Community Services element of the
Comprehensive Plan which “encourages maintaining park facilities as safe and
healthy community assets;” and Policy C-22 which encourages new community facilities
to have flexible functions to ensure adaptability to the changing needs of the
community.
Environmental Review
The proposed improvements is considered as minor alterations and repairs to existing
facilities and is categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) section 15301 guidelines.
Attachments:
Attachment A: Budget Amendment Ordinance Amending the Information Technology
Department Budget for Installation of Wi-Fi in Cogswell Plaza Park (DOCX)
ORDINANCE NO. XXXX
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AMENDING THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUDGET FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2013 TO PROVIDE AN APPROPRIATION OF $9,291 FOR THE
INSTALLATION OF WI-FI IN COGSWELL PLAZA PARK.
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as
follows:
SECTION 1. The Council of the City of Palo Alto finds and
determines as follows:
A. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 12 of Article
III of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto, the Council on
June 18, 2012 did adopt a budget for fiscal year 2013; and
B. The Community Services Department in collaboration
with other city departments has been working on a number of
park improvement projects; and
C. The Mayor’s Office and City staff were contacted by
TopCorner.com with an offer of funding for the improvement
or expansion of a City program or facility; and
D. After review of current projects, TopCorner.com has
chosen to fund a project to provide public Wi-Fi at
Cogswell Plaza Park; and
E. TopCorner.com has granted the City $9,291 for this
project; and
F. The City’s Information Technology Department will
purchase the supplies and perform the work to complete the
project.
G. City Council authorization is needed to amend the 2013
budget as hereinafter set forth.
SECTION 2. Grant revenue totaling Nine Thousand Two
Hundred and Ninety One Dollars ($9,291) is hereby received,
and appropriated as such in the Information Technology
Department budget.
SECTION 3. The Facilities and Equipment budget of the
Information Technology Fund is hereby increased by Nine
Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety One Dollars ($9,291).
SECTION 4. As specified in Section 2.28.080(a) of the
Palo Alto Municipal Code, a two-thirds vote of the City
Council is required to adopt this ordinance.
SECTION 5. The actions taken in this ordinance do not
constitute a project requiring environmental review under
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
SECTION 6. As provided in Section 2.04.330 of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code, this ordinance shall become effective
upon adoption.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
ATTEST: APPROVED:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Manager
Senior Assistant City
Attorney
Chief Information Officer
Director of Administrative
Services