HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 9975City of Palo Alto (ID # 9975)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Special Orders of the Day Meeting Date: 1/7/2019
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Adoption of a Resolution for CM Karen Holman
Title: Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing
Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Karen Holman as Mayor
and Council Member
From: City Manager
Lead Department: City Clerk
Attachments:
•Attachment A: CM Holman Resolution
Resolution
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE
TO KAREN HOLMAN AS MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER
WHEREAS, after serving for nine years on the Planning and Transportation Commission including two terms as Chairperson, Karen
Holman was first elected to the City Council in 2009, re-elected in 2014 receiving the highest number of votes, and served as Mayor in 2015;
and
WHEREAS, Karen Holman served as the City representative in numerous roles including on the Santa Clara Valley Water District
Commission and Lower Peninsula Flood Control & Watershed Advisory Committee and provided regional leadership on issues facing the
City; focusing on the City’s land use, advocating for local control, and on transit policies such as collaboration with other South Bay cities
leaders for fair allocation of the VTA Measure B funds; and
WHEREAS, because of her deep love for the City and the people of Palo Alto, Karen Holman worked tirelessly to manage changes in the
City to be high quality, and designed to assure that new structures respected and enhanced their surrounding; and
WHEREAS, Karen Holman was concerned that the needs of neighborhoods were balanced with the opportunities for businesses and
therefore gave particular attention to the vital role that retail and local services play in a well-balanced community including as a leading
force for ground floor retail protection; and
WHEREAS, Karen Holman understood that health is a community issue and that has direct links to community and individual happiness,
she was instrumental in successfully initiating and implementing Health y City, Healthy Community as a Priority and as an on-going City
focus; and
WHEREAS, Karen Holman was a champion of addressing issues resulting from rapid growth such as traffic, parking and affordable
housing through establishment of an annual office cap and as a consistent advocate for a diverse community highlighted in preservation
efforts of Buena Vista Mobile Home Park; and
WHEREAS, Karen Holman had an abiding interest in our community’s history and ensuring that historical structures and valued common
history was preserved as part of a prosperous city, she initiated numerous preservation and conservation incentives to help ensure ongoing
vitality of our cultural resources; and
WHEREAS, Karen Holman gave special attention to the environment, emphasizing protection of Palo Alto’s canopy, successfully
advocating for its inclusion as Living Infrastructure in the Comprehensive Plan, its parks and open spaces including the dedication of 7.7
acres at Foothills Park, its sustainable water supplies and the impact of its waste disposal as a leading advocate for Zero Waste, and
successfully initiating the Anti-Idling Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, Karen Holman took an informed, active part in all Council discussions while encouraging citizen participation and embraced
citizen input by going into the community to engage directly with citizens including as a leader of the neighborhood Town Hall initiative;
and
WHEREAS, Karen Holman led by example what it means to be a dedicated and principled leader, inspiring many residents to become
more engaged with their local government by serving on boards and commissions and in elected positions and has mentored them to do so;
and
WHEREAS, Karen Holman modeled decorum and respect for her colleagues, Council Procedures & Protocols, City institutions and the
public; and
WHEREAS, after 18 years of service to the City, Karen will now serve the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Board with the
same intelligence, commitment and heart.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby gratefully records its sincere thanks and
appreciation to Karen Holman for meritorious service rendered and contributions made during her many years of public service to the Palo
Alto community.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: January 7, 2019
ATTEST: APPROVED:
____________________ ___________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________ ___________________
City Manager City Attorney