HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 9977
City of Palo Alto (ID # 9977)
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 Mayor Liz Kniss
Title: Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Expressing
Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Liz Kniss as Mayor
From: City Manager
Lead Department: City Clerk
Attachments:
• Attachment A: Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Liz
Kniss as Mayor
Resolution
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION FOR OUTSTANDING
PUBLIC SERVICE TO LIZ KNISS AS 2018 MAYOR
WHEREAS, Liz Kniss was first elected to the City Council in 2012 and served as Vice Mayor in 2014 and in 2017 , and as
Mayor in 2018; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Kniss, along with two colleagues, proposed a Comprehensive Housing Plan to support the 2018
Comprehensive Plan Housing goal of 300 housing units per year; and
WHEREAS, Liz has been an advocate for affordable housing, leading the way to secure approvals for the Wilton Court project,
which will have approximately 60 units; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Kniss has been a strong proponent of the Healthy Cities/Healthy Communities program and, along with
serving on the Board of the Santa Clara Family Healthy Plan Committee, her support resulted in the City of Palo Alto receivin g
Santa Clara County’s Healthy City, Healthy Community Best Overall Award and the World Health Organization’s Age Friendly
City Award; and
WHEREAS, under Liz’s leadership, the City approved the much-anticipated Highway 101 Bike/Pedestrian Bridge Project
after many years of planning, and held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site along with many local and regional transportation
officials; and
WHEREAS, during her time as Mayor, the City approved two major infrastructure projects including the Public Safety
building and the California Avenue Garage and secured funding for the Infrastructure Plan through the passage of Measure E; and
WHEREAS, Liz worked tirelessly to ensure the best quality of life for Palo Alto residents and, under her guidance, the City
significantly expanded its aquatics services through a public-private partnership with Team Sheeper, solidified a bright future for
the Palo Alto Animal Shelter by facilitating a contract with Pets in Need, and coordinated the opening of the new and improved
Baylands Golf Links; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Kniss advocated for refinements to the Downtown Residential Preferential Parking (RPP) Program, which
provides special on-street parking privileges for residents; and
WHEREAS, Liz continued to foster the City’s relationships with its sister cities by visiting Oaxaca, Mexico to celebrate the
25th Anniversary of the Albergue Infantil Josefino Orphanage, and Yangpu District, Shanghai, China, which resulted in its
establishment as Palo Alto’s newest Sister City, signaling a new partnership focused on innovation, shared learning and best
practices; and
WHEREAS, under Liz’s guidance, the City hired a new City Manager Ed Shikada who has been serving as the Assistant City
Manager and Utilities General Manager since 2015, and helped ensure continued strong leadership and a smooth transition; and
WHEREAS, along with the rest of the City Council and City employees, Liz recognized ten years of outstanding leadership
and contributions made by the outgoing City Manager James Keene, who provided vision and left a lasting legacy for the City of
Palo Alto and the surrounding communities; and
WHEREAS, Liz’s leadership has been essential not only to Palo Alto but to the entire region, where she has served as President
of Bay Area Air Quality Management District, a member of the VTA Policy Advisory Committee, and as a Group 2 Representative
to the VTA Board.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby commends the outstanding public
service as Mayor for 2018 to Liz Kniss, and gratefully records both its appreciation, and the appreciation of the citizens and
businesses of this community, for her service and commitment as the 2018 Palo Alto Mayor.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: January 7, 2019
ATTEST: APPROVED:
___________________ _________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________ _________________
City Manager City Attorney