HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 3893
CITY OF PALO ALTO OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
June 10, 2013
The Honorable City Council
Palo Alto, California
Appointments for Two Positions on the Human Relations Commission
for Three Year Terms Ending March 31, 2016 (Terms of O’Nan and
Verma)
The Human Relations Commission terms of Jill O’Nan and Sunita Verma expired on March 31,
2013. The following Candidates interviewed for these terms on June 4, 1013:
ZuChong Liu
Adrienne Murphy
Jill O’Nan
Greer Stone
Staff is requesting Council vote to appoint two positions on the Human Relations Commission
ending on March 31, 2016. Voting will be by paper ballot. Five votes are required to be
appointed. The first two candidates that receive at least five votes will be appointed.
ATTACHMENTS:
Liu (PDF)
Murphy (PDF)
O'Nan (PDF)
Stone (PDF)
Liu Handout (PDF)
Department Head: Donna Grider, City Clerk
Page 2
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Li7 Y
13 MAR-8
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
CITY OF PALO ALTO
BOARD AND COMMISSION APPLICATION
SUBMIT TO:
Office of the City Clerk
250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2571
11:43
Please print or type answers to all questions and place NI A in those areas that do not apply. Be sure that you fill out the
attached supplement and return it with your signed application.
NAME: I: fA,.
RESIDENCE
ADDRESS:
Last
JlJ.j--= /?th11tnJ a
Street
. 1211 It:; AltO
HOME PHONE: ( b f 0) . -3 :z. z-; .til (t 8
WORKPHONE: ____________ _
CELLPHONE:~ __________ _
EMAIL: 2uo6~ Cd! \/0 ~ t>q. G,;;r.
tf 7
Education: I #~adu. (3~<i lq1pn,· );,;1'4-, rJ' u/'l~S,'~
/tee l C~" j -4>u. C,'{? p-f CA//J (k .
. List relevant training and experience, certificates of training, licenses, or professional registration:
s Are you a Palo Alto Resident?
s Do you have any relatives or members of your household who are employed by the City of
Palo Alto, who are currently serving on the City Council, or who are board members or
commissioners?
.. Are you available and committed to complete the term applied for?
.. California state law requires appointed board and commission members to file a detailed
disclosure of their financial interests, Fair Political Practices Commission, Conflict of
Interest, Form 700. Do you have an investment in, or do you serve as an officer or director
of, a company doing business in Palo Alto which you believe is likely to; 1) engage in
business with the City, 2) provide products or services for City projects, or 3) be affected
by decisions of the board or commission you are applying for?
If you answered yes, you may wish to consult with the City Attorney before filing this
application. Please contact the City Attorney's Office at 650-329-2171.
" Excluding your principal residence, do you own real property in Palo Alto or within two
miles of Palo Alto?
EMPLOYMENT
Present or last employer
Name of Company:
Signature of Applicant
Bds/Commissions -702-23
Occupation:
Date:
Yes No
[QJ D
D [QJ
[QJ D
D
D
9/1/2011
Please Return to:
CITY OF PALO ALTO
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
Office of the City Clerk
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650:'329-2571
Date: __ --.CJvJ~, ~if'L-...{,ib~Jf-' ...::2.E::.kt::J:...!.'_.3L-------_
Please print or type your answers to the following questions and submit with your completed application. You may submit
additional sheets, if necessary, to complete your answers.
Yes No 1. Have you attended the following meeting?
• Human Relations Commission c=J (Dme: _________ ~ ~
2. How did you Learn about the vacancy on the Human Relations Commission?
Community Group: D Palo Alto Weekly: D
Email from City Clerk: D Library Bulletin Board: D
The Daily Post: D
FlyerlBookmark: I tfI; I
Other, Please Specify: __ ~ ___________________ ~ ___ _
3. Describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer and civic organizations:
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5 How would you see your role as board member when recommending policy and working with the Council? If it
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dtll4' PP,I'e/',;i. .. 9/1/2011 (7'.1 rl e~ BdsjCommlsslons -702-23
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
CONSENT FORM
California Government Code Section 6254.21 states, in part, "No state or local
agency shall post the home address or telephone number of any elected or
appointed official on the Internet without first obtaining the written permission of
that individual." The full code is attached. This consent form will not be redacted
and will be attached to the Application and posted to the City's website.
Read the code, and check only ONE option below:
[QJ I L:~>( chol'l i.)/.-r' give permission for the City of Palo Alto to post to the
City's website the attached Board and Commission Application intact. I have·
read and understand my rights under Government Code Section 6254.21. I may
revoke this permission at any time by providing written notice to the Palo Alto
City Clerk.
OR D I request that the City of Palo Alto redact my home
address, phone numbers, and email address from the attached Board and
Commission Application prior to posting to the City's website. I am providing the
following alternate information and request that they use the following contact
information instead.
Address
Phone
Email
Signat& ~ , Datt'd, ;Z; 24-'3
*The applicant must have a digital signature or print the application, sign in ink, and
deliver to the City Clerks Office. A typed signature or unsigned application will not be
accepted.
Bds/Commissions -702-23 9/1/2011
)
;. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
CITY OF PALO ALTO
BOARD AND COMMISSION APPLICATION
SUBMIT TO:
Office of the City Clerk
250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2571
Please print or type answers to all questions and place NI A in those areas that do not apply. Be sure that you fill out the
attached supplement and return it with your signed application.
NAME: Murphy Adrienne
Last First
RESIDENCE 2450 Tasso St ADDRESS:
Street
Palo Alto Ca
City State
Education:
Ph.D Psychology, Saybrook University, 2011
MBA, Loyola Marymount University
B Social Science University College Dublin
HOME PHONE: 650 3291039
WORKPHONE: ____________ __
CELL PHONE: ____________ __
EMAIL: _D_r.A_dr_ien_ne_M_Urp_hY_@_9m_a_iI.C_O_m
94301
Zip
List relevant training and experience, certificates of training, licenses, or professional registration:
20 years experience managing staff in support of business operations and supply chain practices
Bds/Commissions -702-23 9/1/2011
(' ,
)
• Are you a Palo Alto Resident?
• Do you have any relatives or members of your household who are employed by the City of
Palo Alto, who are currently serving on the City Council, or who are board members or
commissioners?
• Are you available and committed to complete the term applied for?
• California state law requires appointed board and commission members to file a detailed
disclosure of their financial interests, Fair Political Practices Commission, Conflict of
Interest, Form 700. Do you have an investment in, or do you serve as an officer or director
of, a company doing business in Palo Alto which you believe is likely to; I) engage in
business with the City, 2) provide products or services for City projects, or 3) be affected
by decisions of the board or commission you are applying for?
If you answered yes, you may wish to consult with the City Attorney before filing this
application. please contact the City Attorney's Office at 650-329-2171.
• Excluding your principal residence, do you own real property in Palo Alto or within two
miles of Palo Alto?
EMPLOYMENT
)
D
[l]
D
D
[l]
D
D
Present or last employer Self Employed Name of Company: Occupation: Consultant -gender and diversity
(If retired, indicate former occupation)
Signature of Applicant Date:
Bds/Commissions -702-23 9/1/2011
r .
Please Return to:
Office of the City Clerk
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650-329-2571
)
CITY OF PALO ALTO
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Adrienne Murphy PhD, MBA
Date: 3/8/2012
Please print or type your answers to the following questions and submit with your completed application. You may submit
additional sheets, if necessary, to complete your answers.
1. Have you attended the following meeting?
• Human Relations Commission
Yes D (Date: _____ --4)
No
[l]
2. How did you Learn about the vacancy on the Human Relations Commission?
Community Group: [Z] Palo Alto Weekly: D The Daily Post: D
Email from City Clerk: D Library Bulletin Board: D Flyer/Boolanark: D
Other, Please Specify: I was unaware of this Commission, but very happy to have found it.
3. Describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer and civic organizations:
I work with college educated mothers to enable their ambition retention once children
arrive. Volunteer at Ohlone School, Casa Dei Bambini -Diversity Council, Santa
Clara School of Engineering Gender Awareness, Watermark Women.
4. What is it about the Human Relations Commission that interests you? What qualities, experience and expertise
would you bring to the Human Relations Commission?
My hands on business experience ensuring diversity in human resources. My Ph.D is
focused on the lived experiences of college educated women, and I am engaged in
gender and diversity promotion with Watermark Women, Santa Clara University, and
the Diversity Council
Bds/Commissions -702-23 9/1/2011
t· .,
'\ ,
5. How would you see your role as board member when recommending policy and working with the Council? If it
were necessary to change current roles, how would you approach making such changes?
As a board member I would undertake any assignments from the Council. I would
become fully acquainted with current programs and processes and best in class
opportunities. I would remain fully aware risks and limiters associated with all change
and create a co-operative pathway.
6. What are the current issues facing the Human Relations Commission?
Citizens United rulings and concerns regarding money and politics
Equal opportunity and access
Mediation
Developmental Assets
7. If appointed, what specific goals would you like to see the Human Relations Commission achieve?
Create awareness of the emergence of gender, diversity equity seals, and gender
diversity management practices globally and position Palo Alto to be a leader in this
emerging trend.
Evaluate consequences of management structures, budgets, work schedules or
allocation of city resources on pathways to producer,consumer,leadership and
investment opportunities across our diverse population.
Bds/Commissions -702-23 9/1/2011
'(' " ..
)
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
CONSENT FORM
)
California Government Code Section 6254.21 states, in part, "No state or local
agency shall post the home address or telephone number of any elected or
appointed official on the Internet without first obtaining the written permission of
that individual." The full code is attached. This consent form will not be redacted
and will be attached to the Application and posted to the City's website.
Read the code, and check only ONE option below:
[l] I Adrienne Murphy give permission for the City of Palo Alto to post to the
City's website the attached Board and Commission Application intact. I have
read and understand my rights under Government Code Section 6254.21. I may
revoke this permission at any time by providing written notice to the Palo Alto
City Clerk.
OR D I request that the City of Palo Alto redact my home
address, phone numbers, and email address from the attached Board and
Commission Application prior to posting to the City's website. I am providing the
following alternate information and request that they use the following contact
information instead.
Address
Phone
Email
~ ~ tJJ-tlf -;MJ/3
Signature* Date
*The applicant must have a digital signature or print the application, sign in ink, and
deliver to the City Clerks Office. A typed signature or unsigned application will not be
accepted.
Bds/Commissions -702-23 9/1/2011
)
CITY OF PALO ALTO
BOARD AND COMMISSION INCUMBENT APPLICATION
SUBMIT TO:
Office of the City Clerk
250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2571
Incumbents may use this form to declare their intent to apply for another term in office.
BOARD CURRENTLY SERVING ON: Human Relations Commission
NAME: O'Nan.Jill HOME PHONE:
Last First
WORK PHONE:
RESIDENCE
ADDRESS: CELL PHONE:
EMAll..:
City State Zip
X I am reapplying for the board listed above; please resubmit the most recent application I have on file.
I am reapplying for the board listed above; I will update my application and submit it prior to the
deadline.*
I will NOT reapply for another term at this time.
*Blank applications may be found at www.cityofpaloa1to.org
Signature of Applicant Date: _'3---..I_y"'-'tC---,-£'---.o ..a...=15=--_
)
HUMAN RESOUCES COMMISSION
CITY OF PALO ALTO
BOARD AND COMMISSION APPLICATION
SUBMIT TO:
Office of tlle City Clerk
250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2571
Please print or type answers to all questions and place Nt A in those areas that do not apply. Be sure that you fill out the attached
supplement and return it with your signed application.
NAME: O'Nan
Last
WSIDENCE
ADDRESS:
Street
city
Education:
BA Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio
MA Stanford University
JD Stanford University
Jill
First
State Zip
HOME PHONE:
. WORK PHONE:
CELL PHONE:
EMAIL:
List relevant training and e!p!rienee, certitlcates of training, Heenses, or professional registration:
. Professional writer and editor with strong communication and collaborative skills.
• Are you a Palo Alto Resident?
• Do youhave any relatives or members of your household who are employed by the City of
Palo Alto, who are currently serving on the City Council, or who are board members Or
commissioners? .
• Are YOlJ available and committed to complete the tenn applied for?
• California state law requires appointed board and Commission members to file a detailed
disclosure of their financial interests, Fair Political Practices CommiSSion, Conflict of
Interest, Form 700. Do you have an inves1ment in. or do you serve as an officer or cfuector
of, a company doing business in Palo Alto which you believe is likely to; 1) engage in
business With the City, 2) provide products or services for City projects, or 3) be affected
by decisions of the board or commission you are applying for?
if you answered yes, you may wish to consult with the City Attorney before filing this
application. Please contact the City Attorney's Office at 650-329-2171 to arrange an
appointment.
• Excluding your principal residence, do you own real property in Palo Alto or within two
miles of Palo Alto?
If you answered yes, you may wish to consult with the City Attorney before filing this
application.· Please contact the City Attorney's OfflCe at 650-329-2171 to arrange an
appointment.
~MPLOYMENT
Present or last employer Self-employed
x
x
x
x
x
NmneofCompany: _w __ a __ ---------------------Occupation:· Freelance writer and editor
(If retired, indicate former occupation)
Signature of Applicant
Please Return to:
Office of the City Clerk
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650-329-2571
CITY OF PALO ALTO
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
. SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Jill O'Nan
Date: January 28,2010
\ J
Please print or type your answers to the following questions and submit with your completed application. You may
submit additional sheets, if necessary, to complete your answers.
1. Have you attended the following meeting? Yes No
• Human Relations Commission X (Date: 2-1-2010)
(study session wilh City Council)
• HumanRelationsCommission X (Date: 2-11-2010)
2. How did you Learn about the vacancy on the Human Relations Commission?
Community Group: _ Palo Alto Weekly: __ Palo Alto Weekly Online: __
Email from City Clerk: __ Library Bulletin Board: __ Fogster.com: __
3. Descn"be your involvement in community activities, volunteer and civic organizations:
I am a relative newcomer to community service. In the past, like many Silicon Valley professionals, I wOrked
long hours, which did not leave much time for civic engagement. Recently, however, I have come to .
appreciate that the wonderful city I have lived in for 1he past two decades does not happen by magic. In 2009
I spent several months woiking on Dan Dykwel's campaign for city council, and had a chance to meet a
number of community leaders and elected officials. This experience let me firsthand see how much effort
goes into making Palo Alto the outstanding community that it is. Since then, I have looked for opportunities
to volunteer so 1 can contribute my talents and expertise to the city. This year I will appear as a volunteer
speaker at the Page Mill YMCA, and will also mentor local youth on the importance of healthy eating and
living an active lifestyle. .
4. What is it about 1he Human Relations Commission that interests you? What qualities, experience and expertise
would yon bring to the Human Relations Commission?
Many of the factors that concern the BRC-ege, sex, etbnicity, citizenship, marital state and socioeconomic
status-are a daily reality for me. I live in the Ventura District on Curtner Avenue, which a local police
officer once told me was the "worst" street in Palo Alto. Most of my neighbors are low-income immigran:ts
from Latin America, Asia or Eastern Europe who speak limited English. Although I am an educated white
woman, I am also a low-income renter and single woman living in an affluent, family-oriented city known for
its property values.
In my neighborhood, I have witnessed street fights, domestic violence, child abuse and drug deals. At times I
have been unable to return home because my street is cordoned off while 1he police search for a suspect. As a
result, my neighbors and I interact frequently with the P APD, and strongly rely on them to keep us sate. But
while the police generally do a great job of patrolling and investigating, the prevailing feeling in my
neighborhood is that we have been "forgotten" by the wealthier residents of 1he city, who mistakenly believe
. -1-
\ \ J } -
that these kinds ofproblt).fDS don't occur in Palo Alto. I believe this is reflected in the city's recent
Community Quality rati:l1gs, in which 82% of respondents rated Palo Alto good or excellent in providing
services to seniors and 75% rated Palo Alto good or excellent in providing services to youth, but only 59%
rated Palo Alto good or excellent in providing services to low-income people.l
If! am appoiIlted to the lIRC, I will bring this experience with me, and do my best to serve as a voice for the
"other" Palo Alto that many city residents and organizations never see.
5. How would you see your role as board member when recommending policy and working with the Council?
I believe it is important for lIRC board members to identiiY opportunities for inclusion and take the
initiative in recommending policy, but also remain responsive to requests and directives from the Council.
In order to play both roles effectively, the IIRC must partner with local agencies, such as the P APD, PTA
and Art Center, to amplify existing efforts to increase diversity-and spearhead new ones-while
rDaintaining an open dialog with the Council.
6. What are the current issues facing the Human Relations Commission?
There are longstanding and ongoing issues of mistrust between some residents and the P APD. Racial
profiling and use oftasers are matters of great concern. The lIRC needs to help ensure that policing in our
city is effective without being discriminatory. The recent appointment of our new police chief is an
opportunity to build a stronger partnership between the Council, the lIRC and the P APD, and ultimately, a
better relationship between the police and city residents.
Other issues may be less visible. For example, although Palo Alto is famous for its nationally ranked school
system, many kids in my neighborhood do not go on to coIl •. In fact, a:fair number of them do not even
finish high school, despite having attended Palo Alto schools since kindergarten. A-few months ago I
overheard a neighbor's daughter 1aIking on her cell phone to a friend. "No, I don't have homewOIk," she
said. "Only white and Asian kids have to do homework." Why are the benefits of our outstanding school
system not reaching these low-income, minority kids? Why are they not continuing on to higher education
like most of their well-to-do classmates? By working with the school district, PTA and other agencies, the
IIRC may be able to mitigate barriers to inclusion and help improve the life chances of these disadvantaged
youth.
The debilitating effects of obesity and obesity-related diseases, which disproportionately affect low-income
and minority residents, is another issue for the IIRC to consider. Aftluent Palo Altans buy organic food and
join gyms, but most people in my neighborhood do not have that purchasing power. Because they eat
cheaper, processed foods, man~ are significantly overweight, and their children are often overweight by the
time they enter middle school. Again, by partnering with local health agencies, schools and cultural
organizations, 1he IIRC may be able to help low-income city residents enjoy longer, healthier lives, which is
perhaps the most fundamental form of"inclusion."
7. If appointed, what specific goals would you like to see the Human Relations Commission achieve?
_ First, I would like to see the lIRe help improve the public's interactions with and perceptions of the P APD. In 2009,
72% of respondents rated the quality of their contact with the pOlice as good or excellent.2 That number is a great
start, but it could be higher.
Second, I would like to see the HRC work with 1he appropriate agencies and organizations to make the benefits of
living iii Palo Alto more accessible to low-income and minority residents. Specifically, I would like the lIRC to help
increase the number oflow-income and minority students who successfully complete high school and enter college.
1 City of Palo Alto Service Efforts and Accomplishments Report for Fiscal Year
2009, p. 2.
2 Ibid., p. 51.
-2-
l "
\ ~ /
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
CONSENT FORM
)
California Government Code Section 6254.21 states, in part, "No state or local
agency shall post the home address or telephone number of any elected or
appointed official on the Internet without first obtaining the written permission of
that individual." The full code is attached. This consent form will not be redacted
and will be attached to the Application and posted to the City's website.
Read the code, and check only ONE option below:
I give permission for the City of Palo Alto to post to the
City's website the attached Board and Commission Application intact. I have
read and understand my rights under Government Code Section 6254.21. I may
revoke this permission at any time by providing written notice to the Palo Alto
City Clerk.
OR
-2L I Jill O'Nan request that the City of Palo Alto redact my home address, phone
numbers, and email address from the attached Board and Commission
Application prior to posting to the City's website. I am providing the following
alternate information and request that they use the following contact information
instead.
Cubberley Community Center 4000 Middlefield Road, T2 Palo Alto, CA 94303
Address
650-329-2418
Phone
nla
March 4. 2013
Date
)
HUMAN RE.LATIONS COMMISSION
CITY OF PALO ALTO
BOARD AND COMMISSION APPLICATION
SUBMIT TO:
Office ofthe City Clerk
250 Hamilton'Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2571
Please print or type answers to all questions and place NI A in those areas that do not apply. Be sure that you fill out the
attached supplement and return it with your signed application.
Stone Greer
NAME: __ ------------------__ -------------Last First
RESIDENCE 751 Layne Ct. Apt. 15
ADDRESS: ____________ ~---------------------
Street
Palo Alto CA
City State
Education:
Palo Alto High School -2007
University of California, Irvine -2010
Santa Clara·School of Law -Present
94306
Zip
HOME PHONE: (650) 575-0405
WORK PHONE: ____ ~ ______ __
CELL PHONE: ____________ __
EMAIL: gstone22@gmail.c
List relevant trainirr; and experience, certificates of training, licenses, or llrofessional registration:
Alcohol & Other rugs rask Force: I was the only full time s udent representative on the task
force while at UC-Irvine. The task force meets six times during the school year to discuss issues
and share data related to alcohol and other drugs as they impacted the campus community. The
task force is comprised of departments and offices within the universtiy as well as local
community agencies.
. .
• Are you a Palo Alto Resident?
• Do you have any relatives or members of your household who are employed by the City of
Palo Alto, who are currently serving on the City Council, or who are board members or
commissioners?
• Are you available and committed to complete the term applied for?
• California state law requires appointed board and commission members to file a detailed
disclosure of their fmancial interests, Fair Political Practices Commission, Conflict of
Interest, Form 700. Do you have an investment in, or do you serve as an officer or director
of, a company doing business in Palo Alto which you believe is likely to; 1) engage in
business with the City, 2) provide products or services for City projects, or 3) be affected
by decisions of the board or commission you are applying for?
If you answered yes, you may wish to consult with the City Attorney before filing this
application. Please contact the City Attorney's Office at 650-329-2171.
• Excluding your principal residence, do you own real property in Palo Alto or within two
miles of Palo Alto?
EMPLOYMENT
Present or last employer Shezan
Name of Company:
Signature of Applicant
Occupation:
Date:
D
D
Law Student
No
D
D
D
(If retired, indicate former occupation)
03/01/2013
0/' /..,/,\"
Please Return to:
CITY OF PALO ALTO
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
SUPPLEMENTAL 9UESTIONNAIRE
Greer Brannan Stone Name:
\ 1
Office of the City Clerk
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650-329-2571
---------------------------------------
Date: 03/0112013
Please print or type your answers to the following questions and submit with your completed application. You may submit
additional sheets, ifnecessruy, to complete your answers.
l. Have you attended the following meeting?
• Human Relations Commission
Yes c=J (Dare: __________ ~)
2. How did you Learn about the vacancy on the Human Relations Commission?
No o
Community Group: D Palo Alto Weekly: D The Daily Post: D
Email from City Clerk: I V I Librruy Bulletin Board: D FlyerlBookmark: D
Other, Please Specify: ____________________________________ ----, ____________ _
3. Describe your involvement in community activities, volunteer and civic organizations:
I was a substitute teacher for the Palo Alto Unified School District during the 2011-
2012 school year. I had the opportunity to teach in nearly every school in the district.
For the past five years, I have also intermittently volunteered at Ohlone Elementary.
These experiences not only gave me a window into the teaching profession, but also
afforded me the opportunity to connect with the young people of Palo Alto.
4. What is it about the Human Relations Commission that interests you? What qualities, experience and expertise
would you bring to the Human Relations Commission?
See supplement, page 1.
a/,/"n"
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
CONSENT FORM
)
California Government Code Section 6254.21 states, in part, "No state or local
agency shall post the home address or telephone number of any elected or
apPointed official on the Internet without first obtaining the written permission of
that individual." The full code is attached. This consent form will not be redacted
and will be attached to the Application and posted to the City's website.
Read the code, and check only ONE option below:
[2J I Greer Stone give permission for the City of Palo Alto to post to the
City's website the attached Board and Commission Application intact. I have
read and understand my rights under Government Code Section 6254.21. I may
revoke this permission at any time by providing written notice to the Palo Alto
City Clerk.
OR D I request that the City of Palo Alto redact my home
address, phone numbers, and email address from the attached Board and
Commission Application prior to posting to the City's website. I am providing the
following alternate information and request that they use the following contact
information instead.
751 Layne Ct. Apt. 15, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
Address
(650) 575-0405
Phone
gstone22@gmail.com
~~~ O_3_ro_1_~_0_13 __________________ _
Signature* Date
*The applicant must have a digital signature or print the application, sign in ink, and
deliver to the City Clerks Office. A typed signature or unsigned application will not be
accepted.
0/1 /')('111
'. ; )
5. How would you see your role as board member when recommending policy and working with the Council? If it
were necessary to change current roles, how would you approach making such changes?
See supplement, page 2.
6. What are the current issues facing the Human Relations Commission?
See supplement, page 3.
7. If appointed, what specific goals would you like to see the Human Relations Commission achieve?
See supplement, pages 4 -5.
0/1/..,n11
\ y
4. What is it about the Human Relations Commission that interests you? What
qualities, experience and expertise would you bring to the Human Relations
Commission?
Tolerance is the foundation for any great community. It is the respect for
others, awareness of our differences, and aversion towards discrimination that will
teach us to love our neighbors-regardless of race, creed, or sexual preference.
Having grown up in the Bay Area, one of the most diverse areas in the world, I have
learned the importance of tolerance by experience. I also studied it as a political
science major at UC Irvine. The Human Relations Commission is trusted with the job
of promoting such awareness and rooting out any discrimination in our community.
We must also ensure that every group in our community has a voice.
If I was on the commission, I would bring novel ideas and a dedication to
ensuring that all members of our community are protected from injustice. I am
particularly concerned with the members of our community who are so often
invisible-children and young adults. As a former student of the Palo Alto School
District and a current law student, I understand the problems that the youth in our
community have. I have lived the horrors of fellow students taking their own lives. I
have known the family and friends of those that ended their lives and felt a part of
their pain. I know from firsthand experience the pressures that students face in our
schools, the difficulties of getting involved in the community, and the helplessness
that many young people feel in a community that is otherwise so forward looking.
To supplement my firsthand experience, I have also studied discrimination I
extensively. My degree in political science allowed me to take a myriad of classes
dedicated to various issues plaguing our society. Discrimination has easily been one
of the most prevalent and destructive issues of our time. I have studied the chilling
effects of gender discrimination on business productivity, the deleterious
consequences of racial animosity with regards to education, and the disgraceful
treatment of the LGBT community. My legal training has allowed me to objectively
assess both sides of any argument. I would bring this skill to the commission,
objectively understanding each side of the debates and bringing my own set of
experiences into the equation to help reach the best conclusion.
As Yo-Yo Ma said, "our cultural strength has always been derived from our
diversity of understanding and experience." Palo Alto is in one of the most diverse
areas in the world; as such, we must fight every day to ensure that our citizens and
visitors are treated with the upmost respect and tolerance, by embracing our
differences we will learn to come together and strengthen our community.
1
5. How would you see your role as board member when recommending policy
and working with the Council? If it were necessary to change current roles,
how would you approach making. such changes?
I believe that every board member's primary responsibility is to bring his or
her own diverse experiences to each meeting, and to view each problem in a two
step manner. The first of these steps is to assess the problem in an objective
manner, seeing both sides of the story. Secondly, they must analyze the problem
through the lens of their own experiences to understand the human aspect of the
story. As a board member I would use my law school training to objectively assess
any issue that comes before the board, and I would use my own set of experiences to
empathize with the various demographics of Palo Alto. I would also be a
representative for the under thirty segment of the community.
Approximately 30% of the population is under the age of thirty, but this
segment of our population is significantly underrepresented in the Council. One of
my primary roles on the board would be recognizing the problems that my
demographic faces. This would ensure that not only are the young members of our
community not being discriminated against, but would also encourage more young
people to take part in community organizations and civic engagement. I have always
noticed a dearth of community involvement from the youth in our community. Many
young adults and teenagers feel that their voices are not being heard. I believe as a
member of this board I would show other young adults that they can be heard in our
community.
As a board member for the Human Relations Commission, it is essential to
empathize with all members of our community. No one member should be so
focused on one issue that they cannot change roles when necessary. I would
. welcome any role change because change allows us to get out of our comfort zone
and explore new avenues of thought.
2
'l J
'\
6. What are the current issues facing the Human Relations Commission?
The issues that face the Human Relations Commission are as diverse as our
city. These concerns range from a dearth oflowrincome housing to mental health
plaguing our youth to civil-rights violations in our schools. Palo Alto home prices
have been continuously on the rise over the past few decades and today Palo Alto is
one of the most expensive areas in the country to buy a home. Although high home
values are indicative of respectable communities, it also makes it much harder for
low-income families to purchase property or even afford rent.
With the pending closure of the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park, and the
displacement of nearly 400 residents who live there, Palo Alto is soon to have the
largest one-time eviction of residents since 1942. With the economy on the upturn
and real estate values growing again, the possibility that all 400 residents will find
comparable housing in Palo Alto is slim. Even with the Mobile Home Park
Conversion Ordinance that was passed in 2000, the likelihood of displacing these
residents elsewhere is unlikely. With the real estate values being so high, low
income families will continue to struggle in Palo Alto, and similar cities in the Bay
Area, until we can find a comprehensive strategy that will work.
Another issue facing our city is the pandemic of mental health issues
affecting our youth. It has become a far too common occurrence for Palo Altans to
pick up the Daily and have their hearts broken to learn of another teen suicide.
These tragedies, though too common, cC!n and must be eliminated. It is my belief
that this should be the cities number one priority until the problem is completely
addressed and solved. This issue requires a multifaceted approach and the
cooperation of all city departments, and through our commitment to eliminating
this horror we will succeed.
An additional issue that will likely come to the board's attention is the civil
rights violations of a middle school student. As a student in the Palo Alto School
District, and as a substitute teacher, I recognized first hand the effects of bullying on
our students. It not only has a deleterious affect on the learning environment but
can also lead to mental health issues if proper actions are not taken. The Human
Relations Board will undoubtedly face more pressure in the future from parents and
citizens alike urging the city to take more preemptive actions regarding bullying in
our schools. This is an issue that has been prevalent in our society for ages, but is
just now getting the public attention it deserves. As a community we must take the
proper actions to eliminate these issues and protect our students physical and
emotional well-being.
These three issues only scratch the surface of the myriad of problems
facing the Human Relations Board. My diverse background and unique perspective
on the various issues makes me a candidate that will bring fresh new ideas to the
board and a youthful perspective that is typically lacking in city departments. It is
my firm belief that the most vexing questions typically have the simplest answers,
we merely need the courage to pursue those solutions.
3
7. If appointed, what specific goals would you like to see the Human Relations
Commission achieve?
If appointed to the commission, I would work hard to achieve two primary
goals. First, I believe that safeguarding our youth's mental health should be priority
number one. Youth mental health covers abroad range of issues, including teen
suicide, bullying in schools, and overall life satisfaction. My second priority would be
ensuring that there is affordable housing for low-income families in our community.
When it comes to improving youth mental health, no option should be off the
table. As a community we should approach this issue in a collaborative way and
ensure that every department and office is doing their part. The city has already
implemented various programs to combat these issues, such as Project Safety Net,
but the issue is so pervasive that we need a comprehensive approach that addresses
the core issues of youth depression. These include bullying, overbearing
schoolwork, and lack of civic engagement.
In recent years the issue of school bullying has grabbed the national
spotlight. In February we learned that our very own school district was involved in a
federal civil-rights investigation into a middle school special-education student who
was constantly harassed and bullied for his disability. These kind of distractions not
only interrupt the school's ability to teach, but also hinder its students' abilities to
learn. I believe that when a school is both physically and emotionally safe, students
are able to perform at their fullest potentials.
Today, bullying has evolved past physical abuse into psychological
harassment in the form of cyber bullying we can learn from other states and school
districts that have implemented policies to combat these issues. For example, the
Michigan State Board of Education recently released a model anti-bullying policy.
Their program creates a comprehensive health education curriculum that teaches
students about the consequences of their actions on the mental health of themselves
and other students. The program also mandates annual training for school
employees and volunteers to insure significant contact with students and how to
recognize and combat bullying. I believe we should also provide training for
interested parents, which would help them detect if their children are being bullied
and give them the tools to remedy these problems. Finally, because cyber bullying
has become so prevalent we must create strong policies that allow the city and
school district to take administrative actions to prevent this kind of harm.
The second issue that I believe must be addressed is the dearth of low
income housing in Palo Alto. If the Buena Vista Mobile Home Park closes, we will see
the displacement of around 400 residents. Many of these residents are members of
minority groups, and many more have students that attend the various schools in
the area. Displacing these residents risks these families having to move into
dangerous neighborhoods in other cities. This move would also take these students
out of the Palo Alto School District, one of the greatest school districts in the
country. This displacement is not only unfair, but also de facto socioeconomic
discrimination. The commission must work hard to find an area within the confines
of the city to build more low-income housing. What defines our city is not the money
we make, but rather the values we share. People should not be denied access to this
4
great city for economic reasons. We must find a way to allow those families a chance
to enjoy the Palo Alto way of life.
5