HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 12277
CITY OF PALO ALTO OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
May 17, 2021
The Honorable City Council
Attention: Finance Committee
Palo Alto, California
Approval of Action Minutes for the April 26 and May 3, 2021 City
Council Meetings
Staff is requesting Council review and approve the attached Action Minutes.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Attachment A: 04-26-21 CCM DRAFT Action Minutes (PDF)
• Attachment B: 05-03-21 CCM DRAFT Action Minutes (DOCX)
Department Head: Beth Minor, City Clerk
Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Page 1 of 7
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 04/26/2021
Special Meeting
April 26, 2021
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in virtual
teleconference at 5:00 P.M.
Participating Remotely: Burt, Cormack, DuBois, Filseth, Kou, Stone, Tanaka
Absent:
Closed Session
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his designees
Pursuant to Merit System Rules and Regulations (Ed Shikada,
Rumi Portillo, Molly Stump, Kiely Nose, Nick Raisch, Bob Jonsen,
Geo Blackshire, Dean Batchelor)
Employee Organizations: Service Employees International Union,
(SEIU) Local 521; Service Employees International Union, (SEIU) Local
521, Hourly Unit; Palo Alto Police Officers Association (PAPOA); Palo
Alto Fire Chiefs’ Association (FCA) and Employee Organization:
International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Local 1319; Palo Alto
Police Manager’s Association (PAPMA); Utilities Management and
Professional Association of Palo Alto (UMPAPA);
Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6(a).
MOTION: Council Member Cormack moved, seconded by Council Member
Stone to go into Closed Session.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
Council went into Closed Session at 5:01 P.M.
Council returned from Closed Session at 6:30 P.M.
Mayor DuBois announced no reportable action.
Consent Calendar
Council Member Tanaka registered a no vote on Agenda Item Number 2.
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Page 2 of 7
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 04/26/2021
MOTION: Council Member Cormack moved, seconded by Mayor DuBois to
approve Agenda Item Numbers 2-3.
2. Approval of Amendment Number 3 to Contract Number C18171057
With AECOM for Continued Services for the Connecting Palo Alto Rail
Grade Separation (PL-17001) Effort and to Increase Compensation by
$80,000 for a Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $2,874,658.
3. Council Approval of Appointment of Terence Howzell as Chief Assistant
Attorney.
MOTION PASSED FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2: 6-1 Tanaka no
MOTION PASSED FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 3: 7-0
Action Items
4. TEFRA HEARING: Regarding Conduit Financing for the Oshman Family
Jewish Community Center Located at 3921 Fabian Way; Approving the
Issuance of Revenue Obligations by the California Enterprise
Development Authority for the Purpose of Financing and Refinancing
the Cost of the Acquisition, Development, Construction, Installation,
Equipping, and Furnishing of Various Educational Facilities and Other
Matters Relating Thereto; and Adopting Resolution 9950 Entitled,
“Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving the
Deemed Reissuance of Certain Revenue Obligations of the California
Enterprise Development Authority in an Aggregate Principal Amount
Not-to-Exceed $37,800,000 for the Purpose of Refinancing the
Acquisition, Construction, Improvement, Furnishing and Equipping of a
Community Center for Oshman Family Jewish Community Center, and
Certain Other Matters Relating Thereto.”
Public Hearing opened at 6:54 P.M.
Public Hearing closed at 6:57 P.M.
MOTION: Mayor DuBois moved, seconded by Council Member Stone to
Adopt a Resolution approving the deemed reissuance of obligations by the
California Enterprise Development Authority (CEDA) for the benefit of
Oshman Family Jewish Community Center (Borrower).
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
5. Connecting Palo Alto Rail Grade Separation: Discuss Final Report and
Recommendations From the Expanded Community Advisory Panel
(XCAP); Removal of two Rail Grade Separation Alternatives From
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Page 3 of 7
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 04/26/2021
Further Consideration; and Review of the Draft Work Plan (Continued
From March 23, 2021).
MOTION: Vice Mayor Burt moved, seconded by Council Member Kou to:
A. Eliminate the South Palo Alto Tunnel (Passenger and Freight) and
South Palo Alto Tunnel alternatives;
B. Direct Staff to return to Council with:
i. South Palo Alto Underpass:
a. Pursue design iterations of Underpass alternatives at
Charleston and East Meadow, including engaging an urban
designer;
b. Engage a City Manager appointed stakeholder group;
c. Additional evaluation of the trench alternative;
ii. Churchill Area Bike/Pedestrian:
a. Scoping plan for Alma/Seale and Alma/vicinity of Loma
Verde bike/pedestrian crossing, including an update on
Bike/Pedestrian Master Plan and how it relates to grade
separation plans;
b. Research the long-term viability of the Embarcadero Bridge
whether and when an eventual replacement may be
needed;
iii. Caltrain Issues:
a. In collaboration with other cities, engage with Caltrain on
new Engineering and Construction Standards and the 4-
track issue and open a dialogue with neighboring cities,
such as Menlo Park;
iv. Traffic:
a. Update Traffic Study and Provide an additional scope of
work to address issues raised by the Expanded Community
Advisory Panel (XCAP);
v. Geotechnical and Drainage:
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Page 4 of 7
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 04/26/2021
a. Conduct preliminary geotechnical and drainage
investigations to evaluate alternatives in preparation for
the next phase;
vi. Outreach:
a. Work with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD)
and related stakeholders to collaborate on designs
(modifications and return to Council with an update by
August 2021);
b. Fully engage with Stanford;
vii. An updated Work Plan and the anticipated timing for Council
review of alternatives;
viii. Plans for a Technical Advisory Committee;
C. Refer to the Rail Committee to:
i. Meet with Caltrain on technical issues and support a Local Policy
Maker Group Sub-Committee;
ii. Review and recommend updates to the Grade Separation
Criteria; and
iii. Review XCAP’s suggestions for safety mitigations along the
entire corridor and recommend further action.
INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
MAKER AND SECONDER to add to Motion, Part B.i.a, “…and mitigating
takings of private property to the greatest extent possible”.
MOTION AS AMENDED: Vice Mayor Burt moved, seconded by Council
Member Kou to:
A. Eliminate the South Palo Alto Tunnel (Passenger and Freight) and
South Palo Alto Tunnel alternatives;
B. Direct Staff to return to Council with:
i. South Palo Alto Underpass:
a. Pursue design iterations of Underpass alternatives at
Charleston and East Meadow, including engaging an urban
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Page 5 of 7
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 04/26/2021
designer, and mitigating takings of private property to the
greatest extent possible;
b. Engage a City Manager appointed stakeholder group;
c. Additional evaluation of the trench alternative;
ii. Churchill Area Bike/Pedestrian:
a. Scoping plan for Alma/Seale and Alma/vicinity of Loma
Verde bike/pedestrian crossing, including an update on
Bike/Pedestrian Master Plan and how it relates to grade
separation plans;
b. Research the long-term viability of the Embarcadero Bridge
whether and when an eventual replacement may be
needed;
iii. Caltrain Issues:
a. In collaboration with other cities, engage with Caltrain on
new Engineering and Construction Standards and the 4-
track issue and open a dialogue with neighboring cities,
such as Menlo Park;
iv. Traffic:
a. Update Traffic Study and Provide an additional scope of
work to address issues raised by the Expanded Community
Advisory Panel (XCAP);
v. Geotechnical and Drainage:
a. Conduct preliminary geotechnical and drainage
investigations to evaluate alternatives in preparation for
the next phase;
vi. Outreach:
a. Work with the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD)
and related stakeholders to collaborate on designs
(modifications and return to Council with an update by
August 2021);
b. Fully engage with Stanford;
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Page 6 of 7
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 04/26/2021
vii. An updated Work Plan and the anticipated timing for Council
review of alternatives;
viii. Plans for a Technical Advisory Committee;
C. Refer to the Rail Committee to:
i. Meet with Caltrain on technical issues and support a Local Policy
Maker Group Sub-Committee;
ii. Review and recommend updates to the Grade Separation
Criteria; and
iii. Review XCAP’s suggestions for safety mitigations along the
entire corridor and recommend further action.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Council Member Cormack moved, seconded by
Council Member Filseth to direct Staff to:
A. Eliminate the following alternatives from further consideration,
including South Palo Alto Tunnel (passenger and freight) and South
Palo Alto Tunnel (with at-grade freight);
B. Accept the Staff’s Proposed Grade Separation Work Plan and
Anticipated Timing;
i. Summer: Complete a detailed review of the Charleston/Meadow
alternatives still under consideration, then provide direction on
additional studies/next phase of the project;
ii. Fall: Complete a detailed review of the Churchill alternatives still
under consideration, then provide direction on additional
studies/next phase of the project;
iii. Fall/Winter: Council to reconvene the Rail Committee and
discuss financial considerations;
C. Refer to the Rail Committee to:
i. Work with Caltrain on political and technical issues; and
ii. Review and recommend updates to the Grade Separation
Criteria.
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Page 7 of 7
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 04/26/2021
INCORPORATED INTO THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION WITH THE
CONSENT OF THE MAKER AND SECONDER to add to the Substitute
Motion, Part B, “…incorporating details from the Expanded Community
Advisory Panel (XCAP) report and feedback from Council tonight”.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION AS AMENDED: Council Member Cormack moved,
seconded by Council Member Filseth to direct Staff to:
A. Eliminate the following alternatives from further consideration,
including South Palo Alto Tunnel (passenger and freight) and South
Palo Alto Tunnel (with at-grade freight);
B. Accept the Staff’s Proposed Grade Separation Work Plan and
Anticipated Timing incorporating details from the Expanded
Community Advisory Panel (XCAP) report and feedback from Council
tonight;
i. Summer: Complete a detailed review of the Charleston/Meadow
alternatives still under consideration, then provide direction on
additional studies/next phase of the project;
ii. Fall: Complete a detailed review of the Churchill alternatives still
under consideration, then provide direction on additional
studies/next phase of the project;
iii. Fall/Winter: Council to reconvene the Rail Committee and
discuss financial considerations;
C. Refer to the Rail Committee to:
i. Work with Caltrain on political and technical issues; and
ii. Review and recommend updates to the Grade Separation
Criteria.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED: 6-1 Kou, no
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 11:07 P.M. in recognition of
Jasmina Bojic, the Founder and Executive Director of UNAFF (United Nations
Association Film Festival), a longtime Stanford educator and film critic to join
the International Council for Film, Television and Audiovisual Communication
(ICFT) UNESCO based in Paris.
CITY COUNCIL
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Page 1 of 4
Special Meeting
May 3, 2021
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in virtual
teleconference at 5:01 P.M.
Participating Remotely: Burt, Cormack, DuBois, Filseth, Kou, Stone, Tanaka
Absent:
Special Orders of the Day
1. Resolution 9951 Entitled, “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Expressing Appreciation to Margaret Zittle Upon Her Retirement.”
MOTION: Mayor DuBois moved, seconded by Council Member Cormack to
adopt a Resolution Expressing Appreciation to Margaret Zittle Upon Her
Retirement.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
2. Resolution 9952 Entitled, “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo
Alto Expressing Appreciation to Phil Bobel Upon His Retirement.”
MOTION: Mayor DuBois moved, seconded by Council Member Filseth to
adopt a Resolution Expressing Appreciation to Phil Bobel Upon His Retirement.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions
None.
Minutes Approval
3. Approval of Action Minutes for the April 12, 2021 City Council Meeting.
MOTION: Mayor DuBois moved, seconded by Council Member Cormack to
approve the Action Minutes for the April 12, 2021 City Council Meeting.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Page 2 of 4
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 05/03/2021
Consent Calendar
MOTION: Vice Mayor Burt moved, seconded by Council Member Stone, third
by Council Member Tanaka to pull Agenda Item Number 8 to be heard at the
end of the meeting.
MOTION: Council Member Kou moved, seconded by Mayor DuBois to approve
Agenda Item Numbers 4-7, 9.
Council Member Tanaka registered a no vote on Agenda Item Numbers 6 and
9.
4. Approval of Amendment Number 3 to Contract Number C16162262 With
Biggs Cardosa Associates, Inc. to Extend the Term of the Contract
Through December 31, 2021, at no Added Cost to the City, for
Continued Construction Support Services for the Highway 101
Pedestrian/Bicycle Overpass Project (PE-11011).
5. Staff and the Utilities Advisory Commission Recommend the City Council
Approve the City's 10 Year Energy Efficiency Goals for 2022-2031.
6. Approval of Contract Number C21180722 With Brad Horak Consulting in
an Amount Not-to-Exceed $250,000 to Provide Wireless Consulting
Services in Support of Palo Alto Public Safety for a Five -year Term
Through April 11, 2026.
7. Adoption of an Updated Salary Schedule for Water, Gas, and
Wastewater Inspectors Represented by Service Employees International
Union (SEIU) 521 in Compliance With the Arbitration Award.
8. Review and Approve Fiscal Year 2021 Capital Project Budget Reductions
of $2.5 Million; and Approve a Budget Amendment in the Capital
Improvement Fund.
9. Request for Authorization to Amend the Existing Legal Service
Agreement With the Law Firm of Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley, PC
(Contract S17167696) to Increase the Contract Amount by an Additional
$45,000, for a new Not-to-Exceed Amount of $385,000.
MOTION PASSED FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBERS 4-5, 7: 7-0
MOTION PASSED FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6: 6-1 Tanaka no
MOTION PASSED FOR AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 9: 6-1 Tanaka no
Council took a break at 6:07 P.M. and returned at 6:16 P.M.
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Page 3 of 4
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 05/03/2021
Action Items
10. Planning and Transportation Commission Recommend Review of two
Concept Plan Alternatives for Improvements to the Alma Street and
Churchill Avenue Intersection; and Direct Staff to Complete Final
Design Plans, Environmental Analysis, Specifications, and Estimates for
Construction for Alternative 2.
MOTION: Council Member Cormack moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Burt to
approve Concept Plan Alternative 2 as the preferred alternative for the near-
term safety improvements to the Alma Street and Churchill Avenue Railroad
Crossing; and direct Staff to complete final design plans, environmental
analysis, specifications, and estimates for construction.
MOTION FAILED: 3-4 Burt, Cormack, Stone yes
MOTION: Mayor DuBois moved, seconded by Council Member Kou to approve
Concept Plan Alternative 1 as the preferred alternative for the near-term
safety improvements to the Alma Street and Churchill Avenue Railroad
Crossing; and direct Staff to complete final design plans, environmental
analysis, specifications, and estimates for construction.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
11. PUBLIC HEARING: Adoption of the Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) Funds for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 Annual Action
Plan; and Resolution 9953 Entitled, “Resolution of the Council of the
City of Palo Alto Approving the use of CDBG Funds for FY 2021-22.”
Public Hearing opened at 7:56 P.M.
Public Hearing closed at 7:58 P.M.
MOTION: Mayor DuBois moved, seconded by Council Member Stone to:
A. Adopt the draft Fiscal Year 2021-22 Annual Action Plan and the
associated Resolution allocating Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG) funding for Fiscal Year 2021-22;
B. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 CDBG
application to fund the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan and
any other necessary documents concerning the application, and to
otherwise bind the City with respect to the applications and commitment
of funds; and
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Page 4 of 4
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 05/03/2021
C. Authorize Staff to submit the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan
to HUD by the May 15, 2021 deadline.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
Council took a break at 8:11 P.M. and returned at 8:23 P.M.
Study Session
12. Fiscal Year 2022 Proposed Budget Overview.
NO ACTION TAKEN
13. (Former Agenda Item Number 8) Review and Approve Fiscal Year 2021
Capital Project Budget Reductions of $2.5 Million; and Approve a Budget
Amendment in the Capital Improvement Fund.
MOTION: Council Member Filseth moved, seconded by Council Member
Cormack to approve the proposed additional $2.5 million reduction in Fiscal
Year 2021 capital project budget, and amend the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget
Appropriation for the Capital Improvement Fund (majority approval needed)
by:
A. Decreasing the Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Project (PE-13011) by
$2,000,000;
B. Decreasing the Street Maintenance Project (PE-86070) by $376,000;
C. Decreasing the Thermoplastic Striping Project (PO-11011) by $15,500;
D. Decreasing the Downtown Automated Parking Guidance Systems,
Access Controls & Revenue Collection Equip. Project (PL -15002) by
$150,000; and
E. Increasing the Ending Fund Balance by $2,541,500.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Vice Mayor Burt moved, seconded by Council
Member Stone to accept the Staff recommendation, except the
Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Project, which should proceed this year with
the bid accepted by Staff.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION FAILED: 3-4 Burt, Stone, Tanaka yes
MOTION PASSED: 4-3 Burt, Stone, Tanaka no
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 11:14 P.M.