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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2303-121211.Consideration of additional 2023 Council Priority Objectives City Council Staff Report From: City Manager Report Type: ACTION ITEMS Lead Department: City Manager Meeting Date: April 10, 2023 Report #:2303-1212 TITLE Consideration of additional 2023 Council Priority Objectives RECOMMENDATION Council to finalize consideration and approval of any additional objectives, as well as deferrals or deletions necessary, to advance the 2023 Council Priorities BACKGROUND On January 28, 20231, the Council held its annual retreat to approve the 2023 Council Priorities. The Priority Setting Guidelines define a priority as a topic that will receive unusual and significant attention during the year. At the conclusion of the retreat, the City Council approved the following priorities: Economic Recovery and Transition Climate Change and the Natural Environment: Protection and Adaptation Housing for Social and Economic Balance Community Health and Safety The City Council then directed that staff return with suggested objectives derived from Council comments at the annual retreat to achieve the strategic priorities. At its February 13, 20232 meeting, the Council adopted the proposed 61 objectives and acknowledged the resource allocations needed to advance the four 2023 Council Priorities. The Council directed a follow-up discussion on additional objectives for consideration in 2023 outlined below: A. Bulleted areas of focus and priority identified by City Council during their retreat discussion B. Discuss plans for commercial dewatering requirements 1 City Council Retreat 1/28/23 https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=1492 2 Council Meeting 2/13/23 https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=619&type=2 C. Facilitate a location for La Comida in North Palo Alto D. Determine next steps for the sea level rise and adaptation plan E. Construct preliminary plans for Area Plan at San Antonio and housing zoning upgrades for Cal Ave, Downtown and El Camino Real F. Adopting a safe system policy G. Increase youth mental health support and funding H. Evaluate funding and plan to return library services to pre-pandemic levels I. Remove parentheses under bullet one for Housing for social and economic balance J. Initiate zoning changes consistent with the Comprehensive Plan regarding creek corridor setbacks ANALYSIS Each year, the Council identifies Priorities and major projects or “objectives” that focus staff work and resources. Objectives are meant to reflect potential council actions, be measurable and time-bound in order to make real progress in advancing Council Priorities. In addition to these objectives, there is a great deal of work being completed on other high priority projects as directed by the City Council. While all projects are important, there must be a balance of resources to effectively implement new and existing programs and services. Attachment A includes the approved 61 Council objectives presented in February 2023. The list illustrates the vast amount of work tasked for 2023 for each Council Priority. At Council’s request, the table in Attachment A also identifies projects that advance more than one Priority. Table 1 below summarizes the 17 new objectives for consideration by Council Priority, each have been evaluated to inform the Council on timing and resources needed to implement. Estimated Completion: Calendar Year (CY) in which calendar quarter the project is estimated to be completed 2024 or Later: staff recommendation to consider in future years due to significant investment or pre-work needed to initiate objective. Resources Needed: $-$$$ level of investment needed $- Objective can be met mostly with existing staff, and/or up to $50K $$- Objective can be met with additional staff support, and/or up to $100K $$$- Objective can be met with additional staff, and/or more than $100K Council Priority: number of Priorities the objective advances, recognizing that some objectives advance more than one priority. *Clarification of scope and expectations of City role needed in order to confirm feasibility TABLE 1 2023 Council Priority Objectives for Consideration Estimated Completion Council Priority CY 2023 # New Objective Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 2024 or Later Resources Needed ER &T CC & NE HS & EB CH &S Economic Recovery and Transition (ER & T) 1 Evaluate implementing a business vacancy tax to incentivize activity x $$$ x Climate Change & the Natural Environment (CC & NE) 2 Engage youth in implementation of climate change initiatives, objectives, and goals x - x x 3 Naturalize Matadero Creek and evaluate setbacks x $$$ x x 4 Initiate zoning changes consistent with the Comprehensive Plan regarding creek corridor setbacks x $ x x 5 Determine next steps for the sea level rise and adaptation plan x $ x x 6 Evaluate and recommend strategies to protect natural habitats such as bird safe glass, wildlife protection from light pollution, etc. x $ x 7 Discuss plans for commercial dewatering requirements x $ x Housing for Social & Economic Balance (HS & EB) 8 Construct preliminary schedule for starting new coordinated area plans for San Antonio Road, California Ave, Downtown, and El Camino Real x $ x x 9 Evaluate RHNA housing allocation and encourage housing production that reflects the needs of the community x $ x 10 Establish a committee on housing to review housing policies * x $ x Community Health & Safety (CH & S) 11 Evaluate increasing HSRAP funding during the FY 2024 budget process x $-$$$ x 12 Facilitate a location for La Comida in North Palo Alto * x $-$$ x 13 Increase support and funding for youth mental health x $-$$$ x 14 Evaluate funding and plan to return library services to pre-pandemic levels x $$$ x 15 Increase police foot and bike patrol in the Downtown core x $$$ x 16 Complete phase 1 of developing a safe system policy: Safe Streets for all Action Plan and identify resources needed for policy implementation * x $ x x 17 Establish a Council ad hoc airplane noise committee to advance policies that protect residents from airplane noise and air pollution * x $$ x Identifying an Objective for 2024 consideration does not diminish its importance, instead it allows time for adequate resource and pre-work planning. Items notated for 2024 consideration will be brought back for Council review at its 2024 Priorities retreat. Staff recommends that Council review and discuss the timing and resource needs proposed for each of the additional objectives in the table above. In some cases, it may be necessary to further define the objective and work involved. Based on the February Council action, staff is now working to advance the approved priority objectives consistent with the approved timeline. Objectives that require additional resources are being evaluated for inclusion in the FY 2024 proposed budget. It should be noted that there will likely not be sufficient resources available to advance all objectives; this will require further Council deliberation and decisions as part of the budget process to determine which objectives will advance in the upcoming fiscal year. The additional objectives in the table above add to this prospective list of un-resourced objectives. This reinforces the importance of prioritizing objectives within existing resource constraints. FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT Council approval of previous and additional non-resourced 2023 Priority objectives will have the opportunity to be funded during the FY 2024 Budget Adoption process in June 2023. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT In March, staff will be presenting community engagement plans based on the selected 2023 Council Priorities and adopted objectives, to achieve these priorities and projects identified within each area. There are various levels of community engagement and communications to support each project. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW Council action on this item is not a project as defined by CEQA because the Council discussion on 2023 Priority Objectives is a continuing administrative or maintenance activity. CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (b)(2). ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: 2023 Council Priorities and Objectives APPROVED BY: Ed Shikada, City Manager Staff: Lupita Alamos, Assistant to the City Manager 2023 City Council Priorities and Objectives #Objective Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 ER &T CC& NE HS& EB CH& S Support Economic Recovery and Business Transition a Adopt a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy x $x x x b Implement or upgrade electronic plan review software without interruption to the permitting process (ERT 9)x x x x c Implement recommendations in Building and Permit Review Report conducted by the City Auditor x x x x d Begin stakeholder engagement and implementation of new business tax (Measure K)x $x x x x Focus on Commercial Corridors, Downtown and California Ave e Begin implementation of next phase of parklet regulations to the community x $x f Evaluate opportunities for New Parking Facilities in the University Ave Downtown and direct next steps (ERT 10)x x g Align Business Improvement District (BID) priorities and investments to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy(ERT1)x x h Select consultant to conduct a study that informs the development of a permanent car-free streets ordinance (ERT 6 & 7)x $x x i Approve concept plan for University Ave streetscape and provide direction on capital project funding (ERT 5)x x j Extend temporary closure for car free streets (ERT 6 & 7)x x x k Provide direction on citywide retail zoning code changes including retail preservation and neighborhood commercial district specific regulations and CUP thresholds (ERT 4, 12, 13)2024 x Climate Change Protection l Implement Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) through purchase of meters/equipment for installation(CCPA7)x x m Approve consultant to update Bike and Pedestrian Transportation Plan x x x n Approve municipal code amendments for advancing S/Cap goals (specifically facilitate photovoltaic, energy storage system, electric vehicle charging station, and heat pump (water/furnace) installations) (CCPA1)x x o Approve S/CAP Update and 3-year workplan (CCPA4)x x p New: Begin first phase construction for grid modernization and consultant resources to plan for gas transition x x q Install first 1,000 heat pump water heaters through the advanced pilot program and approve expanded full-scale program x x r Approve advanced pilot program for whole residential home electrification by the end of 2023 (targeted areas)x x s Approve commercial rooftop HVAC electrification advanced pilot program x x t Accept Electric Vehicle Strategic Plan x $x x u Accept Reliability and Resiliency Strategic Plan x $x x v Review preliminary draft S/CAP study discussing workplan resource needs and project funding opportunities x $x Climate Change Adaptation: Flood Protection w New: Advance the San Francisquito Creek Flood Protection capital project (Reach 2) by the end of 2023, through Council’s JPA representation and any Council approvals involved. x x x x Secure funding and approve construction for the Newell Bridge replacement project; advocacy with State legislators educating on project funding needs (CHS10)x $x x Natural Environment x y Approve operations and maintenance agreements with Valley Water purified water facility at LATP Area B (CCPA3)x x z Adopt appropriate changes to the revised Tree Protection Ordinance x x Advance Renter Protection Policies aa Approve access to rental units by establishing security deposit limits x x bb Provide protections to renters by considering expansion of the just cause eviction ordinance (HSEB16)x x x cc Implement a rental registry to inform future renter protection policies (HSEB15)2024 x x Advance Housing Plans dd Expand housing opportunities through the initiation of a Downtown Housing Plan: approval of project funding and a consultant contract (HSEB10)x $x x x ee Advance local and state housing interests through a HCD-compliant Housing Element (HSEB5)x x ff Advance vision for North Ventura Coordinated Area by adopting a coordinated area plan (HSEB4)x x gg Create new affordable housing opportunities through funding such as a housing land trust, in particular, CalCHA TBD x hh Explore opportunities to regulate short term-rentals with Council committee TBD x Implement Housing Production Policies ii Codify permanent standards related to the City local SB9 implementation ordinance (HSEB 14)x x jj Approve adjusted Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations to facilitate production and meet HCD requirements (HSEB9)x x kk Respond to various Grand Jury recommendations related to Housing (HSEB 6, 17, 24)x x ll Refine implementation of City’s SB9 objective development and urban lot split standards (HSEB 14)x x mm Adopt an ordinance amending the development standards for Stanford-owned housing opportunity sites x x nn Rezone carryover housing opportunity sites for by-right development when developed with 20% lower income affordable housing units x x oo Adopt an ordinance to implement revised development standards for certain properties located in the GM/ROLM to allow for densities up to 90 units/acre x x Support Unhoused Service Initiatives pp Begin construction in partnership with LifeMoves for Palo Alto Homekey project to provide transitional housing and services for unhoused residents (HSEB13)x x x qq Develop a citywide strategy to connect unhoused residents to housing and services x $x x Mental & Physical Health and Belonging rr Complete reopening libraries to budgeted level (remains below pre-pandemic levels) (CHS5)x x ss Approval of multi-year agreement for provisions of animal shelter services (CHS1)x $x tt Expand and enhance community special events with focus on inclusion (linked to activities in ERT)x $x x uu Approve agreement with PAUSD on long term use of the Cubberley property (CHS2)x x vv Evaluate Recreation Wellness Center Feasibility (CHS14)x $x Invest in Reliable Safety Infrastructure and Systems ww Support visible police presence by ensuring stable staffing (recruiting and retention) through hiring ahead program (CHS6)x $x xx Support a diverse community through extension of the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) program services to the community through affirmation of continued City financial support x $x yy Update without interruption 911 dispatch system (CAD provider) once selected through procurement process (CHS4)x x zz New: Begin construction of the Gas Main Replacement Project 24B x x aaa Approve updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CHS15)x x x bbb Implement Foothills Fire Management Plan (CHS3)x x x ccc Advance final construction phase of Public Safety Building and begin preparations for move-in (CHS9)x x ddd Approve next steps for the rebuild of Fire Station No. 4 project (specifically design and entitlements) (CHS17)x x eee Approve resources and consultant to study and develop seismic and resiliency ordinance (CHS20)x $x x Reduction of Noise and Air Quality Pollution x fff Update gas-powered leaf blower ordinance and enforcement plan (CHS16)x x x ggg Implement a strategy for the provision and promotion of unleaded fuel at Palo Alto Airport (CHS12)x x hhh New: Approval of quiet zone implementation (rail/train crossings)x x x iii Engage with the SFO Roundtable on SFO's Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) project and other potential opportunities to decrease SFO noise impacts on Palo Alto (CHS11)TBD x x x Estimated Completion HOUSING FOR SOCIAL & ECONOMIC BALANCE (HS&EB) COMMUNITY HEALTH & SAFETY (CH&S) ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND TRANSITION (ER&T) CLIMATE CHANGE & THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT (CC&NE) Council Priority Support Res o u r c e s Nee d e d ATTACHMENT A