HomeMy WebLinkAbout0137.091•
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January 31, 1991
THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA
~.l.~tiop of Cquncil prio~itle. for Itil
Members of the Council:
This is the fifth year in which Council bas set aside time to
review the variety of issues of importance to the city ana to
determina which issues shall be the focus of Council attention
durinq the year~
On January 7 I 1991, ccuncil Members met in study session and
developed a list of potential issues from which the Council
priorities for 1991 would be selecte~~ The product of ~~at study
session, a list of 27 issues I is Attachment 1 to this report.
Followinq the process 'Which has been used in previous years,
Council Members received score sheets on which they individually
assigned points to establish their own p:riorities~ The score
sheets have been tabulated and the composit,e appears as Attachment
2.
Attachment 3 is a liE;t of the issues as Council has now ranked
them. Attachment 3 also indicates the range of points assigned to
various issues and the number of Council Members who selected each
item. Some Council Members suggssted that certain issues be
combined and provided further comment~ ~bout their interpretation
Qf some issues; refer to the footnotes on aI_ttachment 3.
Palo Alto's economic future (iteD 1), a Council priority in 1989
and 1990, again received the greatest number of points but ""as
selected by only four council Members. The largest number of
Council Members, six, assigned points to item 5 which related to
establishinq appropriate service levels consistent with available
tunding~ Several Council Members suggested combining either some
or all of the items related to human services issues (items 2, 4,
12, 14 r and is,; a priority in the hUman services area appears to
be supported by seven Counc i 1 Members.
CMR:.1J7:5i1
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When Council selected its 1990 priorities, it set the following
guidelines for the prOC8s.s and may wish to 89ain observe these: be
aware ot staff workload wh~n selecting priorities; set qoals for
assessing progreesi be cognizant of issues where City is already
b~vl1y involved; and, acknowledge that the selection of certain
issues as. council's high.est priorities should not sugqest that
other issues will be ignored.
Because tbe discussion at council priorities occurs in a Council
study session. the priorities are agreed upon by consensus. No
tortllal action is taken. _ Follo'Winq the study session, st.aff will
refine the definition and 90a1 statement of each priority selected
and return for approval at a regular Council meeting.
Respectfully submitted~
I/~~~ VIcci {;;;gIN
Assist4nt to the City Manager
';fILi.
City
,.tta
Kanaqar
nts: 1. List of 5U9gested issues
2. Composite score sheet
3. Results of initial scoring
4. Letter from Trina Lovercheck, 1/22/91
Related staff Reports:
CMR:1J7;U
CMR!616:0 Council Priorities for 1991, 12/31/90
CHR:114:91 List of Issues for Priority Setting,
1/10/91
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A'M'ACIIMBIIT 1
LI87 or 8gQGBS~BD ISSOBS FOR PRIORITY SBT7IKG
1.. Become proactive in quidinq Palo Alto's economic future.
2.
Develop an economic strategy.. (Cobb)
This is a continuation or the Co~ncil's ~390 priority.
Progress bas been summarized in recent status reports to
council ..
The homeless ..
all services,
(Woolley)
Assessment and follow-up action on access to
especially for homeless children and seniors4
other than the rotating shalter program sponsored by the
Urblln Ministry, there is no permanent shelter L"cility i.n
the North county .. The City presently allocates community
Development Block Grant funds to the Urban Hini.5try
($30,000) and to the San Jose-based Emergency Housing
consortium ($10,000). The Urban Ministry bas requested
a $36,000 grant from the City's General Fund for an
additional case lDanager which would' enable tile program to
serve an additioD81 100 clients, either homeless or at
risk.
3.. coaprehensive Plan update.. 'IYo-fold concept: 1) print an
amalgamation of the 1980 Plan plus amendments; 2) embark on a
Comprehensive 1990 Plan which reconciles the major ehanqes of
the past few years with the 1980 Plan and looks to the. future,
taking into account the many regional issues which now face
Palo Alto. (Renzell
~bs Planning Department OOcume1lt wbieb will accomplisb #1
is nearly completed. With respect to 12, tbe various
planning studies which have delayed progress on the
Comprehensive Plan Update over the past fev year.s have
alEo served to provide mtlch. or the da'ta and policies
needed Lor a Comprebensive Plan Update. Assuming full
sto.fring and absent the need to address other major
plannin~ issues, the Planning Department sbould be able
'to embar~ on the Comprehensive Plan Update ..
4.. Services tor tamilias in crisis.. Support extension of
prevention and intervention services within the community for
youths an<! adults experiencing: domestic or cOlMDunity violence,
abuse I or substance abuse.. (Anders~n)
This 1s reflactive or the goals ado~ed by the Human
Relations COllJ11Jisslon and put Loeth to the council ~
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5. Establish appropriate service levels consistent. with available
tunding. I.prove cOEAunicstions with the public regarding the
funding levels req".lired to provide needed service le.vels~
(Kniss/Cobb/Zanerl
The two sentences wbleb comprise the above statement lifer.
put fortl4Z'd 6S separate Buggestions. Secause of the
apparent relationship, sta~L bas consolidated them.
6. passage of local ballot measure to increase Gann Limit
ceilinq.. (Fazzino)
~bis measure is presently scbeduled to be on the ballot
in November ~991. New guidelines for Gann Limit
calculations w-i11 be published in 15.te ... Ta.1Llary/February
and .aay affect the timing oL this election. A report:
will be made to council.
7. Speei_en and heritaqe tree ordinance. (sutorius)
StafL cautIons 'the Council that 'the exper.ience or other
municj~ljties vhi~~ bave $uch ordinances is that they
are costly and time-consuming to adllinister. The concept
was considered in conjunct.ton with tbe development or the
single rUtily residential '/Uidelines and rejected because
it would bave further extended the amount of time
required tor approval or a buil ding application. The
service to property owners which is entailed in • tree
ordinance liould necessitate an additional arborist on the
City staLL.
8.. Reqional governance proposals,. such as AB 3 ;!10M the Bay Vision
20/20 effort. (Kc:cownl
.Aiaong its prioriti.es tor 1988 and 1989, the Council
selected ·Regional Impacts and Relationships· and noted
signiLicant a~complishments vithin the county and with
neighboring jurisdictions. Council representatives and
City stafr continue to J'lOnitor, review and ev.,luate
proposals related to reg:onal government. There is the
potentlal :for major legislative cha.nges this year. A
joint city COuncil-Planning commission study session on
this issue is scheduled for March.
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~. Relationships with neighborinq communities: East Palo Alto,
Menlo park, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills. (Levy)
outreach eo nelgt~rin9 communities was a componen~ of
ebe council's 1998 and 1989 prlo~ltjes. The Council bas
beld Joint meetings "ttb the Menlo Pari< and East Palo
Alto City CO:Jncils. The land use review agreement
negotiated vith Menlo Park In 1988 continues in force.
Xt bas proven infeasible to negotiate sl~jlar agreements
vitb Hountain View, Los Altos:, and Los Altos Hills
because of an absence ot onrso1ng development issues;
how-ever, planning staLL COmMunicates with neighboring
jurisdictions when proposals of potential co.mmon interest;
occur.
10. Resolution of the flood zone issue ~ith FEKA. (Woolley)
on December 10, 1990 (CMR:599:0), statt reported to
Council on the status or t:he City's application for
joining FBlfA's Community Rating System PrograJIJ.
Participation in this Program ~ould enable all residents
in the flood zone to take advantage oL reduced flood
insurance premiums. T'be application was subm.itted and,
lL approved, the premiUJIJ reduction will take effect
OCtober ~, ~991.
FEIlA bas audited tbe City's adm1nlstration or the
R..stlcnal Insurance Flood ProgrartJ. starr anticipates
receiving tbe audit results ".ithl.n about -two months, and
will return to Council vith this inrormation.
rhe City has contracted with a lobbyise in Washington,
D.C. ror the purpose of identifying and assessing rlood
zone area problems.
11. Sinqle family neighborhood quidelines. Establish individual
neiqhborbood guidelines and setbacks to reflect unique
neighborhood characteristics. (Renzel)
Single family design guidelines wbich are applicable to
the entire city are currently in preparation. The
consultant's draft document viII be reviewed by tbe HRB,
ARB, and Planning commission before it Is presented to
the Council tbis summer .. These guidelines are gene~ic and
will not be -inrjividual neigf'o..borhood guidelines .. -The
Planninq Department estimates that work or that sort
"ould cost 111 excess or $200, 000 .. Upon completion ot the
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guidelines, the Planning Department intends to begin a
study or setbacks throughout tbe city. As a reBult of
this Jntensive project, the special setback map ~jJJ be
revised 4."2d &pecJric setbacks .,.ill be created ~or all
block frontages in tbe City.
12. Develop, with the cooperation ot surrounding comm~nities, a
lonq range comprehensive Midpeninsula proqram for addressinq
drug abuse and drug-related crime.. components to be addressed
inclooe: I} qettlnq druq dealers otf the Midpeninsula, 2)
community education and involvement, 3J regional police
training, 4} seeking funding .e~~ods. (Andersen)
SUbstance abuse preventl~, intervention l and education
was a 1990 council priority. A detailed ~ummary of the
City's pr~s in accomplishing tbe goals of tbis
priority was provided the council in CHR:102:91 (January
3, ~991), distributed in last week's packet.
13. The fUture of the California Avenue and Midtown Business
Districts. (Fazzino)
A comprehensive land' use and tra.. .. lsport.tion study or the
Ca~lfornia Avenue Area ~as completed in the .id-19BorS~
rolloved by • reduction in development potential~
Bowever, subsequent Downtown and Citywide st~dies
resulted in tbe California Avenue Area having the highest
per parcel development potenUal in the City. "'hile this
situation should be corrected for the california Avenue
district, there appears to be no urgency to launch a
study of either the california AVttJ1Ue or HidtCNTI. business
district; the City has received no 4evelopmQn~ proposals
",bich would' change tho status quo ot eitber district.
Furthermore, any significant studies ~ollld fllXtber delay
progress on the comprehensive Plan update~
14. Improve access to resources by those who do not have equal
~rtunities, including people with disabIlities, homeless
peopl.~ and .inorities~ (Sutor ius)
7'his is a.mong tbe gods adopted by tbe Human
Rela~ions Commission and put forth to the Council.
• Paqe 5
15. Increaee the stock of affordable housing, and protect existing
affordable housing units" especially those federally
subsidized developments in Palo Alto whose preservation is at
risk. (lfoCown)
Council, on sept-ember 10, 1990" referred 'the 1ssue of
.~jn't~jnjng Palo Alto's ex1sting affordable ho~slng to
'the policy and Procedures COiDmittee. StarL is currently
working ~lth the Palo Alto Housing corporation on this
issue and anticipates scheduli.ng tbe i.s6ue "for P & P
within a raw months.
16. Planninq for water usage, in preparation for long term
shortaqes. Active participation by council in reqional water
supply issues. (Levy/Zaner)
Council will be receiving an jnrorma~ional st«ff report
this month describing propose(1 short-and long-teZ'lZl
courses oL Bction ror d6aling with water supply issues.
Proposals to permanently reduce vster consumption will be
inCluded in the state-mandated' Urban Water M4Jl4gement:
Plan, a drBLt oL wbicb rill come to Council in February
for public hearing and approval prior to being submittted
~o the state Depart~ent of WBter Res~roes.
17. The utility users tax -its level~ use, and future. (Cobb)
Council receives midyear and annual reports vhich
summarize VVT revenues received and projected. current
COUncil policy devotes OUT revenues to the school
district lease and covenant not to develop, tJie CUbberley
project, a~d streets and sidewalks maintenance.
18. Noise control. Lessen the overall noise levels. (Renzel)
fiith respect to aircrIJrt Doise" the FAA-fu.nded study
which Santa Clara county has agreed to condUct at the
request of the council viII get undervay in February.
With respec! to noise Erom gas-powered leafblovers" the
Ci'tyordinance (PAJIC 9.l0.060) permitted 4 noise level of
82 dBA at a distance oL 25 Leet during speciEied hours
until JulY 1, 1989; the penrritted level dropped to a
maxi~ullt 75 dBA after that date. Police enrorcement oL the
75 dBA 1s occurring on a complaint basis.
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Paqe 6
19. latablish a proce •• tor community citlrenry and aqenciea to
forumulate environmental proposals tor Council and community
consideration. (Andersen)
A proposal to create an advisory Environmental co1JUD..ission
vas present-ad to the Council on April 23, 2990. The
~ouncil directed tbe lIayor to appoint an ad hoc commIttee
(Andersen, Levy, and HcCownj to develop a lllOre specific
proposlil.
20. Promote efforts to improve communi ty understandinq and
appreciation of diverse cultures and lifestyles, rel,igious,
racial, and ethnic qroups. (Kniss)
This is among the goals adopted by the Human Relations
ColUllission and put forth to the council.
21. Utilities and Public Wo~ks infrastructure funding and
planninq. (Fazzino)
~h. Capjta~ Improvement Progra~ approved by Council in
~990 inallg'o.Irat"ecf t-be stOrllt drain enterprise capj tal
proqraa and be~an the multi-year Utilities
infrastructure replacement and augmentation progclUlJ. At
4 study sess:1on beld Ol'l April 2, ~990, Council re",'jeved'
tho int'rastructure pl~ t'or the electric utility aDd the
gas, V'ater, and wastewater collection utilities.. Tbe
plans W"ere the culmination of several years or
int'rastructur. analysis beginning in ~9B5. For a: more
debtiled SUJlUlluy of the status o~ inrrastructure :funding
and planning, rerer to the city Manager's Message in the
1990-1995 Capital Improvement Program, pages 5-6.
22. Re-evaluate ana explore alternative enerqy sources for city
vebicles for enerqy conservation and clean air benefits.
(Sutorius)
Opportunities Lor erploration of alternatives which
Utilities staLL is already aware oL inclUde 1) the
recently-announCed joint project by Chrysler and BPRI to
develop an electric-powered minivan with convenient and
economic recharging capability and 2) tbe application of
compressed natural gas as a fuel for converted' City
vehIcles.
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23. Regional water Quality Control Plant -long range fiscal
planning and more stringent discharge regulations. (MCCown)
FlNOCP starr budgets ror long-range Lundin~ for numerous,
planned studies mandated by the various regulatory
agenc!eE. Wben new (unplanned) studies are mandated' mid
year, staLf ret"urns to Council ror information and 4
request ror funding. The present guidan.ce from the
Regional Boar~ indicates that source control and source
reduction are the paths to pursue ill meeting various
discharge regulations. A consul tant employed by tbe
RWQCP is conducting waste Minimization study reviews Lor
large indus'tries and public participation .ac:'tivlties Lor
small business~B regarding the more restrictive metals
discharge limits effective December ~99~.
24. Cable television -look at local &e~ices and costs as well as
lobbying opportuniti.as for state and federal legislation
regulating cable television. (Levy)
in response to existing council positions and policy
direction, starr regularly tracks proposed FCC
regulations and fe~eral legislation. Recent FCC proposed
rules defining -effective competition-vill not be
applicable to Palo ~to. Legislation gran~ing certain
regulatory authority to local government did not pass
congress in ~990. Similar legislation will be introduced
this session and seafL, through the National League of
Cities and other legislative resources, viII continue to
moni.tor it.
25. El Camino Real revitalization. (Cobb)
The Finance and Public Works committee recently discussed
areas within the City that might meet the criteria for
redevelopment". :rt vas noted that: certain sections or El
Cam1no Real Lrontage have not yet experienced the
upgrading which has occurred in aress such as Downtown
Palo Alto, but: those sections do not qualify for public
redevelopment. Private redevelopment is occurring as 4
result of the ~976 Comprehensive Planl1978 rezoning,
particularly in the vicinity or the El Camino Way island.
statt cautions tbat a major land use study or 81 Camino
Real would serve to rurther delay the Comprehensive Plan
updll~e. -
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U. The CUbberley Kaster Plan -what ahould it be and. how ahall it
be i.plemented. (Cobb/Zaner)
The Cubberley Master Plan is soheduled ror considera~ion
by the Plannln9 COmmission on January lO, 1991, and is
expected to be agendized Lor tbe Council in Marcb.
27. Palo Alto'. competitive position in the marketplace for the
best City smployees. (MCCown)
CUrrent eLLorts include Polley and Procedures co.mmitt"ee
consideration or hoUSing asslstanCG programs rOE City
eeploY6es and tbe for~tion oL an employees commlttee to
develop recommendations concerning management
coapensi5!tion.. The creation of an employee trai1Jing
center 16 a top priority oL the Buman Resources
Department this current Liscal year.
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BCOg IIIR'Z POll 'JW?NVIlJ19 Jama
Bach Couno~lma~~ h •• 1000 poLat. t~ dl.t~Lbut. a.o"q the 1 ••• e.. In ~h.
DIa.erI0.8. ooIu.n ben.ath your n ... , indicate khe poln~. you vleh to ••• 1V" to ~h. i •• u ••
yov yi.v of partioular i_portenae. Refer to the onolo •• d li.t !or the full
wordino on ~he ~ •• u •••
= ~ j ... 11 • w j u '" N .:I ~ 1UlIII 1 S 2 til ~
a. b.
1. palo Alto·. economio future '100 200 35"0
c. 5"J 5'oe f.
2. Th. h~l ••• .zOO 150
J. Comprehenelve Plan update .200 300
c. d.
4. _.rvie •• for famili •• in c~i.i. /50 .zOO
5. approp~l.t ••• rvia. level. 50 250 :<-:/0 150 .250 ... 15~' 6. lncr •••• C_n" Limit 08111n9 100 .zOO
7. speelman and heritage tr .. ordinance 1.<5
,
'lor;' a~ ReQional goYernance propo •• la 50 .zoo ,;zoo
9. Rehtlonehi.p. with neighboring 100 'I. (!(JmJnunlt! ••
10. Plood .one iaeue/PEMA I SO
11. 81n91. family n*iqhborhood gu~dalineft I 100
--------------I -----. ---------
NOTE I Pootno~~8 are on page followinq score sheet.
'.
.. • ... ...
~ _At.
300 /.2S0 e
'100 250
500
350
100 1050
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1.25' ( \
. " ",
850
',"',"
100
100 /50
)0
.~ ",
100
--------_. I .. •
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12. Cofnpl'ehendVII MJ.dpenil'l.ule drug
.bu .. progr ...
13. Calif. Ave~u. and Midtown bu.!n •••
diBtrict.
14. lIaae •• to nKAllrc.. by cU. •• dv •. ntaq.d
1'. Attard.bl. Hou.inq
16. Water u •• q. planning
l~. Ut11i~y ~ •• l'. ta.
lB. ~ol.. control
19. ProD ••• tor environmental propo •• l.
20. C~dity underatandinq/eppr.ciation
of dher.i.ty
21. Utiliti •• and Pubilo wnrka
inf:.t' •• truolure
22. Alt.r"atlv. _nerqr aouree. tor
oity vehiol ••
'~1D1't POI '"1011'1'111'" 1115'"
Page Two
= ! c
= • ... N S 1 S =
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100
100
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1iO'1'8. Footnotee are on po1lqe followinq Boor'! sheet..
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Page Pour
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'ootao\ •• AD4 A~4itioD.l CoameDt.
py cOuncil X"b'ra
a. Combine items 1 and 6.
Attachment 2
b. If i~em 6 is nok selected by enough ether Council Hembers,
Assign its points equally (75 ~ach) to items 1 and 5.
c. CombIne items 2 and 4.
d. coahine items 2, 4, 14~ and 15 as a single priority related to
human services.
e. Combine i tellS .( and 14.
f. Combine items 4 and 14.
q. Combine items 8 and 9. Focus should be both on cooperatinq
with our neighbors ~ evaluating and influencing state
leqbl"~ion.
1. (~~ers~,) I want to go on record that I support one human
services priority and. believe the Lovercheck combination is an
appropriate approach.. (Letter from '!'rina Loverc...~eck is
Attachment •• )
2. (McCown) I agree with Trina Lovercheck's letter that we m.ight
wish to define a lingle priority related to human services
issues with a goal of assessing programs and areas for further
action.. Many topics on this list can be considered for
inclusion in such a priority.
3. (Levy) Items 16 (Water usaqe planning) and 26 (CUbberley) n.
extremely important. Plans are in place, however, to address
tbese two issues intensively this year. Therefore it is
unnecessary to .aka them ·priorities-.
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11~.~.~.~l~t~'L<oUfWIu.~iU\~<~.~lW_ll>2rU,iPlllla
l~ Palo Alto~. economic future
5~ Appropriate earvice level a
2. 'rile hOINIl ...
B. Regional gover!1ance pc-opo •• le
16. w.ter uea98 planning
l. Compr.b~n.iv. Plan updat~
6. Incr.a •• Gann Limit ceiling
13. callf. Av.~ and Midtown
buaines8 diatricta
23. Itogional Water Q'.lalitr Control
Plant
14. Aceee. to resource. by
by die.dvantaqad
4. Services for families in eri.ia
19. Proce83 for environmental propo841a
1S. Affordable houdnq
26. Cubberley xaeter Plan
10. rloed zone i8auefFEMA
18. Wolee control
17. otUity UMlCIi tID:
1. Specimen and heritage tree
crfS;inance
22. Alter~ativ6 energy _ouree. for
city vahiel ••
9. Kelation5hipa with nei9hborinq
coaauniti ••
11. 5in~1. (amily ~.19hborbood
quidellnea
12. COmprehenaiva Kidpenlnlula drug
abu.. proqram
20. ~nity underetandinQ!
appreciation of diver_ity
25. &1 CAmtno Real revit~liz.tion
1250
1050
eso
.50
600
sao
400
400
350
350
300
,SO
.50
150
150
150
115
'"
100
100
100
100
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ATTAClIMEH'l' 1
# of Co'WIcil .. ..tHIn
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.... ~ a~ ahowu "'11'_ also .u.clud •• Couacil Meeer{.J .ma c5id DOt
••• ip po.bat. to .It... .. but _u.'!l9 •• ted. it be eoabiued wiU aaotb'r itea •
•• fer t;o th. :footDOt •• O!l t.be c:o.po.it •• core .beet IAtt .. c~=t. 2J ~
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TRINA LOVER CHECK
1070 McGregor Way
Palo Alto, CA 94306 415 494-gS20
Palo Aito City Council
250 Hamilton Ave.
Palo Alto, Ca 9430 1
To: CounciJ Members
from: T rina Loven:heck
January 22, 1991
Having atler.ded your January 7 work session on. priority setting. I wanllo tell
you how pleased I am thaI 7 of the 27 items you pul on your list of "Suggested
Issues for Priority Setting" are connected to issues thaI are very important 10 the
iluman Relations Commission. 1 am speaking as an indiviOOal HRC member;
bowever, these are things the HRC has diSCU5sed. In fact, some of them came
right from the HRes lisl of working goals.
rm here to encourage you 10 adopt one City Council Priority that addresses
human services in Palo Alto. Al! of us know of areas that need attention and
would benefit from focus by the City_ Your adoptioo of such a prkJrity would
. make an important stalement and put on record as identifying human servkes
as an area that needs some attention from the city.
As I looked over your list, it seemed to me that several issues seem to go
together. I have tried to tie them together into somelhing thaI you could adopt
as one of your 1991 Priorities. Here is my suggestion:
"lIIiprove access to, and extension of, corrununity resources for those wbo do
not have equal opportunities, inclrnfmg youths, seniors, people with disabilities,
homeless and minorities."
Within this context, ways to accomplish this could include things such as the
following:
Increasing the affordable housing stock
Protecting existing affordable housing units
Developing a long-range comprehensive Mid-Peninsula program foc
drug abuse and drug-related crime.
Assessment and follow-up acllon on access 10 services for
homeless.
Senices for families in crisis.
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Supporting extension of prevel!tion and intervention services within
the community for those exper'.encing dornestk: or community
violence or abuse.
Continuing 10 work with the school district to prov ide counse !ling
services for teenagers in need.
Fostering better public/private partnerships to provide services.
The result of this effort would be a comprehensive look at human services; what
the identified needs are, what programs currently exist, and where there are
opportunities for improvement J see the HRC as being helpfut in doing st!Ch an
assessment, which could create a "Master Plan for Human Ser>'kes."
I know City finances are an important concern 10 you and rightly so. But I
believe Human Services are another important area that deserves your attention.
1 see this as a way to pul some bal:lIlce into your activities for the year.
I thank yoU for the opportunity 10 share my thoughts with you. I would be glad
10 hear from you if have any questions.
Trina Lovercheck
494-8520