Loading...
The URL can be used to link to this page
Your browser does not support the video tag.
Home
My WebLink
About
2026-09-22 Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda Packet
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting Tuesday, September 22, 2026 Council Chambers & Hybrid 7:00 PM Vice Chair Bing Wei Remote Call In Teleconference Location: 15 Floor, Acute Cancer Ward, Charing Cross Hospital Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8RF Parks and Recreation Commission meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 76, live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media Center https://midpenmedia.org. Commissioner names, biographies, and archived agendas and minutes are available at https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/Community-Services/Other- Services/Commissions/Parks-and-Recreation-Commission. VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/join) Meeting ID: 999 3789 9745 Phone: 1(669)900-6833 PUBLIC COMMENTS General Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. In-person comments will be heard at the beginning of the agenda and remote comments will be heard at the end of the agenda. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance to ParkRec.commission@PaloAlto.gov and will be provided to the Commission and available for inspection on the City’s website three days before the meeting. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your subject line. Multiple individuals who wish to speak on the same item may designate a spokesperson. Spokespersons must be representing five or more verified individuals who are present either in person or via zoom. Spokespeople will be allowed up to 15 minutes, at the discretion of the presiding officer. Speaking time may be reduced if the presiding officer reduces the speaking time for individual speakers. General public comment will be heard for 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda. Speaking time may be reduced by the Chair to accommodate a larger number of speakers. PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only by email to ParkRec.commission@PaloAlto.gov at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not accepted. Signs and symbolic materials less than 2 feet by 3 feet are permitted provided that: (1) sticks, posts, poles or similar/other type of handle objects are strictly prohibited; (2) the items do not create a facility, fire, or safety hazard; and (3) persons with such items remain seated when displaying them and must not raise the items above shoulder level, obstruct the view or passage of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting. TIME ESTIMATES Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the meeting is in progress. The Commission reserves the right to use more or less time on any item, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items may be heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to best manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public. th CALL TO ORDER IN-PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of speakers. In-person comments will be heard at the beginning of the agenda and remote comments will be heard at the end of the agenda. AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS The Chair or Commission majority may modify the agenda order to improve meeting management. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.Approval of Minutes from July 28, 2026 CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS Members of the public may not speak to the item(s) 2.Council Liaison Report – 5 minutes 3.Department Report – 20 minutes – Staff Presentation 4.Ad Hoc Committees and Liaison Updates (Discussion) – 15 minutes BUSINESS ITEMS 5.Review the Proposed Playground Synthetic Turf Use Guidelines – 45 minutes – Staff Presentation 6.Park Improvements Ordinance Recommendation for Foothills Natures Preserve Improvement Project (PE-21000) – 45 minutes – Staff Presentation COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS Members of the public may not speak to the item(s) VIRTUAL PUBLIC COMMENT Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of speakers. In-person comments will be heard at the beginning of the agenda and remote comments will be heard at the end of the agenda. ADJOURNMENT OTHER INFORMATION The materials below are provided for informational purposes, not for action or discussion during this meeting’s agenda. Written public comments may be submitted in advance and will be provided to the Commission and available for public inspection on the City’s website three days before the meeting. A.Public Comments PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone. 1.Written public comments may be submitted by email to ParkRec.Commission@PaloAlto.gov. 2.Spoken public comments using a computer will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully. ◦You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in- browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30 , Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7 . Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. ◦You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak. ◦When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak. ◦When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments. 3.Spoken public comments using a smart phone will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, download the Zoom application onto your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Meeting ID below. Please follow the instructions B-E above. 4.Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted. CLICK HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 999 3789 9745 Phone:1-669-900-6833 Americans with Disability Act (ADA) It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with disabilities who require materials in an appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary aids to access City meetings, programs, or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at (650) 329-2550 (voice) or by emailing ada@PaloAlto.gov. Requests for assistance or accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or service. Parks and Recreation Commission Staff Report From: Community Services Department Meeting Date: September 22, 2026 Report #: 2609-6778 TITLE Approval of Minutes from July 28, 2026 BACKGROUND Staff Recommends that the Parks and Recreation Commission review and approve the minutes from the regular meeting on July 28,2026. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: July 28,2026, Parks and Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1 Item 1 Staff Report Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 5 of 248 1 MINUTES 2 PARKS & RECREATION Commission 3 Regular meeting 4 July 28, 2026 5 In-Person & Virtual Conference 6 Palo Alto, California 7 8 Commissioners Present: Chair Nellis Freeman; Vice Chair Wei; Commissioners Yudy Deng, Shani 9 Kleinhaus, Amanda Brown, and Roger Smith 10 Commissioners Absent:Vadim Axelrod 11 Others Present: Chris Feng, Liv Niederer 12 Staff Present: Ben Heistein, Sarah Robustelli, Aaron Perkins, Michael Warner 13 CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL 14 Chair Freeman called the meeting to order. 15 The clerk called roll. 16 IN-PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT 17 1. Utsav G., a commissioner on the Utilities Advisory Commission, spoke in a personal capacity and 18 on behalf of the University South and Professorville Neighborhood Association. The unique 19 Heritage Park sign had been replaced with a somewhat generic sign, and it was hoped the 20 change was temporary and that the old sign was being refurbished. Utsav G. requested that 21 replacement signs for Heritage and other parks be halted and that there be a public process 22 when moving forward with changes to park signs. 23 AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS 24 Chair Freeman requested that the Ad Hoc Liaison and Department reports be moved to the end 25 of the agenda. 26 Commissioner Kleinhaus voiced an objection but agreed to the agenda change. 27 Staff declared there were no additional changes or deletions to the agenda. 28 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 29 1. Approval of Draft Minutes from the June 23, 2026 Parks and Recreation Commission Regular 30 Meeting 31 MOTION: Commissioner Smith, seconded by Commissioner Deng, moved to approve the 32 minutes. 33 MOTION PASSED (4-0-2) Commissioner Brown and Vice Chair Wei abstained. 34 BUSINESS ITEMS Item 1 Attachment A - July 28,2026, Parks And Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 2 Packet Pg. 6 of 248 35 1. Park Improvement Ordinance for the Improvements for the Arastradero Creek Stabilization 36 and Utility Line Relocation and Repair project and Consideration of the CEQA Initial Study 37 Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND). 38 39 Aaron Perkins, Principal Engineer in the Utilities Department, presented the project. Mr. Perkins 40 introduced Sarah Robustelli, Division Manager of Open Space; Michael Warner, Supervising Park 41 Ranger for the Arastradero Preserve; Chris Feng, WRA Consultant; and Liv Niederer, WRA 42 Environmental Planner. 43 44 Mr. Perkins provided a map of the site and overall location of work. The City and contractors 45 would primarily use Gate B during the project. There would be additional minor grading work on 46 Arastradero Trail to repair a culvert. Mr. Perkins provided the background of the project. 47 Regarding CEQA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was conducting a Section 7 consultation with 48 California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and it was anticipated that it would not be 49 completed until CDFW approved the project. The Corps would not issue a 404 Permit until the 50 Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) provided final approval. The CDFW Permit 51 Application had been approved, but due to changes by RWQCB, CDFW requested a second 52 project review, which was ongoing. It was anticipated that there would be an approval by CDFW 53 the end of August. The City and the San Francisco RWQCB worked through a collaborative 54 process to present a project at this meeting. Preliminary approval by the Water Board was 55 received in June, and it was anticipated that final approval would occur the end of August. For 56 CEQA, a Mitigative Negative Declaration (MND) was submitted and posted for public comment 57 on July 22, 2026, and would close on August 21, 2026. Upon closing public comment, the City 58 would respond to the comments. The proposed project was a process-based restoration project 59 with construction of step-pools. Mr. Perkins explained how the project would minimize the 60 impact to existing habitat, return the creek to an equilibrium point, and address the headcut 61 that caused the exposed pipeline. 62 63 A willow oak and a coast live oak had been undercut by the channel incision and were at risk of 64 falling, so they would be felled and used as construction material, along with eucalyptus trees 65 from other parts of the preserve that had previously been removed. An adaptive management 66 plan was submitted to the Water Board outlining the City’s approach to monitoring and 67 reporting habitat revegetation, etc. The plan was under review by the Water Board but 68 consisted of a 10-year monitoring period following the creek work and included surveys of the 69 step-pools and wood structures at years 1 through 4 and 6, 8, and 10. There would be photo- 70 point monitoring at least twice a year and in-stream habitat monitoring at years 1, 5, and 10. 71 Revegetation monitoring would be performed at least twice a year for the first 2 years or until 72 80 percent of total vegetation coverage was achieved. Mr. Perkins supplied a photo showing the 73 limit of disturbance. Areas outside the project would not be directly impacted during 74 construction. Mr. Perkins outlined the expected areas where clearing and grubbing would be 75 performed, which would include removing low-lying brush and would allow access to the creek. 76 Equipment would be used along the trail to bring logs into strategic locations along the creek, 77 and tools would be used to drag logs from the trail to the creek. Additional understory impacts 78 could occur, but it was expected that no other trees would be removed. Item 1 Attachment A - July 28,2026, Parks And Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 3 Packet Pg. 7 of 248 79 80 Certain areas might need to remain clear to allow access to monitor the creek and place 81 sediment fill if needed. The areas would be cleared for the remainder of the full monitoring 82 period. Mr. Perkins discussed the work that would be done to relocate the utility pipeline. The 83 Water Board had requested that approximately 50 feet of the exposed pipe be removed. The 84 gas pipe would be abandoned in place and filled with slurry mud. Mr. Perkins spoke of the water 85 and wastewater utility relocation work. The new water and wastewater pipelines would be 86 relocated to Arastradero Trail and installed by open trench. The relocation would eliminate the 87 2 creek crossings and provide access for utility pipeline maintenance. Mr. Perkins discussed the 88 pipelines being critical as it related to sewer lines and water feed for the Foothills community. It 89 was required that an existing manhole cone be removed and that 50 feet of the water and 90 wastewater pipelines at the exposed location be removed with the remaining lines to be 91 abandoned and filled with a sand slurry mixture. It was anticipated that construction permits by 92 all permitting agencies would be received by the end of September, which would provide 93 sufficient time to competitively bid the creek rehabilitation and the gas pipeline relocation work 94 in time for a June 1, 2027, construction date and finishing in the creek by October 15. Following 95 the completion of the creek and the gas pipeline work, the water and wastewater work would 96 be ready for construction on June 1, 2028. 97 98 The RWQCB required a 10-year monitoring period. An Adaptive Management Plan was 99 submitted for the board’s review and approval, which was under review, so it could be modified. 100 The impacts to the preserve during construction would be minimized as much as possible. 101 Construction hours would be Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It was anticipated 102 that trail access would be fully open during construction and on weekends. There could be 103 instances requiring full trail closures. If so, the closures would be coordinated with Open Space 104 staff. There would be no impacts to the Arastradero Preserve parking lot. Arastradero Trail 105 would be closed Monday through Friday during construction. Trail closed signs with detour 106 routes would be posted, and trail closure information would be posted on Open Space’s 107 webpage and the Utility’s project webpage. The construction stockpile area would be adjacent 108 to the creek and in the same location as the stockpile area used for the temporary repair. There 109 would be several project meetings – a pre-construction meeting, weekly meetings with the 110 project team, and daily meetings with construction staff. Each meeting would be an opportunity 111 to provide progress updates and to ensure all environmental mitigation measures were being 112 followed. A biological monitor would be assigned during construction. Staff recommended that 113 the PRC recommend that City Council adopt the Park Improvement Ordinance and approve the 114 MND. A QR code was provided with project information, which would be updated as updates 115 occurred. 116 117 Chair Freeman commented that the project was technically complex and involved public safety, 118 essential utility services, creek restoration, trail access, and the protection of sensitive parkland. 119 120 Commissioner Kleinhaus asked what was meant by slurry mud and sand slurry, if there were 121 plans for storage in the Gate B parking lot, and if there were any mitigations planned for the 122 deer using the wetland next to the parking lot. Item 1 Attachment A - July 28,2026, Parks And Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 4 Packet Pg. 8 of 248 123 124 Mr. Perkins answered that sand slurry was a mixture of sand and water and a little cement and 125 explained why it was used. There was a plan to store all material at the project site. Workers’ 126 vehicles might be parked during work hours. There were no specific mitigations for the deer 127 using the wetland next to the parking lot. A biologist would be assigned to help with compliance 128 as it related to habitat and revegetation requirements. 129 130 Chair Freeman inquired how long the pipeline had been exposed before it was reported in 2023, 131 if the existing pipeline would remain, and if the new pipeline would be buried deeper than the 132 existing line. Chair Freeman requested clarification on the discrepancy to the measurements of 133 the gas, water, and wastewater pipelines. Chair Freeman queried if there had been any 134 comments related to CEQA that gave staff pause. 135 136 Mr. Perkins replied that the pipeline was leak surveyed in April/May 2022, and there was no 137 note of exposure. Approximately 175 feet of existing pipeline would be abandoned in place 138 outside the top of bank, and the new pipeline would be 17 feet below the creek. The 139 discrepancy to the measurements of the gas, water, and wastewater pipelines was in error. It 140 was an 18-inch water and a 10-inch sewer line. Mr. Perkins had not yet seen comments related 141 to CEQA. 142 143 Commissioner Kleinhaus referenced Slide 5 and questioned what the green spot represented. 144 Commissioner Kleinhaus was trying to determine where work would happen in the channel and 145 between the channel and the trail, including temporary and permanent changes, and what 146 would remain undisturbed. 147 148 Mr. Perkins responded that the green spot was the confluence of Arastradero Lake. It was 149 highlighted because some work would be done there to place the last post-assisted log structure 150 (PAL) and plant willows. The idea was to stop sedimentation from going into the lake and to 151 allow the creek to naturally build itself back up. Mr. Perkins outlined the exposed gas line that 152 crossed the creek, and a temporary place fill and pool structure had been built there. That 153 would be taken apart and the rock reused to build out the step-pools, which would start from 154 the exposed pipeline and continue for about 225 feet. The PALS would continue from there and 155 at strategic places in the creek to promote sediment buildup and to assist the creek’s natural 156 meandering. There was a profile view of what it would look like once completed. Mr. Perkins 157 outlined where vegetation clearing had occurred and displayed the revegetation plan. Staff was 158 working on 90-percent designs. 159 160 Commissioner Kleinhaus asked if there was a planting palette for the revegetation. 161 162 Mr. Perkins stated the planting palette had not been finalized. Work would be done with Open 163 Space and the biologist to ensure that all native plants would be correct. 164 165 Vice Chair Wei asked if the public would be able to use the trail on weekends, if the trail would 166 be restored to the current condition or improved, and if the project had been designed to Item 1 Attachment A - July 28,2026, Parks And Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 5 Packet Pg. 9 of 248 167 withstand more frequent extreme storms. Vice Chair Wei appreciated the nature-based 168 restoration technique, including willow planting and 10-year monitoring, but asked how the 169 success of creek restoration would be measured. 170 171 Mr. Perkins replied that the plan was to leave the trail open on weekends and holidays when 172 work was not being done. There could be instances of water and wastewater utility work 173 requiring open trenching in the trail, so the trail could be closed for a limited amount of time. 174 The trail would be returned to at least its current condition. A portion of the project would 175 enhance the trail. The design of the creek had been a collaborative process with RWQCB. Chris 176 Feng had looked at the project being designed to withstand more frequent extreme storms and 177 discussed it with the Water Board during the design phase. The step-pools and the PALS would 178 be observed, and the creek would be GPS surveyed years 1 through 4 and 6, 8, and 10. Habitat 179 monitoring would occur at years 1, 5, and 10 and would be documented and reported. It would 180 be a collaborative process between the City and the permitting agencies. 181 182 Vice Chair Wei queried if the PRC would receive updates during the 10 years. 183 184 Mr. Perkins responded that the PRC would receive updates, and he would work with Open 185 Space to determine the interval. 186 187 Commissioner Deng questioned if the $5.9M budget included the 10-year monitoring period and 188 long-term maintenance or if it was primarily for design and construction. 189 190 Mr. Perkins stated the $5.9M budget included the 10-year monitoring. 191 192 Commissioner Deng asked what the City’s contingency plan was if the cost exceeded the budget. 193 194 Mr. Perkins answered that Utilities would have to find the money. 195 196 Public Comment: There were no in-person comments or comments via Zoom. 197 198 Commissioner Brown asked if additional funds were needed for monitoring if it would come 199 from a rate-making process or the General Fund and what the best way was for the public to 200 report a pipe issue. 201 202 Mr. Perkins replied that funds were coming from the Utilities’ Capital Budget, which went into 203 designing the rates. The pipeline markers had an emergency contact number that connected to 204 Utilities’ dispatch. 205 206 Commissioner Kleinhaus noted that CEQA expected mitigation for 207 sensitive/vulnerable/endangered species but asked if there were additional mitigations or best 208 practices for other animals ranging from newts, deer, and bats. Item 1 Attachment A - July 28,2026, Parks And Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 6 Packet Pg. 10 of 248 209 Mr. Perkins answered that staff had been working with WRA, and they assembled a biological 210 resource technical report, which was submitted to the permitting agencies, and it identified 211 many species. There would be a biological monitor assigned to the project, and staff would 212 receive training at pre-construction meetings. The Biological Resource Technical Report was not 213 part of the Staff Report documents. 214 215 Liv Niederer, WRA Environmental Planner, mentioned that the Biological Resource Technical 216 Report was an appendix to the CEQA document. 217 218 Commissioner Kleinhaus inquired if there were mitigations for bat maternity colonies roosting in 219 the trees next to removed trees 220 221 Mr. Perkins replied that a biologist would be on the site ahead of the work, and a full survey 222 would be done prior to clearing vegetation or removing trees. If bat or bird nests were found, 223 buffer zones would be placed. 224 225 Commissioner Kleinhaus remarked that was not what the mitigation indicated, and she 226 requested that staff review whether the mitigation would apply only to the 2 trees being 227 removed or to everything around them as well and to ensure that the surveys for bats and 228 nesting birds were not limited to 2 specific trees. 229 230 Mr. Perkins understood that staff should review the mitigation for bats and nesting birds. 231 232 Commissioner Smith thanked staff for their work. 233 234 Chair Freeman requested that staff identify the approximate size and precise location of the 235 staging and laydown areas and asked what protective measures were required to prevent 236 damage to surrounding vegetation, wildlife habitat, drainage area, trail surface, and equipment 237 and if supplies, etc., would be on the site for an extended period of time. 238 239 Mr. Perkins responded that supplies, rock, logs, etc., would be on the site for an extended 240 period of time, and some equipment could be stored there. Equipment would be relocated in 241 the tracts of land being worked from the start of the project to the end. Mr. Perkins outlined the 242 staging and laydown area on Slide 9. 243 244 Chris Feng, WRA Consultant, noted that the size of the staging and laydown areas was noted on 245 the plans. 246 247 Commissioner Kleinhaus voiced that some invasive shrubs along the creek could potentially be 248 removed. Commissioner Kleinhaus was concerned about the area near Gate B, which included 249 some filled wetlands, which Utilities was responsible for, and a road the fire department put in 250 to stop a spreading fire, and she asked if that could be fixed. 251 252 Mr. Perkins would look into the wetlands and the road. Item 1 Attachment A - July 28,2026, Parks And Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 7 Packet Pg. 11 of 248 253 254 Chair Freeman thanked staff for the quality of the presentation and the report, which were the 255 types of reports the PRC wanted to see. 256 MOTION: Commissioner Smith, seconded by Vice Chair Wei, recommended that City Council 257 move forward with the Staff recommendation. 258 Staff recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) recommend that City 259 Council adopt a Park Improvement Ordinance (Attachment A) authorizing the Arastradero Creek 260 Stabilization and Utility Line Relocation and Repair and recommend City Council approve the 261 Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), pending any edits after public comment. 262 Commissioner Kleinhaus noted that she would submit some comments. 263 MOTION PASSED (6-0) 264 5. Informational Update on Ad Hoc Nature Connectivity Efforts 265 Commissioner Kleinhaus (presenter) worked with Vice Chair Wei on the ad hoc. Commissioner 266 Kleinhaus recited the goal of the ad hoc. Biodiversity was the inclusion of different things living 267 together. Natural areas and parks could not sustain biodiversity in isolation. The habitat needed 268 to be connected to allow wildlife to move, find food, etc. Parks, creeks, gardens, and greenspace 269 could form an ecological network connecting the Baylands, neighborhoods, and the Foothills. 270 The work plan objectives came from the PRC’s work plan. Palo Alto policies and plans were 271 being reviewed and regional best practices evaluated. Guidelines would be developed in the 272 future to incorporate native plants in parklands, new developments, and City properties and to 273 look at program-level policy recommendations for projects, emphasizing locally native and 274 pollinator-supported plant standards and habitat continuity to reduce ecological barriers and to 275 identify opportunities for alignment with related City efforts. Commissioner Kleinhaus discussed 276 why local and native plants were central to the plan. Commissioner Kleinhaus spoke of the 277 monarch butterfly species and noted that Mayor Veenker had taken the Monarch Pledge, which 278 committed the City to taking action to support monarchs and other pollinators. 279 The Comprehensive Plan 2030 addressed nature connectivity and native plants as a goal. 280 Chapter 4 referenced natural environment policies and programs. The vision was to respect and 281 manage natural resources, including the Foothills, Baylands, creeks, parks, urban forest, wildlife, 282 and open space. A network of parks in built-up areas would provide access to nature, and an 283 urban forest would provide ecological and health benefits. There was a goal to protect, 284 conserve, and enhance the City’s system of open space, including connected and accessible 285 natural and urban habitats, ecosystems, and natural resources. 286 The Palo Alto Parks, Trails, Natural Open Space and Recreation Master Plan had 8 principles, one 287 of which was nature and defined as interconnecting native species and habitat corridors and 288 creating opportunities to learn about and interact with nature. 289 Maps in the Comprehensive Plan and the Parks’ Plan identified potential locations to create 290 connectivity. Goal 4 of the Master Plan was to protect natural habitat and integrate nature, the Item 1 Attachment A - July 28,2026, Parks And Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 8 Packet Pg. 12 of 248 291 natural ecosystem, and ecological principles throughout Palo Alto and included 3 policies to 292 support such. The Park’s Master Plan addressed integrating nature into urban parks. 293 The Palo Alto Sustainability and Climate Action Plan included a key action to restore and 294 enhance biodiversity to include enhancing pollinator habitat by including native plants and 295 pollinator-friendly landscaping in all park improvement projects when feasible, evaluating and 296 modifying plant palette, maximizing biodiversity and soil health, etc., and coordinating 297 implementation with other plans. The key performance indicator (KPI) was to plant native plants 298 on City properties and new landscaping projects to measure biodiversity. There was a relatively 299 newly installed native plant garden at Bowden Park, which would be included in the S/CAP 300 reporting. 301 Commissioner Kleinhaus discussed the Green Storm Water Infrastructure Plan. GSI used 302 vegetation and permeable landscape for more natural hydrology. The enhanced wildlife habitat 303 was mentioned, but there was no direction on how to do it. The plan did not require planting 304 locally native plants or provide detailed guidance on how to enhance the wildlife habitat. 305 The Urban Forest Master Plan’s vision included trees, vegetation, soil, water, and wildlife value 306 and interdependence. There was some direction on planting trees. 307 Many of the cities the ad hoc looked at had urban forest master plans, but most did not address 308 biodiversity and supporting ecosystems. Palo Alto, Mountain View, Oakland, East Palo Alto, and 309 others explicitly addressed native species, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity. Few cities had 310 biodiversity planning or measuring framework. Mountain View had adopted a Biodiversity and 311 Urban Forest Master Plan and the San Francisco biodiversity guidelines. LA had a biodiversity 312 index and baseline report. Even fewer cities had measurable or enforceable native plant, 313 landscaping, habitat, or development standards. Encinitas had an ordinance to address 314 biodiversity and plantings. Definitions in different documents varied considerably as to what 315 was native, locally native, regionally native, etc., and even what habitat and biodiversity meant, 316 so the PRC would need to define such. Palo Alto had adopted plans and policies supporting 317 habitat connectivity, native plants, pollinator habitat, and biodiversity, and the City had natural 318 assets, existing inventories, and resources; expertise in urban forestry, sustainability, etc.; and 319 strong nonprofit partnerships and community-led projects. The policies might not address 320 biodiversity directly but still protected it, such as the Bird Friendly Design Ordinance and Dark 321 Sky Ordinance. 322 The S/CAP had a good foundation for reporting, measuring, and monitoring. 323 There were many plans but no official guideline putting it all together. The ad hoc had reviewed 324 City policies and plans and evaluated regional best practices. The next step was to develop 325 guidelines for incorporating native plants in parkland and new developments, ongoing 326 maintenance of City properties to propose program-level policy recommendations to integrate 327 into park planning and capital projects with an emphasis on locally native and pollinator- 328 supportive plant standards and habitat continuity, and reducing ecological barriers. The ad hoc 329 had begun identifying opportunities for alignment with related City efforts. 330 Chair Freeman stated the PRC tried to find a balance between nature and recreational activities. Item 1 Attachment A - July 28,2026, Parks And Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 9 Packet Pg. 13 of 248 331 Item 5 Public Comment: CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS (Moved to after item 5) Item 1 Attachment A - July 28,2026, Parks And Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 10 Packet Pg. 14 of 248 370 3. Department Report 371 Sarah Robustelli, Division Manager of Open Space, announced that the Fourth of July Festival 372 and Chili Cookoff were successful. Sarah Robustelli congratulated VEG ER for Pets for winning 373 first place in the cookoff and thanked the commissioners, staff, volunteers, sponsors, and 374 participating teams for their participation. 375 Upcoming events included National Night Out on August 4, family movie nights (Hoppers on July 376 30 and Super Mario Galaxy Movie on August 14), the 42nd annual Moonlight Run on September 377 25 (registration was currently open), and 5K and 10K runs (there would be no half marathon). 378 Summer camps would wrap up in 2 weeks and included 320 camps serving over 3,700 campers 379 with revenue of approximately $1.85M. Special interest camp revenue was up 4 percent over 380 last summer. One camp was cancelled due to low enrollment. The highest demand programs 381 included woodworking, cooking, zoo camp, theater academy, Camp Kinetic, and Camp Palo Alto, 382 and staff would continue to explore opportunities to expand the high-demand programs for 383 future years. 384 Ms. Robustelli stated that staff and Golf Liaison Chair Freeman recently visited Mariners Point 385 Golf Center to observe the driving range and learn more about its operation to help inform the 386 ongoing financial feasibility and operational evaluation for potential updates to the Palo Alto 387 Municipal Golf Course driving-range improvements. 388 Staff recently completed installation of a new Greer Park entry sign. Many of the City’s original 389 wood signs were reaching/had reached end-of-service, and maintaining them had become 390 increasingly specialized and costly. Ms. Robustelli discussed the materials used for the new 391 signs. The original fabricator had retired. An alternative vendor had been located. The approach 392 to replacement of the signs was more operational rather than a policy decision and was part of 393 updating the City’s park signs. There had been coordination with several departments to ensure 394 that the signs would align with City branding standards, permitting requirements, and long-term 395 maintenance objectives. As this was replacement of existing park assets using approval of an 396 operational standard, it was not brought forward to the commission. 397 Good progress continued on the Greer Park Skate bowl, and it was anticipated that it would 398 reopen in mid-August. 399 Construction was underway to replace the 2-stall restrooms with a 4-stall modular restroom at 400 Mitchell Park. It was expected that construction would continue through September. There 401 could be intermittent pathway closures, temporary parking restrictions, and detours during 402 construction. Ms. Robustelli thanked the Friends of Palo Alto Parks for funding a temporary 403 portable restroom while the project advanced. 404 Regarding upcoming fall projects, the open space off-road pathway CIP would fund the Adobe 405 Loop Trail repaving and was scheduled to be completed between September and November, 406 and El Camino Park turf replacement was scheduled to run between August and October and 407 reopening in October. Staff would continue to coordinate with user groups and provide updates 408 on construction progress. Item 1 Attachment A - July 28,2026, Parks And Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 11 Packet Pg. 15 of 248 409 Chair Freeman had observed the restroom project at Mitchell Park and found the signage 410 notification appropriate. Regarding replacement of park signs, Chair Freeman thought such had 411 been to the PRC in the past, especially if it impacted the community as a whole. The PRC should 412 be made aware of such happenings. Chair Freeman asked how the difference between what was 413 operational and what should come to the PRC was defined and who decided on the design. The 414 communities near the parks should have input or be made aware of activities. Chair Freeman 415 understood that all park signs would be replaced but did not understand why the Heritage Park 416 sign was considered for removal. 417 Ms. Robustelli responded that there had been sign replacement updates provided throughout 418 the past 2 years and were part of the departmental report. Many signs had been installed 419 throughout the city. Aging signs were being replaced. The sign at Heritage Park was 10 years old, 420 and Greer had not had a City standard and was different from other signs in the city. Ms. 421 Robustelli was not aware of the sign-review process that had taken place previously but would 422 look into it. 423 Chair Freeman commented that the PRC should provide input and did not remember it being 424 referenced in the department report. 425 Vice Chair Wei did not remember the Greer sign replacement being presented to the PRC. 426 Commissioner Kleinhaus asked if the aesthetics of bathroom, sign, and dock installations were 427 reviewed. Commissioner Kleinhaus had heard concerns about the Boronda Lake dock being a 428 plastic structure. Residents had not been consulted about the Heritage Park sign and were 429 concerned about it. Commissioner Kleinhaus wanted to know the process of decision. The PRC 430 had reviewed the dock, but Commissioner Kleinhaus might have given pause to it being a plastic 431 structure. Commissioner Kleinhaus thought natural materials should be used in nature 432 preserves. The PRC or the public should have exposure to the aesthetics. 433 Vice Chair Wei added that she did not realize it was a plastic structure and noted that there 434 were many reports about health concerns and pollution related to the use of plastic. Vice Chair 435 Wei agreed with Chair Freeman and Commissioner Kleinhaus concerning process in terms of 436 safety, health, and cost. 437 Commissioner Brown did not speak specifically to the dock or the signage, but the commission’s 438 role was not to speak on specific operations or direct staff on doing their job. Staff was 439 responsible for understanding the trade-offs regarding budget and signage and had the 440 knowledge and expertise to manage such projects. The PRC’s charge was planning and policy. If 441 the PRC desired to look at the sign policy, an informational update could be requested. The PRC 442 was a venue for public feedback on sign design, and Commissioner Brown was confident that 443 staff would consider the feedback in future decision-making. Commissioner Brown did not want 444 to micromanage every aesthetic decision at the parks because it would make it impossible for 445 staff to work in a timely manner. The PRC should be partners with staff and allow them to 446 expedite projects and be a venue for the public and the commission to share feedback. 447 Chair Freeman agreed with Commissioner Brown’s comments. The PRC should not make 448 decisions from an operational perspective, but the PTC should be made aware. If it was believed Item 1 Attachment A - July 28,2026, Parks And Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 12 Packet Pg. 16 of 248 449 that something would generate public dialogue, the PRC should be made aware of it and 450 feedback solicited. 451 Commissioner Deng understood that there was a desire for a balanced approach, a combination 452 of staff efficiency, and process transparency, and she hoped staff would return to the PRC with a 453 clearer picture. Commissioner Deng asked if the Greer Park sign was placed in the original 454 location. 455 Ms. Robustelli answered that the Greer Park sign was in the same location, but the no-parking 456 sign had been adjusted because it was directly in the Greer Park sign visibility, so the new sign 457 allowed for full visibility. 458 Commissioner Deng appreciated the sign visibility improvement. Commissioner Deng inquired 459 what the cost was to replace the sign and if the installation of the Mitchell Park restroom would 460 consist of the same prefabricated material used for the restroom at Cubberley track and field 461 and if the sewage pipeline was in place. 462 Ms. Robustelli would get back to Commissioner Deng with the cost of the replacement sign. The 463 Mitchell Park restroom would consist of the same prefabricated material used for the restroom 464 at Cubberley track and field, though it might not be the exact same design. Some adjustments 465 would be made to the sewage pipeline because the building would not be in the exact previous 466 location. The 2-stall restroom would be demoed and removed. 467 Commissioner Deng asked if there had been a public hearing related to the location. 468 Ms. Robustelli replied that because there was not a change in function, a Park Improvement 469 Ordinance had not been done. It was an augmentation and in a similar footprint. A contract was 470 in place, which Council approved. 471 Chair Freeman thought it was presented to the PRC. 472 Ms. Robustelli did not believe it came before the PRC for a Park Improvement Ordinance, but it 473 was included in the CIP Capital Plan package, so the PRC addressed it as a discussion and action 474 item. 475 Commissioner Deng inquired if the same bidding process was used with the vendor that 476 installed the prefabricated restrooms. 477 Ms. Robustelli was unsure if the same bidding process was used, but the project was managed 478 by the Public Works Engineering Team. There had been a full bidding process, all City standards 479 were adhered to, and Council approved it. 480 Vice Chair Wei liked the new Greer Park sign and the wood mulch under it. The material of the 481 plastic dock and the use of natural grass, turf, or hybrid turf was an issue as it related to health 482 concerns, so consideration should be given to looking into the policy guidelines on material used 483 for nature preserves. Vice Chair Wei complimented staff for the successful July Fourth event and 484 the increase in revenue from summer camp. 485 Commissioner Kleinhaus expressed that the PRC would not have known about the sign if the 486 public had not complained, so it was a process question related to who would make the Item 1 Attachment A - July 28,2026, Parks And Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 13 Packet Pg. 17 of 248 487 decisions affecting how people felt about a matter. Maybe there should be a policy to use 488 natural material in nature preserves. People calling commissioners to raise concerns about new 489 or replacement structures indicated there was a gap. Commissioner Kleinhaus requested that 490 the Adobe Creek Trail retain its original footprint. 491 Chair Freeman acknowledged the work staff put into the summer festival and the chili cookoff. 492 Commissioner Deng thanked Ms. Robustelli for sharing the community events and added that 493 on July 30, she and others would introduce Mahjong at Cal Ave Live. 494 4. Ad Hoc Committees and Liaison Updates (Discussion) 495 Chair Freeman thanked Eric Vidal for his Community Garden Program work and leadership and 496 recognized those who worked in the background and requested that some attend the next PRC 497 meeting. The wait list had been reduced. Garden fees were about $1 per square foot, and there 498 was a $222 refundable deposit for new gardeners, which appeared well accepted. Staff had 499 requested feedback from the garden liaisons to update and clarify the Community Garden 500 Guidelines, and Chair Freeman assumed that would be presented to the PRC for feedback. 501 Chair Freeman added, related to golf, that it was nice to visualize what other cities were doing, 502 and work was being done to return to the PRC in about a year with a proposal. Chair Freeman 503 explained that it was tied to First Tee. It was potentially a good revenue-generator for the City 504 that would pay for itself in the long term, and he requested that all remain open to that 505 possibility. More information would be provided when available. 506 Chair Freeman and Commissioner Brown had met with Adam Howard to get an update and next 507 steps on pickleball and tennis. Neighboring cities had been doing expansions, which might take 508 pressure off the Mitchell Park facilities. Mr. Howard and staff were still looking at ways to 509 continue to support the Pickleball Program, and updates would be provided. 510 Commissioner Brown added that the PRC’s feedback and public comment were being 511 incorporated to move pickleball and tennis forward. 512 VIRTUAL PUBLIC COMMENTS 513 Rebecca N. (Zoom) opined that the Heritage Park sign had been in great condition and discussed 514 why she did not like the replacement sign. Rebecca N. felt that such was in the purview of the 515 PRC, as changing sign material, etc., was a policy change, and she hoped that changes of other 516 signs could be halted. The PRC should be able to review and vet such matters. 517 COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 518 Sarah Robustelli, Division Manager of Open Space, anticipated that the next meeting would 519 include a Park Improvement Ordinance for the Foothills Improvement Plan and there could be 520 an informational update for the Playground Synthetic Turf Use Policy efforts. In September, 521 there would be a Park Improvement Ordinance for an Eleanor Pardee Park restroom. 522 ADJOURNMENT 523 Chair Freeman adjourned the meeting at 9:21 p.m. Item 1 Attachment A - July 28,2026, Parks And Recreation Draft Summary Minutes Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 14 Packet Pg. 18 of 248 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION DEPARTMENT REPORT September 22, 2026 PaloAlto.gov Item 3 Item 3 Staff Presentation Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 19 of 248 RECAP: FAMILY SUMMER MOVIE NIGHTS Item 3 Item 3 Staff Presentation Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 2 Packet Pg. 20 of 248 UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS Item 3 Item 3 Staff Presentation Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 3 Packet Pg. 21 of 248 UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS Item 3 Item 3 Staff Presentation Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 4 Packet Pg. 22 of 248 RECAP: SPECIAL INTEREST SUMMER CAMPS Item 3 Item 3 Staff Presentation Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 5 Packet Pg. 23 of 248 RECAP: SUMMER CAMPS Item 3 Item 3 Staff Presentation Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 6 Packet Pg. 24 of 248 IN PROGRESS: NATURAL GRASS PILOT Item 3 Item 3 Staff Presentation Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 7 Packet Pg. 25 of 248 IN PROGRESS: MITCHELL PARK RESTROOM AND EL CAMINO PARK Item 3 Item 3 Staff Presentation Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 8 Packet Pg. 26 of 248 COMPLETED: GREER PARK SKATE BOWL & HORIZONTAL LEVEE before after after Item 3 Item 3 Staff Presentation Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 9 Packet Pg. 27 of 248 COMPLETED: GOLF PUMP STATION FENCING REPLACEMENT before after Item 3 Item 3 Staff Presentation Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 10 Packet Pg. 28 of 248 UPCOMING CIP WORK Adobe Loop Trail Repaving Scheduling between October – November Lytton Plaza Fountain Grate Replacement – Mid October Item 3 Item 3 Staff Presentation Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 11 Packet Pg. 29 of 248 UPCOMING CIP WORK Hopkins Tennis Courts October Item 3 Item 3 Staff Presentation Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 12 Packet Pg. 30 of 248 Item 3 Item 3 Staff Presentation Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 13 Packet Pg. 31 of 248 Parks and Recreation Commission Staff Report From: Community Services Department Meeting Date: September 22, 2026 Report #: 2609-6731 TITLE Review the Proposed Playground Synthetic Turf Use Guidelines RECOMMENDATION Staff recommend that the Parks and Recreation Commission review and provide feedback on the proposed Playground Synthetic Turf Use Guidelines. BACKGROUND The Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) held its annual retreat on February 13, 20261, to develop its proposed Work Plan. The proposed Work Plan was subsequently reviewed at the PRC’s regular meeting on February 24, 20262, and presented to the City Council on April 6, 20263. During its April 6 discussion, the City Council recommended that the PRC consider adding development of playground synthetic turf use guidelines to its Work Plan. At its April 28, 20264, regular meeting, the PRC reviewed the revised Work Plan and added development of playground synthetic turf use guidelines as a Work Plan item. The city currently maintains a variety of playground surfacing materials, including engineered wood fiber (EWF), poured-in-place (PIP) surfacing, sand, bonded rubber mulch, rubber tiles, and 1 Parks and Recreation Commission, February 13, 2026; Agenda Item #7, SR #2602-5903, 2 Parks and Recreation Commission, February 24, 2026; Agenda Item #7, SR # 2602-5964, 3 City Council, April 6, 2026; Agenda Item #14, SR #2512-5594, 4 Parks and Recreation Commission, April 28, 2026; Agenda Item #6, SR #2604-6289, Item 5 Item 5 Staff Report Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 32 of 248 synthetic turf. Of the 28 playgrounds and play areas included in the City’s current surfacing inventory, three playgrounds located at Boulware Park, Mitchell Park’s Magical Bridge Playground, and Rinconada Park, incorporate synthetic turf. At each of these locations, synthetic turf is used in combination with other surfacing materials rather than as the sole playground surface. ANALYSIS Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Public Playground Safety Handbook. The current ASTM standard, ASTM F1487-25, establishes safety and performance requirements for public playground equipment and associated use zones. Item 5 Item 5 Staff Report Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 2 Packet Pg. 33 of 248 There is no single surface material that is appropriate for every playground or location. Common playground surfacing materials include engineered wood fiber, poured-in-place rubber, bonded rubber mulch, synthetic turf, sand, and other loose-fill materials. Each presents different considerations related to accessibility, maintenance, durability, heat, drainage, sanitation, environmental impacts, lifecycle costs, aesthetics, and user experience. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Item 5 Item 5 Staff Report Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 3 Packet Pg. 34 of 248 functional purpose within the overall playground design based on the type of play, accessibility needs, durability, maintenance, and desired aesthetic. FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT ATTACHMENTS Item 5 Item 5 Staff Report Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 4 Packet Pg. 35 of 248 Playground Synthetic Turf Use Guidelines Evaluation Considerations When synthetic turf is being considered as a playground surfacing material, the evaluation should consider: Intended use and function of the playground area; Accessibility and inclusive play; Site conditions, including drainage, shade, and surrounding environmental conditions; Heat and surface temperature; Maintenance, cleaning, and sanitation requirements; Durability and anticipated intensity of use; Material composition and environmental considerations; Lifecycle and replacement costs; Aesthetics and integration with the overall playground design; Availability and suitability of alternative surfacing materials; and Community and stakeholder input appropriate to the individual project. The relative importance of these considerations may vary depending on the specific playground, site conditions, users, and project objectives. The guidelines are intended to encourage thoughtful, project- specific consideration and limit the use of synthetic turf to applications where its characteristics provide a clear and appropriate benefit, while retaining flexibility to determine its use based on the specific needs and community context of each project. Item 5 Attachment A Proposed Playground Synthetic Turf Use Guidelines Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 5 Packet Pg. 36 of 248 Location Surfacing Type Bol Park EWF Bowden Park PIP, EWF, Sand Boulware Park PIP, Bonded rubber mulch,synthetic turf Cameron Park PIP Eleanor Park (West 5-12)PIP, EWF, Sand Eleanor Park (East 2-5)PIP, Sand Greer Park PIP, Sand Heritage Park PIP, EWF, Sand Hoover Park (West)PIP, Sand Hoover Park (East)EWF Hoover Park (workout area)Sand Johnson Park PIP, EWF, Sand Mitchell Park (Magical Bridge)PIP, Synthetic turf, bonded rubber mulch Mitchell Park (splash pad)PIP Mitchell Park (East Meadow 2-5)PIP, EWF, Sand Mitchell Park (East Meadow 5-12)EWF Mitchell Park (Pine grove composite) EWF Mitchell Park (Pine grove swing area)EWF Monroe Park PIP, Sand Peers Park PIP,Sand Ramos Park PIP, EWF Rinconada Park PIP, bonded rubber mulch,synthetic turf Robles Park (North 2-5)Rubber tiles, EWF Robles Park (South 5-12)Rubber tiles, EWF, Sand Scott Park PIP, EWF, Sand Seale Park PIP, EWF, Sand Ventura Park PIP, Sand Werry Park EWF Item 5 Attachment B Inventory of Palo Alto Playground Surfacing Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 6 Packet Pg. 37 of 248 PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Discussion of Proposed Playground Synthetic Turf Use Guidelines September 22, 2026 PaloAlto.gov Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 7 Packet Pg. 38 of 248 Background February 2026 •PRC developed FY27 WorkPlan April 2026 •City Council requested that "PRC study whether the City should prohibit the use of artificial turf in playgrounds and other non-athletic City facilities." •PRC revised Goal 4 of the Workplan to Propose a Playground Synthetic Turf Policy as part of the Natural Grass Pilot effort. August - September 2026 •Staff and PRC Ad hoc Committee work to define the scope and intended outcome Tonight •PRC reviews proposed guidelines and provides feedback Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 8 Packet Pg. 39 of 248 From "Policy" to "Guidelines" Proposed Guidelines Intent to provide a consistent framework for project -specific decision to limit synthetic turf Scope Development Staff and Ad Hoc Committee discussed the purpose, scope, and timeline for advancing Original Work Plan Develop a policy regarding synthetic turf use in playgrounds Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 9 Packet Pg. 40 of 248 Staff is Requesting Feedback On: 1.The proposed scope and approach of this work item 2.Evaluation Considerations 3.Whether the Guidelines provide an appropriate framework for future projects 4.Whether additional considerations or stakeholder input are needed No action is being taken tonight Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 10 Packet Pg. 41 of 248 Current Playground Surfacing in Palo Alto 28 playgrounds and play areas. Current Surfacing includes: •Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) •Sand •Poured-in-Place (PIP) •Bonded rubber mulch •Rubber tiles •Synthetic Turf (at 3 locations) •Mitchell Park •Boulware Park •Rinconada Park At each of the 3 locations, synthetic turf is used in combo w/ other surfacing materials Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 11 Packet Pg. 42 of 248 Current Playground Surfacing in Palo Alto Mitchell Park (Sand, EWF, PIP, Bonded Rubber Mulch, Synthetic Turf) Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 12 Packet Pg. 43 of 248 Current Playground Surfacing in Palo Alto At each of the 3 locations, synthetic turf is used in combination with other surfacing materials Boulware Park (PIP, Bonded Rubber Mulch, Synthetic Turf) Rinconada Park (PIP, Bonded Rubber Mulch, Synthetic Turf) Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 13 Packet Pg. 44 of 248 Playground Surfacing Serves Multiple Functions Playground surfacing can affect: •Fall Protection •Accessibility •Types of play •User experience •Drainage •Maintenance •Durability •Heat •Sanitation •Aesthetics •Lifecycle costs No single surfacing material is appropriate for every playground or every application Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 14 Packet Pg. 45 of 248 Safety Requirements Are the Baseline Existing Requirements: •ASTM F1487, Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use •CPSC Public Playground Safety Handbook •California Health & Safety Code §115725 •Certified Playground Safety Inspections Proposed Guidelines are intended to supplement, not replace existing safety requirements "Loose-fill surfacing materials should be avoided for playgrounds intended for toddlers or children who frequently place objects in their mouths." Source:Public Playground Safety Handbook, July 2025, pg. 15 Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 15 Packet Pg. 46 of 248 Accessibility is More Than Minimum Compliance Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) can meet ADA accessibility requirements, BUT: •High-intensity use, compaction, displacement, unevenness, and weather can reduce performance. •Additionally, surfaces like wood chips,which might meet ADA standards, are very difficult for wheelchair users and others with mobility devices to navigate. •For this reason, inclusive playgrounds commonly incorporate substantial areas of unitary surfacing. “Wood chips are technically accessible… but it’s slow, frustrating, isolating.” Source: 11 -year-old student, as shared by Inclusion Matters by Shane’s Inspiration “At school, I can’t play on the playground with my friends because there’s woodchips, and woodchips are not accessible. I want the playground to be accessible so I can roll on it easily so that I can play with my friends,” said a school- aged boy with SMA who uses a wheelchair. Source: Cure SMA Advocacy “Ambulation tends to be more difficult … on wood chips [and] engineered wood fiber.” Source: U.S. Access Board, Accessible Exterior Surfaces Bottom line:EWF can meet minimum ADA standards but does not provide the same level of ease, mobility, or inclusive use for all users. Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 16 Packet Pg. 47 of 248 What the Guidelines Propose: Evaluation Framework Evaluate synthetic turf based on the needs and conditions of the specific playground project 1.User & Function •Intended use and Function •Accessibility and inclusive play 2.Site & Performance •Drainage •Shade/environmental conditions •Heat/surface temperature •Durability/intensity of use 3.Operations & Lifecycle •Maintenance/Sanitation •Replacement costs 4.Design & Community •Aesthetics •Alternative surfacing materials •Community/stakeholder input Intended Use Site & User Needs Surfacing Options Evaluation Criteria Project-Specific Recommendation Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 17 Packet Pg. 48 of 248 Evaluate the Application – Not Just the Material Intention is to support consideration of where and why synthetic turf may be appropriate High-traffic area PIP Synthetic Turf Accessible route PIP Concrete Fall Zone EWF PIP, Synthetic Turf Nature- oriented play area EWF Bonded Rubber Mulch Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 18 Packet Pg. 49 of 248 Synthetic Turf may uniquely provide •Consistent, firm surface that can support accessible routes and inclusive play areas •Durability in high -use areas where natural surfaces may wear or become uneven. •Unique functional benefits such as mimicking a grassy area while being a suitable fall zone •Design flexibility for integrating surfacing across play features Potential use should weigh intended function, accessibility, environmental considerations, and available alternatives. "Limit the use of synthetic turf to applications where its characteristics provide a clear and appropriate benefit." Source: City of Palo Alto, Draft Playground Artificial Turf Use Guidelines Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 19 Packet Pg. 50 of 248 Stakeholder Engagement Staff's engagement with the Magical Bridge Foundation informed the development of the project-specific evaluation approach. Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 20 Packet Pg. 51 of 248 Public Input & Scope Some Public Commenters have raised: •Support for prohibiting synthetic surfacing •Preference for EWF and other natural materials •Concerns regarding heat •Concerns regarding material composition and potential health impacts •Environmental and lifecycle concerns •Maintenance and replacement concerns •Questions regarding accessibility of alternative materials •Interest in broader stakeholder engagement These comments raise a broader policy question regarding whether the City should evaluate the use of synthetic turf on a project -specific basis or prohibit its use. Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 21 Packet Pg. 52 of 248 Guidelines vs. Citywide Policy Proposed Guidelines Approach Citywide Policy Approach Establishes evaluation criteria Establishes Citywide direction Project-specific Applies broadly Considers site and intended use Could establish permitted/prohibited materials Retains flexibility Provides a predetermined policy direction Guides future project decisions Could restrict future project options & functionality for users •Staff Recommendation is the Guidelines approach •PRC Feedback is requested on whether this refined scope appropriately fulfills the Work Plan direction Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 22 Packet Pg. 53 of 248 Applying Guidelines to a Future Project Future Playground Project Define play functions & user needs Evaluate site conditions Identify appropriate surfacing options Apply Guidelines Evaluate benefits, limitations, & alternatives Community/stakeholder engagement Project recommendation PRC/City Review/Approval Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 23 Packet Pg. 54 of 248 What Guidelines Do Not Do The Guidelines Do Not The Guidelines Do Require synthetic turf Establish consistent considerations Prohibit Synthetic Turf Encourage evaluation of alternatives Select a material for a future project Emphasize project-specific considerations Establish a universal surfacing standard Support transparent -decision making Commit the City to future expenditures Encourage limiting synthetic turf to applications where it provides a clear and appropriate benefit Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 24 Packet Pg. 55 of 248 Staff is Seeking PRC Input Scope Do the proposed Guidelines approach address the Work Plan direction? Content Are the proposed evaluation considerations appropriate and complete? Application Does the framework appropriately balance project-specific flexibility with the goal of limiting synthetic turf to applications where it provides a clear and appropriate benefit? Stakeholder Input Is additional stakeholder engagement appropriate before finalizing the Guidelines? Broader Policy Question Does PRC wish to further consider a Citywide policy regarding playground synthetic turf, beyond the proposed Guidelines framework? Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 25 Packet Pg. 56 of 248 Next Steps Following PRC discussion: •Staff will evaluate PRC feedback •Revise the proposed Guidelines and/or overall approach as appropriate •Conduct any additional stakeholder engagement directed by PRC •Return the Guidelines to PRC for further consideration / final recommendation •Upon final recommendation, inform Council and incorporate guidelines into practice Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 26 Packet Pg. 57 of 248 Item 5 Item 5 Staff Presentation Item 5: Staff Report Pg. 27 Packet Pg. 58 of 248 1 0 6 3 5 Parks and Recreation Commission Staff Report From: Public Works Department Meeting Date: September 22, 2026 Report #: 2609-6741 TITLE Park Improvement Ordinance Recommendation for the Foothills Nature Preserve Improvements Project (PE-21000) RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend adoption and approval of a Park Improvements Ordinance for Foothills Natures Preserve Improvement Project (Attachment A) by the City Council for access and safety improvements at Foothills Nature Preserve. BACKGROUND Foothills Nature Preserve (Preserve), approximately 1,400 acres of open space provides a wide variety of outdoor activities to the community. The Preserve experienced a significant increase in the number of visitors when it was opened to the public in 2020. This increase accentuated the need for safety, access, and parking improvements. Although visitation to the Preserve has returned to pre-pandemic levels, rangers continue to observe ongoing safety issues, particularly during weekends and holidays. City staff have conducted extensive public and stakeholder engagement throughout the development of the Preserve improvement plan. Between 2021 and 2026, staff met with stakeholder groups, the Open Space Liaisons, and the Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) to identify potential improvements, including designated pedestrian pathways, parking reconfiguration, fencing, crosswalks, speed humps, signage, and other safety and access improvements. On August 22, 20231, staff presented a preliminary improvement plan to the Commission which 1 Parks and Recreation Commission, August 22, 2023; Agenda Item #3 https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/public-works/engineering-services/parks-and-recreation- commission-staff-report-foothills-draft-improvement-project-8-22-23-final.pdf Item 6 Item 6 Staff Report Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 59 of 248 1 0 6 3 5 included designated pedestrian pathways along all Preserve roads, trail connecting overflow parking to Boronda Lake parking, and associated fencing, traffic control and parking improvements. The Commission was generally supportive of the proposed improvements. On April 15, 2024, the City Council approved a professional services contract3 with BKF Engineers to provide design and construction administration services for the project. Staff received minor Architectural Review Board conditional approval for the project in February 2025. In June 2025, staff met with the Open Space Liaisons to obtain their feedback on the updated improvement plan. On September 8, 20254, as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget amendment process, the City Council referred the project to the Commission and directed staff to return with potential reductions in scope and funding. In response, staff prioritized safety improvements along Preserve roads and visitor access improvements around Boronda Lake and Vista Hill, which are among the higher-traffic areas. Staff presented the reduced scope to the Commission on October 28, 20255. The Commission supported the revised plan and provided additional input regarding adding a gravel parking lot across Boronda Lake and other parking and traffic control features improvements. Staff provided the City Council with an update on mid-year budget adjustments based on the Commission’s feedback and revised cost estimate. On February 23, 2026, the City Council approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Appropriation which included reduction in the budget for the Foothills Nature Preserve Improvements Project (PE-21000) by $200,000 and returned the funds to the infrastructure reserve,6 and received feedback to retain the proposed gravel parking lot across from Boronda Lake, maintain the preserve’s natural character while incorporating traffic control measures, reference guidelines from other local preserves, and confirm the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review. ANALYSIS 3 City Council, April 15, 2024; Agenda Item #7; CMR # 2402-2583 https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=82779&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto&searchid=404bb65 0-122c-4e0b-9c89-0e58f73463ff 4 City Council, September 8, 2025; Action Item #18; https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=83564&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto&searchid=d1b96b6 8-cb84-4791-b0aa-70a741111928 5 Parks and Recreation Commission, October 28, 2025; Agenda Item #4; Report # 2510-5288 https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/public-works/engineering- services/meetings2649packet_20251028224303498.pdf 6 Parks and Recreation Commission, April 28, 2026; Agenda Item #4; Report # 2603-6179 https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/public-works/engineering- services/meetings2988packet_20260429002039582-1.pdf Item 6 Item 6 Staff Report Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 2 Packet Pg. 60 of 248 1 0 6 3 5 include removing some speed humps, replacing several crosswalks with pedestrian/trail crossing signage, and removing a small section of designated pedestrian pathway across Boronda Lake. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT ATTACHMENT Item 6 Item 6 Staff Report Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 3 Packet Pg. 61 of 248 NOT YET ADOPTED 1 170_20260908_ts24 Ordinance No. ____ Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Approving and Adopting a Plan for the Improvement Project at Foothills Nature Preserve The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows: SECTION 1. Findings. The City Council finds and declares that: (a) Article VIII of the Charter of the City of Palo Alto and section 22.08.005 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code require that, before any substantial building, construction, reconstruction or development is commenced or approved, upon or with respect to any land held by the City for park purposes, the Council shall first cause to be prepared and by ordinance approve and adopt a plan therefor. (b) Foothills Nature Preserve (formerly Foothills Park; the “Preserve”) is reserved for park, playground, recreation or conservation purposes (See Palo Alto Municipal Code section 22.08.090 et seq.) (c) The City intends to authorize the construction of pedestrian pathways, parking, signage, and traffic control measures within the preserve to improve visitors access and safety. (d) The plan of improvements (the “Plan”) shall generally consist of the following elements and as detailed in Attachment A: (1) Installation of designated pedestrian pathways, approximately three- to four-feet wide, along preserve roads connecting entrance, Boronda Lake, and Vista Hill. Installation of asphalt curb or boulders along the pathways where necessary. (2) Removal of unnecessary/excess asphalt at Vista Hill. (3) Removal of some existing gravel parking spaces near entrance and Boronda Lake. (4) Installation of a new gravel parking lot across from Boronda Lake. (5) Addition of accessible parking stalls by delineating existing parking, at the existing Boronda Lake parking area and the existing Vista Hill parking area. (6) Reconfiguration and delineation of parking spaces within the existing parking lots in the Boronda Lake and Vista Hill areas. (7) Installation of traffic control measures, including: • Speed humps • Crosswalk • Signage, striping and pavement markings • Curbed dirt island at south Vista Hill one-way intersection • Turnaround zone at western side of Boronda Lake (8) Installation of new benches at Vista Hill. Item 6 Attachment A Park Improvement Ordinance Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 4 Packet Pg. 62 of 248 NOT YET ADOPTED 2 170_20260908_ts24 (e) The Plan described above and as otherwise depicted in the attached exhibit, is consistent with park, recreation, and conservation purposes. (f) The Council desires to approve the Plan described above. SECTION 2. The Council hereby approves the Plan for the construction of improvements in the Preserve described in this Ordinance. SECTION 3. The City Council finds that this Ordinance falls under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions found in Title 14 California Code of Regulations Section: 15301 (Existing Facilities). SECTION 4. This Ordinance shall be effective on the thirty-first day after the date of its adoption. INTRODUCED: PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTENTIONS: ATTEST: ____________________________ ____________________________ City Clerk Mayor APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED: ____________________________ ____________________________ Assistant City Attorney City Manager ____________________________ Director of Community Services Item 6 Attachment A Park Improvement Ordinance Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 5 Packet Pg. 63 of 248 BK F E N G I N E E R S 25 5 S H O R E L I N E D R I V E SU I T E 2 0 0 RE D W O O D C I T Y , C A 9 4 0 6 5 (6 5 0 ) 4 8 2 - 6 3 0 0 ww w . b k f . c o m Item 6 Attachment A Park Improvement Ordinance Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 6 Packet Pg. 64 of 248 FOOTHILLS NATURE PRESERVEIMPROVEMENTS PARK IMPROVEMENT ORDINANCE Parks and Recreation Commission September 22, 2026 Paloalto.gov Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 7 Packet Pg. 65 of 248 2 OVERVIEW •Background •Outreach and Improvements Plan Development •Improvement Plan and Refinements •Timeline and Next Steps •Recommendation Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 8 Packet Pg. 66 of 248 3 BACKGROUND •Foothills Nature Preserve opened to the general public in 2020. Significant increase in visitation. • Impacts of increased visitation: Visitors walking off-trail into sensitive areas. Safety concerns due to pedestrians sharing preserve roads. Confusion due to lack of signage and unmarked parking areas. Traffic violations. •Need for visitors' access, safety and parking improvements. Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 9 Packet Pg. 67 of 248 4 OUTREACH AND IMPROVEMENTS PLAN DEVELOPMENT March 2021/August 2023 Stakeholders and PRC open space liaisons meetings. August 22, 2023 Staff presented preliminary improvements plan to PRC. April 15, 2024 Council approved a design services contract. February 2025 Minor ARB conditional approval and CEQA review. June 4, 2025 Open Space Liaisons meeting (feedback: pathway widths, trees preservation,and parking). September 8, 2025 Council referred the project to PRC for potential scope reductions. October 7, 2025 Open Space Liaisons meeting (feedback: remove excess asphalt at Vista Hill; remove/revisit parking lot across Boronda Lake) October 28, 2025 Staff presented reduced scope to PRC (feedback: add back gravel parking lot across Boronda Lake; parking and traffic control discussion) April 28, 2026 Informational update to PRC (feedback: keep gravel parking lot across Boronda Lake; maintain preserve’s visual character; reference other local preserve guidelines while incorporating traffic control measures; confirm CEQA review). June 18 and August 20, 2026 Open Space Liaisons meetings (refinements: replaced majority of crosswalks with trail/pedestrian crossing signs, reduced number of speed humps, and miscellaneous changes) Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 10 Packet Pg. 68 of 248 5 COMMENTS AND REFINEMENTS Key Feedback PRC (April 2026)/Open Space Liaisons (June 2026) Response/Refinements Maintain preserve’s visual character: •Originally proposed eight crosswalks and seven speed humps •Review other local preserve guidelines •Logs/natural looking wheel stops preferred. •Replaced six crosswalks with trail/pedestrian crossing signs on wood posts; Removed one crosswalk; Removed two speed humps. •Proposed plan consistent with other guidelines (e.g., lower height signs on wood posts; pedestrian pathway separate from vehicular traffic; parking areas not obstructing natural views; inclusion of traffic calming features; applicable state/federal regulations for traffic safety) •Utilizing logs and concrete wheel stops as feasible. Keep gravel parking lot across Boronda Lake. Incorporated. Remove pedestrian pathway along new gravel parking lot across Boronda Lake. Removed. Move vehicle turn-around zone to minimize reduction of parking at existing Boronda Lake parking lot. Moved vehicle turn-around zone to dirt area at west side of lake. Implement construction during birds non-nesting season. Construction proposed during birds non-nesting season between September through January. Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 11 Packet Pg. 69 of 248 6 PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT PLAN (PIO) Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 12 Packet Pg. 70 of 248 7 PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT PLAN (PIO) •Designated pedestrian pathways connecting Entrance, Boronda Lake, and Vista Hill.Curb or boulders along the pedestrian pathways. •Parking Improvements: •Existing parking reconfiguration and striping. •Removal of some parallel gravel parking near Boronda Lake and Entrance. •New gravel parking lot across Boronda Lake. •Accessible parking stalls at Boronda Lake and Vista Hill. •Additional benches at Vista Hill. •Removal of excess asphalt at Vista Hill. •Traffic control features (crosswalk, speed humps, stop signs, directional/trail crossing signage, striping, vehicles turnaround area near Boronda Lake, dirt island at south Vista Hill one-way intersection) Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 13 Packet Pg. 71 of 248 DESIGNATED PEDESTRIAN PATHWAYS •3- or 4-feet wide pathways. •Quarry fines material. •Utilize existing boulders as safety barrier where feasible. •Asphalt curb to provide a safety barrier where existing boulders are not feasible. •No tree removals, gaps in pathway where necessary. Quarry Fines at Arastradero Preserve Gapped Curb at Baylands Nature Preserve 8 Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 14 Packet Pg. 72 of 248 RECONFIGURE EXISTING PARKING •Parking reconfiguration with striping at Vista Hill and Boronda Lake areas. Removal of excess asphalt surfacing at Vista Hill Clearly delineate parking Traffic flow and efficiency EXISTING EXISTINGEXAMPLE LOCATION PROPOSED 9 Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 15 Packet Pg. 73 of 248 PARALLEL GRAVEL PARKING REMOVAL Some parallel parking will be removed to accommodate new pathways and to provide safer and efficient space. PROPOSEDEXISTINGPROPOSED Remove parallel parking 10 Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 16 Packet Pg. 74 of 248 11 NEW GRAVEL PARKING LOT ACROSS BORONDA LAKE Gravel Parking Lot at Arastradero PreserveExisting Conditions The new gravel parking lot would improve access and compensate for removed parallel gravel parking in the lake area Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 17 Packet Pg. 75 of 248 12 CROSSWALK AT BORONDA LAKE PARKING EXISTING PROPOSED Crosswalk at Baylands Nature Preserve Crosswalk at existing Boronda Lake near new accessible parking stall will provide safer access. Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 18 Packet Pg. 76 of 248 13 PEDESTRIAN/TRAIL CROSSING SIGNAGE •Replaced majority of previously proposed crosswalks. •Improve visitors' safety. Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 19 Packet Pg. 77 of 248 SPEED HUMPS Speed humps to slow down traffic and prevent speeding PROPOSED 14 Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 20 Packet Pg. 78 of 248 CURBED DIRT ISLAND AT VISTA HILL New dirt island with asphalt curb at the intersection south of Vista Hill to enforce one way traffic and to guide vehicles to stay on designated route. PROPOSED 15 Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 21 Packet Pg. 79 of 248 16 CEQA REVIEW A CEQA Exemption under Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) was approved in February 2025 based on the Original Improvements Plan. •4 to 6 feet wide pedestrian pathway along all preserve’s main roads. •Tiger teeth spikes on Vista Hill •Asphalt parking lot across Boronda Lake •Standard traffic control features (crosswalks, speed humps, signage, etc.) •Five trees proposed for removal Current plan reduces impacts compared to the original plan. No new/significant impacts that warrant further CEQA review. •3 to 4 feet wide pedestrian pathway connecting three areas - Entrance, Boronda Lake, and Vista Hill •Dirt island with asphalt curb on Vista Hill •Gravel parking lot across Boronda Lake •Removed/replaced majority of crosswalks with trail/pedestrian crossing signs. •No tree removals •Extra asphalt removal at Vista Hill Original Plan, February 2025 Current Plan, September 2026 Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 22 Packet Pg. 80 of 248 17 TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS •PRC PIO Recommendation – September 2026 •City Council PIO Adoption – November 2026 •Final Design and Bid Document Preparation – Spring 2027 •Bidding/Contract award – Spring/Summer 2027 •Construction – Fall 2027 Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 23 Packet Pg. 81 of 248 18 RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend adoption and approval of a Park Improvements Ordinance to the City Council for access and safety improvements at Foothills Natures Preserve. Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 24 Packet Pg. 82 of 248 Questions and Comments 19 Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 25 Packet Pg. 83 of 248 Item 6 Item 6 Staff Presentation Item 6: Staff Report Pg. 26 Packet Pg. 84 of 248 2 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Sunday, September 13, 2026 6:46 PM To:Linda Jolley Subject:Re: homelessness_letter_8-2-13 CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. 9-13-2026 Hi Linda, Thanks for your kind words. Thirteen years after my letter attacking the Palo Alto City Council for going after people experiencing homelessness and RV dwellers without housing, the city of Palo Alto is doing the same thing again —going after the unhoused and vehicle dwellers relentlessly. Three of the wealthiest multi-million-dollar members on our council are leading the charge-Lauing, Reckdahl, and Burt. What a stain on the reputation of Palo Alto. Keep up your good work. Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James On Sun, Sep 13, 2026 at 5:52 PM Linda Jolley wrote: Your intervention in this case was one of your greatest contributions, Aram. I deeply hope you can stay in the saddle until we get the world fixed. Please try to get some non-systemic treatment for your feet, even if you have to employ a homeopath. I am getting pretty close to my goal of being able to help good people finance good works from stocks and futures trading. On Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 12:39:12 PM PDT, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: From the archives of Aram James Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 85 of 248 3 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Sunday, September 13, 2026 12:33 PM To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; City Attorney; city.council@gilroy.org; CityCouncil; supervisor.abe- koga@bos.sccgov.org; Dave Price; Braden Cartwright; Emily Mibach; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Human Relations Commission Subject:homelessness_letter_8-2-13-from the archives of Aram James Attachments:homelessness_letter_8-2-13.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. From the archives of Aram James Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 2 Packet Pg. 86 of 248 4 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, September 12, 2026 11:31 AM To:sam.liccardo@gmail.com Cc:Reckdahl, Keith; Stone, Greer; DuJuan Green; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Gennady Sheyner; Riley Cooke; Yolanda Conaway; PD Kristina Bell; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Khalia Parish ( Homeless Advocate); Ari Tarver; Ruth Silver Taube; Jay Boyarsky; Bains, Paul; Paul George @ PPJC; Human Relations Commission; Palo Alto Renters' Association; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; William Armaline; Daniel Kottke; EPA Today; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Shikada, Ed; editor@paweekly.com; Lauing, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith; gstone22@gmail.com; Burt, Patrick; frances.Rothschild@jud.ca.gov; Sean Allen; Preminger, Steve; Friends of Cubberley; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Richard Horning Subject:Re: Candidates disparage the poor—Raymond Goins strikes back CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Please watch this critical clip Raymond Goins strikes back at Bryna Chang!! Racism called out in no uncertain terms!! Palo Alto City Council candidate Ray Goins responds to candidates Brynna Chang and Dr. Gary Gechlik disparaging poor people at the Future of Palo Alto Housing Forum co-hosted by Palo Alto Forward and SV@Home Action Fund. https://youtube.com/shorts/fjY3rj5qq-I?feature=share Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 3 Packet Pg. 87 of 248 5 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, September 12, 2026 12:52 AM To:Kaloma Smith; Timothy Gray; Dave Price; Brandon Pho; Riley Cooke; Yolanda Conaway; Nick Tasers SF; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Emily Mibach; Jessica Riskin; Embarcadero Media Support; Gennady Sheyner; Burt, Patrick; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Veenker, Vicki; KRISTEN JOHNSON; Roberta Ahlquist; Sheree Roth; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission Subject:Re: Candidates disparage the poor—Raymond Goins strikes back CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. On Sat, Sep 12, 2026 at 12:51 AM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: Palo Alto City Council candidate Ray Goins responds to candidates Brynna Chang and Dr. Gary Gechlik disparaging poor people at the Future of Palo Alto Housing Forum co-hosted by Palo Alto Forward and SV@Home Action Fund. https://youtube.com/shorts/fjY3rj5qq-I?feature=share Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 4 Packet Pg. 88 of 248 6 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, September 12, 2026 12:09 AM To:Reifschneider, James; Goodell, Erin; Perron, Zachary; Gennady Sheyner; Dave Price; Riley Cooke; Friends of Cubberley; CityCouncil; city.council@gilroy.org; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; GRP-City Council; City Attorney; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Susan Hayase; Brandon Pho; Rick Callender; EXT.Richard.Hobbs; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Jennifer Morrow San José Spotlight; Jeff Rosen; jsylva@scscourt.org; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Bains, Paul; Paul George @ PPJC; Paul Bocanegra; james pitkin; sharon jackson; Jim Lawrence; Nancy Goodban; Rebecca Kieler; Council, City; Human Relations Commission; Reckdahl, Keith; Carla Torres; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Jensen, Eric; Emily Mibach; Aldinette Lockett; Palo Alto Renters' Association; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Alaniz, John; Palo Alto Free Press; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Gerry Gras; Dana St. George; Mora Oommen; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Enberg, Nicholas; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Richard Konda; Board of Directors; Jay Boyarsky; board@pausd.org; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; bos@smcgov.org; BoardOperations; steven mcgill; Preminger, Steve; Steve Wagstaffe; Reginald Swilley; Burt, Patrick; Paul George @ PPJC; Paul Bains; Vicki Veenker; Shikada, Ed; editor@paweekly.com; Ruth Silver Taube (rsilvertaube@scu.edu); Lauing, Ed; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; Seanjames143 @yahoo.com; Seher Awan; Rose Lynn; Robert Salonga; Baker, Rob; Robert Handa; Roberta Ahlquist; Sheree Roth; Daniel Kottke; Reckdahl, Keith; Petal Niles; Nious, Kevin (NBCUniversal); Jeff Conrad Subject:Re: Raymond Goins on Relining and Reparations in Palo Alto CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. On Sat, Sep 12, 2026 at 12:05 AM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: Palo Alto City Council Candidate Raymond Goins discusses Palo Alto’s history of redlining & Segregation and the need for reparations. And the people of Palo Alto listen. https://youtube.com/shorts/RfdbNwjnBrQ Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 5 Packet Pg. 89 of 248 7 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, September 12, 2026 12:06 AM To:Reifschneider, James; Goodell, Erin; Perron, Zachary; Gennady Sheyner; Dave Price; Riley Cooke; Friends of Cubberley; CityCouncil; city.council@gilroy.org; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; GRP-City Council; City Attorney; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Susan Hayase; Brandon Pho; Rick Callender; EXT.Richard.Hobbs; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Jennifer Morrow San José Spotlight; Jeff Rosen; jsylva@scscourt.org; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Bains, Paul; Paul George @ PPJC; Paul Bocanegra; james pitkin; sharon jackson; Jim Lawrence; Nancy Goodban; Rebecca Kieler; Council, City; Human Relations Commission; Reckdahl, Keith; Carla Torres; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Jensen, Eric; Emily Mibach; Aldinette Lockett; Palo Alto Renters' Association; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Alaniz, John; Palo Alto Free Press; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Gerry Gras; Dana St. George; Mora Oommen; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Enberg, Nicholas; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Richard Konda; Board of Directors; Jay Boyarsky; board@pausd.org; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; bos@smcgov.org; BoardOperations; steven mcgill; Preminger, Steve; Steve Wagstaffe; Reginald Swilley; Burt, Patrick; Paul George @ PPJC; Paul Bains; Vicki Veenker; Shikada, Ed; editor@paweekly.com; Ruth Silver Taube (rsilvertaube@scu.edu); Lauing, Ed; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; Seanjames143 @yahoo.com; Seher Awan; Rose Lynn; Robert Salonga; Baker, Rob; Robert Handa; Roberta Ahlquist; Sheree Roth; Daniel Kottke; Reckdahl, Keith; Petal Niles; Nious, Kevin (NBCUniversal) Subject:Raymond Goins on Relining and Reparations in Palo Alto CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Palo Alto City Council Candidate Raymond Goins discusses Palo Alto’s history of redlining & Segregation and the need for reparations. And the people of Palo Alto listen. https://youtube.com/shorts/RfdbNwjnBrQ Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 6 Packet Pg. 90 of 248 8 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, September 11, 2026 11:00 PM To:planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; Human Relations Commission; james pitkin; Council, City; julie.ruhlin@oirgroup.con; Preminger, Steve; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; ladoris cordell; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; board@pausd.org; Rebecca Eisenberg; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Susan Hayase; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Betty Duong; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; city.council@gilroy.org; City Attorney; Burt, Patrick; Reckdahl, Keith; Lauing, Ed; Stone, Greer; Board of Directors; Bill Newell; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Sean Allen; Reifschneider, James; EPA Today; Dave Price; vramirez@redwoodcity.org; Brandon Pho; Braden Cartwright; Diana Diamond; Nicole Chiu- Wang; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Yolanda Conaway; Ari Tarver; Ruth Silver Taube; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Patrick Marshall; sharon jackson; CityCouncil; GRP-City Council; Perron, Zachary; Palo Alto Renters' Association; Ann Ravel; Anne Cribbs; Jay Boyarsky; Raj Jayadev; Charisse Domingo; Charlotte Casey; Rose Lynn; Richard Konda; Rick Callender; Riley Cooke; Gennady Sheyner; Gerry Gras; Dana St. George; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Gennady Sheyner; Jeff Rosen; Goodell, Erin; Linda Jolley; Alaniz, John; Enberg, Nicholas; Jose Valle; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Yusra Hussain; Seher Awan; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Hayden; HRW Silicon Valley; Lewis james; Vicki Veenker; Seanjames143@yahoo.com; Friends of Cubberley; Roberta Ahlquist; ParkRec Commission; Kaloma Smith; Lotus Fong; Doug Fort; Emily Mibach; Richard Horning; Goodell, Erin; Jensen, Eric; Robert Handa; Carla Torres; Freddie.Quintana@sen.ca.gov; Patricia Judge Tamrazi; PD Kristina Bell; Damon Silver; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Stephen Connolly; Senator Becker Subject:Palo Alto City Council candidate Ray Goins responds to candidates Brynna Chang and Dr. Gary Gechlik disparaging poor people CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Palo Alto City Council candidate Ray Goins responds to candidates Brynna Chang and Dr. Gary Gechlik disparaging poor people at the Future of Palo Alto Housing Forum co-hosted by Palo Alto Forward and SV@Home Action Fund. https://youtube.com/shorts/fjY3rj5qq-I?feature=share Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 7 Packet Pg. 91 of 248 9 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, September 11, 2026 4:43 PM To:Braden Cartwright; Emily Mibach; Dave Price Cc:planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Diana Diamond; Gennady Sheyner; EPA Today; Brandon Pho; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Roberta Ahlquist; Rose Lynn; Sean Allen; sharon jackson; Carla Torres; Council, City; Human Relations Commission; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Malinsky, Jason; Dan Okonkwo; Senator Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Reifschneider, James; Lewis james; Susan Hayase Subject:Raymond Goins vs Bryan Chang -you decided CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. 9-19-2026 Dear Editor: I've worked with Raymond Goins for the last three years and encouraged him to run for city council. I am doing what I can to support him at each step of his campaign. If you have a few minutes to review last night’s debate, the section on RVs shows Raymond Goins pointedly going after candidate Bryna Chang for comments he found offensive. I will leave it to you whether you find Bryna Chang’s comments offensive. I was extremely proud of how Raymond handled himself last night. https://youtu.be/HhTJqr-z2Uc Raymond is a gifted man who brings a life experience unique to this council campaign. It's past time we brought someone like Raymond into our city government. Aram James 1944 Ivy Lane Palo Alto, CA 94303 Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 8 Packet Pg. 92 of 248 10 Vidal, Eric From:notification@iplanetbusiness.one Sent:Friday, September 11, 2026 3:42 PM To:ParkRec Commission Subject:The Polk Wealth Management Group (part of Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management) CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • You've never replied to this person. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast The Polk Wealth Management Group Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management | New York & Palm Beach Led by Founder and Managing Partner Lyon Polk, The Polk Wealth Management Group is a premier advisory team dedicated to ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, foundations, and businesses. We combine the global resources of Morgan Stanley with the high-touch, personalized service of an independent family office. Our Approach & Capabilities: Prior to engaging with a prospective client, we conduct a deep analysis of the individual’s current lifestyle, goals, and aspirations. This is complemented with an understanding of the prospect’s concerns and fears—i.e., ‘what keeps them up at night.’ Discovery & Strategy: We begin by deeply understanding your goals, lifestyle, and unique concerns to build a customized wealth plan. Investment Management: Utilizing rigorous internal due diligence alongside Morgan Stanley’s global insights, we construct tailored asset allocations spanning traditional markets, alternatives, crypto, and fixed income. Holistic Wealth Planning: Our comprehensive services include tax, trust and estate strategies, family governance, philanthropy, Crypto Investments, AI Trading, lifestyle advisory, and tailored lending. Connect With Us, We invite a personal conversation to discuss how we can help optimize and preserve your legacy. Phone/Text: Lyon Polk directly at (+1) 425-232-1308 Web: advisor.morganstanley.com/the-polk-wealth-management-group Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 9 Packet Pg. 93 of 248 12 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, September 11, 2026 1:28 PM To:Roberta Ahlquist Subject:Last night’s housing debate. CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. See link to debate below 9-11-2026 Hi Roberta, Here is the YouTube debate (Palo Alto City Council candidates) on housing issues from last night's debate (9-10-2026). I am supporting Raymond Goins -who did extremely well last night. Check it out, particularly the portion on RVs. Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James https://youtu.be/HhTJqr-z2Uc Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 10 Packet Pg. 94 of 248 16 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, September 10, 2026 12:15 AM To:Reckdahl, Keith Cc:sam.liccardo@gmail.com; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; supervisor.abe- koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; board@pausd.org; Josh Becker; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Emily Mibach; Brandon Pho; Diana Diamond; EPA Today; Sean Allen; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; julie.ruhlin@oirgroup.com; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky Subject:You are so full of shit CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. 9-9-2026 Keith, You are arguing for transparency in the release of this report (on Forest Peterson), which I agree with. But you won't even meet with me. The public is entitled to know if you are a dual citizen, US-Israel. First loyalty to Israel? Whether you are a Flaming Zionist or not? Whether, in your decades-long employment at Lockheed Martin, you have ever worked on weapons systems used in Gaza, the West Bank, or other occupied territories? Whether you have ever publicly spoken out in opposition to Lockheed producing weapons of genocide? More later-time to be transparent, Keith. Avram Finkelstein, aka Aram James Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 11 Packet Pg. 95 of 248 21 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, September 8, 2026 6:55 PM To:Shikada, Ed Cc:Reifschneider, James; Council, City; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; Dave Price; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; district1@bos.sccgov.org; board@pausd.org; City Attorney; city.council@gilroy.org; GRP-City Council; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Jeff Rosen; Jeff Conrad; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Gennady Sheyner; Brandon Pho; Jennifer Morrow San José Spotlight; Jeff Hayden; Aldinette Lockett; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Afanasiev, Alex; Alaniz, John; Goodell, Erin; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Enberg, Nicholas; Sean Allen; Sheri Costa; Susan Hayase; Shankar Ramamoorthy; Reckdahl, Keith; Riley Cooke; Professor Quintanar; frances.Rothschild@jud.ca.gov; Board of Directors; Jay Boyarsky; Friends of Cubberley; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; District5@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Betty Duong; Bains, Paul; Paul George @ PPJC; Diana Diamond; EPA Today; HRW Silicon Valley; Human Relations Commission; Steve Wagstaffe; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Emily Mibach; Bill Newell; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Palo Alto Renters' Association; Baker, Rob; Robert Salonga; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; ParkRec Commission; Carla Torres; dcombs@menlopark.gov; Taylor, Cecilia; PD Kristina Bell; Nash, Betsy Subject:Cop’s use of n-word led to investigation that never became public – Palo Alto Daily Post CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. He’s still employed by the PAPD. Never apologized!! https://padailypost.com/2019/05/22/cops-use-of-n-word-led-to-investigation-that-never-became- public/ Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 12 Packet Pg. 96 of 248 22 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, September 8, 2026 12:12 AM To:julie.ruhlin@oirgroup.com; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Stephen Connolly; Robert. Jonsen; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Peter Drekmeier; Vicki Veenker; Reckdahl, Keith; Shikada, Ed; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Braden Cartwright; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; frances.Rothschild@jud.ca.gov; EPA Today; Gennady Sheyner; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Robert Handa; Roberta Ahlquist; Reifschneider, James; Afanasiev, Alex; Linda Jolley; Donna Wallach; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Betty Duong; district1@bos.sccgov.org; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Sean Allen; Carla Torres; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; Nick Tasers SF; Human Relations Commission; HRW Silicon Valley; Board of Directors; board@pausd.org Subject:Re: Text book example on how NOT to.use a Taser CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. On Mon, Sep 7, 2026 at 11:35 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: FYI: Mike, OIR. This Taser -PAPD deployment-plus threat of a second Tasering-all captured on video-see link below—is so far out of police policy to make your head swim. Now we know why the sheriff does NOT want the videos, medical records or use of force records released before the BOS votes on the purchase of approximately 1000 more Tasers. The video will show just how violent and torturous Tasers truly are. Please advocate for the videos of all Taser deployments, during the Taser Pilot Project, be released to the public before the BOS votes on the purchase of approximately 10 million dollars worth of deadly Tasers. On Mon, Sep 7, 2026 at 6:39 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: 9-7-2026 Dear Editor: In response to your article, Man breaks neck after tase, Daily Post, Sept. 5-6, I offer the following: There was less than zero justification for using a Taser on this gentleman who was napping and minding his own business. Way more than 1,000 people have died after being tased. There are a hundred different de-escalation techniques that should have been tried before using a Taser on an unarmed individual whose vulnerabilities the cop knew nothing about. In addition, the manufacturer, Axon Enterprise, specifically warns that death can occur when the Taser is deployed to the chest. This is a textbook example of how NOT to use a Taser on a human being. This cop clearly was not trained on the risk factors associated with using a Taser in such a Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 13 Packet Pg. 97 of 248 23 reckless and negligent fashion. The victim in this case could have easily died from his fall or had serious brain damage. The case should result in a multi-million-dollar judgment against the City of Palo Alto. Aram James 1944 Ivy Lane Palo Alto, CA 94303 415-370-5056 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r2ysKd6l6E Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 14 Packet Pg. 98 of 248 24 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, September 7, 2026 11:36 PM To:julie.ruhlin@oirgroup.com; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Stephen Connolly; Robert. Jonsen; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Peter Drekmeier; Vicki Veenker; Reckdahl, Keith; Shikada, Ed; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Braden Cartwright; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; frances.Rothschild@jud.ca.gov; EPA Today; Gennady Sheyner; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Robert Handa; Roberta Ahlquist; Reifschneider, James; Afanasiev, Alex; Linda Jolley; Donna Wallach; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Betty Duong; district1@bos.sccgov.org; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org Subject:Re: Text book example on how NOT to.use a Taser CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. FYI: Mike, OIR. This Taser -PAPD deployment-plus threat of a second Tasering-all captured on video-see link below—is so far out of police policy to make your head swim. Now we know why the sheriff does NOT want the videos, medical records or use of force records released before the BOS votes on the purchase of approximately 1000 more Tasers. The video will show just how violent and torturous Tasers truly are. Please advocate for the videos of all Taser deployments, during the Taser Pilot Project, be released to the public before the BOS votes on the purchase of approximately 10 million dollars worth of deadly Tasers. On Mon, Sep 7, 2026 at 6:39 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: 9-7-2026 Dear Editor: In response to your article, Man breaks neck after tase, Daily Post, Sept. 5-6, I offer the following: There was less than zero justification for using a Taser on this gentleman who was napping and minding his own business. Way more than 1,000 people have died after being tased. There are a hundred different de-escalation techniques that should have been tried before using a Taser on an unarmed individual whose vulnerabilities the cop knew nothing about. In addition, the manufacturer, Axon Enterprise, specifically warns that death can occur when the Taser is deployed to the chest. This is a textbook example of how NOT to use a Taser on a human being. This cop clearly was not trained on the risk factors associated with using a Taser in such a reckless and negligent fashion. The victim in this case could have easily died from his fall or had serious brain damage. The case should result in a multi-million-dollar judgment against the City of Palo Alto. Aram James Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 15 Packet Pg. 99 of 248 25 1944 Ivy Lane Palo Alto, CA 94303 415-370-5056 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r2ysKd6l6E Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 16 Packet Pg. 100 of 248 26 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, September 7, 2026 11:13 PM To:Josh Becker; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Riley Cooke; Gennady Sheyner; Board of Directors; Jay Boyarsky; Rosen, Jeff; Angel, David; Friends of Cubberley; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Sheree Roth; Shikada, Ed; Lauing, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith; Council, City; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; board@pausd.org; Vicki Veenker; vramirez@redwoodcity.org; Dana St. George; Gerry Gras; Paul George @ PPJC; Bains, Paul; Anne Cribbs; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Peter Drekmeier; Ted Smith; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; city.council@gilroy.org; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; GRP- City Council; city.council@menlopark.gov; CityCouncil; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; BoardOperations Subject:Re: my latest love letter to Dave Price on his bullshit CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. From the archives of Avram Finkelstein On Mon, Sep 7, 2026 at 9:30 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: Dear Editor: ( Dave Price) Today’s ( Monday, August 17, 2026) pro-Zionist editorial only increases hostility towards all Jews. You are doing us Jews no favor with your misinformed editorials. Do your homework before you put out such provocative misinformation. Jews are the most privileged and wealthy minority in this country. And the ongoing genocide in Palestine —supported by U.S. bombs and billions of dollars of military aid-and pushed down the throats of the American public by wealthy Zionist lobbies like AIPAC -understandable increases anti- semitism. Your misinformed editorials on the ongoing genocide in Palestine continue to confuse legitimate anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Young Jewish adults want to know the truth about the vile colonial nature -the apartheid nature -the genocidal nature- of Israel. We Jews are NOT raised to be the fragile, uninformed individuals your writing makes us out to be. Jewish culture, unlike zionism encourages truth-telling- not the censorship of the truth about Israel that the Zionist promote along with uninformed Journalists like yourself. We, Jews, are NOT the victims you make us out to be; do your homework, Dave! Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 17 Packet Pg. 101 of 248 27 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Sunday, September 6, 2026 5:49 PM To:Reifschneider, James; PD Kristina Bell; Goodell, Erin; Sean Allen; Jeff Rosen; Dave Price; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; EPA Today; Jose Valle; Raj Jayadev; Susan Hayase; Brandon Pho; Friends of Cubberley; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Professor Quintanar; Palo Alto Free Press; Gerry Gras; Dana St. George; Angel, David; Daniel Kottke; Damon Silver; Rodriguez, Miguel; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Betty Duong; Roberta Ahlquist; Baker, Rob; Robert Handa; Robert Salonga; Robert. Jonsen; Rose Lynn; Robin Yeamans; Bill Newell; City Attorney; Shikada, Ed; Lauing, Ed; Ruth Silver Taube; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Josh Becker; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Hayden; Jeff Golin; sharon jackson; Gennady Sheyner; Seanjames143 @yahoo.com; Lewis james; Council, City; Perron, Zachary; Aldinette Lockett; Afanasiev, Alex; Linda Jolley; Board of Directors; board@pausd.org; JIM MINKLER1; karen hall; Doug Minkler; Doug Fort; Steve Wagstaffe; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; city.council@menlopark.gov; GRP-City Council; GRP-City Clerk; Tom DuBois; Jari A. Brenner; Lotus Fong; Seher Awan; Donna Wallach; Nicole Chiu- Wang; Charisse Domingo; Human Relations Commission; city.council@gilroy.org; CityCouncil; Jay Boyarsky; Bains, Paul; Paul George @ PPJC; Paul Bocanegra; Roberta Roth; Patrick Marshall; steven mcgill; Preminger, Steve; Vicki Veenker; Reckdahl, Keith; Carla Torres; Hans-Peter Tiemann; Dave Price; Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright; Brad Imamura; Rick Callender; EXT.Richard.Hobbs; Anna Griffin; Anne Cribbs; Ann Ravel; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Jensen, Eric; Goodell, Erin; Eric Diesel; Yolanda Sena; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; alphonso.lozano@santamonica.gov; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Enberg, Nicholas; Nick Tasers SF; Martinez, Nicolas; nick.enberg@cityofpaloalto.org Cc:Diana Diamond; Riley Cooke; Yusra Hussain; Nancy Goodban; Nash, Betsy; Cindy Bendat Subject:Text book example of how NOT to use a Taser CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. 9-6-2026 See longer video ( link) than the one circulated yesterday below in blue There was less than zero justification for using a Taser on this gentleman who was napping and minding his own business. Way more than 1,000 people have died after being tased. There are a hundred different de-escalation techniques that should have been tried before using a Taser on an unarmed individual whose vulnerabilities the cop knew nothing about. In addition, the manufacturer, Axon Enterprise, specifically warns that death can occur when the Taser is deployed to the chest. This is a textbook example of how NOT to use a Taser on a human being. This cop clearly was not trained on the risk factors associated with using a Taser in such a reckless and negligent fashion. The victim in this case could have easily died from his fall or had serious brain damage. The case should result in a multi-million- dollar judgment against the City of Palo Alto. Aram “ Ban Tasers Now” James https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r2ysKd6l6E Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 18 Packet Pg. 102 of 248 28 https://youtu.be/jQdtATlt4lc?is=XH-F-PDUdSuGtWC3 Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 19 Packet Pg. 103 of 248 29 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, September 5, 2026 5:18 PM To:City Attorney; Council, City; city.council@gilroy.org; Perron, Zachary; Reifschneider, James; Gennady Sheyner; Dave Price; Bill Newell; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Stephen Connolly; mike braxton; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; julie.ruhlin@oirgroup.con; White, Dwight; sharon jackson; Sean Allen; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; GRP-City Council; Zahra Billoo; Bil Barber; Bill Armaline; Vicki Veenker; city.council@menlopark.gov; Clerk, City; Ruth Silver Taube; Carla Torres; Friends of Cubberley; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Goodell, Erin; Jensen, Eric; Eric Diesel; Aldinette Lockett; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Afanasiev, Alex; Nick Tasers SF; Enberg, Nicholas; Nicole Chiu-Wang; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Angel, David; Jeff Rosen; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Hayden; Rosen, Jeff; Steve Wagstaffe; Preminger, Steve; steven mcgill; Human Relations Commission; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; City of Menlo Park; CityCouncil; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Diana Diamond; Dave Price; Braden Cartwright; Richard Konda; Rick Callender; EXT.Richard.Hobbs; EPA Today; cromero@cityofepa.org; Raymond Goins; Raj Jayadev; Jose Valle; Lewis james; Shankar Ramamoorthy; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Ann Ravel; Anne Cribbs; Anna Griffin; Ann James; Board of Directors; board@pausd.org; Yolanda Conaway; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; BoardOperations; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Betty Duong; district1@bos.sccgov.org; San José Spotlight; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Jennifer Morrow San José Spotlight; jerrygras@earthlink.net; Roberta Ahlquist; Seher Awan; Yusra Hussain; yolanda; Dana St. George; Daniel Kottke; Damon Silver; Rodriguez, Miguel; Valeros, Gilda B Subject:Re: CPRA request # 2 the PAPD Taser incident of July 19. 2026, at the Stanford Mall by a rogue untrained member of the PAPD CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. On Sat, Sep 5, 2026 at 5:16 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I am requesting, in addition to the name of the rogue Palo Alto officer who tased an unarmed man at the Stanford Mall on July 18, the following: 1. All use-of-force reports prepared by any member of the PAPD related to this incident. 2. The location where the Taser prongs were removed. 3. The full set of body-camera footage, including all digital footage of the handcuffing of the unarmed man tasered by the rogue PAPD officer. 4. Any other digital footage of this incident taken by any member of the PAPD. 5. The days the unarmed Taser victim spent under medical care after his tasering on July 19, 2026. 6. The hospital the Taser victim was taken to. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 20 Packet Pg. 104 of 248 30 7. Any other digital footage of this incident taken into the custody of the PAPD. This would include digital footage collected from surveillance cameras at the Stanford Mall. 8. All police reports prepared regarding the incident. 9. The full name of the Taser victim. 10. All contact information for the Taser victim. 11. The initial amount of money the City of Palo Alto is offering the Taser victim before a formal multi- million dollar suit is filed. 12. Any and all other information we are entitled to re this incident pursuant to the California Public Records Act. Aram James https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc2CjvDMvHq/?stkn=MWJtM3Q1cnMzc2l5cQ== https://youtu.be/jQdtATlt4lc?is=GTIrLIpZYxQI1UCl Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 21 Packet Pg. 105 of 248 31 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, September 5, 2026 5:16 PM To:City Attorney; Council, City; city.council@gilroy.org; Perron, Zachary; Reifschneider, James; Gennady Sheyner; Dave Price; Bill Newell; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Stephen Connolly; mike braxton; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; julie.ruhlin@oirgroup.con; White, Dwight; sharon jackson; Sean Allen; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; GRP-City Council; Zahra Billoo; Bil Barber; Bill Armaline; Vicki Veenker; city.council@menlopark.gov; Clerk, City; Ruth Silver Taube; Carla Torres; Friends of Cubberley; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Goodell, Erin; Jensen, Eric; Eric Diesel; Aldinette Lockett; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Afanasiev, Alex; Nick Tasers SF; Enberg, Nicholas; Nicole Chiu-Wang; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Angel, David; Jeff Rosen; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Hayden; Rosen, Jeff; Steve Wagstaffe; Preminger, Steve; steven mcgill; Human Relations Commission; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; City of Menlo Park; CityCouncil; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Diana Diamond; Dave Price; Braden Cartwright; Richard Konda; Rick Callender; EXT.Richard.Hobbs; EPA Today; cromero@cityofepa.org; Raymond Goins; Raj Jayadev; Jose Valle; Lewis james; Shankar Ramamoorthy; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Ann Ravel; Anne Cribbs; Anna Griffin; Ann James; Board of Directors; board@pausd.org; Yolanda Conaway; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; BoardOperations; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Betty Duong; district1@bos.sccgov.org; San José Spotlight; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Jennifer Morrow San José Spotlight; jerrygras@earthlink.net; Roberta Ahlquist; Seher Awan; Yusra Hussain; yolanda; Dana St. George Subject:CPRA request # 2 the PAPD Taser incident of July 19. 2026, at the Stanford Mall by a rogue untrained member of the PAPD CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Pursuant to the California Public Records Act, I am requesting, in addition to the name of the rogue Palo Alto officer who tased an unarmed man at the Stanford Mall on July 18, the following: 1. All use-of-force reports prepared by any member of the PAPD related to this incident. 2. The location where the Taser prongs were removed. 3. The full set of body-camera footage, including all digital footage of the handcuffing of the unarmed man tasered by the rogue PAPD officer. 4. Any other digital footage of this incident taken by any member of the PAPD. 5. The days the unarmed Taser victim spent under medical care after his tasering on July 19, 2026. 6. The hospital the Taser victim was taken to. 7. Any other digital footage of this incident taken into the custody of the PAPD. This would include digital footage collected from surveillance cameras at the Stanford Mall. 8. All police reports prepared regarding the incident. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 22 Packet Pg. 106 of 248 32 9. The full name of the Taser victim. 10. All contact information for the Taser victim. 11. The initial amount of money the City of Palo Alto is offering the Taser victim before a formal multi- million dollar suit is filed. 12. Any and all other information we are entitled to re this incident pursuant to the California Public Records Act. Aram James https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc2CjvDMvHq/?stkn=MWJtM3Q1cnMzc2l5cQ== https://youtu.be/jQdtATlt4lc?is=GTIrLIpZYxQI1UCl Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 23 Packet Pg. 107 of 248 33 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, September 5, 2026 2:01 PM To:Reifschneider, James; Aldinette Lockett; Afanasiev, Alex; Linda Jolley; Taylor, Cecilia; PD Kristina Bell; Reckdahl, Keith; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Susan Hayase; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Josh Becker; board@pausd.org; Board of Directors; Enberg, Nicholas; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Carla Torres; Zelkha, Mila; Emily Mibach; Dave Price; Brandon Pho; Angel, David; Jeff Rosen; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Hayden; Bill Newell; Nancy Goodban; Nash, Betsy; Reifschneider, James; Human Relations Commission; EPA Today; Anne Cribbs; Lee, Craig; Yolanda Conaway; yolanda; Ruth Silver Taube (rsilvertaube@scu.edu); Lauing, Ed; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Shikada, Ed; Roberta Ahlquist; Friends of Cubberley; Raymond Goins; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Vicki Veenker; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Raymond Goins; Bains, Paul; Brian Good; Seher Awan; Lewis james; Seanjames143@yahoo.com; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Goodell, Erin; Eric Diesel; Lotus Fong; Dana St. George; Gerry Gras; Gennady Sheyner; Shankar Ramamoorthy; sharon jackson; city.council@gilroy.org; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Council, City; City Attorney; Perron, Zachary; GRP-City Council; Clerk, City; city.council@menlopark.gov; CityCouncil; Jay Boyarsky; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; BoardOperations; Jose Valle; Raj Jayadev; Charisse Domingo; Charlotte Casey; Jay Boyarsky; Ruth Silver Taube; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Betty Duong; District5@bos.sccgov.org; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; District5@sanjoseca.gov; district1@bos.sccgov.org; District9@sanjoseca.gov; Daniel Kottke; DuJuan Green; Tom DuBois; Holman, Karen (external); karen hall; Donna Wallach; Doug Fort; Donna Wallach; Riley Cooke; editor@paweekly.com; Shikada, Ed; cotton.gaines@cityofpaloalto.org; Anna Griffin; Ann Ravel; Ann James; vramirez@redwoodcity.org; Patrick Marshall; JIM MINKLER1; Rodriguez, Miguel; Damon Silver; Valeros, Gilda B; steven mcgill; Steve Wagstaffe; Preminger, Steve; MGR-Melissa Stevenson Diaz; Stone, Greer; Nick Tasers SF; mike braxton; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Yusra Hussain; julie.ruhlin@oirgroup.con; james pitkin; Richard Konda; Malinsky, Jason; Jasso, Tamara; Hans-Peter Tiemann Subject:Re: Palo Alto Police officer tases and unarmed man at the Stanford Mall on July 19, 2026. CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. On Sat, Sep 5, 2026 at 1:49 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: Give you view of this incident!!! REPLY All! See video of the incident below. What’s wrong with this picture? ICE NAZI LIKE POLICE BRUTALLY ??? Palo Alto Police officer tases and unarmed man at the Stanford Mall on July 19, 2026. This incident is exactly why police should not have deadly Tasers Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 24 Packet Pg. 108 of 248 34 https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc2CjvDMvHq/?stkn=MWJtM3Q1cnMzc2l5cQ== Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 25 Packet Pg. 109 of 248 35 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, September 5, 2026 1:50 PM To:Reifschneider, James; Aldinette Lockett; Afanasiev, Alex; Linda Jolley; Taylor, Cecilia; PD Kristina Bell; Reckdahl, Keith; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Susan Hayase; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Josh Becker; board@pausd.org; Board of Directors; Enberg, Nicholas; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Carla Torres; Zelkha, Mila; Emily Mibach; Dave Price; Brandon Pho; Angel, David; Jeff Rosen; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Hayden; Bill Newell; Nancy Goodban; Nash, Betsy; Reifschneider, James; Human Relations Commission; EPA Today; Anne Cribbs; Lee, Craig; Yolanda Conaway; yolanda; Ruth Silver Taube (rsilvertaube@scu.edu); Lauing, Ed; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Shikada, Ed; Roberta Ahlquist; Friends of Cubberley; Raymond Goins; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Vicki Veenker; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Raymond Goins; Bains, Paul; Brian Good; Seher Awan; Lewis james; Seanjames143@yahoo.com; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Goodell, Erin; Eric Diesel; Lotus Fong; Dana St. George; Gerry Gras; Gennady Sheyner; Shankar Ramamoorthy; sharon jackson; city.council@gilroy.org; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Council, City; City Attorney; Perron, Zachary; GRP-City Council; Clerk, City; city.council@menlopark.gov; CityCouncil; Jay Boyarsky; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; BoardOperations; Jose Valle; Raj Jayadev; Charisse Domingo; Charlotte Casey; Jay Boyarsky; Ruth Silver Taube; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Betty Duong; District5@bos.sccgov.org; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; District5@sanjoseca.gov; district1@bos.sccgov.org; District9@sanjoseca.gov; Daniel Kottke; DuJuan Green; Tom DuBois; Holman, Karen (external); karen hall; Donna Wallach; Doug Fort; Donna Wallach; Riley Cooke; editor@paweekly.com; Shikada, Ed; cotton.gaines@cityofpaloalto.org; Anna Griffin; Ann Ravel; Ann James; vramirez@redwoodcity.org; Patrick Marshall; JIM MINKLER1; Rodriguez, Miguel; Damon Silver; Valeros, Gilda B; steven mcgill; Steve Wagstaffe; Preminger, Steve; MGR-Melissa Stevenson Diaz; Stone, Greer; Nick Tasers SF; mike braxton; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Yusra Hussain; julie.ruhlin@oirgroup.con Cc:Jensen, Eric Subject:Re: Palo Alto Police officer tases and unarmed man at the Stanford Mall on July 19, 2026. CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Give you view of this incident!!! REPLY All! See video of the incident below. What’s wrong with this picture? ICE NAZI LIKE POLICE BRUTALLY ??? Palo Alto Police officer tases and unarmed man at the Stanford Mall on July 19, 2026. This incident is exactly why police should not have deadly Tasers https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc2CjvDMvHq/?stkn=MWJtM3Q1cnMzc2l5cQ== Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 26 Packet Pg. 110 of 248 36 Vidal, Eric From:David Moss <ssow111@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, September 4, 2026 9:55 AM To:Robustelli, Sarah Cc:ParkRec Commission; Warner, Michael; Jeny Smith Subject:Re: Last minute changes to the Foothills Preserve Improvement Plan CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast So sorry to hear that these addition stretches, especially circling the lake are not considered health and safety improvements. I secretly suspect this is strictly a budget issue and nothing whatsoever to do with maintainng the natural characteristics of the preserve, since they are covering areas like lawn and roadside. Therefore i will continue to work with rangers to see if funding by friends of the palo alto parks can pay for these additions without city funds. If the Commission can go against the suggestions of the rangers and show me how these additions are in any way going to change the natural characteristics of the preserve, i am all ears. Otherwise it seems its strictly budget. David moss Friends of the palo alto parks Former parks and rec commission 650-862-8382 On Thursday, September 3, 2026, Robustelli, Sarah <Sarah.Robustelli@paloalto.gov> wrote: Hi David, Thank you for your comments and for identifying these additional pedestrian connections for consideration. Staff has conducted extensive public and stakeholder engagement throughout the development of the Foothills Preserve Improvement Plan. Between 2021 and 2025, staff met with stakeholder groups, the Open Space Liaisons, and the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) to identify potential improvements, including Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 27 Packet Pg. 111 of 248 37 pedestrian pathways, parking reconfiguration, fencing, crosswalks, speed humps, signage, and other safety and access improvements. Most recently, on September 8, 2025, as part of the FY 2026 budget amendment process, City Council directed staff to scale back the project and return with potential reductions in scope and funding. In response to that direction, staff prioritized safety improvements along Preserve roads and visitor access improvements around Boronda Lake and Vista Hill, which are among the higher traffic areas. Staff presented this reduced scope to the PRC on October 28, 2025. The PRC was supportive of the revised approach and provided additional input regarding a gravel parking area across from Boronda Lake and minor parking and traffic-control improvements. Staff also provided an informational update to the PRC on April 28, 2026, and received feedback regarding maintaining the preserve’s natural character and revisiting the traffic control measures. Given the Council directed reduction in scope, staff is not recommending adding the additional trail segments to the current project at this stage. The pedestrian connections you identified can be retained for consideration as part of future planning and improvements at the Preserve. Thank you again for taking the time to provide your feedback and for your continued interest in Foothills Nature Preserve. Sarah SARAH ROBUSTELLI Division Manager Open Space, Parks, and Golf Community Services Department (650) 617-3518 | Sarah.Robustelli@PaloAlto.gov www.PaloAlto.gov Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 28 Packet Pg. 112 of 248 38 From: David Moss <ssow111@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2026 10:46 AM To: ParkRec Commission <parkrec.commission@PaloAlto.gov>; Robustelli, Sarah <Sarah.Robustelli@paloalto.gov>; Warner, Michael <Michael.Warner@paloalto.gov> Subject: Last minute changes to the Foothills Preserve Improvement Plan CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. The current Foothills Preserve Improvement Plan due to be voted on at the September meeting needs to be tweaked at this last minute juncture to include several small critical sections needing paths. It is not all the paths required, but the most critical for health and safety according the rangers who advise visitors every day. Please add these to the plan and then vote. All of these areas were proposed in a project when I was a Parks and Rec Commissioner 5 years ago when the preserve was first opened to the general public. It is time to finally move it to a vote now. The stretches in question are along roadways that need to be addressed for health and safety reasons. The stretch between Vista Hill and Boronda Lake docks are especially needing a path alongside the roadway. Currently, the strip to the side of the road is not natural, does not cross natural habitat, and is very uneven and difficult to go along without going into traffic. Another short stretch is between the Interpretive Center and Orchard Glen Picnic Area. Lastly, the stretch between the lake and Orchard Glen picnic area needs a walkable solution involving initially just a short path along the flat part below the dam down to Orchard Glen Picnic Area. One other segment is a completion of the path around the lake that would cross the grass lawn on the east side to completely encircle the lake. Even though it is flat, it is uneven lawn, non-native, not natural, and wet in the winter. It is heavily used and difficult for kids and older folks to enjoy. The grass lawn is not natural and should not be protected in the way that the rest of the preserve is to be protected. In fact, the approved $9.4M Buckeye Creek Project was precisely for replacing the non native lower grass lawn areas with a more natural environment. The same can be said for this grass lawn Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 29 Packet Pg. 113 of 248 39 between the entrance kiosk and the lake. A path across it, later with eventual native plantings by Grassroots Ecology, would also save on irrigation costs and water use. Please add these segments to the plan to be voted on at the September meeting. David Moss Friends of the Palo Alto Parks Former Parks and Rec Commissioner 650-862-8382 ssow111@gmail.com Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 30 Packet Pg. 114 of 248 41 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, September 3, 2026 10:26 PM To:Tim James; Cait James; Lewis james; Seanjames143@yahoo.com; Josie James-Le; Marina Lopez; Marisa James-Le Subject:Take this Hammer (the Director's Cut) - Bay Area Television Archive CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Watch to the end —where JB puts the N word in its true perspective —amazing —Baldwin answers the question who is the true N. https://diva.sfsu.edu/collections/sfbatv/bundles/216518 Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 31 Packet Pg. 115 of 248 42 Vidal, Eric From:Robustelli, Sarah Sent:Thursday, September 3, 2026 2:16 PM To:David Moss; ParkRec Commission; Warner, Michael Subject:RE: Last minute changes to the Foothills Preserve Improvement Plan Hi David, Thank you for your comments and for identifying these additional pedestrian connections for consideration. Staff has conducted extensive public and stakeholder engagement throughout the development of the Foothills Preserve Improvement Plan. Between 2021 and 2025, staff met with stakeholder groups, the Open Space Liaisons, and the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) to identify potential improvements, including pedestrian pathways, parking reconfiguration, fencing, crosswalks, speed humps, signage, and other safety and access improvements. Most recently, on September 8, 2025, as part of the FY 2026 budget amendment process, City Council directed staff to scale back the project and return with potential reductions in scope and funding. In response to that direction, staff prioritized safety improvements along Preserve roads and visitor access improvements around Boronda Lake and Vista Hill, which are among the higher traffic areas. Staff presented this reduced scope to the PRC on October 28, 2025. The PRC was supportive of the revised approach and provided additional input regarding a gravel parking area across from Boronda Lake and minor parking and traffic-control improvements. Staff also provided an informational update to the PRC on April 28, 2026, and received feedback regarding maintaining the preserve’s natural character and revisiting the traffic control measures. Given the Council directed reduction in scope, staff is not recommending adding the additional trail segments to the current project at this stage. The pedestrian connections you identified can be retained for consideration as part of future planning and improvements at the Preserve. Thank you again for taking the time to provide your feedback and for your continued interest in Foothills Nature Preserve. Sarah SARAH ROBUSTELLI Division Manager Open Space, Parks, and Golf Community Services Department (650) 617-3518 | Sarah.Robustelli@PaloAlto.gov www.PaloAlto.gov Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 32 Packet Pg. 116 of 248 43 From: David Moss <ssow111@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2026 10:46 AM To: ParkRec Commission <parkrec.commission@PaloAlto.gov>; Robustelli, Sarah <Sarah.Robustelli@paloalto.gov>; Warner, Michael <Michael.Warner@paloalto.gov> Subject: Last minute changes to the Foothills Preserve Improvement Plan CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. The current Foothills Preserve Improvement Plan due to be voted on at the September meeting needs to be tweaked at this last minute juncture to include several small critical sections needing paths. It is not all the paths required, but the most critical for health and safety according the rangers who advise visitors every day. Please add these to the plan and then vote. All of these areas were proposed in a project when I was a Parks and Rec Commissioner 5 years ago when the preserve was first opened to the general public. It is time to finally move it to a vote now. The stretches in question are along roadways that need to be addressed for health and safety reasons. The stretch between Vista Hill and Boronda Lake docks are especially needing a path alongside the roadway. Currently, the strip to the side of the road is not natural, does not cross natural habitat, and is very uneven and difficult to go along without going into traffic. Another short stretch is between the Interpretive Center and Orchard Glen Picnic Area. Lastly, the stretch between the lake and Orchard Glen picnic area needs a walkable solution involving initially just a short path along the flat part below the dam down to Orchard Glen Picnic Area. One other segment is a completion of the path around the lake that would cross the grass lawn on the east side to completely encircle the lake. Even though it is flat, it is uneven lawn, non-native, not natural, and wet in the winter. It is heavily used and difficult for kids and older folks to enjoy. The grass lawn is not natural and should not be protected in the way that the rest of the preserve is to be protected. In fact, the approved $9.4M Buckeye Creek Project was precisely for replacing the non native lower grass lawn areas with a more natural environment. The same can be said for this grass lawn between the entrance kiosk and the lake. A path across it, later with eventual native plantings by Grassroots Ecology, would also save on irrigation costs and water use. Please add these segments to the plan to be voted on at the September meeting. David Moss Friends of the Palo Alto Parks Former Parks and Rec Commissioner 650-862-8382 ssow111@gmail.com Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 33 Packet Pg. 117 of 248 44 Vidal, Eric From:chach@openspacetrust.org Sent:Thursday, September 3, 2026 11:30 AM To:ParkRec Commission Subject:POST hosting FREE Outdoor Film - Representation Matters Film Festival September 26th Attachments:2026 RMFF flyer.png; 2026 RMFF flyer - Spanish.png CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • You've never replied to this person. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Dear Parks and Rec , My name is Clara Hach, and I’m the Community Engagement Intern for Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST). I’m reaching out today to invite you and your community to attend Representation Matters Film Festival: Voices of Adventure on Saturday, September 26th, from 6 – 9 p.m. at Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company in San Carlos. Request to Print / Post We are so excited to share this event with you and your community. If possible, could you print the poster attached and share it to your community bulletin board or share in other relevant circles? The films will all be in English, but we do have a Spanish flyer to share as well! Hosted by POST and partners, this is a FREE event featuring eight hand-picked films from the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. The films showcase diverse stories about the great outdoors and cover themes like recreation, Indigenous culture, accessibility, and belonging. Featured Films You Don’t Want to Miss: • Best Day Ever — Best Day Ever follows the stories of adaptive mountain bikers Greg Durso and Allie Bianchi as they navigate the relentless challenges of their disabilities and embrace the tremendous support, friendship, and joy they find in their rural Vermont riding community. Allie and Greg navigate disability and regain independence with humor, attitude, and grit on mountain bike trails that dismantle ableism, build community, and become a blueprint for trails anywhere. • We are Healed by Stickball (Gigiigemin Baaga'adoweyang) — In its creation story, the game of Baaga’adowewin is given as a gift and tool for life. After forced assimilation, the game was suppressed and remained dormant for almost a century. This film shares the return of Baaga’adowewin, or stickball, as Ojibwe communities walk the path of cultural revitalization and exercise their treaty rights to continue to heal from historical traumas and overcome challenges of today • Read about all five featured films on our webpage Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 34 Packet Pg. 118 of 248 45 Why You Should Attend: You’ll enjoy: • Inspiring films that celebrate diverse experiences, abilities, and identities. • FREE pizza and great company! • A family-friendly environment — kids and well-behaved pets are welcome! • In-person or virtual viewing options — enjoy the festival however you like but register either way! • A chance to connect with local environmental groups — meet our community partners and learn about resources and ways to get involved. Register now to secure your spot and get ready for an inspiring night of connection. Can’t make it in person? Stream the films at home from September 26 – October 9. Thanks! Please forward this to any other groups that might be interested in this event. Hope to see you there! -- To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.POST Clara Hach Community Engagement Intern Peninsula Open Space Trust 222 High Street Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 352-6291 openspacetrust.org Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 35 Packet Pg. 119 of 248 48 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, September 1, 2026 10:52 PM To:sam.liccardo@gmail.com Subject:Re: Watch "FxSMC Oct 7, 2025, Ekene Okobi & Coalition for Justice and Accountability, Case Against Tasers" on YouTube CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. On Tue, Sep 1, 2026 at 10:34 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: 9-1-2026 Sam “I Love Tasers” Liccardo Hey Sam ( Congressman Sam Liccardo) As a member of the San Jose City Council and as mayor, you repeatedly voted to spend and waste millions of dollars on deadly Tasers. Shame on you!! Now ICE has spent millions on so-called shock gloves to torture, maim, and injure members of our immigrant population. So what are you going to do to get these Torture gloves banned, Sam? Time to speak up against these potentially deadly shock gloves, Sam!! Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James https://youtu.be/jQdtATlt4lc?is=BKP0Ie9A7nMB-mlJ Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 36 Packet Pg. 120 of 248 51 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, August 29, 2026 1:08 PM To:Council, City; city.council@gilroy.org; city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; City Attorney; City Attorney; Clerk, City; GRP-City Council; Perron, Zachary; Reifschneider, James; EPA Today; Sean Allen; Carla Torres; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Susan Hayase; Supervisor Betty Duong; district1@bos.sccgov.org; Richard Konda; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Malinsky, Jason; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Diana Diamond; Board of Directors; Bill Newell; Zahra Billoo; Zelkha, Mila; board@pausd.org; Reckdahl, Keith Cc:Shikada, Ed; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Human Relations Commission; Hans-Peter Tiemann; HRW Silicon Valley; PD Kristina Bell; Riley Cooke; Gennady Sheyner Subject:As Flock cameras stir bipartisan fury, Gov. Greg Abbott blocks them in Texas - The Washington Post CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Even the extreme White Wing say NO to Flock!! https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/29/flock-cameras-stir-bipartisan-fury-gov-greg- abbott-blocks-them-texas/ Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 37 Packet Pg. 121 of 248 52 Vidal, Eric From:David Moss <ssow111@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, August 29, 2026 10:46 AM To:ParkRec Commission; Robustelli, Sarah; Warner, Michael Subject:Last minute changes to the Foothills Preserve Improvement Plan CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast The current Foothills Preserve Improvement Plan due to be voted on at the September meeting needs to be tweaked at this last minute juncture to include several small critical sections needing paths. It is not all the paths required, but the most critical for health and safety according the rangers who advise visitors every day. Please add these to the plan and then vote. All of these areas were proposed in a project when I was a Parks and Rec Commissioner 5 years ago when the preserve was first opened to the general public. It is time to finally move it to a vote now. The stretches in question are along roadways that need to be addressed for health and safety reasons. The stretch between Vista Hill and Boronda Lake docks are especially needing a path alongside the roadway. Currently, the strip to the side of the road is not natural, does not cross natural habitat, and is very uneven and difficult to go along without going into traffic. Another short stretch is between the Interpretive Center and Orchard Glen Picnic Area. Lastly, the stretch between the lake and Orchard Glen picnic area needs a walkable solution involving initially just a short path along the flat part below the dam down to Orchard Glen Picnic Area. One other segment is a completion of the path around the lake that would cross the grass lawn on the east side to completely encircle the lake. Even though it is flat, it is uneven lawn, non-native, not natural, and wet in the winter. It is heavily used and difficult for kids and older folks to enjoy. The grass lawn is not natural and should not be protected in the way that the rest of the preserve is to be protected. In fact, the approved $9.4M Buckeye Creek Project was precisely for replacing the non native lower grass lawn areas with a more natural environment. The same can be said for this grass lawn between the entrance kiosk and the lake. A path across it, later with eventual native plantings by Grassroots Ecology, would also save on irrigation costs and water use. Please add these segments to the plan to be voted on at the September meeting. David Moss Friends of the Palo Alto Parks Former Parks and Rec Commissioner Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 38 Packet Pg. 122 of 248 53 650-862-8382 ssow111@gmail.com Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 39 Packet Pg. 123 of 248 54 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, August 28, 2026 7:22 PM To:Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Human Relations Commission; Reckdahl, Keith; Palo Alto Renters' Association Cc:Council, City; Dave Price; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Gennady Sheyner; Riley Cooke; EPA Today; Diana Diamond; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Timothy Gray; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission Subject:Cubberley: It's Go Time! CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Hi Julie, 1. Please get the council to release the appraisal for the property. 2. It's late in the game but very very low income housing should have been included in the plan. 3. I will be voting a BIG NO ON J! Sincerely, Avram Finkelstein To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. Cubberley: It's Go Time and You Can Help! Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 40 Packet Pg. 124 of 248 55 Disclaimer: I am speaking on my own behalf. My views are my own and not those of the City of Palo Alto. For decades, the Palo Alto community demanded of its leaders, "When are you going to get Cubberley done?" (The 70-year-old former high school is a beloved home to adult and youth classes, artist workspaces, dance studios, exercise and recreation opportunities, childcare, senior services, and more – but with ever deteriorating electrical systems, outdated plumbing, and other structural and safety issues the spaces are in such disrepair that significant investment will be required if Cubberley is to have a future. ) Well, the stars finally aligned. In 2023, the School District said it was ready to sell the City the acreage with the remaining buildings. Council and the District hammered out a deal. The City held numerous community meetings to develop a Master Plan. In June, Council approved that plan and voted to put a general sales tax measure on the November ballot and passed a resolution stating that the proceeds are meant to fund the land acquisition and renovations at Cubberley. The ballot measure that will allow us to improve Cubberley is called "Measure J." To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. In addition to the organizations already renting space at Cubberley, several major non-profit groups have also agreed to partner with the City to fund additional new state-of-the-art facilities on the site for all Palo Altans to enjoy, such as a public gym/wellness center, public theaters, a senior service center, childcare, a world-class maker space, and more. Measure J is endorsed by the entire city council and school board as well as over one hundred former elected officials, Tall Tree winners, commissioners, and community leaders. The election is just over two months away. It's go time! This is our chance to turn this spacious area into a modern, safe, accessible, and vibrant Community Center that will serve all Palo Altans. Here's how you can support Measure J: Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 41 Packet Pg. 125 of 248 56 Endorse Measure J here Join the mailing list here Get a lawn sign here Sign up to canvass/table here Campaigns cost money – donate here As a twenty-five year resident of this City, I know it's time. So, let's do this! Together we'll get Measure J over the finish line! xo Copyright © 2026, Julie Lythcott-Haims. All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 42 Packet Pg. 126 of 248 57 Vidal, Eric From:G V <gertrudviktor@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, August 28, 2026 4:07 PM To:Robustelli, Sarah Cc:Parks; ParkRec Commission Subject:Re: Safety Complaint – Serious Playground Fall Hazard at Ramos Park CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Dear Sarah, Thank you for your response and for inspecting the playground. I appreciate the information regarding the protective surfacing and the posted age recommendations. I would like to clarify that my primary concern is neither the surfacing nor the age designation. My concern is the physical design of the structure, specifically the opening located directly adjacent to the stairs. As shown in the photograph I provided, the stairs lead directly toward an opening through which a child can fall. A child can slip, lose their balance, or be bumped by another child, regardless of age. That is exactly what happened to my son, who slipped on the stairs and fell head-first through the opening and required a 911 response. We are still making sure that he doesn’t have a concussion since there are several bruises and scratches on his head and face. I understand that the playground may meet the applicable requirements and that warning signs are posted. However, those measures do not eliminate the physical hazard created by this particular configuration. My concern is whether the design itself creates a foreseeable and potentially serious fall risk. I simply ask that the City consider the design from that perspective and determine whether anything can be done to make this area safer and prevent another child from experiencing a similar fall. Thank you for taking my concern seriously. Sincerely, Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 43 Packet Pg. 127 of 248 58 Gertrud Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 44 Packet Pg. 128 of 248 59 Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 45 Packet Pg. 129 of 248 60 On Fri, Aug 28, 2026 at 3:18 PM Robustelli, Sarah <Sarah.Robustelli@paloalto.gov> wrote: Hi Gerturd, Our city inspectors visited Ramos Park this morning (8/28/26) to inspect the playground structure for potential hazards. The impact attenuating surface onsite is a mixture of PIP rubber surfacing and Engineered wood fiber. Surface testing: They performed a depth measurement test with a metal probe. The depth measurement of the engineered wood fiber (EWF) is compliant measuring at 12” (minimum required depth for EWF is 9”). Signage: There is proper signage at both approach of the playground and mounted on the composite structure. Attached please find: • Photos taken today 8/28/26 of surface depth testing for Ramos Park • Photos taken today 8/28/26 of age-appropriate signage for Ramos Park I hope your son is doing well, Sarah Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 46 Packet Pg. 130 of 248 61 SARAH ROBUSTELLI Division Manager Open Space, Parks, and Golf Community Services Department (650) 617-3518 | Sarah.Robustelli@PaloAlto.gov www.PaloAlto.gov From: Robustelli, Sarah Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2026 3:59 PM To: 'Gertrud Viktor' <gertrudviktor@gmail.com>; Parks <Parks@PaloAlto.gov> Cc: ParkRec Commission <parkrec.commission@PaloAlto.gov> Subject: RE: Safety Complaint – Serious Playground Fall Hazard at Ramos Park Hi Gertrud, Thank you for contacting us and for providing detailed information regarding your son's fall at Ramos Park. I am very sorry to hear about the incident and understand how frightening it must have been for you and your family, particularly given that emergency responders were called to assist. We take reports concerning the safety of our parks seriously. I have shared your report with the appropriate City staff, and we will promptly inspect the playground equipment and the specific area you described, including the opening and stair configuration. Staff will document the conditions observed and determine whether any immediate action is warranted. We will also review the equipment and applicable information regarding its intended age range, design, and safety standards, as appropriate. Your observations and the circumstances you described will be included as part of that review. Thank you for bringing this incident to our attention. We will follow up with you regarding the results of our review and any appropriate next steps. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 47 Packet Pg. 131 of 248 62 We hope your son is doing well following the fall. Sarah SARAH ROBUSTELLI Division Manager Open Space, Parks, and Golf Community Services Department (650) 617-3518 | Sarah.Robustelli@PaloAlto.gov www.PaloAlto.gov From: Gertrud Viktor <gertrudviktor@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2026 2:42 PM To: Parks <Parks@PaloAlto.gov> Cc: Robustelli, Sarah <Sarah.Robustelli@paloalto.gov>; ParkRec Commission <parkrec.commission@PaloAlto.gov> Subject: Safety Complaint – Serious Playground Fall Hazard at Ramos Park CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear City of Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Department, I am writing to formally report a serious and potentially foreseeable safety hazard at the playground at Ramos Park in Palo Alto. I understand that the playground structure involved may be intended primarily for older children. However, there are no comparable play structures immediately nearby, making it foreseeable that younger children may access portions of the structure. I was closely Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 48 Packet Pg. 132 of 248 63 supervising my younger son and specifically made sure that he did not climb to the highest level of the structure. Despite these precautions, my son fell head-first through an opening in the structure. The location and configuration of this opening are extremely concerning. There are stairs leading directly toward the opening, creating an obvious risk that a child could slip, lose balance, or misstep and fall through it. In my view, placing a significant opening immediately adjacent to or at the end of a stairway creates a foreseeable fall hazard that warrants immediate safety review. The consequences in our case were serious. My son fell hard enough that I had to call 911 and firefighters responded to the park to assist us. This was an extremely frightening experience for our family, and it prompted me to question whether this particular design has been adequately evaluated for foreseeable falls and injuries. I am requesting that the City promptly inspect this playground and specifically investigate the opening and stair configuration where this incident occurred. I ask that the City determine whether the structure complies with all applicable playground safety requirements and standards, including requirements concerning openings, fall hazards, barriers, guardrails, and the safe design of access points and stairs. I would also ask the City to consider whether the existing age recommendations adequately address the actual circumstances at this park. When there is no comparable play equipment immediately available for younger children, it is foreseeable that younger children will be present on or around the structure. Appropriate safety measures should therefore account for reasonably foreseeable use and not simply rely on children never approaching a particular portion of the equipment. Specifically, I request that the City evaluate: • The opening through which my son fell and its dimensions and location. • The proximity and orientation of the stairs leading toward the opening. • Whether the configuration creates a foreseeable head-first or other serious fall hazard. • Whether appropriate barriers, guardrails, or other protective measures are required. • Whether the playground complies with applicable playground safety standards. • Whether the current age recommendations and warning signage adequately address the risks presented by the design. • Whether this design has previously resulted in reported incidents or safety concerns. • Whether corrective measures, including modification of the opening or surrounding structure, are necessary to prevent another child from being seriously injured. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 49 Packet Pg. 133 of 248 64 I am not suggesting that children should disregard age recommendations for playground equipment. My concern is specifically with the design of this structure and whether it creates an unreasonable or foreseeable risk of injury even under normal, supervised playground use. Given that an actual emergency response was required following my son’s fall, I respectfully request that this matter be treated as a safety issue rather than simply as an isolated playground accident. I would appreciate written confirmation that this complaint has been received, that the playground will be inspected, and that the City will advise me of any findings or corrective action. I am reporting this incident because I believe the hazard should be addressed before another child is injured, potentially with much more serious consequences. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving a response regarding the City’s investigation and any steps that will be taken to address this safety concern. Sincerely, Gertrud Viitas Gertrudviktor@gmail.com 650-353-7051 Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 50 Packet Pg. 134 of 248 65 Vidal, Eric From:Robustelli, Sarah Sent:Friday, August 28, 2026 3:18 PM To:Gertrud Viktor; Parks Cc:ParkRec Commission Subject:RE: Safety Complaint – Serious Playground Fall Hazard at Ramos Park Attachments:OneDrive_1_8-28-2026.zip Hi Gerturd, Our city inspectors visited Ramos Park this morning (8/28/26) to inspect the playground structure for potential hazards. The impact attenuating surface onsite is a mixture of PIP rubber surfacing and Engineered wood fiber. Surface testing: They performed a depth measurement test with a metal probe. The depth measurement of the engineered wood fiber (EWF) is compliant measuring at 12” (minimum required depth for EWF is 9”). Signage: There is proper signage at both approach of the playground and mounted on the composite structure. Attached please find: • Photos taken today 8/28/26 of surface depth testing for Ramos Park • Photos taken today 8/28/26 of age-appropriate signage for Ramos Park I hope your son is doing well, Sarah SARAH ROBUSTELLI Division Manager Open Space, Parks, and Golf Community Services Department (650) 617-3518 | Sarah.Robustelli@PaloAlto.gov www.PaloAlto.gov From: Robustelli, Sarah Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2026 3:59 PM To: 'Gertrud Viktor' <gertrudviktor@gmail.com>; Parks <Parks@PaloAlto.gov> Cc: ParkRec Commission <parkrec.commission@PaloAlto.gov> Subject: RE: Safety Complaint – Serious Playground Fall Hazard at Ramos Park Hi Gertrud, Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 51 Packet Pg. 135 of 248 50 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, August 29, 2026 5:04 PM To:Council, City; city.council@gilroy.org; city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; City Attorney; City Attorney; Clerk, City; GRP-City Council; Perron, Zachary; Reifschneider, James; EPA Today; Sean Allen; Carla Torres; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Susan Hayase; Supervisor Betty Duong; district1@bos.sccgov.org; Richard Konda; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Malinsky, Jason; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Diana Diamond; Board of Directors; Bill Newell; Zahra Billoo; Zelkha, Mila; board@pausd.org; Reckdahl, Keith Cc:Shikada, Ed; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Human Relations Commission; Hans-Peter Tiemann; HRW Silicon Valley; PD Kristina Bell; Riley Cooke; Gennady Sheyner Subject:Re: As Flock cameras stir bipartisan fury, Gov. Greg Abbott blocks them in Texas - The Washington Post CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. On Sat, Aug 29, 2026 at 1:08 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: Even the extreme White Wing says NO to Flock!! https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/08/29/flock-cameras-stir-bipartisan-fury-gov-greg- abbott-blocks-them-texas/ Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 52 Packet Pg. 136 of 248 66 Thank you for contacting us and for providing detailed information regarding your son's fall at Ramos Park. I am very sorry to hear about the incident and understand how frightening it must have been for you and your family, particularly given that emergency responders were called to assist. We take reports concerning the safety of our parks seriously. I have shared your report with the appropriate City staff, and we will promptly inspect the playground equipment and the specific area you described, including the opening and stair configuration. Staff will document the conditions observed and determine whether any immediate action is warranted. We will also review the equipment and applicable information regarding its intended age range, design, and safety standards, as appropriate. Your observations and the circumstances you described will be included as part of that review. Thank you for bringing this incident to our attention. We will follow up with you regarding the results of our review and any appropriate next steps. We hope your son is doing well following the fall. Sarah SARAH ROBUSTELLI Division Manager Open Space, Parks, and Golf Community Services Department (650) 617-3518 | Sarah.Robustelli@PaloAlto.gov www.PaloAlto.gov From: Gertrud Viktor <gertrudviktor@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2026 2:42 PM To: Parks <Parks@PaloAlto.gov> Cc: Robustelli, Sarah <Sarah.Robustelli@paloalto.gov>; ParkRec Commission <parkrec.commission@PaloAlto.gov> Subject: Safety Complaint – Serious Playground Fall Hazard at Ramos Park CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear City of Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Department, I am writin to formally report a serious and potentially foreseeable safety hazard at the playground at Ramos Par in Palo Alto. I understand that the playground structure involved may be intended primarily for older children. However, there a i This message needs your attention • This is a personal email address. • This is their first mail to some recipients. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast CGBANNERINDICATOR Dear City of Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Department, Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 53 Packet Pg. 137 of 248 67 I am writing to formally report a serious and potentially foreseeable safety hazard at the playground at Ramos Park in Palo Alto. I understand that the playground structure involved may be intended primarily for older children. However, there are no comparable play structures immediately nearby, making it foreseeable that younger children may access portions of the structure. I was closely supervising my younger son and specifically made sure that he did not climb to the highest level of the structure. Despite these precautions, my son fell head-first through an opening in the structure. The location and configuration of this opening are extremely concerning. There are stairs leading directly toward the opening, creating an obvious risk that a child could slip, lose balance, or misstep and fall through it. In my view, placing a significant opening immediately adjacent to or at the end of a stairway creates a foreseeable fall hazard that warrants immediate safety review. The consequences in our case were serious. My son fell hard enough that I had to call 911 and firefighters responded to the park to assist us. This was an extremely frightening experience for our family, and it prompted me to question whether this particular design has been adequately evaluated for foreseeable falls and injuries. I am requesting that the City promptly inspect this playground and specifically investigate the opening and stair configuration where this incident occurred. I ask that the City determine whether the structure complies with all applicable playground safety requirements and standards, including requirements concerning openings, fall hazards, barriers, guardrails, and the safe design of access points and stairs. I would also ask the City to consider whether the existing age recommendations adequately address the actual circumstances at this park. When there is no comparable play equipment immediately available for younger children, it is foreseeable that younger children will be present on or around the structure. Appropriate safety measures should therefore account for reasonably foreseeable use and not simply rely on children never approaching a particular portion of the equipment. Specifically, I request that the City evaluate: • The opening through which my son fell and its dimensions and location. • The proximity and orientation of the stairs leading toward the opening. • Whether the configuration creates a foreseeable head-first or other serious fall hazard. • Whether appropriate barriers, guardrails, or other protective measures are required. • Whether the playground complies with applicable playground safety standards. • Whether the current age recommendations and warning signage adequately address the risks presented by the design. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 54 Packet Pg. 138 of 248 68 • Whether this design has previously resulted in reported incidents or safety concerns. • Whether corrective measures, including modification of the opening or surrounding structure, are necessary to prevent another child from being seriously injured. I am not suggesting that children should disregard age recommendations for playground equipment. My concern is specifically with the design of this structure and whether it creates an unreasonable or foreseeable risk of injury even under normal, supervised playground use. Given that an actual emergency response was required following my son’s fall, I respectfully request that this matter be treated as a safety issue rather than simply as an isolated playground accident. I would appreciate written confirmation that this complaint has been received, that the playground will be inspected, and that the City will advise me of any findings or corrective action. I am reporting this incident because I believe the hazard should be addressed before another child is injured, potentially with much more serious consequences. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving a response regarding the City’s investigation and any steps that will be taken to address this safety concern. Sincerely, Gertrud Viitas Gertrudviktor@gmail.com 650-353-7051 Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 55 Packet Pg. 139 of 248 69 Vidal, Eric From:Robustelli, Sarah Sent:Thursday, August 27, 2026 3:59 PM To:Gertrud Viktor; Parks Cc:ParkRec Commission Subject:RE: Safety Complaint – Serious Playground Fall Hazard at Ramos Park Hi Gertrud, Thank you for contacting us and for providing detailed information regarding your son's fall at Ramos Park. I am very sorry to hear about the incident and understand how frightening it must have been for you and your family, particularly given that emergency responders were called to assist. We take reports concerning the safety of our parks seriously. I have shared your report with the appropriate City staff, and we will promptly inspect the playground equipment and the specific area you described, including the opening and stair configuration. Staff will document the conditions observed and determine whether any immediate action is warranted. We will also review the equipment and applicable information regarding its intended age range, design, and safety standards, as appropriate. Your observations and the circumstances you described will be included as part of that review. Thank you for bringing this incident to our attention. We will follow up with you regarding the results of our review and any appropriate next steps. We hope your son is doing well following the fall. Sarah SARAH ROBUSTELLI Division Manager Open Space, Parks, and Golf Community Services Department (650) 617-3518 | Sarah.Robustelli@PaloAlto.gov www.PaloAlto.gov From: Gertrud Viktor <gertrudviktor@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2026 2:42 PM To: Parks <Parks@PaloAlto.gov> Cc: Robustelli, Sarah <Sarah.Robustelli@paloalto.gov>; ParkRec Commission <parkrec.commission@PaloAlto.gov> Subject: Safety Complaint – Serious Playground Fall Hazard at Ramos Park CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear City of Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Department, I am writin to formally report a serious and potentially foreseeable safety hazard at the playground at Ramos Par in Palo Alto. I understand that the playground structure involved may be intended primarily for older children. However, there a Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 56 Packet Pg. 140 of 248 70 i This message needs your attention • This is a personal email address. • This is their first mail to some recipients. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast CGBANNERINDICATOR Dear City of Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Department, I am writing to formally report a serious and potentially foreseeable safety hazard at the playground at Ramos Park in Palo Alto. I understand that the playground structure involved may be intended primarily for older children. However, there are no comparable play structures immediately nearby, making it foreseeable that younger children may access portions of the structure. I was closely supervising my younger son and specifically made sure that he did not climb to the highest level of the structure. Despite these precautions, my son fell head-first through an opening in the structure. The location and configuration of this opening are extremely concerning. There are stairs leading directly toward the opening, creating an obvious risk that a child could slip, lose balance, or misstep and fall through it. In my view, placing a significant opening immediately adjacent to or at the end of a stairway creates a foreseeable fall hazard that warrants immediate safety review. The consequences in our case were serious. My son fell hard enough that I had to call 911 and firefighters responded to the park to assist us. This was an extremely frightening experience for our family, and it prompted me to question whether this particular design has been adequately evaluated for foreseeable falls and injuries. I am requesting that the City promptly inspect this playground and specifically investigate the opening and stair configuration where this incident occurred. I ask that the City determine whether the structure complies with all applicable playground safety requirements and standards, including requirements concerning openings, fall hazards, barriers, guardrails, and the safe design of access points and stairs. I would also ask the City to consider whether the existing age recommendations adequately address the actual circumstances at this park. When there is no comparable play equipment immediately available for younger children, it is foreseeable that younger children will be present on or around the structure. Appropriate safety measures should therefore account for reasonably foreseeable use and not simply rely on children never approaching a particular portion of the equipment. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 57 Packet Pg. 141 of 248 71 Specifically, I request that the City evaluate: • The opening through which my son fell and its dimensions and location. • The proximity and orientation of the stairs leading toward the opening. • Whether the configuration creates a foreseeable head-first or other serious fall hazard. • Whether appropriate barriers, guardrails, or other protective measures are required. • Whether the playground complies with applicable playground safety standards. • Whether the current age recommendations and warning signage adequately address the risks presented by the design. • Whether this design has previously resulted in reported incidents or safety concerns. • Whether corrective measures, including modification of the opening or surrounding structure, are necessary to prevent another child from being seriously injured. I am not suggesting that children should disregard age recommendations for playground equipment. My concern is specifically with the design of this structure and whether it creates an unreasonable or foreseeable risk of injury even under normal, supervised playground use. Given that an actual emergency response was required following my son’s fall, I respectfully request that this matter be treated as a safety issue rather than simply as an isolated playground accident. I would appreciate written confirmation that this complaint has been received, that the playground will be inspected, and that the City will advise me of any findings or corrective action. I am reporting this incident because I believe the hazard should be addressed before another child is injured, potentially with much more serious consequences. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving a response regarding the City’s investigation and any steps that will be taken to address this safety concern. Sincerely, Gertrud Viitas Gertrudviktor@gmail.com 650-353-7051 Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 58 Packet Pg. 142 of 248 72 Vidal, Eric From:Gertrud Viktor <gertrudviktor@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, August 27, 2026 2:42 PM To:Parks Cc:Robustelli, Sarah; ParkRec Commission Subject:Safety Complaint – Serious Playground Fall Hazard at Ramos Park CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • This is a personal email address. • This is their first mail to some recipients. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Dear City of Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Department, I am writing to formally report a serious and potentially foreseeable safety hazard at the playground at Ramos Park in Palo Alto. I understand that the playground structure involved may be intended primarily for older children. However, there are no comparable play structures immediately nearby, making it foreseeable that younger children may access portions of the structure. I was closely supervising my younger son and specifically made sure that he did not climb to the highest level of the structure. Despite these precautions, my son fell head-first through an opening in the structure. The location and configuration of this opening are extremely concerning. There are stairs leading directly toward the opening, creating an obvious risk that a child could slip, lose balance, or misstep and fall through it. In my view, placing a significant opening immediately adjacent to or at the end of a stairway creates a foreseeable fall hazard that warrants immediate safety review. The consequences in our case were serious. My son fell hard enough that I had to call 911 and firefighters responded to the park to assist us. This was an extremely frightening experience for our family, and it prompted me to question whether this particular design has been adequately evaluated for foreseeable falls and injuries. I am requesting that the City promptly inspect this playground and specifically investigate the opening and stair configuration where this incident occurred. I ask that the Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 59 Packet Pg. 143 of 248 73 City determine whether the structure complies with all applicable playground safety requirements and standards, including requirements concerning openings, fall hazards, barriers, guardrails, and the safe design of access points and stairs. I would also ask the City to consider whether the existing age recommendations adequately address the actual circumstances at this park. When there is no comparable play equipment immediately available for younger children, it is foreseeable that younger children will be present on or around the structure. Appropriate safety measures should therefore account for reasonably foreseeable use and not simply rely on children never approaching a particular portion of the equipment. Specifically, I request that the City evaluate: • The opening through which my son fell and its dimensions and location. • The proximity and orientation of the stairs leading toward the opening. • Whether the configuration creates a foreseeable head-first or other serious fall hazard. • Whether appropriate barriers, guardrails, or other protective measures are required. • Whether the playground complies with applicable playground safety standards. • Whether the current age recommendations and warning signage adequately address the risks presented by the design. • Whether this design has previously resulted in reported incidents or safety concerns. • Whether corrective measures, including modification of the opening or surrounding structure, are necessary to prevent another child from being seriously injured. I am not suggesting that children should disregard age recommendations for playground equipment. My concern is specifically with the design of this structure and whether it creates an unreasonable or foreseeable risk of injury even under normal, supervised playground use. Given that an actual emergency response was required following my son’s fall, I respectfully request that this matter be treated as a safety issue rather than simply as an isolated playground accident. I would appreciate written confirmation that this complaint has been received, that the playground will be inspected, and that the City will advise me of any findings or corrective action. I am reporting this incident because I believe the hazard should be addressed before another child is injured, potentially with much more serious consequences. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving a response regarding the City’s investigation and any steps that will be taken to address this safety concern. Sincerely, Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 60 Packet Pg. 144 of 248 74 Gertrud Viitas Gertrudviktor@gmail.com 650-353-7051 Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 61 Packet Pg. 145 of 248 78 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, August 26, 2026 9:54 PM To:Shikada, Ed Cc:Raymond Goins; Lauing, Ed; Vicki Veenker; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Council, City; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; supervisor.abe- koga@bos.sccgov.org; Gennady Sheyner; Burt, Patrick; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Reckdahl, Keith; Stone, Greer; board@pausd.org; Board of Directors; Jay Boyarsky; BoardOperations; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Dave Price; Anne Cribbs; cromero@cityofepa.org; Lee, Craig; Dana St. George; Gerry Gras; Robert Handa; Roberta Ahlquist; Diana Diamond; EPA Today; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Reifschneider, James; Brandon Pho; Preminger, Steve Subject:Palo Alto’s PER’s retirement debt CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Shikada’s Big Secret Absolutely. Using the latest comparable figures I could verify, Palo Alto stands out quite sharply on a per-resident basis. Unfunded pension liability per resident What jumps out Palo Alto is much more concerning on a per-resident basis than Sunnyvale. Even though Sunnyvale’s total pension liability is about the same size, Sunnyvale has more than twice Palo Alto’s population. The most striking comparison is: • Palo Alto: roughly $6,900 per resident • Sunnyvale: roughly $2,900 • Los Altos: roughly $1,500 • Cupertino: roughly $1,000+ • Mountain View: roughly $300 on the comparable governmental-activity figure And Palo Alto’s problem isn’t simply the size of the liability. Its annual retirement costs are also unusually large relative to its population. The Palo Alto FY2025 ACFR is the city’s official audited financial report, and it specifically reports both pension and OPEB obligations. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 62 Packet Pg. 146 of 248 79 One correction to my earlier answer I would not use the earlier $5,600 Palo Alto number as the final apples-to-apples comparison. That figure came from an actuarial estimate rather than the same GASB measure used in the cities’ ACFRs. For a serious comparison, we should use the exact ACFR net pension + net OPEB liabilities for every city. If you’re evaluating whether Palo Alto’s retirement obligations are unusually bad, that’s actually a very important distinction. I can next build you a fully audited, apples-to-apples ranking of these 7 cities, including (1) total liability, (2) liability per resident, (3) liability as % of annual city revenue, (4) pension funding ratio, and (5) annual retirement payments per resident. That would show much more clearly which city is financially healthiest. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 63 Packet Pg. 147 of 248 80 Vidal, Eric From:Francisco Valenzuela <fvalenzuela@sarc.org> Sent:Wednesday, August 26, 2026 9:39 AM To:Francisco Valenzuela Subject:Submit a Nomination / Be a Table Sponsor Attachments:Nomination Registration Flyer.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • You've never replied to this person. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Dear Service Providers, Each Year San Andreas Regional Center hosts the Service Above Self Awards Dinner to acknowledge individuals and organizations who have provided exemplary services to the developmental disability community. Please forward the Attached Flyer to others. Anyone is welcomed to submit a nomination as well as attend the awards dinner on October 24th. The awards dinner is a celebration of our community for going Above & Beyond in service to others. This ear’s reci ients will be reco nized for their advocac , dedication, endless su ort, and service to individuals with developmental disabilities. Submit a Nomination: If you know of anyone in your organization or someone in the community ho is deservin of reco nition, submit a nomination b this Frida the 28th. The 2026 Service Above Self Award recipients will be announced by mid-September. Submit_Nomination_Here Nomination Categories: * Advocate of the Year (an individual with a developmental disability) * Community Resource of The Year (a non-profit organization) * Early Start Staff of the Year * Employee of the Year (an individual with a developmental disability) * Employer of the Year (a business who hires individuals with disabilities) * Independent Living Staff of the Year * Legislator of the Year * Residential Staff of the Year * Service Provider of the Year * Service Provider Support Staff of the Year Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 64 Packet Pg. 148 of 248 81 * Special Education Teacher of the Year * Special Education Support Staff of the Year * Supported Living Staff of the Year * Supportive Employment Staff of The Year * Volunteer of the Year Table Sponsor: Register today to be a Table Sponsor and join us on October 24th for our 28th Annual Service Above Self Awards Dinner celebrating community excellence. Register_Here_for_Service_Above_Self_Awards_Dinner Francisco Valenzuela Director of Government Affairs / Community Relations San Andreas Regional Center Mobile: 408-210-5663 Office: 408-341-3809 Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 65 Packet Pg. 149 of 248 83 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, August 24, 2026 10:15 PM To:Vicki Veenker Cc:City Attorney; Council, City; Dave Price; Gennady Sheyner; Raymond Goins; Sean Allen; board@pausd.org; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; EPA Today; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Jeff Hayden; Gerry Gras; Dana St. George; Reifschneider, James; Goodell, Erin; Friends of Cubberley Subject:Clapping constitutionally protect CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Clapping cheering booing protected by the 1st Amendment as long as the activity doesn't disrupt the meeting —check with your city attorney Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 66 Packet Pg. 150 of 248 84 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Sunday, August 23, 2026 9:28 PM To:sam.liccardo@gmail.com Cc:Human Relations Commission; Dave Price; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Diana Diamond; Gennady Sheyner; Gerry Gras; Dana St. George; Bains, Paul; Paul George @ PPJC; DuJuan Green; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Goodell, Erin; Reifschneider, James; james pitkin; Jeff Hayden; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright; Zelkha, Mila; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Friends of Cubberley; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Vicki Veenker; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Bill Newell; PD Kristina Bell; dcombs@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Spieckerman, Damian; Anne Cribbs; cromero@cityofepa.org; Ann Ravel; rabrica@cityofepa.org Subject:Stop US aid_5.5x5.5 Attachments:Stop US aid_5.5x5.5.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Hi Sam, This one's for you, Mr. Shill, for Israel! Avram Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 67 Packet Pg. 151 of 248 85 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, August 22, 2026 9:08 PM To:sam.liccardo@gmail.com Cc:Josh Becker; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Lauing, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith; Reifschneider, James; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Gennady Sheyner; Dave Price; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; james pitkin; Goodell, Erin; Linda Jolley; Alaniz, John; Emily Mibach; board@pausd.org; Braden Cartwright; Bill Newell; Nancy Goodban; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Dana St. George; Human Relations Commission; Rosen, Jeff; Jay Boyarsky; Malinsky, Jason; editor@paweekly.com; Shikada, Ed; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Council, City; city.council@menlopark.gov; GRP-City Council; Zahra Billoo; Justin Zalkin; Gerry Gras; Roberta Ahlquist; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; PD Kristina Bell; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Brandon Pho; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Board of Directors; bos@smcgov.org; district1@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; Susan Hayase; Sameena Usman; Yusra Hussain; Diana Diamond; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Eric Diesel; Jensen, Eric; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Enberg, Nicholas; Vicki Veenker; DuJuan Green; Stone, Greer Subject:Sam “JStreetPAC” Liccardo CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. U.S. Representative Sam Liccardo (D-CA) has a recognized candidate endorsement and fundraising relationship with JStreetPAC, the political action committee associated with J Street, a pro-Israel and pro-peace advocacy organization. [1, 2] Hey Sam, ( Congressman Sam Liccardo) I have a question for you. JStreetPAC claims to be both pro-Israel and pro-peace at the same time. I can’t reconcile such a claim. Maybe you can. Israel perpetuated an ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians people in 1948 (Nakba Day). Since the illegitimate inception of the rogue nation of Israel, Israel has continuously engaged in non-stop genocide of the Palestinian people -not a day of peace for the Palestinian people. You claim to be a man of peace but support the existence of Apartheid genocidal state, Israel. I find your stance both hypocritical and opportunistic. You need to get with the times and be a man of principle across the board. Please explain how your stance on Israel is any different from that of white-wing extremist Zionists. Your constituents deserve to know. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 68 Packet Pg. 152 of 248 86 Sam, stand up and do the right thing: call for a one-state solution or the elimination of Israel if they refuse a one-vote, one-person, one-state solution. Avram “one state solution” Finkelstein Nakba Day - Wikipedia https://share.google/iG6wmgfYfWm6FsIgL Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 69 Packet Pg. 153 of 248 87 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, August 21, 2026 7:05 PM To:Reckdahl, Keith Cc:Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Vicki Veenker; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; city.council@gilroy.org; Reifschneider, James; PD Kristina Bell; Nancy Goodban; Bill Newell; james pitkin; Jim Lawrence; Dave Price; Gennady Sheyner; Gennady Sheyner; Raj Jayadev; Raymond Goins; Carla Torres; Sean Allen; Jay Boyarsky; City Attorney; board@pausd.org; Board of Directors; district1@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Betty Duong; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Otto Lee; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Josh Becker; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Braden Cartwright; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Stephen Connolly; Preminger, Steve; Damon Silver; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Diana Diamond; Goodell, Erin; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Jensen, Eric; Goodell, Erin; Human Relations Commission; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; GRP-City Council; Daniel Kottke; Liz Kniss; Gardener, Liz; Linda Jolley; Patrick Marshall; Burt, Patrick; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; EPA Today; Ari Tarver; editor@paweekly.com; Riley Cooke; Shankar Ramamoorthy; Gerry Gras; Anne Cribbs; Anna Griffin; Angel, David; Angie, Palo Alto Renters Association; Ann Ravel Subject:Source: San José Spotlight CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Source: San José Spotlight Jayadev: Santa Clara County shouldn't invest billions of dollars in its jail facilities - San José Spotlight https://share.google/mXtZCjlFZAi8oshcW Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 70 Packet Pg. 154 of 248 88 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, August 21, 2026 1:10 PM To:Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Vicki Veenker; Lu, George; City Attorney; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Sean Allen; Patrick Marshall; Reifschneider, James; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Human Relations Commission; city.council@gilroy.org; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Perron, Zachary; Afanasiev, Alex; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Stephen Connolly; Preminger, Steve; steven mcgill; Steve Wagstaffe; Jeff Rosen; Jeff Hayden; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Golin; Dave Price; Emily Mibach; Gennady Sheyner; EPA Today; Damon Silver; Rodriguez, Miguel; PD Kristina Bell; Jay Boyarsky; Malinsky, Jason; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Salem Ajluni; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Roberta Ahlquist; Rick Callender; Diana Diamond; Susan Hayase; Roberta Ahlquist; Sheree Roth; Eric Diesel; Donna Wallach; DuJuan Green; Gerry Gras; HRW Silicon Valley; Braden Cartwright; Brandon Pho; Bryan Gobin; Brian Good; Carla Torres; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; supervisor.abe- koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Ruth Silver Taube; Seanjames143@yahoo.com; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Josh Becker Subject:In re Eichorn: The Long Awaited Implementation of the Necessity Defense in a Case of the Criminalization of Homelessness CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. viewcontent https://share.google/xYep2TEyyqFPxeZw9 Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 71 Packet Pg. 155 of 248 89 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, August 21, 2026 1:02 PM To:Reckdahl, Keith; Reckdahl, Keith; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Vicki Veenker; Shikada, Ed; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Susan Hayase; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Braden Cartwright; Dave Price; Emily Mibach; Supervisor Otto Lee; Sean Allen; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Stephen Connolly; Preminger, Steve; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Bill Newell; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen; Jeff Hayden; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Golin; PD Kristina Bell; Reifschneider, James; james pitkin; board@pausd.org; Brandon Pho; Bryan Gobin; Salem Ajluni; Human Relations Commission; Riley Cooke; Nicole Chiu-Wang; steven mcgill; Rodriguez, Miguel; Damon Silver Subject:Source: Justia Law CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. The applicability of the Necessity Defense in homelessness cases In re Eichorn ( 1998) Source: Justia Law In re Eichorn (1998) https://share.google/AKQAQr07xMF0w49rA Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 72 Packet Pg. 156 of 248 90 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, August 20, 2026 4:01 PM To:Tony Lee Subject:Re: You are doing no favor to us Jews —your biased reporting is shameful CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. FYI: On Mon, Aug 17, 2026 at 4:12 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: Dear Editor: ( Dave Price) Today’s ( Monday, August 17, 2026) pro-zionist editorial only increases hostility towards all Jews. You are doing us Jews no favor with your misinformed editorials. Do your homework before you put out such provocative misinformation. Jews are the most privileged and wealthy minority in this country. And the ongoing genocide in Palestine —supported by U.S. bombs and billions of dollars of military aid-and pushed down the throats of the American public by wealthy zionist lobbies like AIPAC -understandable increases anti-zionism.Your misinformed editorials on the ongoing genocide in Palestine continue to confuse legitimate anti-zionism with antisemitism. Young Jewish adults want to know the truth about the vile colonial nature -the apartheid nature -the genocidal nature- of Israel. We Jews are NOT raised to be the fragile, uninformed individuals your writing makes us out to be. Jewish culture, unlike zionism encourages truth-telling- not the censorship of the truth about Israel that the zionists promote along with uninformed Journalists like yourself. We, Jews, are NOT the victims you make us out to be; do your homework, Dave! Income and Wealth Statistics • o High Household Income: Data from the Pew Research Center shows that roughly 50% of Jewish American households report an annual income of $100,000 or more, and about 23% to 25% earn $200,000 or more. [] Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 73 Packet Pg. 157 of 248 91 o Billionaires and Top Wealth: While Jewish people make up roughly 2% of the U.S. population, they consistently account for about 20% to 25% of the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans. [1] There is no increase in anti-Semitism except that which is self-inflicted. As some of my Jewish friends remind me: Our government, our Congress, is Israeli-occupied territory. Why not expose this truth rather than promote false claims of antisemitism? Noted Israeli historian and professor Ilan Pappe, who served in the Israel 🇮🇱 military ( IOF), made the following observation regarding the propaganda machine that is Israel in his 2024 book, Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic: …” But the Israeli lobby insists on being present in town halls, schools, churches, synagogues, community centers, and campuses on both sides of the Atlantic. In 2024, Israel will not allow any show of solidarity with the Palestinians in Britain and the U.S., even by one person, to escape its radar. It will do all it can to push for the dismissal of every person who condemns its ethical violations and the proscription of every organization calling for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions. It will brand these activities as anti-Semitic and tantamount to holocaust denial….“ Where is all of your bias coming from? Why you are so pro-zionist? Are you a whack-job Christian Zionist? It's time you be transparent with your readers. Your credibility is on the line big time!! Please stop spreading dangerous misinformation. You're a journalist not a propagandist for Israel and vile zionists. Peace, Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 74 Packet Pg. 158 of 248 92 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, August 20, 2026 9:58 AM To:Raymond Goins Cc:Vicki Veenker; Gerry Gras; Stone, Greer; Dave Price; Gennady Sheyner; Riley Cooke; Rick Callender; Sean Allen; Council, City; city.council@gilroy.org; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; GRP-City Council; Reifschneider, James; Goodell, Erin; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Perron, Zachary; Zahra Billoo; board@pausd.org; Jay Boyarsky; Lauing, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith; Clerk, City; Human Relations Commission; Bill Newell; Nancy Goodban; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; DuJuan Green; Board of Directors; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Otto Lee; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Betty Duong; City Attorney; Braden Cartwright; EPA Today; Diana Diamond; Eric Diesel; Jensen, Eric; Veenker, Vicki; Veenker, Vicki; Enberg, Nicholas; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; San José Spotlight; Brandon Pho; Susan Hayase; HRW Silicon Valley; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Friends of Cubberley; Roberta Ahlquist; Baker, Rob; Jeff Rosen; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Emily Mibach; Zelkha, Mila; Lewis james; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Steve Wagstaffe; Palo Alto Renters' Association; Seanjames143@yahoo.com Subject:Source: The Mercury News CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. From the archives of Aram James Don't Demonize The Homeless Source: The Mercury News Aram James: Car dwelling ban would demonize the homeless https://share.google/CJ0W8sspj05MTXe5P Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 75 Packet Pg. 159 of 248 99 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, August 17, 2026 4:16 PM To:Dave Price; Braden Cartwright; Emily Mibach; Robert Salonga; Brandon Pho; Gennady Sheyner; Diana Diamond; EPA Today; Gennady Sheyner; Human Relations Commission; Reckdahl, Keith; Lauing, Ed; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Zelkha, Mila; Zahra Billoo; board@pausd.org; Board of Directors; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; supervisor.abe- koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Betty Duong; district1@bos.sccgov.org; cromero@cityofepa.org; Anne Cribbs; Ann Ravel; Anna Griffin; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Salem Ajluni; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Friends of Cubberley; Bill Newell; Nancy Goodban; Vicki Veenker; Perron, Zachary; Reifschneider, James; Afanasiev, Alex; Goodell, Erin; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Eric Diesel; Donna Wallach; Ruth Silver Taube; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; GRP-City Council; Council, City; Sean Allen; Carla Torres; Dana St. George; David Piper; Angel, David; Yusra Hussain; Hans-Peter Tiemann; Ari Tarver Cc:DuJuan Green; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Enberg, Nicholas; Bains, Paul; Paul George @ PPJC Subject:Re: You are doing no favor to us Jews —your biased reporting is shameful CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. On Mon, Aug 17, 2026 at 4:12 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: Hey Dave, Today’s ( Monday, August 17, 2026) Dave Price pro-zionist editorial only increases hostility towards all Jews. You are doing us Jews no favor with your misinformed editorials. Do your homework before you put out such provocative misinformation. Jews are the most privileged and wealthy minority in this country. And the ongoing genocide in Palestine —supported by U.S. bombs and billions of dollars of military aid-and pushed down the throats of the American public by wealthy zionist lobbies like AIPAC -understandable increases anti-zionism.Your misinformed editorials on the ongoing genocide in Palestine continue to confuse legitimate anti-zionism with antisemitism. Young Jewish adults want to know the truth about the vile colonial nature -the apartheid nature -the genocidal nature- of Israel. We Jews are NOT raised to be the fragile, uninformed individuals your writing makes us out to be. Jewish culture, unlike zionism encourages truth-telling- not the censorship of the truth about Israel that the zionists promote along with uninformed Journalists like yourself. We, Jews, are NOT the victims you make us out to be; do your homework, Dave! Income and Wealth Statistics • Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 76 Packet Pg. 160 of 248 100 o High Household Income: Data from the Pew Research Center shows that roughly 50% of Jewish American households report an annual income of $100,000 or more, and about 23% to 25% earn $200,000 or more. [] o Billionaires and Top Wealth: While Jewish people make up roughly 2% of the U.S. population, they consistently account for about 20% to 25% of the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans. [1] There is no increase in anti-Semitism except that which is self-inflicted. As some of my Jewish friends remind me: Our government, our Congress, is Israeli-occupied territory. Why not expose this truth rather than promote false claims of antisemitism? Noted Israeli historian and professor Ilan Pappe, who served in the Israel 🇮🇱 military ( IOF), made the following observation regarding the propaganda machine that is Israel in his 2024 book, Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic: …” But the Israeli lobby insists on being present in town halls, schools, churches, synagogues, community centers, and campuses on both sides of the Atlantic. In 2024, Israel will not allow any show of solidarity with the Palestinians in Britain and the U.S., even by one person, to escape its radar. It will do all it can to push for the dismissal of every person who condemns its ethical violations and the proscription of every organization calling for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions. It will brand these activities as anti-Semitic and tantamount to holocaust denial….“ Dave, where is all of your bias coming from? Are you not telling us why you are so pro-zionist? Are you a whack-job Christian Zionist? It's time you be transparent with your readers. Your credibility is on the line big time!! Dave, please stop spreading dangerous misinformation. You're a journalist not a propagandist for Israel and vile zionists. Peace, Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 77 Packet Pg. 161 of 248 101 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, August 17, 2026 4:13 PM To:Dave Price; Braden Cartwright; Emily Mibach; Robert Salonga; Brandon Pho; Gennady Sheyner; Diana Diamond; EPA Today; Gennady Sheyner; Human Relations Commission; Reckdahl, Keith; Lauing, Ed; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Zelkha, Mila; Zahra Billoo; board@pausd.org; Board of Directors; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; supervisor.abe- koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Betty Duong; district1@bos.sccgov.org; cromero@cityofepa.org; Anne Cribbs; Ann Ravel; Anna Griffin; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Salem Ajluni; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Friends of Cubberley; Bill Newell; Nancy Goodban; Vicki Veenker; Perron, Zachary; Reifschneider, James; Afanasiev, Alex; Goodell, Erin; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Eric Diesel; Donna Wallach; Ruth Silver Taube; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; GRP-City Council; Council, City Cc:DuJuan Green; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Enberg, Nicholas; Bains, Paul; Paul George @ PPJC Subject:You are doing no favor to us Jews —your biased reporting is shameful CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Hey Dave, Today’s ( Monday, August 17, 2026) Dave Price pro-zionist editorial only increases hostility towards all Jews. You are doing us Jews no favor with your misinformed editorials. Do your homework before you put out such provocative misinformation. Jews are the most privileged and wealthy minority in this country. And the ongoing genocide in Palestine —supported by U.S. bombs and billions of dollars of military aid-and pushed down the throats of the American public by wealthy zionist lobbies like AIPAC -understandable increases anti-zionism.Your misinformed editorials on the ongoing genocide in Palestine continue to confuse legitimate anti-zionism with antisemitism. Young Jewish adults want to know the truth about the vile colonial nature -the apartheid nature -the genocidal nature- of Israel. We Jews are NOT raised to be the fragile, uninformed individuals your writing makes us out to be. Jewish culture, unlike zionism encourages truth-telling- not the censorship of the truth about Israel that the zionists promote along with uninformed Journalists like yourself. We, Jews, are NOT the victims you make us out to be; do your homework, Dave! Income and Wealth Statistics • o High Household Income: Data from the Pew Research Center shows that roughly 50% of Jewish American households report Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 78 Packet Pg. 162 of 248 102 an annual income of $100,000 or more, and about 23% to 25% earn $200,000 or more. [] o Billionaires and Top Wealth: While Jewish people make up roughly 2% of the U.S. population, they consistently account for about 20% to 25% of the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans. [1] There is no increase in anti-Semitism except that which is self-inflicted. As some of my Jewish friends remind me: Our government, our Congress, is Israeli-occupied territory. Why not expose this truth rather than promote false claims of antisemitism? Noted Israeli historian and professor Ilan Pappe, who served in the Israel 🇮🇱 military ( IOF), made the following observation regarding the propaganda machine that is Israel in his 2024 book, Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic: …” But the Israeli lobby insists on being present in town halls, schools, churches, synagogues, community centers, and campuses on both sides of the Atlantic. In 2024, Israel will not allow any show o solidarity with the Palestinians in Britain and the U.S., even by one person, to escape its radar. It will do all it can to push for the dismissal of every person who condemns its ethical violations and the proscription of every organization calling for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions. It will brand these activities as anti-Semitic and tantamount to holocaust denial….“ Dave, where is all of your bias coming from? Are you not telling us why you are so pro-zionist? Are you a whack-job Christian Zionist? It's time you be transparent with your readers. Your credibility is on the line big time!! Dave, please stop spreading dangerous misinformation. You're a journalist not a propagandist for Israel and vile zionists. Peace, Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 79 Packet Pg. 163 of 248 104 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, August 14, 2026 10:05 PM To:sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Reckdahl, Keith; Lauing, Ed Cc:Gerry Gras; Reifschneider, James; Goodell, Erin; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Emily Mibach; EPA Today; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; DuJuan Green; CityCouncil; Bill Newell; Nancy Goodban; Friends of Cubberley; Enberg, Nicholas; Donna Wallach; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Vicki Veenker; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Josh Becker; board@pausd.org; Board of Directors; Yusra Hussain; Sean Allen; Jeff Rosen; Susan Hayase; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; supervisor.abe- koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Betty Duong; yolanda; Carla Torres; Steve Wagstaffe; Roberta Ahlquist; Dave Price; Dana St. George; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Preminger, Steve; Zahra Billoo; Zelkha, Mila; Rodriguez, Miguel; Damon Silver; Diana Diamond; Eric Diesel; Jensen, Eric; Afanasiev, Alex; Jose Valle; Roberta Ahlquist; Human Relations Commission; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Sheree Roth; russbumper; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; Dominic Damoah; Dan Okonkwo; frances.Rothschild@jud.ca.gov; Burt, Patrick; ParkRec Commission; Daniel Kottke; Bill Johnson; Gennady Sheyner; Braden Cartwright; Mickie Winkler; Jay Boyarsky; Jessica Speiser; cromero@cityofepa.org; Ann Ravel; Anne Cribbs; rabrica@cityofepa.org Subject:Re: american doctor CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Israel is a rogue Apartheid war criminal state that must be eliminated! Avram “One State Solution” Finkelstein On Fri, Aug 14, 2026 at 9:39 PM Dominic Damoah <ceo@300mil.com> wrote: Wow On Fri, Aug 14, 2026 at 10:13 AM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: Sam & Keith et al: See the below movie asap. See the trailer Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 80 Packet Pg. 164 of 248 105 Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James american doctor https://share.google/aimode/qZWmlpsCC5b4i1TrF Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 81 Packet Pg. 165 of 248 115 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, August 10, 2026 6:41 PM To:Shikada, Ed Cc:Council, City; Vicki Veenker; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Reckdahl, Keith; Dave Price; Gennady Sheyner; Diana Diamond; EPA Today; ParkRec Commission; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; board@pausd.org; BoardOperations Subject:Ed “ Drunken Sailor” Shikada CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Drunken Sailor Song by The Irish Rovers ‧ 1994 Overview Lyrics What will we do with a drunken sailor? What will we do with a drunken sailor? What will we do with a drunken sailor? Early in the morning Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Early in the morning Shave his belly with a rusty razor Shave his belly with a rusty razor Shave his belly with a rusty razor Early in the morning Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 82 Packet Pg. 166 of 248 116 Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Early in the morning Put him in a long boat till he's sober Put him in a long boat till he's sober Put him in a long boat till he's sober Early in the morning Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Early in the morning Stick him in a scupper with a hosepipe bottom Stick him in a scupper with a hosepipe bottom Stick him in a scupper with a hosepipe bottom Early in the morning Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Early in the morning Put him in the bed with the captains daughter Put him in the bed with the captains daughter Put him in the bed with the captains daughter Early in the morning Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Early in the morning That's what we do with a drunken sailor That's what we do with a drunken sailor That's what we do with a drunken sailor Early in the morning Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Early in the morning Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Way hay and up she rises Early in the morning Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 83 Packet Pg. 167 of 248 117 Vidal, Eric From:Star Teachout <teachout@sonic.net> Sent:Monday, August 10, 2026 1:20 PM To:ParkRec Commission Cc:Robustelli, Sarah Subject:Park Signs Hello, I was forwarded a message regarding the city’s replacement of unique park signs (many hand-carved) with newer ones having a uniform, flat-printed style. Is it true this decision bypassed the Parks & Rec Commission? And if so, why was that done? And why weren’t neighborhood associa ons informed, if not consulted? Is it possible to stop this, and allow the remaining signs to exist as is? Our Bol Park sign was replaced not that long ago and it is a beau ful hand-carved sign with an historical context. Thanks, Star Teachout Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 84 Packet Pg. 168 of 248 118 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Sunday, August 9, 2026 5:46 PM To:sam.liccardo@gmail.com Cc:Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Reckdahl, Keith; Shikada, Ed; Lauing, Ed; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Braden Cartwright; Emily Mibach; Gennady Sheyner; Dave Price; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; board@pausd.org; Board of Directors; BoardOperations; EPA Today; DuJuan Green; Diana Diamond; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; Vicki Veenker; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; District5 @bos.sccgov.org; district1@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Betty Duong; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Roberta Ahlquist; Dana St. George; Donna Wallach; Salem Ajluni; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Seanjames143@yahoo.com; Goodell, Erin; Gerry Gras; Hans-Peter Tiemann; Brandon Pho; PD Kristina Bell; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Sheree Roth; frances.Rothschild@jud.ca.gov; ParkRec Commission Subject:Re: Good work on ICE, Sam!! CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast 8/9/2026 Hey Sam, Don’t be shy —we don’t have to like each other to work together. For better or worse, you are my congressperson. You can be sure I will continue to advocate with you on the issues that are important to me. You have a thick skin, and this Jew does too. Let me remind you of the following from New York Times v Sullivan: “ Thus we consider this case against the background of a profound national commitment to the principle that debate on public issues should be uninhibited, robust, and wide-open, and that it may well include vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks on government and public officials …..” So let the debate on the critical legal, political, and social issues of the day continue—regardless of any strong dislike I may have for you or vice versa. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 85 Packet Pg. 169 of 248 119 Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James On Sat, Aug 8, 2026 at 1:31 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: Hey Sam- Despite your cowardly refusal to call for the elimination of Israel, I commend your efforts to keep ICE OUT of our community permanently. Avram “Eliminate Israel Now” Finkelstein Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 86 Packet Pg. 170 of 248 120 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, August 8, 2026 9:14 AM To:Sean Allen; Richard Konda; Susan Hayase; Carla Torres; Raymond Goins; Sameena Usman; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Salem Ajluni; DuJuan Green; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Goodell, Erin; cromero@cityofepa.org; Lee, Craig; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; city.council@menlopark.gov; city.council@gilroy.org; CityCouncil; Perron, Zachary; Roberta Ahlquist; Jeff Rosen; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Jose Valle; Raj Jayadev; Gerry Gras; Diana Diamond; Yusra Hussain; Human Relations Commission; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Zelkha, Mila; Zahra Billoo; Reckdahl, Keith; Vicki Veenker; Rodriguez, Miguel; Dana St. George; Damon Silver; julie.ruhlin@oirgroup.con; Preminger, Steve; Stephen Connolly; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; board@pausd.org; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Board of Directors; BoardOperations; Afanasiev, Alex; Braden Cartwright; Emily Mibach; Gennady Sheyner; Steve Wagstaffe; EPA Today; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Donna Wallach; William Armaline; Lewis james; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Nicole Chiu-Wang; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission Cc:Charlie Weidanz; Jensen, Eric; PD Kristina Bell; Nancy Goodban; Rebecca Kieler; Taylor, Cecilia; Council, City; Dave Price; Bains, Paul Subject:Virginia’s Prisons Have a Dog Problem - Jaeon Chavis - Inquest CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast A must read!! https://inquest.org/virginia-prisons-dog-attacks/ Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 87 Packet Pg. 171 of 248 121 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, August 7, 2026 6:45 PM To:Timothy Gray Cc:Dave Price; Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright; Gennady Sheyner; Diana Diamond; Riley Cooke; EPA Today; Brandon Pho Subject:Nomination Period for City Council Extended to August 12 CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast 8-6-2026 Hi Tim, Time for you to run for city council again. The current city council couldn't be worse: a bunch of white- wing woke-ass Zionists and Zionists sympathisers. We need someone like you who is politically white- wing but far from being a woke-ass-hole. You also have the attribute of never taking yourself too seriously. Go for it, Tim! Given your current situation, you can also consider self-funding your campaign. Let me know your thoughts. Peace, Avram “Eliminate Israel Now” Finkelstein Aka: Aram James View as Webpage To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 88 Packet Pg. 172 of 248 122 To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.CityofPaloAlto_Horiz Logo_Color.png November 3, 2026 Election Updates • The nomination period for non-incumbent candidates has been extended to Wednesday, August 12 at 5:00 p.m. Learn more below, and book an appointment here. • Explore the 2026 Palo Alto Candidate Municipal Election Guide for Important Election Information and Key Deadlines. • Check out the latest Clerk Chronicles - 2026 Palo Alto Municipal Election: All You Need to Know About Running for City Council and Important Election Milestones. • Visit www.paloalto.gov/elections to learn more about the November 3, 2026 election. Nomination Period Extended Interested in serving your community as a City Council Member? Three City Council seats are up for election on November 3, 2026. The deadline for non-incumbent candidates has been extended for five days, because an incumbent did not file for reelection by August 7, pursuant to Election Code Section 10225. Interested candidates now have until August 12 at 5:00 p.m. to file nomination papers with the City Clerk. Nomination papers are issued and submitted by appointment only. Click the below link or contact the City Clerk's Office at City.Clerk@PaloAlto.gov or (650) 329-2571 to schedule an appointment. Book an Appointment Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 89 Packet Pg. 173 of 248 123 Municipal Election Candidate Guide To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. The 2026 Palo Alto Candidate Municipal Election Guide provides information about important election dates and requirements for candidates and proponents/opponents of ballot measures for this year's election. Additional election resources are available at www.paloalto.gov/elections. Check out the latest Clerk Chronicles: 2026 Palo Alto Municipal Election: All You Need to Know About Running for City Council and Important Election Milestones To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. The 2026 Palo Alto Municipal Election is just around the corner. Whether you’re considering running for City Council, supporting a candidate or simply interested in learning more about the election process, the City Clerk’s Office is here to help. Read More Have feedback or questions about the new options? Let us know! Email the City Clerk's office at city.clerk@paloalto.gov. To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Intstanding-committee-icon_original.png Want to Know More? Explore the official City of Palo Alto website for accessible information. Other helpful links include City Council Meeting Agendas, Minutes, and Videos and the Events Calendar. To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.Facebook To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.Twitter To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.Instagram Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 90 Packet Pg. 174 of 248 124 City of Palo Alto | Council Agendas City Clerk's Office | 250 Hamilton Ave 7th Floor | Palo Alto, CA 94301 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.Constant Contact Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 91 Packet Pg. 175 of 248 126 Vidal, Eric From:Ryan Griggs <ryan@midtownresidents.org> Sent:Friday, August 7, 2026 11:43 AM To:Shikada, Ed; Council, City; ParkRec Commission; PWD Cc:Annette; sheri@midtownresidents.org Subject:Palo Alto Park Signs CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organiza on. Be cau ous of opening a achments and clicking on links. Hello, My name is Ryan Griggs, and I am the incoming chair of the Midtown Residents Associa on. I’m wri ng to share MRA’s concerns regarding the city’s new park-sign ini a ve. The Midtown Residents Associa on strongly opposes the proposed removal and replacement of the signs at Hoover and Seale parks. The exis ng three-dimensional signs are beau ful, handcra ed features that reflect the dis nc ve character of our neighborhood. We especially value the unique tree mo f associated with each park. We are concerned that replacing these signs with standardized, two-dimensional panels would diminish their cra smanship, durability, and sense of place. We believe Palo Alto can maintain a cohesive city iden ty without sacrificing the character of individual neighborhoods. To our knowledge, the proposed replacements were not presented to the City Council or the Parks and Recrea on Commission, and nearby residents were not given an opportunity to comment. Before any addi onal signs are removed, we ask the city to pause the project and consult with affected neighborhoods through a transparent public process. Thank you for your considera on. Please let us know if we can provide any addi onal informa on. We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this ma er further. Ryan Griggs Chair, Midtown Residents Associa on Sheri Furman Past Chair, Midtown Residents Associa on Anne e Glanckopf Vice Chair, Midtown Residents Associa on Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 92 Packet Pg. 176 of 248 128 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, August 6, 2026 6:02 PM To:ParkRec Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg Subject:New Yorker article 1962 Attachments:New Yorker article 1962.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 93 Packet Pg. 177 of 248 131 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, August 5, 2026 1:00 PM To:<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Stephen Connolly Cc:Council, City; Human Relations Commission; Emily Mibach; board@pausd.org; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Zelkha, Mila; PD Kristina Bell; Reifschneider, James; Roberta Ahlquist; Yusra Hussain; William Armaline; Sean Allen; Carla Torres; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Goodell, Erin; Shikada, Ed; editor@paweekly.com; Dave Price; Braden Cartwright; Steve Wagstaffe; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; EPA Today; Lee, Craig; cromero@cityofepa.org; Raymond Goins; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Seanjames143@yahoo.com; Lewis james; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; city.council@menlopark.gov; DuJuan Green; GRP-City Council; Bill Newell; Nancy Goodban; JIM MINKLER1 Subject:How rogue officers turned a nationwide camera network into a tool for stalking - The Washington Post CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. No Flock in Palo Alto Just say no to Flock in Palo Alto! Just say no to a Trumpian Surveillance State! F - -K Flock! Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James But bad actors have used this massive camera network as a powerful weapon for intimate surveillance. Authorities have charged or accused at least 50 law-enforcement officers of using license-plate readers for unauthorized purposes, including to stalk women ithout their knowled e or consent, a Post analysis of police and court records found. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/08/02/how-police-officers-used-vast-network- cameras-spy-their-exes/ Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 94 Packet Pg. 178 of 248 132 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, August 5, 2026 11:11 AM To:<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Stephen Connolly Cc:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Julian Garcia; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Diana Diamond; Dave Price; Raymond Goins; Sean Allen; Richard Konda; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Josh Becker; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Goodell, Erin; Alaniz, John; Braden Cartwright; Emily Mibach; Rick Callender; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Brandon Pho; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com Subject:Stanford drops Flock cameras amid national backlash - Palo Alto Online CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast https://www.paloaltoonline.com/technology/2026/08/04/stanford-drops-flock-cameras-amid-national- backlash/ Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 95 Packet Pg. 179 of 248 133 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, August 5, 2026 9:21 AM To:Reckdahl, Keith; Burt, Patrick Cc:planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; Perron, Zachary; Dave Price; Reifschneider, James; Goodell, Erin; Lee, Craig; Raymond Goins; Council, City; Dave Price; Braden Cartwright; Enberg, Nicholas; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Jensen, Eric; Human Relations Commission; city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Shikada, Ed; ParkRec Commission; Roberta Ahlquist; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Steve Wagstaffe; PD Kristina Bell; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Brandon Pho; Nash, Betsy; Cecilia Taylor; Sean Allen; Malinsky, Jason; Gennady Sheyner; Diana Diamond; GRP-City Council; Bill Newell; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Vicki Veenker; DuJuan Green; Stone, Greer; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; EPA Today; cromero@cityofepa.org; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Anna Griffin; Anne Cribbs; Ann Ravel Subject:Olaf Peterson v Zack Perron CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Palo Alto Daily Post -2019 Cop’s use of n-word led to investigation that never became public – Palo Alto Daily Post https://share.google/zdlZ58OawOWjHMMg0 Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 96 Packet Pg. 180 of 248 136 Vidal, Eric From:Emily Renzel <marshmama2@att.net> Sent:Tuesday, August 4, 2026 2:27 PM To:Council, City Cc:Pham, Tina; ParkRec Commission Subject:8/7 /26 Climate Action & Sustainability Committee Attachments:61826 email. to PRC cc CC.pages CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Councilmembers Burt, Lu, and Veenker: I hope to be able to remotely participate in your August 7 ...Sustainability Committee meeting. In the meantime, I am sending the letter I sent to the Parks and Recreation Commission (with copy to Council). I hope you will follow the PRC lead and recom i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered b Mimecast CGBANNERINDICATOR Dear Councilmembers Burt, Lu, and Veenker: I hope to be able to remotely participate in your August 7 ...Sustainability Committee meeting. In the meantime, I am sending the letter I sent to the Parks and Recreation Commission (with copy to Council). I hope you will follow the PRC lead and recommend re-dedication of the entire 10 acre Measure E site. Some of you may recall that in 2011 Measure E proposed undedication of 10 acres of parkland to use for organics processing - initially just a composting facility. To influence voter choices, the measure stated that if the site were not used as described within 10 years of the 2011 election, Council could re-dedicate the 10 acres as parkland. It has now been 15 years since the election. Parks & Rec has TWICE recommended rededication of the entire 10 acres. Thank you for considering my remarks below: Sincerely, Emily M. Renzel, Councilmember 1979-1991, Planning Commissioner 1973-79. Below is my letter to the PRC and City Council: Dear Members of the Parks & Recreation Commission: Please recommend re-dedication of the entire 10-acre Measure E site. Just as general background, Highway 101, the Bayshore Freeway, was the bay shoreline in Palo Alto. Almost all the land north of Bayshore Freeway is former wetland, including the Athletic center, the Golf Course, the Airport, the Sewage Plant (RWQCP) , the Duck Pond, the Interpretive Center, the Flood Basin, the Los Altos Sewage Treatment Plant site, most of Byxbee Hills Park, and the Renzel Wetlands PLUS all the development along East Embarcadero and along East Bayshore Frontage Road. Many of those lands are California Public Trust Lands. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 97 Packet Pg. 181 of 248 137 Almost 50 years ago, as a Planning Commissioner, I proposed allowing the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) to satisfy its Site and Design requirement for screen landscaping on the adjacent Byxbee Park to protect the natural park from a view of the industrial-looking sewage clarifiers. That was approved and the required 125-foot landscaped buffer was installed by the RWQCP and has been maintained by them to fulfill that requirement. It is the principal natural connection between the Bay and the Renzel Wetland. The landfill service road (and Byxbee Hills Loop Trail link) is also located in that area. As the landfill went from a single lift to a “hill and valley” plan to the ultimate 64’ high Byxbee Hills Park, the Palo Alto Refuse Fund’s ratepayers paid rent of $100,000 per acre/year for use of dedicated parkland and also collected many thousands of dollars of gate fees. This occurred from approximately 1976 until Byxbee Hills Park opened in the early 2000’s. That money was used to balance the City budget after Proposition 13 reduced City income. All of the 126-acre Byxbee Park took another 40 years to open to the public. In the meantime, the RWQCP received approval for a “beneficial use” project on the former ITT property which entailed installing a major pipeline under the landfill perimeter road adjacent to the buffer to provide salt water to habitat for the endangered Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse. This was a substantial use of parkland to benefit RWQCP and became the Emily Renzel wetland. The Park Dedication Charter Amendment was intended to prevent capricious use of park land whenever the City wanted new facilities and didn’t want to pay for the required land. This current attempt to hold onto 2.6 acres of Measure E parkland for RWQCP expansion is precisely a case in point. It’s ironic that Measure E removed the required landscape buffer land from park dedication and may result in an even more industrial and smellier RWQCP facility even closer to the park for which this buffer had been intended. I think we can all agree that the RWQCP will be around for a very long time. As I look at the attached aerial photo of the site, I note (eyeball measurement) that there are approximately five acres of private buildings on Embarcadero Way adjoining the RWQCP. It would make much more sense for this immortal public sewage infrastructure to be located there instead of on Byxbee Park. Please at least recommend to the Council that it explore that option in lieu of further disrupting Byxbee Park. I believe that the City should honor and protect its requirements and commitments such as the Site and Design commitment made lo those many years ago. Otherwise, it renders all our actions a farce. Sincerely, Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 98 Packet Pg. 182 of 248 138 Emily M. Renzel Planning Commissioner 1973-79 Councilmember 1979-91 9/22/22 PRC Staff Report Key Sections from Ballot Measure E (Resolution) Shall ten acres of existing parkland in Byxbee Park be undedicated for the exclusive purpose of building a processing facility for yard trimmings, food waste and other organic material? • The Property shall be removed from dedication as parkland, for the exclusive purpose of building a facility (“Facility” herein) for converting yard trimmings, food waste, other municipal organics and/or sewage sludge from the regional wastewater treatment plant by biological and/or other environmentally equally protective technology. Ten years from the passage of this Initiative (ER NOTE: Nov 2021), the City Council may rededicate any portion of the site. Any other use, except for parkland, would require a new vote of Palo Alto residents. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 99 Packet Pg. 183 of 248 141 Vidal, Eric From:Terry Trumbull <terrytrumbull1011@gmail.com> Sent:Sunday, August 2, 2026 12:15 PM To:Lauing, Ed; Veenker, Vicki; brynachanfPTC@gmail.com; ParkRec Commission Subject:CLCV endorsement CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • This is a personal email address. • This is their first email to your company. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Ed, Vicki, Bryna,and Yudy- congrats on your decision to run for Council. could you send me your campaign email address ASAP? The Santa Clara County chapter of the League of Conservation Voters will send you a questionnaire upon receipt. Terry Trumbull LCV Endorsement Chair 650-441-8513 scclcv.org Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 100 Packet Pg. 184 of 248 142 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, July 31, 2026 4:46 PM To:sam.liccardo@gmail.com Cc:assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Josh Becker Subject:https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/2qrSC6Yw68hVm1PyHpfGf5KrE1?domain=m.youtube.com CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Sam Violent flesh-eating police canines must be banned too. Avram Finkelstein https://m.youtube.com/watch?d=n&ra=m&fbclid=IwRlRTSATaEhFwZG9mBWZkaWQWULkUA13gNZccK uSPv7m2BBfkRIPF- 2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4zWxSFV6cpozrpN6F64nuSJjijZ78uFzVnZ gf5frR3B0XnjggfRNFFE5NsCA_aem_Kv7Y4_gkS0xyu_dJdJ4mMQ&v=cSbEj6RIoDE&pp=iggUQAFKEE1nYT dDNmFVcEVaR0pNWjg%3D Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 101 Packet Pg. 185 of 248 143 Vidal, Eric From:Lucas Riphagen <lucas@triactiveusa.com> Sent:Thursday, July 30, 2026 10:56 AM To:Robustelli, Sarah Cc:ParkRec Commission; Shelby Riphagen Subject:TriActive USA Outdoor Fitness Equipment - Made in California Attachments:TriActive Parks and Recreation Catalog 2025.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Hi Sarah, Hope you're well. It appears as though the City of Palo Alto Parks & Rec commission is in the process of specifying a project for Cubberley Community Center campus. We are a CA-based outdoor fitness equipment manufacturer, and I was wondering who would be the best person to speak with regarding the opportunity to have our outdoor fitness products considered for this project? I've attached a brochure for your review, which I hope you can pass along to those involved in this project. Is there someone you can connect me with? Look forward to hearing back. Thanks, To help prprivacy, Mprevented download from the In As Seen On Business Insider Financial Post National Post Benzinga LA Weekly "Enjoy life. Life is too short to get bogged down and get discouraged. You have to keep moving forward. Keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smile, and just keep on rolling." - Kobe Bryant Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 102 Packet Pg. 186 of 248 146 Vidal, Eric From:chach@openspacetrust.org Sent:Wednesday, July 29, 2026 5:43 PM To:ParkRec Commission Subject:Free POST Webinar “Feathers of the Forest” August 20th, 7-8 PM Attachments:Feathers of the Forest.jpg CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • No employee in your company has ever replied to this person. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Hello Palo Alto Parks and Recreation ! My name is Clara! I work at Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST). I am reaching out today to invite you and your community to attend a free virtual webinar event, "Feathers of the Forest," with a presentation by Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance Education Coordinator, Carolyn Knight. Carolyn will illuminate the important role birds play in our forests. WHEN : Thursday, August 20th, 7-8 p.m. PST REGISTER (Free): https://post.onl/feathersforest Request : I included a printable flyer. If possible, please print this out and post it to your local bulletin board, or forward this to any other community lists that might be interested in this event. Thank you!!! Here's what we'll be chirping about: • Discover the many ways birds help forest ecosystems thrive • Explore the incredible diversity of Bay Area native birds, and learn tips for spotting and identifying them • Learn how bird songs and calls reveal who's in the forest and what they're up to • Peck away at your bird questions during a live Q&A with Carolyn Don't let this opportunity fly by! Be sure to register online b efore the event to receive the presentation link. Looking forward to seeing you online on August 20th at 7 p.m. PST. Thanks so much! Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 103 Packet Pg. 187 of 248 147 PS. Additionally, if your organization is interested in further birding opportunities, POST is partnering with Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance to lead a Birding for Beginners Hike the week prior on Saturday, August 15th at 9:30 a.m. This hike is a great option for those looking to learn more about birds! -- To help prprivacy, Mprevented download from the InPOST Clara Hach Community Engagement Intern Peninsula Open Space Trust 222 High Street Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 352-6291 openspacetrust.org Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 104 Packet Pg. 188 of 248 152 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, July 28, 2026 9:55 PM To:Meg Thomas; Julian Garcia; Shikada, Ed; Jasso, Tamara; EPA Today; Dave Price; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Brandon Pho; Gennady Sheyner; city.council@menlopark.gov; Council, City; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; city.council@gilroy.org; CityCouncil; GRP-City Council; Diana Diamond; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission Cc:assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Josh Becker; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Supervisor Betty Duong; district1@bos.sccgov.org; District5@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Palo Alto Renters' Association; cromero@cityofepa.org; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Sean Allen; Seanjames143@yahoo.com; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Lewis james; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Goodell, Erin; Jensen, Eric; Goodell, Erin; Vicki Veenker; editor@paweekly.com; Lauing, Ed; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Steve Wagstaffe Subject:Re: Please reconsider your unwillingness to conduct a seismic-earthquake inspection at the Southwood Apartment Complex here in Palo Alto CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast See 7/28/2026 Hi Meg, It should NOT fall on tenants to have to do visual inspections on a 40 year old 100 unit multi story apartment complex for evidence of potential seismic/earthquake issues. The owner of the Southwood Complex and your employer is Mr. Todd Spieker: Here is a bit of information about Mr. Spieker’s real-estate holdings: On publicly available information, Richard Todd Spieker owns and operates approximately 2,900 apartment units in California, primarily through Spieker Companies. Most of these properties are located in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County (Silicon Valley). Some additional details: Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 105 Packet Pg. 189 of 248 153 • A UCLA biography states that Tod Spieker wholly owns and operates about 2,900 multifamily units, with a focus on acquisition, rehabilitation, and management. • A 2016 City of Mountain View planning document said the Spiekers owned approximately 2,000 apartment units in the Mountain View/Sunnyvale area at that time, indicating the portfolio has since grown. • In 2024, Spieker Companies acquired a 201-unit apartment portfolio in San Mateo for approximately $76 million, helping bring the portfolio to its current size. Using the available public information, it’s possible to make a rough estimate, but it requires assumptions because the amount of debt on the properties is not public. If the apartment portfolio is worth approximately $1.1–$1.7 billion, here are illustrative equity scenarios: Loan-to-Value (Debt) Estimated Portfolio Value Estimated Equity 60% debt $1.1–$1.7 billion $440–$680 million 50% debt $1.1–$1.7 billion $550–$850 million 40% debt $1.1–$1.7 billion $660 million–$1.02 billion A few additional factors could increase net worth beyond the apartment portfolio: • Commercial real estate holdings. • Development projects and land. • Other investments and business interests. • Appreciation from properties purchased many years ago in Silicon Valley, where values have increased substantially. Based solely on publicly available information, a reasonable estimate of Tod Spieker’s real estate equity is roughly $600 million to $1 billion, with a midpoint around $750–800 million. That estimate is inherently uncertain because it depends on property-level debt, ownership structure, and any partners or investors that may share ownership. Meg, clearly Mr. Spieker has the funds to afford earthquake inspections on his properties, including the Southwood Complex, before we have a catastrophic earthquake in the area. I implore you to take this issue more seriously. You have still failed to answer my questions 1. When was the last seismic-earthquake inspection completed on the Southwood properties? 2. Has one ever been done on the property at Southwood according to your records? 3. If so, will you forward the seismic report my way? Research re a proper seismic evaluation Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 106 Packet Pg. 190 of 248 154 For a 40-year-old apartment complex, a good seismic inspection is much more than a quick visual walk-through. It should evaluate how the building is likely to perform in an earthquake, identify the most significant structural vulnerabilities, and provide practical retrofit recommendations if needed. A thorough seismic inspection typically includes: 1. Document review o Original structural drawings and calculations (if available) o Records of renovations or additions o Previous structural or seismic evaluations o Local building code history and any retrofit requirements 2. Site and foundation assessment o Evidence of settlement or differential movement o Foundation cracking o Soil conditions if they may affect seismic performance o Drainage issues that could weaken soils over time 3. Structural system evaluation The engineer should identify how the building resists earthquake forces, including: o Foundation o Load-bearing walls o Columns and beams o Floor and roof diaphragms o Lateral force-resisting systems (shear walls, braced frames, or moment frames) 4. Critical seismic vulnerabilities A 40-year-old apartment building may have common deficiencies such as: o Soft-story or weak-story conditions (especially buildings with parking on the ground floor) o Inadequate anchorage of the building to the foundation o Weak cripple walls o Poorly connected floors and roofs o Unreinforced or weak masonry components o Short columns o Torsional irregularities caused by uneven layouts o Corrosion or deterioration of structural elements 5. Connections Many earthquake failures occur at connections rather than major structural members. The inspection should examine: o Beam-to-column connections o Roof-to-wall connections o Floor-to-wall connections o Hold-downs and anchor bolts o Steel welds and bolted connections where accessible 6. Nonstructural components Damage to nonstructural elements can be expensive and hazardous. These include: o Chimneys o Parapets o Exterior cladding o Suspended ceilings o Mechanical equipment Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 107 Packet Pg. 191 of 248 155 o Water heaters o Fire sprinkler systems o Gas piping o Elevator equipment 7. Visible signs of distress The engineer should document: o Cracks o Rot o Water damage o Corrosion o Previous earthquake repairs o Deformations or sagging 8. Limited intrusive investigation (if needed) Many critical structural elements are concealed. A quality inspection may recommend: o Opening small sections of drywall o Removing finishes at selected locations o Examining anchor bolts o Confirming reinforcing steel or framing details o Material testing where necessary 9. Engineering analysis For a building of this age, a visual inspection alone is often insufficient. The engineer may perform: o Structural calculations o Computer modeling o Evaluation using current seismic standards o Comparison with current code performance objectives 10. Written report A useful report should include: o Description of the structural system o Identified deficiencies o Photographs o Risk assessment o Prioritized retrofit recommendations o Estimated level of urgency o Possible retrofit approaches o Discussion of limitations of the inspection Who should perform it? A seismic inspection should be performed by a licensed structural engineer with experience in seismic evaluation of existing multifamily buildings, not just a general building inspector. Existing buildings often require judgment based on older construction practices and current seismic standards. Typical scope and cost For a typical apartment complex, the scope can range from: • A screening-level assessment, which is primarily visual and identifies obvious concerns. • A detailed seismic evaluation, involving calculations, limited destructive investigation, and a comprehensive engineering report. This is the level generally needed if you’re considering a retrofit, purchasing the property, or addressing. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 108 Packet Pg. 192 of 248 156 The cost depends primarily on the size and complexity of the apartment complex, the level of detail required, and local labor rates. In the U.S., these are reasonable ballpark estimates: Scope Screening-level visual seismic assessment $2,000–$7,500 Detailed seismic evaluation with engineering calculations $7,500–$25,000 Evaluation requiring limited destructive testing (opening walls, exposing connections, etc.) $15,000–$50,00 Full retrofit design (if deficiencies are found) $20,000–$100,0 For a typical 40-year-old apartment complex (say, 20–100 units), a comprehensive seismic evaluation by a structural engineering firm often falls in the $10,000–$30,000 range if no extensive testing is required. Several factors can increase the cost: • Multiple buildings on the property • Concrete or masonry construction rather than wood framing • Missing original structural drawings • Need for material testing or scanning • Limited destructive investigation to verify hidden structural details • Computer modeling or performance-based analysis If you’re obtaining proposals, ask whether the fee includes: • A site visit by a licensed structural engineer • Review of available plans and records • Structural calculations • A written report with photographs • Retrofit recommendations and rough cost estimates • A meeting to discuss the findings These items are not always included in the base price. If your property is in a high-seismic region such as California, expect fees to be toward the higher end of these ranges because the evaluations are often more detailed and must address local seismic hazards and regulations. Meg, As you can see from the above it is at a minimum impractical-if not absurd- to ask the tenants to conduct a seismic inspection of the type that is necessary to ensure seismic safety for Mr. Spieker’s tenants. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 109 Packet Pg. 193 of 248 157 I am most certain Mr. Spieker would NOT want to have on his conscience serious injuries or the loss of lives at his apartment units because he failed to use due care in properly managing his apartments — including proper seismic upkeep of his units. Please reach out to me at your earliest convenience to discuss this critical issue. Sincerely, Aram 415-370-5056 P.S. Please let Mr. Spiker know that the cost of the seismic inspections is a tax write-off. It’s time Mr. Spieker - Do The Right Thing!! On Tue, Jul 28, 2026 at 8:51 AM Meg Thomas <mthomas@spiekercompanies.com> wrote: Aram - We appreciate your concern. However, as noted previously, we are not aware of any identifiable earthquake risks, nor have any such risks been brought to our attention. Based on the condition of the property, a seismic inspection does not appear to be necessary. Consequently, we have elected not to proceed with an inspection. If you have observed a specific concern at the property that you would like to bring to our attention, we will evaluate it to determine whether repairs are needed. Thanks, Meg On Thu, Jul 16, 2026 at 4:04 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: Hi Meg, 1. When was the last seismic-earthquake inspection completed on the Southwood properties? 2. Has one ever been done on the property at Southwood according to your records? 3. If so, will you forward the seismic report my way? Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 110 Packet Pg. 194 of 248 158 I am glad the most recent fire inspection completed by the Palo Alto Fire Department on July 14, 2026, was satisfactory. However, I think you would agree that a fire inspection is NOT the same as an earthquake/seismic inspection. Given the age of the Southwood complex, approximately 40 years old, I continue to request a full seismic-earthquake inspection be completed in a timely fashion-consistent with best practices. Southwood has approximately 100 units with approximately 250 residences. Given our proximity to major earthquake faults and out of an abundance of caution, please reconsider your refusal to provide a complete seismic inspection ASAP. Best regards , Aram James 415-370-5056 P.S. If it is a matter of money, I am more than happy to contribute a few hundred dollars towards the cost of the seismic inspection. Public safety demands that my request be taken seriously. Please call me at anytime to discuss this matter. On Thu, Jul 16, 2026 at 3:33 PM Meg Thomas <mthomas@spiekercompanies.com> wrote: Hi Aram, Apologies for the delay in our response. On July 14, 2026 the Palo Alto Fire Department performed their annual inspection of the premises at 2850 Middlefield Road and all safety and health standards that are essential for the well-being of all residents were met and there were no property violations. We are unaware of any earthquake risks to the building, and a seismic inspection does not appear necessary based on the condition of the property and the latest inspection reports received. Please reach out with any specific concerns you may have. Thanks, Meg Thomas On Thu, Jun 25, 2026 at 11:44 AM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: 6/25/2026 Hi Julian, Thanks for returning my phone call this morning. As promised, I am sending this note to you in hopes of receiving the most current information on the earthquake/seismic safety of the Southwood Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 111 Packet Pg. 195 of 248 159 Complex. Is there, for example, an annual report/inspection of Southwood to assess the integrity of the complex in the event of a major earthquake? Any information on this critical subject would be most appreciated. Thanks so much. Peace, Aram 415-370-5O56 -- Meg Thomas COO and Regional Property Manager Spieker Companies, Inc. (408) 221-0025 mthomas@spiekercompanies.com -- Meg Thomas COO and Regional Property Manager Spieker Companies, Inc. (408) 221-0025 mthomas@spiekercompanies.com Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 112 Packet Pg. 196 of 248 160 Vidal, Eric From:Utsav Gupta <utsav@utsavgupta.com> Sent:Tuesday, July 28, 2026 1:36 PM To:ParkRec Commission Subject:Please halt generic sign replacements and restore Heritage Park’s original sign CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • This is their first email to you. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Dear Parks and Recreation Commission, I'm writing about the removal of Heritage Park's original hand-carved wooden sign, which was in good condition when it was taken down. Its replacement is a low-resolution printed panel on a generic template, lacking the craftsmanship and park-specific identity of the original. If this is permanent, it's a real loss for the neighborhood — and we're concerned the same standardized panels may be planned for parks citywide. Could you please confirm: - Was the original sign removed temporarily for restoration, and does the City still have it? - Who approved this design and the broader replacement program, and was there any public review? We respectfully ask the City to pause further installations, preserve any signs already removed, reinstall Heritage Park's original, and consult the community before making additional permanent replacements. Thank you for looking into this. Best, Utsav Gupta Commissioner, UAC, speaking in personal capacity Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 113 Packet Pg. 197 of 248 161 Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 114 Packet Pg. 198 of 248 165 Vidal, Eric From:Tracy Ferea <tferea@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, July 27, 2026 4:58 PM To:ParkRec Commission Cc:Shani Kleinhaus Subject:Item 5 on Parks and Recreation Agenda Attachments:Agenda Item 5 Biodiversity Palo Alto 7_28_26.pdf; Agenda Item 5 Biodiversity Palo Alto 7_28_ 26.pptx CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • This is a personal email address. • This is their first mail to some recipients. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Dear Commissioners, I have provided a quick slideshow in support of the Nature Connectivity Efforts and the importance of native plants to Palo Altos wildlife. I will try to be there to present the slides, but have attached both as slides and as a PDF Thank you very much, Tracy Ferea, PhD Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 115 Packet Pg. 199 of 248 167 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, July 24, 2026 11:45 AM To:Vicki Veenker; Veenker, Vicki; Veenker, Vicki; Shikada, Ed; Burt, Patrick; Lauing, Ed; Dave Price; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Yusra Hussain; Friends of Cubberley; Human Relations Commission; Sean Allen; Raymond Goins; Carla Torres; Preminger, Steve; steven mcgill; Susan Hayase; Jay Boyarsky; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Patrick Marshall; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Bill Newell; Josh Becker; Dave Price; Braden Cartwright; Steve Wagstaffe; Rose Lynn; Rick Callender; Carla Torres; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; board@valleywater.org; board@pausd.org; bos@smcgov.org; Diana Diamond; EPA Today; Emily Mibach; Robert Handa; Supervisor Otto Lee; district1@bos.sccgov.org; DuJuan Green; Supervisor Betty Duong; District5 @bos.sccgov.org; Rodriguez, Miguel; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Zelkha, Mila Cc:Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; city.council@menlopark.gov; Cecilia Taylor; dcombs@menlopark.gov; Nash, Betsy; PD Kristina Bell; Reifschneider, James Subject:Tesla settles with 3 workers as Fremont factory racism cases by hundreds of workers continue CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/07/24/tesla-fremont-factory-racism-lawsuit-settlement-workers/ Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 116 Packet Pg. 200 of 248 168 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, July 23, 2026 11:49 PM To:Vicki Veenker; Veenker, Vicki; Veenker, Vicki; Vicki Veenker; Reckdahl, Keith; Reckdahl, Keith; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Josh Becker; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Gennady Sheyner; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Sheree Roth; Zelkha, Mila Cc:CityCouncil; city.council@gilroy.org; GRP-City Council; Cecilia Taylor; Nash, Betsy; dcombs@menlopark.gov; bos@smcgov.org; Bains, Paul; PD Kristina Bell; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen; Diana Diamond; Dana St. George; Gerry Gras; Steve Wagstaffe; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission Subject:🔥Zohran Mamdani’s Gaza Remarks Ignite New Debate After NYC Mayor Cites More Than 70,000 Palestinian Deaths CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Supporters, however, argue that major cities have historically played roles in global conversations about human rights and that elected officials have a responsibility to speak on international issues affecting their communities. They say Mamdani’s remarks reflect….. Zohran Mamdani’s Gaza Remarks Ignite New Debate After NYC Mayor Cites More Than 70,000 Palestinian Deaths Source: Timeless Dishes https://share.newsbreak.com/j3fxt453?s=i0 Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 117 Packet Pg. 201 of 248 170 Vidal, Eric From:Transportation Sent:Thursday, July 23, 2026 10:54 AM To:Star-Lack, Sylvia; Arce, Ozzy; Coles, Charlie; Horrigan-Taylor, Meghan Cc:ParkRec Commission; Transportation Subject:RE: Palo Alto selected for the 2026 50+ Cycling Survey's national five-city focus Hello Bicycle Team— Forwarding for awareness on bicycling survey being emailed around town. Thank you, Danille Rice Administrative Assistant (650) 329-2229 | danille.rice@PaloAlto.gov From: ParkRec Commission <parkrec.commission@PaloAlto.gov> Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2026 10:29 AM To: Transportation <Transportation@PaloAlto.gov> Subject: FW: Palo Alto selected for the 2026 50+ Cycling Survey's national five-city focus Good Morning Office of transportation, Can you please respond to the email below, which was sent to our Parks and Recreaatioon Commissioner inbox. Eric Vidal Coordinator Rec Prog | Open Space, Parks, and Golf Community Services Department (650) 496-6962 | Eric.Vidal@paloalto.gov www.PaloAlto.gov From: Meri Gruber <meri.gruber@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 8:45 PM To: ParkRec Commission <parkrec.commission@PaloAlto.gov> Cc: Lythcott-Haims, Julie <Julie.LythcottHaims@PaloAlto.gov> Subject: Palo Alto selected for the 2026 50+ Cycling Survey's national five-city focus Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 118 Packet Pg. 202 of 248 171 CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Parks and Recreation Commissioners, I'm writin to share excitin news for cyclin and Palo Alto. Palo Alto is one of five focus cities in the 2026 50+ Cyclin Survey. The survey is led by Caro Kachadoorian, Executive Director of DTC (formerly dblTide CORE), a nonprofit focused on mobili i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast CGBANNERINDICATOR Dear Parks and Recreation Commissioners, I'm writing to share exciting news for cycling and Palo Alto. Palo Alto is one of five focus cities in the 2026 50+ Cycling Survey. The survey is led by Carol Kachadoorian, Executive Director of DTC (formerly dblTilde CORE), a nonprofit focused on mobility and wellness for older adults. Palo Alto City Staff helped find the local examples of bike facilities that are included in the survey. Carol has run the 50+ Cycling Survey for six years; previously it has drawn coverage from AARP and CalBike and has become a trusted national data source on cycling among adults over 50. Why does this matter for Palo Alto? Research shows that cycling has tremendous cognitive and physical health benefits for older adults. The 50+ survey captures both current riders and those who've stopped, giving cities the data to understand what would bring people back to cycling and what would enable older cyclists to keep biking longer. Please consider taking the survey and sharing it with your friends and family members over 50, whether they are currently biking or not. Everyone’s experience matters. Thank you for your continued commitment to making Palo Alto a city where people of all ages can get around safely on a bike. Here is the link to the survey: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8691973/2026-50-Cycling-Survey-Palo-Alto Best regards, Meri Gruber, Palo Alto Blue Zones Cycling After 50 Advisory Board Member Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 119 Packet Pg. 203 of 248 172 Vidal, Eric From:Transportation Sent:Thursday, July 23, 2026 10:30 AM To:ParkRec Commission Subject:Automatic reply: Palo Alto selected for the 2026 50+ Cycling Survey's national five-city focus Thank you for your email to the Office of Transportation. Please allow at least 1-2 full business days for a response to your inquiry. We want to get back to you with an accurate response, so your inquiry may be forwarded to the most appropriate City staff for follow-up. Our normal office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. Requests submitted after these hours are considered received the following business day. We can also be reached at 650-329-2520. Thank you. Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 120 Packet Pg. 204 of 248 177 Vidal, Eric From:Meri Gruber <meri.gruber@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, July 22, 2026 8:45 PM To:ParkRec Commission Cc:Lythcott-Haims, Julie Subject:Palo Alto selected for the 2026 50+ Cycling Survey's national five-city focus CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Dear Parks and Recreation Commissioners, I'm writing to share exciting news for cycling and Palo Alto. Palo Alto is one of five focus cities in the 2026 50+ Cycling Survey. The survey is led by Carol Kachadoorian, Executive Director of DTC (formerly dblTilde CORE), a nonprofit focused on mobility and wellness for older adults. Palo Alto City Staff helped find the local examples of bike facilities that are included in the survey. Carol has run the 50+ Cycling Survey for six years; previously it has drawn coverage from AARP and CalBike and has become a trusted national data source on cycling among adults over 50. Why does this matter for Palo Alto? Research shows that cycling has tremendous cognitive and physical health benefits for older adults. The 50+ survey captures both current riders and those who've stopped, giving cities the data to understand what would bring people back to cycling and what would enable older cyclists to keep biking longer. Please consider taking the survey and sharing it with your friends and family members over 50, whether they are currently biking or not. Everyone’s experience matters. Thank you for your continued commitment to making Palo Alto a city where people of all ages can get around safely on a bike. Here is the link to the survey: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8691973/2026-50-Cycling-Survey-Palo-Alto Best regards, Meri Gruber, Palo Alto Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 121 Packet Pg. 205 of 248 178 Blue Zones Cycling After 50 Advisory Board Member Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 122 Packet Pg. 206 of 248 179 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, July 22, 2026 5:45 PM To:Vicki Veenker; Vicki Veenker; Veenker, Vicki; board@pausd.org; District5@bos.sccgov.org; district1 @bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Perron, Zachary Cc:Sean Allen; Carla Torres; Susan Hayase; Human Relations Commission; Zelkha, Mila; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Patrick Marshall; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Patrice Ventresca; Council, City; Cecilia Taylor; Nash, Betsy; Laurie Valdez; Raj Jayadev; Emily Mibach; Gerry Gras; ladoris cordell; Salem Ajluni; Rick Callender; EXT.Richard.Hobbs; Rodriguez, Miguel; Damon Silver; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Friends of Cubberley; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Goodell, Erin; Jensen, Eric; PD Kristina Bell; Nancy Goodban; Bill Newell; Sheree Roth; Lotus Fong; Shankar Ramamoorthy; Brandon Pho; james pitkin; Jay Boyarsky; Gennady Sheyner; Dave Price; David Piper; Angel, David; Preminger, Steve; Diana Diamond; Dana St. George; Daniel Kottke; Daniel Barton; Dan Okonkwo; Roberta Ahlquist; Rose Lynn; Robert Handa; Robert Salonga; Reckdahl, Keith; Reckdahl, Keith; Kevin Nious; Penni Wilson; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Steve Wagstaffe; steven mcgill; Donna Wallach; Freddie.Quintana@sen.ca.gov; Palo Alto Free Press; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Raymond Goins; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Lee, Craig; Anne Cribbs; Anna Griffin; EPA Today; DuJuan Green; Reifschneider, James; GRP-City Council; Zahra Billoo; Bil Barber; Bill Johnson; Bill Johnson; Jeff Hayden; Yusra Hussain; HRW Silicon Valley; San José Spotlight; city.council@menlopark.gov; Valeros, Gilda B; Gilfix & La Poll Associates; Ruth Silver Taube; Pat M; Lewis james; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Sean Webby; Jeff Rosen; Sandy Perry-HCA; San Mateo Peace Action; Jennifer Morrow San José Spotlight; Sarah E. Sandoval; Yolanda Conaway; Ann Ravel Subject:Palo Alto letter July 2026 edited with groups included Attachments:Palo Alto letter July 2026 edited with groups included.docx CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Item A Public Comments 07.21.26-09.15.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 123 Packet Pg. 207 of 248 1 Vidal, Eric From:ParkRec Commission Sent:Monday, September 21, 2026 3:35 PM To:G V; Robustelli, Sarah Cc:Parks; ParkRec Commission Subject:RE: Safety Complaint – Serious Playground Fall Hazard at Ramos Park Hi Gertrud, Our team has contacted the playground structure, Landscape Structure. They have not had any reports of falling from that location. Landscape Structures can be contacted: 763-972-5200 or through their website: Request Information - Contact Us - Landscape Structures Sarah SARAH ROBUSTELLI Division Manager Open Space, Parks, and Golf Community Services Department (650) 617-3518 | Sarah.Robustelli@PaloAlto.gov www.PaloAlto.gov From: G V <gertrudviktor@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, August 28, 2026 4:07 PM To: Robustelli, Sarah <Sarah.Robustelli@paloalto.gov> Cc: Parks <Parks@PaloAlto.gov>; ParkRec Commission <parkrec.commission@PaloAlto.gov> Subject: Re: Safety Complaint – Serious Playground Fall Hazard at Ramos Park CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Sarah,Than you for your response and for inspectin the playground. I appreciate the information regardin the protective surfacin and the posted age recommendations. I would like to clarify that my primary concern is neither the surfacin nor the age designation. My concern is the physica d i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast CGBANNERINDICATOR Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 124 Packet Pg. 208 of 248 2 Dear Sarah, Thank you for your response and for inspecting the playground. I appreciate the information regarding the protective surfacing and the posted age recommendations. I would like to clarify that my primary concern is neither the surfacing nor the age designation. My concern is the physical design of the structure, specifically the opening located directly adjacent to the stairs. As shown in the photograph I provided, the stairs lead directly toward an opening through which a child can fall. A child can slip, lose their balance, or be bumped by another child, regardless of age. That is exactly what happened to my son, who slipped on the stairs and fell head-first through the opening and required a 911 response. We are still making sure that he doesn’t have a concussion since there are several bruises and scratches on his head and face. I understand that the playground may meet the applicable requirements and that warning signs are posted. However, those measures do not eliminate the physical hazard created by this particular configuration. My concern is whether the design itself creates a foreseeable and potentially serious fall risk. I simply ask that the City consider the design from that perspective and determine whether anything can be done to make this area safer and prevent another child from experiencing a similar fall. Thank you for taking my concern seriously. Sincerely, Gertrud Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 125 Packet Pg. 209 of 248 3 Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 126 Packet Pg. 210 of 248 4 On Fri, Aug 28, 2026 at 3:18 PM Robustelli, Sarah <Sarah.Robustelli@paloalto.gov> wrote: Hi Gerturd, Our city inspectors visited Ramos Park this morning (8/28/26) to inspect the playground structure for potential hazards. The impact attenuating surface onsite is a mixture of PIP rubber surfacing and Engineered wood fiber. Surface testing: They performed a depth measurement test with a metal probe. The depth measurement of the engineered wood fiber (EWF) is compliant measuring at 12” (minimum required depth for EWF is 9”). Signage: There is proper signage at both approach of the playground and mounted on the composite structure. Attached please find: • Photos taken today 8/28/26 of surface depth testing for Ramos Park • Photos taken today 8/28/26 of age-appropriate signage for Ramos Park I hope your son is doing well, Sarah Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 127 Packet Pg. 211 of 248 5 SARAH ROBUSTELLI Division Manager Open Space, Parks, and Golf Community Services Department (650) 617-3518 | Sarah.Robustelli@PaloAlto.gov www.PaloAlto.gov From: Robustelli, Sarah Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2026 3:59 PM To: 'Gertrud Viktor' <gertrudviktor@gmail.com>; Parks <Parks@PaloAlto.gov> Cc: ParkRec Commission <parkrec.commission@PaloAlto.gov> Subject: RE: Safety Complaint – Serious Playground Fall Hazard at Ramos Park Hi Gertrud, Thank you for contacting us and for providing detailed information regarding your son's fall at Ramos Park. I am very sorry to hear about the incident and understand how frightening it must have been for you and your family, particularly given that emergency responders were called to assist. We take reports concerning the safety of our parks seriously. I have shared your report with the appropriate City staff, and we will promptly inspect the playground equipment and the specific area you described, including the opening and stair configuration. Staff will document the conditions observed and determine whether any immediate action is warranted. We will also review the equipment and applicable information regarding its intended age range, design, and safety standards, as appropriate. Your observations and the circumstances you described will be included as part of that review. Thank you for bringing this incident to our attention. We will follow up with you regarding the results of our review and any appropriate next steps. Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 128 Packet Pg. 212 of 248 6 We hope your son is doing well following the fall. Sarah SARAH ROBUSTELLI Division Manager Open Space, Parks, and Golf Community Services Department (650) 617-3518 | Sarah.Robustelli@PaloAlto.gov www.PaloAlto.gov From: Gertrud Viktor <gertrudviktor@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 27, 2026 2:42 PM To: Parks <Parks@PaloAlto.gov> Cc: Robustelli, Sarah <Sarah.Robustelli@paloalto.gov>; ParkRec Commission <parkrec.commission@PaloAlto.gov> Subject: Safety Complaint – Serious Playground Fall Hazard at Ramos Park CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear City of Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Department, I am writing to formally report a serious and potentially foreseeable safety hazard at the playground at Ramos Park in Palo Alto. I understand that the playground structure involved may be intended primarily for older children. However, there are no comparable play structures immediately nearby, making it foreseeable that younger children may access portions of the structure. I was closely Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 129 Packet Pg. 213 of 248 7 supervising my younger son and specifically made sure that he did not climb to the highest level of the structure. Despite these precautions, my son fell head-first through an opening in the structure. The location and configuration of this opening are extremely concerning. There are stairs leading directly toward the opening, creating an obvious risk that a child could slip, lose balance, or misstep and fall through it. In my view, placing a significant opening immediately adjacent to or at the end of a stairway creates a foreseeable fall hazard that warrants immediate safety review. The consequences in our case were serious. My son fell hard enough that I had to call 911 and firefighters responded to the park to assist us. This was an extremely frightening experience for our family, and it prompted me to question whether this particular design has been adequately evaluated for foreseeable falls and injuries. I am requesting that the City promptly inspect this playground and specifically investigate the opening and stair configuration where this incident occurred. I ask that the City determine whether the structure complies with all applicable playground safety requirements and standards, including requirements concerning openings, fall hazards, barriers, guardrails, and the safe design of access points and stairs. I would also ask the City to consider whether the existing age recommendations adequately address the actual circumstances at this park. When there is no comparable play equipment immediately available for younger children, it is foreseeable that younger children will be present on or around the structure. Appropriate safety measures should therefore account for reasonably foreseeable use and not simply rely on children never approaching a particular portion of the equipment. Specifically, I request that the City evaluate: • The opening through which my son fell and its dimensions and location. • The proximity and orientation of the stairs leading toward the opening. • Whether the configuration creates a foreseeable head-first or other serious fall hazard. • Whether appropriate barriers, guardrails, or other protective measures are required. • Whether the playground complies with applicable playground safety standards. • Whether the current age recommendations and warning signage adequately address the risks presented by the design. • Whether this design has previously resulted in reported incidents or safety concerns. • Whether corrective measures, including modification of the opening or surrounding structure, are necessary to prevent another child from being seriously injured. Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 130 Packet Pg. 214 of 248 8 I am not suggesting that children should disregard age recommendations for playground equipment. My concern is specifically with the design of this structure and whether it creates an unreasonable or foreseeable risk of injury even under normal, supervised playground use. Given that an actual emergency response was required following my son’s fall, I respectfully request that this matter be treated as a safety issue rather than simply as an isolated playground accident. I would appreciate written confirmation that this complaint has been received, that the playground will be inspected, and that the City will advise me of any findings or corrective action. I am reporting this incident because I believe the hazard should be addressed before another child is injured, potentially with much more serious consequences. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to receiving a response regarding the City’s investigation and any steps that will be taken to address this safety concern. Sincerely, Gertrud Viitas Gertrudviktor@gmail.com 650-353-7051 Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 131 Packet Pg. 215 of 248 9 Vidal, Eric From:Dashiell Leeds <dashiell.leeds@sierraclub.org> Sent:Monday, September 21, 2026 2:14 PM To:ParkRec Commission Cc:Council, City; Robustelli, Sarah; James Eggers; SueHintonE@gmail.com; Sue Chow Subject:SCLP letter to PA PRC re Guidelines Attachments:SCLP letter to PA PRC re Guildelines.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Dear Palo Alto Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Nellis Freeman and Commissioners, Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter urges the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) to rework its scant Guidelines into an actual Policy as requested by Council, and when seeking “Stakeholder engagement” to look beyond Magical Bridge, a playground vendor and the sole stakeholder engaged. Please read the attached letter with our full comments. Sincerely, Susan Hinton Conservation Committee, Chair Plastic Pollution Prevention Committee, Chair Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter Email sent by Dashiell Leeds Conservation Coordinator Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 132 Packet Pg. 216 of 248 10 Vidal, Eric From:Magdalena Cabrera <magdalenac@gmail.com> Sent:Sunday, September 20, 2026 2:36 PM To:ParkRec Commission; Robustelli, Sarah; Shani Kleinhaus; Council, City Subject:End the use of Artificial Turf and PIP CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Hello City Staff and PRC members, It is I , the old lady with a hole in her face (caused by cancer treatments). Some of you might remember me. I am writing to passionately plea with you to ban all synthetics in Palo Alto parks! My friend, neighbor and partner-for-doing-good Claire Elliott has written a detailed email explaining why our fair city must end the use of synthetic materials in our city parks and playgrounds. We have written many times, in truth. I am quite sure that you now know why we must ban AT and PIP rubber. These synthetics are toxic to all living beings: small children, people of all ages, animals, insects and more. They are carcinogenic among other bad things. When science and literature are telling us that children suffer from Nature Deficit Disorder, let us keep our playgrounds as close to a natural and healthy environment as we can. If you sincerely mean what you say, then health for all including our environment will be uppermost in your minds. As a four time cancer survivor (knowing that the other shoe could drop for me at any moment), vote to protect our citizens and our environment from harm in the form of AT and PIP. I will end by quoting part of the lyric from a Joni Mitchell song. ( Some of you might be old enough to remember this song.). I have taken a little liberty with the lyric: "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone, Plastic paradise, roll out more artificial turf." Respectfully, Magdalena Cabrera Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 133 Packet Pg. 217 of 248 11 Ventura Neighborhood resident Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 134 Packet Pg. 218 of 248 12 Vidal, Eric From:Andrea Wald <waldmba@gmail.com> Sent:Sunday, September 20, 2026 6:30 AM To:ParkRec Commission; Council, City; Robustelli, Sarah; shanibirds@gmail.com Subject:Agenda item #5 - Parks and Rec Commission mtg 9-22-26 CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Dear Park & Rec Commissioners, Mayor and City Council members and Staff, I am very concerned about policies that cities are establishing regarding park and playground surfacing. Too often artificial turf and PIP (pour-in-place rubber) are being considered and unfortunately chosen over more healthy alternatives. Not long ago this was an issue brought before the Palo Alto City Council when El Camino Park’s artificial turf soccer field was in need of replacement. Unfortunately, artificial turf was decided upon but the community outreach on this issue did bring about a very positive outcome: Palo Alto has undertaken a pilot to see how natural grass fields treated with more current maintenance practices compare to those that the city will continue to treat in their usual fashion. There will be lots of data collected and analyzed for a discussion of the results around July of next year. Additionally, I’m happy to understand the city does realize that it can take another year or two to truly see the impact of proper maintenance of natural grass and plans to continue to maintain and monitor the chosen fields. This pilot came about in part because of the concerns by City Council about the environmental and health harms of artificial turf. However, much of what I will be sharing in this email is related to PIP, as this was never brought up in previous discussions with any entity in the city. In many instances both surfaces are discussed when one talks about synthetic surfaces for parks and playgrounds, Los Altos does not have a policy recommendation in place for their parks or playgrounds but is in the midst of planning renovation of two playgrounds. Original designs prepared by the hired consulting group proposed PIP on the playgrounds. After a great deal of input from residents and other concerned parties the Parks and Rec Commission just voted unanimously on the following: “EWF as the primary surface material for the renovations at both Shoup Park and Grant Park with supplemental mats in high fall / high traffic areas. No PIP surfacing will be included." Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 135 Packet Pg. 219 of 248 13 In this case, no artificial turf was ever discussed or part of any plans. There are many ways to have wonderful parks and playgrounds for everyone, including those with disabilities, to enjoy that contain only natural ground coverings – not harmful, toxic and environmentally damaging and being proven to have some very concerning health risks. Although a ban on all synthetic ground coverings would be great, simply not putting them into any documents listing them as options for parks and playgrounds is my goal! Following are some very insightful materials I’d like to share. Some talk about the harms of both artificial turf and PIP. Others are great examples of places where natural materials are working great! I hope you’ll all take the time to look at this material before coming up with your proposed plan for Palo Alto. Thank you. Andrea Wald, Co-Founder, Community for Natural Play Surfaces From page 3 of the mini-packet: The guidelines are not intended to establish a Citywide policy requiring or prohibiting synthetic turf at playgrounds. Rather, they are intended to establish a framework for considering whether and where synthetic turf may be appropriate based on the needs and conditions of an individual playground project. Although it appears that the city is not yet looking into a ban on synthetic ground coverings from the material that I, along with others, have and will be providing, it is important to understand that natural materials can and do work and the city should not be considering any synthetic materials under any circumstances. There is simply too much info out there about the harms of these synthetic materials and you are putting residents and the environment in general at risk when you choose them. As stated in the mini-packet on page 4: As part of the development of the guidelines, staff gathered input from individuals involved in the design, inspection, operation, and maintenance of playgrounds. This input highlighted benefits and challenges associated with different surfacing materials and reinforced the importance of considering both the intended function of a surface and the conditions of the individual playground. As part of the development guidelines the city should also reach out to residents to get their input on what they would like to see. From previous communications to the city it is important to note that there are many residents who are strongly opposed to synthetic ground coverings in the city’s parks and playgrounds. Also on page 4 of the mini-packet: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT Magical Bridge As part of the development of the guidelines, staff met with representatives from Magical Bridge Foundation to better understand the role of surfacing materials in the design and operation of Magical Bridge Playground. Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 136 Packet Pg. 220 of 248 14 A key component of Magical Bridge’s mission is providing an inclusive playground that is accessible to people of all ages and abilities, with accessibility incorporated throughout the playground design. Why is this organization the only one that was engaged in discussions to get input on preferred materials? What about contacting environmental and health groups who have a great understanding of all the harms? Great resources to reach out to regarding use of synthetic surfaces compared to natural ones (both artificial turf and PIP are covered in many of the materials below): 1) Santa Clara County Medical Association: Policy Recommendation on the Use of Artificial Turf on Landscapes, Schools and Playing Fields Santa Clara County Medical Association June 10, 2024. https://www.sccma.org/Portals/19/Artificial%20Turf%20Policy%20Recommendation%20SCCMA%20Final%20 %206824%20.pdf 2) Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: Mount Sinai Experts Support Communities by Advocation for Natural Playgrounds and Fields over Hazardous Artificial Turf Surfaces https://mountsinaiexposomics.org/mount-sinai-experts-support-communities-by-advocating-for-natural- playgrounds-and-fields-over-hazardous-artificial-turf-surfaces/ 3) National Center for Health Research: www.center4research.org Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 137 Packet Pg. 221 of 248 15 https://www.thewellnews.com/opinions/are-playgrounds-in-your-community-safe/ https://www.center4research.org/children-athletes-play-toxic-turf-playgrounds/ 4) Sierra Club: Artificial Turf Policy | Sierra Club 5) Safe Healthy Playing Fields Inc: Safe Healthy Playing Fields 6) Beyond Plastics: Synthetic Turf is HAZARDOUS — Beyond Plastics - Working To End Single-Use Plastic Pollution 7) Turi – Toxics Use Reduction Institute, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, University of Massachusetts Lowell: turi.org/publications/playground-surfacing-choosing-safer-materials-for-childrens-health-and-the- environment/ 8) The Ecology Center: Artificial Turf Wars: Lessons From the Battlefield | Ecology Center Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 138 Packet Pg. 222 of 248 16 https://www.ecocenter.org/playgrounds-should-be-fun-and-toxic-free 9) Collaborative for Health and Environment: https://www.healthandenvironment.org/latest-research/blog/playground-surfacing-fall-protection-and-fun- without-toxic-chemicals More regarding PIP playground surfaces: Why risk public health and the environment over playground surface choices? While our country is in the midst of yet another oil war it’s absurd that our public officials continue to turn to petroleum-based solutions when natural products like Engineered Wood Fibers exist. Are you up to date on playground studies? This 2019 study looked at 14 children's playgrounds in Seoul, comparing sites with poured rubber surfacing to plain dirt/soil playgrounds, testing for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) — a class of chemicals mostly released from vehicle exhaust and burning fuel that are known or suspected carcinogens. The researchers found PAHs in the dust and soil at all sites, with traffic-related pollution and fossil fuel burning as the likely main sources. Using a statistical modeling approach to estimate children's cancer risk from touching and accidentally ingesting this dust/soil over time, they found risk levels slightly above the U.S. EPA's typical safety threshold — and notably, the rubber-surfaced playgrounds showed roughly 10 times higher estimated cancer risk than the plain soil playgrounds, likely because the rubber traps and concentrates these chemicals. The biggest factors driving that risk were how long children spent playing there and how much dust stuck to their skin. On the other hand, health can improve in more natural settings. It turns out that multi-year studies (1, 2), led by researchers in Finland, found that the skin of the children who played in forest soil, known to be biodiverse, had fewer disease producing bacteria, and that children who played in sandboxes enriched with biodiverse microbiota (known to be safe) developed improved immune systems in as little as two (2) weeks. Synthetic surfaces, such as pour-in-place (PIP) rubber or plastic grass, are not only unnecessary in playgrounds, they may keep children from developing their best resistance to disease. Below is a link to a fabulous article tthat shows you the Good, The Bad and the Ugly of Playground Ideas. “ https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/aetlzn8a1ifaf555kqfna/Schroeder-Park-Safe-Playground-Ideas- 20220712.pdf?rlkey=kf12gb51zfd8469z9kgjc9w80&st=864dmqpv&raw=1 ” This guide will give you plenty of ideas for healthier happier kids plus it will help you avoid the following problems of synthetic materials, such as: -Chemical hazards -Maintenance and repairs (worn surfaces, fungus, mildew) -Short life cycle -Federal and state investigations of products -Scorching temperatures (2nd and 3rd degree burns) -Concussions -Expense and warranty This guide should give you all the support you need to make the right decision. Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 139 Packet Pg. 223 of 248 17 Below is a link to an article with some great ideas for natural playgrounds for kids. No need for synthetic materials. https://sfchildrennature.org/?s=Early+Childhood+Nature+Connection The link below contains a great deal of valuable info on EWF surfaces along with excellent photos: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/efyzi7wuq3rc80c2zqhav/EWF-versus-synthetic-surfaced- playgrounds.pdf?rlkey=fz4blojvrmfnuqyc7603judgt&e=1&dl=0 I understand that one issue that you might be concerned about is accessibility for someone who is disabled and/or in a wheelchair. EWF is ADA compliant and therefore deemed appropriate for many with mobility issues. Please take a look the two links below showing a child being pushed across a playground with an EWF surface and also an adult (that’s ME) being pushed across that same surface - keeping in mind that an adult is much heavier than a child (videos taken at Jollyman Park in Cupertino). Whether being pushed or propelling themselves - this surface will work in all cases. And keep in mind, there are special wheelchairs made that make such movements/access much easier. https://youtu.be/OnlfCfnb_As https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IDxIXiN13k74tT01sXPYZV79Q87RJDso/view?usp=drivesdk Additional photos of children in wheelchairs on EWF surfaces: Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 140 Packet Pg. 224 of 248 18 Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 141 Packet Pg. 225 of 248 19 One repeated argument for PIP has to do with “inclusiveness” and ADA compliance. When thinking about a “disabled person," many only think about mobility - wheelchairs, walkers, etc. However, there are many kinds of disabilities. For example: anyone with a cochlear hearing device may have trouble on a synthetic based surface. Central Institute for the Deaf: https://professionals.cid.edu/understanding-and-minimizing-the-effects-of-static-electricity-on-cochlear- implants/ PIP surfaces get much hotter than EWF. Below is a link to a report on a child who had to go to the hospital because walking on the PIP playground caused severe burns on the bottom of his feet. The photos made me want to cry! https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/toddler-receives-second-degree-burns-feet-hot-playground- castle-rock-dangerous/ Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 142 Packet Pg. 226 of 248 20 There are plenty of parks that use EWF. If EWF is ADA compliant. Why risk environmental and health harms with unnatural (fossil-fuel) materials like PIP. As for performance over time, the PIP surfaces do wear down and end up in landfill, where they sit for hundreds of years releasing the toxic chemicals they were made with. https://sfstandard.com/2025/05/02/san-francisco-playground-sunset-park-playground-cost-price/ Below are several photos from parks nearby that show many local cities prefer natural EWF surfacing. Oak Meadow Park, Los Gatos – 11/9/25 Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 143 Packet Pg. 227 of 248 21 Visona park playground: Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 144 Packet Pg. 228 of 248 22 Playground at Blackberry Farms in Cupertino – newly laid EWF. In a recent communication with the head of parks in Cupertino I learned that “in October of 2025 the city had a contractor install Certified EWF within all City owned playgrounds”. Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 145 Packet Pg. 229 of 248 23 Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 146 Packet Pg. 230 of 248 24 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, September 19, 2026 9:21 PM To:bryna@changforcitycouncil.com; h.etzko@gmail.com; yudy4paloalto@gmail.com; Raymond Goins; brianhama@gmail.com; garygech@gmail.com; Lauing, Ed; Stone, Greer; Reckdahl, Keith; Vicki Veenker; Shikada, Ed; editor@paweekly.com; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Rosen; Jennifer Morrow San José Spotlight; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Jay Boyarsky; Raymond Goins; Matt Schlegel; supervisor.abe- koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Sameena Usman; Susan Hayase; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Dave Price; Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright; board@pausd.org; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Bill Newell; Zahra Billoo; Bains, Paul; Paul George @ PPJC; Nancy Goodban; Rebecca Kieler; Roberta Ahlquist; Baker, Rob; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; city.council@gilroy.org; CityCouncil; Perron, Zachary; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; City Attorney; Pacific GrovePD; GRP-City Council; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Friends of Cubberley; Sheree Roth; ladoris cordell; Jim Lawrence; Goodell, Erin; Lewis james; Reifschneider, James; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Aldinette Lockett; Alaniz, John; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Mora Oommen; Ruth Silver Taube (rsilvertaube@scu.edu); William Armaline; Stephen Connolly; Raj Jayadev; Charisse Domingo; Board of Directors; Sean Allen; Carla Torres; sharon jackson; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; steven mcgill; Preminger, Steve; Gerry Gras; Daniel Kottke; Damon Silver; Rodriguez, Miguel; Valeros, Gilda B; Gil Rivas; Seanjames143 @yahoo.com; Seher Awan; Yolanda Conaway; yolanda; Yolanda Sena; Lotus Fong; Rose Lynn; Riley Cooke; Gennady Sheyner; Palo Alto Free Press; Doug Minkler; Holman, Karen (external); karen hall; james pitkin; Paul George @ PPJC Subject:Re: Report from the West Bank - Tuesday @ 7:00 CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. FYI: Chance for Palo Alto City Council candidates and current council members to become more fully informed on what is occurring in the West Bank. Regards, Avram Finkelstein On Sat, Sep 19, 2026 at 3:48 PM Peninsula Peace & Justice Center <peaceandjusticecenter@gmail.com> wrote: Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 147 Packet Pg. 231 of 248 25 Eyewitness West Bank RUSH REHM - Stanford Prof. / Int'l Solidarity Movement Activist Tuesday, September 22, 7:00 pm Zoom Webinar Advance Registration Required - Register Now Every day brings new headlines about settler violence against West Bank Palestinians, violence that is often ignored or actively abetted by Israeli military forces. Our guest will provide a report on his recent two-month stay in the West Bank and his observations about the realities of daily life for the Palestinians facing such enormous pressures. The trip was organized by the International Solidarity Movement, a Palestinian-led movement committed to resisting the long-entrenched and systematic oppression and dispossession of the Palestinian population, using non-violent, direct-action methods and principles. From Rush Rehm: “I recently returned from 2 months providing solidarity presence for beleaguered Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 148 Packet Pg. 232 of 248 26 Palestinian families in the area around Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank. As part of a small cohort of International Solidarity Movement volunteers, I experienced first hand what life is like for Palestinians facing daily harassment, and worse, from Israeli settlers, police, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). After a brief overview of the larger historical and geopolitical forces at work, my presentation (with photos) will focus on what daily life is like in the West Bank, the forms that non-violence resistance takes, and how anyone interested might get involved.” An actor, director, and professor emeritus of Theater & Performance Studies and Classics, Rush Rehm publishes in the areas of Greek tragedy and contemporary politics. As well as seminars on ancient theater and culture, Rehm taught courses on contemporary politics, the media, and U.S. imperialism. Other Voices: A Monthly Conversation for Activists is presented by Peninsula Peace and Justice Center. PPJC Director Paul George is the host of the program. =============================================== Peninsula Peace and Justice Center www.peaceandjustice.org facebook.com/penin.pjc 4546 El Camino Real B10-335 Los Altos, CA 94022 (mail only) (650) 326-8837 "Peninsula Peace and Justice Center has been one of the most effective of the activist organizations." - Noam Chomsky =============================================== Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 149 Packet Pg. 233 of 248 27 Vidal, Eric From:Claire E <clairee44@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, September 19, 2026 8:48 PM To:Council, City; ParkRec Commission; Robustelli, Sarah; Shani Kleinhaus Subject:Ban Synthetic surfaces in Palo Alto parks CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • Some Recipients have never replied to this person. • This is a personal email address. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Dear City Staff and PRC members, According to the summary minutes of the April 6th city council: “Councilmember Reckdahl requested that PRC study whether the City should prohibit the use of artificial turf in playgrounds and other non-athletic City facilities.” and City Manager Shikada stated “…the PRC would want to confer on what would be required to accommodate that within the upcoming year” However, staff seems to have interpreted this request differently. Instead of analyzing the possibility of banning synthetic surfaces, staff provided a list of criteria for using synthetic surfaces (as recommended by the sole stakeholder mentioned, the Magical Bridge Playground organization.) The staff report proposes very general guidelines and outlines a summary o pros and cons of various surfaces (see list below.) The report lists only one drawback to using engineered wood fiber--it requires ongoing maintenance. Ongoing maintenance is also required for synthetic surfaces but they have many additional drawbacks including these listed in the staff report: life cycle concerns, excessive heat, material composition, drainage, sanitation and environmental impacts. Material composition is not detailed in the staff report but the synthetic materials contain many toxic and carcinogenic chemicals with serious concerns to human health, especially small children in close contact with playground surfaces. Synthetic surfaces life cycle concerns include high cost to the city of repair and replacement and high cost to the planet as the material begins to break down and when it reaches the end of its life it is likely to be landfilled--making zero waste goals a distant hope for the city. Please ban synthetics in Palo Alto parks! Well maintained engineered wood fiber can provide accessibility and safety with only the need to occasionally rake and replenish the material. With the long list of drawbacks to synthetic materials, it seems easy to choose to ban these materials from city parks. Thank you, Claire Elliott Emeritus Senior Ecologist, Ventura neighborhood List of pros and cons in staff report for the various playground surfaces: • Engineered wood fiber: “can provide an effective and comparatively natural playground surface but requires ongoing maintenance and redistribution to maintain appropriate depth and accessibility.” • Poured-in-place (PIP) and bonded rubber surfaces: “provide firm and accessible surfaces and offer design flexibility, but also have maintenance, lifecycle, and environmental considerations. Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 150 Packet Pg. 234 of 248 28 • Synthetic turf: “can provide a consistent and accessible surface and may serve specific functional and aesthetic purposes within a playground; and other considerations include heat, maintenance, sanitation, material composition, drainage, environmental impacts, and eventual replacement. Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 151 Packet Pg. 235 of 248 29 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Saturday, September 19, 2026 8:13 PM To:Burt, Patrick; Reckdahl, Keith; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Vicki Veenker; bryna@changforcitycouncil.com; yudy4paloalto@gmail.com; brianhama@gmail.com; h.etzko@gmail.com; Dave Price; garygech@gmail.com; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; Sean Allen; Matt Schlegel; Gerry Gras; Dave Price; EPA Today; Braden Cartwright; Riley Cooke; Roberta Ahlquist; ParkRec Commission; district1@bos.sccgov.org; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Betty Duong; Anne Cribbs; Emily Mibach; Daniel Kottke; Reifschneider, James; Rebecca Kieler; Nancy Goodban; Bill Newell; Perron, Zachary; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Lu, George; Hoyt, George; Jasso, Tamara; Patrice Ventresca; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Council, City; City Attorney; city.council@gilroy.org; Reckdahl, Keith; Brandon Pho; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; yolanda; Yolanda Sena; Yolanda Conaway; HRW Silicon Valley; Friends of Cubberley; Josh Becker; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Palo Alto Renters' Association; Palo Alto Free Press; Brian Good; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; Bains, Paul; Board of Directors; Reifschneider, James; Zahra Billoo; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Goodell, Erin; Eric Diesel; Lotus Fong; Jeff Rosen; Sheree Roth; Gennady Sheyner; Jay Boyarsky; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Salem Ajluni; Jeff Hayden; Henry Etzkowitz; Dana St. George; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Preminger, Steve; Stephen Connolly; Steve Wagstaffe; Seanjames143@yahoo.com; Lewis james; Ann Ravel; Angel, David; Yusra Hussain; Holman, Karen (external); Kaloma Smith; karen hall; Diana Diamond; Dan Okonkwo; Raj Jayadev; Charisse Domingo; Jeff Conrad; Ari Tarver Subject:Re: Bryna Chang TikTok update 9-19-2026 CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Update: 9-19-2026: Please congratulate candidate Bryna Chang. Her vitriolic comments directed at the unhoused and RV dwellers have now brought much unwanted statewide attention to little Palo Alto. She has set both a new low with her racist comments —and now a new high with 31 thousand and counting views on TikTok, and many mocking comments about her not-so-stellar performance. Without her extraordinary efforts to remind folks of Palo Alto’s long history of housing segregation and vile racist policing—Palo Alto might have been able to fly under the radar for a bit. Her debate performance tonight -at the League of Women Voters —all though not worthy of another TikTok video—was less than underwhelming. C-. Just say NO to Bryna Chang for city council, Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 152 Packet Pg. 236 of 248 30 On Fri, Sep 18, 2026 at 11:14 AM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: The RV video featuring Raymond Goins's pointed laser-light attack on fellow city council candidate Bryna Chang has gone viral on TikTok, with over 13,000 views. Numerous positive comments praise Raymond for calling out Bryna Chang for her hurtful, hateful, and bigoted comments about Palo Alto’s RV residents. Congratulations Raymond for a job well done, Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James https://www.tiktok.com/@goins4council2026?_r=1&_t=ZT-99qEoG4dPjx Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 153 Packet Pg. 237 of 248 31 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, September 18, 2026 8:06 PM To:Burt, Patrick; Reckdahl, Keith; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Vicki Veenker; bryna@changforcitycouncil.com; yudy4paloalto@gmail.com; brianhama@gmail.com; h.etzko@gmail.com; Dave Price; garygech@gmail.com; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; Sean Allen; Matt Schlegel; Gerry Gras; Dave Price; EPA Today; Braden Cartwright; Riley Cooke; Roberta Ahlquist; ParkRec Commission; district1@bos.sccgov.org; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Betty Duong; Anne Cribbs; Emily Mibach; Daniel Kottke; Reifschneider, James; Rebecca Kieler; Nancy Goodban; Bill Newell; Perron, Zachary; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Lu, George; Hoyt, George; Jasso, Tamara; Patrice Ventresca; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Council, City; City Attorney; city.council@gilroy.org; Reckdahl, Keith; Brandon Pho; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; yolanda; Yolanda Sena; Yolanda Conaway; HRW Silicon Valley; Friends of Cubberley; Josh Becker; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Palo Alto Renters' Association; Palo Alto Free Press; Brian Good; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; Bains, Paul; Board of Directors; Reifschneider, James; Zahra Billoo; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Goodell, Erin; Eric Diesel; Lotus Fong; Jeff Rosen; Sheree Roth; Gennady Sheyner; Jay Boyarsky; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Salem Ajluni; Jeff Hayden; Henry Etzkowitz; Dana St. George; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Preminger, Steve; Stephen Connolly; Steve Wagstaffe; Seanjames143@yahoo.com; Lewis james; Ann Ravel; Angel, David; Yusra Hussain; Enberg, Nicholas; Goodell, Erin Subject:Re: goins4Change on TikTok CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. UPDATE The RV Video now has more than 21 thousand views. The comments were near 200 when I last checked and were beyond scathing, especially toward Bryna Chang's ugly and vile comments. Many expressed utter contempt for Ms. Chang, and it went down from there. To say the least, Bryna Chang is now a viral phenomenon. If you don't trust me, check the comments out yourself. Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James P.S. The other candidate, whose name I won't even mention, is an unmitigated embarrassment to my dad’s people. On Fri, Sep 18, 2026 at 11:14 AM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: The RV video featuring Raymond Goins's pointed laser-light attack on fellow city council candidate Bryna Chang has gone viral on TikTok, with over 13,000 views. Numerous positive comments praise Raymond for calling out Bryna Chang for her hurtful, hateful, and bigoted comments about Palo Alto’s RV residents. Congratulations Raymond for a job well done, Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 154 Packet Pg. 238 of 248 32 Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James https://www.tiktok.com/@goins4council2026?_r=1&_t=ZT-99qEoG4dPjx Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 155 Packet Pg. 239 of 248 33 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, September 18, 2026 11:15 AM To:Burt, Patrick; Reckdahl, Keith; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Vicki Veenker; bryna@changforcitycouncil.com; yudy4paloalto@gmail.com; brianhama@gmail.com; h.etzko@gmail.com; Dave Price; garygech@gmail.com; Human Relations Commission; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; Sean Allen; Matt Schlegel; Gerry Gras; Dave Price; EPA Today; Braden Cartwright; Riley Cooke; Roberta Ahlquist; ParkRec Commission; district1@bos.sccgov.org; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Betty Duong; Anne Cribbs; Emily Mibach; Daniel Kottke; Reifschneider, James; Rebecca Kieler; Nancy Goodban; Bill Newell; Perron, Zachary; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Lu, George; Hoyt, George; Jasso, Tamara; Patrice Ventresca; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Council, City; City Attorney; city.council@gilroy.org; Reckdahl, Keith; Brandon Pho; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; yolanda; Yolanda Sena; Yolanda Conaway; HRW Silicon Valley; Friends of Cubberley; Josh Becker; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Palo Alto Renters' Association; Palo Alto Free Press; Brian Good; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; Bains, Paul; Board of Directors; Reifschneider, James; Zahra Billoo; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Goodell, Erin; Eric Diesel; Lotus Fong; Jeff Rosen; Sheree Roth; Gennady Sheyner; Jay Boyarsky; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Salem Ajluni; Jeff Hayden; Henry Etzkowitz; Dana St. George; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Preminger, Steve; Stephen Connolly; Steve Wagstaffe; Seanjames143@yahoo.com; Lewis james; Ann Ravel; Angel, David; Yusra Hussain Subject:goins4Change on TikTok CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. The RV video featuring Raymond Goins's pointed laser-light attack on fellow city council candidate Bryna Chang has gone viral on TikTok, with over 13,000 views. Numerous positive comments praise Raymond for calling out Bryna Chang for her hurtful, hateful, and bigoted comments about Palo Alto’s RV residents. Congratulations Raymond for a job well done, Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James https://www.tiktok.com/@goins4council2026?_r=1&_t=ZT-99qEoG4dPjx Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 156 Packet Pg. 240 of 248 34 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, September 17, 2026 10:03 PM To:planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Kaloma Smith; Holman, Karen (external); Jose Valle; Board of Directors; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Palo Alto Free Press Subject:Watch "Raymond Goins responds to candidates Bryna Chang and Dr. Gary Gechlik disparaging poor people" on YouTube CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. https://youtube.com/shorts/fjY3rj5qq-I?is=gaiSUwFxWYJfuIzD Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 157 Packet Pg. 241 of 248 35 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, September 17, 2026 4:58 PM To:planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; Human Relations Commission; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; Enberg, Nicholas; Goodell, Erin; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Eric Diesel; Jensen, Eric; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Julie Ruhlin; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Preminger, Steve; Steven D. Lee; steven mcgill; Friends of Cubberley; supervisor.abe- koga@bos.sccgov.org; Board of Directors; Rowena Chiu; Lewis james; Roberta Ahlquist; sharon jackson; Susan Hayase; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; HRW Silicon Valley; Dave Price; Emily Mibach; Riley Cooke; Rick Callender; Richard Konda; Lotus Fong; Roberta Ahlquist; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Rosen; PD Kristina Bell; Daniel Kottke; Bill Newell; Nancy Goodban; Jim Lawrence; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Brandon Pho; Braden Cartwright; Diana Diamond; EPA Today; Anne Cribbs; cromero@cityofepa.org; Lee, Craig; Zelkha, Mila; Rodriguez, Miguel; Dana St. George; Gerry Gras; Jose Valle; Raj Jayadev; Ann Ravel; Charisse Domingo; Mora Oommen; Mohammed; Jennifer Morrow San José Spotlight; Gennady Sheyner; Richard Horning; Ruth Silver Taube; Malinsky, Jason; editor@paweekly.com; Yolanda Conaway; Reckdahl, Keith; Lauing, Ed; Stone, Greer; Vicki Veenker; Perron, Zachary; Carla Torres; Doug Fort; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Palo Alto Renters' Association; William Armaline; Rose Lynn; ParkRec Commission; dcombs@menlopark.org; Taylor, Cecilia; Rebecca Kieler; Shepherd, Nancy; Palo Alto Free Press; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; ladoris cordell; Kaloma Smith; Liz Kniss; Hans-Peter Tiemann; Ari Tarver; julie.ruhlin@oirgroup.con; Shikada, Ed; Burt, Patrick; Bains, Paul; Paul George @ PPJC; Sameena Usman; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Steve Wagstaffe; Jasso, Tamara Subject:Re: Raymond Goins Website check it out!! CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. https://www.goins4paloalto.com/ Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 158 Packet Pg. 242 of 248 36 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, September 16, 2026 2:44 PM To:Lauing, Ed; Vicki Veenker; sam.liccardo@gmail.com; Reckdahl, Keith; Stone, Greer; Sean Allen; DuJuan Green; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Josh Becker; Council, City; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Dave Price; Braden Cartwright; Emily Mibach; Human Relations Commission Subject:Coates 2014- The Case for Reparations CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Coates 2014- The Case for Reparations https://share.google/HFzYBDxUZyjcFQmdl Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 159 Packet Pg. 243 of 248 37 Vidal, Eric From:Francisco Valenzuela <fvalenzuela@sarc.org> Sent:Wednesday, September 16, 2026 12:51 PM To:Francisco Valenzuela Subject:Up-Coming Events for Service Providers / Organizations to Participate Attachments:October 1st.pdf; October 17th.pdf; Service Provider Resource Fairs.pdf; October 24th - Service Above Self Awards Dinner.pdf; Sponsorship Form for Disability Inclusion Day 2026.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. i This message needs your attention • You've never replied to this person. Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast Dear Friends, The following are opportunities for service providers, community-based organizations, city and county programs to be part of a San Andreas Regional Center sponsored event. Organizations will be able to host a Resource Table while sharing information with attendees about services offered by your organization. September 19th - Spanish Speaking Conference in San Jose has been Postponed – New Date Coming Soon Thursday, October 1st - 18th Annual Disability Awareness Day at San Jose City Hall: Disability Awareness Day goes from 10:00am to 1:00pm and is an opportunity for organizations to share information with well over 3,000 guests who attend. The event will include a resource fair, employment information, and entertainment by individuals with disabilities. Tables, chairs, and canopies will be provided for free. There are just a few spots left for organizations to participate. Registration closes at 5:00 pm on Wednesday, September 23rd. Event Registration Form Password: 2026did Saturday, October 17th - San Andreas Regional Center Filipino Conference at San Jose Office: This annual conference is for Filipino families who have a loved one with a developmental disability and will go from 10:00am to 2:00pm - Tables and chairs will be provided for free and be held in-doors. There are just a few spots left for organizations to participate. Register Here: Filipino_Conference_Registraton_Link Annual San Andreas Regional Center Resource Fairs: Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 160 Packet Pg. 244 of 248 38 These are not open to families or the public; they are simply in-house resource fairs for San Andreas staff to meet with organizations in the community who will have the opportunity to share information about services offered. These invaluable fairs set the foundation for or anization staff and San Andrea Staff the opportunity to build a professional relationship that can be beneficial for families being served. • Tables and chairs will be provided for free at each location. • We are not providing canopies for the Watsonville or Salinas locations. Thursday, October 15th at the San Andreas Watsonville Office: The Fair will be held in the parking lot with a few tables in the conference room. Space is limited so register your organizations before all spots fill up. Register: Register_Here_for_Watsonville Wednesday, October 28th at the San Andreas Salinas Office: The Fair will be held in the parking lot with a few tables in the conference room. Space is limited so register your organizations before all spots fill up. Register: Register_Here_for_Salinas Thursday, November 12th at the San Andreas San Jose Office: The Fair will be held in-doors. No canopies needed. Space is limited so register your organizations before all spots fill up. Register: Register_Here_for_san_Jose Saturday, October 24th - 28th Annual Service Above Self Awards Dinner: Table Sponsor: Register today to be a Table Sponsor and join us on October 24th for our 28th Annual Service Above Self Awards Dinner celebrating community excellence. Register_Here_for_Service_Above_Self_Awards_Dinner Each Year San Andreas Regional Center hosts the Service Above Self Awards Dinner to acknowledge individuals and organizations who have provided exemplary services to the developmental disability community. The dinner is a celebration of our community for going Above & Beyond in service to others. This year’s recipients will be recognized for their advocacy, dedication, endless support, and service to individuals with developmental disabilities. Please note, this is not a resource event simply an opportunity for service providers and organizations to attend an event celebrating our community. Awards will be presented in the following Categories: * Advocate of the Year (an individual with a developmental disability) * Community Resource of The Year (a non-profit organization) * Early Start Staff of the Year * Employee of the Year (an individual with a developmental disability) * Employer of the Year (a business who hires individuals with disabilities) * Independent Living Staff of the Year * Legislator of the Year * Residential Staff of the Year * Service Provider of the Year * Service Provider Support Staff of the Year * Special Education Teacher of the Year * Special Education Support Staff of the Year * Supported Living Staff of the Year * Supportive Employment Staff of The Year * Volunteer of the Year * Recognition of Merit Award Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 161 Packet Pg. 245 of 248 39 We look forward to seeing your organization at one of these up-coming San Andreas Regional Center sponsored events. Francisco Valenzuela Director of Government Affairs / Community Relations San Andreas Regional Center Mobile: 408-210-5663 Office: 408-341-3809 Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 162 Packet Pg. 246 of 248 43 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, September 15, 2026 10:55 PM To:Carla Torres Subject:https://url.usb.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/w5hKCp9DgYTxNX2NSPf22iGB4ry?domain=facebook.com CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1830241384816050/?fs=e&mibextid=wwXIfr&fs=e Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 163 Packet Pg. 247 of 248 44 Vidal, Eric From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, September 15, 2026 9:14 PM To:planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Human Relations Commission; Council, City; Dave Price; Braden Cartwright; Brandon Pho; Diana Diamond; EPA Today Subject:Re: Candidates disparage the poor—Raymond Goins strikes back CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. On Sat, Sep 12, 2026 at 12:51 AM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: Palo Alto City Council candidate Ray Goins responds to candidates Brynna Chang and Dr. Gary Gechlik disparaging poor people at the Future of Palo Alto Housing Forum co-hosted by Palo Alto Forward and SV@Home Action Fund. https://youtube.com/shorts/fjY3rj5qq-I?feature=share Item A Public Comments 09.15.26-09.21.26 Item A: Staff Report Pg. 164 Packet Pg. 248 of 248