HomeMy Public PortalAbout20210607plCC701-32
DOCUMENTS IN THIS PACKET INCLUDE:
LETTERS FROM CITIZENS TO THE
MAYOR OR CITY COUNCIL
RESPONSES FROM STAFF TO LETTERS FROM CITIZENS
ITEMS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
ITEMS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES AND AGENCIES
ITEMS FROM CITY, COUNTY, STATE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES
Prepared for: 06/07/2021
Document dates: 05/19/2021 – 05/26/2021
Set 1
Note: Documents for every category may not have been received for packet
reproduction in a given week.
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:egas1044@aol.com
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 6:42 PM
To:tom_reese@att.net; susancrafty316@gmail.com
Cc:Council, City; crescent-park-pa@googlegroups.com; bob@wenzlau.net; mbuch2938@gmail.com
Subject:Re: [CPNA] Meeting of May 24 - Agenda Item 7 - Objection to GreenWaste Contract
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
I applaud the effort to support a ethical and domestic recycling effort. Does anyone know if there are domestic recyclers which can handle the amount and type of recycling PA generates and what would the cost be? This has to be part of the discussion. Would everyone be willing to support such an effort if it meant a substantial increase in garbage fees we pay to the city? One should understand the unintended consequences of one's actions, including making others suffer or agreeing to an unlimited increase in costs to sustain such an effort. For some residents, cost is no object, for others it is a problem. Not to mention the environmental impact such as the carbon footprint one generates in recycling materials It seems to me you cannot have a discussion about recycling without understanding what the complete impact will be. As they say, the devil is in the details, not the concept. Eileen Skrabutenas
-----Original Message----- From: Tom Reese <tom_reese@att.net> To: Susan Craft <susancrafty316@gmail.com> Cc: City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; crescent-park-pa <crescent-park-pa@googlegroups.com>; Bob Wenzlau <bob@wenzlau.net>; Matt B <mbuch2938@gmail.com> Sent: Sun, May 23, 2021 6:00 pm Subject: Re: [CPNA] Meeting of May 24 - Agenda Item 7 - Objection to GreenWaste Contract
So who will pick up our garbage? Tom Rese
On May 23, 2021, at 5:55 PM, Susan Craft <susancrafty316@gmail.com> wrote: I also support Bob Wenzlau's position thatwe should not renew the contract with GreenWaste Recovery unless we can be certain that our recycling is not shipped overseas.
On Sat, May 22, 2021, 23:51 Matt B <mbuch2938@gmail.com> wrote: City Council:
I completely agree with Bob Wenzlau's objection to
renewing the GreenWaste Recovery contract unless we
2
can be assured that the city's recycling is processed
domestically and not simply shipped overseas.
We have the resources and safeguards to ensure that
these materials are recycled using the best available
practices. Shipping them to countries without those
resources and safeguards would be an abdication of our
environmental responsibility. The environmental
effects are far worse from a global perspective while
degrading the lives of the recipients of our waste.
Matt Buchwitz
Forest Avenue
Crescent Park
On Sat, May 22, 2021 at 11:48 AM Bob Wenzlau <bob@wenzlau.net> wrote: Neighbors, Perhaps I stick my nose under a few to many blankets, but the integrity of our recycling is very important to me. Council will be creating a new contract with GreenWaste, and I am trying to halt any shipment of our waste products overseas. In my opinion, these materials cause great harm into economies with limited environmental enforcement. It is better to tell GreenWaste to find domestic markets. I know this is not the issue of the day, but at the same time, I wanted to share this Contract is in front of Council on Monday. Bob
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Bob Wenzlau <bob@wenzlau.net> Date: Sat, May 22, 2021 at 11:23 AM Subject: Meeting of May 24 - Agenda Item 7 - Objection to GreenWaste Contract To: Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>
Council members, I object to the approval of the GreenWaste Recovery contract without provision to address and assure that our mixed paper and plastics do not go overseas. This issue has been raised as a comment to the Negative Declaration, a comment that was discounted by the consultant to allow the contract to proceed. GreenWaste has not addressed the question raised for several years by Staff and community about the disposition of waste materials shipped overseas. Palo Alto celebrates the recovery of these materials in our sustainability and compliance documents, but it is very likely these materials cause social and environmental impact. GreenWaste will claim that the materials are handled by brokers, and once in the hands of a broker, they cannot assure or control final disposition. Their reports on the fate of materials have been inadequate, and not shared with Council or the community. Staff reports have been anecdotal, and Council should ask where is the report that was promised by Staff to Council. This should be reviewed prior to contract approval.
3
We have a strong Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. However, there is a likelihood (we simply do not know) that the mixed waste paper and portions of our plastic wastes are burned, poorly disposed and cause climate impact as well as pollution. This has been well documented, and covered both by the Weekly, and international press. We chose not to calculate this impact in our S/CAP. The GreenWaste contract be amended to prohibit the shipment of any recovered waste products internationally. This would include mixed plastic pellets that are now created from our mixed plastics (we don't know where they go), and mixed or corrugated paper (likely sent to the Philippines or Vietnam). This fulfillment of this requirement should be documented by the contractor as a contract provision. While Staff disagrees that landfilling of mixed paper or plastic is preferable to sending overseas, I disagree. To hold our own wastes regionally rather than consign them to a ship internationally is ethically and likely environmentally superior. International transportation creates climate impact, and then disposing paper and plastics into economies with primitive environment standards and no enforcement. Imagine our plastic pellets being used as fuel - we simply do not know. This is a classic out-of-sight, out-of-mine escape of responsible environmental management. The Negative Declaration associated with my comments merely reflected the importance to staff to obtain a contract, and much more effort was placed with a consultant arriving at a rationale to discount the concern than working with GreenWaste to implement a reasonable policy and contract requirement. I urge the Council to direct Staff to adjust the contract to reflect no international shipments of Palo Alto's solid waste. This contract does not begin until January 2022, there is time to get these policies inserted. Thank you for considering my comments to the GreenWaste contract. Bob -- Bob Wenzlau bob@wenzlau.net 650-248-4467 -- Bob Wenzlau bob@wenzlau.net 650-248-4467 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Crescent Park PA" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to crescent-park-pa+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crescent-park-pa/CAGEuHN66AFuBLNGMf_YxibQ-qUzvo4u%3DwAOKpzHOztg0P8sb_w%40mail.gmail.com. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Crescent Park PA" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to crescent-park-pa+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
4
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crescent-park-pa/CAFRdr5w4SVyha72-%3DX87776hd_DC0SVX3CEE9D3T4xsbDcEj4A%40mail.gmail.com. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Crescent Park PA" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to crescent-park-pa+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crescent-park-pa/CACOA4-U8cRHvRVsTrBKmV6Anib6mVENnaksbWKcDoDGji2A5HA%40mail.gmail.com.
-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Crescent Park PA" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to crescent-park-pa+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crescent-park-pa/7D1665E5-9752-4C97-8914-0D14F1DA9750%40att.net.
I ________ _
5
Baumb, Nelly
From:Tom Reese <tom_reese@att.net>
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 6:01 PM
To:Susan Craft
Cc:Council, City; crescent-park-pa; Bob Wenzlau; Matt B
Subject:Re: [CPNA] Meeting of May 24 - Agenda Item 7 - Objection to GreenWaste Contract
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
So who will pick up our garbage?
Tom Rese
On May 23, 2021, at 5:55 PM, Susan Craft <susancrafty316@gmail.com> wrote:
I also support Bob Wenzlau's position thatwe should not renew the contract with GreenWaste Recovery
unless we can be certain that our recycling is not shipped overseas.
On Sat, May 22, 2021, 23:51 Matt B <mbuch2938@gmail.com> wrote:
City Council:
I completely agree with Bob Wenzlau's objection to renewing
the GreenWaste Recovery contract unless we can be assured
that the city's recycling is processed domestically and not
simply shipped overseas.
We have the resources and safeguards to ensure that these
materials are recycled using the best available
practices. Shipping them to countries without those resources
and safeguards would be an abdication of our environmental
responsibility. The environmental effects are far worse from a
global perspective while degrading the lives of the recipients of
our waste.
Matt Buchwitz
6
Forest Avenue
Crescent Park
On Sat, May 22, 2021 at 11:48 AM Bob Wenzlau <bob@wenzlau.net> wrote:
Neighbors,
Perhaps I stick my nose under a few to many blankets, but the integrity of our recycling is very
important to me. Council will be creating a new contract with GreenWaste, and I am trying to halt any
shipment of our waste products overseas. In my opinion, these materials cause great harm into
economies with limited environmental enforcement. It is better to tell GreenWaste to find domestic
markets. I know this is not the issue of the day, but at the same time, I wanted to share this Contract
is in front of Council on Monday.
Bob
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Bob Wenzlau <bob@wenzlau.net>
Date: Sat, May 22, 2021 at 11:23 AM
Subject: Meeting of May 24 ‐ Agenda Item 7 ‐ Objection to GreenWaste Contract
To: Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>
Council members,
I object to the approval of the GreenWaste Recovery contract without provision to address and assure
that our mixed paper and plastics do not go overseas. This issue has been raised as a comment to the
Negative Declaration, a comment that was discounted by the consultant to allow the contract to
proceed.
GreenWaste has not addressed the question raised for several years by Staff and community about
the disposition of waste materials shipped overseas. Palo Alto celebrates the recovery of these
materials in our sustainability and compliance documents, but it is very likely these materials cause
social and environmental impact. GreenWaste will claim that the materials are handled by brokers,
and once in the hands of a broker, they cannot assure or control final disposition. Their reports on the
fate of materials have been inadequate, and not shared with Council or the community. Staff reports
have been anecdotal, and Council should ask where is the report that was promised by Staff to
Council. This should be reviewed prior to contract approval.
We have a strong Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. However, there is a likelihood (we simply do
not know) that the mixed waste paper and portions of our plastic wastes are burned, poorly disposed
and cause climate impact as well as pollution. This has been well documented, and covered both by
the Weekly, and international press. We chose not to calculate this impact in our S/CAP.
The GreenWaste contract be amended to prohibit the shipment of any recovered waste products
internationally. This would include mixed plastic pellets that are now created from our mixed plastics
(we don't know where they go), and mixed or corrugated paper (likely sent to the Philippines or
Vietnam). This fulfillment of this requirement should be documented by the contractor as a contract
provision.
While Staff disagrees that landfilling of mixed paper or plastic is preferable to sending overseas, I
disagree. To hold our own wastes regionally rather than consign them to a ship internationally is
ethically and likely environmentally superior. International transportation creates climate impact,
7
and then disposing paper and plastics into economies with primitive environment standards and no
enforcement. Imagine our plastic pellets being used as fuel ‐ we simply do not know. This is a classic
out‐of‐sight, out‐of‐mine escape of responsible environmental management.
The Negative Declaration associated with my comments merely reflected the importance to staff to
obtain a contract, and much more effort was placed with a consultant arriving at a rationale to
discount the concern than working with GreenWaste to implement a reasonable policy and contract
requirement.
I urge the Council to direct Staff to adjust the contract to reflect no international shipments of Palo
Alto's solid waste. This contract does not begin until January 2022, there is time to get these policies
inserted.
Thank you for considering my comments to the GreenWaste contract.
Bob
‐‐
Bob Wenzlau
bob@wenzlau.net
650‐248‐4467
‐‐
Bob Wenzlau
bob@wenzlau.net
650‐248‐4467
‐‐
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Crescent Park PA"
group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to crescent‐park‐
pa+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crescent‐park‐
pa/CAGEuHN66AFuBLNGMf_YxibQ‐qUzvo4u%3DwAOKpzHOztg0P8sb_w%40mail.gmail.com.
‐‐
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Crescent Park PA" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to crescent‐park‐
pa+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crescent‐park‐
pa/CAFRdr5w4SVyha72‐%3DX87776hd_DC0SVX3CEE9D3T4xsbDcEj4A%40mail.gmail.com.
‐‐
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Crescent Park PA" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to crescent‐park‐
pa+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
8
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crescent‐park‐pa/CACOA4‐
U8cRHvRVsTrBKmV6Anib6mVENnaksbWKcDoDGji2A5HA%40mail.gmail.com.
9
Baumb, Nelly
From:Susan Craft <susancrafty316@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 5:55 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:crescent-park-pa; Bob Wenzlau; Matt B
Subject:Re: [CPNA] Fwd: Meeting of May 24 - Agenda Item 7 - Objection to GreenWaste Contract
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
I also support Bob Wenzlau's position thatwe should not renew the contract with GreenWaste Recovery unless we can
be certain that our recycling is not shipped overseas.
On Sat, May 22, 2021, 23:51 Matt B <mbuch2938@gmail.com> wrote:
City Council:
I completely agree with Bob Wenzlau's objection to renewing the
GreenWaste Recovery contract unless we can be assured that the city's
recycling is processed domestically and not simply shipped overseas.
We have the resources and safeguards to ensure that these materials
are recycled using the best available practices. Shipping them to
countries without those resources and safeguards would be an
abdication of our environmental responsibility. The environmental
effects are far worse from a global perspective while degrading the lives
of the recipients of our waste.
Matt Buchwitz
Forest Avenue
Crescent Park
On Sat, May 22, 2021 at 11:48 AM Bob Wenzlau <bob@wenzlau.net> wrote:
Neighbors,
Perhaps I stick my nose under a few to many blankets, but the integrity of our recycling is very important to
me. Council will be creating a new contract with GreenWaste, and I am trying to halt any shipment of our waste
products overseas. In my opinion, these materials cause great harm into economies with limited environmental
enforcement. It is better to tell GreenWaste to find domestic markets. I know this is not the issue of the day, but at
the same time, I wanted to share this Contract is in front of Council on Monday.
10
Bob
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Bob Wenzlau <bob@wenzlau.net>
Date: Sat, May 22, 2021 at 11:23 AM
Subject: Meeting of May 24 ‐ Agenda Item 7 ‐ Objection to GreenWaste Contract
To: Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>
Council members,
I object to the approval of the GreenWaste Recovery contract without provision to address and assure that our mixed
paper and plastics do not go overseas. This issue has been raised as a comment to the Negative Declaration, a
comment that was discounted by the consultant to allow the contract to proceed.
GreenWaste has not addressed the question raised for several years by Staff and community about the disposition of
waste materials shipped overseas. Palo Alto celebrates the recovery of these materials in our sustainability and
compliance documents, but it is very likely these materials cause social and environmental impact. GreenWaste will
claim that the materials are handled by brokers, and once in the hands of a broker, they cannot assure or control final
disposition. Their reports on the fate of materials have been inadequate, and not shared with Council or the
community. Staff reports have been anecdotal, and Council should ask where is the report that was promised by Staff
to Council. This should be reviewed prior to contract approval.
We have a strong Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. However, there is a likelihood (we simply do not know) that
the mixed waste paper and portions of our plastic wastes are burned, poorly disposed and cause climate impact as
well as pollution. This has been well documented, and covered both by the Weekly, and international press. We chose
not to calculate this impact in our S/CAP.
The GreenWaste contract be amended to prohibit the shipment of any recovered waste products
internationally. This would include mixed plastic pellets that are now created from our mixed plastics (we don't know
where they go), and mixed or corrugated paper (likely sent to the Philippines or Vietnam). This fulfillment of this
requirement should be documented by the contractor as a contract provision.
While Staff disagrees that landfilling of mixed paper or plastic is preferable to sending overseas, I disagree. To hold
our own wastes regionally rather than consign them to a ship internationally is ethically and likely environmentally
superior. International transportation creates climate impact, and then disposing paper and plastics into economies
with primitive environment standards and no enforcement. Imagine our plastic pellets being used as fuel ‐ we simply
do not know. This is a classic out‐of‐sight, out‐of‐mine escape of responsible environmental management.
The Negative Declaration associated with my comments merely reflected the importance to staff to obtain a contract,
and much more effort was placed with a consultant arriving at a rationale to discount the concern than working with
GreenWaste to implement a reasonable policy and contract requirement.
I urge the Council to direct Staff to adjust the contract to reflect no international shipments of Palo Alto's solid
waste. This contract does not begin until January 2022, there is time to get these policies inserted.
Thank you for considering my comments to the GreenWaste contract.
Bob
11
‐‐
Bob Wenzlau
bob@wenzlau.net
650‐248‐4467
‐‐
Bob Wenzlau
bob@wenzlau.net
650‐248‐4467
‐‐
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Crescent Park PA" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to crescent‐park‐
pa+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crescent‐park‐
pa/CAGEuHN66AFuBLNGMf_YxibQ‐qUzvo4u%3DwAOKpzHOztg0P8sb_w%40mail.gmail.com.
‐‐
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Crescent Park PA" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to crescent‐park‐
pa+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crescent‐park‐pa/CAFRdr5w4SVyha72‐
%3DX87776hd_DC0SVX3CEE9D3T4xsbDcEj4A%40mail.gmail.com.
12
Baumb, Nelly
From:herb <herb_borock@hotmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 5:19 PM
To:Council, City; Clerk, City
Subject:May 24, 2021 Council Meeting, Item #7: Greenwaste Contract
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Herb Borock
P. O. Box 632
Palo Alto, CA 94302
May 23, 2021
Palo Alto City Council
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
MAY 24, 2021 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AGENDA ITEM #7
CONTRACT WITH GREENWASTE RECOVERY, INC.
Dear City Council:
I recall that the current contract with Greenwaste includes a lease that
ends this year for a portion of the former Los Altos Treatment Plant
(LATP) on San Antonio Road that is used as a storage and transfer
location.
Will Greenwaste continue to use the LATP as part of the proposed
contract? If so, should there be a separate agreement and approval for
that purpose? If not, when does Greenwaste have to vacate the LATP?
Thank you for your consideration of these comments.
Sincerely,
Herb Borock
13
Baumb, Nelly
From:Trish Mulvey <mulvey@ix.netcom.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 3:07 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:City Mgr; Eggleston, Brad; Bob Wenzlau
Subject:Objection to GreenWaste Contract - Agenda Item 7 on May 24. 2021
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mayor DuBois and Honorable City Council:
Please stop GreeenWaste Recovery’s ongoing hand‐wringing and charade over community
concerns about international export of Palo Alto solid waste – as noted by Bob Wenzlau in his
letter to you on this topic:
“GreenWaste will claim that the materials are handled by brokers, and once in the hands of a broker,
they cannot assure or control final disposition. Their reports on the fate of materials have been inadequate, and not shared with Council or the community. Staff reports have been anecdotal, and Council should ask where is the report that was promised by Staff to Council. This should be reviewed prior to contract approval.”
In spite of their “GreenWaste Recovery” name, GreenWaste has made the same excuses about
this problem for years. It is long past time for the City Council to walk the talk about
sustainability and reestablish our leadership role in providing environmentally and social
responsible solid waste management.
Please direct staff to investigate best practices and contract specifications for domestic
recovery, management and disposal of solid waste, and incorporate them in the next
GreenWaste contract before it is approved. Please ensure that solid waste generated in Palo
Alto stays in this country for reuse, recycling and socially‐responsible disposal.
Respectfully yours,
Trish Mulvey
Rhodes Drive, Palo Alto
14
Baumb, Nelly
From:Carol A.Munch <camunch@comcast.net>
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 1:57 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Objection to GreenWaste contract
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Dear City Council,
In the interest of ensuring that we do not further contribute to unnecessary use of fossil fuel to remove our waste plastic
and mixed paper by sending it abroad I agree with Bob Wenzlau’s letter that there should be a provision in the contract
with GreenWaste stating that the waste be recycled in our country where we have resources to recycle it. We should
not saddle other, less affluent, countries with our waste!
Sincerely,
Carol A. Munch, M.D.
Hamilton Avenue
15
Baumb, Nelly
From:J. Robert Taylor <btaylor@taylorproperties.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 1:18 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:GreenWaste Contract
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council:
Do not allow GreenWaste to off‐haul recyclables to any foreign country (this includes, plastics, cardboard, paper, glass,
metal, etc) without verifiable tracing that shows the following:
1. That the materials are actually recycled in a manner that does not consume more energy than it cost to produce the
item in the first place (to include carbon consumed in transportation of materials) and/or create hazardous waste in
some other place;
2.That the net impact of paying for the recycling is better that investing the same money in some other manner to
reduce solid waste and recycle locally;
3. That the tracing includes end to end verifiable tracking of materials that leave Palo Alto and then are recycled into
other materials.
If we believe we are all living on one planet that must be preserved and cared for, then simply shifting ecological
damage from one place to another is shameful just because we can afford to do so.
End all "faux" recycling that appears to make you look good while all the time is doing more harm to the planet.
If there are verifiable benefits then there needs to be a lot more transparent disclosure so that there is a higher degree
of compliance. We get inserts in utility bills but none that I am aware of have ever shown what is happening to the
"recycling" we diligently put in Blue Bins.
I can't help but think that the lack of transparency is due to a total lack of any clue of what happens to the "recycling"
once it leaves the smart station.
The only way to change purchasing habits is for the consumers and manufacturers to understand that items they are
"recycling" are not actually recycled but are creating hazardous solid waste that contributes to greenhouse gas
emissions. Those items that are effectively recycled should receive attention and more awareness in city publications.
It cannot be that hard.
Sincerely,
Bob Taylor
480 Marlowe St.
Palo Alto
17
Baumb, Nelly
From:Matt B <mbuch2938@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 22, 2021 11:52 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:crescent-park-pa; Bob Wenzlau
Subject:Re: [CPNA] Fwd: Meeting of May 24 - Agenda Item 7 - Objection to GreenWaste Contract
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
City Council:
I completely agree with Bob Wenzlau's objection to renewing the
GreenWaste Recovery contract unless we can be assured that the city's
recycling is processed domestically and not simply shipped overseas.
We have the resources and safeguards to ensure that these materials are
recycled using the best available practices. Shipping them to countries
without those resources and safeguards would be an abdication of our
environmental responsibility. The environmental effects are far worse
from a global perspective while degrading the lives of the recipients of
our waste.
Matt Buchwitz
Forest Avenue
Crescent Park
On Sat, May 22, 2021 at 11:48 AM Bob Wenzlau <bob@wenzlau.net> wrote:
Neighbors,
Perhaps I stick my nose under a few to many blankets, but the integrity of our recycling is very important to
me. Council will be creating a new contract with GreenWaste, and I am trying to halt any shipment of our waste
products overseas. In my opinion, these materials cause great harm into economies with limited environmental
enforcement. It is better to tell GreenWaste to find domestic markets. I know this is not the issue of the day, but at
the same time, I wanted to share this Contract is in front of Council on Monday.
Bob
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Bob Wenzlau <bob@wenzlau.net>
18
Date: Sat, May 22, 2021 at 11:23 AM
Subject: Meeting of May 24 ‐ Agenda Item 7 ‐ Objection to GreenWaste Contract
To: Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>
Council members,
I object to the approval of the GreenWaste Recovery contract without provision to address and assure that our mixed
paper and plastics do not go overseas. This issue has been raised as a comment to the Negative Declaration, a
comment that was discounted by the consultant to allow the contract to proceed.
GreenWaste has not addressed the question raised for several years by Staff and community about the disposition of
waste materials shipped overseas. Palo Alto celebrates the recovery of these materials in our sustainability and
compliance documents, but it is very likely these materials cause social and environmental impact. GreenWaste will
claim that the materials are handled by brokers, and once in the hands of a broker, they cannot assure or control final
disposition. Their reports on the fate of materials have been inadequate, and not shared with Council or the
community. Staff reports have been anecdotal, and Council should ask where is the report that was promised by Staff
to Council. This should be reviewed prior to contract approval.
We have a strong Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. However, there is a likelihood (we simply do not know) that
the mixed waste paper and portions of our plastic wastes are burned, poorly disposed and cause climate impact as well
as pollution. This has been well documented, and covered both by the Weekly, and international press. We chose not
to calculate this impact in our S/CAP.
The GreenWaste contract be amended to prohibit the shipment of any recovered waste products
internationally. This would include mixed plastic pellets that are now created from our mixed plastics (we don't know
where they go), and mixed or corrugated paper (likely sent to the Philippines or Vietnam). This fulfillment of this
requirement should be documented by the contractor as a contract provision.
While Staff disagrees that landfilling of mixed paper or plastic is preferable to sending overseas, I disagree. To hold our
own wastes regionally rather than consign them to a ship internationally is ethically and likely environmentally
superior. International transportation creates climate impact, and then disposing paper and plastics into economies
with primitive environment standards and no enforcement. Imagine our plastic pellets being used as fuel ‐ we simply
do not know. This is a classic out‐of‐sight, out‐of‐mine escape of responsible environmental management.
The Negative Declaration associated with my comments merely reflected the importance to staff to obtain a contract,
and much more effort was placed with a consultant arriving at a rationale to discount the concern than working with
GreenWaste to implement a reasonable policy and contract requirement.
I urge the Council to direct Staff to adjust the contract to reflect no international shipments of Palo Alto's solid
waste. This contract does not begin until January 2022, there is time to get these policies inserted.
Thank you for considering my comments to the GreenWaste contract.
Bob
‐‐
Bob Wenzlau
19
bob@wenzlau.net
650‐248‐4467
‐‐
Bob Wenzlau
bob@wenzlau.net
650‐248‐4467
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20
Baumb, Nelly
From:Bob Wenzlau <bob@wenzlau.net>
Sent:Saturday, May 22, 2021 11:24 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Meeting of May 24 - Agenda Item 7 - Objection to GreenWaste Contract
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Council members,
I object to the approval of the GreenWaste Recovery contract without provision to address and assure that our mixed
paper and plastics do not go overseas. This issue has been raised as a comment to the Negative Declaration, a
comment that was discounted by the consultant to allow the contract to proceed.
GreenWaste has not addressed the question raised for several years by Staff and community about the disposition of
waste materials shipped overseas. Palo Alto celebrates the recovery of these materials in our sustainability and
compliance documents, but it is very likely these materials cause social and environmental impact. GreenWaste will
claim that the materials are handled by brokers, and once in the hands of a broker, they cannot assure or control final
disposition. Their reports on the fate of materials have been inadequate, and not shared with Council or the
community. Staff reports have been anecdotal, and Council should ask where is the report that was promised by Staff to
Council. This should be reviewed prior to contract approval.
We have a strong Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. However, there is a likelihood (we simply do not know) that
the mixed waste paper and portions of our plastic wastes are burned, poorly disposed and cause climate impact as well
as pollution. This has been well documented, and covered both by the Weekly, and international press. We chose not to
calculate this impact in our S/CAP.
The GreenWaste contract be amended to prohibit the shipment of any recovered waste products internationally. This
would include mixed plastic pellets that are now created from our mixed plastics (we don't know where they go), and
mixed or corrugated paper (likely sent to the Philippines or Vietnam). This fulfillment of this requirement should be
documented by the contractor as a contract provision.
While Staff disagrees that landfilling of mixed paper or plastic is preferable to sending overseas, I disagree. To hold our
own wastes regionally rather than consign them to a ship internationally is ethically and likely environmentally
superior. International transportation creates climate impact, and then disposing paper and plastics into economies
with primitive environment standards and no enforcement. Imagine our plastic pellets being used as fuel ‐ we simply do
not know. This is a classic out‐of‐sight, out‐of‐mine escape of responsible environmental management.
The Negative Declaration associated with my comments merely reflected the importance to staff to obtain a contract,
and much more effort was placed with a consultant arriving at a rationale to discount the concern than working with
GreenWaste to implement a reasonable policy and contract requirement.
I urge the Council to direct Staff to adjust the contract to reflect no international shipments of Palo Alto's solid
waste. This contract does not begin until January 2022, there is time to get these policies inserted.
Thank you for considering my comments to the GreenWaste contract.
Bob
21
‐‐
Bob Wenzlau
bob@wenzlau.net
650‐248‐4467
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:herb <herb_borock@hotmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 7:42 PM
To:Council, City; Clerk, City
Subject:May 24, 2021 Council Meeting, Item #8: Fiber Network Expansion and FTTP
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Herb Borock
P. O. Box 632
Palo Alto, CA 94302
May 23, 2021
Palo Alto City Council
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
MAY 24, 2021 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AGENDA ITEM #8
FIBER NETWORK EXPANSION PLAN AND FIBER-TO-THE-HOME (FTTH)
Dear City Council:
I urge you to reject the staff recommended strategy that would construct a
Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) project one neighborhood at a time, and that
relies on the income from earliest built neighborhoods to finance later
built neighborhoods.
We know from past Council actions regarding undergrounding electric
utilities, rebuilding already undergrounded neighborhoods, and sidewalk
reconstruction standards that only some neighborhoods would get FTTH,
while the other neighborhoods would be promised FTTH would be built in
those neighborhoods in the future but FTTH would never be built in those
neighborhoods.
Some neighborhoods have had their underground electric utilities paid for
by all rate payers, but now other neighborhoods may never get underground
electric utilities and would have to pay for them instead of them being
paid for by the Electric Fund.
Neighborhoods have had their scheduled undergrounding postponed to permit
already undergrounded neighborhoods to be rebuilt.
2
The first neighborhoods to be rebuilt have had electric equipment like
transformers placed underground, but subsequent rebuilds have required
that equipment be placed above ground.
The first neighborhoods had their sidewalks reconstructed to adopted
standards, while later neighborhoods were reconstructed to a lower
standard and promised they would later be rebuilt to the higher standard,
but a later City Council decided to break that promise.
If you don't identify now the source of all income to build FTTH citywide,
then FTTH will come to only some selected neighborhoods.
Funding Sources for Fiber-to-the-Home
The entire funding for a citywide FTTH project should come from the Fiber
Reserves plus a non-recourse revenue bond backed by the income of both the
FTTH project and the Dark Fiber Fund.
Local advocates who want FTTH are the most likely investors for such
revenue bonds.
City Role in FTTH; Network Operator; and Internet Service Provider
In 2006, staff said, "Staff believes, due to regulatory and other
concerns, it would be advisable to own only the dark fiber." (See
CMR:299:06, pages 2 and 3.)
The City should own and control the FTTH network and hire a contractor to
be the Network Operator.
The City itself should not be an Internet Service Provider.
The Network Operator could be an Internet Service Provider (ISP), but the
FTTH network should be open to other ISPs.
Companies like AT&T and Comcast want to own and control an integrated
business including content, operation, and the physical network that other
providers are prevented from using, which allows the various parts of the
business to cross-subsidize each other.
If the City's contracted Network Operator is also an ISP, it will be
important to unbundle the costs attributed to those two functions to
permit other ISPs to access the FTTH network on a non-discriminatory
basis.
If the City FTTH network truly serves all neighborhoods, and potential
customers can connect to the network at any time just as they can connect
to the City's other utilities, rather than just during a small window of
time, then it would be justified for the Dark Fiber Fund to create a
3
special fee for the FTTH network to pay only the depreciation rate for the
dark fiber used based on the fiber's 30-year useful life, and pay only the
same cost that City departments pay for attaching equipment that are
expensed if the value is up to $5,000, and depreciated over 5 years for
higher amounts.
Network Architecture
It is still possible to decide on the architecture of the FTTH network
before building out the dark fiber network.
There are three possible network architectures that I am aware of.
Point-to-point Ethernet gives each customer a dedicated path with a fixed
symmetrical bandwidth.
Passive optical network saves on capital expenses and operating expenses,
and also does not need any active equipment along the network, but
requires customers to share bandwidth that leads to data speeds that vary
based on how many customers are using a shared access point, and that
often has much lower upload speeds than download speeds.
Passive optical network plus wave division multiplexing would enable all
customers to have a fixed symmetrical bandwidth by having the active
equipment (lasers) at the headend while taking advantage of the cheaper
construction costs of the passive optical network.
It is more complicated to make the decision on network architecture after
building out the dark fiber network as recommended by staff and the UAC,
then it would be if the network architecture is chosen first.
Conflicts of Interest
City officials who have potential conflicts of interests are prohibited
from participating in decisions that have a foreseeable material financial
effect on their sources of income or investments.
During past City Council actions on fiber-related agenda items, former
Council Members Kleinberg, Mossar, Morton, and Ojakian recused themselves
due to stock ownership in AT&T, Comcast, SBC, and Verizon, and also due to
Kleinberg's source of income from Google. (For example, see Finance
Committee minutes for 7/18/2006 item #4; and City Council minutes for
3/5/2007 item #12; 6/18/2007 item #12; 7/9/2007 item #12; and 7/14/2008
item #11.)
Former Mayor Yoriko Kishimoto sold her Apple stock so that she could
participate in fiber matters.
4
Former Senior Management Analyst Jim Fleming who served as the subject
matter expert for the Fiber Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) owned AT%T
stock but participated in many Council meetings on fiber.
Current Utilities Strategic Business Manager David Yuan owns stock in both
Apple and Google but participated in the subject of this agenda item.
Six of the seven Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) members who
participated in making the recommendation that is the subject of this
agenda item have investments that could be impacted by their
recommendation and, therefore, create a conflict.
Commissioner Danaher has investments in Apple, Comcast, Google, and
Verizon.
Commissioner Forssell has an investment in Apple.
Commissioner Jackson has investments in Apple, AT&T, and Comcast.
Commissioner Johnston has investments in Alphabet, Apple, and AT&T.
Commissioner Segal has an investment in Apple.
Commissioner Smith has investments in Apple and Google.
I also note that Commissioners Jackson and Johnston have investments in
Danaher Corporation that indicate they should not have participated in the
election for UAC Chair when Commissioner Danaher was a candidate for
Chair.
When Google paused its fiber project and was unwilling to pay for the
infrastructure to enable it to have a wireless home Internet access, both
Jim Fleming and then Director of Information Services Jonathan Reichenthal
said at a Fiber CAC meeting that the City's current path of building out
the City's fiber backbone into neighborhoods would be a perfect match for
a Google wireless Internet business.
The most direct argument against my concern about potential conflicts of
interest regarding this agenda item would be an assertion that it is not
foreseeable that the City will be able to build a citywide FTTH project
based on the recommendation before you.
However, if you believe that you have a feasible proposal before you, then
I believe Mayor Dubois and Council Member Cormack should not participate
in this agenda item.
Mayor Dubois has investments in Apple, NextLevel Networks, and Google.
Council Member Cormack has investments in Alphabet, Apple, and Comcast.
Thank you for your consideration of these comments.
5
Sincerely,
Herb Borock
6
Baumb, Nelly
From:Don Jackson <dcj@clark-communications.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 8:35 AM
To:Council, City; DuBois, Tom; city.clerk@cityofpaloalto.com
Cc:UAC; Minor, Beth; Batchelor, Dean
Subject:Slides to accompany my (planned) public input for Council 5/24 meeting, Agenda item 8, "Review of
the Fiber Network Expansion Plan and Fiber-to-the-Home"
Attachments:Council-Fiber-Options-Summary.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Honorable Council Members,
Attached please find 6 slides to accompany public comments I plan to make re the Fiber agenda item at the 5/24 Council
meeting.
If I am selected to speak on this item, I request that these slides be screen‐shared with all participants during my alloted
time, either by a member of Staff (or I’m happy to do so, if given screensharing privledges)
Respecfully,
Don Jackson
Fiber Options Reviewed by UAC
I am Don Jackson, UAC Commissioner (term ending 5/31/21), also
member of UAC Budget Subcommittee in 2021
(which met with Utility Staff and Magellan several times in preparation
for the UAC agenda review of Fiber), so I’ve spent several full work-
weeks this year contributing to this effort
The following two slides summarize the:
•Fiber projects: Expansion and FTTH
•FTTH operating models
•FTTH funding alternatives
considered at the UAC meeting on April 21, 2021
CPAU Dark-Fiber Expansion $22-28M –Needed to support FTTH, and update to existing network
(or Borrow)
Summary of
UAC considered
•Fiber projects
•FTTH operating models
•FTTH financing alternatives
CPAU Dark-Fiber Expansion $22-28M –Needed to support
FTTH, and update to existing network
CPAU Dark-Fiber Expansion $22-28M –Needed to support
FTTH, and update to existing network
CPAU Dark-Fiber Expansion $22-28M –Needed to support FTTH, and update to existing network
(or Borrow)
Summary of
UAC Recommendations re:
•Fiber projects
•FTTH operating models
•FTTH financing alternatives
Fiber FAQs
Jackson’s personal opinions, NOT discussed at UAC
Question: Will the City also need to provide television service in order
to provide a competitive Internet product?
Opinion: No.
The clear long-term trend is for content owners (NFL, MLB, NBA, HBO,
etc.) to provide subscription-based access direct-to-consumers via the
Internet. Some residents will choose to continue to subscribe to Cable
TV, and possibly also continue with (bundled) cable-provided Internet
service, but this should not prove to be a long-term obstacle to a City
Internet-only service
Fiber FAQs -continued
Jackson’s personal opinions, NOT discussed at UAC
Question: Will the City also need to provide telephone service in order
to provide a competitive Internet product?
Opinion: No.
Conventional landline telephone service is dying.
Many people chose to use mobile telephone service exclusively
For residents and businesses that want non-mobile telephone service,
there are numerous Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) providers,
Vonage and RingCentral are two examples.
Fiber Financial Viability
Jackson’s personal opinions, NOT discussed at UAC
•Why is an Internet utility being held to a profitability standard?
•How profitable are our streets/roads?•How profitable will the new $100+M public safety building be?•How profitable are our libraries? (~ $8M/year ?)
•Obviously, we must understand and accept the potential costs, which are estimated in the Staff/Magellan report
•That being said: with reasonably conservative estimates,it appears a FTTH service should be cash-flow positive in about 10 years
•Municipal high-speed broadband Internet:•Is financially viable•Will provide essential economic and quality-of-life benefits•Supports our decarbonization goals by reducing the need for commuting and car travel•Remote work supported by Internet service “saved us” during the COVID-19 pandemic, and
highlighted the need for high-speed, symmetric broadband servjce
7
Baumb, Nelly
From:Hamilton Hitchings <hitchingsh@yahoo.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 22, 2021 2:11 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:Shikada, Ed
Subject:Please do not approve City's Fiber To The Home proposal
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Please do not approve the City’s Fiber To The Home (FTTH) proposal. For the following reasons:
AT&T and Comcast already provide fast, reliable and cost-effective service including Fiber
While some neighborhoods are not yet covered by Fiber, both AT&T and Comcast are rapidly building out their capacity and AT&T plans to cover the whole city
Both companies are improving their offerings quite rapidly and will continue to do so, making comparisons to past offerings outdated
It is unlikely that the City Utilities will be able to offer competitive pricing and speed and also be
profitable
It will result in an overbuild likely making AT&T, Comcast and especially the City unprofitable
Today, almost every resident household already has Comcast or AT&T and can trivially upgrade to
faster service with the same provider if they want. To get customers to switch the City’s offering it must be substantially better / cheaper.
Furthermore both AT&T and Comcast can bundle cable and phone service offering deeper discounts,
which the city cannot do.
The City is proposing a City ISP model with a $85 million capital expenditure with the assumption they get an average 32% take rate, but what if the service only gets a 10% or 20% average take rate?
The debt financing is very risky because it assumes the service will be competitive but if not could lower our credit rating for future infrastructure projects.
If the City’s Fiber service is not profitable it will drain millions a year from the utilities requiring all utilities
customers (not just fiber users) to subsidize it and will not be able to invest in upgrades to keep the service competitive going forward.
The money used for this project could instead go to improving the local electrical grid reliability, smart meters, other utility infrastructure improvements, lowering utility rates for existing customers and providing sites for better 5G coverage
You could even fund more direct utility subsidies for low-income households
This program defocuses the utility department from its core missions including providing a more reliable and modern electrical grid.
Palo Alto is already well served with high speed internet offerings from both Comcast and AT&T. While comcast was reliable for me, I recently switched to AT&T Fiber to save money and AT&T service is absolutely awesome. I get 1 GB/s upstream and downstream with 15 millisecond ping time to San Jose and very reliable. Best of all it only costs $75 per month. Note, AT&T also offers a $55 a month version for 300 MBs upstream and downstream. Comcast also offers 300 MB/sec for and 1200 GBs (Fiber). It is very unlikely that the City of
Palo Alto will be able to offer at that price point profitable or with as good service as AT&T. Having the City enter the fiber market as a 3rd player would result in overbuild making everyone unprofitable. Unfortunately, that could mean wasting 10s of millions of dollars that could have gone to more
productive infrastructure not already served by private industry. In addition, it could result in a negative cash flow of millions of dollars per year from other utilities customers not using the city’s fiber service.
8
Please keep the City’s utility department focused on upgrading our electric grid and making it easier to achieve our climate goals rather than duplicating existing commercial services and run the risk of a financial train wreck for the City. Hamilton Hitchings
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:E Nigenda <enigenda1@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 24, 2021 9:43 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Re: May 24, 2021 City Council Meeting, Item 9 - Colleagues' Memo
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council,
With all the weightier matters on Council’s agenda (finances, housing, climate change, etc.) I greatly
appreciate that City Council will be discussing volunteers on Monday, May 24th – most of the time we feel
invisible.
As an Emergency Services Volunteer (ESV) for over 10 years, I’d like to offer my perspective on
Councilmembers’ Cormack and Stone suggestion. The “ambassador” job as described in the colleagues’ memo
strongly mirrors the job description of the current block preparedness coordinator in the ESV program. The
one exception is that of identifying additional volunteers for other organizations. But, as for reaching out to
other organizations and explaining our mission and how we can help each other, under the aegis of OES,
Emergency Services Volunteers have established ongoing contact with Avenidas, faith‐based organizations,
some private schools and PAUSD, and Buena Vista. All have been warm and welcoming and happy to hear
about the ESV program as prior to our outreach most had no idea how we would work together in a
disaster. Much more needs to be done, obviously, and needs to be on‐going.
On a block and neighborhood level, the Emergency Services Volunteer (ESV) mission is not merely to be a
communication node during a disaster. During “blue‐sky” days, we are tasked with building
community. Some ways we accomplish this is by organizing social events, creating a block neighbor contact
list, establishing a 2‐way means of communication (most commonly group listservs, group texts),
neighborhood watch program, sharing garden produce, looking out for our most vulnerable neighbors
(running errands for them, providing them links to resources, etc.).
Even during a disaster we are not merely a substitute for 911. At the block and neighborhood level we are
expected to resolve as many issues as possible with our block and neighborhood resources and only
communicate to the City those issues beyond our skills and means.
That said, not every block has a block preparedness coordinator, some blocks and some neighborhoods are
more organized than others and we could definitely use the City’s help, as much as is possible within the City’s
current budgetary constraints.
But, before I mention my personal wish list for possible City help, one need identified by Council members
Cormack and Stone is targeted City communications with blocks. My suggestion is to contact the
Neighborhood Preparedness Coordinator(s) which include those blocks. This list is found in PAN’s Palo Alto
Ready website which I encourage you to explore further.
Personal wishlist:
2
1. A portal for all volunteer organizations within Palo Alto such as that hosted by Redwood City.
2. Provide resources for volunteer organizations – these can be information, financial, staff time, etc.
3. City Volunteer Liaison to channel volunteer questions or feedback to the proper city department.
4. Support volunteer outreach efforts to other populations, other volunteers and other organizations
5. Recognition of Volunteer Appreciation Day (more tangible than a simple proclamation as most
people never hear City proclamations).
6. Emergency Services Volunteer (ESV)‐ specific requests:
a. Help identify and do “official” outreach to all multi‐unit buildings within Palo Alto. (Another
demographic we need extra help and outreach with are renters. Block Preparedness
Coordinators report that most renters even in single family housing are reluctant to engage).
b. After vetting, promotion of the Palo Alto Ready website to provide in‐depth preparedness
information to residents.
c. Create memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with businesses, faith‐based and
community‐based organizations.
Thank you for considering my comments and for your service to our community,
Esther Nigenda
Emergency Services Volunteer
3
Baumb, Nelly
From:Annette Ross <port2103@att.net>
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 6:02 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:May 24 Agenda - Item 9
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
As I read the colleague’s memo for this item, my thoughts boiled down to this: HUH? Since when do neighbors need to be allowed to directly connect with each other? Also, the proposals in the memo overlap with several existing programs
and organizations. One need only look at the City’s website for confirmation of this.
Under the OES you will read that “OES develops structures to link non-governmental organizations (NGOs), residents, and businesses to the Incident Command System (ICS). Elements of this include the restructured Emergency Services Volunteers (ESV) program (a unified structure that includes ARES/RACES Amateur (ham) Radio, Block Preparedness
Coordinators (BPCs), and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers)."
There are also numerous neighborhood associations, Cool Blocks, PAN, Next Door, and Town Square. I agree there is a communication problem, but think the authors of the memo have the solution backwards. Residents do just fine; what’s
lacking is adequate and timely communication from City Hall. And this worsened when police communications were encrypted.
I also have a question about bullet #6 under “What the city could provide”: Gloves and garbage bags and an extra pick-
up for park maintenance. What does this mean? Are the volunteers expected to do park maintenance? Clean-up days can be a good community event, but routine maintenance should be handled by the appropriate city department and the budget should provide for this.
I will be listening with interest to the discussion of this agenda item. I hope it is short because there are many significant matters requiring Council attention.
Annette Ross Resident
4
Baumb, Nelly
From:Jo Ann Mandinach <joann@needtoknow.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 1:24 PM
To:Council, City; Cormack, Alison; Kou, Lydia; Burt, Patrick; DuBois, Tom; Tanaka, Greg; Stone, Greer;
Filseth, Eric (Internal)
Subject:Item #9 Allowing Neighbors to Directly Connect With Each Other ???
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
COLLEAGUES' MEMO REQUESTING COUNCIL REFER A PROPOSED PROGRAM ALLOWING NEIGHBORS TO DIRECTLY CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER AND A POTENTIAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK FOR THE CITY TO THE POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE
Dear Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Council Members,
Those of us who ALREADY communicate directly with friends and neighbors WITHOUT City Permission were amazed at this agenda item and wonder what it's trying to accomplish. We're aghast that the City Council is wasting its -- and OUR -- time with this nonsense.
It maybe have escaped Ms. Cormack's notice that not only do we have NextDoor and Palo Alto
Weekly's Town Square as local communication channels but A) We already have strong neighborhood associations and B) We already have strong volunteer networks with which Ms.
Cormack has been reportedly unfamiliar when talking to REAL volunteers WEARING their emergency volunteer vests at the annual AdobeMeadow picnic. Sadly she was unable to name the
various neighborhood associations -- PAN, CTRA. CPNA, etc. or the event at which she was campaigning.
Why duplicate what already exists and waste the City Council's time? This proposal sounds like two things:
1) An attempt to limit direct communications with city officials by funneling communications
through hand-picked volunteers at a time when we clearly need more direct communications to address the myriad issues now underlying city government and enumerated on Town Square and
Next Door including the city's poor performance in the RPP program and solar permits.
Perhaps the City Counsel could focus on issues like the above about which neighbors are already
communicating albeit with official permission.
2) A repeat of the unnecessary CoolBlocks proposal designed to fund and channel consulting contracts to buddies at a time when we're facing a budget crunch and have already been threatened
with cuts to EXISTING programs and services.
5
Thank you and please encourage MORE direct communications with the city and MORE fiscal responsibility.
Most sincerely, Jo Ann Mandinach
A member of PAN, CPNA and a subscriber to NextDoor and Palo Alto Online
6
Baumb, Nelly
From:Hamilton Hitchings <hitchingsh@yahoo.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 22, 2021 5:54 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:Shikada, Ed
Subject:Please do not approve the Colleagues Memo for Block Ambassadors
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council, Please do not approve the colleagues memo listed in agenda item 9 for Monday proposing the city run a Block Ambassadors program (May 24th’s City Council agenda). Any funding for this program will come at the direct expense of previously funded programs that have not yet been restored and there are still many well liked and popular programs that need to be restored.
The staff report says: “The primary focus of this program is to help foster closer community connections and provide a channel for two-way, non-emergency information between the city and residents.
Yet, most of the work of ambassadors is already covered by the PTAs, Neighborhood Associations, Nextdoor, ESV (Block Preparedness Program) and Cool Blocks.
In terms of “a channel for two-way, non-emergency information between the city and residents.” I would strongly request that the city continue to directly communicate information to each resident rather than start routing information through a middleman. This is the 21st century (not 1940) and we are already using the
many forms of communication to achieve this effectively without distortion of that information through a biased middleman with a personal agenda. Conversely, the city already has systems in place to collect direct feedback through community outreach meetings, website feedback (e.g. goals & budgets), city council public
comments and email etc… I know on our block there is a diverse set of views and it would be a misrepresentation for one of us to pretend to speak for all of us. Interestingly much of the feedback on city programs is based more on political orientation (e.g. defund the police, speed of densification) and not on
which block they live on. This proposal would reallocate funds that could be used to restore popular recently cut programs, better
support existing programs and create information distortion by inserting a middleman who did not actually truly represent the block. It is not only unnecessary but actually detrimental. Please do not approve it.
Hamilton Hitchings
7
Baumb, Nelly
From:Annette Glanckopf <annette_g@att.net>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 9:06 AM
To:Council, City; Clerk, City; City Mgr
Subject:May 24 Colleague Memo - Ambassadors
Attachments:acouncil letter on new program of ambassadors.docx
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council Members, Attached find my detailed comments on the colleague memo. Wrong time - wrong concept. In summary.
I strongly recommend that the council deny sending this proposal to Policy and Services for the following reasons:
What is the problem?
Suggested Program duplicates other established programs
Costs – Staff time and materials
Annette
To: Palo Alto City Council
From: Annette Glanckopf
Re: COLLEAGUES' MEMO REQUESTING COUNCIL REFER A PROPOSED PROGRAM ALLOWING NEIGHBORS TO DIRECTLY CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER AND A
POTENTIAL VOLUNTEER NETWORK FOR THE CITY TO THE POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE
______________________________________________________________________________________
I strongly recommend that the council deny sending this proposal to Policy and Services for the following reasons:
• What is the problem?
• Suggested Program duplicates other established programs
• Costs – Staff time and materials I have worked on the issue of communicating and connecting Palo Altans to build community since the mid-1990s. I agree with the memo objective to make sure that all residents and property owners be informed. I also strongly believe that duplicate functions need to be combined, and that timely communication is critical. With limited city resources, let’s have a laser focus on rewarding and
encouraging our current volunteers across all volunteer programs, and not build new progams that dilute these ongoing programs.
IS THERE A PROBLEM?
Currently there is a myriad of ways that anyone can get real time information about Palo Alto happenings. Many residents have busy lives consumed with school, jobs, child care, their church, their health etc, That is their universe. Many don’t have time to keep in touch with city issues, except those
that immediately effect them -- such as a power outages. Channels for communication include:
• City (manager’s office) Weekly report that reaches over 50,000
• Neighborhood Association emails/Google groups and newsletters – reaches approximately 30,000
• Distributions to neighbors from Emergency Service Volunteers (ESV) – BPCs and CERTs – and Cool Block leaders
• Nextdoor
• Facebook
• Palo Alto Weekly / Palo Alto Online
• Palo Alto Daily Post
• Twitter, Nixle
DUPLICATION OF EXISTING PROGRAMS
The first stated benefit in the colleague memo (below) for the ambassaador role is the key objective of the ESV program, especially the Block Preparedness Coordinator (BPC) role, and also (to the best of my knowledge) that of Cool Block as well.
Connect immediate neighbors to each other and the city, to help take care of themselves The Block Preparedness Coordinator (BPC) program was built on the neighborhood watch concept.
Examining the list of proposed things ambassadors could do, there is a total overlap with the first six suggestions and the core goals of the BPC program. When we built the ESV program in 2008, we combined three city volunteer positions (Neighborhood Watch, VIPS, CERT) that were competitive and not coordinated. As former mayor Judy Kleinberg was fond of saying “program planning was in silos.” My goal is to have all similar programs coordinated under one management. Do we want to step backward and create another program that largely duplicates what is currently in place?
The colleague memo description of the ESV program states “Its <the ESV program> primary function is
to provide information during an emergency that disrupts communication lines to our public safety
professionals” is absolutely not correct. This statment diminishes the value our current volunteers & is a disincentive to them and their role.
As stated above, the BPC program embodies all of the neighborhood watch program functions. There is a role for emergencies (for sure), but there is also a long list of things BPC/CERTs should do in “peace”
time. Action items include the first 6 items mentioned in memo, as well as a critical role to know where neighbors are who are have disabilities or any special needs. A key role is to support these individuals in “peace” time and and help them in emergencies/disasters. From the memo: Maximizing engagement and communications at the neighborhood level through pilot
ambassadors by:
Engage/utilize existing community networks, community groups and community non-profits such as neighborhood associations, Cool Block neighborhood blocks, Emergency Service Volunteers Isn’t this another layer of duplication? It is confusing enough for neighbors to have a BPC, a cool block, and a zero waste person on the block.
COSTS/STAFF TIME Council has to make some tough decisions with the budget for the next fiscal year. Is this the best time to create a new city program requiring a budget, staff, materials, frequent updates (per the colleagues
memo). Questions I would ask:
Where will this program report in the city?
How will the city staff this, especially with 2019/2020 past staff reductions?
How many hours are planned for this effort? What are the salary and material costs?
For each item, who is going to create and staff it? (Examples from the memo)
• Localized information – outages, street repair -- who is going to coordinate this between departments (BTW, ALERTSCC could be used)
• Maps of volunteer locations (not a trivial task)
• Monthly meetings and monthly newsletter
• Focus groups
• City trainings
• Online surveys
SUGGESTIONS
Keeping residents informed and connected sounds like easy task - on paper. After years of working on this, I can testify that it takes a considerable amount of time to develop training, teach classes, write informative emails and newsletters, prepare agendas for meetings, hold meetings, prepare recruiting materials, keep volunteers informed, active and incented more. Rather than add a new program, I recommend that city council support/encourage volunteers for current programs especially Neighborhood Associations, ESV program, Cool Block, etc. Support should include:
• Financial support for neighborhood associations
• Advocacy -- acknowledge the value of neighborhood associations and encourage volunteerism
• Inclusion -- provide a seat at the table for any discussions/projects affecting their neighborhoods
• Respect the effort put in to research issues, write letters and speak at Council and Commissions
Additionally the city should have ONE PORTAL for all volunteer intake and be an advocate to encourage current volunteer programs in the city – including Boards, Commissions, Task Forces, and Neighborhood Assocaitions, ESV Program, Cool Blocks, Friends of Libraries, Parks, Magic Playground, Canopy etc.
These are strong reasons to enhance what we have and not refer this proposed new program to Policy and Services.
Thank you in advance,
Annette Glanckopf
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>
Sent:Monday, May 24, 2021 2:11 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Support for Colleagues Memo on creating program for Neighborhood Ambassadors
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attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council,
I am writing this letter to support the colleague's memo for allowing neighbors to connect with each other directly and
the city. I believe council member Stone and council member Cormack have identified a significant opportunity to
deepen the feeling of community and belonging in our city.
As we move into a new routine after COVID, community and belonging will become more critical than ever before. The
program's actively using existing volunteer networks and equipping them to be a conduit of information is a real
strength. I believe it creates an opportunity for people to participate in meaningful ways in their community. Whether it
is just reaching out to get information or being an ambassador, these interactions over time will build relationships and
deepen community.
Thank you so much for considering this memo and your continued desire to make our city better.
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.photo
Kaloma A. Smith
Pastor
University A.M.E. Zion Church
To help prprivacy, Mprevented download from the In 650‐272‐6742
To help prprivacy, Mprevented download from the In 914‐374‐4255 To help prprivacy, Mprevented download from the In pastor@universityamez.com
To help prprivacy, Mprevented download from the In www.universityamez.com
To help prprivacy, Mprevented download from the In 3549 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto CA,94306
Check out University's Digital Campus
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1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Nancy A Huber <njh451@comcast.net>
Sent:Monday, May 24, 2021 3:58 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:In support of the Palo Alto Museum
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Honorable Council Members:
I am writing in support of the Council’s vote to direct the Finance Committee to find a way for the City of Palo Alto to fund the
Roth Buildings rehabilitation through the combination of Impact Fees and Stanford University Medical Center funds. This
would significantly move this important project forward.
Rich Green, President of the board of the Palo Alto Museum, carefully laid out all the benefits to our community that the
Museum offers, both inside the Museum and outside in Heritage Park. I will not reiterate these benefits again except with
regards to the City‐owned archives. Having volunteered while the Archives were at the Main Library and at Cubberly, I am
acquainted with their content and feel that having a designated spot in an environmentally appropriate setting in the Roth
Building will be a benefit to all of us including researchers interested in Silicon Valley. Having such a facility will also encourage
people who have contributed to the growth and development of Silicon Valley (particularly those living in Palo Alto) to
consider donating their archival material to the Museum.
Thank you for your time regarding this matter!
Sincerely,
Nancy Huber
451 Lincoln Avenue
njh451@comcast.net
2
Baumb, Nelly
From:David Bubenik <dbubenik@earthlink.net>
Sent:Saturday, May 22, 2021 7:25 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Why the City should invest in the Palo Alto History Museum
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
To: Honorable members of the Palo Alto City Council / Finance Committee
Subject: Why the City should invest in the Palo Alto History Museum
In 1912 a quiet event in Palo Alto changed the world profoundly and permanently. Working at Cyril Elwell’s Federal
Telegraph Company at 913 Emerson, Lee de Forest coaxed his “audion” vacuum tube invention to function as an
amplifier and oscillator. He created electronics.
Three years later President Wilson spoke to Alexander Graham Bell and Bell’s assistant Thomas Watson on the first
transcontinental telephone call, an impossibility before de Forest’s development. Commercial radio broadcasting soon
followed, then radar, then television. Two guys started an electronics company in a garage. The first digital computers
used hundreds of audions, which were by then called triodes. Transistors were developed as next‐generation triodes.
The world connected.
All of that was enabled at 913 Emerson St, Palo Alto, California.
Surprisingly few people are aware that this world‐shaping event occurred in Palo Alto. We need, need, a museum of Palo
Alto history.
Twenty years ago the City purchased the Roth Building with no clear idea of what to do with it. Twenty years later it sits
empty, derelict. Twenty years ago a group of citizens met to form a history museum in that historic structure. I was
there. Twenty years of diligent effort by leading citizens have shown how difficult it is to raise private money to
rehabilitate a neglected city property.
Clearly it is time for the City to finish what it began twenty years ago. The amount needed to invest in realizing this
resource is not large. The civic ROI is huge. Let’s. Just. Do. It.
Thank You
David Bubenik, Electrical Engineer
420 Homer Avenue
Palo Alto
www.HomerAvenue.org
3
Baumb, Nelly
From:magdalena maese <magdalena_maese@yahoo.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 22, 2021 9:26 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:DT Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
I have been awaiting the reopening of the downtown library. There are already so many vacant storefronts and
businesses; why would the city ever want to consider replacing the library.
I dislike having to drive to Rinconada and Mitchell park to pick up and drop off books. Closure is a bad idea!
Maggie
North Palo Alto
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
4
Baumb, Nelly
From:Marilyn Messer <marilyncmesser@icloud.com>
Sent:Friday, May 21, 2021 9:51 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Downtown library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
I hope the downtown library will not be closed. It has unique items and they are displayed in an outstanding way.
Because it is small, it is easier to get help than from rinconada and Mitchell Park.
Palo Alto libraries are what many of us like most about living here. The downtown library is unique.
I hope it doesn’t need to be closed.
Marilyn Messer
1050 Guinda Street
Sent from my iPhone
5
Baumb, Nelly
From:Mike Gordon <mikegor64@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, May 21, 2021 9:08 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Police Cuts
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council ‐ we are shocked that 22 police officers have been let go. How and why did this happen? Was this a full
council vote?
Last night at 3am we had an intruder scale a wall and enter our backyard. My wife was alone and called 911. She was
told there were no police officers available since they were all out on other emergencies. How is this possible?
Cutting public safety budgets as a means to balance a deficit should be the last thing done.
Mike
6
Baumb, Nelly
From:Edith V Sullivan <edie@stanford.edu>
Sent:Friday, May 21, 2021 3:35 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:Edith V Sullivan
Subject:Re: JMZ entrance fee
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links.
________________________________
Dear Council Members,
I appreciate the decision to reduce the JMZ entrance fee from $18 to $10.
My fundamental concern, however, is not allayed by the reduction. A $10 fee per person would be devastating to
families who have frequented the facility in the past. Personally, despite my being able to afford the entrance fee for my
family and me, I would have been shocked and turned away on a typical bike ride to the park and museum with my
grandchildren given that I never carry money. That fee would be insurmountable for a family of 4 or 5 especially given
the financial straights that many of our citizens—especially in neighboring East Palo Alto—have endured this past year.
Why can’t we be more generous and educationally responsible than to preclude families—perhaps those who need such
experiences the most—from the unique experience of the JMZ?
Perhaps it would be possible to suggest that families pay what they can and note that other facilities charge $15 or $20
per person as an entrance fee.
Can we try such volunteerism?
Thank you—from a faithful supporter of JMZ,
Edie Sullivan
70 Crescent Drive
Palo Alto, CA 94301
_____________________________
Edith V. Sullivan, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Stanford University School of Medicine
[FEDEX: room 3202]
401 Quarry Road
Stanford, CA 94305‐5723
lab: (650) 859‐2880
FAX: (650) 859‐2743
e‐mail: edie@stanford.edu
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: Information contained in this message and any attachments are intended only for the
addressee(s). If you believe that you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by return
electronic mail, and please delete it without further review, disclosure, or copying.
7
> On May 8, 2021, at 5:07 PM, Edith V Sullivan <edie@stanford.edu> wrote:
>
> Dear Council Members,
>
>
> What a terrible blow to our faithful attendees to be surprised with an $18 entrance fee to our beloved junior zoo
museum!
>
> Having been a supporter of the JMZ for decades and having had my grandsons enjoy years of learning as campers,
visitors, and junior counselors with your amazing staff, I cannot believe that we in Palo Alto CHOOSE to exclude children
who most need the type of experience afforded by the JMZ. Are the renovation costs and moneys promised to it a bate
and switch to us residents? What can we do to reverse this exclusionary fee? Do we need more donations from each of
us to be used directly for entrance fees? There is nothing right about this decision. I cannot believe that Palo Alto, one of
the wealthiest communities in the entire country, cannot make this important learning opportunity free to all as it has
been for years.
>
> With great concern,
>
> Edie Sullivan
> 70 Crescent Drive
> Palo Alto, CA 94301
> 415‐613‐2269
> _____________________________
> Edith V. Sullivan, Ph.D.
> Professor
>
> Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Stanford University
> School of Medicine
> [FEDEX: room 3202]
> 401 Quarry Road
> Stanford, CA 94305‐5723
> e‐mail: edie@stanford.edu
>
> CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: Information contained in this message and any attachments are intended only for the
addressee(s). If you believe that you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by return
electronic mail, and please delete it without further review, disclosure, or copying.
>
>
>
8
Baumb, Nelly
From:Pria Graves <priag@birketthouse.com>
Sent:Friday, May 21, 2021 6:17 PM
To:Council, City; Tom DuBois
Subject:Thank you!
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Dear Mayor DuBois and council members,
I am writing to thank you for your bold stance regarding funding for community services, including the libraries, police
and fire, the Art Center, and Children’s Theatre. These are all important to the psychological and physical well‐being of
the community. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
My personally favorite of the “restored” items is the College Terrace Library. It is the only City facility for neighbors on
this"side of the tracks”. While it may not have been one of the most used libraries in recent years (especially given the
reduced opening hours etc.), it still does provide a critical service for the Barron Park, Evergreen, and College Terrace
communities. Families from Escondido Village also use our little, local branch and I’m sure that once it’s open again, so
will families from University Terrace. I’m looking forward to having it back.
So once again, thank you!!!
Best regards,
Pria Graves
2130 Yale
650.493.2153
9
Baumb, Nelly
From:jacampbell19503 <jacampbell19503@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 3:46 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Library Closure to build offices.
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
If this is so, this is an outrage. Please advise the electorate. Thank you.
Jacqueline Campbell
916 8343548
jacampbell19503@gmail.com
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S10e, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone
10
Baumb, Nelly
From:Shelly Kosak <shelly.kosak@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 2:30 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Proposed Wastewater Rate Change
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Dear City Council,
We support and applaud the new rate change proposed. As a small non profit business downtown, run entirely by
volunteers, we seldom generate much wastewater (as in, flush a toilet 2‐3 times a day or less, then wash our hands!).
Basing our usage on quantity and removing the monthly charge to us would be greatly, greatly appreciated. And,
honestly, much more equitable. Thank you so much, all the volunteers at the United Nations Association Gift Shop, 552
Emerson Street. Best, Shelly Kosak
Sent from my iPhone
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Pamela Walsh <pamela@pamelawalshgallery.com>
Sent:Monday, May 24, 2021 3:17 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:Apple, Kara
Subject:Potential Street Reopening on Ramona
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council Members,
I am writing to you in response to the news that Ramona Street will once again reopen to traffic. Let me start by saying
that I understand the complexity of these decisions you are making and appreciate the opportunity to be heard. This has
been a difficult year for all of us. I own an art gallery located beside Coupa Café, so I have witnessed first‐hand the
changes on our block as businesses have adjusted to the continued changes. I have admired the fortitude of the
restaurant owners around me who have made quick decisions and huge investments to conform to the restrictions. I
was utterly shocked when I read that the street closure that was supposed to last until October is now potentially ending
in June. This would be a tragic change of course for all of my neighbors who have fought so hard this past year to stay
afloat. We are finally getting a steady flow of business as the weather has improved and the population is getting
vaccinated. As a retailer, I can tell you that this is a vast improvement from the quiet days of December and January. The
street closure works very well on our half of Ramona because there is a concentration of restaurants and they have
invested a lot of money to make their outdoor seating area look first‐rate. It draws many people who are still fearful of
COVID and offers them the security of sitting outside at a safe distance. Everyday I have people patronize my business
who have come to Ramona for a meal and a place to gather safely with friends and family. I urge you to consider
allowing the closure to remain in place. It would be devasting to my business to lose the vitality of our block. Thank you
in advance for your consideration.
Best,
Pamela
Pamela Walsh
c. 415‐420‐5122
540 Ramona Street | Palo Alto, CA
www.pamelawalshgallery.com
PAmELA
WALSH
GALLERY
2
Baumb, Nelly
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 22, 2021 11:21 AM
To:Channing House Bulletin Board; CHOpinion@googlegroups.com
Subject:Fwd: Stanford student Alexandra Huynh is the new National Youth Poet Laureate
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
From: Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 22, 2021
Subject: Stanford student Alexandra Huynh is the new National Youth Poet Laureate
Source: S.J. MERCURY
https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/05/21/alexandra‐huynh‐18‐is‐the‐new‐national‐youth‐poet‐
laureate/
Stanford student Alexandra Huynh is
the new National Youth Poet Laureate
Associated PressMay 21, 2021 at 5:10 a.m.
NEW YORK — An incoming first-year student at Stanford University has been
named the new National Youth Poet Laureate.
Alexandra Huynh, 18, is a second-generation Vietnamese American from
Sacramento, California, who sees poetry both as a means to self-expression and
social justice.
“I spend a lot of time in my head, so poetry is for me a sort of survival mechanism,”
Huynh said Thursday night during a telephone interview from her home. “I wouldn’t
be able to move through the world with the same amount of clarity had I not worked
it out first on the page.”
Her appointment to a one-year term was announced Thursday during a virtual
ceremony presented by the Kennedy Center and by the literary arts and
development organization Urban Word, which established the national youth
3
laureate program in 2017. In her new position, she will visit with students and hold
workshops around the country. She counts among her goals passing on her own
experiences to others.
Top Articles Read More California’s back‐to‐work COVID‐19 rules spark
passionate debate, but no consensus
Huynh was selected from among four regional finalists for a position first held by
Amanda Gorman, who became an international celebrity in January after reading at
President Joe Biden’s inauguration and for Huynh became an inspiration.
“Her trajectory has changed what I thought was possible for a poet,” she says, noting
that Gorman has appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine and read at this year’s
Super Bowl. “She has encouraged me to dream big.”
Huynh says she has been writing song lyrics since age 7 and became serious about
poetry in high school, especially after performing during a local poetry slam and
sensing the added power of words when said out loud. She cites Ocean Vuong and
Diana Khoi Nguyen as among her favorite writers, and she hopes to eventually
publish her own work and see it translated into Vietnamese, her “mother tongue.”
“Vietnamese itself is a very poetic language,” she said. “In Vietnamese culture,
poems are spoken every day. They’re pop culture references. For me, having poetry
in my life never felt like I was going against the grain.”
Words are so natural to her that in college she plans to study engineering instead of
literature because she doesn’t need a classroom to encourage her to read. At
Stanford, she hopes to challenge herself to think in ways she hasn’t before and work
out ideas “across disciplines.”
4
Baumb, Nelly
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 8:06 AM
To:Allan Seid
Subject:Fwd: Hate crime bill propelled by anti-Asian attacks passes House, awaits Biden's signature
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
From: Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 20, 2021
Subject: Hate crime bill propelled by anti‐Asian attacks passes House, awaits Biden's signature
Source: L.A. Tmes‐5/19/21
https://news.yahoo.com/house‐poised‐pass‐hate‐crimes‐163410793.html
Hate crime bill propelled by anti‐Asian
attacks passes House, awaits Biden's
signature
Tue, May 18, 2021, 9:34 AM
5
Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) speaks during a news conference Tuesday with
other House Democrats about the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act on Capitol Hill. The bill
next goes to President Biden to become law. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
The House voted Tuesday to approve a bill aimed at addressing hate crimes against
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, responding to a massive surge in attacks
against Asian Americans since the pandemic began.
The bill, which passed on a bipartisan 364-62 vote, establishes a point person at the
Justice Department who would review hate crime incidents reported to law
enforcement agencies and provide more guidance to state and local entities to make
it easier to report hate crimes.
The bill would also expand public education campaigns designed to increase
awareness and allow the attorney general to provide grants to states for training on
hate crimes data collection, reporting and response. It does not authorize any new
money for the grants.
6
“This epidemic of anti-AAPI bigotry is a challenge to the conscience of our country,
which demands bold, effective action,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San
Francisco) said at a news conference Tuesday. “The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act will
strengthen our defenses to prevent, report and combat anti-AAPI violence.”
The bill, introduced by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.),
passed the Senate 94 to 1 last month and goes to the White House for President
Biden’s signature next. He supports the bill, and could sign it as early as this week.
“It shows just how much the near daily tragedies of anti-Asian violence have
shocked our nation into action,” Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) said at the news
conference of Congress’ overwhelming approval. Chu serves as chair of the
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.
On Wednesday, the House is scheduled to vote on a resolution sponsored by Chu
condemning the shootings of several people, mostly women of Asian descent, in
spas in the Atlanta area March 16.
Many Americans have been shocked by publicized surveillance or cellphone video
released in the last year of Asian Americans, many of them elderly, being accosted
and beaten by strangers on the streets of U.S. cities, as well by reports of people
spitting on, cursing at or refusing to serve Asian Americans and accusing them of
causing the pandemic.
“Those of Asian descent have been blamed and scapegoated for the outbreak of
COVID-19. And as a result, Asian Americans have been beaten, slashed, spat on and
even set on fire and killed,” Meng said at the news conference.
“The Asian American community is exhausted from being forced to endure this rise
in bigotry and racist attacks.”
The group Stop AAPI Hate received reports of 6,603 incidents between March 2020
and March 2021. Of those, 40% occurred in California. Experts say that figure is
likely an undercount.
Rep. Donald Beyer (D-Va.) called the grants to improve training on reporting hate
crimes particularly important, noting that thousands of police departments either
don’t report hate crime data to the FBI or report zero hate crimes each year.
"We've known there's been an undercount of hate crimes for years and years. How
many hate crimes happen every year? The truth is we just have no idea. We know
7
that many police departments don't report any data at all to the FBI," he said. "You
can't manage something that you're not measuring."
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
8
Baumb, Nelly
From:Russell Siegelman <russell.siegelman@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 10:32 AM
To:UTL-Customer Service
Cc:Council, City; City Mgr
Subject:problems with power grid causing damage to home owners
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
To City of Palo Alto Utilities, copy to City Council and City Manager,
I want the City of Palo Alto to know that the recent disruptions to the electric grid have caused significant damage and
cost to my home systems. The March 27 outage resulted in a non‐functional Lutron controller which caused us to be
without lights for 3 weeks before the system was replaced at a cost of over $30,000. Yesterday, May 24 the surge in
voltage caused a blown fuse which will need to be replaced by an electrician which will require a further repair bill.
There have been 4 recent disruptions to the electrical grid in Palo Alto, which is an inordinate number of outages and
disruptions for a utility of this size and sophistication. Please address whatever issues are behind these disruptions and
get the system back to the normal reliability we expect and pay for.
Russell Siegelman
650‐245‐4142
9
Baumb, Nelly
From:Cynthia Gildea <info@wellesleyhousing.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 10:13 AM
To:Council, City
Cc:Matt Larson
Subject:Response to Wellesley Prescreen
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
To the Council and Staff of the City of Palo Alto,
On May 18th, 2021, we presented the Wellesley project in a pre-screen study session to the City Council. The Wellesley project consists of 19 Moderate Income units and 5 Low Income and Very Low Income units-- all without any government subsidy. It was proposed in a neighborhood with a mix of single-family and (more than 30) multi family homes, and the site itself is surrounded by multifamily buildings.With a walk score of 91, our site is walkable to Caltrain, the El Camino bus line, schools, retail, job centers, Stanford University and three grocery stores. Our goal would be to target this housing for Palo Alto’s essential workers. Our teachers, our
healthcare workers and others who serve our community every day. We believe they deserve to be our neighbors, too, versus literally traveling hours every day.
In the Bay Area, we face a housing affordability crisis, one where rents dramatically outpace wage growth. The conundrum is intensified with inflated building costs and limited land space to build. Cato made the City of Palo
Alto an unprecedented offer: Cato committed to ZERO profits for the period of 20 years vowing to keep the rents as low as possible. This reinforces our affordable housing mission as we literally put our money where our mouth is.
This would be a welcomed scenario for any city. However, instead of rolling out the red carpet for our subsidy-free affordable housing proposal, the Council instead put up a blanket red light. The City Council’s reaction could be summed up in three words: “Sorry, wrong location.” Put another way, Not In College Terrace’s BackYard.
Back in February of 2020, it looked like Palo Alto was going to get more serious about building housing. The city had fallen short of its own Comprehensive Plan’s housing production goals every year since it had passed, and there looked to be an appetite for change. The City Council passed on a 7-0 vote the Planned Home Zone (PHZ) to spur housing production, bringing back PC Zoning for housing proposals citywide. While some have since said it was never meant to apply to R1 zoned areas, no member of the Council stated this, and this information was not written into the PHZ. As a property owner or developer, we can only go by what was said by Council and what is written down-- not what someone later wishes they had said at the time. To say the
PHZ was never meant to be in R1 neighborhoods is nothing short of a revisionist history.
Despite the misinformation claiming “curious process”, we engaged with city staff months prior to submitting the Wellesley proposal in January 2021. Originally we were given a pre-screen date of April 12. A week later, city staff told us they would have to move us to a later date. On April 12, we watched as the City Council
substantially changed the PHZ to no longer include the Wellesley project. Simply put, the Council changed the rules in the middle of the game.
We understand change can be scary for some. But this is just one more apartment building in a neighborhood that already has more than 30 multi family homes. College Terrace saw many apartment buildings constructed,
right up until the point that it was down zoned to R1. But even if it had always been R1, what’s the problem with building housing that is affordable to essential workers in these neighborhoods? Why has our essential worker housing proposal created such intensity (as cited by Council Members Cormack and Stone)? No one has really
10
ever answered that question. The Mayor has cited that folks had a certain expectation of neighborhood character when they bought their house-- which, in this neighborhood, has a median home price of $2.8
million. Multifamily housing is not disruptive to neighborhood character and studies show that it actually increases single family home values.The stance that Council is taking is essentially holding up a “Not Welcome” sign to those who serve our community. We believe, as Councilmember Cormack does, that we
ARE better than this.
What is so scary about one more apartment building in a neighborhood that is surrounded by apartments? This is but a question du jour, as Palo Alto prepares to zone for more than 6,000 units in the upcoming RHNA cycle. If Palo Alto doesn't make progress on housing it risks State intervention, which would
be a far less desirable outcome.
Sincerely, Cato Investments, LLC
11
Baumb, Nelly
From:Susan Beall <skb1055@comcast.net>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 10:03 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Finance Committee Meeting May 25, 2021,
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
To the members of the Finance Committee,
RE: Impact fees and the rehabilitation of the Roth Building
It was encouraging news from last Monday’s City Council Meeting that there is support for the rehabilitation of the Roth
Building and thus for the establishment of the Palo Alto History Museum. For this I thank you.
Among the many other reasons for the establishment of a History Museum and Community facility, I view it as a
Downtown Palo Alto facility contributing to an important Downtown Core of hotels, restaurants, Heritage Park, City Hall
and garage, Library, and Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Stanford University, and housing. All resources for visitors and
residents alike.
We have been residents since 1968, and early on I heard a public comment from someone that “Palo Alto has no
history” . I was surprised at such a short‐sighted view. Let us not be shortsighted; let us proceed with the City to
establish our own Palo Alto Museum.
Thank you,
Susan Beall
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
Virus-free. www.avast.com
[§]
12
Baumb, Nelly
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 8:52 AM
To:Channing House Bulletin Board; CHOpinion@googlegroups.com
Subject:Fwd: Opinion | Asian Women Doctors Endure Harsh Treatment - The New York Times
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
DEAR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS,
it appears that for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders ( and possibly other similar groups) that physical features (
race/skin color) trumps other superficial cues such as profession, wealth, power, social status and manner of dressing in
determining for many Americans the mistaken CONCEPT AND PERCEPTION that AAPI people are "Not real Americans" ‐‐‐
because they are not "white." What do you think? If true, can this " "reality" ever be changed and how?
Allan
From: Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Date: TUE , May 25, 2021
Subject: Opinion | Asian Women Doctors Endure Harsh Treatment
Souce of article ‐ The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/21/opinion/asian‐american‐women‐doctors‐racism‐sexism.html
As a Doctor, I’ve Worked Tirelessly
Through the Pandemic. That Hasn’t
Stopped the Hate.
May 21, 2021
To help prprivacy, Mprevented download from the In
Shreya Gupta
By Chaya Bhuvaneswar
Dr. Bhuvaneswar is a psychiatrist and the author of “White Dancing
Elephants,” a collection of short stories about the experiences of women of
color.
13
It was near the beginning of the pandemic, in mid-April of 2020, when a stranger
spit on me. After apparently taking note of my hospital badge and mask, he
announced that even though I was a doctor, I “brought the sickness.” He called me
“Hindu,” along with a string of profanities.
I got away quickly, washed the saliva out of my hair in a hospital bathroom and
started my day. I had other things on my mind: Those of us in medicine were
working extra shifts, even as the virus changed our lives.
I felt intense pride about being a doctor — I’m a psychiatrist who was working in a
hospital in the Boston area — when the country needed me most, and it made me
feel deeply American. I felt needed and seen, moved by grateful strangers banging
pots, by their admiration for all of us on the front line, doing our jobs without
complaint. I monitored my temperature and oxygen twice a day and quarantined
away from my young children. I drove out to far-flung medical supply stores, finding
stashes of personal protective equipment and sharing them with house staff
members and other health workers. I offered extra masks to grocery store clerks
and donated cleaning supplies to hospitals with shortages. I had never served in war
before, but now I was enlisted.
I focused on all this, instead of the stranger’s cruel words.
The truth is, I had experienced the same kind of hate and bigotry he expressed
before, in public places and in health care settings, but until this year I didn’t fully
grapple with or fully acknowledge the impact of such aggression. My medical
training encouraged me to focus on the work and deny and minimize the
discrimination I faced.
But the recent rise in attention to anti-Asian hate has forced me to reckon with how
we Asian-American women doctors are demeaned as a group, and how even the
valor we display when we show up to work to risk our lives during a pandemic
doesn’t protect us from having to endure racism and sexism.
My awareness of this grew gradually as the pandemic went on, and all around us,
anti-Asian bigotry seemed to be intensifying. Donald Trump’s use of cruel phrases
— “Chinese Virus” and, later, “Kung Flu” — no doubt inspired some of the abuse.
The murders of Asian-American women in the Atlanta area and the spate of brutal
beatings of Asian-Americans, including elders and women, have made such hate
impossible to ignore.
14
When I heard the suspected Atlanta area gunman’s reported explanation for why he
killed six Asian-American women and two others, I knew I was hearing stereotypes
that are often used to characterize us, regardless of our professions. “Temptation,”
he called his victims, according to authorities. He linked their Asian-American faces
and bodies to his torment.
I’ve been similarly stereotyped by colleagues and patients. Docile and passive.
Deferential. Tentative. Servile. The persistent, pernicious American prejudice about
women like me undermines us on a daily basis. Our white coats and hospital badges
don’t discourage aggression — they make us a target for it. Our very existence in
these relatively powerful roles challenges white male dominance.
It’s no surprise that one of the first Asian-American doctors to practice medicine in
the United States, Dr. Margaret Chung, was allowed to train but forced to work only
as a nurse for the first few months after she graduated from medical school in 1916.
When immigration quotas were loosened to address the doctor shortage of the late
1960s, a generation of Asian immigrant doctors who had trained in other countries
paved the way for their daughters and now granddaughters to practice medicine.
But the stereotypes followed us, and so did the abuse. I hear about it from friends,
colleagues and medical school classmates, a sort of “whisper network” of Asian-
American women doctors from around the country that shares experiences that
range from microaggressions to assaults: being referred to by first names and
demeaning nicknames by white physicians and nurses, having to calmly reject male
patients’ inappropriate demands for massages. I’m still haunted by the story a
Korean-American doctor once told me about a white male doctor exposing himself
to her in a university library while she was studying for exams.
Navigating such challenges can be an intensely lonely and isolating experience.
There aren’t nearly as many of us as one might believe, based on the many television
shows and films that place Asian women in the role of doctor. In 2018, about 9
percent of the almost 800,000 doctors surveyed by the Association of American
Medical Colleges who reported their race and gender identified as Asian-American
women. (Black and Hispanic women doctors were even more scarce, at about 3
percent each.) That’s compared with the 43 percent of survey respondents who
identified as white men. Last year, only 64 medical department chairs in the
country, out of more than three thousand surveyed, were occupied by Asian-
American women doctors (compared with 2,037 by white men, and only 49 by Black
women, who have themselves endured discriminatory treatment).
15
Since I was in medical school, some patients have told me and other Asian-American
women doctors You don’t belong here. In March, Lucy Li, a Chinese-American woman
anesthesia resident, was verbally assaulted after she left her shift at the hospital.
Oranicha Jumreornvong, a medical student who immigrated from Thailand in 2014,
was beaten in February on her way to the school of medicine in New York City
where she was studying. I’ve now come to believe that these incidents were all
fueled by the same racist and misogynist attitudes — and that the contributions and
willing sacrifices I make as a doctor will never be enough to protect me or other
Asian-American women.
I still feel proud of my work at the hospital during the pandemic. But I can no longer
look away from the specific, fetishizing, gendered hate that Asian-American women
face, both in and out of the hospital setting. Something has to change. Our valor
should be reserved for coping with the challenges of a pandemic; it shouldn’t be
required to endure the distorted perceptions and ugly words that Asian-American
women encounter every day.
Gift subscriptions to The Times, Cooking or Games. Starting at $25.
Gift subscriptions to The Times, Cooking or Games. Starting at $25.
16
Baumb, Nelly
From:Marcia Pugsley <marciapugsley40@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 8:50 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Restoring Cuts = Mental Health Resources for Families and Children
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Dear Palo Alto Finance Committee Members ‐ McCormack, Burt, and Filseth,
Thank you for your consideration to use Covid relief funds to eliminate the need for further reductions to the Art Center,
Children’s Theatre, Library and Police services. This demonstrated excellent leadership and thinking. We are on the road
to economic recovery but mental and emotional health recovery after 14 months will take some time and community
services for serving children and families will go a long way to helping the healing of isolation and fear. Please consider
using the City’s reserves to restore the some of the cuts from 2021 ‐ $50,000 to the Art Center budget will provide the
ability to offer rentals of the Art Center auditorium and garden generating funds for the City. Additionally part of that
money will allow the refilling of the Assistant to Children’s Art Programs which will permit more children to take for fee
classes thus adding to the City’s funds.
Thank you,
Marcia Pugsley
17
Baumb, Nelly
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 8:01 AM
To:Channing House Bulletin Board; CHOpinion@googlegroups.com
Subject:Fwd: Reflecting on L.A.'s Chinese Massacre after Atlanta shootings - Los Angeles Times
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
From: Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, May 25, 2021 at 7:25 AM
Subject: Reflecting on L.A.'s Chinese Massacre after Atlanta shootings
Source: ‐ Los Angeles Times
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021‐03‐18/reflecting‐los‐angeles‐chinatown‐massacre‐
after‐atlanta‐shootings
The racist massacre that killed 10% of
L.A.’s Chinese population and brought
shame to the city
By Shelby GradDeputy Managing Editor
March 18, 2021 10:21 AM PT
Warning: This story includes a graphic image.
The Los Angeles of 1871 was a violent, lawless place.
Historians have described it as one of the last cities to establish civil law
enforcement institutions, relying instead on vigilante justice and mob rule.
It also was a place notorious for its mistreatment and exploitation of Black, Asian,
Latino and Native Californians at the hands of white settlers. But the venom against
Chinese Americans was particularly poisonous, fueled by editorials in the Los
Angeles News that attacked them as “barbarians taking jobs away from whites.”
18
“Los Angeles in 1871 was a dirty, violent city of nearly 6,000 people. Though the city
had a higher homicide rate than New York or Chicago, it employed only six police
officers to maintain law and order. Lynchings and mob justice were commonplace,”
the Los Angeles Public Library wrote.
It was this world 150 years ago that spawned the Chinese Massacre, a bloody siege
that brought shame to Los Angeles and widespread changes in the way the city
operated. But it did little to alter the core racism that Asians and other groups would
continue to endure.
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.The bodies of Chinese men killed in the 1871 massacre
The bodies of Chinese men killed in the 1871 massacre lie in the Los Angeles
jail yard.
(Los Angeles Public Library)
Oct. 24, 1871
The violence of this day was on a scale that even a city known for its brutality and
racial attacks had never seen. In 1999, Cecila Rasmussen of The Times provided this
narrative of the chain of events:
19
Gunfire erupted at 4 p.m., just as former city assessor‐turned‐patrolman Jesus
Bilderrain was polishing off a whiskey at Higby’s saloon. Most of the barroom patrons
shrugged off the commotion, but Bilderrain — pistol in hand — dutifully went out the
swinging doors into the street. A short distance away, he found a man named Ah Choy
shot through the neck (it was later determined this shooting was related to a feud
between two Chinese gangs). As Bilderrain blew his whistle to summon help, bullets
struck him in the shoulder and wrist.
Running to his rescue, saloon‐owner‐turned‐rancher Robert Thompson was killed, shot
through the heart by the same unseen gunmen, who also wounded some of the
bystanders.
The rioters, meanwhile, rampaged on. Some climbed to the rooftops and used pickaxes
to chop holes, firing through them at the immigrants inside. Two men who ran out into
the street were cut down by gunmen on the roofs.
One by one, more victims were hauled from their hiding places, kicked, beaten,
stabbed, shot and tortured by their captors. Some were dragged through the streets
with ropes around their necks and hanged from a wooden awning over a sidewalk, a
covered wagon or the crossbeam of a corral gate. Finally, 15 corpses — including
those of a 14‐year‐old boy and the Chinese community’s only physician, Chee Long
Tong — dangled in the City of the Angels. Four others died from gunshot wounds,
bringing the death toll at the hands of the mob to 19 — 10% of the city’s tiny Chinese
population.
Then, every rickety shanty in Chinatown was looted. “Boys, help yourselves,” was the
cry. One lynching victim’s finger was cut off for the diamond ring he wore.
The leaders of the massacre paraded through the streets, displaying their booty, to the
laughter and praise of the mob. An estimated $40,000 in cash, gold and jewels was
stolen.
The next day’s local newspapers called the riot a “victory of the patriots over the
heathens.”
The aftermath
In the end, 19 people died in the attacks.
“Ten percent of the Chinese population had been killed. One of the Chinese caught
up in the mob violence was the respected Dr. Gene Tong. In fact, of the killed, only
20
one is thought to have participated in the original gunfight,” the library wrote in its
history of the massacre.
Bringing justice for the massacre was going to be a tall order for a city with such
weak government institutions and little inclination to hold those who killed
accountable. As Rasmussen wrote:
During the subsequent coroner’s inquest and grand jury hearings, police and other city
officials — fearful of being labeled “Chinese lovers” — shielded the guilty. “I didn’t
recognize anyone” was the recurring statement.
There were no other witnesses, since discriminatory state legislation then prohibited
Chinese from testifying in California courts. Still, 37 rioters were indicted, 15 tried and
eight convicted of manslaughter. A little more than a year later, however, the
California Supreme Court reversed the convictions on the grounds that the original
indictment had failed to establish that the Chinese physician had been murdered.
An embarrassed U.S. government subsequently paid imperial China an indemnity to
settle the whole affair.
The massacre was a black mark for Los Angeles, and city leaders responded by
building up the Police Department and criminal justice system. Vigilante rule began
to fade. But the racism endured by Chinese and other minority groups actually
worsened.
“The massacre did not result in racial tolerance, in fact, anti-Chinese sentiment
increased in the following years. The Anti-Coolie club was formed in 1876, counting
many prominent citizens among its members, and the newspapers resumed their
editorial attacks against the Chinese,” the library said in its account.
The massacre was largely forgotten for generations. But the history was revived in
recent decades, in part by Chinese American activists. It was the subject of two
history books: “Eternity Street” by John Mack Faragher and “The Chinatown War” by
Scott Zesch.
Michael Woo, the first Chinese American councilman in Los Angeles, ended his
review of “The Chinatown War” this way:
“Zesch asks whether the right lessons have been learned. He argues that the 1871
massacre may have marked the end of mob justice in Los Angeles. But Zesch
21
attributes this milestone primarily to improved law enforcement, not to the better
angels of our nature taming our impulse to scapegoat, pander and pick up a gun.”
22
Baumb, Nelly
From:Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 1:52 AM
To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; David Balakian; bballpod;
fred beyerlein; beachrides; Leodies Buchanan; bearwithme1016@att.net; boardmembers; Council,
City; Chris Field; Cathy Lewis; dennisbalakian; Doug Vagim; Daniel Zack; Dan Richard; david
pomaville; esmeralda.soria@fresno.gov; eappel@stanford.edu; francis.collins@nih.gov; Steven
Feinstein; fmerlo@wildelectric.net; grinellelake@yahoo.com; George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu;
huidentalsanmateo; hennessy; Irv Weissman; jerry ruopoli; Joel Stiner; kfsndesk; kwalsh@kmaxtv.com;
leager; Mark Standriff; margaret-sasaki@live.com; Mayor; newsdesk; news@fresnobee.com; nick
yovino; russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve Wayte; sanchezphilip21@gmail.com; tsheehan; terry;
vallesR1969@att.net
Subject:Fwd: Dr. Campbell Fri. May 21, 2021- Mucormycosis in Covid pts. Hyperglycemic=vulnerable
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Mon, May 24, 2021 at 9:24 PM
Subject: Fwd: Dr. Campbell Fri. May 21, 2021‐ Mucormycosis in Covid pts. Hyperglycemic=vulnerable
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Mon, May 24, 2021 at 9:08 PM
Subject: Fwd: Dr. Campbell Fri. May 21, 2021‐ Mucormycosis in Covid pts. Hyperglycemic=vulnerable
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Mon, May 24, 2021 at 5:07 PM
Subject: Fwd: Dr. Campbell Fri. May 21, 2021‐ Mucormycosis in Covid pts. Hyperglycemic=vulnerable
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Mon, May 24, 2021 at 5:03 PM
23
Subject: Fwd: Dr. Campbell Fri. May 21, 2021‐ Mucormycosis in Covid pts. Hyperglycemic=vulnerable
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Sat, May 22, 2021 at 2:33 AM
Subject: Dr. Campbell Fri. May 21, 2021‐ Mucormycosis in Covid pts. Hyperglycemic=vulnerable
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Monday, May 24, 2021
To all‐
This is sweet. Up to 11:30 in this vid. Dr. Campbell talks about mucormycosis‐‐ black fungus or black mold
infection in India. It's caused by a mold. You catch it. If you are a thrill seeker, go to India and catch this. He spells out
here the thrills you'll experience:
Friday update ‐ YouTube
Then he discusses the horrible situation in Argentina. High death rate.72,000 dead, no doubt an undercount. 750
dead per day. Are we still allowing flights into the US from Argentina? We shouldn't be allowing them.
Pfizer says its vaccine is good against, but not perfect against, the India and the South African variants. Also,
Pfizer now says its vaccine is good for 31 days in the fridge after thawing, not 5 days, as they said before. That will really
help make a dent world wide.
The EU is opening up. Note at 22:00, the EMA has now approved the BioNtech‐Pfizer vaccine, as well as those
from Moderna, Astrazeneca and JNJ. And of course, the FDA has still not approved the Oxford‐Astrazeneca vaccine for
use in the US. That is one off the most bizarre chapters of this pandemic, and a costly one in terms of American lives
lost. Around 500 people per day still die in the US from Covid. If the Oxford‐Astrazeneca vaccine had been approved for
use here in March, many of those people, having received the Oxford vaccine then, would not be dying now.
After very careful and well conducted studies in the UK, their regulators approved the Oxford vaccine for use there,
beginning on January 4, 2021. It has been used there to this day, with restrictions due to the clotting issue. In addition,
the FDA compelled Astrazeneca to conduct a 30,000 particpant trial in the US of its vaccine this spring, including some
persons in Chile and Peru. At the end of that trial, the company reported no ill‐effects from their vaccine. 30,000 people
was too small a number to pick up the very rare clots. And still, still, the FDA has not approved the Oxford‐Astrazeneca
vaccine for use in the US. It is a viral vector vaccine, as is the J&J vaccine. Pfizer and Moderna are mRNA vaccines.
Oxford‐Astrazeneca is being used in over 100 countries. Congress should conduct a thorough investigation of the FDA's
actions here, and the AG should then bring charges against those who have profited from this scandal. Besides the
financial gains, the needless deaths caused by the sequester of the Oxford vaccine in the US should receive appropriate
prosecution and punishment.
Then he touches on Denmark.
Also, on a new Chinese vaccine which the WHO has approved just based on the data the Chinese have given
them. "That's not the way we do it in the West" Dr. Campbell says.
24
Here is 14 minutes of Dr. Fauci discussing black fungus disease in India, vaccinations, and more: Done on Friday,
May 21, 2021:
Dr. Fauci speaks on black fungus in India, vaccinations and more ‐ YouTube
Notice Dr. Fauci's comments about black fungus disease. He says we have not seen this in the US wrt Covid. You
see this in pts with a compromised immune system, he says, such as happens with those receiving treatment with
steroids. He mentions high‐dose coticosteroids and glucocorticoids. The use of steroids is standard treatment for Covid.
Then if the pt. is diabetic, especially with poorly controlled diabetes, the risk of this disease increases. Persons on
immunosuppresive drugs also would be at risk. Dr. Campbell said that sanitation is important, especially wrt equipment
that covers the face. LH‐ I wonder if we will see cases of this in the US. There is a treatment for it, a drug costing $48 per
day for several weeks. Out of the question for most in India, but dirt cheap in the advanced countries.
Here is what Dr. Fauci said, word for word, starting at 5:30 in the video:
Mucormycoses "are usually seen with diabetes and with high‐dose corticosteroids. So I would want to look to see
that perhaps corticosterioids are being utilized very liberally in India for people with advanced (Covid) disease and if you
have a combination of diabetes and an immunosurpresive drug or an anti‐inflammatory drug like glucocorticoids, I know
as an infectious disease person, unrelated to Covid19, that in other circumstances that mucormycosis is almost always a
complication in people who were immunosurpressed or whose immune system is not functioning well. You can see that
in diabetes, particularly uncontrolled diabetes, but you can also see it in people on immunosurpressiv drugs":
LH‐ I wish that Dr. Fauci would be more careful to make himself clear with wording like "I would want to look to
see that perhaps..." He means that the liberal utilzation of corticosteroids is probably contributing to the mucomycosis!
He is not recommending the liberal utilization...! Come on, Dr. Fauci, you get big money, you are very carefully listened
to, and you use unclear language like that.
LH‐ So Dr. Fauci confirms what Dr. Campbell says in the vid. above. Rampant uncontrolled diabetes in India and
then, for those lucky and rich enough to get into a hospital, they are given steroids which surpress the immune
system. I'll just note the high percent of Americans who are diabetic or pre‐diabetic.
WRT opening everything up, as many rich Republicans demand, we might give special thought to persons on
immunosuppresive drugs, such as solid organ transplant pts. and persons being treated for blood cancers. Up to 50% of
them have died when they contract Covid. One idea there has been to fully vaccinate a pt. before they get an organ
transplant and the immunosuppressive drugs that go with it. I'd sure want that.
I had to notice that the interviewer asked Dr. Fauci about the use of different vaccines as the prime shot and the
booster shot (second shot). The question was about using Astrazeneca and Moderna or Pfizer as first and second shots.
Dr.Fauci did not mention in his response that the Oxford‐Astrazeneca vaccine has not been used as either the first or the
second shot in the US.
L. William Harding
Fresno, Ca.
25
Baumb, Nelly
From:RS Love <rscolove@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 24, 2021 7:02 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:rscolove@gmail.com
Subject:A vote in favor of city-owned ISP with FTTH
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hi,
I'd like to go on the record of supporting the decision to invest and fund a city‐owned ISP and FTTH service.
I've lived here in Palo Alto since the 1980's and have always considered the city leadership to be forward looking
especially in the area of community investment for the future. FTTH provides a number of benefits that will be apparent
from the beginning and in the longer term as we push forward on running our own community
fiber network, electrification and overall city‐wide resilience with integrated smart data services and sensors.
If FTTH were available today, I would immediately order it. Outside my home is a Zayo fiber optic vault that serves a
large number of enterprises yet at the end of the street is a dark fiber junction. Time to light up the city of Palo Alto and
move forward.
Sincerely,
RS Love
Louis Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303
26
Baumb, Nelly
From:Bob Wenzlau <bob@wenzlau.net>
Sent:Monday, May 24, 2021 6:11 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Item 7 Discussion
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Staff disagrees that a domestic sanitary landfill has poorer environmental fate than shipping mixed paper and
plastic overseas. I challenge staff to prove rather than speculate. Let’s compare. In the US, sanitary landfills
have methane recovery, albeit not 100 percent efficient, and there is a low transportation climate
footprint. Exporting generates climate impact by shipping overseas, hauling with high emission vehicles, then
poorly treating recovered materials with large portions of land disposed of without any methane recovery. My
engineering judgement is that the climate and environmental impact is lower handling domestically even if this
entails landfilling.
‐‐
Bob Wenzlau
bob@wenzlau.net
650‐248‐4467
27
Baumb, Nelly
From:Yahoo Mail.® <honkystar@yahoo.com>
Sent:Monday, May 24, 2021 5:38 PM
To:Honky
Subject:THE ANTIDOTE TO AUTISM w / Dr. Mikovits AND THE GOOD DR. SAYS IN "MINUTE AMOUNT CURE
FOR AUTISM"
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attachments and clicking on links.
Suramin THE ANTIDOTE w/ Dr. Mikovits
To help prprivacy, Mprevented download from the In THE ANTIDOTE w/ Dr. Mikovits
German Microbiologist: "They are Killing People with COVID Vaccines" to Reduce World's Population
28
German Microbiologist: "They are Killing People
with COVID Vaccines" to ...
In this exclusive interview with The New American magazine’s
Senior Editor Alex Newman, world-renown German-Thai...
29
Baumb, Nelly
From:Yahoo Mail.® <honkystar@yahoo.com>
Sent:Monday, May 24, 2021 5:36 PM
To:Honky
Subject:SOME AWESOME SPEAKERS HERE FOLKS
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
https://americanmediaperiscope.com/5-19-2021-700-pm-msom-shocking-truth-about-organ-harvesting-with-mitchell-
nicholas-gerber-grundvig-on-the-fall-of-fauci-gates/
32
Baumb, Nelly
From:Brenda LeBlanc <bleblanccarrubba@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 24, 2021 11:33 AM
To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Giuseppe Carrubba
Subject:Letter in support of Uplift program Palo Alto
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attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mr Shikada and members of the Palo Alto City Council,
I am writing this letter in support of continuing the street closers in Palo Alto. The news that you are considering a new end date to street closures in Palo Alto comes as disquieting news for all of us as restaurant owners. We have invested much into this effort and have been able to employ many people that are a part of this community. If you choose to close the Summer Streets Program (Uplift Program) early, you will be not only putting many people out of work (again), but you will be taking
away what is still deemed by many experts as the safest dining option (outdoors) for our community. Keeping our outdoor dining spaces open or a bit longer is still the safest option for families with young children who are not eligible for vaccinations yet and for those that are not yet vaccinated. Not everybody is completely okay with indoor dining as of yet. Numbers in California are low (thankfully), but we are still in the middle of a global pandemic and the Bay Area is an
international hub of travel. This should cause pause as we think about the potential variants that can still spread in our community and our responsibility to keep each other safe as we phase into going back to "normal." In addition to the safety issues, by closing our outdoor dining spaces, we will miss the most important moment in this program. We are just beginning to recoup the benefits of the countless hours of time and thousands of dollars spent by each respective businesses invested to
recreate our operations outdoors. The survey to keep streets closed with 95% support speaks for itself. The Palo Alto community, whom you represent, wants and supports street closures to allow for real outdoor dining options that allows them to safely enjoy a meal. Citizens and businesses, not just restaurants, have already spoken on this. Why are we backpedaling? What happens if we have another surge in cases and a
change in county health ideology/capacity requirements? Do we then again set up outside? Again rehire? Again spend money to outfit an outdoor dining room? According to Friday's New York Times, 600 Americans a day are still dying of Covid. According to today's data, California is at a 49% vaccination rate, we are still 20% away from herd immunity as a State. In addition, we as business owners cannot police who can dine indoors by proof of vaccination and put customers and our food
service workers at risk. We don't know for sure that we won't need outdoor dining again in the future. Each time we pivot, it comes at a high cost and risks our ability to keep our doors open in the long run. Restaurants are already in a very fragile ecosystem as it is and the closure of outdoor dining spaces will put them at even greater risk of not surviving. Staying the course that has already been approved and keeping the streets closed through at least the Fall if not Winter seems more than wise,
it's fair to those who have invested thousands, pivoted left right and in circles all year long. Let us stay the course, not just because it's already been approved, but because it simply makes sense to the safety of our community. We are where we are with the success of low rates in our county, so why change what we are doing at the finish line? It's working to keep our community safe, so why would we change that now? Keep the streets that are closed, closed, at least until October, better year
through the end of the year. We still aren't sure yet if the real fight against this virus and its variants is over and we don't yet know the longevity of the vaccine even in fully vaccinated individuals. As we
33
head into Fall and Winter, this is uncharted territory as to what spikes could occur. If we need to recreate outdoor dining again we will need to spend money, find employees and again wait to get approval from the city again. Consistency is the absolute key to everyones' success. So let's continue
to keep Palo Alto business and Palo alto residents in mind, and back a decision they've already made
and want. The vibrancy of the street closures is sure to benefit all businesses in Palo Alto. Closing any outdoor dining will just push consumers to other cities such as Menlo Park and San Carlos or Mountain View where they can enjoy their choice of safe outdoor dining options. Why should Palo Alto open streets
up, if other cities are not?
Many residents will be enjoying long-awaited vacations this year and traffic will naturally slow due to fewer people in Palo Alto this Summer. This should alleviate some of the concern over traffic flow. The largest tech companies in Silicon Valley support working from home through the end of the year, Stanford University plans to reopen in Fall but will still be supporting staff to work remotely too, so all
of these decisions indicate traffic will still be lower than pre-covid times. We are in this together, so
let's stay in this together as a community and follow through on what has already been set forth by the community and by the City of Palo Alto for creating the street closure program in the first place. Giuseppe Carrubba
650-906-5265
carrubba@gmail.com Business owner
Osteria Toscana Palo Alto
Caffe Riace Palo Alto
34
Baumb, Nelly
From:City of Palo Alto <cityofpaloalto@service.govdelivery.com>
Sent:Monday, May 24, 2021 9:45 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:South Palo Alto Bikeways Project Upcoming Virtual Events
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hello,
The City of Palo Alto is undertaking an effort to improve bicycling along East Meadow Drive, Fabian Way, and the
Waverley Bike Path in South Palo Alto. These corridors serve as key walk‐and‐roll routes for students traveling to
multiple schools and connect the community to the new Highway 101 Pedestrian/Bike Bridge Project at Adobe Creek, as
well as other Palo Alto communities.
Join us at our remaining two virtual events to share your input and learn more about potential bikeway enhancements
under consideration. Visit the project website to register.
Virtual Route Tour 2 – Thursday, May 27 at 6:30 PM
Engagement Summary – Tuesday, June 22 at 6:30 PM
Learn more about the project and other ways to connect by visiting the project website at
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/bikeways.
Thank you,
City of Palo Alto, Office of Transportation
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35
Baumb, Nelly
From:Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 2:59 PM
To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; David Balakian; bballpod;
fred beyerlein; beachrides; Leodies Buchanan; bearwithme1016@att.net; boardmembers; Council,
City; Chris Field; Cathy Lewis; dennisbalakian; Doug Vagim; Daniel Zack; Dan Richard; david
pomaville; esmeralda.soria@fresno.gov; eappel@stanford.edu; francis.collins@nih.gov; Steven
Feinstein; fmerlo@wildelectric.net; grinellelake@yahoo.com; George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu;
Gabriel.Ramirez@fresno.gov; huidentalsanmateo; hennessy; Irv Weissman; jerry ruopoli; Joel Stiner;
kfsndesk; kwalsh@kmaxtv.com; leager; Mark Standriff; margaret-sasaki@live.com; Mayor; newsdesk;
news@fresnobee.com; nick yovino; russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve Wayte; tsheehan; terry; Tom
Lang; vallesR1969@att.net; lalws4@gmail.com; sanchezphilip21@gmail.com
Subject:Fwd: Dr. Campbell and Dr. Pierre Kory, April, 2021 on Ivermectin.
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Sat, May 22, 2021 at 5:55 PM
Subject: Fwd: Dr. Campbell and Dr. Pierre Kory, April, 2021 on Ivermectin.
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Sat, May 22, 2021 at 4:41 PM
Subject: Dr. Campbell and Dr. Pierre Kory, April, 2021 on Ivermectin.
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Sunday, May 23, 2021
To all‐
Dr. Campbell interviews Dr. Pierre Kory in April, 2021 about his use of Ivermectin. Google says that Dr.
Kory, MD is a critical care and pulmonary medicine specialist at UW Health in Madison, WI.:
Dr Pierre Kory, Part 2, Ivermectin ‐ YouTube
Dr. Kory says that the Nat. Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which Dr. Fauci heads, is neutral on
Ivermectin. The FDA has not approved its use in the US for Covid. Dr. Kory uses it in the US, and he sees great results.
Got a pt. with Covid in a household? Give Ivermectin to the others in that houshold to prevent them coming
down with Covid, he says.
36
Huge controversy world‐wide about Ivermectin.
He goes through the dosage used pretty fast. It was 12 mg. per 60 Kg. of body weight in a vid. by Dr. Campbell,
and given once a week. Here Dr. Kory seems to say 18 mg. ‐ per what? Per 60 kg of body weight? Every day? No need to
talk with precision about dosage, I guess. Apparently it is an oral med. Well known, well understood, very safe, over
three billion doses given. It is an antiparasitic, but also an antiviral and anti‐inflammatory, just what is needed in Covid
pts. Huge number of studies say it works on Covid. The Indian government just approved it for use in cases of Covid a
day or so ago. Zimbabwe has has had huge success with it, he says.
Notice that Dr. Kory discusses a subject I would never have suspected: Chicanery, lying, bribing, running phony
trials of meds all to protect the fianancial interests of monied interests, say, e.g. members of Big Pharma. Having heard
all of that, my suspicions regarding the non‐approval of the Oxford‐Astrazeneca vaccine by the FDA for use in the US are
heightened. The Oxford vaccine is now approved in over 100 countries, it has been used in the UK since January 4, 2021,
it is injected hundreds of thousands of times per day in the UK, and it is done safely. Only over‐30s there. It is used in
Canada, Mexico, and Australia and all over the EU. But the FDA still will not release it for use in the US. How rotten is
that? The announced plan by the Biden administration is now, once the FDA grants approval of the Oxford vaccine, to
then give it away or sell it to foreign countries. "Let's get this hot potato out of here!" But, we may just need the 60
million doses of it that we have to use as a booster shot for Americans in the fall.
A huge study is now underway in the UK to determine which vaccine can work best as a booster with which
vaccine‐ all of them known vaccines which we have been using (except for the US, which has not been using the Oxford‐
Astrazeneca vaccine).
The US Dept. of Justice should conduct a thorough investigation of who has profited from keeping the Oxford‐
Astrazeneca vaccine off of the US market.
L,. William Harding
Fresno, Ca,
37
Baumb, Nelly
From:M. Gallagher <writing2win@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 1:23 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Minimalist Housing
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council Members:
I have been following the conversations about housing for lower income
folks in Palo Alto and recently read the article about Mr. Tarlton's proposal
to build 36 studios at 955 Alma St.
For comparison, the most recent article in the Daily Post (5/21/2021)
mentions the Eden Housing Development, a family complex, but not Alma
Place, an existing minimalist development of 107 studios. Alma Place would
be a closer apples to apples comparison to the development proposed by Mr.
Tarlton than the Eden Family Housing at 801 Alma St.
The omission of Alma Place from the article's discussion of the proposed
minimalist development compels me to ask, 'why was Alma Place omitted?
May I be sent the architectural drawings or a website link to the architectural
drawings and floor plans for the development at 955 Alma St?
May the proposed studios give residents an option to buy or rent equal to 30
percent of their income?
Thank you,
Mary Gallagher, B.Sc.
Resident of Alma Place
38
Mary Gallagher, B.Sc.
Content Strategist
650-683-7102
Copyright 2021
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39
Baumb, Nelly
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 22, 2021 7:32 PM
To:Channing House Bulletin Board; CHOpinion@googlegroups.com
Subject:Fwd: Watch Our America: Asian Voices - The Asian experience in America today | Full Episode - ABC7
Los Angeles
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, May 22, 2021 at 7:03 PM
Subject: Watch Our America: Asian Voices ‐ The Asian experience in America today | Full Episode ‐ ABC7 Los Angeles
Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Month !
https://abc7.com/our‐america‐asian‐voices‐aapi‐documentary‐american‐and‐pacific‐
islander/10551148/?fbclid=IwAR3fTWJtmUHPpF9UqKv692OgyCehhB7P6Kgculo10MWGogeWnoWciiLm
s1M
Our America: Watch Our America: Asian
Voices ‐ The Asian experience in
America today
Our America: Asian Voices tell the stories of Asian and Pacific Islander groups in
America: Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, Polynesian, Filipino, Hmong, Japanese,
Chinese, and more. Some came as immigrants. Some came as refugees. Some run
successful businesses. Some live in poverty. Some have spoken out for years. Some
are finding their voice.
We'll look at how they built communities, learn about their culture, and explore
what it means to be Asian and Pacific Islander in America. While the communities
and cultures vary, one thing binds them together: they are all Americans.
Watch "Our America: Asian Voices," on your local ABC station, wherever you
stream: Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.
Report a correction or typo
40
Baumb, Nelly
From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 22, 2021 1:34 PM
To:Human Relations Commission; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Council, City; Planning Commission;
rebecca@winwithrebecca.com; Roberta Ahlquist; wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com; Binder,
Andrew; chuck jagoda; ParkRec Commission; Jonsen, Robert; Tony Dixon; Jeff Moore; DuBois, Tom;
Greer Stone; Raj; paloaltofreepress@gmail.com; Jeff Rosen
Subject:Cedar Rapids faces 2 lawsuits involving same police dog | The Gazette
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
https://www.thegazette.com/crime‐courts/cedar‐rapids‐faces‐2‐lawsuits‐involving‐same‐police‐dog/
Sent from my iPhone
41
Baumb, Nelly
From:gwen letterperfect.com <gwen@letterperfect.com>
Sent:Friday, May 21, 2021 12:48 PM
To:Shikada, Ed
Cc:Council, City; gwen letterperfect.com
Subject:Re: Reopening Downtown Streets
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Ed,
Thanks for the opportunity to be heard last Friday.
Letter Perfect has been an independent business on University Avenue
for 40 years; we appreciate our tradition and the role we play in providing
old fashion service, quality local and independent products,
and an environment of kindness and inclusiveness in our community.
I have witnessed many street disruptions over the years;
from multiple construction projects, upgrading underground utility pipelines,
arts & wine festivals...etc... however, the decision to close the downtown
streets for this extended period of time has been intolerable.
We all supported saving our restaurants, and suffered silently,
foolishly believing the closures would be brief and temporary; only to
find ourselves almost one year later, facing yet another extended closure.
It has been clear to us for sometime, that saving “Retail” was not
a serious factor in the street closure decisions. Like many of my fellow
merchants, my sales are below pre‐COVID levels.
I understand that you’re serving residents and businesses.
Residents love being able to have walking access to streets
and more control over the area, to meander, ride bikes, walk dogs etc..
in the streets. It feels more communal, and at first glance,
more people on the street sounds like it would drive more foot traffic
in the stores. In reality, this is not the case, unfortunately the street closure
combined with the casual foot traffic makes for (as a few of my customers have pointed
out) a fairground atmosphere.
I am genuinely appreciating a great deal of the residents wanting the streets
42
closed to vehicular traffic; but why not consider street closures only
on weekends or after hours; since restaurant’s traffic/capacity
is not even used 100% throughout the day.
The key message I want to leave you with is this: closing the streets
to encourage this casual foot traffic, does not foster the appropriate atmosphere
for the kind of retail consumption we rely upon to stay in business.
Thank you for your plan to reopen our downtown streets and encourage a return
to normalcy
Regards, Gwen
(650)‐321‐3700
Letter Perfect ... Saving the World one Greeting at a time.
43
Baumb, Nelly
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, May 21, 2021 8:16 AM
To:Channing House Bulletin Board; CHOpinion@googlegroups.com
Subject:Fwd: Man arrested in brutal robbery of Asian Lyft driver in SoCal – AsAmNews
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
From: Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 21, 2021 at 7:19 AM
Subject: Man arrested in brutal robbery of Asian Lyft driver in SoCal
Source: AsAmNews
https://asamnews.com/2021/05/21/suspect‐allegedly‐told‐his‐victim‐to‐go‐back‐to‐china‐several‐
times‐during‐robbery/
Man arrested in brutal robbery of Lyft
driver in SoCal
May 21, 2021
44
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
Screen grab from surveillance video
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Thursday announced an arrest in a
bold robbery of a Lyft driver at a gas station.
The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reports Dandre Lorenz Powell is being held on $2
million bail and faces charges of first-degree robbery, elder abuse during
commission of a violent crime, and weapon charges.
“To the victim and his family: I send my deepest sympathy for all the trauma this has
caused. I know that you’re extremely frightened and you took the job as rideshare
driver to provide for your family during these difficult times with the pandemic,”
Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Thursday to KTLA 5.
Authorities believe Powell is the man seen in surveillance video waving his gun at
Lyft driver Paul Liao after entering his car while parked at a gas station. The man in
the video is seen twice hitting Liao across the face with his gun, stealing his cell
phone and making off with $1560.
Liao’s daughter says the suspect told her father to “go back to China” several times
during the incident, the Valley Tribune reported.
Authorities traced Powell to a nearby Motel 6 and credit the dashcam video for his
arrest.
Top Articles
GI
45
Content byAsAmNews
“That was the number one piece of evidence we had in identifying who this
individual was,” sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Lewis said. “Utilizing past records and booking
photos, we came up with a positive identification.”
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated
staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and
Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff, or
submitting a story or making a contribution.
46
Baumb, Nelly
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, May 21, 2021 8:09 AM
To:Channing House Bulletin Board; CHOpinion@googlegroups.com
Subject:Fwd: Trump sued for $22M for calling coronavirus "China Virus" – AsAmNews
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
From: Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 21, 2021 at 7:58 AM
Subject: Trump sued for $22M for calling coronavirus "China Virus"
Source: AsAmNews
https://asamnews.com/2021/05/21/lawsuit‐from‐chinese‐american‐civil‐rights‐coalition‐states‐that‐
the‐truth‐matters‐and‐words‐have‐consequences/#respond
Trump sued for $22M for calling
coronavirus “China Virus”
May 21, 2021
47
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.Donald Trump accused of using anti-Asian rhetoric in new ad
Donald Trump at C-Pac via Flickr Creative Commons by Gage Skidmore
https://www.flickr.com/people/22007612@N05
A group called the Chinese American Civil Rights Coalition is suing Donald Trump
for $22 million – blaming the former president for causing harm to Chinese
Americans.
In a report confirmed by The Hill, The TMZ reports the organization faults Trump’s
use of the terms “China virus,” “Wuhan virus” and “kung flu” for the rapid rise of
anti-Asian hate incidents in the country.
CACRC is demanding 22 million in damages, one dollar for every Asian American
and Pacific Islander in the country. The Hill reports the group says it would use the
money to open a museum dedicated to the history and contributions of AAPIs.
“The truth matters, words have consequences … especially from those in powerful
and influential positions,” the complaint states. “
A spokesman for Trump called the lawsuit “insane, idiotic… and a complete joke”
GI
48
A study from the University of California in San Francisco found a correlation
between Trump’s “China virus” tweet and the increase in anti-Asian hashtags.
Top Articles
Content byAsAmNews
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated
staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and
Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff, or
submitting a story or making a contribution.
49
Baumb, Nelly
From:Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Sent:Friday, May 21, 2021 3:32 AM
To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; David Balakian; fred
beyerlein; bballpod; beachrides; Leodies Buchanan; bearwithme1016@att.net; Council, City; Chris
Field; Cathy Lewis; dennisbalakian; Doug Vagim; Daniel Zack; Dan Richard;
esmeralda.soria@fresno.gov; eappel@stanford.edu; Steven Feinstein; fmerlo@wildelectric.net;
grinellelake@yahoo.com; George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu; Gabriel.Ramirez@fresno.gov;
huidentalsanmateo; hennessy; Irv Weissman; jerry ruopoli; Joel Stiner; kfsndesk; kwalsh@kmaxtv.com;
leager; mthibodeaux@electriclaboratories.com; Mark Standriff; margaret-sasaki@live.com; Mayor;
newsdesk; news@fresnobee.com; nick yovino; david pomaville; russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve
Wayte; tsheehan; terry; vallesR1969@att.net
Subject:Fwd: April 7, 2021 Dr.Campbell discussion with Dr. Tess Lawrie re Ivermectin
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Thu, May 20, 2021 at 10:46 PM
Subject: April 7, 2021 Dr.Campbell discussion with Dr. Tess Lawrie re Ivermectin
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Thursday, May 20, 2021
To all‐ A bit of a tough slog to follow this, but Dr. Lawrie, a doctor and researcher in South Africa, discusses with
Dr. Campbell the bogus conclusion reached by the WHO in a meta‐analysis of many studies of Ivermectin:
Ivermectin discussion with Dr Tess Lawrie ‐ YouTube
Sloppy, just damn wrong, terrible. And this is what governments around the world are to be following wrt
Ivermectin. The WHO are incompetent, at least here. They conclude, incorrectly, that Ivermectin is of no value in
reducing deaths from Covid19.
Dr. Lawrie has done her own meta analysis of many more studies than the WHO considered, and reaches a
conclusion that Ivermectin is a potent med. to reduce deaths from Covid19. This is well worth seeing. It will shake your
faith in the WHO, to the extent you have any.
Dr. Fauci should see this.
The audio on these Skypes or whatever is far from hi‐fi, and she does have that South African accent‐ which is a
British accent. She gets a little bit into the weeds here and without watching this several times and studying the
numbers, one has to take on faith the occasional remark she makes. But I think she makes a good case, and so does Dr.
Campbell. The WHO are incompetent or worse, at least wrt to these meta analyses of Ivermectin. That really counts
here, since the drug can apparently save lives.
50
I saw a blurb tonight , 5‐20‐21, that the medical regulators in India have approved doctors' Rx ing Ivermectin for
Covid cases.
If it requires a weekly injection, that could cut our time to the coast. If it is an oral med, we could benefit from it.
Apparently it is given to people who test positive for Covid. A vaccine will not help them then, but Ivermectin could, it
seems.
Further note: I'll send tomorrow Dr. Campbell's video for today, May 20, 2021. See it yourselves. There is a big
study underway now in the UK wrt a booster shot for the autumn. They are testing the various vaccines we have already
been using AS A BOOSTER. WHICH VACCINE WORKS AS A BOOSTER WITH WHICH VACCINE WE HAVE BEEN
GIVING. LH‐ Oxford Astrazeneca is one of the vaccines being tested as a booster. Maybe Biden‐ i.e. the people
around him, should reconsider giving away or selling to other countries the 60 million doses of Astrazeneca they are
planning to so get rid of. We might need those doses as a booster this coming autumn. Especially if the FDA ever gives a
EUA for it.
Also, the UK is building a vaccine super‐factory to help blunt the next pandemic. We should build five of those,
as I've said before. Get with the Brits and see what they are building. We could probably build five for $1 billion.
L. William Harding
Fresno, Ca.
---
51
Baumb, Nelly
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 8:40 PM
To:Channing House Bulletin Board; CHOpinion@googlegroups.com
Subject:Fwd: [New post] Biden signs Hate Crime Bill: “We have to change our hearts”
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From: Allan Seid
Date: Thu, May 20, 2021
Subject: Biden signs Hate Crime Bill: “We have to change our hearts”
Source: AsAmNews
Louis Chan posted: " By Louis Chan, AsAmNews National Correspondent President Joe Biden signed the anti‐Asian hate
crime bill into law today saying we have to change hearts. "All the good the law will do, we have to change our hearts.
We have to change the hearts of t"
New post on AsAmNews To help prprivacy, Mprevented download from the In
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
Biden signs Hate Crime Bill: “We have to change our hearts”
by Louis Chan
By Louis Chan, AsAmNews National Correspondent President Joe Biden signed the anti-Asian hate crime
bill into law today saying we have to change hearts. "All the good the law will do, we have to change our
hearts. We have to […]
Read more of this post
Louis Chan | May 20, 2021 at 5:51 pm | Tags: Anti‐Asian hate, hate crime enforcement, Hate Crimes bill | Categories:
Asian Americans, Chinese American, Filipino American, Hmong American, Indian American, Japanese American, Korean
American, LGBTQ, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Pakistani American, Sikh Americans, South Asian American,
Southeast Asian American, Vietnamese American | URL: https://asamnews.com/?p=113749
Comment See all comments
53
Baumb, Nelly
From:Morgan Steele <morg.steele@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 7:34 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:I'm Voting to keep Ramona St Closed
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Palo Alto City Council: I enjoy the safe outdoor experience created with the closure of Ramona St. Please count my vote
to CLOSE Ramona St, through the summer.
Thank you
Sent from my iPhone
54
Baumb, Nelly
From:Tom DuBois <tomforcouncil@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 7:00 PM
To:Barbara Kelsey
Cc:Council, City; James Eggers; Gita Dev; Gladwyn d'Souza; Bruce Rienzo
Subject:Re: Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter letter of apology
James,
Your response is very much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time and taking our response seriously. It's unfortunate
that the San Francisco Chronicle and the Palo Alto Weekly referenced the original letter in articles. Let's work together
on not only land use but also our climate action plan going forward
Best,
Tom DuBois, Mayor
City of Palo Alto
On Thu, May 20, 2021 at 4:53 PM Barbara Kelsey <barbara.kelsey@sierraclub.org> wrote:
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
May 20, 2021
City of Palo Alto Mayor Dubois and Palo Alto City Council Via email: City.Council@CityofPaloAlto.org Dear Mayor DuBois and Palo Alto City Council Members, Thank you for your letter of May 5, 2021, in response to our letter of April 29, 2021. This letter is by way of
apology for our letter on our stationery that was thought by the signer to have been adequately reviewed - but it was not. The accusatory tone in the sentence you referenced does not accurately reflect our view of Palo Alto's intentions. This was unfortunate and we regret this. Please see our full letter attached.
As your planning process moves along, we look forward to staying involved and there will be points at which we will comment but you can rest assured that those future comments, as with all comments from our chapter, will go through a thorough review process, both for tone and for factuality, before sending.
Sincerely, James Eggers, Executive Director
Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter Cc: Bruce Rienzo, Chapter Chair
Gladwyn d’Souza, Conservation Chair Gita Dev, Sustainable Land Use Chair
55
sent by:
Barbara Kelsey
she/her/hers
Chapter Coordinator
Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter
3921 E. Bayshore Rd, Suite 204
Palo Alto, CA 94303
barbara.kelsey@sierraclub.org
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm
Friday, 9:30 to 11:30 am
Please note that our Chapter office in
Palo Alto is closed until at least
July 4, 2021, so email is the best
way to contact us. Thank you.
56
Baumb, Nelly
From:John Guislin <jguislin@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 6:53 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:Gennady Sheyner
Subject:Fees not implemented, lack of transparency and data
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attachments and clicking on links.
Council Members:
On Wednesday 5/19, a group of residents joined staff from OOT on a zoom call to discuss parking issues related to RPP's.
During the call staff revealed that full‐price one year non‐resident permits in the Cal Ave RPP area are being sold for
$420, not the $620 listed on the Palo Alto Municipal Fee Schedule for 2021. When asked why, they replied, "The
increase was never implemented."
Please do the research to find out why this Council‐approved fee was not implemented and on whose authority. We also
need to understand the impact of the lower fees on the city's revenues.
This is just one of several examples of the city forgoing revenue at a time when our budget is underfunded. Please also
investigate and report back to residents:
‐ the financial impact of extending the validity of RPP permits for 6 to 12 months
‐ the financial impact of not enforcing parking regulations in RPPs and Commercial Garages
FYI ‐ The $420 full year permit near Cal Ave means that VCs, software developers and others are paying less than $2/day
for parking. This "deal" is taking place during the period when staff proposed charging residents $18/day to visit the
Junior Museum. I do not know anyone who thinks this structure reflects the values of our community.
Staff also revealed that the RPP permit system purchased some years ago is not functioning for the Evergreen Park and
Downtown RPPs, so staff is manually issuing permits. It is more than surprising that staff would need to issue any non‐
resident permits at this time when there is no parking enforcement in our commercial cores, garages are mostly empty
and we have a new, publicly funded garage in the Cal Ave area that has many unused spaces.
When asked to provide data on the number of permits currently in effect and new permits issued this year, staff was not
able to provide the data. This lack of data and transparency makes a mockery of all the city presentations declaring that
transparency and data‐driven decisions are overriding goals of city government.
These investigative tasks should be assigned to the Finance Committee and they should report back publicly on the
impacts on Palo Alto's budget.
Sincerely,
John Guislin
57
Baumb, Nelly
From:Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 6:05 PM
To:Clerk, City; Council, City; Dave Price; rebecca; Aram James; Joe Simitian; Planning Commission;
Human Relations Commission; Representative Anna G. Eshoo; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Angie, Palo
Alto Renters Association; winter dellenbach
Subject:Re: 955 Alma
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attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council and People interested in Low‐income Housing in Palo Alto:
753 Alma, not 801 Alma has no sink in the bathrooms. If you have not visited these HUD funded units, you need to do
so. They are
very small. Would you and your family live there?
Keep the Downtown and College Terrace Libraries! Replacing the Downtown Library w/ offices is a horrible idea, Mr.
Filseth! We have too
many offices in Palo Alto, many of which are vacant and will continue to be vacant because of the rental costs.
We need LOW INCOME HOUSING, NOT OFFICES. The Roth Building would be an excellent site for low‐moderate housing.
We
already have a museum across the street. The token steps you have taken towards getting low‐income housing
built are shameful.
Sincerely,
Roberta Ahlquist
Low‐income Housing Committee of WILPF
On Tue, May 18, 2021 at 5:39 PM Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu> wrote:
Q: Why is this not ALL low‐income? 3K is NOT low income.
add two more floors and make it accessible as LOW income.
Sincerely,
Roberta Ahlquist
wilpf
58
Baumb, Nelly
From:Elie Monarch <elie@footwearetc.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 5:03 PM
To:Shikada, Ed; Council, City
Subject:University avenue Street closure.
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attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mr. Shikada, Mayor Dubois and esteemed city council members.
I purchased “Rapp’s Shoes” at 282 university Ave on May 1986 (established in 1948 on University Ave) and Footwear etc.
has had a presence on University Ave since. In recent years business became difficult on University avenue due to
excessive construction and retail vacancies. last year we got Covid 19 and business shut down. We were hoping that
business will improve once people felt more comfortable getting out of their homes.
Footwear etc has grown to 11 locations in California and 10 locations bounced right back, the only exception is Palo Alto
(our most expensive occupancy), the traffic and parking were disrupted by construction next to us and all around us
prior to the pandemic and during, then came the clincher, street closures and large tents obscuring our presence
completely. Our business is down 50% + at this location and we are already planning to close this location when our
lease ends next year.
I am strongly recommending to open the streets for car traffic AT ONCE (every day of closure can be fatal to some
business) and continue the Parklet program in a controlled and aesthetic fashion.
Thank you for your service to the city, and keeping Palo Alto a leader and example to Silicon Valley.
I know that your intentions were good and confident that you will make the best move next.
Elie Monarch
Footwear etc.
408‐590‐5748
59
Baumb, Nelly
From:David Asher <david.asher38@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 2:31 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Aphid infestation
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links.
________________________________
City trees have deposited aphids/sap all over our property. We are seniors. The cleaning is too much for us. Does the city
bear responsibility for cleaning the sap off our walkway, driveway, and cars. Will the city pay for the cost for us to deal
with the mess?
We need help now, please.
Thank you
Frustrated
Sent from my iPhone
60
Baumb, Nelly
From:Cherry LeBrun <cherry@denovo.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 12:09 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:DuBois, Tom
Subject:Please Open University Avenue and Ramona Street as Soon as Possible
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links.
________________________________
Dear Tom DuBois, Patrick Burt, Alison Cormack, Eric Filseth, Lydia Kou, Greer Stone, and Greg Tanaka,
I appreciate the efforts the City Manager has been putting into communicating with business owners during the
pandemic. I’ve been on many of the Monday afternoon calls with Ed Shikada and downtown business owners where I
was one of the only retailer business owners present. It was such a relief to be on the call that Jon Goldman moderated
last Friday with many other retailers, and restaurants who are not on University Avenue or Ramona Street, who share
the same urgent concerns that I do about University Avenue and half of Ramona Street being closed.
Having these streets closed has cut access to my business dramatically and has decreased my foot traffic by over 80%.
This has and continues to have a very damaging impact on sales in my retail jewelry store. I have been in business in
downtown Palo Alto for over 30 years and I have never seen the downtown so dead and so lacking in vitality and
vibrancy as it is now and has been during each of the street closures during the last 14 months. We desperately need
the streets open if we are to survive. Please open the streets and give customers access to my retail store and all other
businesses downtown again as soon as possible. Our survival depends on it. Every day of street closures is a day of lost
access by customers and lost business.
Sincerely,
Cherry
Cherry LeBrun
De Novo Fine Contemporary Jewelry
250 University Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650‐327‐1256
cherry@denovo.com
www.denovo.com
61
Baumb, Nelly
From:Forrest Warthman <forrest@warthman.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 12:05 PM
To:Shikada, Ed
Cc:DuBois, Tom; Council, City
Subject:Street Closures
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attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mr. Shikada,
As a resident of downtown Palo Alto, I urge you to open downtown streets immediately ‐ including University Avenue
and Ramona Street.
I obtained masters' degrees in Architecture and City Planning from Berkeley. During those studies I learned that street
closures can disrupt vital economic functions of a city. I think that is happening to our city. Although restaurants may
benefit, many other types of businesses, which operate for more hours each week and earn greater income each week
than restaurants, will be negatively affected.
Best Regards,
Forrest Warthman
707 Bryant Street, #202
Palo Alto, CA 94301
forrest@warthman.com
(650) 494-8555
62
Baumb, Nelly
From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 11:59 AM
To:Council, City; city.council@menlopark.org; Human Relations Commission; Planning Commission;
wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com; Roberta Ahlquist; Jeff Moore; Jeff Rosen; Raj; chuck jagoda; Jay
Boyarsky; Lewis. james; Joe Simitian; Anna Griffin; CA18AEima@mail.house.gov;
supervisor.ellenberg@bos.sccgov.org; mike.wasserman@bos.sccgov.org
Subject:The unshakable bonds of friendship with Israel are shaking
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
bonhttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/19/opinion/israel‐democrats‐united‐states.amp.html
Sent from my iPhone
63
Baumb, Nelly
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 9:27 AM
To:Channing House Bulletin Board; CHOpinion@googlegroups.com
Subject:Fwd: UPDATE: Asian Woman Assaulted Aboard BART Train In San Francisco – CBS San Francisco
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
From: Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, May 20, 2021 at 9:19 AM
Subject: UPDATE: Asian Woman Assaulted Aboard BART Train In San Francisco –
Source: CBS San Francisco
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2021/05/20/asian‐american‐attacks‐asian‐woman‐assaulted‐aboard‐
bart‐train‐san‐francisco/
UPDATE: Asian Woman Assaulted
Aboard BART Train In San Francisco
Betty YuMay 20, 2021 at 7:19 am
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — Mantakarn Seenin, who is Thai, was on her way to
work from Balboa Park in San Francisco Tuesday morning around 8 a.m., when she
was attacked.
BART police said the assault happened on an East Bay-bound train between 16th
Street and Civic Center stations.
READ MORE: Sunnyvale Officers Open Fire During Hours-Long Standoff With
Suspect In Elder Assault
She said a man, described as a young African American, demanded her phone.
Seenin said before she could even respond, he started hitting her in the face.
64
“I didn’t say nothing, he just like started punching me on my face, and hit me you
know like, they asked me how many times, I cannot remember how many times that
he punching on my face,” she recalled in an interview with KPIX 5’s Betty Yu.
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
A friend of the woman
provided images of her following the attack, showing a bruise and swelling around
her left eye.
Seenin said he grabbed her phone and ran out of the train car at Civic Center station.
“I think two guys that saw it and then they stood up and tried to help me, but it
happened so quickly,” she said.
The bystanders called BART police and officers showed up within 10 to 15 minutes.
“Right now, my face kind of swelling,” Seenin said. “In my eye kind of bleeding a little
bit.”
When asked what she would say to her attacker:
READ MORE: Berkeley Police Arrest Suspect Who Accosted, Chased Child
“I think he young… I want them to know that you should go to work, make your life
better, don’t do like this,” she said.
Seenin said given the rise in attacks on Asian Americans, she doesn’t carry a lot of
cash, wears a small crossbody bag, and had pepper spray.
“I have pepper spray in my bag, but I never used on that time, because it happened
so quickly… I felt like in the morning, I don’t think nothing happen,” she said.
65
Seenin works as a server at a restaurant near Chinatown, and also helps out at
another restaurant.
She has lived in San Francisco for eight years, and said around three years ago, she
was robbed of her cell phone on BART. Bystanders helped her retrieve it at that
time.
“I think maybe I’m a target, because I’m a small, tiny girl,” she added. “Maybe easy
for them to steal something from my pocket, you know?”
BART police said officers responded and searched the train, but no suspect has been
identified and no arrest has been made. There was no indication a weapon was
involved, police said.
Investigators were reviewing surveillance video from the train and stations.
MORE NEWS: San Mateo Burglary Suspect Chased Into Foster City Pond, Arrested
Following Standoff
Seenin has set up a Gofundme page.
66
Baumb, Nelly
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 9:11 AM
To:Channing House Bulletin Board; CHOpinion@googlegroups.com
Subject:Fwd: Keys, Wallet, Pepper Spray: The New Reality for Asian-Americans - The New York Times
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
From: Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, May 20, 2021
Subject: Keys, Wallet, Pepper Spray: The New Reality for Asian‐Americans ‐
Source: The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/20/nyregion/asian‐americans‐attacks‐nyc.html
Keys, Wallet, Pepper Spray: The New
Reality for Asian‐Americans
“I think it just speaks to the urgency that people are
feeling.”
May 20, 2021Updated 7:00 a.m. ET
To help prprivacy, Mprevented download from the InAnish Bramand his huno longer wi tho ut pe
Anish Bramhandtam, left, and his husband, Arthur, no longer leave home without
pepper spray.An Rong Xu for The New York Times
Last spring Annie Chen, who works in human resources, read about an Asian
woman who had been punched in the face and yelled at by a stranger just a few
blocks from where she lived in Midtown Manhattan.
Five days later, Ms. Chen, 25, bought her first canister of pepper spray.
She had been struck by the way the public perception of Asian-Americans had
suddenly changed, she said, and simply wanted to protect herself. “I felt like if
67
people had any anger or frustration — and if you were just walking around being a
person who looks Asian — they might take it out on you.”
Over the last year, more than 6,600 anti-Asian hate incidents have been recorded
nationwide, according to the nonprofit Stop AAPI Hate. New York had the largest
increase in anti-Asian hate crimes relative to other major cities, according to the
Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism.
In response, organizers have formed watch groups, volunteer buddy systems and
other initiatives. Many Asian-Americans have also changed the way they go about
their daily lives, avoiding the subway, staying hyper-alert in public and remaining at
home as much as possible.
But as more New Yorkers get vaccinated, the city is unquestioningly opening up.
Many Asian-Americans, responding to the continuing spate of attacks, are now
increasingly arming themselves with items for personal defense.
“People are talking about whether to buy pepper spray, whether to buy a Taser gun,
like which one is better? Which one is safer, which one would you actually use?
These are conversations that we’re having now,” Ms. Chen said.
“I think it just speaks to the urgency that people are feeling,” said Kenji Jones, one of
several New Yorkers raising money to give away personal-defense devices in
Chinatown and Flushing, Queens.
On March 31, Mr. Jones, 23, posted a call for donations on Instagram. He ended up
raising more than $18,000 in three days, he said. In April, he distributed nearly
3,000 canisters of pepper spray and more than 1,000 personal alarms. During
another giveaway, he was met with throngs of people and ran out of supplies within
20 minutes. And last weekend, at a Chinatown event, thousands more devices —
including kubotans (keychain weapons), whistles and more pepper spray — were
distributed.
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.Arthur Bramhandtam’s key chain now includes a whistle and pepper spray.
Arthur Bramhandtam’s key chain now includes a whistle and pepper spray.An Rong
Xu for The New York Times
It’s legal for adults who have not been convicted of a felony or assault to carry
pocket-size pepper spray in New York, as long as it complies with regulations set by
the State Department of Health. Sales are restricted to authorized dealers and
68
customers can buy only two canisters at a time (Mr. Jones amassed the pepper spray
for his giveaways through a friend in New Jersey, which has more relaxed rules).
At Esco, a pharmacy in Hell’s Kitchen, pepper spray sales increased eightfold in the
month after the Atlanta spa shootings, in which a gunman killed eight people, six of
whom were Asian or Asian-American women. Danny Dang, the owner of Esco, said
that 90 percent of the customers buying the spray were Asian-American.
For Arthur Bramhandtam, a 36-year-old journalist, pepper spray is just one more
thing on his check list when he leaves the apartment. “You have to bring your keys
with you, you have to bring your wallet, you have to bring your iPhone — I have to
bring my pepper spray now, it’s habitual,” he said.
Both Mr. Bramhandtam and Ms. Chen called the pepper spray a last resort, sharing
concerns about using it effectively and escalating an already dangerous situation. To
this end, they have adopted other precautions to minimize the possibility of having
to use it.
A Rise in Anti‐Asian Attacks
A torrent of hate and violence against people of Asian descent around the United
States began last spring, in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.
o Background: Community leaders say the bigotry was fueled by
President Donald J. Trump, who frequently used racist language like
“Chinese virus” to refer to the coronavirus.
o Data: The New York Times, using media reports from across the
country to capture a sense of the rising tide of anti-Asian bias, found
more than 110 episodes since March 2020 in which there was clear
evidence of race-based hate.
o Underreported Hate Crimes: The tally may be only a sliver of the
violence and harassment given the general undercounting of hate
crimes, but the broad survey captures the episodes of violence across
the country that grew in number amid Mr. Trump's comments.
o In New York: A wave of xenophobia and violence has been
compounded by the economic fallout of the pandemic, which has dealt
a severe blow to New York’s Asian-American communities. Many
community leaders say racist assaults are being overlooked by the
authorities.
69
o What Happened in Atlanta: Eight people, including six women of
Asian descent, were killed in shootings at massage parlors in Atlanta on
March 16. A Georgia prosecutor said that the Atlanta-area spa
shootings were hate crimes, and that she would pursue the death
penalty against the suspect, who has been charged with murder.
Ms. Chen has taken to zipping around on a bicycle so she can get away from
assailants quickly. Mr. Bramhandtam and his husband have discussed distraction
techniques, especially in enclosed spaces, like subway cars.
And even though Hyesu Lee, a 42-year-old illustrator who lives in Clinton Hill,
Brooklyn, recently started carrying pepper spray, she said she was planning to sign
up for Brazilian jujitsu classes. She feels more vulnerable because English is her
second language and fears her accent might mark her as a target.
Two nonprofits, the Asian American Federation and the Center for Anti-Violence
Education, have teamed up to provide self-defense training. Stressing the need for
more grass roots community programs, the federation’s deputy director, Joo Han,
added that she has also noticed more Asian-Americans buying guns. “When people
feel like they don’t have alternatives, they feel like they have to defend themselves
using extreme measures,” Ms. Han said. “The fear that advocates have, is that
something is going to go wrong, and it’s going to end in greater violence.”
Ms. Lee, who questions whether she’ll ever be accepted in the United States, has
considered leaving the city — her home for more than 10 years — and returning to
South Korea. “But I have to live my life,” she said. “You want to believe that this
wouldn’t happen to you — but it could.”
Confronted with these challenges, many Asian-Americans are feeling the toll after an
already stressful year. “I don’t know what they’re seeing when they look at us, that
they’re just attacking,” said Florence Doo, a resident physician at Mount Sinai West,
who despite taking safety precautions, said she had been publicly heckled and
scapegoated for the coronavirus on two occasions. “And that thought process — that
baseline stress that I’m carrying, I can see now how that affects people’s bodies and
their lives. That’s not healthy.”
As for the deeper issue of racism, Mr. Dang, the pharmacist, said: “Is pepper spray
really the solution? I don’t know. We want to help those who feel vulnerable. But
fear is not healthy. I’d rather not sell this product and have everyone be calm and
feel OK.”
70
Mr. Bramhandtam questioned the burden of making changes in his life. “When you
do that, you’re letting this insidiousness that is pervading our society get to you, and
like, that would win. And I don’t want that either. You’re damned if you do, you’re
damned if you don’t.”
71
Baumb, Nelly
From:Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter <reply@emails.sierraclub.org>
Sent:Wednesday, May 19, 2021 9:01 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Sea Level Rise Webinar Starts Thursday at 9am!
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
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Dear Supporter
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Day 2 of the Webinar Starts Thursday (May 20th) at 9am! If you haven't registered already, please do so below. For those who have registered, we have sent you an email with the zoom link to join.
Interested but unable to attend? All registrants will be given access to the recording of the webinars after the series is concluded. Sea Level Rise: Why We Need Nature Based Adaptation
3-Part Webinar: Thursdays 9 am - Noon, May 13, 20, 27 Click here to register for free Decision makers need information and understanding of why nature-based adaptation to sea level rise is critical for cities around the Bay. This webinar provides an introduction to nature based adaptation strategies, how to plan for them and how to fund them. This is an opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field about how to make your community resilient to the impacts of sea level rise. You will join decision-makers and community stakeholders who are working to protect their communities while improving the quality of life for residents and leaving a living legacy.
San Francisco Bay is a complex living ecosystem, essential to the ecology of California. As sea levels rise, urgent action is
needed as rising levels seriously endanger the Bay's ecology in addition to threatening economic harm to housing, industry and critical infrastructure. Recent studies are confirming what scientists have believed, that traditional “armored” shorelines such as levees and concrete bulkheads offer less long-term protection than people might think. Now more scientists, policy makers and funding agencies have come to understand that “living shorelines” are valuable in protecting coastlines.
Webinar Agenda
72
Speaker Bios
“Sea level rise will have a profound impact on the San Francisco Bay and the communities that surround it. The challenge is to protect housing, businesses and critical infrastructure in an environmentally sensitive way. Learning from experts and local
leaders involved in nature based solutions, this webinar series will inform key stakeholders about options for
addressing sea level rise while restoring and protecting the Bay.” - Dave Pine, Chair of the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority; San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, District 1; Member of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission
Jointly presented by the Loma Prieta Chapter, the Redwood Chapter and the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club
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Supporting Organizations:
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Sponsored by the Bay2030 Campaign of the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
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Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
This email was sent to: city.council@cityofpaloalto.org
This email was sent by the Sierra Club 2101 Webster St., Suite 1300, Oakland, CA 94612
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73
Baumb, Nelly
From:Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>
Sent:Wednesday, May 19, 2021 3:06 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:rents have increased in Palo Alto
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council:
Have any of you actually visited 801 Alma? You need to before you speak.
There is no sink in the bathroom, among other things. We urge you to make
an appointment to see thees very small spaces.
We also support havig La Comida at Avenidas, which is the downtown senior center. Why at a church off the downtown
area??
Roberta Ahlquist
Women's Intl League for Peace & Freedom
https://patch.com/california/paloalto/see‐how‐rents‐have‐changed‐palo‐
alto‐area?utm_term=article‐slot‐1&utm_source=newsletter‐
daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter
74
Baumb, Nelly
From:Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>
Sent:Wednesday, May 19, 2021 2:44 PM
To:Council, City; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org
Subject:Fwd: AB 1401 is making headlines across the country.
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Parking is far less important than housing service sector workers! R. Ahquisy
Date: Tue, May 18, 2021 at 1:50 PM
Subject: AB 1401 is making headlines across the country.
To: <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
75
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.City Lab - Cities Need Housing. Parking Requirements Make It Harder. By Asm. Laura Friedman & Prof. Donald Shoup
76
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.Los Angeles Times - Editorial: Eliminate parking requirements: Housing people is more important than housing cars
Dear Roberta,
In case you missed it, one of our sponsored bills, AB 1401, is
making headlines across the country. AB 1401 eliminates expensive parking mandates near transit and in
walkable neighborhoods, and it would reduce the cost of housing in these areas.
Even though major papers like the Los Angeles Times have come out in support of AB 1401, we still need all hands on deck to pass this bill through the Assembly Appropriations committee.
Please, take a few minutes to email the State Assembly in support of AB 1401.
GI
77
Bills have until the end of the week to make it out of Appropriations,
meaning we only have a few days to act and ensure this critical legislation moves forward.
Support AB 1401 » Passing AB 1401 would go a long way
towards helping California meet its climate goals by reducing our state’s dependence on personal automobile travel.
If California wants to get serious on climate, we need to adopt
approaches that minimize sprawl development and make it more affordable for Californians to live near good transit. We need to
pass AB 1401.
So Roberta, take a minute to email the Assembly Appropriations Committee and tell them why YOU support AB
1401.
Together, we can build a more affordable, sustainable California.
And that work starts with passing AB 1401 through committee.
Gratefully,
Matthew
Matthew Lewis Communications Director
California YIMBY
California YIMBY is a movement dedicated to ending our state’s housing crisis and
building a more inclusive, affordable, and accessible state for ALL Californians. If you
were forwarded this email, you can join our movement here. Donate now
» We rely on email to communicate with supporters like you and power our
movement. Thank you for being an important part of the team! Getting a bit too much email? You can sign up here to receive fewer emails. To unsubscribe, click here.
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PAID FOR BY CALIFORNIA YIMBY,
717 K Street, Suite 221, Sacramento, CA 95814
Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from California
YIMBY, please click here.
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Sky Posse Post <skypossepost@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 24, 2021 11:21 AM
To:Karen Chapman
Cc:scscroundtable@gmail.com; Council, City; 9-AWA-NoiseOmbudsman@faa.gov; 9-awp-
noise@faa.gov; marina.landis@faa.gov; Ivar Satero (AIR)
Subject:Reply to Representative Eshoo's recent letter on Airplane Noise
Attachments:5_24_21 Letter to Congressewman Anna Eshoo.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Karen,
Good morning and thank you for Representative Eshoo's recent update on airplane noise.
Please find attached a reply with items for consideration for the FAA's upcoming virtual forum, the FMCS
announcement, and our question about what step is needed for the FAA to facilitate supplemental metrics to
communicate about potential impacts because as all are aware, DNL alone can't address the concerns in the
MidPeninsula.
Best,
Jennifer
Sky Posse Palo Alto
2225 East Bayshore Avenue, Suite 200, Palo Alto, CA 94303
May 24, 2021
The Honorable Anna Eshoo
United States House of Representatives
District Office
698 Emerson Street
Palo Alto, California 94301
Dear Representative Eshoo,
Several of our members received your recent letter that includes,
“The FAA has begun coordination to plan for a virtual community informational
briefing this summer. The briefing will include an overview of airspace operations in
Northern California and an update to the recommendations that the Select Committee
provided to the FAA. During the briefing, community members will be able to ask
questions about the items that the FAA discusses.”
“Airspace operations” refers to what the FAA does in the air and other information about Air
Traffic Control’s needs; for the public to be informed about potential ground noise and air
quality pollutant effects the FAA would also need to represent impacts with historical
assessments and prospective noise maps and data--such as number of flights at respective
altitudes. Without this information there is no way for the public to ask informed questions
about the effects on their communities of FAA actions. In particular, we would like to
understand the FAA's “noise screening” because this remains a mystery.
We would also like to ask for the FAA to explain why they and SFO are pursuing a new
method to “collect” complaints with their Noise Portal that discourages third party
applications, interferes with local choices, and creates unnecessary bureaucracy. Third party
applications are how people have been able to easily make noise complaints, and the
collected data is valuable public information. Without the apps, people are much less likely to
make complaints because the process is so difficult. Furthermore, SFO and FAA have yet to
dedicate resources to studying complaints in combination with other data to inform potential
solutions. We commend the Stanford MONA team for doing this relevant analysis which can
lead to informed decisions in efforts to identify mitigation options. Please see citizen
complaints evolution during Covid illustrated on page 3 of the MONA team’s input to FAA’s
recent Federal Register notice about research to inform national aircraft noise policy. We
would like to see investments in these efforts expanded.
At the May 6, 2016 inaugural meeting of the Select Committee, FAA’s then Western
Regional Director Glen Martin committed to providing analysis of the Select Committee
outcomes using the FAA’s environmental analysis tool which can map historical
assessments as well as projections with a choice of metrics to communicate ground noise
and emissions information. The FAA was asked to confirm that these tools were available,
Mr. Martin said yes. “Could we be assured this would happen?”, and Mr. Martin assured it
was possible. The FAA also provided an Update in November of 2017, that explained on
page 8, regulatory steps which include environmental assessments (which are required to
use mapping tools), and that they would follow these rules.
The FAA however has not provided noise maps or environmental assessments. At the same
time, the FAA is being called to account in a report by the Inspector General at the
Department of Transportation for not having published metrics to measure Nextgen
performance. The lack of objective and quantitative analysis of airspace procedures allows
the FAA to continue to ask Congress for money for industry priorities while minimizing the
public’s need for relevant ground impact information that impacts health, productivity and
well being.
Since we last wrote to you, there has also been an announcement about the next steps with
the FAA’s Federal Register Notice and Neighborhood Environmental Study, - that the FAA is
bringing a Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS),“to assist with designing an
inclusive and participatory policy review framework and process that prioritizes input from
substantially affected stakeholders, including local communities.”
Because national policy review will likely entail an unpredictable timeline, we believe the
FMCS should consider an immediate interim approach: to stop using the 65 threshold as the
standard of significance which denies noise in our communities.The May 21st
publication Airport Noise Report, reported Sky Posse member Jennifer Landesmann’s
response to the FMCS announcement under the title,FAA URGED TO IMPOSE A
MORATORIUM ON USE OF THE 65 DNL THRESHOLD,
“An alternative way to move forward in light of FAA’s updated annoyance data should
be considered, which is to have a moratorium on using the 65 DNL threshold as the
standard for significant noise impact, thus suspending environmental declarations
until there is some interim correction to avert the misrepresentations of impacts to
communities, especially those outside the 65 contours. These corrections don't
require new laws or new policies because adding more ways to consider noise is
provided for in current rules - communities have made several proposals for best
practices.
Missing is the FAA's cooperation to offer what is otherwise the cornerstone of good
government: to quantify, map and communicate realistic analysis of pollutants to
citizens before taking actions. Certainly, there is no rush to accelerate air traffic
procedures this year because the level of operations to justify many of these is
nowhere near what would necessitate them, and publishing noise maps can easily fit
in any timeline.”
While traffic is down for this year and next, this is the most opportune moment to prioritize
people over projects that are not fully vetted and have yet to factor in the cost of noise.
Finally, amidst what is an untenable level of dysfunction in how the FAA represents ground
noise effects disclosures to the public, we still are looking for follow up on the problems we
raised in our March 31 letter and items submitted to the SCSC Roundtable.
We would very much appreciate an answer from the FAA about what specific step is needed
to employ supplemental metrics to communicate ground effects in the MidPeninsula.
Supplemental metrics do not require new legislation, they are used in other locations on a
case by case basis. The MidPeninsula is a prime case that needs more metrics to
understand aviation pollution effects on individuals and communities.
Thank you,
Sky Posse Palo Alto
Copy:
SCSC Roundtable
City of Palo Alto
FAA Ombudsman
SFO Airport
2
Baumb, Nelly
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 24, 2021 7:41 AM
To:Allan Seid
Subject:Fwd: API Justice Coalition: First Event!
Attachments:REVISED_apijusticecoalition_may25event (1).png; REVISED_apijusticecoalition_may25event.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Date: Mo, May 24, 2021
Subject: API Justice Coalition: First Event!
Fr: Allan Seid
TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2021
5:30 PM- 6:30 PM
Zoom Link: bit.ly/3eV61vI
(CASE SENSITIVE)
This past year exposed the strong need for a
united group of API-serving organizations in
the South Bay Area. The API Justice
Coalition seeks to fill this gap by bringing
together community organizations that
serve our local API Communities. Join us in
conversation with former Congressman
Honda and current Assemblymember Alex
Lee, where we will define what advocacy for
the API community can look like here in the
Silicon Valley.
A C O N V E R S A T I O N O N
A P I A D V O C A C Y I N
S I L I C O N V A L L E Y
API JUSTICE COALITION
INVITES YOU TO:
3
Baumb, Nelly
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 23, 2021 8:56 AM
To:Allan Seid
Subject:Fwd: Scanned Articles
Attachments:SeidScan_PanelArticle.pdf; SeidScan_BidenArticle.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
1Biden Signs _Bill on Hate. Crimes Against Asian-Americans
By CATIE EDMONDSON '-' ~ ""~< . ,. ' ;)7, -. the bill he was signing "brings us
. and .TIM TANKERSLEY 'If ?J: one step closer to stopping hate,
WASHINGTON -'President notjustagainstAsian-Americans,
Biden on Thursday signed a bill but for all Americans."
meant to address a proliferation of But lawmakers still had work to
assaults and other violent crimes do to combat discrimination and
against Asian-Americans since hate, she_ said.
the outbreak of the coronavirus "Racism exists in America," Ms.
pandemic, celebrating a rare mo-Harris said. "Xenophobia exists in
ment of overwhelming biparti-America. Anti-Semitism, Islamo-
sanship but warning that Ameri-phobia, homophobia, transphobia,
cans must do more to.combat hate it all exists."
crimes. Ms. Meng said on Thursday
The bill amounts to the first leg-that she was "truly heartened" by
islative action that Congress has · the signing ceremony.
taken to bolster law. enforce-"But let us not forget the pain
ment's response to attacks on peo-and struggles of the past year, and
pie of Asian descent during the the fear and terror that the Asian-
pandemic. Experts testified be-American community has been
fore a key House panel in March oouc MILLS/THE NEW YORK TIMES • forced to endure," she said. "And
. that the attacks_ many targeting President Biden, with Vice President Kamala Harris and mem-remember all those who have
women or older people -have in-hers of Congress during th~ bill-signing ceremony on Thursday. been impacted by these heinous
creased nearly 150 percent in the and racist attacks."
past year, . with Americans of ism. to 1 in the Senate and 364 to 62 in Democratic Asian-Americans
Asian descent reporting being The law largely strengthens ad-the House. Many lawmakers in Congress had ·confronted· the
spat on, shoved to the ground, ministrative systems intended to joined Mr. Biden for the signing Biden administration this year
beaten and burned by chemicals. identify and crack down on hate ceremony; including Ms. -Hirono about what they said was an unac-
"All of this hate hides in plain crimes. and Senator Tammy Duckworth, ceptable lack of representation at
sight," Mr. Biden said at the White The measure will establish a po-Democrat of Illinois. White House the highest levels of government,
House before a crowd of nearly 70 sition at the Justice Department officials said that Senator Mitch culminating in the appointment of
lawmakers and activists who had to speed the agency's review of McConnell of Kentucky; the Re-. a senior official to focus on Asian-
pushed for the bill's passage. ''Too hate crimes and expand the chan-publican leader, was also in at-American priorities. Ms. Hirono
often it is met with silence -si-nels to report them, in an effort to tendance, though the president and Ms. Duckworth had pledged
lence by the media, silence·by our improve data collection regarding did not call for him to stand behind to withhqld their votes on some
politics and silence by our his-attacks targeting Asian-Ameri-his desk as he signed the bill. nominees until the president en-
tory." cans. It will also encourage the "We simply haven't seen tlus gaged more actively.
More than 6,600 instances of creation of state-run hate crimes kind of bipartisanship for much Mr. Biden told the crowd at the
anti-Asian hate have been res hotlines, provide grants to law en-too long in Washington," Mr. Bi-White House that the United
corded nationwide in the past forcement agencies that train , den said. States needed a concerted effort
year, according to the nonprofit their .. officers to identify hate "My message to all those of you to eradicate hate crimes that went
Stop AAPI Hate. New York had crimes and introduce a series of who are hurting is, we see you;' he beyond legislation.
the largest increase in anti-Asian education campaigns about bias said. "And the Congress has said; "Of.all the good that the law can
hate crimes relative to ~her ma-against people of Asian descent: . we see you. And we are committed . do, we have to change our hearts;'
jor cities, according to the Center The law, which was led through to stopping the hatred and the he said. "We have to change -the
for the Study of Hate and Extrem-Congress by Senator Mazie K. Hi-bias." hearts of the American people. I ·
rono, Democrat of Hawaii, and Vice President Kamala Harris, mean this from the bottom of my
Jessica Chia contributed report-Representative Grace Meng, who is of Indian descent, intro-heart. Hate can be given no safe
ing. Democrat of New York, passed 94 duced the president and said that harbor in America."
I
4
Baumb, Nelly
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 22, 2021 8:59 AM
To:Channing House Bulletin Board; CHOpinion@googlegroups.com
Subject:Fwd: Scanned Articles
Attachments:SeidScan_PanelArticle.pdf; SeidScan_BidenArticle.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Neighbors and Friends,
FIRST ATTACHMENT: Another excellent panel discussion sponsored by
SUPERVISOR JOE SIMITIAN and AACI (Asian Americans for Community Involvement)
on the "EXPERIENCE OF ASIAN AMERICANS AND PACIFIC ISLANDERS".
FINAL PANEL next Thursday, 5/27, 6:30 pm, free. Registration: https://tinyurl.com/understandingaapi
SECOND ATTACHMENT: Significant FEDERAL LEGISLATION
signed yesterday by President Biden to mitigate AAPI Bigotry and Violence
Sources: 1st attachment S.F Chronicle
2nd Attachment Palo Alto Daily Post
Date: 5/22/21
Fr: Allan Seid
5
Baumb, Nelly
From:Dilma Coleman <dhappinessforever@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, May 21, 2021 1:27 PM
To:Council, City; OCPO@dallascityhall.com
Cc:cmoffice@cityofepa.org; kindon.meik@cityofcorcoran.com
Subject:Re: Start with lying... thank you A quiz=accused heaven sent or scented bean soups. What kind of
beans? Ramen. Ramen not a bean. Want Robyn.Liza Minnelli song: New York New York. Why Santa
Cruz CA Mayor Donna..beep beep the blonde bitch boardwalk? Why ...
Attachments:IMG_20210521_110953.jpg; IMG_20210521_111009.jpg
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Black n tan beep beep= what is Jaundice? Ask Jeeves..that type of grief at San Mateo County Bay Meadows horse
races..go to Natural bridges in Santa Cruz,CA who kills for lemons....u don't sleep with eyes open..show off the itch..red
color dreds shows off dark horse the duck. Best regards Diva Jobs responds well.. autistic..not down..
On Fri, May 21, 2021, 1:19 PM Dilma Coleman <dhappinessforever@gmail.com> wrote:
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Dilma Coleman <dhappinessforever@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 21, 2021, 11:26 AM
Subject: Start with lying... thank you A quiz=accused heaven sent or scented bean soups. What kind of beans? Ramen.
Ramen not a bean. Want Robyn.Liza Minnelli song: New York New York. Why Santa Cruz CA Mayor Donna..beep beep
the blonde bitch boardwalk? Why San Jose CA Mayor Sam beep beep the stolen bicycles home invasions..his STD gave
New England Patriots GM..another Covid test at Little Orchard homeless shelter in San Jose CA.
To: <meganw@latc.com>
Hello Megan, how are you doing today? My name is Dilma Coleman..aka Diva Jobs Was Diva whatever u know Diva
Musk? What else could I be right now? I'm not talking to Re..I can't say things A‐Z.. alphabet..am I autistic? Best regards
Diva Jobs aka Dilma Coleman..whatever
6
Baumb, Nelly
From:Dilma Coleman <dhappinessforever@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, May 21, 2021 1:19 PM
To:Council, City; OCPO@dallascityhall.com
Cc:cmoffice@cityofepa.org; kindon.meik@cityofcorcoran.com
Subject:Fwd: Start with lying... thank you A quiz=accused heaven sent or scented bean soups. What kind of
beans? Ramen. Ramen not a bean. Want Robyn.Liza Minnelli song: New York New York. Why Santa
Cruz CA Mayor Donna..beep beep the blonde bitch boardwalk? Why...
Attachments:IMG_20210521_111313.jpg; IMG_20210521_111335.jpg; IMG_20210521_111009.jpg; IMG_20210521_
111342.jpg; IMG_20210521_111408.jpg
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Dilma Coleman <dhappinessforever@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, May 21, 2021, 11:26 AM
Subject: Start with lying... thank you A quiz=accused heaven sent or scented bean soups. What kind of beans? Ramen.
Ramen not a bean. Want Robyn.Liza Minnelli song: New York New York. Why Santa Cruz CA Mayor Donna..beep beep
the blonde bitch boardwalk? Why San Jose CA Mayor Sam beep beep the stolen bicycles home invasions..his STD gave
New England Patriots GM..another Covid test at Little Orchard homeless shelter in San Jose CA.
To: <meganw@latc.com>
Hello Megan, how are you doing today? My name is Dilma Coleman..aka Diva Jobs Was Diva whatever u know Diva
Musk? What else could I be right now? I'm not talking to Re..I can't say things A‐Z.. alphabet..am I autistic? Best regards
Diva Jobs aka Dilma Coleman..whatever
7
Baumb, Nelly
From:Dilma Coleman <dhappinessforever@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, May 21, 2021 1:04 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Start with lying. ..Am I Diva Jobs..Steve Jobs adopted child... learnt Egyptians law Like why whatever
you need to talk sing about STD'S..child's meal..hotdog fell down there between..not Steve Jobs
Spiders's Toenails Taco Bells franchises their sauce ...
Attachments:IMG_20210521_111313.jpg; IMG_20210521_111335.jpg; IMG_20210521_111342.jpg; IMG_20210521_
111320.jpg
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Los Altos,CA cryer....what I do is want to watch an Indian movie with English translation.. hopefully not see words from
Urban dictionary..flies can see back n forth 7 years ago but they die everyday..diva sits on the bottom bunk at little
Orchard homeless shelter in San Jose CA..why is there a SF Diva hotels? Why all the drug addict maggots pick
pickets..think I am Farmer..at this shelter.. Palo Alto CA this n that ..Steve Jobs sister twin this that brother Reed..Jobs.
..red coloring book=cinnamon lollipop.. helped replace housing for Diva Lee, whatever whatever.. same thing in UC
Santa Cruz..show off the itch..Osiris,Isis,Anubis,Horus..and that Catholic School I attended..what college. draw farts.
Sounds like drums.. drone this that.. Egyptians stuff type..Mary Maxwell Gates taught Diva inside a Montessori
School..show off how Diva heard Kenny G's song last night in an upgraded Lyft ride an Tesla car last night..that Kenny G's
song? Talk about Bay Meadows horse races..that grief..not black n tan beers..draw yellow..lentils..with saffron rice...best
regards Diva Jobs aka Dilma Coleman and what other names they say..
8
Baumb, Nelly
From:Neilson Buchanan <cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com>
Sent:Friday, May 21, 2021 10:22 AM
To:Shikada, Ed; Council, City
Subject:Follow up on 955 Alma Office and Housing Proposal
Attachments:Buchanan 955 Alma EMailed Letter to Mayor and City Manager May 21 2021.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
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Good Morning, Ed and Tom, Attached is a request to resolve residential and public parking policy issues in the University Avenue commercial cores and the ten Residential Zones in Downtown RPP.
On behalf of the residential neighborhoods adjacent to our downtown commercial core, I look forward to resolving these long standing issues. Neilson Buchanan
155 Bryant Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301 650 329-0484 650 537-9611 cell
cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com
Neilson S. Buchanan 155 Bryant Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Dear Mr. Shikada and Mayor Dubois,
I am following up on the issue of the Downtown RPP discussed during the City Council’s study
session on the 955 Alma project on May 18. Other RPP neighbors and citizens throughout Palo Alto are interested in working with the City to find solutions to RPP and public parking issues raised during the study session and regarding the RPP generally. To this end, we have three requests.
Clarifying the Downtown RPP Program First, we would like more clarity on the boundaries of the Downtown RPP, how the RPP is run, and who the City considers eligible for permits under the Downtown RPP. For example, the 955 Alma site is outside of the boundary designated for the RPP Program Area in this map, which
was adopted by the City Council on March 6, 2017: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/transportation/parking/downtown-rpp-map.pdf?t=66260.09. Older maps (on Resolutions Nos. 9473 and 9577) showed 955 Alma as variably within or outside
the Downtown RPP District. Has the boundary been shifting, or are the maps unclear? Currently, it appears that employees of businesses in the Downtown area are permitted to park in the “Downtown RPP Program Area” identified on the map even if the businesses are not in that area. But is it likewise true that residents who live near, but outside, of the Downtown RPP
Program Area can acquire permits to park in the RPP? We note that the City’s RPP Guidelines (adopted Oct. 31, 2016) indicate that employees are eligible for permits if they are employed by a business “within the RPP District,” while residents are eligible if they live “in the permit area.” What do these different requirements mean?
These are not new issues. We request a response by June 4.
Clarifying Public Parking Issues in the University Avenue Commercial Core (excluding
Downtown RPP Zones 1-10)
We also have questions about the implementation of public parking permits in the Downtown Commercial Core: Please clarify who is eligible to apply for and receive a public parking permit in the commercial
core. List the types of permits available and prices.
What is the planned date to commence soft and hard enforcement for public parking lots and garages?
To what degree does the current FY21-22 city budget include permit revenue cash flow and
expense? Clarify the time gap between permit sales and hard enforcement. Please provide line items from budget documents. We request a response by June 4.
Meeting With Key Parties After we can review the above information from the City, we would appreciate the opportunity to meet (virtually) with the Mayor, City Manager, and the Director of Office of Transportation to
better understand the City’s approach to Downtown neighborhood parking issues generally, and
specifically to discuss approaches to new, dense housing on the periphery of zones 1-10 and related parking impacts. We request this meeting before the July 10.
This information is particularly relevant to citizens living within Downtown RPP Zones 1-10. Thank you,
Neilson Buchanan
9
Baumb, Nelly
From:Barbara Kelsey <barbara.kelsey@sierraclub.org>
Sent:Thursday, May 20, 2021 4:53 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:James Eggers; Gita Dev; Gladwyn d'Souza; Bruce Rienzo
Subject:Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter letter of apology
Attachments:May 20th letter to Palo Alto.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
May 20, 2021
City of Palo Alto Mayor Dubois and Palo Alto City Council
Via email: City.Council@CityofPaloAlto.org Dear Mayor DuBois and Palo Alto City Council Members,
Thank you for your letter of May 5, 2021, in response to our letter of April 29, 2021. This letter is by way of apology for our letter on our stationery that was thought by the signer to have been adequately reviewed - but it was not. The accusatory tone in the sentence you referenced does not accurately reflect our view of Palo Alto's intentions. This was unfortunate and we regret this. Please see our full letter attached.
As your planning process moves along, we look forward to staying involved and there will be points at which we will comment but you can rest assured that those future comments, as with all comments from our chapter, will go through a thorough review process, both for tone and for factuality, before sending.
Sincerely, James Eggers, Executive Director Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter Cc: Bruce Rienzo, Chapter Chair Gladwyn d’Souza, Conservation Chair Gita Dev, Sustainable Land Use Chair
sent by:
Barbara Kelsey
she/her/hers
Chapter Coordinator
Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter
3921 E. Bayshore Rd, Suite 204
Palo Alto, CA 94303
barbara.kelsey@sierraclub.org
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm
Friday, 9:30 to 11:30 am
SAN MATEO, SANTA CLARA & SAN BENITO COUNTIES May 20, 2021
City of Palo Alto
Mayor Dubois and Palo Alto City Council
Via email: City.Council@CityofPaloAlto.org
Dear Mayor DuBois and Palo Alto City Council Members,
Thank you for your letter of May 5, 2021, in response to our letter of April 29,
2021.
This letter is by way of apology for our letter on our stationery that was thought by the signer to have been adequately reviewed - but it was not. The accusatory tone in the sentence you referenced does not accurately reflect our view of Palo Alto's intentions. We endeavor to not be accusatory, as this is rarely helpful, and to fact check statements - especially when multiple members engage in contributing wordage - but those functions did not happen. This was unfortunate and we regret this. The Loma Prieta Chapter recognizes that the current housing situation in
Palo Alto is not the creation of this Council or of recent Councils. We were particularly negligent in not recognizing that Palo Alto's office cap is an
important and salutary step, taken to address the city's jobs/housing
imbalance, and which should be emulated by other Peninsula cities.
We recognize that your $40 million recent investments in subsidized
affordable housing, including rescue of the Buena Vista Mobile Home
Park, are eminently praiseworthy. In addition, we commend you for creating an
Affordable Housing overlay in transit corridors, increasing multi-family infill
densities, allowing conversion of commercial space to residential use,
and early adoption of an ADU ordinance. Those may well be important tools
for helping to expand housing, equity, reduce GHG emissions and address the
jobs/housing gap.
As your planning process moves along, we look forward to staying involved
and there will be points at which we will comment but you can rest assured
that those future comments, as with all comments from our chapter, will go
through a thorough review process, both for tone and for factuality, before
sending.
;,, &1 SIERRA CLUB w LOMA PRIETA CHA P'TER
Sincerely, James Eggers, Executive Director Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter Cc: Bruce Rienzo, Chapter Chair
Gladwyn d’Souza, Conservation Chair
Gita Dev, Sustainable Land Use Chair
r
r
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:Sandra Browman <sandra.browman@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 1:34 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:RE: Fall of tree .....2353 Webster st
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
I would like to know how a healthy tree according to the Palo City could fall???
How was the maintenance of the tree?
Who will benefit from the fall of the tree?
Who put garbage in the trunk of the tree?
What else was in the trunk?
Would like for each member of the Council to ask he/herself these questions! And what are you going to do about it?
Sincerely,
Sandra Browman
2
4
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 2:26 PM
To:Council, City; Joe Simitian; Human Relations Commission
Subject:Fwd: letter to the editor
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
‐‐‐
From: Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>
Date: Tue, May 25, 2021 at 1:43 PM
Subject: letter to the editor
To: Dave Price <price@padailypost.com>
Avenidas is Palo Alto's non‐profit Senior Center. Before remodeling ( and making the space smaller, more sterile, and
less community oriented), it served La Comida, the Senior lunch program. But with the remodel came a small, pricey
little cafe, and no more was La Comida serving lunches there. So Masonic Temple let La Comida use its space. Now
they have declined and so La Comida is being moved to a church on the edge of the downtown, much less convenient
for seniors. Why can't La Comida go back to this so‐called non‐profit senior center? It is the city's non‐profit senior
center and much more more central to downtown seniors. It would mean that Avenidas would better serve the local
seniors, with more traffic, nd more community engagement. Why should local churches take the responsibility for this
senior program? Let's move La Comida back to Avenidas, supposedly a non‐profit city entity.
Sincerely,
Roberta Ahlquist
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:sasha irwin <sashairwinyoga@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 2:38 PM
To:Council, City
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hi. I recently heard news that the dntn palo alto library might close. ৡৢৣ I'm very upset about this. I am disabled and I
don't have a car. It would be horrible for me if the library closed down because I rely on the copy machine for my
responsibilities with cal fresh and ssi. I love to read books and watch movies and it is so easy for me to do those things
with the luxury of the downtown library. I wouldn't be able to do those things if it closed down. I really hope it doesn't
close ΎΏ Thank you
Sasha Irwin
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:Jack Sweeney <jackddranch@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 2:38 PM
To:CPAU Survey
Cc:City Mgr; Council, City
Subject:Re: Palo Alto Resident's Survey
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Tried to complete the survey.
It FAILED on the second question. The screen did not complete loading. There is no way to reload it.
Probably a good thing for the utilities department. I am not a fan.
Sent from my iPad
On May 25, 2021, at 10:33 AM, CPAU Survey <CPAU.Survey@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote:
Dear Valued Customer,
The City of Palo Alto Utilities wants YOUR opinion.
The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) is working with RKS Research & Consulting, an independent
research firm, to conduct a customer satisfaction survey that will help us find ways to better meet your
needs. As our customer, we would like your opinion on utility matters such as the quality of services
CPAU delivers, as well as reliability, affordability, communication and customer service. Your feedback is
important and can influence our decisions and actions for how we provide service, maintain operations
and identify areas for improvement.
The survey is confidential and under no circumstances will RKS release or divulge your identity to CPAU,
nor your specific answers to questions, unless you give them explicit permission to do so.
The survey should take about 10 minutes and can be accessed with the following link:
https://rksresearch.com/survey/index.php/4713?lang=en&token=l4JIpGNJAbxi064
Please take this opportunity to provide your feedback about CPAU. The survey will remain open until
June 1, 2021. Thank you for your input.
Sincerely,
Dean Batchelor
<image001.png> DEAN BATCHELOR
Director of Utilities
City of Palo Alto
Phone: 650.496.6981
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:william dale <local1319president@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 3:41 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:City Mgr
Subject:Fire Department budget concerns
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
‐‐ Honorable City Council,
Thank you for all of your hard work these past few months and certainly the last few weeks. As I said to the
Finance committee recently, I do not envy your position. There are lots of tough choices and not many great
answers. You have all worked through them together and are trying to get it right, so thank you for your
effort. The recent decision to fund the Fire Department without any further cuts is greatly appreciated and
needed. It has been a hard year with both COVID and a devastating fire season on our Firefighters.
Additionally, as stated by a few council members, "I am not sure the community has experienced the effects of
safety cuts". I can assure you, they have not.
That being said, I am respectfully asking you to consider staffing Fire Station 2 full time and re‐funding the 5
positions that were cut last year which has caused its closure. With the increase in funds from The American
Rescue Act and Council potentially splitting the money 60/40, there are funds to restore previous cuts. In fact,
the federal money is intended to “restore cuts” from budget shortfalls from COVID. There are serious safety
issues for your Fire Department employees, the community, including Stanford as well as retainment and
recruitment issues.
Fire Station 2 is closed 80% of the time on nights and weekends. This station sits directly in the center of the
City and services not just “district 2” but a large portion of the Stanford campus, all of our foothills, the dish
trails,Barron Park, and Mitchell Park neighborhoods, due to its central location. It currently staff's an Engine,
Paramedic Ambulance, and a grass fire fighting engine, all of which are out of service when the station is
closed. I was personally stationed there for many years and know how critical these units are to our responses
for the entire City. Emergencies don’t just happen Monday through Friday and only during the day. Often calls
at night are our most critical and time dependent. The weekends we see many more residents out in the
community and parks, including Foothills park, that are serviced by this station as well. With Station 2 closed
(browned out), a large part of our community is uncovered and that drastically decreases our ability to serve
the community like our residents and visitors deserve and expect. With this station closed as often as it is, we
are leap frogging districts to cover calls for service. This intern leaves other districts uncovered and the city
running very lean if not totally uncovered. Why do the residents, Stanford University and business owners in
this district deserve less protection and service? During COVID the call volume fell and we were lucky, now
that the economy is drastically improving, people are out and calls are coming back fast. Stanford's population
is increasing daily, construction sites are full, hotels and offices are filling up and the need for a safe and
2
effective response model is needed. Having an Engine shut down, for any time frame, does not allow us to
meet that need.
In addition to the above concerns, there are going to be retention and recruitment issues. Running apparatus
on a 12 hour rotation has very negative impacts on our staff. As you are all aware the cost to live in the bay
area is excessive and it is unattainable to live in Palo Alto. In fact, most of our employees do not even live in
Santa Clara County. The cost of living has driven most of our younger employees out to the Central Valley,
Sacramento and further. When we staff 12 hour units the commute in and home is excessive. No other Fire
Department in the area runs a 12 hour staffing model consistently. None of our employees want to make this
drive as regularly as we are being required. This has now sparked conversations about leaving to other
agencies that staff to the industry standard. In fact, they are being recruited for that exact reason. Our
employees already spend an excessive amount of time away from their families for a normal work schedule.
This staffing model makes it worse and unsustainable. It will also be difficult to recruit employees when The
City of Palo Alto is competing for talent while other agencies do not have such a challenging work schedule
and deployment model. Candidates that are currently looking at potential openings here have already posed
that question to many of our members helping with potential recruitment.
In closing, every minute delay can have catastrophic consequences to humans, property and the lives of
your Firefighters. Every minute there is a delay in active fire fighting a fire doubles in size. Brain death
occurs in 4-6 minutes without critical interventions by Fire and EMS, and the danger for us increases
exponentially the longer it takes for us to arrive on any incident. There are real consequences to humans
when we can’t get there in time to make a difference. And, many times people forget what it does to the
Firefighters and Paramedics who are involved in these calls, especially when we are running dangerously
short. There are very negative impacts to our physical and mental health. Fully funding Station 2 back to
pre-COVID staffing levels will certainly help eliminate many of the above concerns. It will make for a safer
workplace and help recruit and maintain employees. And as previously stated, the residents, visitors,
business owners and Stanford should not receive less service than any other portion of the City.
Thank you for your consideration and I am happy to speak to any staff or Council member if they have
questions or concerns.
Respectfully,
William Dale
President ‐ Local 1319
(408) 310‐9373
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
P.O. Box 712
Palo Alto, CA 94301
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:Ali, Hassan1 <hassan1.ali@citi.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 4:28 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Request to reopen Ramona St and University Ave
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hello!
I hope you are doing great.
I wanted to reach out to you to request for reopening of Ramona St and University Ave.
We are Citi Bank branch located at 250 University Ave. Palo Alto CA. and facing challenges with the foot
traffic due to Ramona Street & University Ave being closed and its negatively impacting the business.
The customers are complaining about not being able to access the branch location and have also shared their
concern about not feeling safe in walking to a far away to a parking area with money and valuables. And this
become a reason why they avoid visiting our branch.
Therefore, on behalf of my team and customers, I would like to humbly request you to reopen Ramona st. &
University ave so we could benefit from being easily accessible to the customers.
Looking forward to your usual cooperation
Thank You & Warm Regards,
Hassan Ali | Branch Manager, VP
Palo Alto Main Branch | 250 University Ave, Palo Alto CA 94301 Ph: 650-798-3721 | Fax: 650-267-4264 | email: hassan1.ali@citi.com NMLS: 984565
Visit theacsi.org for more information
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C111 ~ OIIC<' ••ts•iri btl n r,n
11111 C11stol'Dllt' Siifl:i.f,1dlo11I'
:!.Oli!. • :!Or7 • :!01:0o :!.0:!0
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 4:57 PM
To:Roberta Ahlquist
Cc:Council, City; Planning Commission; Joe Simitian; rebecca; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Shikada, Ed;
winter dellenbach; Angie Evans; lennysiegel@sonic.net; Human Relations Commission;
cindy.chavez@bos.sccgov.org; Raj; Jeff Moore; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Richard Konda;
city.council@menlopark.org; Lewis. james; Betsy Nash; chuck jagoda; GRP-City Council
Subject:Re: Another POV--EPA Councilman
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Roberta,
Extraordinary piece! Thanks for distributing widely. Aram
Sent from my iPhone
On May 25, 2021, at 4:34 PM, Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu> wrote:
https://www.stanforddaily.com/2021/05/11/op‐ed‐the‐house‐i‐cant‐afford‐to‐live‐
in/?fbclid=IwAR0CkaOxtoMTnkoucCVUkuP‐zAl0E1ObdaiLpCd8EMiQd1Of‐cpMVJHpmm8
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:Martin J Sommer <martin@sommer.net>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 5:42 PM
To:Tietjen, Brent
Cc:CalMod@caltrain.com; Board (@caltrain.com); Council, City
Subject:Re: University Ave Beige Pole Color
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Brett,
I finally found time to review the January 10th, 2019 City of Palo Alto video recommenced below, and have a few followup questions: 1. You mention in the video, the "Portal" type pole option for University Ave station, but you have never
answered my original question of "why it was not used". Can you please answer this?
2. The 45 foot center poles installed, are 10 feet taller than the 35 foot poles presented to the City. A 30% increase in height, should have been passed back to the City for review. Wouldn't you agree?
3. You stated that the paint life expediency to be 10 years. This clearly indicates, an expectation for Caltrain to paint these poles on a regular basis, and would suggest that painting equipment is already planned for the project. Is it? 4. As stated from the City official Furth, the City "advises", and Caltrain "decides". If I am able to get the Palo
Alto ARB to advise/recommend/request painting the top portion of poles in the University Ave station to the City standard of Marine Green, how much weight with Caltrain, will this carry? Thanks again, Martin
On 4/13/21 12:46 PM, Tietjen, Brent wrote:
Hi Martin,
The joint ARB/HRB meeting was held on January 10th, 2019. The City of Palo Alto records and uploads
videos of these Board meetings for review. The full video of the presentation, including photo
simulations shown to the Board, and the ARB/HRB member discussion and decision can be seen on this
page https://midpenmedia.org/architectural‐review‐board‐74‐1102019/.
Thanks,
Brent
From: Martin J Sommer [mailto:martin@sommer.net]
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2021 9:59 AM
To: Tietjen, Brent <TietjenB@samtrans.com>; CalMod@caltrain.com
Cc: Board (@caltrain.com) <BoardCaltrain@samtrans.com>; city.council@cityofpaloalto.org; Pat Burt
2
<pat@patburt.org>
Subject: Re: University Ave Beige Pole Color
ATTENTION: This email came from an external source. Do not open attachments or click on
links from unknown senders.
Thanks Brent, looks like "bait and switch" to me.
Can you please send me the photos presented to the Palo Alto ARB? You mentioned them in the
prior email, but they were not included with the ARB report. We need to get this issue resolved.
Thank you,
Martin
On 4/13/21 9:16 AM, Tietjen, Brent wrote:
Hi Martin,
Thanks for your patience. I believe your questions are related and hope the below
information below is helpful.
The image you are referencing was a rendering that was created before the final design
of the pole and foundation locations was complete. This rendering was also complete
prior to the ARB/HRB decision on pole colors for the station area.
There are three main types of poles used along the corridor, single side poles, two track
cantilevers (on one side), and center poles. The use of each pole is dependent on the
site conditions, including utilities and the clearance between the tracks. Where feasible,
center poles were chosen in order to reduce the number trees pruned or removed
required to provide clearance for the electrical safety zone (ESZ). The ESZ is typically 10
feet from the farthest electrified element in most cases. A center pole has the ESZ set by
the train pantograph as that is the electrified element that is farthest out. With single
side poles, the electrical safety zone is set by the pole location which supports an
electrified wire.
Thanks,
Brent
From: Martin J Sommer [mailto:martin@sommer.net]
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2021 9:28 AM
To: CalMod@caltrain.com
Cc: Board (@caltrain.com) <BoardCaltrain@samtrans.com>;
city.council@cityofpaloalto.org; Pat Burt <pat@patburt.org>
Subject: Re: University Ave Beige Pole Color
3
ATTENTION: This email came from an external source. Do not open attachments
or click on links from unknown senders.
Thanks Brent, appreciate you staying on this issue. In addition, please see the attached photo. This vision of Caltrain rolling into the University Ave station in Palo Alto, is one of the most widely distributed photos
of the Caltrain Electrification Project. Notice: a) short poles, b) back color, and c) symmetric north and south cantilevers. What we received in Palo Alto, bears no resemblance to this? What went wrong, and can we please fix it?
Martin
On 3/27/21 6:22 PM, CalMod@caltrain.com wrote:
Hi Martin,
Yes, I will work to get this information from the project team.
Best,
Brent
From: Martin J Sommer [mailto:martin@sommer.net]
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2021 2:15 PM
To: CalMod@caltrain.com
Cc: Board (@caltrain.com) <BoardCaltrain@samtrans.com>;
city.council@cityofpaloalto.org; Pat Burt <pat@patburt.org>
Subject: Re: University Ave Beige Pole Color
ATTENTION: This email came from an external source. Do not
open attachments or click on links from unknown senders.
Hi Brent,
I am still working on this issue. When we talked via phone, you
offered to look into why the tall single poles were used at the University Ave station, vs two shorter poles on the side, with or without a crossbar. The Cal Ave station, uses two shorter poles, placed right on the platform.
Can you please answer that for me? Thanks,
4
Martin
On 1/13/21 9:58 AM, Martin J Sommer wrote:
Hi Brent,
Thanks for talking this morning. Yes, please try to put a number on repainting the top half of one or more poles at the University Ave station. Once we have this number, I will reach out to the City Of
Palo Alto, for potential funding sources.
Best regards, Martin
On 12/22/20 7:49 PM, Martin J Sommer wrote:
+cc: Pat Bert
Brent, please take a look at the attached photo. I don't think this is what the City, nor the design engineers, had in mind.
Please tell me, how I can help correct this situation. Thank you,
Martin
--
Martin Sommer
650-346-5307
martin@sommer.net
www.linkedin.com/in/martinsommer
"Turn technical vision into reality."
5
--
Martin Sommer
650-346-5307
martin@sommer.net
www.linkedin.com/in/martinsommer
"Turn technical vision into reality."
--
Martin Sommer
650-346-5307
martin@sommer.net
www.linkedin.com/in/martinsommer
"Turn technical vision into reality."
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:Lester D Ezrati <lezrati@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 7:30 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:women's event
Attachments:Possible Participants in Celebration of Women Event.docx
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
I would like to suggest that the City explore an even along the lines I
describe below.
I recently read an article that appeared in the New York
Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/t‐magazine/female‐
monuments‐women.html
It struck me that many great Palo Alto women remain unrecognized and
that the city could do something about it.
First let me say I am not suggesting the city spend money on this. I think
it can be done with private donations, volunteers and participation from
many groups some of which I have listed on the attached. I imagine two
main thrusts
1. Monuments. These could be done along the lines of the San Jose
Sports Hall of Fame at Mineta airport. Plaques or other monuments
could be placed around the city recognizing the achievements of Palo
Alto Women. One place where many of these could be placed would be
the area in front of city hall, which currently has all the curb appeal of a
fallout shelter. This area could become a place of gathering with these
monuments. Other plaques around the city would be
appropriate. Businesses might be willing to sponsor a plaque to attract
traffic to their stores. A self guided walking tour could be constructed for
people to follow.
2. Events. I imagine the following, though certainly there are many
more.
2
a. Libraries featuring books by women or about women.
b. Both the Art Center and the Art League featuring female artists.
c. Street concerts by female artists.
d. An arts and wine and beer festival featuring female artists,
winemakers and brewers from around the area.
e. Book readings featuring female authors.
f. Discussions and panels on women's issues.
g. An effort by the Public Art Program to emphasize female artists.
h. A speaker series at Lucie Stern featuring female speakers.
There are many famous women with connections to Palo Alto. Here is
the wikipedia page that lists some famous Palo Altans. We can start with
the women on this
page. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Palo_Alto
But we also can dig deeper by asking members of the community to
nominate people.
Thanks for taking the time to consider this. I see this as an opportunity to
recognize the women of Palo Alto and also as a way to attract more
people to the city.
Best regards,
Les
Lester Ezrati
lezrati@gmail.com
6505754714
Possible Participants in Celebration of Women Event
Bookstores
Libraries
Stanford department of Feminist, Gender and Sexuality Studies
PAUSD
Castilleja
Girl Scouts
Palo Alto Arts Center
Palo Alto Art League
Woman’s Club of Palo Alto
Palo Alto Public Art Program
Local Businesses
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Sent:Wednesday, May 26, 2021 2:03 AM
To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; David Balakian; bballpod;
fred beyerlein; beachrides; Leodies Buchanan; bearwithme1016@att.net; boardmembers; Council,
City; Chris Field; Cathy Lewis; dennisbalakian; Doug Vagim; Daniel Zack; Dan Richard; david
pomaville; esmeralda.soria@fresno.gov; eappel@stanford.edu; francis.collins@nih.gov; Steven
Feinstein; fmerlo@wildelectric.net; grinellelake@yahoo.com; George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu;
Gabriel.Ramirez@fresno.gov; huidentalsanmateo; hennessy; Irv Weissman; jerry ruopoli; Joel Stiner;
kfsndesk; kwalsh@kmaxtv.com; leager; lalws4@gmail.com; Mark Standriff; margaret-sasaki@live.com;
Mayor; newsdesk; news@fresnobee.com; nick yovino; russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve Wayte;
tsheehan; terry; vallesR1969@att.net
Subject:Fwd: Dr. Campbell on myocarditis in yng men after Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Tue, May 25, 2021 at 10:08 PM
Subject: Fwd: Dr. Campbell on myocarditis in yng men after Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Forwarded message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Tue, May 25, 2021 at 5:08 PM
Subject: Dr. Campbell on myocarditis in yng men after Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Tues, May 25, 2021
To all‐ Here, today, Dr. John Campbell in the UK discusses the cases of myocarditis in young men, under 30, after
they receive the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. This topic appeared on the network news in the US last night.
Rare but scary.
Tuesday update ‐ YouTube
He wonders if such pts. S/B advised to get the adeno virus vector vaccines from Astrazeneca and J&J instead AND
to limit vigorous exercise for a few days after vaccination. Don't stress the heart in that time‐frame. He also worries
about accidental injection of the vaccines into a vein instead of into a muscle. He discussed this about a month ago too.
If the vaccine goes into a vein, it can travel all over the body and he wonders if that contributes, if it happens, to the
myocarditis problem.
2
They'll have a problem getting the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine in the US because the FDA is keeping the 60
million doses we have of it off the market here. That in itself is a national scandal which the WH could have stopped
months ago.
So a very topical discussion by Dr. Campbell, as are all of his excellent talks.
L. William Harding
Fresno, Ca.
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, May 26, 2021 7:03 AM
To:Channing House Bulletin Board; CHOpinion@googlegroups.com
Subject:Fwd: Commuters, Subway Operator Save Asian Man Thrown Onto Train Tracks in Queens
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
From: Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 26, 2021
Subject: Commuters, Subway Operator Save Asian Man Thrown Onto Train Tracks in Queens
Source: Yahoo News
https://news.yahoo.com/commuters‐subway‐operator‐save‐asian‐165544659.html
Commuters, Subway Operator Save
Asian Man Thrown Onto Train Tracks in
Queens
Tue, May 25, 2021, 9:55 AM
2
Commuters and a quick‐thinking subway operator saved an Asian man from
certain death after he was thrown onto train tracks in Queens in New York on
Monday morning.
The incident: Local authorities are looking for the suspect who pushed the 36-year-
old victim onto the southbound tracks at the 21st-Queensbridge Station at around
7:45 a.m. just as an F train was arriving, reported NBC Bay Area.
According to witnesses, the suspect approached the man and said something
to him before shoving him onto the tracks.
It remains unknown what words were exchanged as the victim only speaks
Mandarin.
Subway operator Tobin Madathil said he immediately placed the approaching
train into emergency mode after noticing people waving at him, the NY Post
reported.
Commuters brought the man back to safety as the train pulled to a stop 30
feet away from him.
The victim, who was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital for treatment, reportedly
suffered a laceration on the forehead.
Suspect at large: The NYPD is now looking for the reported suspect, who is said to
be between 20-30 years old, about 6 feet tall, and was wearing all-black attire
including a face mask, hoodie, pants and shoes on the day of the attack.
3
The authorities are looking into whether the attack was motivated by race
and have released an image of the reported suspect.
The NYPD is offering a reward of up to $3,500 to anyone with information
that can lead to the suspect's arrest. Tipsters can call or DM NYPDTips at 800-
577-TIPS.
In a statement highlighting the “significant dip in ridership and a spike in
crime,” an MTA spokesperson called upon the de Blasio administration to
“partner with us and do more to address subway incidents and the ongoing
mental health crisis in the city."
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, May 26, 2021 7:07 AM
To:Channing House Bulletin Board; CHOpinion@googlegroups.com
Subject:Fwd: Racist Slurs, Broken Glass, Then a Return to Business for an Asian-Owned Store Attacked Twice.
‘We Have No Choice.’
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From: Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 26, 2021
Subject: Racist Slurs, Broken Glass, Then a Return to Business for an Asian‐Owned Store Attacked Twice. ‘We Have No
Choice"
Source: Yahoo News
https://news.yahoo.com/racist‐slurs‐broken‐glass‐then‐230654379.html
Racist Slurs, Broken Glass, Then a
Return to Business for an Asian‐Owned
Store Attacked Twice. ‘We Have No
Choice.’
Tue, May 25, 2021, 4:06 PM
2
Stop Anti-Asian Hate Rally
Fiona Phie in a moment of silence after placing an offering among flowers, candles,
and incense while honoring victims of anti‐Asian hate, on April 10, 2021 in Boston.
Credit ‐ Erin Clark—Boston Globe/Getty Images
Mun Sung and his wife watched helplessly on March 30 as a man wielding a metal
pole smashed through glass, ripped down racks and hurled racial slurs at them
inside the Charlotte, N.C. convenience store they’ve owned for two decades.
They knew from following the news that Asian Americans were increasingly being
targeted and attacked across the nation. But despite facing racism at work on a daily
basis since the pandemic began—even growing hardened to the hatred month after
month—Sung could not imagine his family would fall victim to violence.
“I didn’t think it would happen to us,” the 65-year-old says, “but it did.”
On Tuesday, less than two months later, it happened again.
3
After a male customer grew irate that he could not afford a pack of cigarettes, he
repeatedly slammed a sheet of plexiglass with his fists until it shattered, shouting
racial slurs as he pummeled the protective barrier, according to Mark Sung, who
helps his parents run the store and who shared video of the attack with TIME.
“He said, ‘You Chinese motherf-ckers are 100% going to hell, 100% going to hell,’”
says the 35-year-old Sung, whose family is Korean.
Sung says his 63-year-old mother, Joyce, was hit by pieces of plexiglass, which sent
her stumbling back. She sustained a bruise on her forehead and a cut on her finger.
“It hurts every time I blink my eye,” she says. “I was shocked at first, but I’m fine
now.”
The second attack on the Sung family is the latest example of the fear Asian
Americans live with each day, in a world where they cannot count on bystanders to
help. Just like in New York City, where security guards at a nearby building shut the
doors on a 65-year-old Asian American woman who was attacked on March 29,
nobody came to Joyce Sung’s aid or indicated they were calling for help.
The surveillance video obtained by TIME shows one customer walking away as the
man becomes increasingly violent. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
directed comment to G4S, the company that is responsible for daily security
operations at the transit hub where the store is located. G4S did not respond to
requests for comment.
Mark Sung says he doesn’t blame customers for not intervening, citing the dangers
and likelihood that an attacker could have a weapon. Instead, the family has learned
to prepare for the possibility of confrontations and has a routine for when things
escalate: call the police, assess the damage, file an insurance claim, go back to work.
“Knowing that we’re going to get cursed out every day while we’re getting ready for
work is just… we don’t know what words to use,” Joyce Sung says.
The latest confrontation at the Plaza Sundries store erupted at around 11 a.m., when
the man first tried paying for cigarettes with 50 cents and then $1. Mark Sung says
he turned violent when his mother returned his change.
Surveillance video, which has no audio, shows the man putting down what appears
to be a Bible that he entered the store with before whaling on the plexiglass above
the cash register with his fists. The man can be seen using both hands to shove the
quarter-inch thick protective shield, bending it until it shatters.
4
Authorities arrested a suspect in the March 30 attack, which was also captured on
surveillance video. Mark Sung said someone had also been detained in Tuesday’s
attack, but there was no confirmation of that from police or the security company.
There have been more than 6,600 reported hate incidents against Asian Americans
from March 2020 to March 2021, according to Stop AAPI Hate, a reporting database
created at the beginning of the pandemic. Anti-Asian hate crimes in 16 of America’s
largest cities increased 149% in 2020, according to an analysis of official
preliminary police data by the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at
California State University, San Bernardino.
Despite the latest attack, Mark Sung says they couldn’t afford to shut down the store
for the rest of the day, especially on a popular day for Lottery purchases and after
the pandemic drove sales down at the store about 45%.
“Closing would set us back so far,” he says, adding that damages and lost revenue
from the March incident cost the family roughly $25,000.
Within two hours, after alerting the authorities, the family erected a new sheet of
plexiglass and went back to work.
“We have no choice,” he says.
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:Allan Seid <allanseid734@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, May 26, 2021 7:51 AM
To:Allan Seid
Subject:Fwd: Palo Alto Daily Post
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
From: Allan Seid
Date: Wed, May 26, 2021 at 7:25 AM
Subject: Palo Alto Daily Post
Council passes resolution about Lee Eng; she says she’s being canceled due to her race
May 26, 2021 2:01 am
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
Los Altos City Council, shown here in a screen grab from Zoom, voted on a resolution last night
regarding a dispute between Councilwoman Lynette Lee Eng, bottom left, and racial activist Kenan Moos.
By the Daily Post staff
Los Altos Councilwoman Lynette Lee Eng slammed others on council as hypocrites just before they voted 3-2 early this morning to pass a resolution intended to settle a dispute between her and a racial activist.
Voting in favor were Mayor Neysa Fligor, Sally Meadows and Jonathan Weinberg. Against where Lee Eng and Anita Enander. The vote came at 1:39 a.m., following a marathon session that drew 80 public speakers.
The dispute centers over texts Justice Vanguard activist Kenan Moos sent to Lee Eng during a Nov. 24 meeting when council was considering whether the city should hire an independent attorney or some other third-party to collect complaints residents might file against police. It was one of several reforms Moos’ group asked council to pass. Lee Eng decided to abstain from voting, saying she
wanted to know what the decision would cost the city. In a text, Moos warned her that her name “will be all over the papers.” She told the council minutes later that she feared for her safety and that of her family.
Since then, Moos’ supporters have spoken at council meetings, calling for her resignation.
Fligor, who wrote the resolution with Weinberg, said the statement was intended to put on the record the events of Nov. 24. She emphasized that they weren’t intending to criticize or shame Lee Eng — but that’s exactly the way Lee Eng took it when she delivered an emotional defense of her actions at 1:10 a.m. today.
“I just have to call out the hypocrisy. Your actions this evening further exemplify why I and many Asians have a difficult time making our case,” Lee Eng said at about 1 a.m. today during the marathon meeting. “I have been criticized for expressing a different viewpoint. I have been continuously cut off while speaking.”
2
Lee Eng said she suffered a stroke a few years ago, and it has made it difficult for her to
communicate.
“The fear I experienced compounded with the difficulty of expressing myself may have led to a
misunderstanding when I tried to convey the anxiety I felt after reading those texts from Kenan Moos,” Lee Eng said.
“I reject any implication that I am a racist or that my supporters are racists,” she said.
She pointed out that more than 9,000 Los Altos residents voted to re-elect her last year, and she said it was a “disgrace” to label any of them as racist. Moos has said that some of her supporters are racists.
“Intimidating, canceling and shaming are not the way to bring people together,” she said.
Then Lee Eng singled out Mayor Fligor.
“You said that when you read Mr. Moos’ texts that you saw nothing in them that would have caused you to be concerned for my family’s safety or my safety. You substituted your judgment for mine. You practically just canceled me,” Lee Eng said.
“You do not recognize that I am a different minority with a different culture. You are not Asian and
you were not the target of the dramatic increase in anti-Asian hate crimes, incidents, sentiments and
violence. … You had not had your campaign signs defaced with racist decals. So I just feel you are dismissing me, canceling me and telling me that I did not react the way you would have, so I’m in the wrong.
“You’re saying that I didn’t judge Kenan’s actions correctly because my judgment is different from yours. I’m shocked that somebody who claims to stand against racism apparently only stands against racism directed at your race,” Lee Eng said about Fligor, who is black. “Mayor Filigor, neither you or the other council members know what it is to walk in my shoes. I would caution you that if you move forward with this resolution, you are condemning me for my authentic reaction.”
Fligor denied that she was replacing her judgment for Lee Eng’s.
“I will stand by you if you feel you’re being threatened,” Fligor said.
As for Moos, Lee Eng showed the council a screen grab purportedly from Moos’ Justice Vanguard site that was titled “Lynette Lee eng (sic) Aka Lying Lynette.” And below that, it said “Recall the
Racist.”
The screen grab had a photo of Lee Eng with a red X over her face.
The Post was not able to immediately verify if the screen grab was actually from the Justice Vanguard site. The page couldn’t be found on the Justice Vanguard site at 2 a.m. today.
Councilwoman Anita Enander joined Lee Eng in voting against the resolution. “I would vote ‘yes’ if I had any confidence that this will solve anything,” she said.
Fligor responded, “I think it is worth trying something, but I can’t guarantee it will solve anything.”
Sally Meadows and Jonathan Weinberg, both of whom were elected last fall, joined Fligor in voting for the resolution.
3
Earlier in the evening, Palo Alto City Councilwoman Lydia Kou spoke in support of Lee Eng. Kou said the campaign against Lee Eng is an attempt to intimidate a public servant into admitting she did
something wrong.
“At the end of the day, ask yourselves, which side of history will you be on?” Kou said to the Los Altos council.
In Palo Alto, Kou is a defender of single-family home neighborhoods in the face of development, and Lee Eng holds a similar philosophy.
Also last night, Moos said that after Lee Eng gave an interview to the London Daily Mail about the dispute, he received death threats.
Moos said one person told him they hope Moos gets “lynched.” He said another told him that “black lives splatter.”
Moos said he didn’t ask for council to pass the resolution. But, he added, “This resolution appears to be the only solution that will clear my name.”
Former Los Altos schools board president Douglas Smith told council that Lee Eng “smeared and
vilified” Moos.
Smith told Lee Eng to “have a thicker skin.”
“If you don’t like the criticism, you may need to find a different way to serve the citizens of Los Altos,”
Smith said.
Los Altos High School teacher Seth Donnelly said the dispute is “absolutely disgusting and this council needs to rectify the situation immediately.”
One resident, Randal Lowe, supported Lee Eng, saying he is “disgusted that this action took place.” He said the dispute makes him “fear that a public servant can be silenced this way.”
But many residents supported Moos.
“This resolution attempts to set the record straight and undo a piece of misinformation,” said Sam Blewis, associate pastor at Los Altos United Methodist Church. “It brings some semblance of justice to an unjust situation.”
Los Altos resident Tanya Maluf said “it’s clear many of those in support of council member Lee Eng have no idea what’s been going on the last six months.” And she said council should approve the
resolution to “take action where council member Lee Eng has not.”
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:Jeanne Fleming <jfleming@metricus.net>
Sent:Tuesday, May 25, 2021 6:32 PM
To:Lait, Jonathan
Cc:Clerk, City; Council, City; Planning Commission; Architectural Review Board; chow_tina@yahoo.com;
todd@toddcollins.org; wross@lawross.com
Subject:Planning Dept.'s failure to inform public re cell tower applications
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Jonathan,
Earlier today I received an email from the Planning Department’s Amy French informing me that you have approved three new small cell node wireless installations in Palo Alto. (Ms. French’s email is appended below.)
As you can imagine, residents have many questions about the process you employed in approving these installations and about the basis for your decisions. But for the time being, I would very much appreciate it if you would answer just one question: Why didn’t you inform the public when the Planning Department deemed the applications for these facilities complete—that is, reveal to residents weeks ago that the applications were now under active consideration by the Planning Department for approval? This would have afforded residents the opportunity to review the completed applications ourselves and make our views known to you, to City Council and to the Architectural Review Board—an
opportunity that is a core City of Palo Alto policy and value. Instead, only now, after the fact, are residents being told 1) that you have approved, at breakneck speed, applications no one knew had even been deemed complete, and 2) that residents’ only option is to pay a $600 plus fee and—within fourteen days, no less—file an appeal of your decision. As you know, I have repeatedly asked to be kept informed about wireless installation applications, including this set. And the last I was told about this set is that it was deemed incomplete. That was in February, 2021. (Ever since City Manager Shikada made the decision not to keep the Wireless Hot Topics updated, information provided directly by your department has been the only realistic way for
residents to keep abreast of the status of cell tower applications.) Please understand that my question—namely, why were residents not told weeks ago that these applications had been deemed complete?—is not rhetorical. I, and many others, would like you to explain this egregious lack of transparency, a lack of transparency which has had the effect of cutting
residents out of the cell tower approval process. Sincerely, Jeanne
2
Jeanne Fleming, PhD JFleming@Metricus.net 650-325-5151
From: French, Amy <Amy.French@CityofPaloAlto.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2021 10:42 AM
To: Jeanne Fleming <jfleming@metricus.net>
Cc: Sauls, Garrett <Garrett.Sauls@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Atkinson, Rebecca <Rebecca.Atkinson@CityofPaloAlto.org>
Subject: City of Palo Alto: Tentative Approval of a Wireless Antenna Approval
Hello Ms. Fleming,
Please see link below to latest Tentative Approvals of three nodes.
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/planning‐amp‐development‐services/new‐development‐
projects/wireless‐projects/20pln‐00118/20pln‐00118‐vinculums‐cluster‐4‐decision‐letter.pdf.
The letter includes information on how an interested party may appeal this decision to the City Council. If an appeal is
filed, it is anticipated it would occur on Tuesday, June 22, 2021.
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:carlin otto <carlinotto@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, May 26, 2021 9:23 AM
To:Council, City
Cc:cma group
Subject:Viaduct tear down plans
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council:
Oakland has decided that its viaduct (I‐980) is so divisive and ugly
that it is trying to tear it down. See how much this
viaduct looks just like the one you are considering
building for the CalTrain? If you build the viaduct option,
Palo Alto too will probably want to tear it down within a few years.
What a huge WASTE OF MONEY.
Please, NO ELEVATED SOLUTIONS for the train.
Elevated options divide neighborhoods and the City,
and are ugly, dirty, noisy.
I‐980 is Oakland. Section being considered for tear down.
Carlin Otto
231 Whitchem Court
Palo Alto, CA 94306
1
Brettle, Jessica
From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, May 26, 2021 9:46 AM
To:city.council@menlopark.org; Council, City; Planning Commission; chuck jagoda;
wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com; Jeff Moore; Jeff Rosen; Roberta Ahlquist; Raj; Binder, Andrew;
Jonsen, Robert; Shikada, Ed; Joe Simitian; Rebecca Eisenberg; mark weiss;
cindy.chavez@bos.sccgov.org; Lewis. james; ParkRec Commission; DuBois, Tom; Greer Stone; Jay
Boyarsky; Tony Dixon
Subject:Why Black Cops Quit - VICE
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links.
________________________________
https://www.vice.com/en/article/wx5nzm/why‐black‐cops‐quit
Sent from my iPhone
Office of the City Clerk: City Hall, 7th Floor
Palo Alto City Council
250 Hamilton Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Dear Members of the City Council,
A first impression is hard to change, and the new Junior Museum
will be misbranded if the proposed ticket price becomes the real
one. Is the museum "unfriendly to families"? 'Like a private, for-
profit museum"? "Exclusive"? "Well-designed but over-
priced"? A price of $18. per person will define it in these ways,
however the museum strives to make a different impression.
Why not follow the advice of the people who raised the money
for the new museum? They recommend a much lower ticket
pnce.
Why not remember that the museum is a civic amenity, like the
park in which it is located?
Set the price low, reinstall the donation box from the old free-
admission days, and have faith that gratitude will do the rest.
<1_ ~ Ct-.. ""CL.
6}:.AnChace
1325 Cowper St.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
TO:
City Clerk
250 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto, CA
94301
RE:
Resolution No. 8851
City of Palo Alto City Council
Esteemed representatives,
FROM:
Chris LaBonte
634 Homer Ave. Apt.3
Palo Alto, CA
94301
ACT# -30103634
I love living in Palo Alto but each time I pay my utility bill I suspect that the city dosen't care about me. I pay
-on average-$100/month for utilities on a small two bedroom apartment. For me, this is a lot of money. In
order to save money, and because I care about the environment I review my energy use monthly; yet the bill
includes so many offset and fixed charges, it seems that my individual use has no effect on my bill. I suspect
that my bill is nearly same as my neighbors, in their much larger, much more expensive houses. It seems the
city has not considered how set fees constitute a regressive tax.
Even more galling are the three pages of color recommendations about how I can receive rebates for
xeriscaping my lawn or changing my water heater! Rebates aside, I can't help but wonder how much of my
$100 monthly check (and natural and city resources) goes towards the these monthly flyers. They are nearly
always the same and nearly always directed to the homeowner.
Now as I sit down to write out another $100 check and recycle my 3 color brochures I see that the city will be
raising my utility bill. I don't have the time or resources to lobby the council. I'll just pay my dues and look
forward to a day when I can move to a more affordable city.
If the city is really interested in diversity please reconsider the structure of it's utility billing, including fee hikes
for those of us barley making ends meet.
With the hopes that this starts a constructive conversation,
Chris LaBonte
labonte.chris@gmail.com
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