HomeMy Public PortalAbout20200525plCC2 701-32
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: 05/25/2020
Document dates: 5/6/2020 – 5/13/2020
Set 2 of 5
Note: Documents for every category may not have been received for packet
reproduction in a given week.
32
Baumb, Nelly
From:Lesley N. Robertson <lrobertson@stanford.edu>
Sent:Friday, May 8, 2020 10:29 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:College terrace library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Dear City Council.
Please vote to keep College Terrace Library open.
It is a treasured part of our community, a neighborhood hub and a valuable resource.
Visiting on a weekday one sees young families, retirees, young adults quietly engaged. It’s served a diverse group
And speaking practically, children in college terrace and surrounds can bike far more safely to this location than to the
much more distant Mitchell branch or downtown branch.
College terrace library is a Palo Alto gem. Please vote to keep it open.
Sincerely
Lesley Robertson
33
Baumb, Nelly
From:Karen Price <rolfingduo@earthlink.net>
Sent:Friday, May 8, 2020 10:30 PM
To:Brent Barker
Cc:Cook, James F.; Summa, Doria; Annette Ross; Alexis Moiseyev; Allen J. Baum; Andrea Cook Fleming;
Andrew Fetter; Ann Balin; Asa Such; Becky Fuson; Bill Ross; Bonnie King; Brad Horak; Brian Feldman;
Burke Robinson; Carina Chiang; Chris Saccheri; Chris Saccheri; Christopher Botsford; Colin Born; Dara
Olmsted; Deborah Plumley; Diane Finkelstein; Ed Schmitt; Eileen Stolee; Emily and George Marshall;
Eric Carlson; Eric Larsen; Erica Enos; Fernando Cabildo; Fred Balin; Gray Clossman; Holly Welstein;
Ingrid Shu; Irina Cross; Jack Culpepper; Jaine Reese; Jennifer and Sebastian Doniach; Jens Jensen;
Jeremy Platt; Jerry Yan; Jo Ann Mandinach; Joanne Zschokke; Joe and Melissa Oliveira; John Mark
Agosta; John and Maritza Frankfurt; Julie Good; Karen Damian; Karlette Warner; Durham, KathyF; Kay
Culpepper; Ken Thom; Ken Van Vleck; Kim Raftery; Kristen Anderson; Kyle Harrison; Larry Kavinoky;
Lon Radin; Louise and Aidan Roche; Maggie Heath; Malcolm Slaney; Margaret Allen; Margit
Aramburu; Margot Moiseyev; Marj Pitchon; Mary Jane Marcus; Meredith Martin; Michael Smit;
Michelle Collette; Michelle Oberman; Nancy Cassidy; Nancy Lowe; Pat Robinson; Patricia Griffin; Patty
Hartsell; Pria Graves; Richard Stolee; Richard Such; Richard Such; Roger Pierno; Roland Vogl;
Ron_and_Joan Tambussi; Ronda Rosner; Roswitha Remling; Ruth_and_Jerry Consul; Sairus Patel; Sally
and Whit Heaton; Samidh Chakrabarti; Sheila Bonini; Sheila Kothari; Simon Firth; Steve Woodward;
Stewart Carl; Sujata Patel; Sumitra Joy; Susan Wilson; Suzanne Doyle; Taylor Brady; Terry and
MarieLouise Fries; Toby Brookes; Toiya Black; Tom Jack; Ulla Mick; Ute Engelke; Wendy Pang; Zeke
Herman; Zohar Lotan; Council, City; eric heaton; william.xuan@gregtanaka.org; Alan Gianotti; Valerie
Sarma; Berkeley Revenaugh; Derek Gurney; Todd Lincoln; Danielle Makler; Sukhi Nagesh; Alicia
Thesing; Dan Kaleba; Michael Naar; Ewen Wang; Manuel Amieva; Ross Revenaugh; Chris Makler;
WENDY COOK; Ingrid Rulifson; Hank Edson; Clara Stoen; Suzie Lincoln; Pam Morgenfeld; Jeff Stoen;
Ming-son Wang; Emily Wang; Geeske Joel
Subject:Re: College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Adding my voice of support. I’ve been looking forward to the library reopening as soon as deemed safe. The staff as well
as the access to books are a treasured part of my life. I can also volunteer if needed.
Karen Price
Sent from my iPhone
On May 8, 2020, at 9:49 PM, Brent Barker <brentgbarker@gmail.com> wrote:
We also strongly agree!!! We have lived here for 42 years and use College Terrace Library all the time
and will do all we can to support it!!!
Brent and Jane
On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 7:50 PM James Cook <jamesfelixcook@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear City Council Members,
I wholeheartedly agree with my neighbors and friends: we believe keeping the College Terrace is a way
to promote community, wonder and happiness during a time of isolation, despair and sadness.
34
Thank you for your consideration and good luck in your difficult decisions ahead.
Stay safe and healthy,
James Felix Cook
On May 8, 2020, at 6:03 PM, doria s <doriasumma@gmail.com> wrote:
I agree
And i will do all I can to maintain this community asset from unnecessarily being shut
down for false economies.
Very best
Doria
On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 5:35 PM Annette Ross <port2103@att.net> wrote:
Fully agree and would gladly volunteer there. There are going to be myriad changes
to our community b/c of Covid; let’s not toss the cherished community‐building
treasures of our community.
It is important that CC (and other levels of government) not use Covid as a means to
an end for certain pre‐Covid agendas. Community preservation is critical now
precisely b/c of the economic jolt. And neighborhood libraries may well be a primary
resource for many Palo Altans once they reopen.
Sent from my iPhone
On May 8, 2020, at 4:31 PM, Richard Such <wrichardsuch@gmail.com> wrote:
We have lived in College Terrace for more than 50 years. The branch
library is a cultural institution that we have treasured and used, it
seems at least once a week, except for the couple of painful years
during which it was closed for renovation
appreciate its importance to residents of College Terrace and
surrounding neighborhoods. The alternatives for us are car rides
across town to Rinconada and Mitchell Park libraries, which are
increasingly difficult for seniors like ourselves. Parents of young
children also depend on the children’s section and the reading‐aloud
sessions there, including recent, English‐learning immigrants and
visitors. Please do not close it, not even temporarily. The closure for
the pandemic has been hard enough.
Richard and Jane Such,
‐‐
Doria Summa
(650) 867 7544 Mobile
Redacted
35
‐‐
Brent Barker
Freelance Writer
650‐813‐9433
650‐388‐0927 (cell)
36
Baumb, Nelly
From:Karen Price <rolfingduo@earthlink.net>
Sent:Friday, May 8, 2020 10:37 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Please do not close College Terrace Library!
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
I am a senior living in a very overpriced rental in College Terrace. The proximity to the library with its wonderful staff and
access to books not only from the Palo Alto library but the link plus system are a treasured part of my life.
Please find other projects to postpone and keep the library open. It is an extremely valuable part of our community.
Thank you,
Karen Price
Hanover St
Sent from my iPhone
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Roche <al2roche@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 10:48 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Don't Close College Terrace Library!
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
To: Palo Alto City Council
From: College Terrace residents Aidan and Louise Roche,
PLEASE DO NOT CLOSE COLLEGE TERRACE LIBRARY! It’s a unique and very valuable resource for our neighborhood and
surrounding Palo Alto area. We all rely on its essential services.
Redacted
2
Baumb, Nelly
From:Aria C <ariannagolf@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 9:40 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace Library Proposed Closure
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council,
I am a College Terrace resident and I heard about the proposal to close our library. This proposal is deeply disturbing to
me as someone who grew up in Palo Alto and remembers studying at the library during high school and enjoying every
visit to our quaint little library. I understand that this is a difficult time for the city, but please consider prioritizing
keeping our library open over other initiatives. Our library is a central gathering place for our community and losing it
would be devastating to many during an already very hard time. Please help our neighborhood maintains its moral and
find another way to cut costs.
Sincerely,
Arianna
3
Baumb, Nelly
From:Rachelle Doorley <radoorley@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 9:32 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Keep the College Terrace Library open
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
To City Council members,
I submit my plea to keep the College Terrace Library open. As you know, our libraries are safe havens for children in the
community, a necessary space for elderly citizens who need somewhere to spend their days in the company of others, a
resource for all who have a thirst for knowledge. I realize that there's a need right now to cut budgets, but the libraries
are not the place to do this. They may be closed for the time being, but will once again be there for us as a thriving third
space in our community.
Sincerely,
Rachelle Doorley
Cubberley Artist‐in‐Residence
4
Baumb, Nelly
From:Elan Music <elanloeb@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 7:59 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Save the Libraries!
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Please don't cut funding to the Libraries. Cut the city managers salary!
Thanks,
Elan Loeb
5
Baumb, Nelly
From:Jan Rubens <rubens.jan@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 7:44 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
I appreciate that there are difficult challenges to the Palo Alto budget. But it Ironic that in a time when our country faces
a crisis in many ways similar to the Great Depression, the College Terrace Library, a product of the WPA, [a model that
should be replicated today] is considered for closure.
The library serves not only College Terrace, but neighboring Barron Park, Evergreen, Ventura, and University Terrace.
The library is the lone community center for the area. It provides essential services such as a children's library and
programs, the computers available for those without, the quiet tables for reading and, above all, the access to the
library's extensive system, research materials, films, and more.
Not everyone has a car to drive to distant libraries. Nor are young children able to take a bus, whereas to walk or bike to
the library is safe and easy.
1930s Palo Alto understood the need for a library in our neighborhood. Please do not minimize that need now.
Sincerely,
Jan Rubens
Oberlin Street
Palo Alto 94306
6
Baumb, Nelly
From:Kimberley Wong <sheepgirl1@yahoo.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 7:10 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Request to keep College terrace library open
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Dear Mayor and City Council members,
As the city slowly reopens its services I am pretty sure there is great trepidation of many schools and groups to host
summer classes in light of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
If this is the case, there will be many children with a lot of free time on their hands. There will be a need for as many
libraries to be open for as many hours as possible this summer. Not only that, many students are home from college.
Plans for internships, abroad programs and jobs have dissolved over the course of these last few months of shutdown.
They will also need a place to research their next steps and to periodically distance from parents. And parents, they will
also be working from home much more and will need a place to distance from the family.
There was a huge debate at one point about having one main library or the smaller neighborhood libraries. I thank
Councilwoman McCormack for fighting and fundraising for these smaller libraries!
For many years Palo Alto residents have embraced and cherished our group of smaller libraries. Please do not cut hours
or close the College Terrace library completely. I’m sure that you will be able to find residents such as myself to
volunteer their time to help at the library. I myself was a volunteer at the children’s library for quite a few years when
my children were young and loved it! And if faced with closure or stepping up to volunteer, I’m sure I and many others
will choose the latter!
I request that you keep the College Terrace Library open.
Thank you,
Kimberley Wong,
Longtime resident of Palo Alto
7
Baumb, Nelly
From:Susan Wright <susanawright433@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 6:49 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Do not close College Terrace Library!
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Hi ‐ I just learned about the library closing and I think that is the worse place to cut. The community uses it because it is
in our neighborhood and it was just remodeled! You have to find something else such as salaries. I had to take a pay cut
for my job, the city manager and other highly paid executives need to take a pay cut. I let would be difficult for them to
find new jobs in this environment. That is most logical conclusion. They aren’t doing that great of a job. I lived here 43
years and have a hard enough time getting around without taking away my local library. It is impossible to find parking
spaces at other libraries.
Thank you for reconsidering the alternatives.
Susan Wright
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Redacted
8
Baumb, Nelly
From:Margaret Heath <maggi650@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 6:21 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council,
During this time of isolation the community is fractured, but as the current restrictions are gradually lifted the last thing
we should be doing is semi‐permanently closing the College Terrace Library, a much loved city facility that will play an
important role in bringing the community together again.
The College Terrace Library is not only the heart of our community but also a local and city‐wide treasure. Over the years
I have not infrequently encountered friends who are not just from "this side of the tracks" but also from other
communities across the city who either stopped by while running errands or made it their destination. The only place
that people of all ages encounter one another and come together to use and enjoy.
It is a concern that if the College Terrace Library is closed for two years that may make it an easy target for permanent
closure. In the past we have had to rally to defend the College Terrace Library on more than one occasion from a city
hall agenda aimed at eliminating branch libraries. Fortunately there has always been a huge outpouring of support for
our College Terrace Library, and I'm sure this time will be no different. Especially vital in a time when "walkable
neighborhoods" are an ever more elusive city‐wide goal as previous retail and other amenities disappear.
Consequently I am adding my voice to those of so many others in asking that the College Terrace Library immediately
reopens at the same time as the other libraries reopen. This will be a huge step as our community begins to go about
not only regaining normalcy and routines, but also most importantly a place to reconnect and rebuild our sense of
community purpose and support for one another.
Sincerely,
Margaret Heath
Redacted
9
Baumb, Nelly
From:Leonor Delgado <leonor31@sbcglobal.net>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 5:19 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:Leonor Delgado
Subject:Do NOT Close the College Park Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Voicing opposition to this proposed budget cut! The library is a valued asset used by folks from the neighborhood,
Barron Park, Evergreen, Ventura, University Terrace (Stanford junior faculty) and others. Once you dissolve libraries, you
harm the community and erode democracy.
What should be cut? Payments to expensive contractors who represent wealthy developers, many of whom are out‐of‐
state and worse, out‐of‐country. Funding should be allocated to education, and maintenance of neighborhood libraries
supports education and the common good.
Leonor Delgado
10
Baumb, Nelly
From:Mark Whiteley <mark.whiteley76@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 3:29 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Closure of College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Hello City Council members,
As 16‐year residents of College Terrace, we were extremely disappointed to read recently of the plan to close down the
CT Library branch. We, along with many of our friends and neighbors, have always been regular users of the branch, and
find it unfair that our neighborhood branch of the library system would be the only one to close. Why can it not simply
operate at reduced hours, as many of the other branches will be? As you know, this will leave our region of the city
without a convenient local branch, while other areas will have multiple, or at least one large branch. Even a few hours a
week would be wonderful for our neighborhood and the residents of other nearby neighborhoods who also patronize
the branch — and living directly across from the library as we do, we know there are many.
Please reconsider this plan so as to treat our neighborhood and region of the city fairly.
Thank you,
The Whiteley family
11
Baumb, Nelly
From:Noel Bakhtian <nmb@alumni.stanford.edu>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 2:37 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
To the City Council members,
As a former Library Commissioner for Palo Alto, PhD from Stanford, and currently director for an energy consortium of
universities, I submit my plea that the College Terrace library remain open. This library is an irreplaceable piece of the
community fabric, a resource for many of the neighborhoods, and a place for our neighbors and families to meet and
socialize. The loss of the library would hurt surrounding property values. Libraries are an important piece of kids'
childhoods, a safe place, a resource without censorship, and our librarians provide tools and education that can't be
found elsewhere.
Thank you for your consideration,
~Noel Bakhtian
12
Baumb, Nelly
From:Ann Balin <alafargue@mac.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 12:30 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Dear Mayor Fine and Council Members,
I am writing you to ask that you reflect carefully on the community’s essential needs including the retention of the
College Terrace Library. What makes Palo Alto Palo Alto? Some say it is the role of the town pertaining to technology
startups or the real estate values. Many constituents feel that our branch library system is the backbone of our town.
These institutions are where a love of reading and exploring are nurtured. The College Terrace Library is a community
center where people come together for meetings, picnics on the grounds and to cool off during a heatwave. I want to
stress that people use the library from Evergreen, Southgate, Ventura, Barron Park and Stanford to name the obvious
neighborhoods but others come to this library from other areas of Palo Alto as well.
Please do not close the College Terrace library as it is necessary for the wellbeing of citizens. Yes we will have to work
together to finesse the safety use of the library when it will open. One suggestion is that some readings can be held on
the green with social distancing.
Joe Simitian grew up in Evergreen and his dad lived, in later years, in College Terrace. Donaldina Cameron lived here as
did Lucy Evans. My late father grew up here and benefited from the College Terrace library as did my grandmother.
Libraries are pillars of democracy. To whittle away these critical institutions would not serve the constituents.
Please take a cold fish eye look at the capital construction projects on the roster to see what is crucial at this time. I
know that Google has only offered one million dollars for the pedestrian/bike bridge project. We have a tunnel that
needs to be up to code and safe. Then when the coffers are replenished, this project could go forward. Cutting a library
for this bridge would be unconscionable. In good times I supported the bridge yet it did seem overpriced, to say the
least, and our town has taken flack as many call it a luxurious boondoggle.
I know of some landlords who have cut rent for their tenants to show solidarity.
In the same vein can’t those with salaries of $300,000 or more offer to cut their pay by at least two percent?
I sympathize with the difficult task ahead for the council concerning the budget issues during this crisis. As Albert
Einstein said, “Knowledge is nothing without imagination.” Kindly listen to the constituents and do your utmost best to
view them as supportive not adversarial.
Sincerely,
Ann Lafargue Balin
14
Baumb, Nelly
From:Karen Damian <karenswansondamian@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 9:21 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear council members
i know you have many difficult decisions to make and would not want your job. Still, i am writing to plead for keeping
open our little neighborhood treasure, the College Terrace Library. It is the heart of our neighborhood and a premier
gathering place for families, elders, homeless and other ordinary folks. Please do not let false economies and this awful
virus take away one more thing that nourishes and sustains us.
Perhaps it matters that the building was restored not too long ago to its original Birge Clark beauty and is a treasure in
its own right. Please consider saving our wonderful library for its many patrons in College Terrace and those who come
from other places to use it.
Karen and Dick Damian
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Redacted
15
Baumb, Nelly
From:patbeatty621@aol.com
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 9:46 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Please keep the College Terrace library open. It's small but such a wonderful resource for the surrounding neighborhood
residents. It's in a pleasant walkable area and has a large and very pleasant outdoor/green area.
Thank you,
Pat Beatty
Mayfield neighborhood resident
16
Baumb, Nelly
From:Eileen Stolee <estolee@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 8:57 AM
To:Ronda Rosner
Cc:Summa, Doria; Annette Ross; Alexis Moiseyev; Allen J. Baum; Andrea Cook Fleming; Andrew Fetter;
Ann Balin; Asa Such; Becky Fuson; Bill Ross; Bonnie King; Brad Horak; Brent Barker; Brian Feldman;
Burke Robinson; Carina Chiang; Chris Saccheri; Chris Saccheri; Christopher Botsford; Colin Born; Dara
Olmsted; Deborah Plumley; Diane Finkelstein; Ed Schmitt; Emily and George Marshall; Eric Carlson;
Eric Larsen; Erica Enos; Fernando Cabildo; Fred Balin; Gray Clossman; Holly Welstein; Ingrid Shu; Irina
Cross; Jack Culpepper; Jaine Reese; Cook, James F.; Jennifer and Sebastian Doniach; Jens Jensen;
Jeremy Platt; Jerry Yan; Jo Ann Mandinach; Joanne Zschokke; Joe and Melissa Oliveira; John Mark
Agosta; John and Maritza Frankfurt; Julie Good; Karen Damian; Karen Price; Karlette Warner; Durham,
KathyF; Kay Culpepper; Ken Thom; Ken Van Vleck; Kim Raftery; Kristen Anderson; Kyle Harrison; Larry
Kavinoky; Lon Radin; Louise and Aidan Roche; Maggie Heath; Malcolm Slaney; Margaret Allen;
Margit Aramburu; Margot Moiseyev; Marj Pitchon; Mary Jane Marcus; Meredith Martin; Michael Smit;
Michelle Collette; Michelle Oberman; Nancy Cassidy; Nancy Lowe; Pat Robinson; Patricia Griffin; Patty
Hartsell; Pria Graves; Richard Stolee; Richard Such; Richard Such; Roger Pierno; Roland Vogl;
Ron_and_Joan Tambussi; Roswitha Remling; Ruth_and_Jerry Consul; Sairus Patel; Sally and Whit
Heaton; Samidh Chakrabarti; Sheila Bonini; Sheila Kothari; Simon Firth; Steve Woodward; Stewart
Carl; Sujata Patel; Sumitra Joy; Susan Wilson; Suzanne Doyle; Taylor Brady; Terry and MarieLouise
Fries; Toby Brookes; Toiya Black; Tom Jack; Ulla Mick; Ute Engelke; Wendy Pang; Zeke Herman; Zohar
Lotan; Council, City; eric heaton; william.xuan@gregtanaka.org
Subject:Re: College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hi,
I hope everyone on this thread has sent their concerns to the City Council.
Please send an email to city.council@cityofpaloalto.org
It is very important that our elected officials hear from all of us!
Thanks,
Eileen Stolee
On Sat, May 9, 2020 at 6:20 PM Ronda Rosner <rondarosner@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes, I'm annoyed that $1.3M can be saved from reducing hours at other branches, yet the city will only save
$167K from a complete closure of the CT library. There has to be a better compromise, like reducing the
open days for CT from four to three perhaps? A complete closure is too extreme and unfair to our hood!
Ronda,
"It is strange how new and unexpected conditions bring out unguessed ability to meet them."
~ Edgar Rice Burroughs
On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 6:03 PM doria s <doriasumma@gmail.com> wrote:
Redacted
17
I agree
And i will do all I can to maintain this community asset from unnecessarily being shut down for false economies.
Very best
Doria
On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 5:35 PM Annette Ross <port2103@att.net> wrote:
Fully agree and would gladly volunteer there. There are going to be myriad changes to our community b/c of Covid;
let’s not toss the cherished community‐building treasures of our community.
It is important that CC (and other levels of government) not use Covid as a means to an end for certain pre‐Covid
agendas. Community preservation is critical now precisely b/c of the economic jolt. And neighborhood libraries may
well be a primary resource for many Palo Altans once they reopen.
Sent from my iPhone
On May 8, 2020, at 4:31 PM, Richard Such <wrichardsuch@gmail.com> wrote:
We have lived in College Terrace for more than 50 years. The branch library is a cultural institution
that we have treasured and used, it seems at least once a week, except for the couple of painful
years during which it was closed for renovation
appreciate its importance to residents of College Terrace and surrounding neighborhoods. The
alternatives for us are car rides across town to Rinconada and Mitchell Park libraries, which are
increasingly difficult for seniors like ourselves. Parents of young children also depend on the
children’s section and the reading‐aloud sessions there, including recent, English‐learning immigrants
and visitors. Please do not close it, not even temporarily. The closure for the pandemic has been
hard enough.
Richard and Jane Such,
‐‐
Doria Summa
(650) 867 7544 Mobile
Redacted
18
Baumb, Nelly
From:Hank Edson <hank@familytreemediation.net>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 8:06 AM
To:Cook, James F.
Cc:Summa, Doria; Annette Ross; Alexis Moiseyev; Allen J. Baum; Andrea Cook Fleming; Andrew Fetter;
Ann Balin; Asa Such; Becky Fuson; Bill Ross; Bonnie King; Brad Horak; Brent Barker; Brian Feldman;
Burke Robinson; Carina Chiang; Chris Saccheri; Chris Saccheri; Christopher Botsford; Colin Born; Dara
Olmsted; Deborah Plumley; Diane Finkelstein; Ed Schmitt; Eileen Stolee; Emily and George Marshall;
Eric Carlson; Eric Larsen; Erica Enos; Fernando Cabildo; Fred Balin; Gray Clossman; Holly Welstein;
Ingrid Shu; Irina Cross; Jack Culpepper; Jaine Reese; Jennifer and Sebastian Doniach; Jens Jensen;
Jeremy Platt; Jerry Yan; Jo Ann Mandinach; Joanne Zschokke; Joe and Melissa Oliveira; John Mark
Agosta; John and Maritza Frankfurt; Julie Good; Karen Damian; Karen Price; Karlette Warner; Durham,
KathyF; Kay Culpepper; Ken Thom; Ken Van Vleck; Kim Raftery; Kristen Anderson; Kyle Harrison; Larry
Kavinoky; Lon Radin; Louise and Aidan Roche; Maggie Heath; Malcolm Slaney; Margaret Allen;
Margit Aramburu; Margot Moiseyev; Marj Pitchon; Mary Jane Marcus; Meredith Martin; Michael Smit;
Michelle Collette; Michelle Oberman; Nancy Cassidy; Nancy Lowe; Pat Robinson; Patricia Griffin; Patty
Hartsell; Pria Graves; Richard Stolee; Richard Such; Richard Such; Roger Pierno; Roland Vogl;
Ron_and_Joan Tambussi; Ronda Rosner; Roswitha Remling; Ruth_and_Jerry Consul; Sairus Patel; Sally
and Whit Heaton; Samidh Chakrabarti; Sheila Bonini; Sheila Kothari; Simon Firth; Steve Woodward;
Stewart Carl; Sujata Patel; Sumitra Joy; Susan Wilson; Suzanne Doyle; Taylor Brady; Terry and
MarieLouise Fries; Toby Brookes; Toiya Black; Tom Jack; Ulla Mick; Ute Engelke; Wendy Pang; Zeke
Herman; Zohar Lotan; Council, City; eric heaton; william.xuan@gregtanaka.org; Alan Gianotti; Valerie
Sarma; Berkeley Revenaugh; Derek Gurney; Todd Lincoln; Danielle Makler; Sukhi Nagesh; Alicia
Thesing; Dan Kaleba; Michael Naar; Ewen Wang; Manuel Amieva; Ross Revenaugh; Chris Makler;
WENDY COOK; Ingrid Rulifson; Clara Stoen; Suzie Lincoln; Pam Morgenfeld; Jeff Stoen; Ming-son
Wang; Emily Wang; Geeske Joel
Subject:Re: College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council Members,
The College Terrace library plays an irreplaceable role in the college terrace ecosystem. College Terrace is one of the
most diverse and accessible Palo Alto neighborhoods for young families with young children. Nestled between Stanford,
Page Mill Road corporate offices and the California Avenue corridor, this neighborhood’s hub is Palo Alto’s oldest library.
It is the only community institution between the three noted commercial enterprise areas. In addition, what you may
not appreciate is how the library contributes to the ecology of the California Ave corridor and farmers market, to
Stanford and even to the corporate offices between Page Mill and College Terrace. Image Stanford without Hoover
Tower. College Terrace gives Stanford, Page Mill and California Ave the feel of bordering an oasis where children walk
the sidewalks carrying books to and from the library attended by their parents pushing a stroller. The library gives the
neighborhood dignity, solidity, elegance, tradition. Take it away and suddenly the neighborhood starts feeling like the
disappearing remainder of something being squeezed out by commercialism. And the surrounding commercial areas
begin to feel like sprawl in the heart of Palo Alto. Meanwhile, all the kids at Escondido Elementary, many not yet old
enough to attend, and many more besides will undeniably have the frequency of replenished different books to read
substantially diminished and their relationship with and fondness for the library experience as part of American life and
values erased without even knowing it. The many elderly living in college terrace also will have their quality of life
meaningfully diminished. The entire community, I can tell you, will grieve. (And I dare say that would not be without
political consequences.) When it comes to quality of life, some aspects of the ecosystem have a non‐quantifiable value
that is irreplaceable. The College Terrace Library is one. It would be a huge and destructive mistake for the council to
19
close this library. I often hear people ask, “What does the city council really do?” Don’t let the only answer they
consciously experience be: “They close our library. That’s what they do.” The difference between the library’s budget
and the cost of maintaining a wasted asset is small. Surely intelligent leadership can come up with a means for saving
this living, vitally contributing heart of a showcase Palo Alto community representative of economic inclusivity, family
values, and cultural diversity!
Sincerely,
Hank Edson
6506447160
Sent from my iPhone
On May 8, 2020, at 7:50 PM, James Cook <jamesfelixcook@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear City Council Members,
I wholeheartedly agree with my neighbors and friends: we believe keeping the College Terrace is a way
to promote community, wonder and happiness during a time of isolation, despair and sadness.
Thank you for your consideration and good luck in your difficult decisions ahead.
Stay safe and healthy,
James Felix Cook
On May 8, 2020, at 6:03 PM, doria s <doriasumma@gmail.com> wrote:
I agree
And i will do all I can to maintain this community asset from unnecessarily being shut
down for false economies.
Very best
Doria
On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 5:35 PM Annette Ross <port2103@att.net> wrote:
Fully agree and would gladly volunteer there. There are going to be myriad changes to
our community b/c of Covid; let’s not toss the cherished community‐building treasures
of our community.
It is important that CC (and other levels of government) not use Covid as a means to an
end for certain pre‐Covid agendas. Community preservation is critical now precisely
b/c of the economic jolt. And neighborhood libraries may well be a primary resource
for many Palo Altans once they reopen.
Sent from my iPhone
Redacted
20
On May 8, 2020, at 4:31 PM, Richard Such <wrichardsuch@gmail.com> wrote:
We have lived in College Terrace for more than 50 years. The branch
library is a cultural institution that we have treasured and used, it
seems at least once a week, except for the couple of painful years
during which it was closed for renovation
appreciate its importance to residents of College Terrace and
surrounding neighborhoods. The alternatives for us are car rides
across town to Rinconada and Mitchell Park libraries, which are
increasingly difficult for seniors like ourselves. Parents of young
children also depend on the children’s section and the reading‐aloud
sessions there, including recent, English‐learning immigrants and
visitors. Please do not close it, not even temporarily. The closure for
the pandemic has been hard enough.
Richard and Jane Such,
‐‐
Doria Summa
(650) 867 7544 Mobile
Redacted
21
Baumb, Nelly
From:Hank Edson <hank@familytreemediation.net>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 8:01 AM
To:Pria Graves
Cc:Council, City; ctraboard@googlegroups.com
Subject:Re: College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council Members,
The College Terrace library plays an irreplaceable role in the college terrace ecosystem. College Terrace is one of the
most diverse and accessible Palo Alto neighborhoods for young families with young children. Nestled between Stanford,
Page Mill Road corporate offices and the California Avenue corridor, this neighborhood’s hub is Palo Alto’s oldest library.
It is the only community institution between the three noted commercial enterprise areas. In addition, what you may
not appreciate is how the library contributes to the ecology of the California Ave corridor and farmers market, to
Stanford and even to the corporate offices between Page Mill and College Terrace. Image Stanford without Hoover
Tower. College Terrace gives Stanford, Page Mill and California Ave the feel of bordering an oasis where children walk
the sidewalks carrying books to and from the library attended by their parents pushing a stroller. The library gives the
neighborhood dignity, solidity, elegance, tradition. Take it away and suddenly the neighborhood starts feeling like the
disappearing remainder of something being squeezed out by commercialism. And the surrounding commercial areas
begin to feel like sprawl in the heart of Palo Alto. Meanwhile, all the kids at Escondido Elementary, many not yet old
enough to attend, and many more besides will undeniably have the frequency of replenished different books to read
substantially diminished and their relationship with and fondness for the library experience as part of American life and
values erased without even knowing it. The many elderly living in college terrace also will have their quality of life
meaningfully diminished. The entire community, I can tell you, will grieve. (And I dare say that would not be without
political consequences.) When it comes to quality of life, some aspects of the ecosystem have a non‐quantifiable value
that is irreplaceable. The College Terrace Library is one. It would be a huge and destructive mistake for the council to
close this library. I often hear people ask, “What does the city council really do?” Don’t let the only answer they
consciously experience be: “They close our library. That’s what they do.” The difference between the library’s budget
and the cost of maintaining a wasted asset is small. Surely intelligent leadership can come up with a means for saving
this living, vitally contributing heart of a showcase Palo Alto community representative of economic inclusivity, family
values, and cultural diversity!
Sincerely,
Hank Edson
6506447160
Sent from my iPhone
On May 9, 2020, at 3:20 PM, Pria Graves <priag@birketthouse.com> wrote:
Dear Council Members,
I am very concerned about the proposed closure of the College Terrace Library.
Redacted
22
There are four city libraries east of the El Camino/train track corridor plus several community centers,
theatre, art center, museum/zoo and various other city‐provided facilities. Those of us to the west of the
El Camino corridor have only one: the College Terrace Library!
This is our only facility that provides us with a place to pick up books, use city computers, hold small
group gatherings and children’s readings, etc. It is not appropriate that the city should simply shut down
this important community resource for two years! This rather feels like a “wrong side of the tracks”
approach. I know we are not as numerous or as wealthy as those on the “other side”, but we do matter!
The City talks a great talk about getting folks out of our cars. Yet if you remove our library, we have no
way to pick up books, use city computers, hold community meetings, etc. without traveling at least two
miles to the nearest facility. And these facilities are not well served by public transit, particularly at
night!
I am a die‐hard user of transit, bikes, and walking. But I will admit that I am uncomfortable attending a
meeting at Rinconada or Mitchell Park at night. Crossing El Camino and the tracks on a bike is not a
comfortable experience even for one like me who has regularly bicycled “everywhere” for the past 50
years. If the city is serious about getting folks to use alternative modes of transport, you need to keep
facilities in less served areas of the city such as College Terrace.
Please do NOT close the College Terrace library!
Regards,
Pria Graves
6504932153
Redacted
23
Baumb, Nelly
From:Samidh Chakrabarti <samidh@samidh.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 11:07 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Please Keep Open the College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Palo Alto City Council,
I'm a resident of College Terrace and I'm writing to express my strong concerns about a proposal to close down
operations at the College Terrace Branch of the Palo Alto Library. This library is absolutely a hub of our community and
its closure could have a devastating impact on the neighborhood's cohesion.
While I understand the very difficult fiscal situation facing the city, I hope there may be other creative ways we could
make up the shortfall. For example, instead of closing this branch of the library, perhaps further curtail the number of
days it is open per week from 4 to 3. Or perhaps delay the planned improvements to Cameron Park.
I truly hope you will take this into consideration in working with the City Manager on the final decision. The coronavirus
crisis is undoubtedly going to have a big impact on our municipality, but as we figure out what the new normal will look
like, let's be sure not to permanently erode the infrastructure that makes our communities vibrant.
Best,
Samidh Chakrabarti
24
Baumb, Nelly
From:Britta Erickson <erickson.britta@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 7:26 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Proposed closure of the College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hi,
I am shocked and saddened to see that it is being proposed that the College Terrace Library be closed. This library is the
only library this side of El Camino. It is a library many people can walk or bike to, and it is a special and beloved
community resource.
Furthermore, the city has spent huge amounts of money on other city libraries, so it seems ridiculous and vastly unfair
to try to cut the relatively low expense of our local library. The College Terrace Library is the only community building
available to College Terrace and the nearby neighborhoods.
I urge you to take the library off the list of expenses considered for being cut. It would be very unfair, and it would be a
shame to stop supporting this relatively inexpensive neighborhood treasure.
With best wishes,
Britta Erickson
‐‐
Britta Erickson, PhD
, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Redacted
25
Baumb, Nelly
From:Sally Heaton <x40trout@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 6:21 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Dear City Council,
I urge you to keep the College Terrace Library open. We love it, use it, and it is a big part of keeping the Terrace a
walkable neighborhood.
Thank you,
William Heaton
Bowdoin Street
Sent from my iPad
26
Baumb, Nelly
From:Ronda Rosner <rondarosner@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 6:20 PM
To:Summa, Doria
Cc:Annette Ross; Alexis Moiseyev; Allen J. Baum; Andrea Cook Fleming; Andrew Fetter; Ann Balin; Asa
Such; Becky Fuson; Bill Ross; Bonnie King; Brad Horak; Brent Barker; Brian Feldman; Burke Robinson;
Carina Chiang; Chris Saccheri; Chris Saccheri; Christopher Botsford; Colin Born; Dara Olmsted;
Deborah Plumley; Diane Finkelstein; Ed Schmitt; Eileen Stolee; Emily and George Marshall; Eric
Carlson; Eric Larsen; Erica Enos; Fernando Cabildo; Fred Balin; Gray Clossman; Holly Welstein; Ingrid
Shu; Irina Cross; Jack Culpepper; Jaine Reese; Cook, James F.; Jennifer and Sebastian Doniach; Jens
Jensen; Jeremy Platt; Jerry Yan; Jo Ann Mandinach; Joanne Zschokke; Joe and Melissa Oliveira; John
Mark Agosta; John and Maritza Frankfurt; Julie Good; Karen Damian; Karen Price; Karlette Warner;
Durham, KathyF; Kay Culpepper; Ken Thom; Ken Van Vleck; Kim Raftery; Kristen Anderson; Kyle
Harrison; Larry Kavinoky; Lon Radin; Louise and Aidan Roche; Maggie Heath; Malcolm Slaney;
Margaret Allen; Margit Aramburu; Margot Moiseyev; Marj Pitchon; Mary Jane Marcus; Meredith
Martin; Michael Smit; Michelle Collette; Michelle Oberman; Nancy Cassidy; Nancy Lowe; Pat
Robinson; Patricia Griffin; Patty Hartsell; Pria Graves; Richard Stolee; Richard Such; Richard Such;
Roger Pierno; Roland Vogl; Ron_and_Joan Tambussi; Roswitha Remling; Ruth_and_Jerry Consul;
Sairus Patel; Sally and Whit Heaton; Samidh Chakrabarti; Sheila Bonini; Sheila Kothari; Simon Firth;
Steve Woodward; Stewart Carl; Sujata Patel; Sumitra Joy; Susan Wilson; Suzanne Doyle; Taylor Brady;
Terry and MarieLouise Fries; Toby Brookes; Toiya Black; Tom Jack; Ulla Mick; Ute Engelke; Wendy
Pang; Zeke Herman; Zohar Lotan; Council, City; eric heaton; william.xuan@gregtanaka.org
Subject:Re: College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Yes, I'm annoyed that $1.3M can be saved from reducing hours at other branches, yet the city will only save
$167K from a complete closure of the CT library. There has to be a better compromise, like reducing the open
days for CT from four to three perhaps? A complete closure is too extreme and unfair to our hood!
Ronda,
"It is strange how new and unexpected conditions bring out unguessed ability to meet them."
~ Edgar Rice Burroughs
On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 6:03 PM doria s <doriasumma@gmail.com> wrote:
I agree
And i will do all I can to maintain this community asset from unnecessarily being shut down for false economies.
Very best
Doria
On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 5:35 PM Annette Ross <port2103@att.net> wrote:
Fully agree and would gladly volunteer there. There are going to be myriad changes to our community b/c of Covid;
let’s not toss the cherished community‐building treasures of our community.
It is important that CC (and other levels of government) not use Covid as a means to an end for certain pre‐Covid
agendas. Community preservation is critical now precisely b/c of the economic jolt. And neighborhood libraries may
well be a primary resource for many Palo Altans once they reopen.
Redacted
27
Sent from my iPhone
On May 8, 2020, at 4:31 PM, Richard Such <wrichardsuch@gmail.com> wrote:
We have lived in College Terrace for more than 50 years. The branch library is a cultural institution
that we have treasured and used, it seems at least once a week, except for the couple of painful years
during which it was closed for renovation
appreciate its importance to residents of College Terrace and surrounding neighborhoods. The
alternatives for us are car rides across town to Rinconada and Mitchell Park libraries, which are
increasingly difficult for seniors like ourselves. Parents of young children also depend on the
children’s section and the reading‐aloud sessions there, including recent, English‐learning immigrants
and visitors. Please do not close it, not even temporarily. The closure for the pandemic has been hard
enough.
Richard and Jane Such,
‐‐
Doria Summa
(650) 867 7544 Mobile
Redacted
28
Baumb, Nelly
From:Anne Schmitt <anneschmitt2344@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 3:30 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Please do not close CT LIBRARY
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City council
Many of us who live in CT love our library.
It has been an important community focus for many of the Seniors, families and school students who live at this side of
El Camino for many years.
I suspect the usage you know of is only about books borrowed and not those users who use the facility for reading,
computers etc.
We know the City Council and all residents are wanting to reduce traffic and you probably shouldn’t be closing the
library and generating more cross town traffic.
While I and many others appreciate the need for budget cuts, I and many others who you may not hear from until it
closes, request you look elsewhere for budget cuts.
Thanks for your consideration,
Anne Schmitt
29
Baumb, Nelly
From:SUZANNE DOYLE <sjdoyle@comcast.net>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 3:30 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:sjdoyle@comcast.net
Subject:College Terrace Library Closure
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council Members,
I am very concerned about the proposed closure of the College Terrace Library.
There are four city libraries east of the El Camino/train track corridor plus several community centers,
theatre, art center, museum/zoo and various other city-provided facilities. Those of us to the west of
the El Camino corridor have only one: the College Terrace Library!
This is the only facility that provides us with a place to pick up books, use city computers, hold small
group gatherings and children’s readings, etc. It is not fair that the city should simply shut down this
important community resource for two years when seniors like myself depend on being able to walk to
the nearest library. Our needs are not expendable, even if we don't deliver as many tax dollars as our
neighbors on the other side of the CalTrain tracks.
Please do NOT close the College Terrace library!
Regards,
Suzanne Doyle
Hanover St.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
30
Baumb, Nelly
From:Pria Graves <priag@birketthouse.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 3:20 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:ctraboard@googlegroups.com
Subject:College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council Members,
I am very concerned about the proposed closure of the College Terrace Library.
There are four city libraries east of the El Camino/train track corridor plus several community centers, theatre, art
center, museum/zoo and various other city‐provided facilities. Those of us to the west of the El Camino corridor have
only one: the College Terrace Library!
This is our only facility that provides us with a place to pick up books, use city computers, hold small group gatherings
and children’s readings, etc. It is not appropriate that the city should simply shut down this important community
resource for two years! This rather feels like a “wrong side of the tracks” approach. I know we are not as numerous or
as wealthy as those on the “other side”, but we do matter!
The City talks a great talk about getting folks out of our cars. Yet if you remove our library, we have no way to pick up
books, use city computers, hold community meetings, etc. without traveling at least two miles to the nearest
facility. And these facilities are not well served by public transit, particularly at night!
I am a die‐hard user of transit, bikes, and walking. But I will admit that I am uncomfortable attending a meeting at
Rinconada or Mitchell Park at night. Crossing El Camino and the tracks on a bike is not a comfortable experience even
for one like me who has regularly bicycled “everywhere” for the past 50 years. If the city is serious about getting folks to
use alternative modes of transport, you need to keep facilities in less served areas of the city such as College Terrace.
Please do NOT close the College Terrace library!
Regards,
Pria Graves
6504932153
Redacted
31
Baumb, Nelly
From:Shashi Sastry <deepsonar@yahoo.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 1:46 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Hello,
I was extremely disappointed that the closure of the College Terrace library is once again being discussed and
considered.
As a resident of College Terrace (20 years now), my family and I are frequent visitors. I go there every weekend to pick
up books and read magazines.
After all the high property taxes, it is amazing that the city can't provide a basic and simple service like a library in my
neighborhood. Accessing other libraries requires driving. I think that as part of the city's environmental and
sustainability efforts, the officials would consider expanding more services like this that are accessible by bike and/or
foot.
Thank you for providing me the opportunity to express my disappointment.
Shashi Sastry
32
Baumb, Nelly
From:Eileen Stolee <estolee@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 1:22 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace Library closing
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to ask that you please keep our valuable community asset open during these difficult
times.
We will be living with the coronavirus for some time (perhaps years) and having our beloved library
open is very important to all of us. Neighbors of all ages use this library!
As a long time resident of College Terrace, I would be willing to head up a fundraising campaign if
that's what it takes to keep our library open. The cost of $170k a year is less than $100 per College
Terrace household.
So many seniors in our neighborhood love walking to the library and children enjoy picking out books.
This can be done in a safe way while we are still all staying home.
Thank you in advance for listening to our concerns.
Sincerely,
Eileen and Richard Stolee
.
ReplyReply allForward
Redacted
33
Baumb, Nelly
From:Eileen Stolee <estolee@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 1:18 PM
To:Karen Price
Cc:Brent Barker; Cook, James F.; Summa, Doria; Annette Ross; Alexis Moiseyev; Allen J. Baum; Andrea
Cook Fleming; Andrew Fetter; Ann Balin; Asa Such; Becky Fuson; Bill Ross; Bonnie King; Brad Horak;
Brian Feldman; Burke Robinson; Carina Chiang; Chris Saccheri; Chris Saccheri; Christopher Botsford;
Colin Born; Dara Olmsted; Deborah Plumley; Diane Finkelstein; Ed Schmitt; Emily and George
Marshall; Eric Carlson; Eric Larsen; Erica Enos; Fernando Cabildo; Fred Balin; Gray Clossman; Holly
Welstein; Ingrid Shu; Irina Cross; Jack Culpepper; Jaine Reese; Jennifer and Sebastian Doniach; Jens
Jensen; Jeremy Platt; Jerry Yan; Jo Ann Mandinach; Joanne Zschokke; Joe and Melissa Oliveira; John
Mark Agosta; John and Maritza Frankfurt; Julie Good; Karen Damian; Karlette Warner; Durham,
KathyF; Kay Culpepper; Ken Thom; Ken Van Vleck; Kim Raftery; Kristen Anderson; Kyle Harrison; Larry
Kavinoky; Lon Radin; Louise and Aidan Roche; Maggie Heath; Malcolm Slaney; Margaret Allen;
Margit Aramburu; Margot Moiseyev; Marj Pitchon; Mary Jane Marcus; Meredith Martin; Michael Smit;
Michelle Collette; Michelle Oberman; Nancy Cassidy; Nancy Lowe; Pat Robinson; Patricia Griffin; Patty
Hartsell; Pria Graves; Richard Stolee; Richard Such; Richard Such; Roger Pierno; Roland Vogl;
Ron_and_Joan Tambussi; Ronda Rosner; Roswitha Remling; Ruth_and_Jerry Consul; Sairus Patel; Sally
and Whit Heaton; Samidh Chakrabarti; Sheila Bonini; Sheila Kothari; Simon Firth; Steve Woodward;
Stewart Carl; Sujata Patel; Sumitra Joy; Susan Wilson; Suzanne Doyle; Taylor Brady; Terry and
MarieLouise Fries; Toby Brookes; Toiya Black; Tom Jack; Ulla Mick; Ute Engelke; Wendy Pang; Zeke
Herman; Zohar Lotan; Council, City; eric heaton; william.xuan@gregtanaka.org; Alan Gianotti; Valerie
Sarma; Berkeley Revenaugh; Derek Gurney; Todd Lincoln; Danielle Makler; Sukhi Nagesh; Alicia
Thesing; Dan Kaleba; Michael Naar; Ewen Wang; Manuel Amieva; Ross Revenaugh; Chris Makler;
WENDY COOK; Ingrid Rulifson; Hank Edson; Clara Stoen; Suzie Lincoln; Pam Morgenfeld; Jeff Stoen;
Ming-son Wang; Emily Wang; Geeske Joel
Subject:Re: College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to ask that you please keep our valuable community asset open during
these difficult times.
We will be living with the coronavirus for some time and having our beloved library
open is very important to all of us. Neighbors of all ages use this library!
As a long time resident of College Terrace, I would be willing to head up a fundraising
campaign if that's what it takes to keep our library open. The cost of $170k a year is
less than $100 per College Terrace household.
So many seniors in our neighborhood love walking to the library and children enjoy picking out books.
This can be done in a safe way while we are still all staying home.
Thank you in advance for listening to our concerns.
Sincerely,
Eileen and Richard Stolee
34
984 S California Ave.
On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 10:30 PM Karen Price <rolfingduo@earthlink.net> wrote:
Adding my voice of support. I’ve been looking forward to the library reopening as soon as deemed safe. The staff as
well as the access to books are a treasured part of my life. I can also volunteer if needed.
Karen Price
Sent from my iPhone
On May 8, 2020, at 9:49 PM, Brent Barker <brentgbarker@gmail.com> wrote:
We also strongly agree!!! We have lived here for 42 years and use College Terrace Library all the time
and will do all we can to support it!!!
Brent and Jane
On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 7:50 PM James Cook <jamesfelixcook@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear City Council Members,
I wholeheartedly agree with my neighbors and friends: we believe keeping the College Terrace is a
way to promote community, wonder and happiness during a time of isolation, despair and sadness.
Thank you for your consideration and good luck in your difficult decisions ahead.
Stay safe and healthy,
James Felix Cook
On May 8, 2020, at 6:03 PM, doria s <doriasumma@gmail.com> wrote:
I agree
And i will do all I can to maintain this community asset from unnecessarily being shut
down for false economies.
Very best
Doria
On Fri, May 8, 2020 at 5:35 PM Annette Ross <port2103@att.net> wrote:
Fully agree and would gladly volunteer there. There are going to be myriad changes
to our community b/c of Covid; let’s not toss the cherished community‐building
treasures of our community.
It is important that CC (and other levels of government) not use Covid as a means to
an end for certain pre‐Covid agendas. Community preservation is critical now
precisely b/c of the economic jolt. And neighborhood libraries may well be a primary
resource for many Palo Altans once they reopen.
Sent from my iPhone
35
On May 8, 2020, at 4:31 PM, Richard Such <wrichardsuch@gmail.com> wrote:
We have lived in College Terrace for more than 50 years. The
branch library is a cultural institution that we have treasured and
used, it seems at least once a week, except for the couple of painful
years during which it was closed for renovation
appreciate its importance to residents of College Terrace and
surrounding neighborhoods. The alternatives for us are car rides
across town to Rinconada and Mitchell Park libraries, which are
increasingly difficult for seniors like ourselves. Parents of young
children also depend on the children’s section and the reading‐aloud
sessions there, including recent, English‐learning immigrants and
visitors. Please do not close it, not even temporarily. The closure for
the pandemic has been hard enough.
Richard and Jane Such,
‐‐
Doria Summa
(650) 867 7544 Mobile
‐‐
Brent Barker
Freelance Writer
650‐813‐9433
650‐388‐0927 (cell)
Redacted
36
Baumb, Nelly
From:Ulla Mick <ullabhima2007@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 1:04 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:COLLEGE LIBRARY CLOSING-CITY COUNCIL OF PALO ALTO
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
YES‐ YES ‐YES
KEEPING COLLEGE TERRACE LIBRARY OPEN IS ESSENTIAL FOR EVERYONE
IN THIS DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING TIMES.
COLLEGE TERRACE LIBRARY IS A TREASURE.
PART COMMUNITY CENTER‐LIBRARY AND KINDERGARTEN.
THE CITY SPEND MILLIONS IN RESTORING THE OLDEST LIBRARY IN TOWN.
WHICH WAS WONDERFUL. WE HAVE TO USE IT.
MANY SENIORS CAN WALK TO THE LIBRARY. WHAT A TREAT FOR PEOPLE
AT STANFORD, BARRON PARK,VENTUREA,EVERGREEN AND COLLEGE TERRACE
OUR VALUED AMENITY THE COLLEGE TERRACE LIBRARY IS NOT FOR SALE.
PLEASE FIND ANOTHER WAY TO GET THE $ 167,550.
WE HAVE BIG BUSINESS IN PALO ALTO TO GET THE REVENUE FROM
GOOGLE,FACEBOOK,AMAZON MIGHT MAKE A DONATION?
BE SMART AND KIND TO OUR COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU.
ULLA MICK
.
PALO ALTO,CA 94306
Redacted
37
Baumb, Nelly
From:James Zou <jamesyzou@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 1:00 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:supporting college terrace library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hi, I just want to write an email in STRONG support to preserve the college terrace library. We live on California and
Bowdoin and the college terrace library is essential for my wife and I as well as our elderly parents. This library hardly
makes a dent in the budget and it is a very important part of our community.
Sincerely
James Zou
38
Baumb, Nelly
From:Carolyn Sledge <carsledge@yahoo.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 11:02 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:save college terrace library!
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear city Council Members,
As a resident and homeowner in College Terrace I beg you not to close our library. It binds our neighborhood together
and is the greatest asset to our neighborhood..
We specifically bought this house in this location because it was affordable and right near the library. Something that is
the number one reason we love College Terrace.
This neighborhood is being ravaged by tear downs and unoccupied houses. We need some sense of community to keep
this a livable area. Sometimes I feel like we are a highway to Stanford and all these cars make it seem like it is not very
livable. People can still walk to the library (our grocery store that you promised is gone).
Finally if you leave the building unoccupied for 2 years it will leave the building open to vandals and disrepair. An eyesore
that might cost a lot to bring back to habitable unless this is the first step in closure. ( Which is really awful.) This is all
about quality of life and love for the community.
Please leave our community vibrant and livable. You all make so much money please do not take from the community
what it needs to be livable. Please give back.
Thank you, Carolyn Sledge
A resident and homeowner in College Terrace neighborhood.
39
Baumb, Nelly
From:Heema Jhagdambi-Moolchand <h.jmoolchand@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 10:21 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Re: College Terrace Library closure proposal.
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council Members,
I hope this email finds you well and safe. I recently came across an article concerning the proposal of closure for the
College Terrace library. I am writing to you to voice out my concerns as the library has been the reason of why we
moved in the area and are staying in an apartment with less amenities. I have a toddler age child who absolutely loves
going there to play and does not miss her story time. It would be next to impossible for me to drive her elsewhere and
opting for Uber or Lyft is just discouraging when I think of loading and unloading the car seats and strollers. While I
understand that it must have been tough to come to such a proposal, I hope that a solution is found even if it is reducing
the few days that the Library is open to public.
Thank you for reading, stay safe.
Kind regards
Heema Moolchand
40
Baumb, Nelly
From:Patty Hartsll <pharts004@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 9:12 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Closure of College Terrace library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Hello City Council,
Please support “transparent“ government!
The proposal to close our library for 2 TWO YEARS is a travesty, & unsatisfactory Proposal!!!
Where are the discussions?
Where is the request for public interest in this matter??? The first we heard of this was from an email on Thursday.
Doing this during the pandemic is beyond disgusting. The library is our community gathering spot. We love & cherish
our library, and DO NOT feel that one (very overpaid) city manager should make this monumental decision without
neighborhood input!
Please note: (In case you forgot)
CT Library was closed for renovation.... it dragged on nearly TWO YEARS!
Please do NOT do this to us again.
If a decision to close a library is necessary.... Please choose another branch.... not the poor STEP child again!
Thank you,
Patty Hartsell
Oberlin St.
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Mookini, Marie <marie@admissionadvisory.com>
Sent:Friday, May 8, 2020 5:56 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Funding for libraries
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Members of the Palo Alto City Council,
As a frequent user of the Palo Alto library system, I am a firm believer in access to information. The library does a
wonderful job of providing books, movies, and internet access for everyone in the community, no matter their age or
socioeconomic status. Not only are we so fortunate to have access to such great resources like Axis and Link+, the staff
of the libraries are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. The library is an important institution in our community that
inspires intellectual curiosity and encourages lifelong learning.
I do not envy you the tough budget choices you will need to make; I hope that the libraries will remain an essential
service for the city of Palo Alto.
Sincerely,
Marie Mookini
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Pat Marriott <patmarriott@sbcglobal.net>
Sent:Friday, May 8, 2020 12:20 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:survey on city priorities/budget cuts
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Council Members:
Are you aware of this survey, which is supposed to provide feedback to you on where to make budget cuts?
https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/5/Issue_8742/survey_responses/new
I know I’m not the only one who couldn’t figure out how to take this one‐question survey. And note the results
as of yesterday (at the bottom). Neighborhood, Community and Library Services comes in at #2!
This is a poorly designed survey and should not be used in your deliberations on budgets.
Pat Marriott Palo Alto property owner
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
It’s not clear how to register priorities. This is what comes up on the screen. I immediately went to the +/‐
buttons and put a 1 for Public Safety.
But after I did some ratings, the +/‐ buttons on the other items wouldn’t register. It was only when I
inadvertently passed the cursor over the dots did I see this notice:
2
Is this what we’ve come to after all the public engagement meetings with Post‐It Notes and putting colored
dots on maps?
Surely I’m not the only one who isn’t clear on this concept. So is the current “score” accurate? It puts
neighborhood services ahead of infrastructure and planning!!!
How would you prioritize the City’s six service areas?
Response Percent Response Count
Public Safety 26.4% 259
Infrastructure and Environment 16.4% 161
Planning and Transportation 14.8% 145
Economic Sustainability and Business Support 13.0% 127
Neighborhood, Community and Library Services 21.0% 206
Administration and Government 6.2% 61
If Council takes this seriously, we’re in real trouble!
Thanks,
pat
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Dan Mahoney <dan@mahoney.net>
Sent:Friday, May 8, 2020 11:52 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Postpone the Bike Bridge - Save money
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
The City is going to have a huge budget deficit this year and probably next as well, and yet we are going to
spend up to $18M on a bike bridge that we DON'T NEED. We already have a tunnel at that location that is
open at least half the year, and the other times people can cross at San Antonio or Oregon Expwy. I am an avid
cyclist and use the Baylands multiple times a week, often going through the Tunnel. We have lived fine for this
long without the bridge, let's not take money away from Public Safety and other areas that everyone uses so
that a small number of vocal citizens can spend millions on a bridge that can be postponed. DON'T START THE
CONSTRUCTION.
Dan Mahoney
‐‐
Dan Mahoney
dan@mahoney.net
Redacted
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Amanda Anderson <afanderson012@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 7:46 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace Public Library MUST STAY OPEN
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hello,
The College Terrace Public Library is a critical resource for our family and other families in our neighborhood. From safe
spaces for kids to free WiFi for those who need it and can’t afford it at home (job hunting/homework), the city council
must consider other options that don’t take away direct community resources that so personally impact our neighbor’s
lives. In fact, the city should adjust the library’s hours later and longer so more working families can use these resources
later into the evening.
Budget cuts can and must be taken elsewhere! A few extra cracked sidewalks oaren’t going to hurt us.
Thanks,
Amanda Anderson & Jeremy VanScoyoc
Palo Alto 94306
Redacted
2
Baumb, Nelly
From:Emily Renzel <marshmama2@att.net>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 6:46 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Please support the History Museum
Attachments:letter re history museum.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
May 8, 2020
Palo Alto City Council
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Dear Mayor Fine & Members of the Palo Alto City Council:
I am writing to you today to urge you to continue supporting the creation of a Palo
Alto History Museum in the Roth Building.
I have supported a History Museum in the Roth Building since the concept was
first raised and I have financially supported it along with hundreds of others in
Palo Alto and beyond. Its location along historic Homer Avenue and adjacent to
Heritage Park is perfect for allowing Palo Alto families to celebrate our town’s
history. This location also provides a perfect transition from our very busy and
congested downtown to our wonderful Professorville historic neighborhood.
The Palo Alto Medical Clinic was a ground-breaking and innovative medical
provider and is just a few blocks away from the garage where William Hewlett and
David Packard founded their namesake company. This area is ground zero for
Silicon Valley and should be used for a Museum to showcase the many innovators
who have comprised this phenomenal economic engine from Hewlett & Packard,
Dr. Russell V. Lee, & Russell Varian to Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs & Steve
Wozniak.
I enthusiastically support the Palo Alto Museum and its use and preservation of the
historic Roth Building. Please support this visionary Museum.
Sincerely,
Emily M. Renzel, Councilmember 1979-92
1056 Forest Avenue
Palo Alto, CA. 94301
3
Baumb, Nelly
From:D Martell <dmpaloalto@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, May 9, 2020 2:45 PM
To:Shikada, Ed
Cc:Council, City; Fine, Adrian; Jonsen, Robert; Aram James; Dave Price; Bill Johnson
Subject:Resolving Palo Alto's City fiscal budget deficit, 2020 - 2021
Attachments:Voting history.JPG; Palo Alto Political Art _ 2005 - Citizens Rebuke Taxing for Unneeded New Police
Station.jpg; Martell taser.pdf; Martell taser Bait.pdf; police practices scorecard.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
I would like my following comments displayed on the OpenGov website WITH my name.
The OpenGov site would NOT accept my comments because I refuse to prioritize our City's six service areas.
Edward K. Shikada
Palo Alto City Manager
Dear Ed,
Here is my simple two-pronged proposal, which comfortably satisfies the need for balancing the $43M City budget
deficit, for the fiscal year, starting July 2020.
SOLUTION
(1.) Delay construction on the brand-new $150M police station - Palo Altans voted "NO!"
(2.) Shelve tasers - Eliminate police training, lawsuits, maintenance and new purchases.
RESOURCES
For background knowledge, I offer two speakers.
(1.) Danielle Martell is a former City Council Candidate twice over.
For fifteen years plus (15+), I have researched, spoken publicly against, written articles against, and
campaigned against an opulent brand-new Police Station, and police use of tasers, making me a specialist in
both fields. On moment's notice, I welcome, and am eager, to present, and to open discussion, either
individually or with groups.
(2.) Aram James, JD, is a retired civil rights attorney, active in City Politics.
4
Palo Alto's native Aram James, former Santa Clara County Public Defender and diligent Police Watchdog,
is recognized nationally for his extensive knowledge on, and advocacy against, tasers. Attorney James is an
excellent keynote speaker, has published widely, and is available for conference.
OPPOSITION
As a life-long advocate for seniors and the disabled, I oppose withdrawing, or delaying, ANY funding for sidewalk
maintenance.
(1.) Wheelchairs and walkers demand adequately safe sidewalks.
(2.) Older adults tend to trip and fall easily, causing injuries such as scraping thin skin, breaking fragile
bones, and chipping teeth.
APPRECIATION
Thank you for all you do to help Palo Alto through this difficult time. I appreciate your long hours of service and
dedication. I'm familiar with our City's compensation for your efforts, and don't feel we are paying you enough.
Very truly yours,
-Danielle
---------------------
Danielle Martell
Palo Alto City Council Candidate 2016 & 2005
dmPaloAlto@gmail.com
Danielle Martell is the only candidate for Palo Alto
city council who supports a total ban on Tasers.
Keep Palo Alto a Taser-Free Zone
This poster is an art/law collaboration between poster maker Doug Minkler and attorney, Aram James. It demonstrates the kind of community outreach an
elected Public Defender could bring to Santa Clara County. Without the fear of being fired by County Supervisors, an elected Public Defender would have
the independence to inform the people of their constitutional rights and the power to protect citizens against institutional racism, police and
governmental abuse. CITIZENS TO ELECT OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER
For poster information contact: Aram James, ABJPD1@juno.com or wwwelectpd.org
Bait & Switch
Tasers were sold to the public as a device
that would be used as an alternative to
deadly force. In fact, according to Amnesty
International, tasers have been used eighty
percent of the time on unarmed citizens.
Thirty six percent of the time tasers are
used simply for “verbal noncompliance”.
D.
M
i
n
k
l
e
r
2
0
0
5
Keep Palo Alto a Taser-Free Zone
This poster is an art/law collaboration between poster maker Doug Minkler and attorney, Aram James. It demonstrates the kind of community outreach an
elected Public Defender could bring to Santa Clara County. Without the fear of being fired by County Supervisors, an elected Public Defender would have
the independence to inform the people of their constitutional rights and the power to protect citizens against institutional racism, police and
governmental abuse. CITIZENS TO ELECT OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER
For poster information contact: Aram James, ABJPD1@juno.com or wwwelectpd.org
Tested
Proven Lethal&
To date more than 130 citizens
have died after being tasered.
D.
M
i
n
k
l
e
r
2
0
0
5
Danielle Martell is the only candidate for Palo Alto
city council who supports a total ban on Tasers.
Awards for whistle blowers.
Independent police oversight with teeth.
Predators Kan & Lee off OUR streets.
No new PAPD Homeland Security Jail.
Keep Palo Alto a Taser-FREE city.
Canine units for search and
rescue ONLY.
Ban coercive interrogation tactics.
Fire Police Chief Lynne Johnson.
Video cameras in patrol cars running
24/7 (full public access mandatory).
Ban racial profiling and other racially
discriminatory police practices.
Reduce bloated $23,000,000.00
annual budget.
Develop crisis intervention / mental
health unit.
Know Your Candidates. Ask the Hard Questions.
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Yes No
Danielle Martellfor Palo Alto City Council
Police Practices Score Card
5
Baumb, Nelly
From:Chris Saccheri <chris.saccheri@yahoo.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 9:58 AM
To:Council, City
Cc:CTRA Board To Board
Subject:Letter from the CTRA re: College Terrace Library
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
May 10, 2020
Dear City Council,
The College Terrace Residents’ Association (CTRA) has reviewed the May 7 City Council City Staff report
outlining amendments to the proposed FY 2021 budget and urges the Council to reject the proposal to close
the College Terrace Library.
Built in 1936, and fully renovated just ten years ago, the College Terrace Library is the oldest and smallest of
the Palo Alto library system’s five branch libraries. As the City’s only community center located west of El
Camino Real, the College Terrace Library is a vital hub and gathering place for residents on this side of the
city.
Families with young children listen to storytime and escape the heat on warm summer days, students stop in
after school to do homework in the reading room, neighbors catch up while passing through, and, of course,
people come to check out books. (Enough that, according to the library’s own report, it’s the only branch where
checkouts increased year over year.)
As our community begins to slowly emerge from the isolation of shelter-in-place, we will need more places to
gather and reconnect, not fewer. It would be incredibly heartbreaking and short-sighted to lose this long-
standing civic gem at the very time when we need it the most. We implore you to keep the College Terrace
Library open.
Sincerely,
Chris Saccheri
President, College Terrace Residents' Association
6
Baumb, Nelly
From:pearl louise karrer <plk37@comcast.net>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 12:36 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:plk37@comcast.net
Subject:Palo Alto's budget shortfall
Importance:High
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mayor Adrian Fine and Council Members:
We find it very discouraging, in view of the significant decrease
in city revenues caused by Covid‐19, that plans are going ahead
to grant raises to city staff. These raises were set in pre‐Covid‐19
economic times and should not be activated now.
Giving raises at a time when cuts need to be made to balance the budget,
will create a very bad impression of council priorities.
There is also the additional budget shortfall these raises will add
to the underfunded pension fund.
Please act responsibly and consider across the board salary cuts
before raises and the cutting of city services.
Thanks you.
Sincerely,
Pearl and Henry Karrer
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Redacted
7
Baumb, Nelly
From:Annette Glanckopf <annette_g@att.net>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 1:34 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:Clerk, City
Subject:Budget item on Monday agenda
Attachments:budget letter to council 2020 a.docx
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hello Council Members,
My suggestions for budget attached
Annette
TOPIC: Budget Cuts
Dear Council Members,
In this time of budget cuts and recession, maybe depression. I have some recommendation for the
upcoming fiscal year 2020-2021 budget.
It is important to acknowledge that some functions/departments maybe important but not critical to
the city mission. In this time of constrained resources, prioritize accordingly.
1. Public Safety
One key reason cities were formed was for citizen protection. “Before the invention of modern warfare
techniques, many cities were founded for defensive purposes.” I espouse that public safety is a top
priority function of city government. Do not reduce the already bare bones staff. These jobs we need in
this economy and time of stress. With my background in preparing for and responding to emergencies, I
realize there is a continual need to be vigilant for the possibility of fires, power outages, or earthquakes;
statistically we are long over-due for a significant one. We need to have public safety, utilities, and
public works staff in place to handle a major disaster and to be prepared for events that are beyond our
control.
o FIRE:
o We are in another year of drought. The fire season has already started. Cutting fire positions is
dangerous; some would say foolhardy. For example, consider the recent fire at the dish.
o Stanford Healthcare claims that fewer people are going to the emergency department – for fear
of COVID-19 – their condition will worsen and will result in more calls for EMS.
o OES has played a critical role in the current pandemic phase. Now is the time to start preparing for
the next wave(s) of the pandemic, as well as other potential natural and man-made disasters such as
a failure of the power system. Do not eliminate the unfilled staff position, a short term
postponement is acceptable. Note: A second wave of the coronavirus is "likely," said Dr. Anthony
Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said last Tuesday.
o PAPD
o reports a higher volume of stolen catalytic converters and car breaks-ins. As the economy
worsens and we experience a recession (perhaps a depression), Palo Alto will beckon as a candy
store for those less fortunate individuals.
o We currently have 7 PAPD vacancies with 3 recruits in the pipeline. We need to bring them on
now to fill out the department functions, not eliminate these critical positions. It takes about 3
years to put a police officer or firefighter through the academy, put through in-house training,
and put through the probationary employment period. We have already invested in these
recruits, let’s bring them on board.
Palo Alto has been blessed to have an abundance of wonderful resources and activities for residents.
While no one wants to eliminate staff or these special programs, I suggest that there are many non-
mission central programs and/or services that could be eliminated (or reduced) and brought back when
we have the funds to do so. It is easier to eliminate non mission central programs and staff for
programs like “pottery” classes, than to reduce public safety personnel, while it is easy to bring back
programs such as finger-painting.
Unfortunately the time has come to consider tough choices. I know this will be a budget that will impact
all departments –and everyone department will be affected. We shouldn’t touch functions that pay for
themselves or with applicant fees
2. Consultants: Another suggestion is to eliminate or severely cut back consultants to the city. If we
are to tighten our belts, this is a good step to prevent loss of staff. We have amazing talent and
professional experience in our community. Let’s use these resources wisely.
3. Raises.
o The Chamber (as well as national surveys) predicts that the pandemic will force the closure of
over 25-33% of restaurants and small businesses. As result, many Palo Altans have lost their
livelihood with business closures, job losses, no benefits resulting in difficulty paying rent,
getting childcare, or medical insurance etc.
o Resource constraints will not allow increases in salaries and may require cuts. Many companies,
Stanford included, have asked their staff to take salary reductions – Stanford Healthcare at 20%.
Last Thursday, it was reported that Menlo Park would postpone salary increases. No raises or a
cut in pay for management would go a long way to demonstrate to our residents that the city
understands what many are going though. This step will build trust in city government.
o The unions need to come to the table and decide if they are willing to forgo salary increases or
prefer loss of jobs. Short term voluntary pay cuts or foregoing raises c/would protect jobs. This
move would resonate with Palo Altans. Isn’t it better to have a job with benefits, rather than no
job and no benefits?
4. Renegotiate the Cubberley lease with PAUSD. This will save money and ensure our non-profits have
a home.
Unfortunately, this is time for belt tightening. I ask you to make tough choices by examining and
prioritizing functions that are critical for city operations. Please consider strongly reducing or put on
hold, the less critical programs (like sustainability and the bike bridge) and functions until Palo Alto can
run in the black.
Sincerely
Annette Glanckopf
8
Baumb, Nelly
From:Kathy Jordan <kjordan114wh@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 3:37 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:gsheyner@paweekly.com; Emily Mibach; local@bayareanewsgroup.com; Aldo Toledo; Dave Price
Subject:Is cutting $39 million too much or too little?
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
To all: (Happy Mother's Day)
Is cutting $39 million too much or too little?
How would the City Council know?
Maybe I missed the detailed supporting evidence, the FY 2020 actuals, and the detailed FY 2020 and FY 2021
forecasts on which this $39 million of cuts was based.
Without that information, it's hard to know if $39 million is too much, or too little.
The state of California says it faces a deficit of 37% of its current general fund budget.
SACRAMENTO — California faces a $54.3 billion deficit as the coronavirus pandemic hammers the
economy, the state's worst budget gap since the Great Recession, state finance officials said Thursday.
The shortfall is almost 37 percent of the current $147.8 billion general fund budget and foretells
widespread program cuts absent a federal bailout.
https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/05/07/california-faces-54b-budget-deficit-1282926
Is $39 million 37% of Palo Alto's FY 2021 general fund budget expenditures? No, it's 16%.
($39M /$238.8M = 16% -- $238.8 million is FY2021's proposed general fund expenditure
budget http://cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/76264).
While the state and city are different, with different tax revenue sources, still, a 37% projected shortfall at the
state is a good gut check for the City.
So, the question remains, is $39 million too much or too little?
The City Council of Santa Monica seems to have more information to work with:
Finance Department Director Gigi Decavalles-Hughes said projections show a 14% decrease in sales
tax revenue next fiscal year and a similar decrease in the current fiscal year. The city’s fiscal years last
from July 1 through June 30.
9
Decavalles-Hughes said hotel taxes are down 21% this fiscal year and are projected to drop 42% next
fiscal year.
Parking revenues, including fines, have declined 9% this fiscal year and will fall nearly 22% next fiscal
year. During the coronavirus shutdowns, the city has been taking in about 5% to 10% of typical parking
revenues, Decavalles-Hughes said.
https://www.smdp.com/santa-monica-layoffs-budget-cuts/190393
Where are the City of Palo Alto's forecasts and actuals?
And what about Calpers investment losses, and predicted property tax revenue declines....how will those
impact City revenues?
Staff clearly tried to herd the City Council into choosing Scenario B in this process, and now staff seems to be
trying to herd the Council into cutting --- no more than -- $39 million without supplying supporting information.
But is cutting $39 million too much? Or too little? And what if things go south?
Shouldn't the numerous and highly paid City staff, with an average compensation of $232,000, provide more
information?
Or is that the point?
"Newsom said Wednesday that he expects a prolonged economic downturn. The Finance document
suggests that income losses will be far deeper than during the Great Recession more than a decade
ago."
“It’s going to take longer than I think a lot of people think,” Newsom said.
"We’ve never experienced anything like this in our lifetime,” he said, adding that the national
unemployment rate will soar to “Depression-era numbers.”
"California budget experts say it is likely the Legislature will have to build in contingencies, such as
trigger cuts, in case the revenue decline worsens. The Legislature might have to rewrite the budget at
least once in the fiscal year, as happened in 2008-09 during the last recession."
https://www.politico.com/states/california/story/2020/05/07/california-faces-54b-budget-deficit-1282926
Trigger cuts sound like a good idea, particularly if the Council is flying blind.
Cuts based on a too high FY 2021 budget anchored to a too high FY 2020 budget that no longer adds up
makes no sense.
Neither do increased taxes or fees.
Thanks for listening.
Best,
Kathy Jordan
10
Baumb, Nelly
From:Annette Fazzino <annette.fazzino@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 4:07 PM
To:Council, City; Clerk, City
Subject:Please support the Palo Alto History Museum's use of the Roth Building
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mayor Fine and Council Members Cormack, DuBois, Filseth, Kniss, Kou, and Tanaka:
I am writing to you today to encourage you to continue to support the Palo Alto Museum's use of the Roth Building.
I have a heartfelt personal interest in the museum. As you know, my late husband, Gary Fazzino (Two time former
Mayor and longtime member of the City Council) was an ardent supporter of this project. He contributed his leadership
and passion for the project and we contributed together financially, as well. I continue to support the museum in this
way, in his memory and for the benefit of our children. Gary and I always felt that understanding history makes us
better. History inspires the present and the future. We learn what makes our community special and what brings us all
together. This project remains close to my heart and the hearts of my children.
Palo Alto's history is rich and diverse. For a city of merely +/‐65,000 people, our home town is known throughout the
world. And, why? It's because of our innovative and creative roots and lasting worldwide leadership. From Stanford
University to launching Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is a mecca for many. People want to visit, to live, and to be inspired here.
If our stories are not preserved, they will die quietly and anonymously. We need to share with our citizens, children, and
visitors all of the wonderful things that have happened here. By sharing our history, we build our community and share
the path for the next generation to continue to be leaders and innovators.
The Roth Building is the perfect place to share our history. It's surrounded by Heritage Park and the building itself is
historic. Please support the Palo Alto Museum and its use and preservation of the historic Roth Building. Let the Palo
Alto Museum's presence in its rightful place in the Roth Building be a light and beacon to the community. Let it inspire,
nurture, and educate our youth, citizens, and visitors. Doing so will build community, goodwill, culture, and pride in Palo
Alto.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Annette Evans Fazzino
(650) 799‐7414
11
Baumb, Nelly
From:Eddie Gornish <gornish@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 4:50 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:gornish
Subject:Why are we proceeding with 101 overpass, when the proposed budget is cutting so much?
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
I read in (ID # 11322) that the city is considering massive budget cuts, in light of the pandemic.
If so, why is the city moving forward with the 101 overpass that will force the closure of the Benjamin Lefkowitz
underpass?
Wouldn't it be better to re‐allocate that money to something that you are proposing to cut?
I realize that the underpass was only opened temporarily. That being said, it is really heavily used by people who want to
get out and exercise.
It just seems, for many reasons, that given our situation, it makes sense to postpone the overpass project and keep the
underpass open.
Thanks
Eddie Gornish
12
Baumb, Nelly
From:chris cocca <chris_cocca@yahoo.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 8:43 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Budget cuts
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear council members:
I realize budget cuts need to be made. May I suggest completely de-funding the downtown parking garage?
The parking garage wastes taxes for a number of reasons:
1) While the citizens are being asked to pay for this albatross, downtown businesses and the car companies are the
obvious beneficiaries. If local businesses and the auto industry really believed the parking garage was worth the money,
they would have paid for it themselves. I think the Palo Alto city council should be as careful with my money as the local
businesses are with theirs.
2) A popular complaint in Palo Alto is traffic, and for good reason. Yet building a parking garage will only exacerbate our
traffic woes.
3) Global warming is a scientifically accepted theory. Building a parking garage not only generates massive greenhouse
gasses but also encourages the most polluting form or transportation: single passenger vehicles.
I hope you will agree with me and de-fund the down town parking garage. Eliminating this line item will save the city $5.1
million, or almost eighty dollars per person.
All the best,
Chris Cocca
13
Baumb, Nelly
From:Keith Bennett <kbennett@luxsci.net>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 10:13 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Budget - add revenue and wait to see what federal funds will be available
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:
We request you to seriously explore multiple ways of closing the budget gap, not simply cutting programs.
1) There Federal Government may provide new stimulus funds to State and Local governments. They certainly should
do so, after bailing out Wall Street and funneling $700B into business loans. My understanding is the House is working
on a bill with funding for governments.
2) Large companies, for example Palantir, and many others have plenty of financial resources and put their offices here
because they, and their employees like being here. They depend upon City services ‐ police and fire, and their
employees create more needs for infrastructure and services, whether it's parking garages, traffic demand management,
and some use Caltrain, hence benefit from grade separation, as well as housing. This is the time to enact a office‐
business employee fee.
Mountain View enacted a tax this year expected to bring in $6M, for example.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/01/01/mountain‐views‐employee‐head‐tax‐goes‐into‐effect‐google‐to‐pay‐3‐3‐
million‐a‐year/
$150 / employee / year is a tiny fraction of the cost of an employee at these companies ‐ and if it's not worth it to them,
they don't value being here very much anyway.
3) Consider temporarily adjusting salaries / annual compensation of City Employees. Many private enterprises are
requiring employees take paid time off and / or reduced salaries.
Avoid knee‐jerk reactions.
Keith and Atsuko Bennett
14
Baumb, Nelly
From:pellson@pacbell.net
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 1:27 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Budget Cuts: Safe Routes to School Priorities
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Honorable City Council Members,
Cuts of this magnitude are painful. I trust you will do your best to consider the needs of our many residents, including
about 6,000 young people who walk and pedal to PAUSD schools and some of us older folks who like to pedal, too. I will
try to provide information that will help you prioritize.
Safe Routes to School (SRTS), The Essentials To Support Continued Success:
Here are three things we absolutely cannot do without if we are to continue to make Safe Routes to School work:
1. Safe Routes to School Team In Transportation‐‐ Volunteers constantly turn over as their children move
through the school system. The two SRTS staff provide continuity that holds the program together over
time Without them, our k‐8 traffic safety education programs and events would not get off the ground in an
organized way at every school every year. Their work is the catalyst that releases the powerful synergies of
partnership—an army of parent volunteers, site administrators and teachers who share information, work
together to solve traffic safety problems, give their time and enthusiastically encourage families to try new,
active, healthy sustainable ways to commute to school. These staffers keep the team focused on the 6
E’s: Engineering, Education, Enforcement, Encouragement, Equity, and Evaluation. They provide
institutionalized structure and support for our extraordinarily successful, comprehensive TDM program. They
also crunch the data that volunteers gather.
2. Crossing Guards‐‐ Crossing guards make sure children don’t start to cross until drivers stop. They make sure drivers wait
as long as necessary to enable little people with short legs to cross wide intersections so families can feel comfortable
about walking and biking to school, especially during the busy morning peak hour. The Guards make these critical school
crossings VISIBLE so drivers notice them. Guards are only located at studied, city‐warranted locations. The majority of
these locations are very high traffic volume intersections. Six are on El Camino Real (a State highway). Two on Alma
Expressway, 10 on arterial streets like Charleston, Arastradero, Middlefield, Embarcadero. The remainder are on busy
collectors and other intersections without controls or with high turning movements or crash histories. These are
intersections where we cannot deploy volunteers. Has CoPA initiated discussions with PAUSD about sharing some of
these costs?
3. PAPD Traffic Team—From past experience, I’m guessing it is likely that if Traffic Team is eliminated, the officers
may be rolled into regular patrol. If this happens, it will be critically important to:
a. make sure there is a PAPD Liaison to the City School Traffic Safety Committee to maintain the working
partnership relationship with PAPD and regular patrol, and
b. put a HOLD on the Traffic Team positions as was done during the Great Recession when the city cut the
Traffic Team. This way, Traffic Team positions can be refilled more easily when budget problems are
resolved.
Here are some items that merit very careful consideration:
15
1. City of Palo Alto Shuttles
a. Crosstown Shuttle‐‐ (used by some Greene and JLS students)
b. Embarcadero Shuttle—(used by some Paly students)
I don’t know how many students are using the Shuttle these days, so I can’t comment on how eliminating Shuttles might
impact the SRTS program. This may be a good question for staff. The data isn’t parsed in a way that makes it clear who is
riding and what times of day. (seniors, students, others?)
2). Certain engineering projects would greatly improve school route safety and bike/walking conditions for
everyone:
a. Bicycle Boulevards
b. Completion of Charleston‐Arastradero Plan‐‐ If you need to postpone some portion of this development
mitigation project, please choose to prioritize constructing the highest volume intersections first. This is where
the crashes are. The bike lane gap on the approaches to and through the seven‐lane El Camino Real intersection
remains a serious hazard. Imagine pedaling across seven lanes of El Camino Real with NO bike lane. Fulfill the
promise that was made at the beginning of this project when the city struck a deal with residents that they
would mitigate the aggregate traffic safety impacts of the development that was approved and built. The
promise was—continuous bicycle lanes the entire length of the School Commute Corridor, Fabian to Miranda.
Thank you for considering my comments.
Penny Ellson
Virus-free. www.avg.com
16
Baumb, Nelly
From:Gurmeet Lamba <glamba@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 9:49 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Support for the Palo Alto Art Center
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council members:
I hope all of you and your families are doing well in this crazy environment we find ourselves in. I am writing this note
to to express some thoughts on the Palo Alto Art Center. My engagement at this art center is two fold ‐ first as an avid
potter, spending most Sunday's in the ceramics studio, and also as a board member and Vice president of the Palo Alto
Art Center Foundation.
I am one of many technology leaders in the Silicon Valley who have found the PaaC a haven ‐ an oasis in our tech infused
world. It helps balance the highly driven / logical / data oriented 'day' job with the more creative soft‐touch and
empathetic world of art. I can say this with strong conviction ‐ the art center with it's strong sense of
community & positive reinforcement culture helps me be a better technology and people leader at various tech startups
I have been involved in.
I am also very aware of budget shortfalls ‐ it's a reality in this un‐precedented crises. The city council has to balance the
budget and will have many tough choices to make. This note is to simply request that you keep in mind the significant
positive impact the art center has on the community as you make these choices. I'm convinced it will have an even
stronger role to play as we start the recovery journey .....
Regards,
Gurmeet Lamba
Board Member & VP, Palo Alto Art Center Foundation
glamba@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/glamba/
17
Baumb, Nelly
From:Satomi Okazaki <satomi@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 11:57 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:funding for crossing guards
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Members of the City Council,
I have children in 5th grade at Walter Hays Elementary School and 6th and 8th grades at Greene Middle School. We
have biked to school every day it does not rain, and if it does rain, we walk to school. We appreciate the Palo Alto Safe
Routes to School Team in all of its efforts to educate our students about how to safely ride bikes and navigate our
streets.
We live in Old Palo Alto, so my children have had to cross both Embarcadero and Middlefield twice a day to get to and
from school. That is an intersection with heavy traffic in all directions, and young children must be able to navigate
it. Please remember that starting third grade (around eight years of age), students are allowed to walk/bike themselves
to and from school. These students do not always look to make sure that vehicle traffic stops when it is supposed
to. They may just enter the intersection when they get a green light, even if a car (running a red light) is coming.
It is not safe for these young children to cross that intersection without the aid of a crossing guard. Please make sure to
fund the crossing guards contract. We also request that you maintain funding for the Safe Routes to School
Team. Thank you very much.
Regards,
Satomi Okazaki
18
Baumb, Nelly
From:Marcie Brown <su1cookies@hotmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 12:26 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:In Support of the Palo Alto History Museum
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mayor Fine, Vice Mayor DuBois, and Councilmembers Cormack, Filseth, Kniss, Kou and
Tanaka:
I support the establishment of the Palo Alto History Museum in the historic Roth Building. Please
reinstate the lease option agreement and make a place in the city’s budget for the funds necessary to
start the rehabilitation of the Roth Building.
Having a local, accessible history museum would add to the richness that is Palo Alto. Knowing the
past of a place helps to understand how the place got to where it is today and provides a grounding
which allows thoughtful movement towards tomorrow. Palo Alto needs a place where all residents
can see the history of the city and see themselves both in that history and as part of creating a
desirable future for the city.
In my almost 32 years here, my involvement with PTAs in Palo Alto, the Girl Scouts of Palo Alto, the
Junior League of Palo Alto-Midpeninsula, the YWCA of the Mid-Peninsula Donor Advised Fund,
Abilities United and other non-profits has made me keenly aware of the depth of caring in the
community. Having a museum that shares that with the community and the world is an undeniably
good thing.
The city has had many partnerships (Avenidas, the Junior Museum and Zoo and the Art Center, for
example) over the years that serve the residents so well. The PAHM would be a fine addition to the
list, adding a new thread to the beautiful tapestry that is Palo Alto.
The many hundreds of donors and supporters of the PAHM have shown by their actions that Palo
Alto should have a museum. Please work with them to complete the reality and fund the shortfall that
would bring the Museum in the historic Roth Building to fruition. Having the Palo Alto History Museum
will allow us all to be our best selves.
Thank you for your consideration, Marcie Brown
19
Baumb, Nelly
From:Roxy Rapp <roxy@roxyrapp.com>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 1:09 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Letter of Support for PA History Museum
Attachments:20200511123312165[2].pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council, please see my enclosed letter of support for the Palo Alto History Museum.
Thank you,
Roxy
20
Baumb, Nelly
From:JULIE BROWN <brownhus@comcast.net>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 1:26 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto History Museum
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
5/11/20
Dear Mayor Fine, Vice Mayor du Bois and Council,
I am writing in support of the Palo Alto History Museum. As an artist and retired teacher in the
PAUSD, I feel it is imperative we have an appropriate venue to share and showcase the stories of this
city. My late husband, Greg Brown, felt strongly that our "hometown" have a special place where
generations might come to appreciate our unique history. He planned to paint a mural celebrating
Palo Alto's Culture at the site.
The remodeled Art Center and the Junior Museum serve to entertain and educate both our citizens
and visitors alike. It is time for the Palo Alto History Museum to take its rightful place beside them.
Thank you,
Julie Brown
21
Baumb, Nelly
From:Yankwich Richard <richard.yankwich@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 1:29 PM
To:Fine, Adrian; DuBois, Tom; Cormack, Alison; Filseth, Eric (Internal); Kniss, Liz (internal); Kou, Lydia;
Tanaka, Greg; Council, City
Cc:Kienzle, Karen; Kwan, Karen
Subject:Budget Process -- Palo Alto Art Center
Attachments:Art Center Support to City Council, 05112020.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
May 11, 2020
Via Email to Members of the Palo Alto City Council:
Adrian Fine, Mayor Adrian.fine@cityofpaloalto.org
Tom DuBois, Vice Mayor tom.dubois@cityofpaloalto.org
Alison Cormack alison.cormack@cityofpaloalto.org
Eric Filseth eric.filseth@cityofpaloalto.org
Liz Kniss, Art Center Council liaison liz.kniss@cityofpaloalto.org
Lydia Kou Lydia.kou@cityofpaloalto.org
Greg Tanaka greg.tanaka@cityofpaloalto.org
Re: Budget Decisions Relating to the Palo Alto Art Center
Dear Council Members:
My name is Richard Yankwich. I live at 1490 Edgewood Dr., in the Crescent Park neighborhood of Palo Alto. I have been a
patron of the Palo Alto Art Center for the past 36 years. From approximately 1988 to 2000, I was a member of the Board
of Directors of the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation (PAACF), and for ten years served as its President. I am a long‐time
supporter of the Art Center and of various other community organizations in Palo Alto.
I realize that all aspects of the city budget must be closely scrutinized in light of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nevertheless, I believe that the Art Center is a valued institution within our community, with a unique history and a
special relationship with the City. There are strong reasons why the City Council should, at the very least, provide
sufficient financial support to ensure the continued viability of the Arts Center and its programs.
First, the programs of the Art Center are a hallmark of what we want Palo Alto to be. Its outreach programs, its flexible
and utilitarian facilities, and its educational exhibits and classes are invaluable community assets. Through Cultural
22
Kaleidoscope, Project Look! and similar programs, the Art Center encourages community involvement and builds
positive relationships with our neighbors in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Mountain View. Art Center facilities are used
for exhibits and classes, but also for government and community meetings and events. And the educational
opportunities offered through the Art Center enhance continuous learning for all ages and have made up for programs
that have been eliminated in our schools.
Second, the Art Center is the evolving product of a movement toward public/private partnerships in Palo Alto. Nearly 30
years ago, when the City Council was considering eliminating the position of the Art Center Director during another time
of budgetary stress, the PAACF stepped up with private, supplemental funding that allowed the hiring of a new Director.
Rather than withering away, the Art Center grew into a community gem, ushering in a golden era of community
programs and engagement. Few if any other city assets have as committed a community of private donors as does the
Art Center. Members of the PAACF stand ready to work with the City Council to support the Art Center, its facilities, its
staff and its programs, as they have before.
Finally, the unique public/private partnership that already exists with the PAACF obliges the City Council to give the Art
Center special consideration within the budget process. Over the past 30 years, the PAACF has raised hundreds of
thousands of dollars in private funds to evaluate, redesign, and make capital improvements to the Art Center grounds
and building. Although the Art Center facility is certainly publicly owned, it also is very much privately
supported. Implicit in this public/private partnership is a commitment by the City to continue to maintain and support
the Art Center, its staff and its programs, so as to achieve its intended purpose.
The City Council must act responsibly in preparing its budget, and may well ask all city programs, including the Art
Center, to accept cuts. Nevertheless, I strongly urge the City Council to maintain adequate financial support of the Art
Center, its programs and staff. As needed, the City Council should work directly with the PAACF to extend their
public/private partnership to address the budgetary problems brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Richard I. Yankwich
cc: Karen Kienzle, Art Center Director
Richard I. Yankwich
richard.yankwich@gmail.com
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650)269-4403
Redacted
May 11, 2020
Via Email to Members of the Palo Alto City Council:
Adrian Fine, Mayor Adrian.fine@cityofpaloalto.org
Tom DuBois, Vice Mayor tom.dubois@cityofpaloalto.org
Alison Cormack alison.cormack@cityofpaloalto.org
Eric Filseth eric.filseth@cityofpaloalto.org
Liz Kniss, Art Center Council liaison liz.kniss@cityofpaloalto.org
Lydia Kou Lydia.kou@cityofpaloalto.org
Greg Tanaka greg.tanaka@cityofpaloalto.org
Re: Budget Decisions Relating to the Palo Alto Art Center
Dear Council Members:
My name is Richard Yankwich. I live at 1490 Edgewood Dr., in the Crescent Park neighborhood
of Palo Alto. I have been a patron of the Palo Alto Art Center for the past 36 years. From
approximately 1988 to 2000, I was a member of the Board of Directors of the Palo Alto Art
Center Foundation (PAACF), and for ten years served as its President. I am a long-time
supporter of the Art Center and of various other community organizations in Palo Alto.
I realize that all aspects of the city budget must be closely scrutinized in light of the impact of
the coronavirus pandemic. Nevertheless, I believe that the Art Center is a valued institution
within our community, with a unique history and a special relationship with the City. There are
strong reasons why the City Council should, at the very least, provide sufficient financial
support to ensure the continued viability of the Arts Center and its programs.
First, the programs of the Art Center are a hallmark of what we want Palo Alto to be. Its
outreach programs, its flexible and utilitarian facilities, and its educational exhibits and classes
are invaluable community assets. Through Cultural Kaleidoscope, Project Look! and similar
programs, the Art Center encourages community involvement and builds positive relationships
with our neighbors in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Mountain View. Art Center facilities are
used for exhibits and classes, but also for government and community meetings and events.
And the educational opportunities offered through the Art Center enhance continuous learning
for all ages and have made up for programs that have been eliminated in our schools.
.
Second, the Art Center is the evolving product of a movement toward public/private
partnerships in Palo Alto. Nearly 30 years ago, when the City Council was considering
eliminating the position of the Art Center Director during another time of budgetary stress, the
PAACF stepped up with private, supplemental funding that allowed the hiring of a new Director.
Rather than withering away, the Art Center grew into a community gem, ushering in a golden
era of community programs and engagement. Few if any other city assets have as committed a
community of private donors as does the Art Center. Members of the PAACF stand ready to
work with the City Council to support the Art Center, its facilities, its staff and its programs, as
they have before.
Finally, the unique public/private partnership that already exists with the PAACF obliges the City
Council to give the Art Center special consideration within the budget process. Over the past 30
years, the PAACF has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in private funds to evaluate,
redesign, and make capital improvements to the Art Center grounds and building. Although the
Art Center facility is certainly publicly owned, it also is very much privately supported. Implicit
in this public/private partnership is a commitment by the City to continue to maintain and
support the Art Center, its staff and its programs, so as to achieve its intended purpose.
The City Council must act responsibly in preparing its budget, and may well ask all city
programs, including the Art Center, to accept cuts. Nevertheless, I strongly urge the City Council
to maintain adequate financial support of the Art Center, its programs and staff. As needed, the
City Council should work directly with the PAACF to extend their public/private partnership to
address the budgetary problems brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Richard I. Yankwich
cc: Karen Kienzle, Art Center Director
Karen Kwan
24
Baumb, Nelly
From:ANDREA B SMITH <andreabsmith@sbcglobal.net>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 1:44 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:City Mgr
Subject:City of Palo Alto budget
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Hello City Council and City Manager ‐
I do not understand why a town would want to lay off Police Officers or FireFighters/Paramedics when there are
employees, such as the Art Center, who work at looking busy when, in fact, they have very little to do.
When we want firefighters and/or paramedics, we want them now not a hour or so later.
When departments/ divisions (or whatever each group is called) has a budget and does not spend all that money, they
have to return the money and will not receive it in the next fiscal year. So, they run around looking for ways to spend
that money which is a WASTE of money.
The City needs to be run more efficiently which it has not been for many years. When employees sit around and/or run
around trying to look busy, they are the employees who are not needed.
I know that it is hard to be efficient when there is not a need to act like a for profit organization. Government is
inefficient. Palo Alto needs to get a grip.
We had 9 City Council members when members, except residents, said that would having 7 members would not work.
Maybe we should have fewer members as larger towns have.
Andrea Smith
Redacted
25
Baumb, Nelly
From:Marie Wolbach <mariewolbach@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 2:38 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto History Museum
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mayor Fine and Council Members:
I urge Council to reverse their previous decision to offer a new RFP for the Roth Building. Please vote to
supply the necessary funds to bring that historic building up to code and open it as the Palo Alto History
Museum. That is in the City's interest.
As a long time resident, I regret that I cannot take visitors, or my grandchildren, to a place where they can learn
about the rich history of Palo Alto.
As founder of AAUW Tech Trek STEM Camps for Girls, I assure you that young people are interested in
history. In 22 years, we have hosted, on college campuses, 17,000 rising 8th grade young women on full
scholarships. A portion of the program is instruction about the history of women in math and science. It ignites
a spark of excitement when they learn that significant discoveries have been made by women since at least
1900 BCE. The girls of Palo Alto should have one destination where they can be inspired by the
accomplishments of Palo Alto’s women.
Throughout our city's history, many women and men have made important contributions. With additional
funding from the City, and the already committed funds from private donors, we will provide a place where all
our students and citizens can learn those stories.
Thank you.
Marie Wolbach
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Redacted
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Gwyneth Wong <gw26041@pausd.us>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 3:41 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Renew Funding for YCS Youth Connectiveness Initiative Nonprofit program
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hello to whoever this may concern,
I am a peer leader for the YCS Youth Connectednes Initiative. I'm 17 years old and a junior at PALY. As a peer leader, I'm
helping to connect isolated students and share information about dealing with depression and anxiety. We are learning
together to speak to mental health issues with our peers; students pay more attention to the words of others students.
During the school year, we planned and put on community events that brought the community together in fun and
informative ways. We are currently using Zoom, videos, and social media to reach students despite the COVID
shutdown. In the community, we have worked with wellness centers Project Safety Net, Allcove, Stanford professors like
Dr. Shashank Joshi, and more. Please don't cut our funding because we are making a difference at a critical time,
working with all our partners.
Thank you,
Gwyn Wong
‐‐
Best,
Gwyn Wong
2
Baumb, Nelly
From:Ashley Qiu <aq40179@pausd.us>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 2:45 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Renew Funding for YCS Youth Connectedness Initiative nonprofit program
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hi there,
I am a peer leader for the YCS Youth Connectedness Initiative. I'm 16 years old and a student at Palo
Alto High School. As a peer leader, I'm helping to connect isolated students and share information
about dealing with depression and anxiety. We're learning together to speak to mental health issues
with our peers; students pay more attention to the words of other students. During the school year,
we planned and put on community events that brought the community together in fun and
informative ways. We're currently using Zoom, videos, and social media to reach students despite the
COVID shutdown. In the community, we have worked with the wellness centers, Project Safety Net,
Allcove, Stanford professors like Dr. Shashank Joshi, and more. Please don't cut our funding because
we are making a difference at a critical time, working with all our partners. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ashley Qiu
Palo Alto High School
3
Baumb, Nelly
From:Hannah Zhang <hannahjzhang@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 2:09 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Renew Funding for YCS Youth Connectedness Initiative Nonprofit Program
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Hi!
I am Hannah Zhang, a peer leader for the YCS Youth Connectedness Initiative. I'm 16 years old and a student at Gunn
High School. As a peer leader, I have found a sense of purpose in connecting isolated students and helping others deal
with depression/anxiety.
By providing fun activities for the community while learning to speak about mental health issues with peers, students
become more aware about this topic. During the school year, we planned and put on community events that brought
students together in fun and informative ways. Additionally, we have worked with the wellness centers, Project Safety
Net, Allcove, Stanford professors, and more.
Now, with the COVID‐19 shutdown in place, we have been meeting with Zoom in order to continue to make a positive
impact. Specifically, each of us have made several social media posts on tips to survive quarantine and we have recently
been working on video series to spread awareness virtually.
The Youth Connectedness Initiative program is important not only for the community members we help, but also for
peer leaders like myself. Please don't cut our funding because we are making a difference at a critical time.
Thank you very much,
Hannah Zhang
Gunn High School Class of 22
4
Baumb, Nelly
From:Phoebe Kim <phoebe1kim@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 1:35 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:Jimmy Nguyen
Subject:Renew Funding for YCS Youth Connectedness Initiative Nonprofit Program
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
Hi! My name is Phoebe Kim and I am a peer leader for the YCS Youth Connectedness Initiative. I am a 16 year old
student at Palo Alto High School. As peer leaders in the YCI Program, we help connect isolated students and share critical
information on how to cope with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. We realize students pay more
attention to the words of other students, so we are continuing to learn how to speak to mental health issues, and make
a difference especially in our youth community. This past school year we have brought together our community in fun
and informative ways.
Currently, our program is using Zoom, social media, and videos to reach out to our youth community despite COVID‐19
setbacks. So far, we have worked with the school wellness centers, Allcove, Project Safety Net, and Stanford Professors
like Dr. Shashank Joshi, and more.
Please don’t cut our funding because we are making a difference at a critical time, working with all of our partners. We
need this funding to continue making an impact on our community and to reach out to students especially during these
scary and uncertain times.
Thank you so much,
Phoebe Kim
Class of 2022
Palo Alto High School
5
Baumb, Nelly
From:Bianca Pistaferri <biancapista@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 1:27 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Renew Funding for YCS youth connectedness initiative
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
I am a peer leader for the YCS Youth Connectedness Initiative.
I'm 16 years old and a student at Gunn high school. As a peer leader, I'm helping to connect isolated students and share
information about dealing with depression and anxiety. We're learning together to speak to mental health issues with
our peers; students pay more attention to the words of other students. During the school year, we planned and put on
communiry events that brought the community together in fun and informative ways.
We're currently using Zoom, videos, and social media to reach students despite the COVID shutdown. In the community,
we have worked with the wellness centers, Project Safety Net, Allcove, Stanford professors like Dr. Shashank Joshi, and
more. Please don't cut our funding because we are making a difference at a critical time, working with all our partners.
Thank you.
Bianca Pistaferri
Gunn high school Sophomore
6
Baumb, Nelly
From:Bob Miyahara <rmiyahara@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 11:51 AM
To:Council, City
Cc:Leif Erickson
Subject:[City Budget Hearings] Save YCS Youth Connectedness Initiative Funding
Attachments:YCS PA City Council Letter.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Youth Community Service
PO Box 61000
Palo Alto, CA 94306
May 10, 2020
The Honorable Adrian Fine, Mayor of Palo Alto
and Members of the Palo Alto City Council
City of Palo Alto City Hall
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
VIA EMAIL
Dear Mayor Fine and Members of the City Council,
While I understand the current budgetary challenges faced by the City of Palo Alto, I believe that cutting
funding for YCS’s Youth Connectedness Initiative would be a mistake that would hurt our community greatly.
As you know, Youth Community Services (YCS) has been serving the greater Palo Alto community for 30
years. YCS’s initial mission was focused on building the foundational characteristics of empathy, leadership
and empowerment in our middle and high school youth through service.
However, following the rise of tragic student suicides which first peaked in 2009 and followed soon thereafter
in 2015, YCS responded to the needs of the community by expanding its mission to develop resilience and build
connectedness within the youth already participating in YCS programs. These efforts grew and culminated in
the YCS Youth Connectedness Initiative launched in the Fall of 2018.
In the midst of the added anxiety and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, YCS’s programs around
Youth Connectedness and Suicide Prevention could not be more important to our community. This program has
been meticulously designed and implemented based on evidence-based, Suicide Prevention strategies from both
the CDC and Search Institute.
Redacted
7
I would like to stress that the YCS Youth Connectedness Initiative program was structured such that YCS
would lose funding from Santa Clara County if the matching funds from City of Palo Alto were withdrawn.
Thus, this invaluable program to the community would likely cease to exist.
From its beginning, YCS has heavily relied on the support of the community that it serves. And I would humbly
submit that YCS has never betrayed that trust. While realizing the difficulty of the City’s financial position, I
know that you would all agree that the loss of just one youth pales in comparison to the funding required for this
program.
Your consideration is greatly appreciated,
R Robert Miyahara
Youth Community Service
Board Chairman
Youth Community Service
780 Arastradero Rd, Room V-14
PO Box 61000
Palo Alto, CA 94306
May 10, 2020
The Honorable Adrian Fine, Mayor of Palo Alto
and Members of the Palo Alto City Council
City of Palo Alto City Hall
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
VIA EMAIL
Dear Mayor Fine and Members of the City Council,
While I understand the current budgetary challenges faced by the City of Palo Alto, I believe that
cutting funding for YCS’s Youth Connectedness Initiative would be a mistake that would hurt
our community greatly.
As you know, Youth Community Services (YCS) has been serving the greater Palo Alto
community for 30 years. YCS’s initial mission was focused on building the foundational
characteristics of empathy, leadership and empowerment in our middle and high school youth
through service.
However, following the rise of tragic student suicides which first peaked in 2009 and followed
soon thereafter in 2015, YCS responded to the needs of the community by expanding its mission
to develop resilience and build connectedness within the youth already participating in YCS
programs. These efforts grew and culminated in the YCS Youth Connectedness Initiative
launched in the Fall of 2018.
In the midst of the added anxiety and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, YCS’s
programs around Youth Connectedness and Suicide Prevention could not be more important to
our community. This program has been meticulously designed and implemented based on
evidence-based, Suicide Prevention strategies from both the CDC and Search Institute.
I would like to stress that the YCS Youth Connectedness Initiative program was structured such
that YCS would lose funding from Santa Clara County if the matching funds from City of Palo
Alto were withdrawn. Thus, this invaluable program to the community would likely cease to
exist.
From its beginning, YCS has heavily relied on the support of the community that it serves. And I
would humbly submit that YCS has never betrayed that trust. While realizing the difficulty of the
City’s financial position, I know that you would all agree that the loss of just one youth pales in
comparison to the funding required for this program.
Your consideration is greatly appreciated,
R Robert Miyahara
Youth Community Service
Board Chairman
8
Baumb, Nelly
From:Ellen Rudy <ellen@rudyworld.com>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 12:16 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Funding for the Youth Connectedness Initiative (YCI)
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council Members—
I am a Board Member for Youth Community Service on Palo Alto. One of the things that drew me to the organization
was the focus on Social and Emotional wellness for youth and families through the Youth Connectedness Initiative (YCI)
program. Students of every background and income level are struggling with isolation and anxiety – and especially now.
Continuing teen and family mental health support is needed even more during – and post – COVID‐19.
The Youth Connectedness Initiative, now 3 years old, was a response to surveys showing a need to develop more
protective factors against stress, based in part on the statistics that the youth suicide rate in Palo Alto was the highest in
the County. YCI uses evidence‐based strategies from CDC suicide‐prevention report for Santa Clara County and Search
Institute. Working with extensive youth wellness partnerships for the greatest impact, we develop protective factors
that ease the feelings of anxiety and isolation that so many of our youth experience.
YCI has made significant strides in just a few years, the metrics of which were shared in our 2019 Report to Santa Clara
County. During this time of sheltering in place YCS has not stopped their work. Our youth have worked hard to make
sure they continue to reach out and connect to other youth for their socio‐emotional health.
It has been through support from the City of Palo Alto that YCS has been able to bring Youth Connectedness (YCI) to the
city’s students and parents. Pending your support, we are guaranteed a matching $50K grant from the County.
Our need for connectedness for youth and their families is more urgent than ever.
Please consider continuing the funding for YCI to continue this critical work.
Thank you.
Ellen Rudy
Board Member, Youth Community Service
408‐352‐5485
408‐605‐4918 Mobile
ellen@rudyworld.com
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Linda Lenoir <llenoir233@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 11:17 AM
To:Council, City
Cc:Leif Erickson
Subject:City Council Letter
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council Members:
My name is Linda Lenoir and I was the District Nurse for PAUSD for 26 years. As you all
remember, we had a contagion of deaths by suicide from 2009-2014. Project Safety Net
(PSN) and the HEARD Alliance were founded during that period to help support our
students, staff and parents during a very dark and difficult time. Both organizations continue
to support the community during these difficult times. PSN has as one of its Guiding
Principles: “Collaboration: We effect change through the connections, creativity and
contributions of our entire community working together.” The HEARD Alliance continues its
work of Promotion of Wellness and Suicide Prevention.
Under its Developmental Relationships Framework the Search Institute states: “Young
people are more likely to grow up successfully when they experience developmental
relationships with important people in their lives. Developmental relationships are close
connections through which young people discover who they are, cultivate abilities to shape
their own lives, and learn how to engage with and contribute to the work around them.” I
also work on the Safe and Healthy Committee at the SCCOE and we have noted when
meeting with numerous districts in SCC the need to plan for more connections when
schools re-engage not less. Many of the most recent calls to the text and crisis lines at the
SCCBH centers were about the loss of relationships.
With full disclosure I have served on the Youth Community Service (YCS) Board of Directors
for over 10 years. When PAUSD conducted student surveys a few years ago one of the
problem areas noted by students was the “lack of connections” in their lives. YCS
investigated how we could strengthen these connections in school, with parents and in their
community. Based upon the findings of this study, YCS started the Youth Connected
Initiative. The purpose of this initiative was clearly stated: “Through partnership with schools,
youths families and other adult allies in the Palo Alto community, the Youth Connectedness
Initiative (YCI) will develop protective factors that include self-efficacy, positive relationships,
connectedness and community engagement among youths.”
I know you have received the most recent report sharing all the progress YCS has been
achieving over the last few years. Now more than ever during this time of “sheltering in
2
place” our youth need more, not fewer connections. As you all know, PAUSD has recently
experienced the death of a parent and more recently the unfortunate death of a teacher
with 27 years of service to the district. Now is not the time to cut one of the only programs
that brings positive connections for families, staff and our youth. During this time of
sheltering in place YCS has not stopped their work. Our youth have worked hard to make
sure they continue to reach out and connect to other youth for their socio-emotional health.
I would like to express my gratitude to the Palo Alto City Council for all your support over
the last few years. I also plead that the Council to leave in their budget the money for YCS to
be able to continue their important work during this disastrous time.
Thank you, stay well,
Linda Lenoir RN, MSN, CNS, PHN
Suicide Prevention Training Manager
HEARD Alliance
Stanford University
3
Baumb, Nelly
From:Liz Gardner <gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, May 10, 2020 4:11 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Please Keep All Our School Children Safe
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Honorable Mayor and Council,
Please take seriously the safety of our school children's commute and bicycle education, awareness . Maintaining
funding for Safe Routes to school and its staff is a critical component especially living in these unprecedented times.
As well the crossing guard contract and program keeps safe our childrens twice daily school commute. This program
more than ever mitigates fear and unknowing during these times of COVID. A smile Our school children should not be
penalized or punished for an virus illness and budget they had no hand in creating.
If cuts should be made make them from adult city programming rather than children.
Our children are our future.
Sincerely,
Liz Gardner
Mayfield Place
Palo Alto, Ca 94306
650‐845‐7502
‐‐
Liz Gardner
Redacted
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Barbara Wallace <bardy.wallace@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 3:38 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Keep Palo Alto History Museum in Roth Building
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mayor Fine and Council Members Cormack, DuBois, Filseth, Kniss, Kou, and Tanaka,
I ask you to count me among the donors and supporters of the Palo Alto History Museum who advocate a second life for
the City-owned Roth Building as the home of the future Museum.
— Please reverse the March 2 directive to Staff to move forward with options for an RFP.
— Please weigh the benefits of City capital funding to accelerate rehabilitation of the Roth Building and prevent further
deterioration by neglect of this valuable architectural asset.
Palo Alto is singular in many ways, among them the fact that we have no museum to illustrate the stories that give our city
global significance beyond its size. My husband and I are among the community supporters pledged to opening a
museum that will spotlight the people and the forward-looking energy that has always distinguished Palo Alto. Though we
are retired now, our own histories as students and employees (Stanford, HP, Apple) span a fascinating period of invention
and growth. My family took root here in 1895, early in the town’s development. I am a former teacher of young children
and a civic volunteer, recently retired from the boards of the Palo Alto Historical Association, which manages the City-
owned Guy Miller Archives, and the Palo Alto History Museum. For over a decade it has been my privilege to work with
people committed to bringing the archives and a participatory museum to the Roth Building.
The pandemic of 2020 has delivered unforeseen challenges that unsettle your management of civic assets and
opportunities. I don’t envy the Council’s budgetary choices. Still, I am convinced that a museum illuminating a distinctive
past will strengthen community identity among today’s diverse Palo Altans and inspire young people to imagine futures of
their own.
The City, the Roth Building, and the Museum have come a long way together. I think of our civic forbears who conceived
and built unique educational and cultural resources that serve us today. I urge you to consider the lasting value to the City
of a modern museum in a historic building.
Please continue substantive City support for keeping the future Museum in the Roth Building.
With thanks for your thoughtful attention,
Sincerely,
Barbara Wallace
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Ken Joye <kmjoye@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 10:54 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:budget survey interpretation
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
In reading the “public comments” section on the budget survey which was posted in conjunction with the meetings this
week, I noticed a number of statements like this:
Ranking system above stopped working for me after number 4. I would rank Administration 5, Planning & Transportation
6
Given that users may not have fully understood the method of allocating “dots”, I hope that you will be able to
accurately interpret the input from the survey. (I will confess that when I first attempted to assign my values to the six
options, I thought along the lines of the person above…).
Beyond the statement I submitted to the survey (appended), I would add one further thought: can the number of FTE
reduced be smaller during FY21 if the general fund contribution to the capital improvement fund were increased beyond
$8.05m? I don’t mean to make light of the work that staff did to present the budget proposal to you, but merely wish to
suggest that you consider dialing back more on capital improvement if that means the disruption to the operating
budget is less.
I wish to acknowledge your service in a most painful process, thank you for addressing this in a forthright manner.
Ken Joye
Ventura neighborhood
These are my top priorities: (1) toilet flushing works (2) water comes out of faucet (3) electricity comes through the
wires (4) ambulance and fire vehicles arrive (5) garbage is picked up. Allocating $0.5m to small business grants when
facing $39m shortfall is absolutely at the bottom of my list. Addressing the climate crisis is somewhere between those
two ranges. Keeping one of our libraries open is much more important than keeping five branches open. Maintaining a
golf course or an airport would fall pretty much to the bottom. Keeping the "Safe Routes To School" program vigorous is
more important than the NTSBB. Don't consider any more parking structures (any major capital improvement project
would need to be completely justifiable; see my top priorities: keeping sewage and water flowing should stay on the
active CIP list). THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Ed Klinenberg <ed@edklinenberg.com>
Sent:Wednesday, May 6, 2020 2:06 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Message from the City Council Home Page
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on
links.
________________________________
I am a Palo Alto resident who has been taking ceramics classes for the past five years. Alarmed by learning today that
the City may drastically reduce the operating budget of the Palo Alto Art Center, I am writing to say strongly that the Art
Center should be fully funded for several reasons.
A community is only as strong as its social infrastructure. That encompasses such things as art centers, libraries,
community centers, and others. These places enable local residents to get to know each other and to build community.
It is community that enables people to be healthy physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Damage the community and you will damage the people within!
I encourage City Council members to seek funding from the many wealthy companies and individuals that operate,
live, and work in Palo Alto to keep local people‐serving organizations and departments thriving!
Sincerely,
‐Edward L Klinenberg
Palo Slto 94306
Redacted
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:Carol Scott <cscott@crossfieldllc.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 12, 2020 12:30 AM
To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed
Subject:City Budget Deliberations -- Parking and RPP Management
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council Members and City Manager,
I write concerning a proposal to cease the enforcement of Residential Parking Permit programs. There is no
budget case to be made for cancelling the enforcement. RPPs largely pay for themselves and can be made to
be self‐sufficient with some obvious tweaks. Rather, it appears that the expected budget shortfall is being
used as an excuse for a gratuitous degradation of residential quality of life and yet another concession to the
business community that has long been desired by some members of the City Council. The attempt to hide
such a controversial decision in the many different proposals for balancing the budget is not appreciated.
The proposal currently on the table appears to be based on the current precipitous drop in parking needs due
to the shelter‐in‐place orders that have shut many businesses and Stanford University. However, this lack of
demand in highly unlikely to last past the end of our quarantine period. Stanford University at some point will
once again hold in person class. Stanford students and faculty will once again choose free parking in
Evergreen Park in lieu of paying parking permit fees at Stanford ‐‐ if they can get them. Stanford has to show a
reduction in trips to campus. Allowing Stanford folks to park in Evergreen Park gives free parking AND allow
the university to claim that it has reduced trips. Similarly, businesses will be reopening at some point, and
there will once again be demand for parking by CalTrain riders and to a great extent by those choosing to drive
to Palo Alto for work rather than take public transportation due to fears of being exposed to the coronavirus.
Now is not the time to undo almost twenty years of work to reduce the encroachment of businesses into the
residential neighborhoods in Palo Alto. The City has created this problem of encroachment by allowing large
office buildings to be built with inadequate parking ‐‐ as a gift to the developer community. It has a
responsibility to continue to protect residents.
Here are steps that need to be taken to improve the RPPs and make it more economically feasible for the City:
1. Reduce the number of employee permits sold for the Evergreen Park/Mayfeld RPP. The tax paying
residents have paid for the new parking garage for the California Ave business district, and they should get
something in return, namely moving employee parking into the garage. After all, most businesses would
prefer to park there closer to their offices. Local businesses along El Camino now have several block of El
Camino Real as their personal parking area. The Mayfield area, in particular, should be given relief.
2. Enforce parking restrictions in BOTH the City‐owned parking lots and garage AND in the residential permit
parking areas. Enforcing the two hour parking restrictions in the California Ave and Downtown commercial
core areas, but not in the residential areas will simply incentivize employees to park in the "free" residential
zones. Failure to enforce RPP restrictions in residential areas also will reduce revenue to the City ‐‐ from
2
citations for violations, from lower demand for parking permits in garages and lots, and from lower demand
for residential permits by residents who no longer see any benefit to having a permit.
3. Raise the cost of employee parking permits in the residential zones. Employees should be encouraged to
park in City lots and garages first, and only then to park in residential areas. Prices of employee permits
should be raised substantially, with provisions for lower costs for lower income employees.
4. Do not allow the ban on in‐lieu fees, whereby a developer pays a one‐time fee to partially compensate for
not including adequate parking in the construction project. These in‐lieu fees never cover the cost of building
more parking for business employees. Much better to force the developer to put adequate parking right into
the new facility.
5. Provide adequate staff in the City to properly manage the RPP programs, craft appropriate pricing policy in
order to make the programs more self‐sustaining, and to search our efficiencies. It has been almost two years
since I was part of a group that interviewed various companies seeking a contract to build a new computer
system for RPP management. Where is this project??? A well designed system would streamline the
management of RPPs. Within months of any economic opening up, we will be back to horrendous levels fo
traffic. We should be prepared.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Carol Scott
Evergreen Park Resident
‐‐
Carol Scott
3
Baumb, Nelly
From:Fernando Cabildo <fernando.cabildo@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 12, 2020 10:46 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Upcoming budget - please keep the College Terrace Library open
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Council:
I am writing to voice my concerns on the proposed City budget for the next fiscal year, which closes the College Terrace
Library for two years. Closing the College Terrace Library is an extreme action that will reverberate throughout the City,
with limited monetary savings.
As I understand the proposed budget, the monetary impact of closing the College Terrace Library is small compared to
other, less drastic measures that can more easily be taken. How about another reduction of hours for the library? How
about enlisting volunteers to staff the library? How about reducing hours at other libraries in parts of the City that are
already well‐served by City facilities? There are a thousand other options.
What are costs of closing the library, such as transporting the books to other libraries, insurance, utilities, security,
maintenance, and upkeep of an empty building, signage and outreach to direct patrons to other open libraries? Such
costs will further cut the savings of closing the College Terrace Library.
These cost savings are not worth the overall impact to the community and the City. The College Terrace Library is the
only City facility for meeting space on the west side of El Camino Real. The library also has the only bathroom facility in
the four parks in College Terrace.
Also, what kind of message does closing a library send to the community at large?
We are spending millions of dollars on a bike bridge for health and fitness, and to connect part of the City with other for
commuters. We have earmarked millions of dollars for a new public safety building. We are renovating City Hall. How
about our our educational, academic, and social opportunities that are just as important as our health, fitness, safety,
and a nice place for City employees to work? The College Terrace Library provides these important opportunities at a
mere fraction of the cost.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Fernando Cabildo
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Redacted
4
Baumb, Nelly
From:Roger Pierno <rktroger@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 12, 2020 10:50 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Demand An Employee Org Chart
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Honorable Council Members,
While watching the Council meeting Monday night, May 11th, I was appalled by the evasiveness of City Manager Ed
Shikada when he was asked several times by member Greg Tanaka to provide City Council members with a detailed
organization chart showing all employees and the supervision structure. Mr. Shikada continually used semantics to
obfuscate the title of manager when it was clear by member Tanaka’s questions that member Tanaka wanted to know
the supervision and reporting structure of each City employee. Knowing how many employees are working in each area
of the City and how many employees each supervisor is managing are probably the most important facts when deciding
what types of staff reductions to make. Without this knowledge the City Council is basically flying blind when making
decisions on cost savings. Please continue to demand from the City Manager a full and detailed accounting of the
employee/supervisor organization structure.
I wish you all the best while you conduct this difficult work.
Respectfully,
Roger Pierno
Redacted
5
Baumb, Nelly
From:ALICE HOLMES <ajholmes1@aol.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 12, 2020 10:56 AM
To:Council, City; Clerk, City
Subject:Budget
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
All ‐
Some interesting comments found at Palo Alto Online in response to the budget article:
Just did some extensive analysis of the budget, and found it very easy to cut non-critical
expenses.
Proposed cuts:
* Pause capital construction not yet started: public safety building and fire station 4. The
budgets conveniently don't show their amounts, but assuming these are 80% of our
capital improvements these will save $67M
* Pause IT Capital Improvement (cut capital budget 90%, IT budget still at over $25M),
saves $7M
* Citywide Administration to trim Overhead from $23.5M by 25% to 17.6M. Savings:
$5.9M.
Done: We've saved $80M off the budget!
Put this to a popular vote: Do we want libraries, police (including traffic enforcement),
and fire, or is it important to break ground on expensive capital projects?
Details:
Our budget is approximately:
__ General Fund: $230M __
+ Safety: Police & Fire: $80M.
+ Planning, Transportation, Infra: $34M. (includes streets, sidewalks, trees, public
works)
+ Community & Library Services (includes parks, rec, arts, golf, etc): $42M.
+ Citywide Administration: $74M. Only 8M of this is on repair & maintenance. Compare
with 11M on city officials, 8.5M on finance, 4M on human resources. ($23.5M of
overhead)
__ Capital Budget $191.5M ___
+ 45% on improvements ($86M):
- Downtown automated parking guidance systems - we won't need this for a long time!
- Fire station 4 replacement, scheduled for late 2020 - why not pause this?
- Public safety building, scheduled for late 2020 - why not pause?
+ 3.5% on Vehicle replacement. Why not pause new vehicle purchases for a year or
6
two?
+ 4.1% on "Technology". Last I checked, we had an egregiously priced multi-million
dollar contract for upgraded computers in the city council chambers. Last I went there,
everything appeared brand new and fully functioning. Pause or stop this extravagance!
How about taking a look at these suggestions?
Time to tighten the belt of Palo Alto.
Thank you for your hard work in deciphering the budget. And cutting salaries and trimming benefits of employees,
particularly those who earn over $100k a year is the place to start, even if this won’t be popular with your highly
compensated city manager.
Put projects on hold. Defer big expenditures. Make do with what we have for a while. Hunker down.
Keep what is meaningful to the people of Palo Alto ‐ recreation, safety, parks, libraries. Start charging non residents
more to “use” the services of this City. And once again, cut the fat from the salaries and benefits of city employees
across the board. Freeze hiring. No wage increases. Consider salary cuts for highly compensated employees.
Thank you for your service to the city.
Alice Holmes
1
Baumb, Nelly
From:joe_lee@yahoo.com
Sent:Tuesday, May 12, 2020 10:32 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Please do not close CT library
Follow Up Flag:Follow up
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Dear Palo Alto City Council members,
I am writing in support of the College Terrace library, and to ask that you do not support plans to close it.
For many older residents, of which there are many in this part of town, taking public transportation to a library across
town is not only difficult, but also dangerous in these Covid‐19 times. And because of where the other 4 Palo Alto
libraries are located (Downton, Children’s, Rinconada, Mitchell Park), walking for our seniors ‐‐ or biking for children ‐‐ is
not a reasonable option.
At a bigger picture level, please understand that you would be cutting not into flesh but rather into bone. Our city
libraries and emergency services (fire, police, etc.) should really be the last thing cut. The net savings of $167,000 for
closing the CT library hardly seems worth it.
Thanks for listening.
Joe Lee
2
Baumb, Nelly
From:LJZ <ludwik.zych@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 12, 2020 10:29 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace Library
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As a long time resident of the College Terrace I strongly urge the City Council to do everything in its
power to keep the College Terrace Library open. It’s a great asset to our community and our
families. The library is especially important to our kids. In the case of my son it was the first place where
he was introduced to books and developed love for them. It would be a big loss to all of us if it was no
longer open.
Sincerely,
Ludwik Zych
Redacted
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Baumb, Nelly
From:Wendy Jacobsen <wendy.jacobsen@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 12, 2020 9:55 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Keep College Terrace Library open!
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Dear Palo Alto City Council members,
Please do not close the College Terrace library. Our children have used this library the past 6 years and have very much
enjoyed it. It is the only library within walking distance. Other libraries would require driving and the parking lots are
often highly congested (Mitchell Park and Rinconada Library).
Libraries are so important for children to be exposed to books and develop literacy in today’s digital world.
Thank you for keeping the library open!
~Wendy
Wendy Jacobsen, AMFT
Counseling and Support Services for Youth
Addison Elementary School
wjacobsen@cassybayarea.org
4
Baumb, Nelly
From:deborah plumley <deborah@plumleygroup.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 12, 2020 9:42 AM
To:Eileen Stolee
Cc:Ronda Rosner; Summa, Doria; Annette Ross; Alexis Moiseyev; Allen J. Baum; Andrea Cook Fleming;
Andrew Fetter; Ann Balin; Asa Such; Becky Fuson; Bill Ross; Bonnie King; Brad Horak; Brent Barker;
Brian Feldman; Burke Robinson; Carina Chiang; Chris Saccheri; Chris Saccheri; Christopher Botsford;
Colin Born; Dara Olmsted; Diane Finkelstein; Ed Schmitt; Emily and George Marshall; Eric Carlson; Eric
Larsen; Erica Enos; Fernando Cabildo; Fred Balin; Gray Clossman; Holly Welstein; Ingrid Shu; Irina
Cross; Jack Culpepper; Jaine Reese; Cook, James F.; Jennifer and Sebastian Doniach; Jens Jensen;
Jeremy Platt; Jerry Yan; Jo Ann Mandinach; Joanne Zschokke; Joe and Melissa Oliveira; John Mark
Agosta; John and Maritza Frankfurt; Julie Good; Karen Damian; Karen Price; Karlette Warner; Durham,
KathyF; Kay Culpepper; Ken Thom; Ken Van Vleck; Kim Raftery; Kristen Anderson; Kyle Harrison; Larry
Kavinoky; Lon Radin; Louise and Aidan Roche; Maggie Heath; Malcolm Slaney; High Ground
Margaret; Margit Aramburu; Margot Moiseyev; Marj Pitchon; Mary Jane Marcus; Meredith Martin;
Michael Smit; Michelle Collette; Michelle Oberman; Nancy Cassidy; Nancy Lowe; Pat Robinson;
Patricia Griffin; Patty Hartsell; Pria Graves; Richard Stolee; Richard Such; Richard Such; Roger Pierno;
Roland Vogl; Ron_and_Joan Tambussi; Roswitha Remling; Ruth_and_Jerry Consul; Sairus Patel; Sally
and Whit Heaton; Samidh Chakrabarti; Sheila Bonini; Sheila Kothari; Simon Firth; Steve Woodward;
Stewart Carl; Sujata Patel; Sumitra Joy; Susan Wilson; Suzanne Doyle; Taylor Brady; Terry and
MarieLouise Fries; Toby Brookes; Toiya Black; Tom Jack; Ulla Mick; Ute Engelke; Wendy Pang; Zeke
Herman; Zohar Lotan; Council, City; eric heaton; william.xuan@gregtanaka.org
Subject:Getting a donation from a wealthy resident Re: College Terrace Library
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The amount that the city will save from closing the College Terrace Library is quite small in the scheme of things.
*** have they thought about getting a donation from a wealthy Palo Alto resident to cover this amount? or from a local
company?
I sent an email to the City Council suggesting that they do this.
Deborah
Deborah Plumley
65‐857‐1780
On May 10, 2020, at 8:56 AM, Eileen Stolee <estolee@gmail.com> wrote:
email
Redacted
5
Baumb, Nelly
From:Deborah Plumley <deborah@plumleygroup.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 12, 2020 9:39 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace Library
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________________________________
Dear City Council:
I have been a resident of College Terrance for almost 50 years and during that time have been an active user of the
library — mostly for checking out books and also reading the newspapers and magazines.
It seems to me that the saving you would accrue in closing the library is not that significant or large.
***have you ever thought of trying to raise this money from a wealthy citizen in Palo Alto — as a donation.
with best regards,
Deborah Plumley
College Terrace
650‐8571780
Redacted
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Baumb, Nelly
From:Pallavi Homan <pallavihoman@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 12, 2020 9:32 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace Library
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Hello,
\I've been a resident of College Terrace for over a decade and have raised my kids here. The
College Terrace Library is such an asset to this neighborhood and the larger community, particularly
for families with young children, and also for seniors. I often see both when I go there to pick up
library books. I understand that there is a proposal given the budget to close the College Terrace
Library. I do hope there are other measures that can be taken to allow this important community
gathering place to remain open during these difficult times. Thank you for your consideration.
Best wishes,
Pallavi Homan
Redacted
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Baumb, Nelly
From:Chris Robell <chris_robell@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 12, 2020 6:09 AM
To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed
Subject:Re: Budget framework idea
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________________________________
OK, so I shouldn’t be sending emails before 6am morning coffee:
Graph should be DOLLAR IMPACT/AMOUNT on y‐axis and CUSTOMER (=RESIDENT) IMPORTANCE ON x‐axis. You get the
point.
Chris
> On May 12, 2020, at 5:58 AM, Chris Robell <chris_robell@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Dear City Council,
>
> I think it was a great idea to prioritize the big $ items first as you proceed through the budget discussions. It just
seems bizarre that certain items of small dollar magnitude yet high importance to residents have been discussed (e.g.,
College Terrace library, cell tower ordinance reviews, RPPs, crossing guards, animal shelter cuts).
>
> I would almost think about a graph with “CUSTOMER IMPORTANCE” on Y‐axis and “DOLLAR IMPACT” on the x‐axis.
Stay away from the lower left quadrant.
>
> And for items that are important yet bordering on high cost, ask if there is a way to reduct the cost by some amount
(or increase revenue) while still satisfying the need. On RPP, the example that I think of is why not jack up the price of a
violation and think about a lower cost way to enforce (yet keep the rules)? Like the carpool lanes on the highway:
police enforcement of each strip of highway isn’t 100%, and the cost of a ticket is ~$500. So few people want to take the
risk of violating this carpool rules.
>
> Thank you for your work and creative solutions to address resident needs.
>
> Chris Robell
8
Baumb, Nelly
From:Jill Kaplan <jilldkap@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 12, 2020 12:26 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:Save College Terrace Library
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________________________________
Please keep our beloved College Terrace Library open. It is a tremendous and invaluable resource for children and adults
in our community. It would be a huge loss if it closed.
Respectfully yours,
Jill Kaplan
9
Baumb, Nelly
From:Brittany Gibbons <bmg890@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 11:16 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:College Terrace and Proposed Budget
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Hi,
Ever since graduating from Stanford in 2017, I've been a resident of Palo Alto for 3 years. I moved into College Terrace in
2019. One of the highlights for my partner and I is the College Terrace Library. We love it there.
Looking at the budget, the proposal to shut down the library seems so arbitrary. Especially when the salaries of elected
officials is so outrageously high. If you gave the City Manager and City Attorney 50% pay cuts, this would save $300k
(more than the proposed savings of College Terrace) and they would still be above the median household salary in Palo
Alto. I personally had to take on a 10% pay cut at work because of the crisis and I'm not even close to the median
household salary in Palo Alto!
There are also other costs the city incurs, including golf courses. It seems like there are no cuts on golf courses. Which
kind of blows my mind when it generally benefits white men who work in business. Why are we supporting that (when it
doesn't get that much revenue) rather than a library which is intended for the larger community?
It's hard justifying this plan of action when that plan of action shows signs of disparity and also magnifies the gap
between elected officials salaries and the actual crisis we have on our hands.
In conclusion, my partner and I, constituents of Palo Alto, would be really disappointed in our elected officials if this
were to pass without amendments and keeping College Terrace Library open.
Britt
10
Baumb, Nelly
From:Peter DeMarzo <pdemarzo@stanford.edu>
Sent:Monday, May 11, 2020 11:06 PM
To:Council, City
Cc:DeMarzo, Kaui Chun
Subject:College terrace library
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To the City Council members,
As an longtime community member, I submit a heartfelt plea on behalf of myself, my wife and my three children that
the College Terrace library remain open.
This library is the closest public library to faculty families living on campus. It is safe for the children to bike to. The
other two libraries, Downtown and Mitchell, are much farther and require crossing major roads like El Camino and Page
Mill.
It has been an important resource for our family. My wife has reached out on the library website to volunteer so that
the library could be open on the days has been closed: Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays. These days have often been
when our children needed a place to study for exams and projects due the following day.
Beyond my family's needs, a neighborhood library, especially such a picturesque one as College Terrace, is an important
piece of the community fabric: a resource and a place for our neighbors and families to meet and socialize, an important
piece of childhoods, a safe place, a resource without censorship, and our librarians provide tools and education that
can't be found elsewhere.
Finally, closing the library would likely have a negative impact on surrounding property values.
In this difficult time, budget cuts are a necessity. I know you have considered many options. But please know this is a
treasured resource without comparable substitutes. I hope there is an opportunity to consider alternatives, such as
volunteer support.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Peter DeMarzo
Kaui DeMarzo