Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout20180611plCC3 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: 6/11/2018 Document dates: 5/23/2018 – 5/30/2018 Set 1 Note: Documents for every category may not have been received for packet reproduction in a given week. TO: FROM: DATE: CITY OF PALO ALTO HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL RUMI PORTILLO, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR MAY 29, 2018 SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF AN UPDATED SALARY SCHEDULE AND REVISED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR UNREPRESENTED LIMITED HOURLY EMPLOYEES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2018-JUNE 30, 2021 Please note that the adoption of an updated salary schedule and revised compensation plan for the unrepresented limited hourly employees has been moved out to a future council date in order to better align with other administrative actions. s Director · Manager 1of1 7 City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 1:51 PM 1 Carnahan, David From:Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu> Sent:Tuesday, May 29, 2018 1:41 PM To:Council, City Subject:How to keep up with your problematic actions? Dear Council Members and City Manager: 1. Why are you 'giving away' Avenidas $$? They advocated, against many residents, for this redevelopment. Let them pay for it. Further-more, they are NOT really very non-profit, look at the costs for classes, look at the administrative salaries of these folks! Make them pay the going rate. Think of how much we could make for a low-income housing if they were charged anywhere near the going rate. Get them fund-raising and use the $$ for city sponsored low-income housing. 2. You want to help keep the existing low-income housing stock? Then don't let Stanford demolish vacant rental houses that could be easily repaired and used for low-income Stanford workers, not demolished and replaced with high income housing for faculty. Commit to acting on your 'talk' of supporting BMR housing. 3. You've PRIVATIZED the Rinconada City PUBLIC Pool! It used to have many kids, parents, in both pools on Sundays. It was a festive, active place, full of kids learning to swim. This Sunday the kids pool was off limits, (I think this is their regular schedule) and only a few swimmers were there at first (1pm), in lap lanes only. When I left at 2:30 there were no more than 30 folks there, mostly adult lap swimmers, and only 1 life guard on at 1pm, 2 later. Prices higher! Prices for lessons higher! What happened to our community pool?? Take it back. High school life-guards cost less, were very helpful, prices were not so high. Do a survey! 4. Once again, we are being asked to pay increased prices for our water! Every year or two we get increases for either one utility or another. Stop it. You can't run a city off of the utilities, which although 'public', seem to be not very economical. I oppose these increases. Nickel and dimeing the residents is not my idea of good economics. Cut the $$ for the Council Chambers upgrade. It's way out of line.There are many ways to provide services for this community. Get creative and economical. Sincerely, Roberta Ahlquist City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:59 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Dena Mossar <dmossar@gmail.com> Sent:Monday, May 28, 2018 8:49 PM To:Council, City Subject:Agenda Item #10, Connecting Palo Alto Rail Program Status Update To: Palo Alto City Council From: Dena Mossar Subject: Agenda Item #10, Connecting Palo Alto Rail Program Status Update I support Council’s efforts to deal with the City’s four at-grade crossings; future impacts of Caltrain service enhancements; and the potential impacts of High Speed Rail. You are looking at scenarios that may replace and widen roadway undercrossings at Embarcadero and University, in combination with closing various intersections (Churchill and Palo Alto Avenue). At first glance these options seem worthy of consideration, However, if you look at the criteria used to select options, you will see that the most important criteria (by design) are: 1. East-West connectivity (facilitate movement across the corridor for all modes of transportation). 2. Traffic congestion (reduce delay and congestion for automobile traffic at rail crossings). Solving automobile traffic problems is not the same as solving the problems created by Palo Alto’s at-grade crossings. If you choose to prioritize movement of automobile traffic, you put existing residential arterials at risk. Widening existing roadway undercrossings, in combination with closing at-grade crossings, will surely create greater pressure on residential arterials and possibly future pressure to create regional arterials, like Oregon Expressway, for either/both Embarcadero and University. This choice is contrary to City policy to protect residential neighborhoods, calm traffic and reduce reliance on the automobile. Think carefully about your priorities and what criteria you want to use for pursuing options to deal with these issues. Make sure you understand the future implications for city-wide impacts before you move forward. Once capacity has been improved on a roadway undercrossing, pressure to increase capacity on the rest of the roadway could follow. City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:59 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Kellerman, Thomas W. <thomas.kellerman@morganlewis.com> Sent:Monday, May 28, 2018 10:30 PM To:Council, City Cc:Keene, James; Mello, Joshuah; Rachel Kellerman Subject:Connecting Palo Alto Attachments:councilletterrail.docx Ladies and Gentlemen:    Please see the attached submission with respect to the discussion of the Connecting Palo Alto proposals.  Thank you.    Best regards,    Tom    Thomas W. Kellerman  Emerson St. Palo Alto, CA, 94301  DISCLAIMER This e-mail message is intended only for the personal use of the recipient(s) named above. This message may be an attorney-client communication and as such privileged and confidential and/or it may include attorney work product. If you are not an intended recipient, you may not review, copy or distribute this message. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail and delete the original message. 1 Rachel H. Kellerman and Thomas W. Kellerman Emerson Street Palo Alto, CA 94301 Honorable Council Members: We are writing as concerned residents of Palo Alto regarding the alternatives under consideration in connection with the Connecting Palo Alto project. One of the alternatives proposed for consideration is the widening of the Embarcadero Road underpass, coupled with the potential closing of the Churchill Avenue grade crossing (referred to as the “CAX” proposal in the Connecting Palo Alto parlance). There are several potential problems with this alternative, which will require careful study and consideration. As noted in the initial descriptions of the project, one important goal for any solution is to minimize the impact on residential streets. The CAX proposal has the potential to seriously impact the residential streets in Professorville that border Embarcadero Road and therefore runs directly counter to this goal. Traffic Impact of Closing Churchill Avenue Closing the Churchill crossing will bring more traffic into Professorville as vehicles that currently cross the tracks westbound on Churchill will be diverted onto Embarcadero Road. It should be relatively straightforward to gauge this traffic impact as it seems highly likely that virtually all of the vehicle crossings at Churchill will move to Embarcadero. Indeed, this would seem to be the intention of the CAX proposal. This traffic volume should be counted so the proposal can be analyzed with the benefit of reliable metrics. This movement of traffic flow will have the logical impacts described below. Creation of a Busy Cloverleaf in Professorville Closing the Churchill crossing to car traffic will result in a large increase in the volume of traffic that drives the informal “cloverleaf” from Alma to El Camino Real via residential streets and Embarcadero Road (see illustration). If Churchill is completely closed to vehicle traffic, vehicles would quite naturally want to take the next closest route to access El Camino Real and Paly High. As reflected in the map below, there is currently an informal cloverleaf running from Alma Street over to Emerson Street to access Embarcadero Road. It is a safe assumption that virtually all of the traffic that currently turns right or left from Alma Street onto Churchill to cross the tracks will be diverted to this informal cloverleaf via Lincoln, Addison or Channing Avenues and on to Emerson Street. The number of vehicle trips involved should be counted and considered in making this decision. Each of the potentially impacted streets in Professorville is currently a quiet residential street, not designed for this type of traffic flow. If the City elects to close Palo Alto Avenue as well (PLX), traffic seeking to use the Embarcadero Road crossing will further amplify this serious neighborhood traffic problem. Already Existing Traffic Problem in Professorville City leaders understand our neighborhood’s serious traffic problems, as they enacted permit parking a few years ago. Permit parking has decreased congestion and increased safe school crossings as fewer cars are circling trying to find parking spots. The City recognized traffic safety issues at the intersection of Emerson Street and Embarcadero Road 2 and proposed a specific modification to alter this intersection to improve safety that we have been informed has been planned to be implemented soon. If Embarcadero Road is the only route available to access Paly High, this increase would exacerbate an already problematic safety issue, particularly for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Clearly the City recognizes traffic is a major problem for Professorville and specifically the 1100 block of Emerson Street, so plans that increase traffic and safety hazards should be rejected. Increased Traffic on Embarcadero Road. The implementation of either CAX or PLX will result in a significant increase in the traffic on Embarcadero Road. This impact is relevant for both eastbound and westbound traffic. However, the greatest concern will be the impact on westbound traffic. Any widening of Embarcadero Road will likely add a second eastbound lane through the underpass. In fact the greater traffic problem has been westbound traffic, which often backs up several blocks east of the underpass. The proposed widening of the underpass will not address this traffic congestion problem at all. Rather the closing of either the Churchill Avenue or Palo Avenue grade crossings will result in a significant increase in westbound traffic on Embarcadero, without increasing the amount of westbound roadway. Note that in addition to adding to traffic build-up on Embarcadero Road, this change would likely result in stalled traffic on the feeder streets, most particularly on Emerson Street. As Embarcadero Road becomes more congested, one would naturally expect overflow traffic to increasingly divert to residential streets bordering Embarcadero. We urge you to reject any proposal that negatively impacts traffic in our already congested historic neighborhood and to endorse proposals that have the least possible impact on residents. As the Council seeks to narrow the number of alternatives under consideration, we urge you to remove proposals CAX and PLX from consideration. In any event, it will be important for the City to study the alternatives and develop metrics on changes in traffic flow prior to reaching any conclusions. Sincerely, Rachel H. Kellerman Thomas W. Kellerman 3 City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:55 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Deborah W Johnston <debjohns@stanford.edu> Sent:Sunday, May 27, 2018 8:01 AM To:Council, City Subject:Embarcadero Road I am against any and all proposals to widen Embarcadero Road. I have lived in PA all my life and traffic on  Embarcadero has steadily worsened. Not because it is too narrow but because too many people work here.  And no, we don't need more housing to accommodate them but fewer businesses to attract them.   Deborah Johnston  City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:58 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:john.martin@bakerbotts.com Sent:Monday, May 28, 2018 2:54 PM To:Council, City Subject:Embarcadero Road   I am a Palo Alto resident, and I would like to add my voice to the objections being raised regarding the potential  widening of Embarcadero Road.  Implementing this option would have a permanent and materially adverse effect on not  only the affected communities surrounding Embarcadero Road but also the cohesiveness of the entire city.  Thank  you.       Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this email and any attachments is intended only for the recipient[s] listed above and may be privileged and confidential. Any dissemination, copying, or use of or reliance upon such information by or to anyone other than the recipient[s] listed above is prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately at the email address above and destroy any and all copies of this message. City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:53 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Florence Keller <fkeller@trialanalysisgroup.com> Sent:Friday, May 25, 2018 9:51 PM To:Council, City Subject:Message from the City Council Home Page Dear Council Members:    I have just concluded reading a long article in the Palo Alto Weekly about the extensive and costly transformation of the  Charleston‐Arastradero corridor that is planned to commence shortly.  I am also aware that plans are in the works for  the reconfiguration of Caltrain within the next few years which may, it appears, result in having to make major  renovations to the Charleston Road/Alma Street intersection.    My question to the Council, then, is why would you spend monies to dig up Charleston Road corridor one year to  accommodate traffic, only to potentially have to spend more money the following year to redo a part of the corridor to  accommodate the railroad?  Or have you already settled upon a plan for a railroad that would not necessitate digging up  the surrounding part of Charleston Road?    An answer to these questions would be helpful to me.    Sincerely,    Florence Keller      City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:55 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Gary Hobstetter <gary@gha-design.com> Sent:Saturday, May 26, 2018 5:12 PM To:Council, City Subject:Widening of Embarcadero Widening of Embarcadero.     City Council,  We do not need another physical divide in this city!  We are both against any options to widening of Embarcadero.     Sincerely     Gary Hobstetter  Joan Hobstetter  Palo alto Ca  94301        City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 12:24 PM 1 Carnahan, David From:Jason Matlof <jmatlof@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, May 29, 2018 10:33 AM To:Council, City; Keene, James; De Geus, Robert Subject:Please Act Now on Grade Separation: Don't be misled by false rumors about CPUC prohibitions on capacity expansions Dear City Council As you know, our North Old Palo Alto (NOPA) community advocacy organization now has over 425 signatories for our proposal. (I will not go into that proposal here for efficiency, since you all are familiar with it.) I'm writing to ask that you please pursue the facts before being misled by an effort by some vocal advocates to slow down the decision-making process on grade separation. Specifically, I've heard recent attempts by one "advocate" resident claiming that the CPUC has an absolute prohibition on rail capacity expansion beyond 6 trains/hour (12 total). They claim that there are hard and certain safety prohibitions that would prevent expansion to 7 trains/hour (14 total) and beyond. I've checked with Friends of Caltrain, who has confirmed in no uncertain terms that data is false. There is discretion between 12-20 trains per hour (total), and the only hard restrictions relate to passing tracks, which I presume we will not have in Palo Alto. According to the representative and her contacts at Caltrain, there is no hard prohibitions or expectations that the CPUC would prohibit capacity expansion. In fact, the opposite. CPUC and Caltrain are working together expecting and planning for expansion. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AND DO NOT BE MISLED BY CLAIMS OTHERWISE. THE TRAINS THEY ARE A'COMING! WE MUST ACT NOW. Thank you Jason Matlof NOPA 1 Minor, Beth From:Ng, Judy Sent:Friday, May 25, 2018 4:00 PM To:Council Members; ORG - Clerk's Office; Council Agenda Email Cc:Keene, James; Shikada, Ed; De Geus, Robert; Flaherty, Michelle; Minor, Beth; leConge Ziesenhenne, Monique; O'Kane, Kristen; Anderson, Daren; Portillo, Rumi; Sartor, Mike; Hospitalier, Jon; Wong, Mike Subject:5/29 Council Agenda Questions for Items 6, 7, & 8       Dear Mayor and Council Members:     On behalf of City Manager Jim Keene, please find below in bold staff responses to inquiries made by Council Member  Tanaka in regard to the May 29, 2018 council meeting agenda.     Item 6: Approve Three Parks Landscape Maintenance Contracts – CM Tanaka  Item 7: Adoption of an Updated Salary Schedule and Revised Compensation – CM Tanaka  Item 8: Ventura Community Center Units 1, 2, & 3 Re‐Roof Project – CM Tanaka      Item 6: Approve Three Parks Landscape Maintenance Contracts – CM Tanaka    Q. 1.   The increase in price for maintenance went from $4,984,494 with a 7% contingency included (from the  previous 5‐year contract) to $6,496,404 with a 5% contingency included; I understand safety concerns added a  workload as well as new sites. However, did anyone inspect the landscapes to see what was needed to be done  beforehand or was the expected maintenance based on the previous contract?  A. 1.   Staff continually inspects, analyzes, and re‐evaluates all the maintained sites (athletic playing fields,  playgrounds, landscaped areas, picnic areas, etc.) to determine the level of maintenance needed ensure that  the sites are clean and safe. For example, the previous contract required that picnic tables be cleaned three  times per week. However, staff determined that cleaning the picnic tables less frequently (once a week) is  sufficient. In some areas, such as athletic fields, staff analysis, along with feedback from field users, indicated  that we needed to increase the service to ensure that the fields are safe and playable.  Another area that was closely evaluated is the landscape work at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant,  which had a significant landscape improvement project that requires an increased level of maintenance.  Water Quality staff closely analyzed the work from the previous contract and determined it was significantly  under staffed. The new contract specifies a minimum requirement of 32 hours per week to meet the  maintenance requirement.    Q. 2.   On that note, what is the difference of acres to be maintained now compared to the previous contract?  Funding increased by 30%, is the land being maintained around 30% more than the previous contract?  2 A. 2.   The contract costs are not based on the number of acres. Each area is priced based on the unique scope  of work. For example Mitchell Park, which is 21.4 acres, costs $69,000; while Byxbee Park, which is 122 acres,  costs $20,000.   There are several reasons for the cost increase:  1. There were multiple City projects that included landscaping and other features requiring maintenance  that were added (or will be added during the timeframe of the attached proposed contract in the staff  report) after entering into the previous parks landscaping contract. The maintenance costs for these  new sites were not included in the previous contract. A few examples of the new sites are the Public  Works Transportations Projects (AMBLUR, which consists of 85 new landscaped medians, installation  of various round‐abouts throughout the City with landscape material that will need to be maintained),  Welch Road medians, Southgate Bio‐retention Basins (Public Works Storm Drain Project that involved  adding new landscaping), Charleston‐Arastradero Corridor Medians and Bio‐retention Basins (Public  Works Engineering Project that will be adding new medians and bio‐retention basins from Louis Rd. to  Miranda Ave).   2. The use of the herbicide glyphosate  in Parks and City Facilities will no longer be permitted because on  July 7, 2017, glyphosate was added to the California Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to the  state to cause cancer. Also, for many years, numerous park visitors have requested that glyphosate  not be used in Palo Alto parks.   3. Additional maintenance is necessary to keep the playing fields in safe condition due to the high level  of use of the fields. This includes extra aerations, fertilizations, mowings, and seeding of the playing  fields once per month, May through September of each year of the contract. Field users strongly  support extra maintenance to keep the playing fields in safe condition.  The additional maintenance of  the fields also helps reduce the need for closing the fields for full‐renovations.  4. The contract now requires specific quantities of playground safety surfacing (sand and fabricated  wood fiber), which are necessary to comply with safety regulations.  Staff tracked the historic  quantities of playgrounds surfacing materials needed, and have included it in the contract.   5. Additional maintenance was added to the Magical Bridge Playground at Mitchell Park.  This includes  daily (7 days per week) servicing, quarterly pressure washing of the entire playground, and weekly  cleaning of all equipment.  Due to the popularity of this playground, staff has struggled to keep the  playground clean and safe with our regular maintenance routine.  Staff has found by adding two  additional days of servicing, cleaning of equipment, and with quarterly pressure washing of the entire  playground, we are able to sustain the maintenance of the playground at the same level as others  throughout the City.  6. This contract now includes the maintenance of the green roofs and green wall at the Mitchell Park  Library and Community Center, which was previously maintained by Gachina Landscape, through  contingency funding.  7. The Regional Water Quality Control Plant had a significant landscape improvement project that  requires an increased level of maintenance.   8. The scope in Section I, Specification for Habitat Restoration in Foothills Park, has been increased to  address new and aggressive invasive species, such as stinkwort, and to increase restoration efforts on  the 7.7 acre area of Foothills Park.    3 Q. 3.   For Section G of the parks the bid did not go to the lowest bidder due to wage miscalculations, why was it  not possible for the company to reassess with the correct wage expectations? The rejected contract (of $72,131)  is estimated as 80% less expensive than the accepted contract (of $358,897) in yellow.      A. 3.   After submitting original bids, both contractors were given an opportunity to submit a best and final  offer. The lowest bid for Section G (Maintenance of the Regional Water Quality Control Plant) included an  hourly rate that was below Santa Clara County minimum wage and prevailing wage.  Compliance with  prevailing wage was a requirement in the RFP as this is a requirement for maintenance projects that exceed  $15,0000. Procurement guidelines do not allow the low bidder in Section G to re‐bid individually to correct the  wage calculation. Since their bid had deficiencies and did not meet the RFP requirements, it was not awarded  to them.    Item 7: Adoption of an Updated Salary Schedule and Revised Compensation – CM Tanaka    Q. 1.   Do these salary increases match current inflation trends?  A. 1.  The salary increases are less than the wage inflation index. The salary increase is 2.5% per year. Current  CPI is 3.4% (CPI‐W San Francisco‐Oakland‐San Jose, latest release as of April 2018).    Q. 2.   If the salaries are not increased, will these workers still be able to get by?  A. 2.   The median salary for this group is approx. $21/hours with an average schedule of 20 hours a week. The  individual circumstances  of up to 400 employees in this group are not known, therefore it is not possible to  say if these workers are “able to get by” without an increase.    Q. 3.   Are hourly workers comparatively cheaper than regular workers?  A. 3.   Hourly employees are not provided health insurance, retirement, holiday pay, vacation or other fringe  benefits – so their impact to the budget is less than regular employees.      Q. 4.   Is this the best use of the city's money, given we are trying to cut $4 million dollars?  A. 4.   Hourly employees perform important work for the City and competitive wages are necessary to hire  quality workers.  4   Q. 5.   Are there a lack of underrepresented employees applying for these positions?  A. 5.   Applicants are not required to declare ethnicity or gender at the time of application.      Item 8: Ventura Community Center Units 1, 2, & 3 Re‐Roof Project – CM Tanaka    Q. 1.   What is the combined square footage for all three of the roofs?   A. 1.   36,197 sf.      Q. 2.  What is the cost per square foot of roof?  A. 2.  $18.97/sf based on the lowest bid.    Q. 3.   How long has it been since the current roofs were installed?  A. 3.  Roofs 1 & 2 were installed in 1995 and roof 3 was installed in 2001.        Thank you,  Judy Ng           Judy Ng   City Manager’s Office|Administrative Associate III   250 Hamilton Avenue | Palo Alto, CA 94301 Phone: (650) 329‐2105  Email: Judy.Ng@CityofPaloAlto.org      City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:45 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Audrey Gold <audreygold@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, May 24, 2018 10:13 AM To:Council, City Cc:David Shen; Kenneth Horowitz; superintendent@pausd.org; board Subject:PTA Council Support for Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax Attachments:PTAC SSB Tax Support May 2018.pdf Dear Honorable City Council members, Please see the attached letter of support to request that a sugar sweetened beverage tax be placed on the Palo Alto city ballot in the fall of 2018. Sincerely, Audrey Gold PTA Council President, 2016‐18 http://ptac.paloaloto.org May 23, 2018 To Palo Alto City Council We are writing on behalf of the Palo Alto Council of PTAs (PTAC). PTAC works with the district staff, the Board of Education, community partners and the PTAs at the 17 schools to support the students and families of the Palo Alto Unified School District and to improve the education, health and welfare of all children and youth. The Palo Alto PTA Council requests that a sugar sweetened beverage tax be placed on the Palo Alto city ballot in the fall of 2018. Scientific evidence has shown that sugary drinks harm our childrens’ health, contributing to rising rates of dental caries, obesity, heart disease, diabetes and liver disease. Sugary drinks have no nutritional value but yet represent almost half the added sugar we consume. When sugar enters the body in liquid form, the body suffers a deluge of sugar into the bloodstream and overwhelms the body’s natural ability to process it. Taxes on sugary drinks discourage consumption due to higher prices. It increases awareness of the issues of consuming sugary drinks. Significant revenue is expected to be raised through this tax that will help our schools and other programs which help populations suffering from related diseases. PTAC supports initiatives like these that encourage healthy choices and create a healthy environment for our children. We believe that this tax will help children make healthy choices that will enhance learning and their growth and support PAUSD with much needed revenue. We thank you for your cooperation and support. Sincerely, Audrey Gold PTA Council President, 2016-18 http://ptac.paloaloto.org cc: Board of Education Interim Superintendent Karen Hendricks Dr. Kenneth Horowitz 25 Churchill Ave Palo Alto CA 94306 | https://ptac.paloaltopta.org | council@paloaltopta.org Palo Alto Council of PTAs (PTAC) is the umbrella organization representing the 17 unit PTAs of the Palo Alto Unified School District. City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:46 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Robert Schreiber <r_schreiber_98@yahoo.com> Sent:Thursday, May 24, 2018 10:25 AM To:Council, City Subject:Soda tax Please put it on the ballot and let the voters decide.      FWIW I was called by a lying “poll taker” who at first claimed to be calling on the city’s behalf but who was pushing the  pro sugar, anti regulation agenda.      Rob Schreiber     Sent from my iPhone    City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:47 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Kenneth Horowitz <klhorowitz@earthlink.net> Sent:Thursday, May 24, 2018 1:15 PM To:Gold, Audrey; Council, City Cc:David Shen; Kenneth Horowitz; superintendent@pausd.org; board Subject:Re: PTA Council Support for Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax Thank you all (PTA Council) for this wonderful letter and support of a SSB tax The City Council will be discussing this measure on June 4 The results of the polling data will be revealed then Hopefully, everything will be positive Will keep you all in the loop Best regards, Ken -----Original Message----- From: Audrey Gold Sent: May 24, 2018 10:12 AM To: city.council@cityofpaloalto.org Cc: David Shen , Kenneth Horowitz , superintendent@pausd.org, board Subject: PTA Council Support for Sugar Sweetened Beverage Tax Dear Honorable City Council members, Please see the attached letter of support to request that a sugar sweetened beverage tax be placed on the Palo Alto city ballot in the fall of 2018. Sincerely, Audrey Gold PTA Council President, 2016‐18 http://ptac.paloaloto.org City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 12:24 PM 1 Carnahan, David From:Frank Ingle <frankwingle@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, May 29, 2018 12:22 PM To:Council, City Subject:Message from the City Council Home Page This email is re Agenda item 8 of the City Council meeting on June 11, 2018. I recommend approval of the proposed project at 2755 El Camino. “Residentialists" such as myself are most concerned about privacy, traffic congestion, and parking. This project scores well on these issues. Privacy: The residents next door will have less noise than before because of less exposure to Page Mill and El Camino traffic noise. Traffic congestion: It is time for more very small apartments next to public transit. This location is close to California Avenue and not far from downtown, by walking or bike. Also close to Caltrain for trips to San Francisco where use of a car is a liability. Parking: Limited parking in this project, but residents in this project could save money by doing without a car. Only entry level single residents are likely to want to rent such small spaces, and it will be convenient for them to walk or bike if they work in Palo Alto, or commute by rail or bus to another nearby location. Young singles would enjoy proximity to Palo Alto downtown, California Avenue, and nearby Stanford University and shopping center. I wish there were dozens more projects like this one along El Camino. Frank Ingle 814 Richardson Ct Palo Alto City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:45 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, May 24, 2018 12:53 AM To:dcbertini@menlopark.org; Jonsen, Robert; swagstaffe@smcgov.org; essenceoftruth@gmail.com; gkirby@redwoodcity.org; Binder, Andrew; Cullen, Charles; Kilpatrick, Brad; citycouncil@menlopark.org; Council, City; bos@smcgov.org; HRC; jrosen@da.sccgov.org; myraw@smcba.org; paloaltofreepress@gmail.com; council@redwoodcity.org; stevendlee@alumni.duke.edu; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Kan, Michael; Lee, Craig; jay.boyarsky@da.sccgov.org; Perron, Zachary; griffinam@sbcglobal.net; Constantino, Mary; Van Der Zwaag, Minka; Holman, Karen (external); lydiakou@gmail.com; Scheff, Lisa Subject:CBS News: Bodycam footage shows police tase, arrest NBA player Bodycam footage shows police tase, arrest NBA player CBS News Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales apologized Wednesday for how his department handled the situation Read the full story Shared from Apple News Sent from my iPhone City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:08 PM 1 Carnahan, David From:Mark Moragne <mmoragne@randmproperties.com> Sent:Wednesday, May 30, 2018 9:41 AM To:Council, City Subject:Embarcadero Widening Dear Council, I wanted to voice my opinion that the idea of widening Embarcadero Road would be a bad idea for our neighborhood. Mark Moragne City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:02 PM 1 Carnahan, David From:Jason Matlof <jmatlof@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, May 30, 2018 11:50 AM To:Council, City; Keene, James; De Geus, Robert; Mello, Joshuah Cc:Scharff, Greg; Adrian Fine; Cory Wolbach; Kniss, Liz (external); Filseth, Eric (external); Greg Tanaka; Holman, Karen (external); Jason's Gmail Subject:Everyone Can Have Their Own Opinion, But No One Can Have Their Own Facts!!! Dear City Council and Staff, As a follow up from last night's discussion on Grade Separation, please accept this email to set the record straight regarding claims about Churchill Avenue and Embarcadero Road traffic. As per my email of yesterday highlighting the misinformation spread by certain people regarding CPUC regulations of Caltrain, we now have additional evidence of efforts to intentionally spread false information to mislead people regarding this critically important City decision. We must ensure that the actual facts are known and used to make such important decisions. Last night, several Embarcadero Road residents claimed (after they were innocently led to believe) that there would be ~9,000 cars per day that would get redirected to Embarcadero Road and the Emerson "cloverleaf" if Churchill was closed. It is, in fact, true that ~9,000 cars per day do traverse the Churchill / Alma intersection, but that's where the facts end. Per the below chart from the Mott-McDonald circulation study the 3 peak traffic hours over 5 days in 2017, you can see very plainly what you would expect to see. Only a very small percentage (25.2%) of the total traffic actually crosses the train tracks and would need to get diverted to another location - the rest traverses on the much more utilized Alma corridor and Churchill East. An even smaller percentage of that traffic (roughly half or 13%) traverses across the tracks from E -> W, and would need to find it's way either through Embarcadero or Oregon Expressway south (we have to assume that some will also divert there, as well). We're talking about hundreds of cars during all 3 peak rush hours, not thousands. City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:02 PM 2 While we're on the subject, I also want to bring up the proposal of Citizen Advisory Council. Given what appears to be an intentional misdirection campaign by some, I would like to request that members of our NOPA leadership group participate in this Advisory Council. Given that we represent by far the largest and most organized community association on this topic in Palo Alto (> 450 signatories), I think it's more than fair to expect that we have representation. I hope that you agree. Thank you for your consideration. I sincerely appreciate the difficult position you are all in given the severity and consequences of this City decision. Thank you for your service and willingness to fight through the noise to find the best outcome. Jason Matlof NOPA NOTE: While there were many problems with the Mott-MacDonald study, this circulation count is objectively factual and irrefutable. While it did include a non-school day (2/16/17) in the count, that was only 1 of 4 days counted. While the absolute numbers may vary, the proportional and directional information is representative. You can find that if you read the fine details. City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:54 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:David Witkowski <wireless@jointventure.org> Sent:Saturday, May 26, 2018 2:05 AM To:Council, City Subject:Followup regarding May 21st 2018 "Wireless Communications Facilities" Hon. Mayor and Councilmembers, I'm writing to followup on items from the May 21st 2018 "Wireless Communications Facilities" agenda item. In particular I wanted to provide an answer to the question posed by CM Tanaka about the relative difference between RF from cellular handsets, and RF from cell sites (small cell or otherwise). I will do this in the context of a discussion about RF safety studies, notably the National Toxicology Program (NIH) rodent study. Before I do this, I want to go on record in response to comments made about me and Joint Venture Silicon Valley by people who spoke after my time at the podium: 1. Commenters asserted that I (or JVSV) was paid to be at the council meeting - this is not true. 2. Commenters asserted that I (or JVSV) am/are industry-funded. Many companies including Verizon Wireless are members/supporters of JVSV, as are many counties/cities/towns in our region. Dues are paid freely by companies and municipal governments to support our work and our stated missions, with no explicit or implicit contract or expectations of results. 3. Commenters asserted that I (or JVSV) supported Senate Bill 649 (Hueso) - this is not true. Neither I nor anyone at JVSV took a position on that bill. Regarding the question of RF health effects: To date there has not been a conclusive study linking RF radiation to human cancer. In fact, as the rate of wireless device usage continues to grow exponentially, brain cancer rates are dropping. (http://bit.ly/2mIcpfR) The World Health Organization classified RF as a "possible" carcinogen, which doesn't mean it's a "probable" or "definite" carcinogen. Think of it this way; if you're in a jewelry store when an expensive diamond necklace goes missing, you and everyone else in the store are POSSIBLE suspects until you're eliminated as a suspect through police investigation. There have been literally hundreds of studies done on the topic of RF safety. Results have been either negative or equivocal (i.e. lacking in certainty). PARTIAL FINDINGS (full results are expected in fall 2018) in the National Toxicology Project rodent study (http://bit.ly/2sgdjjZ) found "low incidences of tumors in the brains and hearts of male rats, but not in female rats, in these partial findings." It's important to understand that the RF exposure levels in the NTP study were set at or above the federal maximum permissible exposure limits as set forth in IEEE C95.1, which is slightly lower than international guidelines such as the ICNIRP, and that the RF levels in the NTP rodent study were designed to approximate HANDSET levels - not levels from cell sites. The NTP rodent study is best characterized as being equivalent to a person making 10 minute calls, followed by 10 minute breaks, with the phone held against their head, for 9 hours every day of their life starting at birth. In other words; not a very realistic equivalency. Also, with some notable exceptions, humans are not rats. Addressing the question posed to Dr. Kramer by CM Tanaka: We can't draw conclusions from a study on HANDSET levels and extrapolate them to imagined effects from cell site levels, because the RF power difference between them is night and day - a cell phone handset creates RF exposure in your body (when held to your head during the call) at levels on the order of 1 watt/kg, whereas (depending on where you are making the City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:54 AM 2 measurement) a cell site creates RF exposure at levels around 1 micro-watt/kg - i.e. RF exposure from a cell site is one million times lower than the level of a cell phone. This is a very rough approximation that depends on a variety of factors, but it's accurate to within an order of magnitude. It's important to note that there are many unanswered questions in the NTP study results. First of all, the male rats exposed to RF actually lived 8% LONGER than the control group, and as a rat ages the likelihood of it naturally developing cancers increases. Second, anomalous cancer was not observed in RF-exposed female rats, nor was it observed in either male or female RF-exposed mice. Third, none of the control group male rats naturally developed cancer, which is very odd because normally about 2% of rats will do so in their lifetime absent any outside influences. If the control group rats had naturally developed cancers at a normal rate, the statistical significance of the observed male rat cancers would not exist. In summary, I believe the currently available evidence shows that council made the right decision to allow the wireless project to move forward, and that you can rest assured knowing you're not creating a health risk for Palo Alto residents. I remain, as always, available to you as a resource if you still have questions. Best regards, ...dtw --- David Witkowski Executive Director, Civic Technology Initiatives Joint Venture Silicon Valley --- Co-Chair, Wireless SuperCluster, Global City Teams Challenge Member, Board of Expert Advisors, CA Emerging Technology Fund Member, Connected City Advisory Board, Wireless Broadband Alliance --- City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:49 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Kerry Yarkin (via Google Docs) <kyarkin895@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, May 25, 2018 8:37 AM To:Council, City Subject:Legal Strategy for airplane noise g Kerry Yarkin has shared a link to the following document: Legal Strategy for airplane noise g Open in Docs Google Docs: Create and edit documents online. Google LLC, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA You have received this email because someone shared a document with you from Google Docs. City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:56 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Gary Lindgren <gel@theconnection.com> Sent:Sunday, May 27, 2018 3:25 PM To:Council, City Subject:Message from the City Council Home Page Attachments:pension_reform_5_23_2018.pdf Dear Palo Alto City Council,    Subject: Pension Reform    In the last few weeks I have read that pension costs are increasing and hurting ability to keep the budget under control.  The attached note addresses these issues and I hope this is discussed and considered.  Thank you,  Gary Lindgren              Gary Lindgren  585 Lincoln Ave  Palo Alto CA 94301     650-326-0655 Check Out Latest Seismometer Reading @garyelindgren    Listen to Radio Around the World     Be Like Costco... do something in a different way  Don't trust Atoms...they make up everything      A part of good science is to see what everyone else can see but think what no one else has ever said. The difference between being very smart and very foolish is often very small. So many problems occur when people fail to be obedient when they are supposed to be obedient, and fail to be creative when they are supposed to be creative. The secret to doing good research is always to be a little underemployed. You waste years by not being able to waste hours. It is sometimes easier to make the world a better place than to prove you have made the world a better place. Amos Tversky   Gary Lindgren 585 Lincoln Ave Palo Alto CA 94301 gel@theconnection.com Public Worker Pension Reform Preface: I assume that many years ago, public workers generally received lower wages compared to the private sector. As a perk to compete with the private sector, better retirement programs were established. Now, the wages of the public sector have caught with the private sector and the pensions have grown even richer. Here are some ideas for Palo Alto pension reform. 1. To my knowledge public workers are not covered by the federal Social Security program. Instead the worker pays into a retirement fund and the employers also pays into the fund and then at retirement, the worker receives the benefits. I suggest that instead of a single fund that collects funds during the worker’s work time, that 2 separate systems be setup. One would collect amounts very similar that Social Security collects and pays out with very similar rules. The second would be a defined contribution 401K type fund that again the employer and employee would make contributions. The employer’s contribution would be a defined amount. At retirement, the employee would receive benefits from both plans. The employee would receive a monthly check for the system setup like Social Security and the employee would have the opportunity to an receive an annuity or lump sum payment from the second program. 2. The employee would not be able to accumulate ‘Sick Time’ from year to year. If they don’t use it, it is gone. If an employee has an extended sickness, they would go on disability. 3. The employee would not be able to accumulate more than 3 months vacation time. Any vacation time of more than 3 months would be lost. In setting up this rule, employee would have 5 years to use up extra vacation time. 4. New employees would be set up with the new system for retirement system. 5. As an incentive to get older employees to agree to the new retirement system, how about offering an extra years wage paid over 3 years time. This would all have to be worked out to see if it makes actuarial sense but it’s an idea. City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:06 PM 1 Carnahan, David From:Neilson Buchanan <cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com> Sent:Tuesday, May 29, 2018 5:07 PM To:Council, City; Planning Commission Subject:News Impacting Quality of LIfe on the Peninsual Neilson Buchanan Co-Editor 155 Bryant Street Palo Alto, CA 94301 650 329-0484 650 537-9611 cell cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com THIS WEEK ON THE SAN FRANCISCO PENINSULA City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:06 PM 2 News Impacting Your Quality of Life May 28, 2018 View as Webpage In this Issue Taxation and Transportation This newsletter addresses the Peninsula's structural tension between taxes and transportation. These two topics are inseparable like "Horse and Buggy" or "Gasoline and Engine." However, in reality they are seldom aligned. Government at all levels including dozens of agencies struggle behind the scenes. Direct accountability to voters is rare. Public policy for each issue carries three dead weights: 1. Overlapping decision-makers 2. Fragmented sources of cash 3. No crisis to challenge weak organizations Today we see the short-term future as rather dreary but we predict self-interest of Tech Titans, Transportation and Taxation will eventually find common ground. There's synergy with these three Ts. To Subscribe Click Here Showdown: Sleepless in Seattle City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:06 PM 3 Behind Seattle’s Amazon Tax there are “Seething Tensions, Livid Neighbors, and Rising Rents.” The showdown demonstrates how politics and economics have shifted in Seattle, where the pressure to address the city’s growing pains has surpassed the conventional wisdom that attracting new jobs is the top civic priority. As a tech boom drives up home prices, lawmakers ask: “Can cities grow too fast?” Bloomberg News Ed. Comment: Early in May we overlooked Bloomberg news. We just learned that May 2 offers a lesson for the Peninsula. It was, as the local public radio station said, the day “Seattle Nice” died. Price of Success = 3T Mountain View may enact a business head tax in November, and a successful vote might spawn multiple Silicon Valley imitators. “If we and Cupertino enact these taxes, I can expect that Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto and Menlo Park will be considering them in the next round two years hence,” Mountain View Mayor Lenny Siegel said. SV Business Journal A Mt. View City Councilperson reasoned that paying $200 tax per employee is affordable considering six-figure incomes. But leaders of the leading Silicon Valley business consortium feel $200 will discourage job growth. SJ Mercury News City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:06 PM 4 In a bid to raise between $5 million and $10 million for transportation, housing and homeless services, the city of Mountain View is considering a vast increase in the business license tax that it levies to large businesses, including Google, Microsoft and LinkedIn. Palo Alto Daily Post Ed. Comment: No good deed goes unpunished. Seattle passed business tax raising $50+ million/yr for affordable housing and homeless services. Business community responded by halting some construction and started a repeal campaign. 3T, our newest lexicography, is Taxing Tech Titans. It is easier to say than enact. For the record, we have seen relatively small taxes proposed for our local business community. They doth protest too much? Awaking up to smell the lattes? Cupertino is pondering new business license fees on employers based on the number of employees. This could jolt Apple and others. This proposal bears likeness to fees under consideration by Mt. View City Council. San Jose Mercury News Ed. Comments: A few weeks ago we coined “J2H” as shorthand for jobs to housing ratio. Now we suggest “3T” as a timely acronym for Tech Titan Taxation. Other city Councils need cash caffeine for lagging infrastructure. Could this be on various city ballots as early as November 2018? Latest reality show City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:06 PM 5 Some of the biggest employers in the Bay Area, including Facebook and Google, are throwing their weight behind Regional Measure 3, which would raise bridge tolls to as high as $9 to pay for transportation projects. While Supervisor Simitian, Mayor Seigel and others oppose it, there is no campaign committee campaigning against the tax. Palo Alto Daily Post Ed. Comments: Click on the link above to learn how much major employers are paying to promote the tolls on commuting workers. Cuckoo planning City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:06 PM 6 Freeways are seas of red brake lights as 83,000 commuters jam from San Joaquin County to the Bay Area. BART and other transportation agencies have conflicting options, oversupply of advisors and not enough funding. “It’s a 14 hour day for eight hour of pay,” said Modesto construction worker. A non-profit planning expert feels, “You can’t add a room to your house if foundation is cracked and that is what BART is trying to do….. we need bus rapid transit….” Two Assemblymembers have proposed authorization of new transportation agency, Tri-Valley-San Joaquin Regional Rail Authority. “All projects compete for funding,” said a BART official, “looking for money from same sources.” San Jose Mercury News Ed. Comment: Our fragmented mass transit agencies would drive a crazy person insane. However, this article is valuable only if fragmented voters take time to reflect. Is it time to fly over our cuckoo nest? It is about time City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:06 PM 7 New SamTrans bus lines aim to boost travel time on El Camino Real and access to SFO. Route SFO entails three distinctly labeled buses with luggage racks timed to meet northbound Caltrain trains at the Millbrae station. Pilot program starts June 24. Click for schedule info. San Mateo Daily Journal Ed. Comment: Public transportation to SFO is tribute to fragmented funding of mass transit agencies. When lost productivity is truly painful, new services will accelerate. We ask why this 20th century solution is slowly rolling out in 2018. One answer is Quentin Kopp’s “BART-TO-SFO” Opinion from June 2014. Click below for historical perspective. Kopp Opinion 2014 San Mateo Daily Journal Best bike coverage City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:06 PM 8 What do cities need to know about bikeshare? Public or private? Docked or dockless? E-bike or e-scooter? It’s complicated. But bikesharing is now big business, and cities are learning how these emerging systems operate—and who operates them. City Lab Ed. Comment: We are often perplexed by public investment in biking relative to most commuters’ needs. For the record we are not sold on viability of bikeshare. Nevertheless, we are sold on this article's great coverage of bikeshare questions and answers. Success of SFPRA newsletter success depends upon its readers. Please feel free to forward the newletter to your friends and neighbors. Ask them to subscribe at no cost by clicking the subscribe button above or by emailing cnsbuchanan@gmail.com. Editors Neilson Buchanan and John Guislin are unpaid, private citizens on the SF Peninsula and have no ties to developers or government organizations. Our Web Site Neilson Buchanan | Downtown North, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Unsubscribe cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com Update Profile | About our service provider City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:06 PM 9 Sent by cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com in collaboration with Try it free today City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:02 PM 1 Carnahan, David From:Jennifer Landesmann <jlandesmann@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, May 29, 2018 4:10 PM To:Council, City Subject:Petition for Review of Catex Dear Council, Today is the last day to file a petition for review of the Categorical Exclusion employed for the SERFR 3 procedure, which has brought a new crossing waypoint from Menlo Park to Palo Alto, SIDBY (side-by), impacting several Palo Alto neighborhoods. Please see the email below from SFO with the coordinates of SIDBY. SIDBY Lat Long 37 27 02.56N / 122 08 41.09W For the past weeks, several of us wrote to City Staff and City Attorney, to alert of the issue of this CATEX, and ahead of the May 9th Council meeting. What I heard on May 9th was confusing because City Attorney's comments suggested that you had reviewed this FAA action; decided to not appeal it, but didn't want to say so because of the influence on individuals appealing it. I don't understand the explanation for avoiding saying so. It's obvious if you decide to appeal or not appeal but more than the influence on individuals' choices, your action or no action speaks greater volumes about what you are choosing to represent to FAA, the region, and community at large. You are saying that the City is "OK" with a Catex that fails to provide minimum mandated information. What does this say about your looking out for process that is fair to ALL citizens? By not appealing for lawful and adequate environmental reviews, you suggest that you take sides with FAA. How can Palo Alto's interests expect to be fairly represented at a regional level if you are disengaged from pursuing a process that is fair to all? For FAA to use a Catex, 2012 legislation federal legislation permits it, ONLY IF there is a demonstration of measurable reduction in fuel burn, emissions, and noise. FAA's own rules and policy require modeling to justify the action. The Catex for SERFR 3 (and other 9 actions which are a mystery to many people) "justifies" 10 actions including SERFR 3 with absolutely nothing to justify the Catex. No modeling information. If modeling was done, no assumptions used. This method of evading noise impacts review is how noise has been shifted to Palo Alto repeatedly over the years. No data, no analysis of impacts, no reasonable community involvement or mandated environmental review. For three years, citizens have looked to you for addressing these concerns and you have recently voted for a fast track process to study legal challenges, but your starting point is gifting an unfounded Catex with a pass? About 5 - 6 big actions are ahead, I am deeply concerned about what the City is representing by staying mum about inadequate impact reviews. I am concerned that in the process you are mis-representing the impacts over Palo Alto. I expected that from FAA, from the airports, from the sham roundtables and committees, but this should not be the standard from the City. Jennifer City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:02 PM 2 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Bert Ganoung (AIR) <Bert.Ganoung@flysfo.com> Date: Fri, Mar 2, 2018 at 10:34 AM Subject: SIDBY coordinates To: Jennifer Landesmann <jlandesmann@gmail.com> Hello Mrs. Landesmann, I received the coordinates from Thann McLeod at the Northern California TRACON today. SIDBY Lat Long 37 27 02.56N / 122 08 41.09W Best, Bert Bert Ganoung Aircraft Noise Abatement Manager | Planning, Design, & Construction San Francisco International Airport | P.O. Box 8097 | San Francisco, CA 94128 Tel 650-821-5100 | flysfo.com | flyquietsfo.com Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:50 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Kerry Yarkin <kyarkin895@gmail.com> Sent:Friday, May 25, 2018 8:39 AM To:Council, City Subject:Petition for Review 5/25/18 To: Mayor and City Council Members: Time is running out for you to File a Petition for Review on the new SERFR 3 procedures that were enacted on March 28. The 60 days to file expires on May 28th!!!! As I mentioned 4 days ago, SERFR3 route (200+planes a day from Southern Calif.) has gotten about 30 % louder and lower since the new procedure. Palo Alto is the Sacrificial Noise Corridor for all planes arriving from the North, the West, and the South into SFO. RIGHT THE WRONG, and start Fast Track. People say the Best Defense is a Good Offense I am listing again my main points as to why the strategy put forth by Molly Stump and City Staff is not and will not work. In determining a strategy to effect change with the FAA, I have a few points I’d like for you to consider. 1. FAA will not make any changes for the benefit of the public under their SkyWay routes unless they are forced to. It is apparent with the settlement for Phoenix, that they only made a change after they realized that the City of Phoenix was not going to give up, and accept their egregious dumping of noise and fine particle pollution over their citizens. 2. The FAA and the roundtable have deliberately taken a stance and support a narrative that the number of planes is the same number before 2014 and after 2014. How can this be true when there was not 1 single complaint before NextGen? 3. A regional solution for Santa Clara County will once more put Palo Alto on the spot, since Mt. View, Sunnyvale,Santa Clara, San Jose and other cities will not accept any new noise over them. They like it just the way it is----over Palo Alto. 4. The Select Committee was a demonstration of throwing out any type of baseline (since San Mateo, then Atherton were once the sky routes into SFO) and establishing a new normal, have all 3 air routes converge over Palo Alto to the Menlo Waypoint for landing at SFO. 5. The Select Committee spent 90% of its time with SERFR route and the issues of Santa Cruz. The changes implemented made conditions better for some Santa Cruz residents, but did nothing for Palo Alto, may have actually made things worse. 6. The FAA published 10 new procedures and a new way point SIDBY(over Palo Alto) with no input from our City, which is the most heavily impacted City. 7. The suggestion that better monitoring of planes will make our case better was shown not to be effective. A Stanford PhD submitted data (actually placed a noise monitor in my yard) where he tracked many areas of Palo Alto to show the noise impacts. This info. Was submitted to the Select Committee to no avail. 8. Waiting to monitor future changes just lets the FAA know that we are accepting the noise levels and pollution levels, which becomes the new Baseline. Stand up for Palo Alto . Kerry Yarkin City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 12:26 PM 1 Carnahan, David From:JIM POPPY <jamespoppy@comcast.net> Sent:Tuesday, May 29, 2018 11:36 AM To:Council, City Subject:Please consider the impact of Castilleja's proposed expansion Hello City Council, Castilleja proposes to build a Walmart-sized building with a massive concrete garage that exits into the neighborhood. The garage design is flawed, requiring cars to enter on the Bryant Bike Boulevard. Not to mention all of the variances along Embarcadero Road. City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 12:26 PM 2 Please show some leadership and let Castilleja know that their plans are grossly out of scale for an R1 neighborhood. Thank you, Jim Poppy 135 Melville Ave City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:08 PM 1 Carnahan, David From:Noah Fiedel <nfiedel@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, May 30, 2018 10:34 AM To:Council, City Subject:Please do not lower on-site parking requirements without an accurate study of parking demand. Dear City Council, I read the Fehr and Peers parking "study", and this study is incredibly biased, with a methodology guaranteed to under-count true parking demand. Please do not accept this incredibly poor "study" as evidence to under- park buildings, causing a reduced quality of life for the neighborhoods surrounding them. Specific issues with the study: 1. It completely avoided counting cars parked on the street for any reason. E.g. Work vehicles that don't fit in small spaces, residents with more cars than assigned spaces, visitors to residents that don't have visitor parking, etc. Why not survey residents, or check with the DMV, or measure street parking usage surrounding these bulidings? 2. By counting only the peak number of cars and not the number of unique cars, this study under-counts for any night-workers, or folks who for whatever reason had their cars parked somewhere else for an evening. Please see attached photo of Curtner Ave, which is parked at 100% at peak times. There are nearly always empty assigned spaces in the complexes. By the methodology of this study, this is a perfectly healthy street where we should reduce parking requirements for these buildings! Nothing could be further from the truth. Thank you for your attention. Please preserve quality of life in Palo Alto by not lowering parking requirements. Noah Fiedel Wilton Ave City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:08 PM 2 City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:53 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Peter Mueller <pklausm@me.com> Sent:Friday, May 25, 2018 5:01 PM To:bpa-issues@googlegroups.com Cc:Richard Placone; Barron Park Association: Miscellaneous; Council, City Subject:Re: [bpa-issues: 1630] Re: [bpa-misc: 7763] Fw: RVs on El Camino Real - A solution Placone’s message is right on target. Let’s do something simple now. Bloomberg’s response is head in the sand. But it does imply the larger National problem of needing to ensure economically balanced living standards for every citizen. There are models that work. Like in Scandinavian countries, for instance. That’s long term for us in USA. Short term something along the lines proposed by Placone is essential. Let’s work w neighboring towns like Sunnyvale, Menlo Park, San Carlos, etc. I think I have seen several trailer parks from near shoreline bike paths. Thank you, Dick, for getting something sensible going. Many will join in to promote resolution of this immediate & long term issue. Best wishes, Peter K Mueller On May 25, 2018, at 16:12, Dan Bloomberg <dan.bloomberg@gmail.com> wrote: Hello Barron Park Neighbors, I want to thank Richard for thinking about this problem. Unfortunately, his "solution" will not work. Here is a letter that I have posted to our City Council on the subject. -- Dan ============================================== =============== Dear Palo Alto City Council Members, Richard Placone just sent you a letter, suggesting that a City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:53 AM 2 compassionate solution for removing the 50 or so RVs on El Camino Real is to build a big RV/trailer park in the Baylands. And that by doing so we would feel virtuous, by exhibiting our compassion, and in the process we would clean up the mess. Placone suggests that concerns about public health and public safety would be misplaced. Let's leave those controversial claims aside, and think about the more obvious effects of the proposal. In fact, his "solution" would greatly exacerbate the problem. In the 1970s, Vancouver, B.C. had an analogous problem. The Trans-Canada highway stopped at the city boundary, and incoming traffic from the east was causing heavy morning traffic on city streets. The proposed "fix" was to put the freeway through to downtown. So they looked at Los Angeles and wisely decided not to do it. In essence, they realized that "if you build it, they will come." More cars, more traffic, more congestion, more parking lots. Resources are limited, and you can never "get ahead" of the demand. The situation with the Richard Placone RV Park would be infinitely worse. If Palo Alto were to build, in the Baylands, even the most massive long-term RV park on the entire planet, it would be filled instantly. By whom? You would have the 50 Palo Alto RVs, several hundred RVs from Mountain View, several thousand RVs from the rest of the Bay Area, and tens of thousands from the rest of California and neighboring states. It would be a mess of unimaginable scale. And all those people who couldn't get in? They would park in any available place in the city -- after they'd filled up both sides of El Camino Real from Burlingame to Sunnyvale -- hoping that out of compassion we would make it bigger. Thank you for your attention. I expect that common sense will prevail. Respectfully, Dan Bloomberg Barron Park Neighborhood Palo Alto ================================================== On Thu, May 24, 2018 at 10:50 PM, Richard Placone <rcplacone@sbcglobal.net> wrote: Hello Barron Park Neighbors, City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:53 AM 3 Here is a letter I've just posted to our City Council. I'm sending this to the Barron Park Community because this problem effects all of us. Our neighborhood community has a reputation of being really concerned about our city, its environment and especially its citizens not as well off as most of us are. Please consider joining me in urging the Council to take corrective action. Feel free to use my words - but your own words will carry greater weight. Thanks for all you all do. Richard Placone Chimalus Drive ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Richard Placone <rcplacone@sbcglobal.net> To: City Council Packet <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org> Cc: James Keene <james.keene@cityofpaloalto.org> Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2018 10:43 PM Subject: RVs on El Camino Real - A solution Greetings Council Members, Last Monday on my way home from Menlo Park, heading South, I counted 50 RVs parked on El Camino Real, from Embarcadero Road to Charleston Road. It appeared that all had been parked there for some time; indeed a couple were on jacks or were actually trailers unhitched from a towing vehicle. The city has recognized that this is a serious problem, one causing potential safety issues to passing traffic as well as sanitation problems, amongst others. However, I consider this to be a Compassion Problem, one that this Council is well aware of, but consistently denigrates the issue, as well as the occupants of these “homes away from home.” I have learned that when it has been suggested to Council members during one of its meetings, that a real solution is possible, the following objections have been stated by sitting members: “we will be establishing a potential hepatitis camp; or “we will be creating a venue for criminal activity”; or “the city shouldn’t be spending tax dollars of homeless people like this”. Consider this: Palo Alto is nationally reputed to be one of the wealthiest cities in the country. We are renowned for having one of the most highly educated populations, with outstanding employment opportunities and more. I posit that these are the very factors that are drawing the RV dwellers to our city (and other nearby cities for that matter) - for the jobs that are being created here. Do we know who these people are, where they come from and what they are doing during the daytime? I have heard, read and been told that most are workers here on City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:53 AM 4 the many construction jobs in town and on the Stanford campus; that they are the workers in our heavy tax producing hotels, making the beds and cleaning the rooms; that they are servers in our over the top in prices restaurants; and most recently Stanford graduate students living off campus. It would seem to me, that it is this town’s very success in everything it does, except providing a wide rage of housing opportunities, that has resulted in the “El Camino RV Ally”. “So where does Compassion come in?” - I hope you are asking yourselves. These are our fellow human beings, most not as fortunate as those of us who either settled here in years gone by and are now homeowner millionaires, or are wealthy business leaders or very well-paid high tech employees. The council’s everlasting thirst for more and more growth, mostly consolidated in large, lucrative business developments, and the minimum of affordable housing, are major factors in creating this issue. We have brought this on ourselves, ladies and gentlemen of the Council. I believe it is our responsibility to resolve this problem in a manner that is compassionate to the RV dwellers, and respectful of the taxpaying citizens of this town. You have the solution staring you in the face, if only you would collectively puts your hearts and minds together and determine to resolve this problem in a manner fair to all. What might that solution be? I’m told the city owns a large piece of property purchased from the city of Los Altos, which is used for storage of equipment. We all know that the city controls, if not owns hundreds of acres in the baylands. For a relatively small sum, a simple RV park or parks could be established. Hard gravel paving, a few modest restrooms with showers, plug in power and water and RV dumping station, is all it would take. A simple system of occupant registration and a small per night, week or monthly charge would help defray some, if not all of the operating costs. The occupants themselves could be organized into community “gatekeepers”, keeping order and such. If this city can afford to spend over $8 million redesigning Ross Road for a few cyclists, to the consternation of most of the residents, from what I have observed, surely it can come up with a Compassionate Fund, and get these RVs and their human occupants off the highway and into a safe place with the most basic of human amenities. And by the way, if Stanford students are actually part of this highway population, then by all means get the university involved - it has a responsibility to resolve problems related to the campus. Thank you for your attention to this letter. I look forward to your response and hopefully, constructive action. Respectfully submitted, Richard Placone Chimalus Drive Barron Park Neighborhood. Palo Alto City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:53 AM 5 -- This email list is maintained by the Barron Park Association. Join or renew your BPA membership, or get more email list information, at bpapaloalto.org. Need to check membership status? Contact barronpark.paloalto@gmail.com. Disclaimer: Any viewpoints in this message are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of the Barron Park Association or the BPA Board. --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Barron Park Association: Miscellaneous" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bpa-misc+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to bpa-misc@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. -- This email list is maintained by the Barron Park Association. Join or renew your BPA membership, or get more email list information, at bpapaloalto.org. Need to check membership status? Contact barronpark.paloalto@gmail.com. Disclaimer: Any viewpoints in this message are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of the Barron Park Association or the BPA Board. --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Barron Park Association: Issues" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bpa- issues+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to bpa-issues@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:07 PM 1 Carnahan, David From:Norman Beamer <nhbeamer@yahoo.com> Sent:Tuesday, May 29, 2018 6:00 PM To:'John Guislin'; 'Neilson Buchanan' Cc:De Geus, Robert; 'Michael Hodos'; Council, City Subject:RE: Downtown RPP My understanding is that council pulled that latest Downtown RPP resolution from the calendar because dentists were  concerned about getting permits for their employees.  So three councilmembers were able to jettison a resolution that  was based on prior action by a 7‐2 vote of council.  This is not exactly exemplary of democracy in action.  And to top it  off, there was not really any legitimate concern on the part of the dental employees, since there were still plenty of  permits available for sale.  It seems that the only issue was that the employees did not want to park a few extra blocks  from their workplace.  While I agree that efforts should be made to give local‐serving merchants and service businesses  priority over dot‐com coding warrens and venture capital masters of the universe, that issue is for another day.  The  current resolution as it stands should be placed on the calendar asap and adopted.    From: John Guislin [mailto:jguislin@gmail.com]   Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2018 5:40 PM  To: Neilson Buchanan <cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com>  Cc: Robert De Geus <robert.degeus@cityofpaloalto.org>; Norman H. Beamer <nhbeamer@yahoo.com>; Michael Hodos  <mehodos@mac.com>  Subject: Re: Downtown RPP  Rob, I am available to meet to preview any report you will be sending to Council in order to ensure we are considering accurate data for all of the pieces of RPP (permits sold, zone demand, garage utilization, etc). (FYI - It was our analysis that made staff aware that permits were oversold by the vendor last year due to a failure to correctly aggregate 6 month and 1 year permits.) My understanding is that RPP will be on Council agenda in early June. Let's ensure we are basing any recommendation on good data. John 650-305-5646 On Tue, May 29, 2018 at 4:39 PM, Neilson Buchanan <cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com> wrote: Rob, I am now in Europe and wont be home again until June 12. What is the status of the staff recommendation on the Dowtown RPP? In my absence please contact both me and John Guislin with updates. He is back from vacation now. City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/30/2018 2:07 PM 2 My primary concern is still that RPP and commercial core parking has been under-managed for years and that staff turnover has once again created a situation with very low staff experience in assessing the parking programs which distribute permits within the downtown neighborhoods and commercial core In fact other resident leaders and I feel that these problems cannot be managed on a day-to-day basis or improved long-term until staffing is increased and new programs are designed and implemented. I want to repeat my concerns to you. Residential parking programs and policies have been managed marginally and City has been asked to make marginal decisions based on marginal staff work. This type of management has been acknowledged as an operational necessity just to move forward. After resident leaders from the two primary RPP programs met with you and Jim Keene, we left the meeting with assurances that you would be take a collaboration or coordination role with RRP stakeholders before any staff report flowed to City Council. Before I left on vacation, I offered and provided updated information about parking status in neighborhoods and two downtown garages. However, we have not had any meaningful conversation about RPP with you or staff. I fully appreciate your request for time to become oriented with city staff. We really need to understand the process for drafting any new report to City Council. And we urge your to treat all of the stakeholders in the same manner. By copy of this email, I am asking John Guislin to contact you as soon as possible to find out any changes that might be proposed for Downtown RPP. John is quite experienced with RPP. He was one of the original RPP stakeholders and has continued his study and analysis of both Downtown parking and traffic. Neilson Buchanan 155 Bryant Street Palo Alto, CA 94301 650 329-0484 650 537-9611 cell cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:58 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:annmcats <annmcats@earthlink.net> Sent:Monday, May 28, 2018 12:32 PM To:Council, City Subject:RE: SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC CLOSED Dear Mayor Kniss and City Councillors: The citizens of Palo Alto and surrounding areas have long relied on the excellent services provided by Palo Alto Animal Services to get their pets, as well as stray animals, spayed and neutered at affordable prices. This clinic is now closed, without notice and without future plans. The closest comparable services for pets (not homeless cats) is now in Redwood City at Pets In Need, with long wait times, Peninsula Humane Society in San Mateo, a very long drive, or at various South Bay locations, also long drives in heavy traffic. What is the intention of the City to correct this situation? Or is uncontrolled breeding to become the norm, as it was in centuries past? For a rich and progressive city like Palo Alto, this seems unacceptable. Please look into this as soon as possible. Kittens and puppies with no prospects of good homes are being born right now! Thank you. Ann Nussbaum 30 year rescuer and volunteer City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 8:02 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Karen Porter <porter.k10@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, May 29, 2018 12:07 AM To:Stump, Molly Cc:Council, City; Flaherty, Michelle; Carnahan, David Subject:Re: your recent questions and comments regarding SERFR 3 Dear Molly, I appreciate your time in responding to my several inquiries about SERFR THREE. But allow me to clarify what I am seeking. I am not asking about “the Council’s discussion on this issue” with its attorney. Also, I am only referring to SERFR THREE, not NextGen more broadly. Most of my questions concern factual information that should have been disclosed by the FAA, but apparently was not – e.g., where SERFR THREE overflies Palo Alto (including any historical sites or parks), at what altitude, number and concentration of flights, allocation between MENLO and SIDBY waypoints, whether the FAA performed any noise modeling or impact analysis, and data to support the FAA’s claim that SERFR THREE is a “safety enhancement.” If the City has this information, whether or not obtained during closed session, I do not understand why you cannot provide it [see Govt. Code § 54963(e)(3) – permissible to disclose information obtained in closed session that is not confidential information]. If it does not, then I don’t see how Council could have made an informed decision whether to challenge SERFR THREE (assuming this was specifically addressed in closed session), which by itself should compel the filing of a petition for review against the FAA, particularly as to the FAA's processes. Also, you state that you in part are protecting “residents such as yourself who need to make their own evaluations and decisions regarding taking legal action.” This implies you believe it is up to individuals to bear the burden and expense of legal action for relief from harm that impacts much of the City. If so, I am disappointed by this attempt to abdicate the City’s responsibilities. Further, as the case brought by Portola Valley residents demonstrated, neither the courts nor the FAA take lawsuits by individuals seriously, only those by municipalities. I understand that Tuesday, May 29 is the last day on which a petition for review of the SERFR THREE action may be filed to be considered timely under 49 U.S. Code § 46110 (unless there is a basis for tolling, and with an extra day due to the holiday per Rule 26 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure). I urge the City not to, once again, allow the statute of limitations for challenging an FAA action to expire, to the detriment of residents and others. In any event, I look forward to receiving a particularized reply to my public records request. Sincerely, Karen Porter On Wed, May 23, 2018 at 5:44 PM, Stump, Molly <Molly.Stump@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote: City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 8:02 AM 2 Hello Karen – I’ve reviewed your recent emails to me and others at the City, and understand you’ve also been in touch with various folks by phone. I write to reiterate the City’s decision on litigation. As the Council stated on April 9th, we are not pursuing legal action at this time. I understand and want to acknowledge that you have many questions about the Council’s discussion on this issue. Unfortunately I cannot provide further information. Like all other cities, the Council evaluates potential litigation in a closed session. This is to protect both the City and others (including residents such as yourself) who need to make their own evaluations and decisions regarding taking legal action. It is my ethical duty, and that of all individual Council Members, to respect and maintain this confidentiality. Council understands the seriousness of the airplane noise problem. As you know, Council directed staff to continue working on various other fronts, including building local coalitions, pursuing better monitoring, and putting in place a method for monitoring developments so that future changes can be evaluated through a legal lense. That is work we will be addressing in coming weeks and months. We will be in communication with community members and Council regarding these efforts. Michelle asked me to let you know she plans to reach out to you in the next few weeks to discuss a few items. Regards, Molly Stump Molly Stump | City Attorney City Attorney’s Office 250 Hamilton Avenue | Palo Alto, CA 94301 D: 650.329.2171 | E:molly.stump@cityofpaloalto.org Please think of the environment before printing this email – Thank you. This message contains information that may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the addressee, you may not use, copy or disclose the message or any information contained in the message. If you City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 8:02 AM 3 received the message in error, please notify the sender and delete the message. City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:44 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Joy Sleizer <joy.sleizer142@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, May 23, 2018 5:12 PM To:Council, City Subject:Resident Parking Program Dear Council members, I have lived in Palo Alto for 55 years!! So I have been watching you for a long time. Although I lived in So Palo Alto for most of those years, today I live at Channing House in downtown Palo so I'm aware of the need for employee parking places. We rely on our employees who probably can't afford to live in Palo Alto. Please do NOT reduce the number of employee parking spaces. Channing House & nearby services need to have parking for employees. Best, Joy Sleizer 650-324-7425 650-353-4481 cell City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 1:57 PM 1 Carnahan, David From:Terri Shifrin <tshif74@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, May 29, 2018 1:56 PM To:Council, City Subject:RV PARKING For a VERY short time after the city council stated it was ok for RV parking for 3 days MAXIMUM and they must move 1/2 mile, the RV parking has gone back to 50 plus vehicles. Your policy is not working. My guess is that the city is not enforcing this policy. There are RV's: -broken down -not hooked up to a truck/car -with tarps -tire blocks -these to name a few These vehicles are unsightly. They don't pay to park on our streets. Why should our citizen pay property taxes if these people are not paying too? Yes, it is sad that some cannot afford high rents/purchases to live here. However, those of us that can and do choose to pay the high prices are buying/renting into beautiful Palo Alto. Taking out-of- towners down El Camino toward Stanford University, it is embarrassing. Questions always come, why does your city allow this. Great question. City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 1:57 PM 2 How about requiring people that want to park on our streets to pay $1,000.00 for a permit. Then have follow through enforcing those permits. It's a win-win for all. RV residents get to live in our city at extremely low cost, and our city receives revenue. Thank you, Terri Shifrin City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:55 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Carolyn M Johnson <rhunterg@ix.netcom.com> Sent:Saturday, May 26, 2018 1:08 PM To:Council, City; bpa-issues@googlegroups.com Subject:RVs on El Camino - and elsewhere - Dear friends, neighbors, and Council Members, You are all no doubt aware of the current “discussion” regarding possible solutions to the issue of lived-in, stored, rented out, abandoned, and Heaven-knows-what-else kinds of RVs - parked not only on El Camino Real, but throughout Palo Alto, and South Palo Alto in particular. May I suggest a reasoned, factual assessment of the “problem”? Nancy Krop and Richard Greene have written ideas along these lines. 1. An *inventory* of what’s parked where, and the uses they’re being put to. I don’t know how we expect to solve a “problem” when we don’t know what it is? OCW and the Streets Teams members might be willing to undertake such an inventory? 2. After such an inventory, a *separate survey* of those folks currently living in their cars or RVs to assess their ideas for alternative parking or other housing. These folks are our friends and neighbors also - not disposable elements whose lives should necessarily be managed by others. With respect - and best wishes for a Happy, Thoughtful, Memorial Day. Carolyn M. Johnson City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 8:00 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Robert Neff <rmrneff@sonic.net> Sent:Monday, May 28, 2018 11:48 PM To:Council, City Subject:Thanks for passing Charleston/Arastradero Funding. May 28, 2018 Dear Palo Alto City Council, Thank you for supporting funding of Charleston/Arastradero improvements last week. I look forward to all phases completing within 2 years. Also, I am glad to see the completion of the traffic safety project on Ross, including the two new traffic circles, and the outreach as the project continues down Amarillo. I have enjoyed the new, slower version of Ross Road when I bicycle. When my wife drives away from the YMCA, she likes the traffic circle at Meadow, instead of the old stop signs. I think this project is already making Ross a safer street, and a more comfortable street for cyclists and pedestrians. From last week’s council meeting, transportation staff’s comments made it clear that they are learning from the implementation in the street, and will continue to update plans in later parts of the project. Thank you for your service to the city of Palo Alto Robert Neff Emerson near Loma Verde Palo Alto City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:52 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:atkinsonkim@pacbell.net Sent:Friday, May 25, 2018 4:26 PM To:Council, City; Kniss, Liz (internal) Subject:The responsibility of stewardship and care, by the Palo Alto city council To the city council of Palo Alto, and mayor Liz Kniss,          Writing here is one of the people who, last year, protested the development of a private property  in view of a city park –  the construction of a 9000+  square foot mansion directly in view of hiking trails in upper Arastradero Preserve.  The city council approved the project.         What last year was a pristine natural hill, as seen from a popular hiking trail,  today looks like this  (see black line across hill and hard edge at the top‐‐  apparently with planned buildings to come‐‐)  ‐ this is ugly and encroaches on a sense of open nature and sky :              As a Palo Alto homeowner and resident, who grew up here in the ‘60’s and then raised  her own children here, the lack of thoughtful stewardship of this precious open‐space asset  by the city council is disheartening to someone so vested in living here.    City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:52 AM 2 This property, ideally,  should have been purchased by the city and made part of the park, as previous         city government once had the foresight to buy the land to create Foothills Park.  In any case, this property in view of Arastradero should never have been approved for private  development that will be visible to park users.    This private development will be enjoyed by one privileged family at some expense to   the many people who hike at Arastradero and who find nature, beauty, recreation and solace   in the nature there.    Once open space is built on, it is gone forever.  As our representatives, you have a responsibility to this city to protect our cherished assets,   and to understand what matters to your residents and homeowners.    ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐  This comment is written about a past decision by the city council,  but looking forward,  also with the hope that you will review very, very carefully and critically any plans to turn our  beautiful and charming family‐friendly downtown into a high‐rise Manhattan.    Please don’t allow high‐rise development in our downtown.    You, as our representatives,  have a responsibility to protect and maintain what makes Palo Alto a special and charming town  for so many families and homeowners who live here.     Open sky, sunlight, and welcoming low‐key charm matter in quality of life.     Tall buildings create shade and a more tense visual environment, blocking sky and sun.   Let’s keep Palo Alto   Palo Alto.    Please hold firm on the office cap.    Thank you,     Kim Atkinson     1753 Middlefield       PA  94301    City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 5/29/2018 7:46 AM 1 Carnahan, David From:Marie-Jo Fremont <mariejofremont1@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, May 24, 2018 1:05 PM To:Council, City Subject:Urgent - Request for due diligence on evaluating SERFR THREE Categorical Exclusion (CATEX) Dear City Council members, On May 20, on behalf of several Palo Alto residents, I asked Council Member Kou for her help on getting Legal to review some potential claims against the FAA based on the new SERFR THREE procedure that was published on March 29, 2018. One particular claim was to challenge the use of a lateral move test by the FAA to justify the Categorical Exclusion (CATEX) on SERFR THREE . Such test should not be used when other changes such as fleet mix changes occur (SERFR THREE was created to address Class B changes that were made in part to respond to changes in fleet mix). I learned today that our claims will not be reviewed because I was told that Council discussed SERFR THREE in the April 9 closed Council session and "decided not to sue at this time" (these were Mayor Kniss' words in the public session). I am not privy to the content of the closed session, but I wonder how Council made their decision about SERFR THREE given the difficulty in finding information about the new procedure at the time. As stated on page 4 of the KAPLAN KIRSCH & ROCKWELL LLP document dated March 29, "The new SERFR 3 route is supposed to be implemented today. We have not been able to identify any NEPA documentation to support this action but is possible that FAA prepared such documentation without any public disclosure, which is allowed in limited circumstances. It would be necessary to obtain FAA documents from the agency or through a Freedom of Information Act request to determine what environmental documentation was prepared prior to today’s implementation of that procedure.) " Did Council review the SERFR THREE CATEX in the April 9 session? Did Council discussed in particular the FAA use of a lateral move test as a justification? If you did, then thank you. But if a detailed discussion about the SERFR THREE CATEX did not occur, then the specific claims we brought forward on May 20 should be reviewed by Legal and the evaluation results should be provided to Council to allow them to make a final decision. Needless to say that I, and many other residents, would be profoundly disappointed if such due diligence did not occur. Note that the window to file closes on Sunday May 27, three days from today and exactly 60 days after March 29, the day SERFR THREE was implemented. Best regards, mjf 0 0 0 COUN IL MEETING To: City Council Members, Palo Alto City Council s-2. /~ From: Residents of North Old Palo Alto Community Association ceived Before Meeting eceived at Meeting RE: Rail Grade Separation Project/ "Connecting Palo Alto" Dear City Council Member, We, the residents of the North Old Palo Alto community district, support public transportation, the electrification of Caltrain, and the expansion of commuter rail capacity. We support a collaborative, transparent and data-driven selection process that engages relevant Palo Alto constituencies to find the best outcomes. We feel strongly that the best option will include holistic research considering financial, community, environmental and safety cost-benefit analyses. Guiding Principles We strongly believe that the City's research and prioritization for grade-separation projects should conform to generally accepted principles that should be non-controversial to Palo Alto City Council and the citizens they represent, including: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Projects that return the highest ROI on invested dollars; Projects that maximize use of existing and/or underused infrastructure; Making pedestrian safety a highest priority; Maintaining community neighborhoods integrity; and, Ensuring no eminent domain of City homes. Summary Position on Grade Separation Given the large relative benefits to the above Guiding Principles: 1) We support Lowered Rail (tunnel or trench) grade separation at the Churchill Avenue crossing. 2) We are adamantly opposed to any full or hybrid Lowered Road grade separation at Churchill Avenue given the clear disadvantages relative to other solutions. 3) We are adamantly opposed to any Raised Rall solutions at Churchill Avenue given several clear disadvantages to the community. 4) As an alternative to Lowered Rail (#1), we support keeping the Churchill Avenue crossing at-grade and closing it at the West entrance if several cost-effective measures to increase East-West traffic capacity and student/pedestrian safety in the neighborhood are implemented. (see next) Supporting discussion in select priority order: #4 -Specific Solutions to Increase Traffic Capacity and Pedestrian Safety in North Palo Alto: We have already invested significantly in the Embarcadero Road underpass, so before creating another half-billion-dollar project 400 yards to the South (including the costs of eminent domain), let's optimize and improve the existing solution that we have today. We believe the following relatively low-cost solutions will increase the daily traffic capacity on Embarcadero NOPA Community Letter to Council on Grade Separation v4.4 -2/12/2018 http://www.northoldpaloalto.org 1 Road underpass and dramatically improve Palo Alto H.S. student safety without taking any homes or costing the City a half-billion dollars: 1) Implement a pedestrian/bike underpass at Churchill Avenue for safe Palo Alto H.S. student transit. 2) Build 2x bike/pedestrian underpasses underneath Embarcadero Road at the intersections with Kingsley Avenue and entrance of Palo Alto H.S. on existing public lands, which will dramatically increase student safety and eliminate the 3rd traffic signal on Embarcadero Road that significantly impede East-West traffic today. 3) Significantly Increase Capacity and Utility of the Embarcadero Grade Separation a. Broaden underpass to 4 lanes eliminating a huge bottleneck to E-W traffic b. Remove pedestrian crossing light from Paly H.S. to Town & Country (per above) c. Implement Left Turn signals from West & East bound Embarcadero to Alma Rd. NOTE #1: There is a consistent span of open, usable public space on both sides of Embarcadero Road spanning between 50-100 feet wide in different locations between PA HS entrance and Kingsley Avenue (see map in appendix). NOTE #2: Our proposals above intend to increase the capacity of the Embarcadero Road underpass to accommodate for the lost Eastbound capacity if Churchill Avenue is closed at the West side. It is not intention our intention to imply that we want to increase the speeds on Embarcadero Road, nor eliminate any existing stop lights or controls. #2 -Critical Disadvantages of Full or Hybrid Lowered Road Underpass at Churchill Avenue: Churchill Avenue is a relatively /ow capacity intersection that is less than 400 yards away from an existing major grade separation at Embarcadero Road, and any proposal to create a Road Underpass at Churchill would have costs and disadvantages that far outweigh the benefits: 1) Financial: There are 36 homes that would be fully claimed and 6 homes that would be partially claimed by eminent domain in any underpass design given the maximum 6% decline required on both sides of the railway. At this intersection alone, that would add at least $200,000,000 for this single underpass before construction has even begun. Spending a total of $350-400MM for grade separation at a single intersection that is 400 yards from an existing underpass is not an acceptable use of taxpayer funds. 2) Community & Environment: Building an underpass at Churchill would likely require lowering the Alma Street 22 feet and all the arteries feeding it to the same level. At 6% maximum grade, that would wipe out an entire neighborhood more than 370 feet in both directions, make homeless hundreds of residents and school children, kill hundreds of trees, and constitute a new "concrete jungle" in what is today historic Old Palo Alto and Southgate neighborhoods. It would also leave Palo Alto H.S. staff parking lot stranded and possibly impact part of their football field. In a city committed to increasing housing stock and school infrastructure, this is unacceptable. 3) Construction Impact: Building an underpass at Churchill would require a massive, multi- year long construction project that would shut down Alma Street. An underpass would require dropping the elevation of Alma Street and Churchill Avenue roughly 22 feet, which would utterly shut down all north and southbound traffic and leave all Q surrounding communities stranded for years. NOPA Community Letter to Council on Grade Separation v4.4-2/12/2018 http://www.northoldpaloalto.org 2 0 0 0 #3 -Critical Disadvantages of Raised Rail Solutions: We are strongly opposed to raising the train above grade on a berm or structure (ie, Raised Rail solutions), as it would cause increased visibility of the train within the neighborhood, reduced privacy for those along the tracks, increased risks for those living along the tracks in the event of derailment, and an increase in noise. We feel we should be reducing, not increasing, the impact and visibility of the train on our community, and this option is in contradiction with that. #1 -Significant Advantages of a lowered Rail Solution: The benefits are significant for any grade separation that drives the rail below grade. 1) Construction Impact: A bored tunnel construction would dramatically reduce the enormous construction impact to our larger community, which would be near cataclysmic in any Underpass proposal. [Building a 22 foot deep underpass at Alma & Churchill would shut down traffic for the entire community for years.] There is almost no price that can be placed on the avoidance of this construction on our community. 2) Financial Benefit: Implementing a bored tunnel solution would open the above ground right-of-way for various community uses, including a parkway and ped/bike path spanning Palo Alto, but also provide income generating opportunities like leasing land to low-income housing developers and an open air farmers' market. Leasing the land for these purposes would generate significant income to offset the cost of construction. 3) City I Community Benefit: Reclaiming the open space created in a bored tunnel approach would allow the City to realize several of its stated goals that are otherwise very difficult to realize given a lack of available open space. These types of objectives have been proven already in several cities, like NYC that recently reclaimed an elevated train track to create a public parkway. The City could achieve objectives including: • Increased low income housing • Increase pedestrian/bike pathways • Increased open space 4) Student Safety: This is our chance to get a double win and solve a critical safety issue in our community -eliminating direct contact between the rail and pedestrians. In summary, we believe that there are many viable solutions to create acceptable traffic and safety conditions at the Churchill Avenue intersection, including Lowered Rail, or blocking the Churchill Avenue crossing while making traffic and pedestrian improvements at Embarcadero and Churchill. We are, however, adamantly opposed to a Lowered Road I Underpass solution and Raised Rail given the large and unacceptable detrimental impacts that would create. Thank you for your consideration of our community's concerns and interests. Endorsed by the members of the North Old Palo Alto {NOPA) community association (NOTE: Reference Signature Page for Names & Addresses) NOPA Community Letter to Council on Grade Separation v4.4 -2/12/2018 http://www.northoldpaloalto.org 3 Figure 1-Existing Embarcadero Road Underpass Satellite Image Demonstrating the Ample Room Available for Renovation and Improvements NOPA Community Letter to Council on Grade Separation v4.4 -2/12/2018 http://www.northoldpaloalto.org 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 Name 45 Yinan LI Kathleen Judge 46 Andy Choi 2 Hank Sousa 47 Ranee Choi 48 Chris Waldo 3 Andie Reed 49 Erl<ay Uzun 4 Grace Luo 50 Patricia F. O'Donnel 5 Janico Luo 51 Edward O'DonneU 6 Rosalyn Luo 52 Kiri< Latour 7 Jason Matlof 53 Sangetha Bolini 8 Palam Guk 54 Anand Bollin! 55 Mohamed Hadidi 9 Oevid Fence 56 Young-jeh Oh 10 Rachael Callcut 57 Jason Stinson 11 Matthew MeK 58 Edua.rdo Llach 12 Chikuo Shen 59 Carol J. Anderson 13 Ll-hslang Yu Shen 60 Karen McNay 14 Jeffrey Brown 61 Kevin Carlson 15 Kyte Bordeau 62 Leilani Waldo 62 EIW Uzun 16 Gitanjali Jain 63 Aileen Lee 17 Monica Tan Brown 64 Bob Krentler 18 Raymond Ogawa 65 Felice Shieh 19 Leslie Matlof 66 Dayton S. Misheldt 20 Samantha Shen 6 7 Rob LevitSky 21 David Shen 68 Irene Au 22 Sean Hee 69 Bradly Horowitz 70 Manish Baldua 23 Lena Hee 71 Gordon Thompson 24 Ben Venfunum 72 Marie Thompson 25 TimyQ Tra11 73 Matt Yarkin 26 Mandy Anderson 7 4 Atlv Zomet 27 Brian Holcomb 75 William Schmaizo 26 Helen Tombropoulos 76 Rosemary Knight 77 Yossef Zomet 29 John Todd 78 Janina Dura) 30 Hao-Hua Chu 79 Damiel Puduay 31 Emily Hung 80 Sidney Wilkins 32 Kerry Yarkin 81 Enoch Chol 33 Neva Yarkin 82 Rachal Croft 34 Mary Sylvester 83 Javier Gonzales 35 Kim Martin 84 lnyoung Cho 85 Oiang Wang 36 Lance Martin 86 Xicohong Wang 37 Stephane Moreau 87 Rul Zhang 38 Gerald Berry BB Chendru V 39 John W. Day 89 Kiran Oak 40 Suzanna Degler 90 S.Ladh 41 Anne Kramer 91 Fenelia Leighton 92 Rebecca Branson 42 Clevie! Kramer 93 Gail C. Woolley 43 Sam Lada 94 Bradford Woolley 44 Anisha Patel 95 Bing Zheng 0 96 Gretchen Hollin gs worth 97 John HolNngworth 98 Janet R. Peacock 99 Karen Mc:Nay 100 Joan MacDanlels 101 Carolyn Schma120 102 Dianne MacDaniels 103 Deborah Fife 104 Waller Fu 105 Joanne Fu 106 Bradly Brom 107 Jenna Brom 108 Stepanie James 109 Brad F0m>I 110 Steve Jarvis 111 Carol Acott 112 Henie Fagnani 113 Bahma Koohestani 114 Emilia Suviata 115 Berverty Radin 116 Donnie Youngbery 117 Ri<ki Faktou 118 l'Achael Lin 119 Jennifer Gu 120 Jlayeng Liu 121 Rul Zhang 122 Janelle Herceg 123 Tyler Vlnciguerda 124 Angie Herceg 125 Brain Mabe 126 Harmut Sadrozlnskl 127 ShaPa Sadrozlnskl 128 Gina Craig 129 E. Tom Craig 130 LaamiVon Ruden 131 John Ohney 132 Ashok Sadrozinskl 133 Colm Callan 134 Julie Calan 135 celesta Bates 136 Steven Bates 137 Helen Conroe 138 Mark Zucker 139 K. Fansh Haydel 140 Susan Bush 1 41 Allen Bush 142 Aaron Strauch 143 Tori Llach 144 Lisa Hwang 145 Carole Fonck 146 lnhwa Song 147 Lucia Ugarte 0 148 Tm Roper 149 Craig Moye 150 Cynthia Lee 151 Hersha Mittakanli 152 Michael Davenport 153 Mark Grund berg 154 Leo Chen 155 Alex Kasman 156 Erica Sahlberg 157 Rustin Massoud! 158 Craig Stauffer 159 Megan Stauffer 160 Christine Roper 161 SsarGur 162 Ben Chol 183 Jane Hanis 164 Peter Shambora 165 Kevin Leighton 166 David Schnedler 167 Pam Molano 168 Ava Hahn 169 Kate McKenzie 170 Christopher Kantarjiev 171 Hsinya Shen 172 Eve"Jn Chan.cox 173 Robert Rubenstein 17 4 Susan WhUehead 175 Bruce Greenwood 176 Daniel K. Marshal 177 Daniel Cox 178 Rebecca Fox 179 Tona Hua 180 Rasmey Picek 181 Zeehan Selha 162 Richard Pul1<ey 183 Thomas Hoffman 184 Nancy McGaraghan 165 John Koval 186 Christen Conrad 187 Nils Thorjussen 168 Jacklyn Pen 169 Tracy A. Ferrea 190 Martha Angell 191 Tricia Herrick 192 Tom Vlasic 193 Henry Hwang 194 Rebecca Friend 195 Nina Aguilar 196 Laura Tannonwald 197 Ewa Goose I 198 Maya Misner 199 David Loo 0 200 Geoff Dirlaker 201 Teny Atkinson 202 Christina Hall 203 Don Ansbay 204 rina Hua 205 Albert Hua 206 carolyn Wang 207 Vanessa Lui 208 Robert Hemot 209 Oandan Umolkai 210 Stephanie He 211 Lian Bl 212 Jingbo Wu 213 Terasa Moye 214 Patrick Heron 215 Jeffray Glenn 216 Xiaoyun LI 217 Yvonne Lau 218 C..ikylp 219 Amrutha Kattarrurl 220 Glenn Orit 221 Westin Patrik 222 cassy Christianson 223 John Shea Jr 224 Leslie Murphy-Oiutorian 225 Madhu Rao 226 Kat JasonMoraau 227 Ofivia Chen 228 ChaKanya Hazaroy 229 Oiun.a.il Yang 230 Himani Batra 231 Frances Lin 232 Paul Machado 233 ~atafa Ozgen 234 Jonathan Ehriich 235 Sheri Cox 236 Douglas Carlson 237 Pradeep Rao 238 Lauron Bonomi 239 Phy•is Kayten 240 Charles Harvie 241 K Patricia Landman 242 Yen-Kuang Chen 243 Batim Dew 244 Ronald Wilensky 245 Linda Crily 246 Laura Martini 247 Katie Seedman 248 Rebecca Eisenberg 249 Peny Clark 250 Javld Alastl 251 Olga Petrova 0 252 Arlene Leslie 253 Johanna Ehrlich 254 Virginia Proce'liat 255 Ahmed Hassan 256 Chandru Venkataraman 257 Amanda Efron 258 Doug Murphy.Chutorian 259 Kim RandeH 260 Eileen Fagan 261 David Schnedler 262 Kevin Ohlson 263 Carolyn Shea 264 Kristina Smith 265 Rlchard Soderberg 266 Louis Draper 267 Martha McKee 266 Laura Wagerman 269 Ra) Mashruwala 270 Caroline Japlc 271 Carol Weber 272 Uhyuam Chang 273 JuUe Yoon 27 4 Alice Jacobs 275 Helen Waters 276 Christine Buss 277 K.R. Wllsher 278 David Hoffman 279 Susie Hwang 280 Zoe SaranUs 281 Shalna Nishimoto 282 Jui De Biler 283 George Wong 284 Kirk Taylor 285 Baisy Olson 286 Allen Clark 287 Vivian Clark 288 Chris Clark 289 Hirokl Morlstllge 290 Charies Book 291 Biter Bllen 292 Emily Shaw 293 Mary Haugen 294 Matthew Clarl< 295 David Clark 296 Ryan Milra 297 Manu Kumar 298 Ken Tam 299 Hana Kumar 300 ~rgl M~ra Keeing 301 Laura Aglglan 302 Mike Yang 303 Jimmy Cllen 0 0 304 Kathleen Goldfein 305 Allen Edwards 306 Robert Tri 307 Shailosh Rao 308 Anne Dazey 309 Ying Cui 310 Maureen Tri 311 Mary Chacon 312 Shuo Song 313 Linda Williams 314 Keith Bromberg 315 Arun Mahajan 316 Rosa Harvie 317 Nancy Hamilton 318 Lauren Burton 319 Les Pn>cevlet 320 Lena Cheng 321 Mtlon Grinberg 322 Rachel Ma)'beny 323 Gary Holl 324 Karen McN<!y 325 Kathy Greenwood 326 LiHlan Hom 327 Stephen Tumbul 328 David Jackson 329 Greg Yap 330 Teny Hotzener 331 Oipll Borkar 332 Asha Kannarkar 333 Mandar Bortcar 334 Tinolhy Gray 335 Joseph Ziegler 336 Alan Cooper 337 Roger Lau 338 Barbara Bennlgson 339 T. B. Okanna 340 Peter Danner 341 Sophia Liu 342 Julie Tsang 343 Sudeshna Rahe 344 Barbara Kelly 345 Vivien RAJan 346 Sheri Moody 347 Jing Li 348 Sarah Clark 349 Thomas Clark 350 David Alexander 351 Keith Clarke 352 Julia Murphy.Chutorian 353 Jean Zambelli 354 Linda Ziegler 355 Bruce Crocker 0 356 Douglas Blayney 357 Lucy Chen 358 Cathy Wiliams 359 Jeanne Zhang 360 Bon Lomor 361 Jin Wei 362 MabelCheng 363 Shue Lin 364 Clara Lin 365 Kendra Fadil 366 Margo Schaper 367 Jill Johnson 368 Vee Sun 369 Beth Bening Martin 370 Amy Dar11ng 371 Hong Liu 372 Thomas Hoster 373 Megan Strickland 374 Maurizlo Gianola 375 Yueql Hao 376 Sabrina Corvo 377 Kitty Price 378 Lee Price 379 Theo Ntsslm 380 Lisa Nissim 381 Amy Yang 382 Chien Liu 383 Ann Felice Rebol 384 Peter Costelo 385 Peggy Costello 386 tan CostaHo 387 Brian Stel 388 Val Stell 389 Amanda Stei 390 Tennis Pedrono 391 Renata Pedrono 392 Sarah McCormick 393 Jack McCollllicl< 394 Annelle Shelby 395 Pat l.4cCn>skey 396 Diane Rolfe 397 Joseph RoWe 398 George Chattas 399 Rita Vttlel 400 Ken Horowitz 401 Art SmeH 402 Sharon Smal 403 Katherine IMlson 404 Perag Patkar 405 Carol Feinstein 406 Laurel Robinson 407 Tench Coxe 0 0 408 Nancy Patterson 409 Andruw Verllalen 41 O Donald Molgan 411 Christine Jojarth 412 Martha Debs 413 Victoria Reid 414 Xiaoyuan Tu 415 Jennifer Schnelder 416 Evan Johnson 417 Michelle Lepori 418 Shweta ChOudhry 419 Matt Robinsoo 420 Audrey Gold 421 Judith Goldstein 422 Kelly Berschauer 423 Catherine Matterson 424 Claire Berschauer 425 John Colford 426 Gee Gee IMliams 427 Edgar W•iams 428 Baq Haldri 429 Chang Hua 430 Dana Murphy-Chutorian 431 Janet Brownstone 432 Lori Buecheler 433 Su.Jean Hua 434 Julie Kim 435 Sean Maloney 436 Margaret Maloney 437 Olivid Crooker 438 Rina Singh 439 Raj Singh 440 Charlie Zha 441 Audrey Zha 442 Allison Huygen 443 Richard Liu 444 Cathleen Liu 445 Jiang Chuo 446 Susan Yu 447 Sean Wu 448 NancyWu 449 Walt McCulough 450 Wang Jing 451 Claire Lin 452 RosRa Harvie 453 LI Yang 454 George Lin 455 Kuran Mann 456 Barbara Wang 0 0 0 0 c SIGNATURE PAGE FOR RAIL GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT We the members of the Old North Palo Alto Community (NOPA) support the attached positioning letter regarding the Rail Grade Separation Project I ie, Connecting Palo Alto. We also endorse the corrections and recommendations cited in the responses to the Circulation Study and Financial Study conducted by the City of Palo Alto. Enclosures: Enclosure 1: Community Letter to City Council on Grade Separation Enclosure 2: Response to Rail Grade Separation Financing White Paper Enclosure 3: Response to Existing Conditions Report Draft & Travel Demand Model Validation Report SIGNATURE NAME ADDRESS ~ /lY{/.e&x--J~ dt~~ \-\CJ-Ill i"<-~o U ~- (" ~~d\ E: f-.e eJ (jv/4_ c.Q_ k o ,]~'~ ~ /l.a__ /.-o ~~~!711 !.to-P fo5a_ljJ ~~ J tlS" orJ (ncti/J v SOUTH PALO AL TO PETITION -RAIL PROJECT@ MEADOW /CHARLESTON We, as residents of South Palo Alto and the greater Palo Alto community want to clearly communicate our preferences to the Palo Alto City Council in the matter of the upcoming rail upgrades. We strongly feel that the Palo Alto City Council consider the following points: • We adamantly oppose EMINENT DOMAIN and seek to minimize property losses for our neighbors. • We oppose road OVERPASS options for the Charleston/Meadow crossings in all circumstances. • We oppose RAISED RAIL OPTIONS such as those involving berms or viaducts. • We support LOWERED RAIL OPTIONS such as those involving a tunnel or trench. • We support INCREASED SAFETY for all residents of our community, and especially for students, cyclists, and pedestrians. What we require from the Palo Alto City council: • Comprehensive information, analysis, and clearer communication easily accessible and available to us on the costs, property loss, and traffic impacts of a o Meadow/Charleston trench (with/without freight train considerations) o Meadow/Charleston tunnel (with/without freight train considerations) o Meadow/Charleston road-under-rail hybrid • Alternative financing options • Inclusion of official community stakeholder involvement and representation c~!{5~!FNG [ ) Placed Before Meeting [ ]-iteceived at Meeting SIGNATURE PAGE FOR RAIL GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT We, as residents of South Palo Alto and the greater Palo Alto community support the attached positioning letter regarding the Rail Grade Separation Project. Enclosures: Enclosure 1: Community Letter to City Council on Grade Separation Signature Name Address )!$!. q H'L>-~ C... '"f2..v: <~ & l'°kA '(_ La_~ 'y ~~ (A. /lL;>S. Fl~ f)E R. Palo Alto Community Letter to Council on Grade Separation Signature Page SIGNATURE PAGE FOR RAIL GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT We, as residents of South Palo Alto and the greater Palo Alto community support the attached positioning letter regarding the Rail Grade Separation Project. Enclosures: Enclosure 1: Community Letter to City Council on Grade Separation Name Palo Alto Community Letter to Council on Grade Separation Signature Page SIGNATURE PAGE FOR RAIL GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT We, as residents of South Palo Alto and the greater Palo Alto community support the attached positioning letter regarding the Rail Grade Separation Project. Enclosures: Enclosure 1: Community Letter to City Council on Grade Separation Signature Name 1.<lt l\J tJA I 10 f> Palo Alto Community Letter to Council on Grade Separation Signature Page f t:\ l ·-"' \..: SIGNATURE PAGE FOR RAIL GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT We, as residents of South Palo Alto and the greater Palo Alto community support the attached positioning letter regarding the Rail Grade Separation Project. Enclosures: Enclosure 1: Community Letter to City Council on Grade Separation Signature Name Palo Alto Community Letter to Council on Grade Separation Signature Page SIGNATURE PAGE FOR RAIL GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT We, as residents of South Palo Alto and the greater Palo Alto community support the attached positioning letter regarding the Rail Grade Separation Project. Enclosures: Enclosure 1: Community Letter to City Council on Grade Separation Name CtlVv / 8 /y Palo Alto Community Letter to Council on Grade Separation Signature Page .~-... SIGNATURE PAGE FOR RAIL GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT We, as residents of South Palo Alto and the greater Palo Alto community support the attached positioning letter regarding the Rail Grade Separation Project. Enclosures: Enclosure 1: Community Letter to City Council on Grade Separation Name Palo Alto Community Letter to Council on Grade Separation Signature Page SIGNATURE PAGE FOR RAIL GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT We, as residents of South Palo Alto and the greater Palo Alto community support the attached positioning letter regarding the Rail Grade Separation Project. Enclosures: Enclosure 1: Community Letter to City Council on Grade Separation Signature Name ·~ch£L Cox. ~ ~fiµD~~ Hant-A~ f&ge I (M'\~ Palo Alto Community Letter to Council on Grade Separation Signature Page SIGNATURE PAGE FOR RAIL GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT We, as residents of South Palo Alto and the greater Palo Alto community support the attached positioning letter regarding the Rail Grade Separation Project. Enclosures: Enclosure 1: Community Letter to City Council on Grade Separation Signature ':I.(...·~):._ • J f ldA..J~ Name 1f1 l{L!I L •f ttJ j E 0 iJ -1 ~ "} 5'-N' /jL.c.x,R.-1(!! ST1fNrcft.P,£DU J}L£X A" 5$ Palo Alto Community Letter to Council on Grade Separation Signature Page SIGNATURE PAGE FOR RAIL GRADE SEPARATION PROJECT We, as residents of South Palo Alto and the greater Palo Alto community support the attached positioning letter regarding the Rail Grade Separation Project. Enclosures: Enclosure 1: Community letter to City Council on Grade Separation Name Palo Alto Community letter to Council on Grade Separation Signature Page r --. ' I /'\ ) l-" .. ~·';1· •• • ......... i....t.,';,....-.. -1~"""''-····,-·..\!• -', ,. --;··'. ·~ -~ : On November 8, 2016, Boulder voters approved · . . ., ~ 1 •• • : . a. sugary 4r~~k tax earmarked for health equity. · . . Boulder's was one of five wins nationally that week. ' .... .t ;.... • -··· • J "-•· . :: . Tax Amount and Type A 2-cent-per-ounce excise tax on distributors of beverages with added caloric sweeteners. · Exemped beverages: infant formula. milk products. beverages for medical use and meal replacement, 100% fruit or vegetable juices. and alcohol (already taxed). Revenue Use Since 2017. $2.25 million has been allocated to fund health and nutrition programs for low-income Boulder residents who bear the greatest burden of disease linked to sugary drinks (e.g .. Boulder's Latino community). Programs funded include ones that improve access to healthy and affordable food and clean water and increase opportunities for physical act~vity and recreation. A Health Equity Committee makes recommendations to City Council for allocation of funding. Expected Health Benefits · Over the next decade. 938 cases of obesity will be prevented. and $6.4 million will be saved in health care costs. according to Harvard's CHOICES report. · Incidence of diabetes will decrease by 10o/o (during the first year after the tax takes effect). Proponents and Campaign Spending • The Healthy Boulder Hids campaign was a joint effort of a local grassroots coalition (parents. doctors. public health advocates. Latino leaders. and business owners) with Healthier Colorado. a statewide health policy and advocacy organization. A campaign manager with knowledge of local politics ran daily operations. · The campaign reported spending $1.04 million dollars. Tax Rate · 2 cents/oz. What Is Taxed • Sugary drinks: soda, energy and sports drinks. presweet- ened ice teas and coffees. fruit drinks Revenue Raised • $3.3 million from July 1, 2017 -February 28. 2018 Revenue Use • Access to healthy food.. sports programs. clead water ~i More Information =i ~· https://bouldercolorado,gov /hu- man-services/health-equity-ad- visory-committee BOULDER AT A GLANCE • Population: 108.090 » Black: 0.9% » Latino or Hispanic: 8.7% » Asian: 4. 7% » White: 83.0% • 141% below poverty line in Boulder County • 13.2% of children age 1-14 drink at least one sugary drink per day. • In Boulder County. 10.9% of Latino adults have diagnosed diabetes. compared to 3.7"/o of non-Latino white adults. Visit www.healthyfoodamerica.org or emall info@hfamerica org for r.:lore Information. FAO SHUT I Boulder. CO: Sugary Drink Tax ~ . ;..: • -. , . r. -. ~ ... ; .. •. .. . • ! ~- t.. .' . _?~_ .. ; .. ~-~, . . ..: . . -.. Opponents and Campaign Spending • The American Beverage Association led the opposition Opposition reported spending $107 m1llion dollars against the tax. · Opposition and proponent spending combined made this the most expensive ballot campaign in Boulder's history. Results The tax passed by majority popular vote of 53.9%. The tax was implemented on July 1, 2017. Highlights • At the time of passage, Boulder's tax became the highest of its kind in the nation ($0.02/oz), and the first to specifically name health equity in its revenue earmark. · Healthy Boulder Rids brought the tax ordinance forward as a citizen's initiative. Though petition signature gathering is a substantial expense. it showed community support and countered "nanny state" or "government interference" arguments in a city where voters favor small government. · The opposition ran ads featuring a list of local businesses against the tax. On later investigation, multiple businesses named on that list said they were not actually in opposition, and that they never gave permission to use their name in ads. The local newspaper ran a story, "Boulder businesses say they were duped by soda industry into joining anti-tax campaign." Proponents' Main Messages • We have a responsibility to our kids/Our kids are worth it! · It's working in Berkeley: Sugary drink consumption is down 21%, water consumption is up 63%. Opposition's Main Messages · The tax will raise beverage and grocery prices across the board. • Local Boulder grocers and restaurants deserve better. · Taxes don't make people healthy, only diet and exercise can do that. What Worked In Boulder Each community has unique circumstances that dictate how it will frame and design its campaign. Here are some lessons learned from Boulder. · Assure the leaders of communities most affected by the health impacts of sugary drinks are at the decisionmaking table from the initial phases of policy design through implementation. "We understand the health threats posed by unhealthy sugary drinks, especially on low-income families. roday Boulder took an important, proactive step toward ensuring that all of us-our children in particular-have every opportunity to make better choices and to lead healthy lives.'' -Angelique Espinoza. Campaign Manager · Outreach to influential local restaurants. stores. and food/drink producers to preempt the industry's misinformation and local coalition-building attempts. If done well, you can gain supporters or neutralize opposition. FACT SHEET I Boulder, CO: Sugary Drink Tax ' • • f . . ~l ~ ~ • • ~ ·-.· ' ' What Worked In Boulder, continued · Expect the beverage industry to file legal challenges or to recruit a local person to file a suit on its behalf. Don't let this delay the campaign. Seek support from national public health legal experts and local tax campaign attorneys, and use the lawsuits as an opportunity to highlight community support for the tax. · Allow enough time between passage and the start of tax collection (at least 6 months). This lets the city learn from other implementing sites, and conduct outreach to distributors, restaurants, and stores so they understand the process before the tax goes into effect. Please contact HFA for citations. Last updated May 2018. www.healthyfoodamerica.org info@hfamerica.org • FACF SHEET I Boulder, CO: Sugary Drink Tax 5/29/2018 --- Map and Chart the Movement -Healthy Food America Moving Science to Action Home I Resources MAP AND CHART THE MOVEMENT There's a movement underway across the United States to reduce sugar consumption back to healthy levels. Our interactive map lets you see what's happening and where. and the table below provides additional details. Check out our Polley Profiles for more information about each site.. SUGARY DRINR EFFORTS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES l;anaaa MANl'TOSA W"i' HJN<; l ON MONlANA I••••_ ~-w•~=~. ' ' NORTH DAKOTA ~QUTH 0AK01A lfEBAASKA IOWA ONlARIO Chicago 0 It ••&.l"a http://www.healthyfoodamerlca.org/map 1/4 5/29/2018 Map and Chart the Movement • Healthy Food America NEVADA San Francisco . 0 \Jt AH CALIFORNIA ow y United States COi OllAQO MelClco eity e SUGARY DRINR EFFORTS IN CALIFORNIA San Rafael San P~blo san Quentin Richmond Larkspur ' Corte-Madera '" W1rt<1v .~. --~0~ff~0~--...t'rn INOfANA Wiidcat canyon Regional Par1< w W• sT ~ub• El Cerrito Mill Valley CD @) BELVEOl!RE TIBURON Muir Beach GOiden Gate Sausahto National Recreation Area NORTH BEACH !NANCI AL $TRICT San Francisco CD Daly City Colma CD fltlSSJON DISTRICT BrisbaJ¥! (§) South Sart r----:--- !ny , Ber~eley v @ @ ~eryville ijlj __ ! Piedmont @ v oaR1and Alameda Island Alameda Bay Farm Island LOCAL SUGARY DRINR TAXES PASSED IN THE US AS OF 03/06/18 f'nll10elpNI. rA • Coi,in,t J,S67,44Z Pre•t. .,.,. H,lOO $76.IO U•4 1{1{17 comm..My sehoots, ~rk.S nd rec centrrs Douloer. co HtlSUtt 2H J07,)49 HU Ith ·I°"" ... $6.4J 54 ... 7/JJ17 Aloany, CA Mta541re 0 1 19,7lS Htaltf'I .,.,. 92 $0.llO ,,.,. 4/><1117 01kl•nd. CA MelUUre HH Hetltn .... 2,140 . .... sin fru..asco, CA Mff.SUfe v Health .... l,750 Ol"1 http://www.healthyfoodamerlca.org/map 214 5/2912018 --- Publications • Healthy Food America CCS?JJzrnlNG Moving Science to Action [ ) Pla e.d Before Meeting Home I Resources PUBLICATIONS Research Briefs I ~Y. Briefs I ~Y. Profiles I Fact Sheets I .Re.~ I Industry: Watch FEATURED PUBLICATION Research Briefs Are 1•1•rr ckh•k tun worfdns? ""-Early evldentt I• pro111lllnll ..... _ .....,._. __ M•• ........ .,,_lto__, ____ _.....,,. ~ ........ __,... .. ....,. ............... ,..._ ...._..., ___ .,_......_ __ ..._. ............... __ ~-""'--...... ~---.. ,. ..: w. ....................... "--' ._ ........ . ...,,_ .............................. _ ................ ... ........... ,,,,....,... __ ._.,..., ... _ .......... ......, -.-..-........... ----~""'-....., ....... ~....._ _....., .... __ .....,....__Wp....., .... _ .................. ... ~~Tii<ft~!'l'!!:l'-~~~_,_, .... ~ .. T....Ui.S.,..,,,Drlllkl C._...._ i. IM UI, 2005·2012 --....,-~.---...-.-~'"'.:iuu-:a ..... -1 .. .. .. ______ ,.,... ... ,._ ___ .... _ __ ,.__w,,,1.~_,_....._,,.n.,_,. ,....._....,...., .............. '~.....---.. _,,----~'-M-­~--..,,.11-.....,..--..... -_ _......_ ....... ._..,._ ........... -.........-. ..__ .. _ ...... __ . 1-aa..a_,-....... _...., _____ ._.,.. ..... --·-·---..... _ .. , ...... ~ .. ,,_ ...... ........__ ........ .:..,...,,.~ ... ~" ............. ,, ........... .,..-M.~ ...... _J Are sugm:y: drink taxes working1 Trends in Sugm:y: Drinks Early: evidence ls promising Consumption research brief http://www.healthyfoodamerica.org/publications#policyproflles 1/6 5/29/2018 ... ·~--· ,•.,., ... ~-"~ ,. "'lllUl"1HOOUUll1ll.~"'6~~-• , •'. ~ ),...~ •• ,,' :1~t, J • ~ 5 · oo-~s 1oo'of: ;;~ll~ul~e .'.: ~' . :-: pose a health risk to kids . -.. ~ •. ~a~lll ~C!,.~d_de_!l-_s.u1ar dr,lnksl · .... TNo.••_, .. , ... __ ,,,,.,,,Hl'A.--_....,.r-11 ... \Aoo,_,... ... ..,,..tJOOt,,,..t,..._........,,.,,.,1 .. A$ft~l'J-o/~-• .,....,_.,..,.A_._.,..A • ..,..,-_,,.__.. ._.,_~...,. f rwlt l~H a.IMI Chll.a;ie In hey w. ... J.M .. · A M.i.a.MatylL. bKlill.lv• Su.nmiary Does 100% fruit J.uice pose a health 11sk to kids akin to added- mgar cirtnks? Policy Briefs ~ ........ ._._.,,.wy..UW.llltoet '1-. .......................... _ ....... .... ........ _. .... _ .......... ... ......................... ._ ....... ...... ,,,_..., .......... ,.,_._ ................ .. ::::,-w-pw-.wo._~r.J11617.._•lw ...,,......., ......... laNh., -~ .. ..._. __ "_...... ...... _., ................. _ ........ _ •""'-'"_., .... _ _.., _, ____ ..,.__......, .a....,, .... ___ _. ............... ,_ ....... ,...... ..... -. .--.·--l~-~--·--. ......., __ _,... _____ ....... _._ .. ...,"...._ ....... _.,._ .. _,_....,. ..... ~ ............. ... ..,.._ .. _..,_lo.•-•llW4'~--·---·- fQUQy-.SnaP.shot: Sugary: Drink Warning Labels Polley Profiles http://www.healthyfoodamerica.org/publlcaUons#pollcyprofiles Publications • Healthy Food America Tiie tlHltJI Harms of Artlftwty Slloetenod Beveraps ·-~--~.,,.-----....... --·-.,,..,,_.,.. _ _._ .. ,.. ............. . ,..._,...., ......... ,.__.,.._,. __ .... -..--~ ......... °""'"" ... -... Ull ..... ~ ...... -.,._...._... ...... (A __ ___ .. ___ ,........ __ ft._...., ........ .,._,_._,_CA ........... __ •• _ --.... _,__.. .. ~...., ......... .,..-., ....... .,. _.,.......,...,,.......,,..... .. ,_, .... _ .. -.. --.._. ..... _______ ....... . _ .... _ ....... Ult ................... ._ .... ,,......... research brief: health effects of diet dr1nks n..-.... ,_,........,_~ .. l· ............. __ ,,_"""' .__o ••• --. ... _,__..._ .... ........_ ... ......._..~ _ _... ---Tuln; b.ivcra; .. h.u two prla'lal'J' bcn•flU . ==-~N6M'lllt~·· .. ....._,..,pNOhft(....., Diet Beverages: To tax or not? Supry drink tun: Respondlq to lnd11stry arpmelltS ....... ..__... .. _ ......... __._,......_WOllll_~_ .. ....,.......,. _____ .. ____ a... __ _ --.... .. -6-_,....,.... __ t'loo_ .. _, ___ _ w.,_t.•...--,.,_...._, ..... -................. -_...._.,, _, .. __ .4_.....,j_ ......... -_,, .... ....__ ... ~,-,, __ .........,_,... ..... __ _....,_,.., .. _,...,. ----....-....--,...,.......-··--... ____ .. __ ,_.,.. .... ,...._ ... ......,_ ........ _,..........,._ .. ...., __ •..C-·---.--. .......... --..--.. ,........ .. ___ _.....,,.._ ........... ___ ... _,., ...... _ _.,._ Sugary: drink taxes: Responding to tndustx:y_armmumta 216 5/29/2018 :...· ... --···-·-.. ··--· . .. . .., ... 1....,__..,,,_, .. , ...... .. .,.-.....c··-·-,.-·_..._._ ht_ .. ..,..,.~-·-.. , ..... _. ..... , .... .._... ..._ ... _ _.__ _____ .. __ _ __ ., ....... .,.._..,..._. ..... __ ...._,-.. -·----~--==--==::;::" ~"'="=.. ... ~ .... ~:·-· .. ... _ .,_._ ... 1 .. ---=.::t:..4': -----·&m9-----er, _ _._ =..-:=.= .......... ___ --- Publications • Healthy Food America a."-' ·-rtu.1.,..u..,-i.1-.,•-·1 ...... ...C•••-Ulut1R,.....-·:O-Oll ... .. , ......... Qoia-1 __ ...._ __ .. _"""' .. __ ,.. __ ... ___ ....... __ '""'-"",_ . ....,,_,_ __ ==:-.:=...-===---==-=== it..~----....... --....._._ .. ....., _ _,_. ____ .._ ..... ...,...,.._ .......... ( ....... -.. ,.._ ..-.::.'I.~-.. -----_ .... _ ...... -------__ ,, ___ ,.... _ .. ... ........, .............. --.. ~­.__ . ....__ .. _ ..... _ ..... E.Q)J.cY. Profile; Albany. CA Sugw. ~ ProWe: Oakland..c.A Drtnk Tax Sweetened Drink Tax t•~_,:., :.,.At• h_ .. • u•o • ,._.,, ...... -........ :UJ•"'' ... .,._ .... , .. _tM, .... ....... -~ ....... ~ ... .., .... _IM·-_,__.61 ___ -. __ -c.....-.. ,.._,._.,. __ :::-.:====.:..~:.-:n-:- .......... __. ............ .....u.--tw ....,._ ... _.. __ ._. .... ,.... ... ~ --~-..a , ..... ··-:",._ .. .,...-....... ................. ---~·,.,. ,.._.. __ _ ..,..._ ... ,.. --..... ,.~ _ .. ·~·_,, ..... --Oita..• ..._.-...... . .....,. ... ___ ~Profile; San Frandsco...cA SllgiJY. Dr1nk Tax .. u•t.t,.,,... • ..,..1,..,-... ,.,., ..... ,.h. ..,,_, •11 •-111-.. ... ._ ... , .... ""'•'•~•--u•~•••l'l'rl'....,_,r«,••• .... _. ... ,,.. "'"_. ________ ".......,. _,. ...... _c,,...., .................. ,., u-...... ""'-1'.__'--"lau =:-.... -:::':!::::l:e:::::. ,... ............... , •• ~-•It ........ .... c...---.. ............... ..-.......... .. _.,_,, . ....,,._,,, __ ..,. ................. .. ~ Profile: Seattle..YlA SllgiJY. Drink Tax c.u ... w.,e :oM l'-vU ......... ,,_s ·~..-,C.lor .. luu<=-.orh•l.,t.• ... ••"l"'f ................... ,.,,., .......... _., llut .. ... , ............... . ..__ ___ ....._. . ..._ __ ........... _c:...w ........... __ ..,._ ... _.,...,...,_ __ ... .... _....,.... ............... ~-........ _. ........ ..,,.., -·· n.._ .. ...,._,...._ ... __ ...... -----------·----·..., .... .._. . ..__,.~ ........ ,.._~--...... -~ ... ... _ ·--·-...._. ...... ....,_ ~ .............. ... -----..... •:a .... -....- ___ ·=-..::::-..... ............... _ .. ,,_~ ........ -::=!---·- ~ ProWe: Boulder.~ Sllgmy: Drink Tax ~ .... ~.,... ....... 1:,_ .... _ .... _ -..,..\wo;, .. u,.... .... .,. ..... -·.--u .. , t..,u• 111--. ""'..,_. . ,._,..._ __ ......_..,..,. __ ......... _ ......... ~ .... ........ ........ _.._ .................... -.... t ........ _ ....... ~ .... ,__,_.....,. ·UM--""'"-•-~.....­•ft __ .....,...,.....,"""'*"' .. ..... _ .. ..,.._.......,.......,_ ...._... ............. ,..,.. __ .... ..._.,,...,. .. .., -u--... , ... . ................. ....... _., ...... ~ ... ... ----··---................... ___ ....._ ~ Proftle; Philadelphia.EA Sweetened Drink Tax http://www.healthyfoodamerica.org/publlcatlons#pollcyproflles 3/6 5/29/2018 -._..1._.., ....... .... -.. .. -..... ~•••a.--1X1l' c..----.,,.....-·~ ............. =-:=:o..::::"',=:-.:~.c:-.:::.. -.... -.. _, -,,........o_...., _ .. , .. -----"' .......... *' -... ... _ ............. -----..... .._,,..._ - fQllcy. Profile: Mexico Sugm:Y. Pr1nkiax Fact Sheets , ........... ,., ... ,.... .. ,..,rWl.,..,,. .. 41 ...... , S.Ugar & Ty_pe n Diabetes --·--------.. --.. -..... -----..---.--------- Sl.lgar & Obes1tY. http://www.healthyfoodamerica.org/publlcatlons#pollcyproflles Publications • Healthy Food America •••--•:IO'• ~c_ .. __ _ l.'l••, .. r ..... --···--..-, ......... f'U...._,..,...._. ,.,_,. __ , ________ _ a:-r=::~.=-~ . ':: :':'*~.....,.'*-" ...... "".........., ·"'--•,........ ....... ru.,...n,_ ·--._..,......" ...... ....., ____ ..,._ -----.-:..JMt;. PIRCl:!IN~ ............... ~ _ .. ,_, :::"-:'~-:. ....., ... .._ ..... --._ ..... __ _ C.Ooff......, ... --:::-..=:· ....... fQllcy. Profile: Berkeley .. ..cA Sllgm:Y. Drink Tax ,., .......... sapn ~,_," ,.., rhkef CVD SYgw & Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). HOW MUCNADC>lO SUG.llr &UWICCNSUM1NG7' ...-...:,,-~;- ....... _ .... ,. .... O"I. ... _• t4, .......... ,. .. __ ................... -~ lU =:.-:.-:::::::•.=.:::::=.. ,.. ,_ .. , __ n.,... • .._... .... _~ ...., _ _,.., ,.._. __ _, --.,~ tt , .... di ..u ... .., ..... _..,.., tt:lll •ftMdlUc .. r---.---""""""""•'""'"'"" __ ...,.... __ Sl.lgar & Tooth Decay: 416 5129/2018 Fact Sheet -Fruit-flavored Drinks & Little Rids Reports ~":~.:r- ladustryTactlcs From MCllll• Leab" ...... _ ..... _ .. ..,.c......eu._..._.,...,.,. • ....,.. ...... ...., ... ,...... .... ~__,,......_llNM_ .. ,....,..r. ..... "-_.,. .. ....... -......... ,_ ... __ i....-_,__. ____ ., .. ..._-. ... -......,,, ................ kli:lll.,.....__.,.... ,,.._._ ... .._...,_,u...,.•-lflilll-.. ....-11,_ ......... »....__....., ___ ......,....,4, ............. ..,....._ ~ ......... ~ .. ---......-..---·....-no.""",.. ..... -............. ._ .................... -... _..___ Industiy Tactics trom "Coke Leaks" A Roacimap for Successful Sugary: Drink Tax Camga1gna Industry Watch http:llwww.healthyfoodamerica.org/publications#pollcyprofiles Publications -Healthy Food America ADDEDSUGARS ;::::;:~ Awt•;t uuake ftftu• "" 9\.11chllne& by •ll• • 0 0 i:~.~---.......,,-<><•~-------"'__,._ j:1--~~~~~-ft~I>-----~ 't-----i:... Fact Sheet -Sugar and Health &locullve summary ,,...,,,._._.,._ --. ... u ..... .,..._..,..,._, ........ "' ... .,.... ...._ .. t -y M "'--t• tlll*IM4 .....,..,.., ....... C.. wl\ls ~~ ..... 1_,r:.-...,vy..-..... ~ ... ................... .__ ..... ...,_ .. .._,_......,. _ .... °"' ,........ clwt .... ~t.,..«.ai.o...,.~car•~ Raising revenue. cutttng costs. UY1ng-11Yei BEST PRACTICES IN DESIGNING LOCAL TAXES ON SUGARY DRINKS Best Practtces In Designing Local Taxes on Sugary: Dr1nks 5/6 5/29/2018 Publications -Healthy Food America ... .._., ; ·.. . ~.. . . . lndustrv.Watch: ~ l.c -•l lr..-.l 1 "-", ... __. ... ,.....1u., ... .. _ ....... ·--J ................. --...._.,,...,'" ·-$ _, ... ............ ...,..,.,_ .... . ""'*' .... w.,..: .. -- ~··--w.-. ... ,_..._"....., ........... ,._ ..............,. ,.., AMrt. .......... .,,.._ ... ... ........ ..._,,"' ...... ..._ .... ,...,.... .... .............. __.. • .,....._ W• ,.,..,.,_ ......... ..,i;..-... .... ............... ~" .... ~,..-. ................... ,.......,. .. .... Ceic-,. Col" •ttl&ll i..M ,_...,]tu .n-a~ to "'r'P'-M.a1th ~uitlN 91obally D ----·--t~~ Industry: Watcb -Volume l.lul.le l Do you like this page? get updates Email address Like j 443 people like this. Sign Up to see what your friends like. Sign in with Facebook. Twitter or rmfill Your PrivacY. I Created with NationBuilder http://www.healthyfoodamerlca.org/publlcatlons#pollcyprofiles Tweet G+ JOIN 6/6 Palo Alto Council PTR everychild. one voice.® May 23, 2018 To Palo Alto City Council lco~1kPE~NG [ ] P~Before Meeting [ ..f1leceived at Meeting We are writing on behalf of the Palo Alto Council of PT As (PTAC). PTAC works with the district staff, the Board of Education, community partners and the PT As at the 17 schools to support the students and families of the Palo Alto Unified School District and to improve the education, health and welfare of all children and youth. The Palo Alto PT A Council requests that a sugar sweetened beverage tax be placed on the Palo Alto city ballot in the fall of 2018. Scientific evidence has shown that sugary drinks harm our childrens' health, contributing to rising rates of dental caries, obesity, heart disease, diabetes and liver disease. Sugary drinks have no nutritional value but yet represent almost half the added sugar we consume. When sugar enters the body in liquid form, the body suffers a deluge of sugar into the bloodstream and overwhelms the body's natural ability to process it. Taxes on sugary drinks discourage consumption due to higher prices. It increases awareness of the issues of consuming sugary drinks. Significant revenue is expected to be raised through this tax that will help our schools and other programs which help populations suffering from related diseases. PT AC supports initiatives like these that encourage healthy choices and create a healthy environment for our children. We believe that this tax will help children make healthy choices that will enhance learning and their growth and support PAUSD with much needed revenue. We thank you for your cooperation and support. Sincerely, ~A'& Audrey Gold PTA Council President, 2016-18 http: //ptac.paloaloto.org ... ·'"' ... ... : .:. . " City Counc~l to consider sugar tax Local health professor suggests a 20-cent increase in price .for soda-pop type beverages By Kiana Tavakoli Staff Writer T he sour effects of sugar have led. members of the Palo Alto City Council to make progress toward imple- menting a tax on sugar-based bev- erages, under the reasoning that this would be a step in the right direction t<? prevent health issues. 1his tax was suggested by lo- cal health professor at Foothill College Ken Horowitz, who , hopes that Palo Alto will follow in the footsteps of cities such as San Francisco, Oakland, Calif., Berkeley, Calif., Albany, Calif. and Seattle in order to fight health is- sues associated with high sugar consumption, as well as influence nearby cities to do the same. The tax would be placed on distribu- tors and would likely increase the price of each bottle by around 20 cents "My hope is that when Palo Alto starts this tax, it will spread to nearby cities such as Mountain View and San Jose," Horowitz said. "In San Jose, over half the students drink a can of soda a day." The recommended daily sug- ar intake ranges from 25 to 38 grams; however, a 12 ounce can of Coca Cola contains 39 grams. Medical research suggests that increased sugar intake is a leading ~ctor in obesity and diabetes. ''.As a nation we should be working towards making healthier choices, and a tax on soda is a step in that direction:' Sarah O'Riordan "One can of soda has around 17 packets of sugar and there is no nutrition," Horowitz said. "I think it is irpportant that people know how much sugar we eat. Read the labels. I teach college students and they had no idea. That's what got me interested.• According to a report done by the Institute of Medicine for the National Academies Press, obe- sity is one of the most significant and prevalent health issues that Americ·c:l.,~g _?.~tion needs to be taken to prevent it. An example of action that the report suggests is a tax. Berkeley, Calif is an example of a city that has implcm.cnted a tax and seen results. The city's consumption has · been reduced and the money raised through their tax has been used to benefit various aspects of the ~ty, specifi- cally schools. "Berkeley has had this tax since 2014 and it's been working really well," Horowitz. said. "It has • reduced soda consumption by 15 percent and they've been able to raise $1.5 million per year. Most of this money goes to the schools. The Berkeley Unified School Dis- trict has used this money for nu- trition classes, gardening classes and cooking classes." Horowitz hopes that Palo Alto will do the same in order to pre- vent obesity and limit sugar ad- diction. Sugar-based drinks such as sodas arc extremely addictive due to the large amounts of serotonin, commonly referred to as a "happy hormone," and caffeine contained in it. "Suizar is the new tobacco." Ho'rowiti: said. "Years and years ago we placed the tax on tobacco and that has dramatically reduced the number of people smoking. We can do the same with this sugar beverage ta.X.. • Caffeine is similar to a natu- rally occurring molecule in the brain called adenosine, which slows nerve cell activity and regu- lates sleeping and waltjng cycles. When caffeine is consumed, it. is able to mimic adenosine, there- fore fitting into the brain's recep- tors. 1his blocks adenos:ine and prevents nerve activity from slow- ing down thus creating a feeling of energy. · After consuming caffeine on a regular basis, the body compen- sates by increasing production of adenosine. This means it would take more caffeine to become alert the next time, th~s creating a craving and cycle of addiction. Though people love caffeine and sugary drinks, many students, including Paly sophomore Sarah O'Riordan, are beginning to real- ize that action needs to be taken to reduce national consumption in order to decrease the overwhelm- in!ZI numbers of health problems that Americans face. '"Even though I like soda and drink it, I do believe it should be taxed," O'Riordan said. "As a nation WC should be working to- wards making healthier choices, and a tax on soda is a step in that direction." Many people, such as· sopho- more Isabel Harding, are becom- ing increasingly aware of the· im- pacts of sugar and the control big companies have over the nation's health. "Years ago we placed the tax on tobacco and that has dramatically reduced tl'e ntimber of people smoking. We can do the same with.this sugar beverage tax:' Ken Horowitz Harding said, "I think it's a good thing to start taicing these companies because it's a start in holding them accountable for what they're doin1r to oeoole." p~ flet;; ~-17-Jc& To +tu_ Co~~L H~l~ _ .) ~ vu_,i.. to f /L.oVl-1..., K you..-~ ~~~~~Le_ y~ r-'[._, -f /u__ ..un:l ~ ~ e.11.Li~~ ~ ~~~~ YI?'""'-~ ~ ~ R'°~ RcGL..cJ.. [: 11~~ ~ I , ~ a.Ji..e.A.. . . 1r ~~,~·~ 1/U-- ~ ~ ~ t-/...,.__ .5.<>. j-'-'f y ~u.rr...l?_w ~ 'ilL e-·~j at~~- i~ '/ au.-~·"' , " <w N uu 0 cir;: 52 ~I.I.. <o E ~ kV{~ \/I Yr' 9tMA ~ :L Gl Ta~~ c.J'vU i::>~ . Cjy> er ...JX: ..:r <('~ a..La.J N P.A. q 4 3-c3 ~-.J >-ow ;? >->-1-t: m (3c..l - Ms. Stephanie L. Bisgaard :jsWoodview Ln. Woodside, CA 94062-1236 CITY OF PALO ALTO CA I support Castilleja's proposal to CITY C ERK'S Off ICE increase enrollment and modernize J8 HAY ZS campus because... , AH fO: 28 C..A~-r, Office of the Clerk l t..e_ 1Jivl $C~ool <2.&. V L~ +\ CIV\ l _5 l'V\ 0 ( ~ i YV\? Ht--l- ,}'h~ V\ fl v~ r-( Please distribute to all City Council Members 250 Hamilton Avenue, 7th Floor Palo Alto, CA, 94301 • . . I( Ji; 757 Greer Rd ~ Palo Alto CA 94303-3 ~~ ElaineJBaskin--r ,(,\SCo z."-:.~ ,fgJ) F PAL \:.P -.-. ~,Tf.J · CLEHK I support Castilleja's proposal te=-~ increase enrollment and modernize its 18 AY 25 AH fO: 28 c~~e···~~~i ~ ~ (D].:_\v ~ Jk b; (9... ~~ 4 n.. t- Office of the Clerk . ... ..-:· ...... .fin~)~{-~~ \)%~~~ °"'P.'11~ VO ~~'t-..i,\..qa_ +o Please distribute to all City Council Members 250 Hamilton Avenue, 7th Floor Palo Alto, CA, 94301 ~ µ1Mi3Y-IAI'-· ~~ ~1·~f t_n ., .. 1.1111.111.1,1,.11.1.1111,.1,.,1.11 May 18, 2018 Robert Jonsen Chief of Police Palo Alto Dear Chief Jons~, This is to advise you that Pedestrian Safety (P.S.) is a newly formed group of cit~zens who are concerned about the worsening of pedestrian safety in our city. Our first focus is the danger at the California Avenue rail·road underpass where bicyclists are violating the WALK BICYCLE signs at the entrannes . The antiquated tunnel was built in the 1930s or '40s when Pedestrian and bicycle traffic were much les;.and city populatiJn was much .lower. Skateboards and new electric ::icooters also threa ::en.-fife·:-_ana:'-t.±mb of pedestrians. The underpass is dimly-lit, narrow at seven feet and even lacks a center line separating traffic. The City not only fails to enforce the WALK BICYCLES , but exposes its hrpocrasy when it recently opened barriers that formerly compelled bikers to disrnoun~ and walk their bikes. Now they can pedal unimped1~d without stopping. The hazards are to se.niors, handicapped, children and pets. A MAJORITY OF BIKERS DO NOT WALK THEIR BICYCLES~ We are asking that police! officers or monitors be periodically stationed at entrances with warnings and/or cita1:ions to ·violaters. of the WALK BICYCLES regulations. We are prepared to post our members in public protest that: our City is not eHforcing official traffic laws. We have experienced narrow escapes f rom speeding bicyclistsJ.ccidents with frac t ures, concussions c.nd ·worse are inevitable. The City will be guilty of legal expc ·sure when lawsuits result. Pl ease advise when we can expect a police presenge at the entrances to the underpass. Thank you. Sincere~~~£}, lo/},.. Vic Befera ':..f{/T,,,..v Pedestrian Safety (P .S.) 2180 High St . Palo Alto 94301 (~50) 328-3936 COPIES TO: City Attorney, Molly Stump .,Zity Manager, James Keene V City Council Palo Alto Weekly Palo Alto Daily Post ---14---- ShLf /!i ~:-- 3]1~~~ !abA-1~&+- \ fl~L,_Arl'-~~.~ ~ ·~~·~~~ ~ _ _,_,_ __ ~--tz~- h6Lb~~~ • .( in~~ ~--+~-~~a,_~ . fl__~~~ - ~~+l-~~~~~~~v~~~~~ ~~ ~ -=---, _---++-------k-~~ - I I I • STATE SENATOR JERRY HILL ~ > -13TH DISTRICT - Cordially Invites You to -< N U) JAVA WITH"' ERRY IN PALO ALTO Join Senator Jerry Hill for a cup of coffee and conversation. Bring your ideas, questions, and concerns about legislative issues affecting the community. Ada's Cafe Saturday, June znd, 2018 9:30 am -10:30 am 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto He'll provide the coffee at no taxpayer expense. Sit down and stay awhile, or just drop in for a brief chat. No appointment or RSVP necessary. For information call the District Office at (650) 212-3313. PRINTING AND/OR REDISTRIBUTION OF THIS FLYER, OTHER THAN BY EMAIL, IS PROHIBITED. EL SENADOR ESTATAL JERRY HILL -DEL DISTRITO 13 - Cordialmente Le Invita a ,,, CAFE CON ERRY EN PALO ALTO Acompafie al Senador Jerry Hill con una taza de cafe y conversaci6n. Traiga consigo sus ideas preguntas y preocupaciones sobre temas legislativos que afectan su comunidad. Ada's Cafe Sabado, 2 de junio, 20.18 9:30 am -10:30 am 3 700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto El proveera el cafe sin costo alguno al contribuyente. Sientase y quedese un rato o simplemente pase para tener una breve conversaci6n. Nose necesita una cita o confirmar su asistencia. Para mas informaci6n Harne a la Oficina Distrital al (650) 212-3313. LA IMPRESION Y/O REDISTRIBUCION DE ESTE FOLLETO, QUE NO SEA CORREO ELECTRONJCO, ESTA PROHIBIDO.