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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMarch 20, 2023 City Council Emails701-32 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: 3/20/2023 Document dates: 3/13/2023 – 3/20/2023 Note: Documents for every category may not have been received for packet reproduction in a given week. From:Nguyen, Vinhloc To:Council, City Subject:Public Comment Date:Monday, March 20, 2023 4:39:21 PM Attachments:image009.png image012.png Anonymous Public Comments 3.20.23.pdf image013.png image014.png image016.png image017.png Good afternoon Council Members, Two anonymous individuals hand delivered me some written public comments that they want to share with City Council earlier today. Please see attached. Kind regards, Vinh Nguyen Deputy City Clerk Office of the City Clerk (650) 329-2267 | vinhloc.nguyen@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org From:Jennifer Landesmann To:Council, City Subject:Public Comment for March 20 meeting - item not on the Agenda Date:Monday, March 20, 2023 3:20:05 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello Council, At your reorganization meeting, I raised in my public comment the importance of periodic (every six months or annually) standardized "reporting out" to the community on large- scalehazards that impact safety, and health (either natural like flooding; non-natural like Nextgen, or combo like the Pope Chaucer). I suggested that you could build on the City's RiskAssessment developed by the Auditor, to identify issues that fall under the category of health and safety hazard. Probably the majority of the risks in the risk assessment for Audit purposesare financial, so you would just have to carve out the ones that are solely, safety and risk hazard related, and build upon it. At your March 6th meeting, I heard Councilmember Pat Burt mention wildland/wildfire risk,which would be exactly the type of item to add to an annual "reporting out" framework, documenting small or big steps and sharing that info. You could develop furthercriteria, and ideally engage the community to develop a reporting framework for these items. In 2020, I hosted a meeting at an aviation environmental symposium on how to measure success using a risk management framework. I shared six key terms from my professionalexperience, which I believe you will find in any risk management practice, they are on the last slide of this presentation: Track ReportAnticipate InterveneTest Share Reporting is a powerful tool; I could write a long memo on where I see room for improvement in the City's communications, but I'm writing today to again encourage you to use the City'srisk assessment that the Audit team develops, to build on it, and ensure that you have a better framework to improve on reporting out to the community. Such a practice and frameworkcould transcend Councils which is really important as well. One other term that is really critical for using risk management to measure success, is Timeline. "Reporting out" after thefact is not useful; the purpose of developing a reporting and sharing discipline is that it gets easier each time, and you're able to be ahead of issues, which in this case are not insignificant. Thank you, Jennifer From:Charlie Weidanz To:Council, City Subject:DON"T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY: Breakfast with City Manager Ed Shikada Date:Monday, March 20, 2023 12:33:03 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Breakfast with Palo Alto City Manager Ed Shikada Join Us for Breakfast with Palo Alto City Manager Ed Shikada Friday, March 24, 2023 8:30am - 9:30am Homewood Suites By Hilton 4329 El Camino Real, Palo Alto RSVP Now This email was sent on behalf of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce 355 Alma St Palo Alto, CA 94301.To unsubscribe clickhere. If you have questions or comments concerning this email or services in general, please contact us by email at info@paloaltochamber.com. From:Aram James To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Veenker, Vicki; Lauing, Ed; Tanaka, Greg; Council, City; Pat Burt; Human RelationsCommission; Binder, Andrew; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Wagner, April; Perron, Zachary; Joe Simitian; Shikada,Ed; Reifschneider, James; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Jeff Rosen; Josh Becker; ladoris cordell; chuck jagoda;Foley, Michael; Figueroa, Eric; Jay Boyarsky; Enberg, Nicholas; Rebecca Eisenberg; Greer Stone; Bains, Paul;Javier Ortega; Perron, Zachary; Cecilia Taylor; Tony Dixon Subject:11 affordable housing projects in the Bay Area squeezed by Silicon Valley Bank collapse—more money for housing LESS MONEY FOR OVER PAID COPS Date:Monday, March 20, 2023 12:18:21 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ I saw this The Mercury News e-edition article on the The Mercury News e-edition app and thought you’d be interested. 11 affordable housing projects in the Bay Area squeezed by Silicon Valley Bank collapse https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=bd965dff-d738-487f-b9d5- 0255a959c446&appcode=SAN252&eguid=9dcb613d-7fc5-4ae1-a518-36de65cbb0a1&pnum=4# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: Sent from my iPhone From:Pat Kinney To:Council, City Subject:March 20 City Council Meeting Public Comment: Campaign Finance Reform Date:Monday, March 20, 2023 12:10:37 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from pkinney48235@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Council Members, Last May, I signed a PETITION in support of a $500 Cap on donations to City Council candidates. I am disappointed that no action was taken on this issue and hope that the new Council will enact the reforms proposed by the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto. As most of us know, there is too much money in politics. The majority of our neighboring cities have already addressed this problem by passing ordinances setting $500 or $1000 caps on donations to city council candidates and also settingvoluntary limits on campaign expenditures. Palo Alto should do the same. I was pleased that three of the 2022 Council candidates voluntarily limited donations to less than $1000, but it’s time for this Council to set a cap that is mandatory goingforward. These reforms will help to bring down the spiraling cost of running for office in Palo Alto, level the playing field for diverse candidates, and reduce the sense that peoplewith wealth have more sway over our Council members than ordinary citizens. I look forward to seeing you pass an appropriate ordinance well in advance of the next election. Sincerely, Patricia Kinneypkinney@ix.netcom.com From:Aram James To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Tanaka, Greg; Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Molly; Stump, Molly; Jeff Rosen; Jethroe Moore;Josh Becker; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Joe Simitian; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Javier Ortega; Cindy Chavez Subject:- Billions for psychiatric treatment proposed Date:Monday, March 20, 2023 12:10:35 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ I saw this The Mercury News e-edition article on the The Mercury News e-edition app and thought you’d be interested. Billions for psychiatric treatment proposed https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=c856a5a6-4138-43cb-8835- 5443c9c0ec8d&appcode=SAN252&eguid=9dcb613d-7fc5-4ae1-a518-36de65cbb0a1&pnum=2# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Barberini, Christopher; Figueroa, Eric; Wagner, April; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Foley, Michael;Foley, Michael; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Council, City; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Shikada, Ed; JoeSimitian; Javier Ortega Subject:Sheriff, Deputies Charged For Attempted Kidnapping Of Children Date:Monday, March 20, 2023 11:28:51 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/Hd1hUkqgRSc Sent from my iPhone View this email in your browser Visit us on www.lwvpaloalto.org, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter March E-BLAST March 20, 2023 In this Issue LWVPA Updates LWVPA Virtual Speaker Event LWVPA Annual Membership Meeting Join the LWVPA Board From:LWV Palo Alto (Eblast)To:Council, CitySubject:LWVPA March E-Blast: Catch Up on What"s Happening at the LeagueDate:Monday, March 20, 2023 11:00:34 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links. Subscribe to our Google Calendar Climate Calls Upcoming Events "In Conversation" - Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer Transitioning to 100% Clean, Renewable Energy California Climate and Energy Forum In Case You Missed It Bay Area League Education Day Electric Vehicles: Can They Deliver on Their Promise? Celebrate Women's History Month! LWVPA UPDATES LWVPA Virtual Speaker Event Wednesday, April 19, 2023 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Featuring our Guest Speaker Professor Michelle Oberman The US Abortion War in 2023: A California Perspective In addition to the flurry of abortion bans enacted in 2022, the U. S. witnessed the highest number of abortion protections ever passed. Fully one-quarter of these protections were enacted in California. What does it mean to be an abortion-friendly state in a country where almost half of the states have banned abortion or are likely to do so? Professor Oberman is an international expert on the impact of abortion regulation in countries with widely divergent abortion laws. In this talk, she will share findings from her current research in a state where abortion is banned, to explore what changes on the ground when U. S. abortion law changes on the books, and to consider how California’s commitment to reproductive justice does (and does not) alter that landscape. BIO: Michelle Oberman, J.D, M.P.H. Katharine and George Alexander Professor of Law Santa Clara University School of Law Professor Oberman is an internationally recognized scholar on a wide range of legal and ethical issues arising at the intersection of sex, pregnancy, motherhood, and criminal law. For the past decade, she has studied the impact of abortion regulation in countries with widely divergent abortion laws. Her work in El Salvador, along with other countries and a range of U. S. jurisdictions, informs her 2018 book, Her Body, Our Laws: On the Frontlines of the Abortion War from El Salvador to Oklahoma. Her current work focuses on what changes on the ground when U.S. abortion law changes on the books. LWVPA Annual Membership Meeting Register Now SAVE THE DATE Sunday, May 7, 2023 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Baylands Golf Links 1875 Embarcadero Road Palo Alto, CA 94303 We are excited to announce that the League's 2023 Annual Membership Meeting is being held on Sunday, May 7, at Baylands Golf Links. Please save the date and look for more details in our April VOTER. Come join the LWVPA Board! We’re assembling a slate of nominees for next year’s Board, and we’d love for you to join us. We are particularly interested in having a member step up to chair our Membership Committee or lead our Voter Services team. Membership is a great way to meet new folks and expand our membership to its inclusive, lively, committed best. Leading the Voter Services team puts you at the heart of our mission of EMPOWERING VOTERS and DEFENDING DEMOCRACY. We also need folks to coordinate the management of our data and/or participate in the Nominating Committee for next year. If your talents lean toward the role of Secretary or Fundraising, or if you have IT expertise, we’d love to put those talents to work. If you’re interested or want to chat about the possibilities, please reach out to our Nominating Committee Chair, Terry Godfrey, at tgodfrey.lwv@gmail.com. Climate Calls Preparing for Power Outages By Hilary Glann It’s been an unprecedented winter of rain and wind, along with power outages. If you haven’t already, take a few hours and spend some money to set up some safe emergency power solutions. image source: wavy.com What Not to Do When the Lights Go Out Gasoline or natural gas generators are dangerous and unsustainable to use in your home. The danger comes from the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if the generator is used incorrectly. They are unsustainable because in a widespread power outage, gas stations will not have electric power to refill your gas can. Secondly, remember that if the electricity is out, your gas-powered home furnace doesn’t work. It needs the fan to blow the hot air around and to prevent carbon monoxide from entering your living space. Your tankless gas water heater won’t work either, because it needs an electric spark. However, both natural gas and electric water heaters, including heat pump water heaters, will provide hot water for a day or two, depending on how hot your water is set and how well insulated the heater is. Also remember that your carbon monoxide detector(s) won’t work without electricity unless they are battery-powered standalone or have a battery backup. Carbon monoxide is a silent and odorless danger, so using your gas-powered stove, grill, or oven to heat your home is a deadly idea. If you want to cook on your natural gas- powered stove, you won’t be able to run a fan or range hood, so make sure you have good ventilation to reduce both carbon monoxide risks and the lung-damaging nitrogen dioxide that is emitted indoors from your gas stove, whether or not you have a range hood. Safer Ways to Operate When the Electricity is Out Take your cooking outside: Use your backyard barbecue or a camp stove to heat up your food. Keep an extra canister/tank of propane on hand to ensure you have enough emergency fuel. This setup guarantees that you’ll have a way to cook food even if you have damage to your home that prevents you from using your kitchen. Invest in some low-tech solutions: Small power packs/power banks will keep your cell phone working. These devices can cost as little as $20. Rechargeable flashlights stay plugged in until the power goes out and then turn on so you can find them. Luci Lights from MPowered are great for camping and during power outages because they recharge using a solar panel. Some models can also recharge your cell phone. Buy a portable “smart” power station, or a couple of them: I bought a Jackery power station for around $1000 that can power my fridge/freezer for at least 16 hours. It can be recharged using a wall outlet or optional standalone solar panels in a couple of hours, or by using the 12V cigarette lighter plug on a car. Search on “portable power stations” to learn more about these new devices from a variety of companies. More powerful (but also more expensive) battery solutions: Installing a home battery wall, or buying an EV that allows you to tap into the massive battery in your car to power your house, are other more powerful and expensive solutions. They also take a while to install and in some cases to permit if they connect to the grid. So in the more immediate term, break out the camp stove and buy a few battery-powered solutions to keep you safe during a power outage. UPCOMING EVENTS FANNIE The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer March 8 - April 2, 2023 Many League members have seen TheatreWorks' production of Fannie, The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer and highly recommend it! At the 2:00 pm matinee this Saturday, March 25, there will be a post-performance “In Conversation” chat among representatives from the five Santa Clara County LWVs and our County Registrar of Voters, Shannon Bushey. See the powerful performance of Fannie, starring Greta Oglesby, and then join LWVPA member Kemi Oyewole and others “In Conversation.” Also, an LWV volunteer will be at the theater half an hour prior to some performances with voting information and registration forms. (left to right) The "In Conversation" on Saturday, March 18, drew 35 attendees. TheatreWorks' Alejandra Cisneros, Carol Watts of LWV San Jose/Santa Clara, Kemi Oyewole of LWV Palo Alto, and Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Shannon Bushey answered questions and explained key points about both voting and the League. Anyone may attend this Saturday's free post-performance discussion starting at around 3:15 pm in the Lucie Stern Community Room. Buy Tickets to "Fannie" Transitioning to 100% Clean, Renewable Energy League of Women Voters of Piedmont Wednesday, April 5, 2023 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Come to hear Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson, a Stanford scientist who has transitioned to fossil-free living personally and is also a global expert on the technologies and policies that can deliver us from fossil pollution. Register for free to receive an email with the Zoom link. [Note: If you are not an LWV Piedmont member, you do not need to log in.] Register Now 14th Annual California Climate & Energy Forum Tuesday, June 13th - Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 Santa Rosa, CA Organized by CivicWell through the California Climate and Energy Collaborative, this year’s forum is focused on Investment, Innovation, and Inclusion: Locals Leading a Clean Energy, Climate-Stable Future for All. At the forum, you will: Network with climate and energy practitioners from across the state Learn about innovative projects and funding opportunities Hear from key state agencies and climate leaders These special early-bird registration rates are only available for a short time, so take advantage today! Join us at the Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country June 13th - 14th, to take your climate work to the next level! Registration is offered at no cost to local governments. We are also offering a limited number of scholarships to those who would like to attend but would benefit from financial assistance. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT Bay Area League Education Day 2023 - Equity In The Bay Catch keynote speaker State Senator Scott Wiener, the panels on Equity in Healthcare and Equity in Transportation, and other relevant regional topics HERE. Dr. Daniel Sperling of UC Davis joined the League of Women Voters of Piedmont to talk about the impact of Electric Vehicles (EVs) on carbon reduction in California and globally. To learn more about the topic, read an extended recap written by LWVP's Hope Salzer, and watch a recording of this event. To watch recordings of all five Climate Speaker Series events, visit LWVP’s Climate Register Now Series playlist. International Women's History Month International Women’s Day was first celebrated in the United States at the turn of the 20th century, when women came together to advocate for better working conditions, voting rights, and equality. It is now celebrated on March 8 – and we extend the celebration throughout the month of March – and throughout the year. More info HERE. Congratulations, Women! Stay Informed! Sign Up for LWV California & LWVUS News & Alerts Click here to sign up for Email News and Action Alerts from LWVUS Facebook Twitter Website Instagram Copyright © 2023 League of Women Voters Palo Alto, All rights reserved. From Voter Recipient List Our mailing address is: League of Women Voters Palo Alto 3921 E Bayshore Rd Ste 209 Palo Alto, CA 94303-4303 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can unsubscribe from this list. From:Helene Grossman To:Council, City Subject:Dangerous intersection (no one knows who has the right-of-way) Date:Monday, March 20, 2023 9:56:33 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear City Council, I am writing about the roundabout at East Meadow and Ross Rd -- this intersection is very confusing, and no one knows who has the right of way. It was only after months of drivingthrough this intersection and exchanging 3 messages back and forth with Palo Alto 311, that I learned that I was misinterpreting who had the right of way! I can only imagine that others aresimilarly confused. Specifically: According to standard roundabout rules in CA (and other states): "Vehicles entering orexiting the roundabout must yield to vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians." In other words, vehicles and bikes already in the roundabout have the right of way.However, Palo Alto actually intends for this intersection to be a 2-way stop-controlled intersection -- meaning that cars proceeding straight on Ross Rd always have theright of way, even if there are cars or bikes already in the roundabout. Both vehicles -- those in the roundabout and those entering on Ross Rd -- justifiably believethey have the right of way. I suggested to Palo Alto 311 that yield signs be placed on Ross Rd to make it clear that cars entering the roundabout should yield to cars and bikes already in the roundabout (which iswhat everyone expects). However, I was told that "Yield signs cannot be placed at a 2-way stop controlled intersection." I hope the City would consider that this is not a typical 2-way stop controlled intersectionbecause: 1) There is no visibility beyond the roundabout itself. Here is a picture from my car, where Iam stopped at the white stop line. I can see the intersection and the crosswalk, but nothing else -- I am blind to any cars coming down the road, so how am I supposed to anticipate andyield to them? 2) 2-way stop controlled intersections do not typically have roundabouts in them, whereeveryone is expecting that vehicles and bikes in the roundabout should have the right of way. There is also the situation of a car or bike entering from Ross Rd and going 270 degreesaround (i.e., a left turn). By roundabout rules, this bike has the right of way until it exits. By2-way-stop controlled intersection rules, this bike (despite already being in the roundabout)should yield to a car entering from the other direction on Ross Rd. These conflicting rulesconfuse everyone. Please fix this intersection so it is clear to everyone who has the right of way. There are ~10Kvehicles and bikes that traverse this intersection daily, and none of them know who has theright of way. Ideally, I'd recommend placing yield signs on Ross Rd, so drivers know they should yield tovehicles already in the roundabout, which is what everyone expects. Many thanks! Sincerely,Helene Grossman From:Aram James To:Lauing, Ed; Veenker, Vicki; Shikada, Ed; Jethroe Moore; Stump, Molly; Sean Allen; Reifschneider, James;Wagner, April; Figueroa, Eric; Foley, Michael; Tannock, Julie; Perron, Zachary; Barberini, Christopher; DuJuanGreen; dennis burns; Council, City; Josh Becker; Binder, Andrew; Shana Segal; Angie Evans Subject:Newsom under pressure to take executive action on reparations if California Legislature doesn"t act Date:Monday, March 20, 2023 1:53:35 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://www.foxnews.com/politics/newsom-pressure-take-executive-action-reparations-california-legislature-doesnt- act.amp Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Barberini, Christopher; Sean Allen; Binder, Andrew; Jethroe Moore; Josh Becker; Council, City; Wagner, April;Reifschneider, James; Shikada, Ed; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Jeff Rosen; Rebecca Eisenberg; chuck jagoda; HumanRelations Commission; Jay Boyarsky Subject:Video | Elk Grove police release body camera footage of dog biting officer Date:Monday, March 20, 2023 1:25:13 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/miYiL2fITCY Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Veenker, Vicki; Council, City; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Julie Lythcott-Haims; JoshBecker; Wagner, April; Joe Simitian; Reifschneider, James; Rebecca Eisenberg; Jeff Rosen; chuck jagoda; HumanRelations Commission; Jay Boyarsky; Michael Gennaco; Enberg, Nicholas; Foley, Michael; Angie Evans; ShanaSegal Subject:A new documentary short explores the recall of Judge Aaron Persky Date:Monday, March 20, 2023 1:19:53 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/qmSp-S5razw Sent from my iPhone From:Magic To:Council, City Subject:March 20 City Council Meeting Public Comment: Campaign Finance Reform. Date:Monday, March 20, 2023 1:01:38 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from magic@ecomagic.org. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello, Councilpeople, Please support campaign contribution limits that increase the benefits of broad public supportand reduce the influence of people with deep pockets and narrow interests. Thank you. David Schrom From:Aram James To:Perron, Zachary; Binder, Andrew; Barberini, Christopher; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; Jethroe Moore;Josh Becker; Council, City; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Sean Allen; Rebecca Eisenberg; Shikada, Ed; Jeff Rosen; chuckjagoda; Human Relations Commission; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen; Tony Dixon; Michael Gennaco; Enberg,Nicholas; Cecilia Taylor; Betsy Nash; Javier Ortega; Molly; Joe Simitian; Greer Stone; Shana Segal; Bains, Paul;Angie Evans Subject:Cop Smashes My Window And This Happens Date:Sunday, March 19, 2023 10:02:05 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/8kQDtKe40rU Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Barberini, Christopher; Tannock, Julie; Enberg, Nicholas; Wagner, April; Binder, Andrew; Jethroe Moore;Reifschneider, James; Josh Becker; Sean Allen; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Council, City; Javier Ortega; SupervisorCindy Chavez; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Shikada, Ed; Rebecca Eisenberg; Jeff Rosen; chuck jagoda; HumanRelations Commission; Jay Boyarsky; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael Subject:police officer let his dog attack a 14-year-old Black child who was not resisting. - YouTube Date:Sunday, March 19, 2023 8:30:22 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ >> >>  >> https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AXpLAWlksXc >> >> >> Sent from my iPhone From:Jim Fox To:Council, City Subject:March 20 City Council Meeting Public Comment: Campaign Finance Reform Date:Sunday, March 19, 2023 8:26:30 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from jimafox@pacbell.net. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Dear City Council, I supported the petition last year asking that Palo Alto adopt a $500 cap on donations to candidates for Palo Alto City Council. However, that cap was not adopted. The Palo Alto City Council now has another opportunity to adopt a $500 cap on donations to City Council candidates. I support such a cap on donations. I believe that such a cap would be good for the city (for example, by reducing the appearance of, and reducing the risk of, undue influence on candidates) and good for City Council candidates as well. Such a cap might also allow for opening voter and candidate participation to a broader portion of our population than has been the case, if the electoral process is seen to be open to all, and not only to wealthy people. Please support the proposed $500 cap on donations to City Council candidates. Sincerely, Jim Fox Palo Alto resident and voter since 1987 From:Aram James To:Perron, Zachary; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; Binder, Andrew; Jethroe Moore; Josh Becker; Council,City; Sean Allen; Joe Simitian; Rebecca Eisenberg; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky Subject:Officer in Arkansas Detains Judge"s Son - YouTube/k9 search Date:Sunday, March 19, 2023 5:28:55 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ > https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YXGRDe24Bxg > > > Sent from my iPhone From:Dhruv Shetty To:Council, City Cc:Katherine Xia; Holden Lee Subject:Request for Interview on Adolescent Cannabis Usage Date:Sunday, March 19, 2023 5:22:59 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from ds31045@pausd.us. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. My name is Dhruv Shetty and I am a staff writer for Palo Alto High School's The Campanile. My co-writers, Holden Lee and Kate Xia, and I are currently writing a spotlight story on theusage of cannabis in high school, and its ongoing popularity within youths. We were wondering if you would be willing to give a brief zoom interview regarding how the citycouncil is handling cannabis usage in Palo Alto, and explain your rationale for decisions you make regarding this topic. If you are willing to give an interview, please let us know youravailability. Thanks, Dhruv From:David Bergen To:Council, City Subject:March 20 City Council meeting public comment: campaign finance reform Date:Sunday, March 19, 2023 4:25:33 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from bergen.david@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Council, As a Palo Alto resident of over 30 years, I am writing in support of the $500 limit on city council campaign contributions proposed by the League of Women Votersof Palo Alto. As most of us know, there is too much money in politics. The majority of our neighboring cities have already addressed this problem by passing ordinancessetting $500 or $1000 caps on donations to city council candidates and also setting voluntary limits on campaign expenditures. Palo Alto should do the same. I was pleased that three of the 2022 Council candidates voluntarily limiteddonations to less than $1000, but it’s time for this Council to set a cap that is mandatory going forward. These reforms will help to bring down the spiraling cost of running for office inPalo Alto, level the playing field for diverse candidates, and reduce the sense that people with wealth have more sway over our Council members than ordinary citizens. I look forward to seeing you pass an appropriate ordinance well in advance of the next election. Sincerely, David Bergen bergen.david@gmail.com From:Suzanne Keehn To:Council, City Subject:Fw: CA population Date:Sunday, March 19, 2023 3:52:58 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. ----- Forwarded Message -----From: Pat Marriot <patmarriott@sbcglobal.net>To: 'Neal Mielke' <nmielke@comcast.net>; 'Holly Lofgren' <halof@sbcglobal.net>Cc: 'Govind Tatachari' <gtc2k7@gmail.com>; 'Nancy Reyering' <nanzo@me.com>; 'DanessaTechmanski' <danessa@pacbell.net>; 'Julie Trinkala' <jtrinkala@outlook.com>; 'Peter Ohtaki'<pohtaki@stanfordalumni.org>; 'Ann Duwe' <annduwe422@gmail.com>; 'Suzanne Keehn'<dskeehn@pacbell.net>; Barry Smith <barry_smith@pacbell.net>; 'Mei-Ling Stefan'<mlstefan2013@gmail.com>Sent: Sunday, March 19, 2023 at 10:14:15 AM PDTSubject: CA population https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/03/17/borenstein-californias-population-boom-is-over-plan-accordingly/ Borenstein: California’s population boom is over, plan accordingly It’s time to rethink building a new BART tube, preserving underutilized schools or sinking billions into high-speed rail y Daniel Borenstein | dborenstein@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: March 17, 2023 at 5:30 a.m. | UPDATED: March 17, 2023 at 3:35 p.m. California’s years of major population growth have ended, and a state forecast suggests that the numbers might peak by as early as 2030 and then start to decline. At the turn of the century, when the population was about 34 million, state forecasters were predicting 45 million by 2020 and 59 million by 2040. That isn’t happening. Instead, California’s population hit 39.5 million in 2020, dipped down to 39.0 million in the first two years of the pandemic and, according to data published by the California Department of Transportation, will max out at about 40.5 million by the end of the decade. Whether it’s talk of a new BART transbay tube, keeping underutilized schools open or continuing to sink billions into high-speed rail, it’s time for local and state government officials to recalibrate. Projects that were conceived based on the assumption of an expanding California population will no longer make sense. We shouldn’t keep planning and budgeting as if the state’s numbers will continue to grow significantly. The days of California’s population boom are over. The Caltrans forecast, prepared in 2021, shows the population holding at about 40.5 million through 2036 and then dropping to 39.0 million by 2050. California population growth has fallen far short of projections from the turn of the century. One current state forecast suggests the state’s population might peak as early as 2030. The state’s official projections from the Department of Finance continue to show slow population growth over the next two decades, reaching 43 million by 2040. But the department plans to revise those numbers by early next year. More important, even the department’s current projections fall way short of its boom forecast at the turn of the century. While the pandemic applied pressure to the brakes, the slowing in California growth began long before, which raises the question of how forecasters two decades ago so badly missed the mark. There are many reasons, says Hans Johnson, senior fellow and demographer at the Public Policy Institute of California. Birth rates have been lower than expected. Deaths have been higher. International migration into the state has not been as high as forecast. And, most important, domestic migration out of the state has exceeded expectations. Simply put, people are leaving California for cheaper housing elsewhere, lower taxes or someplace less crowded. The out-migration has gotten much attention since the start of the pandemic. But this is not a new trend. For each year of the past two decades, more Californians have left the state for other parts of the country than have done the reverse. Like in the middle of the first decade of the century, the net out-migration number steadily increased from 2015-19. Then the pandemic hit. In the first year, 2020, net out-migration eased a bit but then accelerated rapidly the following two years, hitting a record 406,982 in 2022. Coupled with other demographic trends, including increasing deaths, the pandemic years have produced the state’s first years of population decline. Whether that continues will depend on disparate factors, such as: Will California build enough housing to balance supply and demand so more people can afford to live here? Will the sharp drop in life expectancy triggered by the pandemic — from about 81 in 2019 to about 79 in 2020 — subside? Preliminary estimates suggest that in 2021, California life expectancy dropped another half year, according to a January report by Johnson and his colleague Eric McGhee. Nevertheless, California’s population is aging, which will increase the demand for health care and senior living facilities. And it’s becoming more racially diverse. At the same time the state is ceding political clout; it lost one seat in Congress in the last reapportionment and will likely lose more after the 2030 census. While it’s uncertain whether the state will continue to lose population, the days of rapid-growth projections are over. Which means we shouldn’t keep spending money on projects that relied on the forecasts of the past. We can’t continue to build more public projects without recognizing that the need for them and the population base that pays the required taxes will be flattening out. We’re in a new era, and it’s time we started planning accordingly. From:slevy@ccsce.com To:Council, City Cc:Lait, Jonathan; Wong, Tim Subject:Annual Progress report item for Monday Date:Sunday, March 19, 2023 1:49:28 PM Attachments:Review of Annual Progress Report.docmini-packet_City Council Special Meeting_20230203184633368.pdfmini-packet_City Council Special Meeting_20230317234507656.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Comments and material related to the annual progress report item on the Monday agenda From:Lawrence Garwin To:city.council@cityofpaloalto.com; Council, City Subject:702 Ellsworth Place. Date:Sunday, March 19, 2023 11:18:25 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from lawrencegarwin@yahoo.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Palo Alto City Council Members, I drive on Ellsworth Place regularly. The parking spots at 702 are frequently used by trucks making deliveries on the street for turning around before entering Middlefield Road. I believe we can all agree that we don’t want delivery trucks backing out into Middlefield Road; it’s busy and this would pose a huge danger. Regarding the history and what to do going forward: paloaltoonline.com states: “The zoning mess goes back to 1967, when the city approved a "planned community" (PC) zone to enable a 12-apartment complex next door at 2901 Middlefield Road, a designation that allows developments that would otherwise fail to meet underlying zoning. The property consisted of four contiguous parcels on Middlefield Road and Ellsworth Place. The parcel that Handa bought was, back then, designated for residential use and then integrated into the "planned community" project so it could be used as a parking lot for the new residential complex.” This parcel should never have been sold off and separated from the apartments that it is part of. It should be reunited with them for its original and ongoing purpose of serving the apartments. (If it was required in 1967, why should it not be required now?) If the city needs to reverse the parcel sales that were not allowed under the 1967 zoning, so be it. Please restore the parking for the apartments’ use and prevent a safety catastrophe. Thank you. Lawrence Palo Alto. The opinion below seems salient. We want to encourage apartment dwelling in Palo Alto, not make it unsafe. vmshadle, Meadow Park Registered user on Mar 16, 2023 at 7:50 am CEQA Required is absolutely right. I lived in one of the 2901 Middlefield apartments for 9 1/2 years when Ed Barry and family owned the complex. The parking spaces across from the building's carports on the south side were indeed overflow parking for the apartment building. As far as I understood from Ed, they were just that and not extra parking spaces for the homes on Ellsworth Place. And those spaces were indeed used by the tenants (and also postal trucks/delivery vehicles during the day when people were at work). Ed and his dad always led with the understanding that, as landlords, they were dealing with people's homes first and foremost. They treated their tenants fairly and courteously, attending to their needs. If he indeed now owns 2901 Middlefield, it appears that Nitin Handa is putting the needs of his tenants last; and I feel very sorry for them. From:Aram James To:Linda Jolley; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Sean Allen; Council, City; Jethroe Moore; Josh Becker; Council, City; Council,City; Javier Ortega; Joe Simitian; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Cindy Chavez; Angie Evans; VaraRamakrishnan; Shana Segal; Cecilia Taylor; Betsy Nash; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April;Perron, Zachary; Barberini, Christopher; Tannock, Julie; Michael Gennaco; Rebecca Eisenberg Subject:- Art from encampments captures life on the streets Date:Sunday, March 19, 2023 9:39:51 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ I saw this The Mercury News e-edition article on the The Mercury News e-edition app and thought you’d be interested. Art from encampments captures life on the streets https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=871b1258-62bc-4d86-a7bf- 6ff78e3a8fd5&appcode=SAN252&eguid=b0735166-674e-4cf6-8b86-9f0708eb008e&pnum=2# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: Sent from my iPhone From:David Hirsch To:Council, City Subject:Housing Initiative Date:Saturday, March 18, 2023 5:51:25 PM Attachments:Council Dev. Off. Ltr.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Mayor Kou and the Council, It’s time to bite the bullet! The Council should reject the Housing Element’s passive approach to rely on outside sources to develop our housing initiative by creating a separate, talented development office to advance the directives by the State and RHNA to create the over 6000 new mixed-income housing units. You won’t succeed if you follow the typical Palo Alto process which, democratic as it is, is proven to delay and stifle a properly planned and progressive development to its death! The end result will be that Palo Alto will join the contingent of anti-development communities popularly described as NIMBY. And that is not who we are! The writing is on the wall: 1. The proposed housing for 3150 El Camino Real is more that 3.5 times our present maximum density and 34 feet taller than our maximum height, which challenges our zoning, requires revising our Objective Standards and re-evaluates what is a reasonable building bulk for ECR, San Antonio Road and the Stanford Housing Element sites. 2. The offered housing site for the property between Fabian Way and San Antonio Road beyond the JCC is an opportunity for a new, dense, unique community which ought to be seen as outside of the standard planning process of review. It has the possibility of becoming a different quality neighborhood, more urban in its nature, but one that can accommodate many housing units as well as local commercial and community amenity features. 3. The many PF parking lots in our downtowns are just waiting for a mixed income, increased housing density and parking study which, because they are city owned parcels, have a unique development potential. A mixed income is critical to attract private developers who will agree to an increased affordability commitment if there is a reasonable negotiation of long term leases. All of these major efforts are beyond our present planning abilities and need their own direction. #1 offers the possibility of re-ordering the face of our major traffic arteries. #2 offers the possibility of a community of mixed urban forms at the border of the city, re- use of industrial structures and a multi-scaled, interactive, mixed-use neighborhood, and #3 offers the proximity and revitalization of our already dynamic downtowns. Let’s embrace the possibility. Respectfully submitted, David Hirsch From:slevy@ccsce.com To:Council, City Cc:Lait, Jonathan; Wong, Tim Subject:HCD letter on compliance Date:Saturday, March 18, 2023 4:44:25 PM Attachments:HousingElementComplianceMemo03162023.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Mayor Kou and council members, On Thursday HCD issued a short memo on Housing Element compliance--attached. I am sure staff has the memo and can discuss it with you. I have two takeaways: 1) Staff working with HCD and council can develop a compliant Housing Element without incurring state legal action in the meantime, though the process to full compliance can take a couple of rounds at least 2) Any attempt to circumvent the HCD approval process, as some other cities have tried or are contemplating, will increase the chances for a negative outcome for the city. Stephen Levy STATE OF CALIFORNIA - BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES AND HOUSING AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM., Governor DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION OF HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT 2020 W. El Camino Avenue, Suite 500 Sacramento, CA 95833 (916) 263-2911 / FAX (916) 263-7453 www.hcd.ca.gov MEMORANDUM DATE: March 16, 2023 TO: Planning Directors and Interested Parties FROM: Megan Kirkeby, Deputy Director Division of Housing Policy Development SUBJECT: Summary and Clarification of Requirements for Housing Element Compliance HCD is committed to diligently reviewing all 539 local jurisdictions’ housing elements for substantial compliance with State Housing Element Law. To comply with State Housing Element Law and avoid the consequences of noncompliance, a local jurisdiction must, among other things: 1. Submit a draft housing element to HCD at least 90 days before adoption1 and receive findings from HCD determining whether the draft element is substantially compliant,2 and consider HCD’s findings before adopting the draft element.3 In other words, where a jurisdiction submits an “adopted” housing element before submitting an initial draft or before considering HCD’s findings on an initial draft, HCD will consider the “adopted” to be an initial draft for purposes of both HCD’s review and the jurisdiction’s statutory compliance. 2. If HCD finds the draft element is not substantially compliant, revise the draft to address any findings by HCD4 or adopt without changes and include written findings explaining why the jurisdiction believes that the draft substantially complies.5 Promptly following adoption, submit the adopted housing element to HCD6 and receive findings on the adopted element from HCD.7 1 Gov. Code, § 65585, subd. (b)(1) 2 Gov. Code, § 65585, subds. (b)(3), (d) 3 Gov. Code, § 65585, subd. (e) 4 Gov. Code, § 65585, subd. (f)(1) 5 Gov. Code, § 65585, subd. (f)(2) 6 Gov. Code, § 65585, subd. (g) 7 Gov. Code, § 65585, subd. (h) Summary and Clarification of Requirements for Housing Element Compliance Page 2 In other words, a jurisdiction does not have the authority to determine that its adopted element is in substantial compliance but may provide reasoning why HCD should make a finding of substantial compliance. In addition, a jurisdiction is “in compliance” as of the date of HCD’s letter finding the adopted element in substantial compliance. Any other letters are not a finding of substantial compliance. HCD recommends that a jurisdiction adopt only after receiving a letter from HCD finding the draft meets statutory requirements. For more detailed information about this process, please visit HCD’s Housing Elements webpage and Housing Elements Building Blocks. From:Aram James To:Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Josh Becker; Council, City; Joe Simitian; Jeff Rosen; JayBoyarsky; Rob Baker; Javier Ortega; Cindy Chavez; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Otto Lee; ShanaSegal; Angie Evans; Binder, Andrew; Stump, Molly; Molly; Rebecca Eisenberg; Wagner, April; Reifschneider,James; Dave Price Subject:Harnessing Union Power for Public Defense - Kiyomi Bolick - Inquest Date:Saturday, March 18, 2023 2:15:08 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ FYI: https://inquest.org/harnessing-union-power-for-public-defense/ Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Figueroa, Eric; Barberini, Christopher; Josh Becker; Stump, Molly; Molly; Steve Preminger; Council, City Subject:Cop Who Killed 2 Children In Crash Gets Coveted New Role Date:Saturday, March 18, 2023 1:53:11 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ > > https://youtu.be/nLgrOVOaTi8 > > > Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Binder, Andrew; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Council, City; Foley, Michael; Michael Gennaco;Javier Ortega; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Wagner, April; Joe Simitian; Reifschneider, James; Barberini,Christopher; Lee, Craig; Rebecca Eisenberg; Jeff Rosen; Rob Baker; ladoris cordell; chuck jagoda; HumanRelations Commission; Jay Boyarsky; Enberg, Nicholas; Josh Becker; Greer Stone; Bains, Paul; Cecilia Taylor;Tony Dixon; Perron, Zachary; Pat Burt; Dave Price; Kaloma Smith; Betsy Nash; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg;Shikada, Ed Subject:Trooper Charged For Beating Man Who Wasn"t Using Sidewalk Date:Saturday, March 18, 2023 1:41:09 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/13TUqQcLa58 Sent from my iPhone From:Palo Alto Free PressTo:Wagner, AprilCc:Council, City; Maloney, Con; Perron, Zachary; Binder, Andrew; Horrigan-Taylor, Meghan; Stump, Molly; Sean Webby; Jeff Rosen; Shikada, Ed; Apple, Kara; Reifschneider, JamesSubject:April Wagner - Former Acting Police ChiefDate:Saturday, March 18, 2023 7:18:47 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.________________________________ This incident will forever follow and haunt you. Ms. Wagner. You’re one bad cop. This indiscretion alone, should have terminated your employment. Along with the other well documented laundry list of civil rights violations you have committed. Your colleagues and accomplices (city manager) made the right decision NOT to promote you!! Mark Petersen-PerezEditor in chiefPaloAltoFreePressreporting from Nicaragua From:Aram James To:Sean Allen; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Jethroe Moore; Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Josh Becker; Wagner, April; JeffRosen; Joe Simitian; Reifschneider, James; Rob Baker; Cecilia Taylor; Tony Dixon; Rebecca Eisenberg; ShanaSegal; ladoris cordell; Angie Evans; Linda Jolley; chuck jagoda; Figueroa, Eric; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael;Human Relations Commission; Jay Boyarsky; Enberg, Nicholas Subject:EXCLUSIVE: Police Shoot Black Man Who Had Already Surrendered Date:Friday, March 17, 2023 5:05:10 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/zJ7UkVIBWxE Sent from my iPhone From:Press strong To:Council, City; Stump, Molly; Binder, Andrew; Scheff, Lisa Subject:Failure to produce codified documents Date:Friday, March 17, 2023 2:28:34 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from pressstrong@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Public Records Request W005137-031723 Andrew Binder Palo Alto Police Chief Chief Binder, Lisa Scheff Public Safety Program Manager/Records Police Department In my initial request I asked for the “reason” why the warning to confiscate my personal, private property was placed on my bicycle. You have not provided the reason, the lawful justification to confiscate private property. The warning cites that I had 48 hours to move my property or it would be confiscated. The municipal code that is being used to justify confiscating private property is 2.31.030 Yet muni code 2.31.030 solely deals with property that has come into possession of the Police Department; it does not provide any justification for the City of Palo Alto to confiscate private property. Muni code 2.31.030 cites that along with lost and stolen property that abandoned property will be held by the City of Palo Alto based upon rules established by the City Manager. These rules must be codified somewhere in writing. The police department nor the public works department nor any city employee nor any city department has the authority to confiscate private property arbitrarily based upon subjective perception. Specific requirements must be met to determine whether property has been abandoned or not. These requirements must be codified into city law or administrative policy. There must be some City Policy; some City Muni-Code that has been established that defines what “abandoned” property is that authorizes the City to confiscate abandoned property. Muni-code 2.31.030 does not define what “abandoned” is as it pertains to its usage to hold property. As per my initial request over two weeks ago, please provide the city policy or muni-code or other codified law that defines what “abandoned” is as used in muni-code 2.31.030. As per my initial request over two weeks ago please provide the lawful justification and authority that provides the city the right to confiscate private property. 2.31.030 Holding and storage of unclaimed property. When lost, stolen, abandoned or otherwise unclaimed property or money, except vehicles subject to registration under the Vehicle Code of the State of California, comes into possession of the police department, the department shall hold and store such property in a safe place or with some responsible person until it is claimed and all just and reasonable charges, if any, for saving and storage thereof have been paid. The city manager shall establish rules andregulations for the storage of such unclaimed property and shall establish charges and feesfor saving and storage of the same. (Ord. 3927 § 3 (part), 1989) https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-0-0- 62230#JD_2.31.030 From:Aram James To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; ladoris cordell; Council, City; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Shana Segal; Josh Becker; JoeSimitian; Angie Evans; Figueroa, Eric; Binder, Andrew; Rebecca Eisenberg; Wagner, April; Reifschneider, James;Jeff Rosen; Human Relations Commission; Jay Boyarsky; chuck jagoda; Enberg, Nicholas; Michael Gennaco;Greer Stone; Shikada, Ed; Bains, Paul; dennis burns; DuJuan Green; Dave Price; Perron, Zachary; Cecilia Taylor;David Angel; Javier Ortega; Pat Burt; Kaloma Smith; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg Subject:Don’t Judge Persky Decision, or Any Sentence, in a Vacuum — by Aram James ( From the archives of Aram James) Date:Friday, March 17, 2023 12:55:06 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://acjusticeproject.org/2016/07/28/dont-judge-persky-decision-or-any-sentence-in-a- vacuum-by-aram-james/ Shared via the Google app Sent from my iPhone From:Aram JamesTo:Julie Lythcott-Haims; ladoris cordell; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Council, City; Shana Segal; David Angel; Angie Evans; Council, City; Binder, Andrew; Barberini,Christopher; Figueroa, Eric; Foley, Michael; Shikada, Ed; Josh Becker; Joe Simitian; Rebecca Eisenberg; Jeff Rosen; Wagner, April; chuck jagoda; Human RelationsCommission; Jay Boyarsky; Michael Gennaco; Enberg, Nicholas; Dave Price; David Angel; DuJuan Green; dennis burns Subject:Around Town: New documentary puts Aaron Persky"s removal from bench back in the spotlight "The Recall: Reframed" airs this Sunday on MSNBCDate:Friday, March 17, 2023 12:35:17 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments andclicking on links.  Sorry: Documentary scheduled for MSNBC ( 20 mins) actually titled: The Recall: Reframed—-Sunday at 7pm-with ourown former city council person and former Judge Ladoris Cordell being interviewed as well as our DA Jeff Rosengiving his perspective. aram Sent from my iPhone On Mar 17, 2023, at 11:52 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/03/17/around-town-new-documentary-puts-aaron-perskys-removal-from-bench-back-in-the-spotlight#:~:text=%22The%20Recall%3A%20Reframed%22%20focuses,and%20intoxicated%20woman%20in%202015. Shared via the Google app Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; ladoris cordell; Jeff Rosen; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Binder, Andrew; Council, City; Joe Simitian; Shikada, Ed; Shana Segal;Angie Evans; Vara Ramakrishnan; Molly; Stump, Molly; Josh Becker; Wagner, April; David Angel; Rob Baker; Rebecca Eisenberg; Miguel Rodriguez Subject:More on reframed Date:Friday, March 17, 2023 11:52:44 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachmentsand clicking on links. https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/03/17/around-town-new-documentary-puts-aaron-perskys-removal-from-bench-back-in-the-spotlight#:~:text=%22The%20Recall%3A%20Reframed%22%20focuses,and%20intoxicated%20woman%20in%202015. Shared via the Google app Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Sean Allen; Council, City; Jethroe Moore; Josh Becker; Shikada, Ed; Binder, Andrew; JoeSimitian; Rebecca Eisenberg; ladoris cordell; Jeff Rosen; chuck jagoda; Human Relations Commission; JayBoyarsky; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Vara Ramakrishnan; Stump, Molly; Molly; Miguel Rodriguez Subject:Reframed Sunday on MSNBC re the recall of Judge Aaron Persky Date:Friday, March 17, 2023 11:47:09 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://recallreframed.com/engage/ Shared via the Google app Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Human Relations Commission; Perron, Zachary; Barberini, Christopher; Josh Becker; Shikada, Ed; Council, City;Binder, Andrew; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Wagner, April; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Rebecca Eisenberg; Jeff Rosen;Joe Simitian; chuck jagoda; Jay Boyarsky; Michael Gennaco; Enberg, Nicholas; Foley, Michael; Figueroa, Eric;Shana Segal; David Angel Subject:Deputies charged in man’s death at mental hospital Date:Friday, March 17, 2023 8:18:55 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ I saw this The Mercury News e-edition article on the The Mercury News e-edition app and thought you’d be interested. Deputies charged in man’s death at mental hospital https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=7485fed0-4c02-4767-9355- 29d4cf4267b0&appcode=SAN252&eguid=37c65745-ae7f-4b2f-8faa-20110fe24bf2&pnum=14# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Tanaka, Greg; Pat Burt; Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Jethroe Moore; Josh Becker; Binder,Andrew; Wagner, April; Reifschneider, James; Perron, Zachary; Joe Simitian; Jeff Rosen; Rebecca Eisenberg Subject:- Newsom pledges 1,200 tiny homes Date:Friday, March 17, 2023 7:58:30 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ I saw this The Mercury News e-edition article on the The Mercury News e-edition app and thought you’d be interested. Newsom pledges 1,200 tiny homes https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=9732f900-8521-43c5-a7dd- 83d7ceb2300f&appcode=SAN252&eguid=37c65745-ae7f-4b2f-8faa-20110fe24bf2&pnum=3# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: Sent from my iPhone From:Marilyn Bauriedel To:Council, City Subject:Rededicating 10 acres to Bixbee Park Date:Thursday, March 16, 2023 10:32:17 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from babamarilyn@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Dear Mayor Kou and Council Members, I strongly urge you to rededicate as part of Byxbee Park the 10 acre parcel that was undedicated as parkland for a use that did not occur. Please follow the advice of the Parks & Recreation Commission on this issue. Thank you. Marilyn Bauriedel 3673 South Ct Palo Alto Sent from my iPad Marilyn U. Bauriedel From:City Mgr To:Council, City Cc:Executive Leadership Team; Clerk, City Subject:City.Council Email Bundle 2/13-3/16 Date:Thursday, March 16, 2023 5:41:03 PM Attachments:FW Utility increase ADUS.msgRE Utilities Staff rate hike recommendations.msgBoulware art.msgEl Camino Real Paving.msgRE Request for Inclusion as Housing Element Inventory Site - 3997 Fabian Way .msgFW Seeking FY 23 Electric Utility Financial Plan.msgFW Clarification on e-bikes and access to open space.msgRE staff report leaves out key parts of the history of the airport relevant to sustainability concerns.msgRE What does the city council think will happen with Cal Ave .msgRE Proposal to eliminate cut-through traffic on Olive Ave.msgLillian Scoyen.msgFW Lucie Stern Theater improvements.msgDocuments Pertaining to March 13 Meeting on Ebike Ban of Unpaved Baylands Roads.msgRE request to offer public comment on item #4 regarding amending ordinance to ban e-bikes from certain trailsin the Palo Alto Baylands.msgRE Utilities Staff rate hike recommendations.msgRE Utility Cost.msgimage001.pngimage003.pngimage004.pngimage006.pngimage007.pngimage008.pngimage009.png Importance:High Dear Mayor and Councilmembers: On behalf of City Manager Ed Shikada, please see attached staff responses to emails received in the City.Council inbox from 2/13/23 -3/16/23. Thank you! Best, Joanna Joanna Tran Executive Assistant to the City Manager Office of the City Manager (650) 329-2105 | joanna.tran@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org From:Emily Renzel To:Council, City Subject:Tell Council to rededicate Measure E site Date:Thursday, March 16, 2023 4:33:53 PM Attachments:letter 31623 to CC.docx Some people who received this message don't often get email from marshmama2@att.net. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Friends: In 2011 voters undedicated 10 acres of Byxbee Park. Measure E allows the Council to rededicate the 10 acres after 10 years if they have not been used for the initiative’spurpose. They have not been so used. Please write the Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org> urging them support the Parks & Recreation Commissionrecommendation to rededicate the 10 acres. Attached is a letter from Enid Pearson and me outlining the history of the site in case you want a fact or two to add to your communication. Thanks so much for supporting Byxbee Park completion. Emily & Enid Dear Mayor Kou and Members of the City Council: Please support the Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC) recommendation to rededicate the 10 acre Measure E site. The City should take its commitments seriously and protect public parks. Byxbee Park was dedicated 59 years ago - in 1964. In the late 1970’s, the City had established Enterprise Funds in response to budget constraints caused by Proposition 13. The Enterprise Funds were expected to pay the General Fund for all services and space used. Rent was established on the landfill at $100,000/acre. The City, ad- dicted to the revenue stream, expanded the Refuse area three times. The Fund had paid $109,000,000 to the General Fund by 2020. The landfill didn’t close until 2014 - FIFTY YEARS after it had been Park Dedicated. In 1987 the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) expanded right to its very edge. As part of the Site and Design Review, the City Council required RWQCP to landscape a 125 foot strip of adjacent Byxbee Park to screen the Plant from the Park which was expected to open soon. Bob Wenzlau’s photo shows how successful that landscape screen is after 30 years. Over the years, other activities were located on the site - roadway access to RWQCP and the re- quired landfill management facility. And a beneficial use project for RWQCP on the Renzel Wetland installed a large pipeline under the road to allow salt water into Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse habitat. This road is also a vital part of a loop trail around Byxbee Park. And the re- quired landscape screen is providing an important habitat corridor between the Bay and the Renzel Wetland. In 2011, voters passed an Initiative to undedicate 10 acres of Byxbee Park, including this im- portant connection between the Bay and the Renzel Wetland and segment of the Byxbee Park loop trail. Section 5 of the Initiative says, "The Property shall be removed from dedication as parkland, for the exclusive purpose of building a facility ("Facility" herein) for converting yard trimmings, food waste, other municipal organics and/or sewage sludge from the regional wastewater treatment plant by biological and/or other environmentally equally protective technology. “ As a sweetener to persuade voters to support Measure E, they included “ Section 7. Reversion: "Ten years from the passage of this Initiative, the City Council may rededicate any portion of the property not used for the purposes of this Initiative to parkland" . Any other use of the site would require an additional undedication vote. Since 2011, the landfill was closed and about 2/3 of the 10-acre Measure E site was filled with refuse and became part of the certified closed landfill. The 1/3 of the site that remains (roughly 3.3 acres) includes the landscaping required for RWQCP, important habitat connection between the Bay and the Renzel Wetlands, the salt water supply to the Renzel Wetland beneficial use project, and the service road/loop trail segment. To use the landfill 2/3 would require re- opening the landfill and costly re-arrangement of tons of garbage. To use the 1/3 habitat corri- dor would be to renege on decades-long City commitments. The Parks & Recreation Commission spent more than a year studying the Measure E site and recommended that the site be rededicated. Please respect their hard work and rededicate the Measure E site. Thank you. Emily Renzel Councilmember 1979-91 Planning Commissioner 1973-79 1056 Forest Avenue Palo Alto And Enid Pearson Councilmember 1965-75 1019 Forest Court Palo Alto From:Emily Renzel To:Council, City Cc:Pearson, Enid Subject:Please rededicate the Measure E site Date:Thursday, March 16, 2023 4:21:18 PM Attachments:letter 31623 to CC.docx [Some people who received this message don't often get email from marshmama2@att.net. Learnwhy this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links.________________________________ Dear Mayor Kou and Members of the City Council: Attached is our comment letter urging you rededicate the Measure E site as parkland. We are alsosending a copy pasted in -just in case you can’t open the attachment. Emily Renzel and Enid Pearson From:Aram James To:Human Relations Commission; Perron, Zachary; Binder, Andrew; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Shikada, Ed; Josh Becker; Bains, Paul; Wagner, April; Reifschneider, James; Rebecca Eisenberg; JoeSimitian; ladoris cordell; Jeff Rosen; chuck jagoda; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael; Figueroa, Eric; JavierOrtega; Tannock, Julie; Tony Dixon; Enberg, Nicholas; Jay Boyarsky; Council, City; Cecilia Taylor; Shana Segal;Greer Stone; Pat Burt; Angie Evans; Dave Price Subject:Family: Video of man"s death shows "absolute brutality" | AP News Date:Thursday, March 16, 2023 3:50:57 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://apnews.com/article/irvo-otieno-killed-deputies-charged-virginia-hospital- ed9d227abea1bfa6946aa7cade5ced8b Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Julie Lythcott-Haims; ladoris cordell; Bains, Paul; Pat Burt; Greer Stone; Shana Segal;Josh Becker; Angie Evans; Joe Simitian; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Javier Ortega; Binder, Andrew; Wagner,April; Reifschneider, James; Human Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; chuckjagoda; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael; Figueroa, Eric Subject:Dismembered Black Man Suspected Of Being Lynched Date:Thursday, March 16, 2023 2:03:07 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dismembered Black Man Suspected Of Being Lynched youtube.com Sent from my iPhone From:Roberta Ahlquist To:Aram James; Donald A. Barr; Angie, Palo Alto Renters Association; Cherrill Spencer; Joyce Beattie; Marie-LouiseStarling-Bell; Human Relations Commission; Council, City; Jolinda Decad; Jocelyn Dong; Debbie Mytels; MarniBarnes; Emer Martin; EPA Today; klara ernyes; Mareike Foecking; Gerry jurgensen; Mary Gallagher; Gardener,Liz; Gerry Gras; Raging Grannies of the Peninsula; Paul George @ PPJC; Iza Predmdore; Palo Alto Renters"Association; Steve Indig UNAFF; Joe Simitian; linda lopez-otero; Pooja Oysgelt; Sandy Perry-HCA; RosalindaQuintanar; Robin; Sunita de Tourreil; thughes@avenidas.org; Aparna Ananthasubramaniam; Nextdoor UniversitySouth; Rita Vrhel; HRW Silicon Valley; Helen Young Subject:Fwd: Community,Inclusion and diversity at Oak Creek Date:Thursday, March 16, 2023 1:28:19 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>Date: Thu, Mar 16, 2023 at 1:08 PM Subject: Community,Inclusion and diversity at Oak CreekTo: <provost@stanford.edu>, Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>, daisy law <dmclaw@hotmail.com>, Fox Ellen <ellenfox787@gmail.com>, Hersh Jim<hershj@salve.edu>, <khonika@stanford.edu>, mickie winkler <mickie650@gmail.com>, Marty Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com>, Arshi <arshi.mustafa008@gmail.com>,<Pat.Burt@cityofpaloalto.org> Cc: Julie Lythcott-Haims <julieforpaloalto@gmail.com>, Kristina Loquist<Kristina.Loquist@bos.sccgov.org>, Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>, Rebecca Eisenberg <rebecca@rebecca4water.com>, Jinx Lobdell <jinxlobdell@comcast.net>,Ekaterina Albats <Ekaterina.Albats@lut.fi> FOR YOUR INFO. did you know that if stanford owns the land they do not pay property taxes? STANFORD RECENTLY BOUGHT OAK CREEKAPARTMENTS. ROBERTA Christmas, Mardi Gras and Patrick’s day, but why not Hanukkah, Holi and Eid, (Including halal catering? The community of oak creek residents calls for a broader holiday celebrationrange as well as the return of the billiard table to its home, “illegally” taken for an office by a metastasizing Saris Regis bureaucracy A UC Berkeley matrix lecture Wednesday, drawing upon letters exchanged byUS founders Adams and Jefferson, showed salience of eastern collectivist ideas.as well as western individualist Traditions to origins of the USA, well before the19th century Transcendentalist movement. The petition to Stanford University , our landlord, to fully restore use of oak creeks iconic soaring clubhouse “third space” continues. The Palo Alto CityCouncil, especially Ed Laing, who participated in COCR’s foundational focus group as observer and the City’s Third space proponent Council Member JulieLeithcote Heims are invited to use their authority as our representatives to protect and landmark Oak Creek American Bauhaus heritage as well the individualEichler neighborhoods Best Henry Etzkowitz COCR co-organizer “A chaos organization” Ps Please pass on to fellow residents and oak creek alumni. Invited to Briefly writeup your clubhouse and other oak creek community experiences and return to sender for compilation, public and scholarly dissemination, for example, at the2023 meetings of the American Sociological Association, extended abstract submitted. If your research interests relevant, welcome to join “housing as humanright research“ group, in formation at Oak Creek occasional for cel Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Pat Burt; Greer Stone; Shana Segal; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Council, City; Binder,Andrew; Josh Becker; Joe Simitian; Rebecca Eisenberg; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; ladoris cordell; JeffRosen; Human Relations Commission; chuck jagoda; Michael Gennaco; Enberg, Nicholas; Jay Boyarsky; Bains,Paul; Cecilia Taylor; Tony Dixon; Perron, Zachary; Javier Ortega; Dave Price; Angie Evans; Kaloma Smith; BetsyNash; Lydia Kou Subject:- The overlooked reason reparations make sense Date:Thursday, March 16, 2023 1:11:52 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ I saw this The Mercury News e-edition article on the The Mercury News e-edition app and thought you’d be interested. The overlooked reason reparations make sense https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=da6e7b1d-b9b6-4c3d-94d7- 0cb5a9e05d6e&appcode=SAN252&eguid=c6c6f575-ee8e-4f40-80bd-90dff17f27e9&pnum=29# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: Sent from my iPhone From:Michael von Loewenfeldt To:Council, City; Kou, Lydia; Burt, Patrick; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker,Vicki; Clerk, City; City Attorney Cc:Eggleston, Brad; Shikada, Ed Subject:Letter re Ramona Post LP and encroaching parklet Date:Thursday, March 16, 2023 1:05:29 PM Attachments:image001.png031523 Ltr re Parklet encroaching easement.pdf Some people who received this message don't often get email from mvl@wvbrlaw.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Please see the attached correspondence. Michael von Loewenfeldt (he/him/his) Certified Specialist, Appellate Law* 100 Pine Street, Suite 2250 San Francisco, CA 94111 (415) 357-8909 (direct) (415) 357-8900 (main) www.wvbrlaw.com *Certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization March 16, 2023 VIA EMAIL City Council Members City of Palo Alto city.council@cityofpaloalto.org lydia.kou@cityofpaloalto.org pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org ed.lauing@cityofpaloalto.org julie.lythcotthaims@cityofpaloalto.org greer.stone@cityofpaloalto.org greg.tanaka@cityofpaloalto.org vicki.veenker@cityofpaloalto.org City Clerk city.clerk@cityofpaloalto.org Molly Stump, Esq. City Attorney city.attorney@cityofpaloalto.org Re: Third party parklet in front of 532-536 Ramona Dear City Councilmembers, City Clerk, and City Attorney: We represent Ramona Post LP, the owner of the building at 532-536 Ramona Street. We are writing for the second time to address the City of Palo Alto’s continuing violation of Ramona Post’s rights by authorizing and renewing authorization for a parklet being used by a neighboring business to be placed in the street and setback directly in front of Ramona Post’s property despite Ramona Post’s objection. This letter is intended both as a statement of Ramona Post LP’s intentions and as public comment on Agenda Item 6 from the March 13, 2023, City Council meeting as well as any future meeting on that subject. We ask that you inform this office in advance of any meeting of the City Council or any other public body where the subject of parklets is discussed, and provide the entire agenda packet for such meeting pursuant to Government Code section 54954.1. City Council City Clerk City Attorney March 16, 2022 Page 2 The City has allowed Coupa Cafe, which operates from 538 Ramona Street, to erect and use a parklet that sprawls far beyond Coupa Cafe’s frontage to block the frontage of 532- 536 Ramona. As a result, not only are the businesses in Ramona Post’s building unable to construct a parklet of their own, they are entirely blocked both from using that space and from accessing Ramona Street directly in front of Ramona Post’s building. The parklet and umbrellas the City has allowed Coupa Cafe to install also block the view to and from Ramona Post’s building. This creates the false impression that there is some association between Coupa Cafe and Ramona Post’s tenants, which include a competing business that also sells coffee. Ramona Post and its tenants have asked the City to have the parklet removed from their frontage, and the City has refused. As we have previously advised you, an abutting owner has greater rights of access to and use of the public streets than the general public. (See Blacich v. Board of Control (1943) 23 Cal.2d 343, 349-351; Rose v. State (1942) 19 Cal.2d 713, 726-728; Clay v. City of Los Angeles (1971) 21 Cal.App.3d 577, 581-582.) Those rights include the right to “obstruct the roadway and sidewalks … by reason of [its] business and household exigencies . . .” (Lane v. San Diego E.R. Co. (1929) 208 Cal. 29, 33.) The City is clearly aware of the rights of abutting landowners, because its current “temporary” parklet rules expressly state that “Parklets proposed to be constructed in front of adjacent businesses must first obtain written permission from the adjacent business” and that “parklets may not be constructed in front of other consumer businesses that oppose the parklet.” Yet the City has inexplicably allowed Coupa Cafe to continue blocking the area in front of Ramona Post’s building because its parklet was (improperly) allowed before the latest guidelines were adopted. The obstruction of Ramona Post’s easement to the abutting area is a public and private nuisance. (See Lane v. San Diego, supra, 208 Cal. at 34; Civ. Code, § 809.) It also constitutes a compensable taking of Ramona Post’s property. (See Clay v. City of Los Angeles (1971) 21 Cal.App.3d 577, 581-582.) The City’s actions have devalued Ramona Post’s property and made it difficult, if not impossible, to lease out the currently vacant space in that property. Moreover, allowing this sprawling parklet interferes with the sale of coffee by Ramona Post’s tenant at 532 Ramona, thus directly assisting the next-door competitor. Ramona Post was initially willing to temporarily overlook to this situation given the evolving pandemic, but any permission was withdrawn last year when Ramona Post raised this issue with the City in September. Following Ramona Post’s prior letter, the City Council indicated that it would be revising the Ordinance to require existing parklets to also obtain permission of any landowner and/or tenant whose easement was blocked. No such ordinance has been enacted, however, and at this week’s meeting the Council appeared to indicate that it might only require permission from neighboring tenants, and, even then, not in all cases. The City has taken no action with respect to Coupa Cafe City Council City Clerk City Attorney March 16, 2022 Page 3 blocking the street and adjoining area abutting Ramona Post’s property, and has failed to ensure that the parklet installed by Coupa Cafe is removed from Ramona Post’s easement. It now appears that the City is going to authorize some continued violation of Ramona Post’s rights (and the similar rights of all other landowners whose easements are blocked without consent by parklets from neighboring businesses). Ramona Post demands that the City cease authorizing the violation of its easement rights and remove the parklets in front of Ramona Post’s property. In addition, the long-overdue amendment to the City’s parklet program must ensure that affected property owners give permission before their easement rights are blocked. If the City fails to take these steps, Ramona Post reserves the right to take all lawful measures to protect its rights. Sincerely, Michael von Loewenfeldt Partner, WVBR Cc: brad.eggleston@cityofpaloalto.org, Public Works ed.shikada@cityofpaloalto.org, City Manager From:Charlie Weidanz To:Council, City Subject:Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce News & Updates - March 16, 2023 Date:Thursday, March 16, 2023 9:01:33 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. NEWS & UPDATES - MARCH 16, 2023 Breakfast with City Manager Ed Shikada Reserve Now: 43rd Annual Tall Tree Awards el Prado Hotel Wine Tasting Business Leadership Luncheon Spotlight: Miyagi Space Stanford Blood March Madness Easter Brunch at Crowne Plaza Cabana Event: Stanford Celiac Awareness Month Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo ALPR Survey Palo Alto Mediation Program Recreation Wellness Center Survey Breakfast with Palo Alto City Manager Ed Shikada Join Us for Breakfast with Palo Alto City Manager Ed Shikada Friday, March 24, 2023 8:30am - 9:30am Homewood Suites By Hilton 4329 El Camino Real, Palo Alto RSVP Now 43rd Annual Tall Tree Awards Reserve your spot at the 43rd Annual Tall Tree Awards April 20, 2023 5:30pm - 8pmOshman Family JCC Recipients being honored are: OUTSTANDING BUSINESS Coupa Cafe OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL Bill Liberatore OUTSTANDING CITIZEN VOLUNTEER Bruce Gee OUTSTANDING NONPROFIT DreamCatchers Reserve Now Elevated Evenings at el PRADO Elevated Evenings at el PRADO March 23rd | 6:00pm-8:00pm 520 Cowper St, Palo Alto Location: 520 Cowper St, Palo Alto Enjoy a curated wine tasting from Testarossa and Westlife Imports. Featuring live music in our new Tapas Bar. LIMITED TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE RSVP Now Join Us Business Leadership Luncheon County Supervisor Joe Simitian Friday, April 14, 2023 Noon - 1:15pm Details to Follow Chamber Member Spotlight: Miyagi Space Miyagi Space Miyagi Space's bespoke technology stack is designed with a singular mission in mind: create well-thought-out solutions for small businesses and prosumers. We provide comprehensive services in Apple device deployment and management, network security, data backup, SaaS architecture, and workflow consulting. Our distributed team of solution engineers are always thinking about the best way to achieve balance with our clients' relationships to technology to enhance their personal and professional endeavors. With so many digital applications and tools in the landscape, we help business owners figure out how to optimize their technology so that they can grow. We work with amazing clients that span across multiple industries, including design+build, architecture, mental health, non-profit, healthcare tech, real estate, and technology consulting. Miyagi Space is a member of the Apple Consultants Network. We are also a Jamf Certified Associate, certified in Apple Deployment and Management, and a Google Certified Associate. Learn More Stanford Blood Center: Win Golden State Warriors Tickets! Stanford Blood Center Blood donors are essential to the health and safety of our community, andthis March, saving lives is a slam dunk at Stanford Blood Center! When you donate in March, you’ll be entered to win one pair of tickets to see the Golden State Warriors play the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 4! You can help support patients in need and catch all the action at the Chase Center… It’s a win-win! Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — make your appointment to score tickets today! Learn more about our Spring Drawing at stanfordbloodcenter.org/Warriors23. Easter Brunch Easter Brunch Crowne Plaza Cabana Palo Alto 4290 El Camino Real Sunday, April 9, 202310am - 2pm Reservations: monserrat.montes@cabanapaloalto.com Stanford Celiac Awareness Month Special Event Stanford Medicine Join us, Saturday, May 20th for Stanford's Celiac Awareness Month Special Event. This will include presentations by medical specialists and a Q&A. We are looking for vendors/restaurants who can give out samples of their gluten-offerings during this event. Location: Grand Rounds Conference Room at the Stanford Center for Academic Medicine 453 Quarry Rd, Palo Alto, CA 943049:30am - 1pm Contact: Charlie@paloaltochamber.com The Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (Friends) is the nonprofit that works to support and enhance the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ), a beloved Palo Alto institution whose mission is to engage a child’s curiosity in science and nature. For generations, the Friends has funded learning and discovery at the JMZ through hands-on exhibits, such as the Voyage Solar System Model, unveiled in May 2022, and the California Dinosaur Garden, opening in 2023. The Friends also funds impactful programs that expand access to the JMZ and to science education in the community, such as: Super Family Sundays – Special days for families who have children with disabilities, providing exclusive access to the JMZ in a calm and friendly environment. JMZ Science Outreach – Exceptional and engaging science programming for K- 5 students, brought to children in the Ravenswood City School District and East Palo Alto Charter School. To learn more about the JMZ Science Outreach Program, please watch the video below: To learn more about the Friends, or how to get involved: www.friendsjmz.org 1451 Middlefield Road Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 326-6338 Automated License Plate Recognition Business Survey Your Opinion Is Needed Please help us by taking this very short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X6Z7389. Palo Alto Mediation Program: A Better Way PAMP - Palo Alto Mediation Program If you are struggling with a problem or dispute that involves a… Neighbor Tenant or landlord Employer or co-worker Local business Other person or organization in the community Palo Alto Mediation Program can help! For more than 40 years, the Palo Alto Mediation Program (PAMP)* has been promoting peace in Palo Alto and Stanford by using trained volunteers to help people resolve everyday disagreements. All services are: Free Confidential Convenient Impartial See PAMP Services View Brochure (PDF) Recreation Wellness Center Survey Survey If you missed the March 7 community meeting to provide input on a proposed Recreation Wellness Center (gym) in Palo Alto you can complete this Online Survey: https://communityfeedback.opengov.com/portals/paloalto/Issue_12662 See Our Upcoming Events Learn More About The Chamber ​ PALO ALTO CHAMBER & VISITORS CENTER 355 ALMA STREET | PALO ALTO | CA | 94301 | 650-324-3121 WWW.PALOALTOCHAMBER.COM This email was sent on behalf of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce 355 Alma St Palo Alto, CA 94301.Tounsubscribe click here. If you have questions or comments concerning this email or services in general,please contact us by email at info@paloaltochamber.com. This email was sent on behalf of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce 355 Alma St Palo Alto, CA 94301.To unsubscribe clickhere. If you have questions or comments concerning this email or services in general, please contact us by email atinfo@paloaltochamber.com. From:William von Kaenel To:Council, City Cc:Historic Resources Board; Architectural Review Board Subject:The Memorial Flagpole"s damage and treatment Date:Thursday, March 16, 2023 12:09:17 AM Attachments:HRB MFP Study Session.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Members of the Palo Alto City Council: American Legion Palo Alto Post 375 has used the Veterans Memorial Building (VMB), aka the Hostess House, since its 1930 founding. City Council members may recall Post 375 helped organize last November’s Palo Alto-Stanford Veterans Recognition Event at the VMB. Post 375 maintains the flag display of the Memorial Flagpole, located in front of the VMB. The Memorial Flagpole dates from at least 1903, is included on the VMB’s Historical Inventory Detail, and thus also included in the VMB’s National Register of Historic Places listing. Around September 2020, the Memorial Flagpole was damaged, enclosed in a plywood plywood, and has since been removed from public display. Memorial Flagpole, since 1903. Damage, circa September 2020. Plywood enclosure, since September 2020. Post 375 inquired into the enclosure, and found it was the construction of the VMB’s property owner and lease holder, Stanford University. Post 375 engaged with Stanford officials on this matter, and learned that the damage, estimated at $60,000, was not reported to the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. The Historic Preservation Code enjoins property owners to perform prompt repairs, and submit treatments for Historic Project Review, however, neither occurred. Post 375 particular concern was that one of the Memorial Flagpole’s four plaques commemorates the service of Veterans, and as the property is on the National Register, its willful damage is a serious Federal offense. Regardless of Federal law, however, Post 375 did not understand why vandalism to a Veterans memorial went unreported. For several months, Post 375 has advised Stanford officials in meetings and correspondence to bring the Memorial Flagpole damage and treatment to the Historic Resources Board (HRB) for public review. Post 375 was gratified to see the announcement at last week’s HRB meeting of a study session on the Memorial Flagpole slated for its April 13th meeting. As study sessions generally admit of public contribution, Post 375 prepared a report on the Memorial Flagpole damage and treatment (attached), that we hope will be included in the special session agenda materials. As the Memorial Flagpole’s public good extends beyond the scope of the HRB, we bring this matter to the attention of the City Council. Post 375 hopes to present its perspective at the HRB special session, and of course will be happy to engage on this matter with other city officials and in city proceedings. Sincerely, Will von Kaenel Commander American Legion Palo Alto Post 375 Veterans Memorial Building 25 University Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94301 From:Aram James To:Binder, Andrew; Jeff Rosen; Jethroe Moore; Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Josh Becker; ladoriscordell; Wagner, April; Joe Simitian; Reifschneider, James; Sean Allen; chuck jagoda; Human RelationsCommission; Jay Boyarsky; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael; Enberg, Nicholas; Rebecca Eisenberg; Greer Stone;Bains, Paul; Cecilia Taylor; Tony Dixon; Perron, Zachary; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Joe Simitian Subject:Is Zack Perron going to be Andrew Binder’s choice for his assistant police chief? I sure hope Binder doesn’t stoop that low Date:Wednesday, March 15, 2023 8:29:02 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://padailypost.com/2019/05/22/cops-use-of-n-word-led-to-investigation-that-never- became-public/ Shared via the Google app Sent from my iPhone From:Alice Smith To:Council, City Subject:Support for a local campaign finance limit on campaign finances Date:Wednesday, March 15, 2023 7:44:52 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Last May, I signed a PETITION in support of a $500 Cap on donations to City Council candidates. Your inaction was shocking to those who view Palo Alto as being a center for excellence in practical politics. When you consider that Palo Alto was able to save the foothills from development, creating a phenomenal open space district at Foothills Park, that came because we did not have corporations controlling the thinking ofAmerican politics. There is no denying that the decision of Citizens United in 2010 by the Supreme Court resulted in corporations pouring money into local, state and national politics to serve their ends, not the ends of WE, THE PEOPLE. I believe that is now imperative that the City of Palo Alto stands up for the interests of people whoreside here and limit the contributions which are in local politics. We need a campaign finance cap on political contributions. $1000 is more than enough. Think how many Americans don't hold savings of $1000, let alone bedonating to political campaigns. Only special interests want to pour money into Palo Alto. Be wise, limit political contributions Faithfully, Alice Schaffer Smith 850 Webster Street #520 Palo Alto, CA 94301 Why should my Zip Code determine how I exercise my vote? We need one federal law that governs voting for every American. Pass HR 5746now! From:Roberta Ahlquist To:Council, City; Joe Simitian; Human Relations Commission Subject:Finance Reform- Date:Wednesday, March 15, 2023 5:14:36 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. SUBJECT: March 20 City Council Meeting Public Comment: Campaign Finance Reform Last May, I signed a PETITION in support of a $500 Cap on donations to City Council candidates. I am disappointed that no action was taken on this issue and hope that the newCouncil will enact the reforms proposed by the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto. As most of us know, there is too much money in politics. The majority of ourneighboring cities have already addressed this problem by passing ordinances setting $500 or $1000 caps on donations to city council candidates and also setting voluntary limits on campaign expenditures. Palo Alto should do the same. I was pleased that three of the 2022 Council candidates voluntarily limited donations to less than $1000, but it’s time for this Council to set a cap that is mandatory going forward. These reforms will help to bring down the spiraling cost of running for office in Palo Alto, level the playing field for diverse candidates, and reduce the sense that people with wealth have more sway over our Council members than ordinary citizens. I look forward to seeing you pass an appropriate ordinance well in advance of the next election. Sincerely,Roberta Ahlquist From:Loran Harding To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; David Balakian; fred beyerlein;boardmembers; bballpod; bearwithme1016@att.net; Leodies Buchanan; Chris Field; Cathy Lewis; Council, City;Doug Vagim; Dan Richard; dallen1212@gmail.com; dennisbalakian; Daniel Zack; dan.richard@earthlink.net;eappel@stanford.edu; Scott Wilkinson; George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu; Gabriel.Ramirez@fresno.gov;huidentalsanmateo; hennessy; Irv Weissman; Sally Thiessen; jerry ruopoli; Joel Stiner; kfsndesk;karkazianjewelers@gmail.com; leager; Mayor; margaret-sasaki@live.com; Mark Standriff; merazroofing@att.net;newsdesk; news@fresnobee.com; nick yovino; russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve Wayte; tsheehan; terry;vallesR1969@att.net Subject:Fwd: Dan Walters: Is SVB omen for California? Date:Wednesday, March 15, 2023 4:31:55 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>Date: Wed, Mar 15, 2023 at 3:58 PM Subject: Dan Walters: Is SVB omen for California?To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org> Wednesday, March 15, 2023 To all- Published yesterday, March 14, 2023. Excellent. Dan Walters CalMatters Commentary. Blog: "Is Silicon Valley Bank's failure an omen for California?" : BLOG: Is Silicon Valley Bank's failure an omen for California? - The Business Journal If the link won't open without your being a subscriber, Google around and you'llprobably find it. LH: SURE ENOUGH! "I have now used 3 of my 5 viewings this month" says "TheBusiness Journal". So they block non-subscribers after a few viewings. But, I googled Dan Walters Is Silicon Valley Bank's failure an omen for California? and the article is at threewebsites: Mr. Walters has reach. www.santamariatimes.com www.kpvi.com www.ocregister.com Strongly recommended. But, Mr. Walters does not mention that Silicon Valley's economyhas always been boom and bust. Also, it did not get going in 1982. HP was founded around 1938. All during the 50's, 60's and 70's it was a growing center of technology. In 1960, when Iwas a Senior at Willow Glen High in San Jose, the San Jose Mercury was running big articles about the explosive growth that was to come in Silicon Valley. The demand for venture capital and a bank attuned to the needs of the companies in SVwill continue. Some other, better managed and regulated bank will emerge there, and quickly, I believe. Too much money is involved for that not to happen. If not, maybe the federal government will establish a well regulated and funded bank in Silicon Valley to perform thosefunctions. Ask the folks in the Pentagon is they'd mind if Silicon Valley withered and blew away. L. William Harding Fresno, Ca. BA Stanford, '64 From:Aram James To:Barberini, Christopher; Enberg, Nicholas; Binder, Andrew; Wagner, April; Shikada, Ed; Josh Becker; Council, City;Reifschneider, James; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Joe Simitian; Rebecca Eisenberg; Jeff Rosen; Julie Lythcott-Haims; chuck jagoda; Human Relations Commission; ladoris cordell; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael; GreerStone; Bains, Paul; Cecilia Taylor; Tony Dixon; Perron, Zachary; Shana Segal; Javier Ortega; Jay Boyarsky; AngieEvans; Betsy Nash; Kaloma Smith; Pat Burt; Lydia Kou; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg Subject:The Bullpen: Walking Dead Actor Squares Off With Dr. Richey Over Police ... Date:Wednesday, March 15, 2023 4:13:00 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/0aCmMNYQ_JI Sent from my iPhone From:Malcolm Jenkins To:Council, City Subject:Re: Updated for 2023 - BIPOC Mental Health Support for City of Palo Alto Date:Wednesday, March 15, 2023 2:58:16 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from malcolm@liveanotherday.org. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hi Team, I hope you're doing well! I didn't see a reply, so I figured I'd reach out to see if you had any feedback on adding these to your page. Providing this information can help erase stigma, and improve the lives of our community. Did you have any updates on whether or not you'd be able to make this information availableon your page? Your support in this area is a critical part of the fight for equality. Malcolm Jenkins Recovery AdvocateLive Another Day E: malcolm@liveanotherday.org “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou -----Original Message----- Hi Team, My name is Malcolm and I'm a recovery advocate and internet activist. My purpose is to ensure People of Color have access to culturally competent mental health resources. Thedisparity in access to mental health resources has created inequities that have affected generations, but we can make a stand together. I really appreciate the action you've taken in posting so many great resources on https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Community-Services/Human-Services/Information-and-Referral-formerly-Family-Resources to support the community. Your support is empowering and an important part of the solution! However, I didn't see anything that specifically pertains to substance use prevention in the BIPOC community. Providing access to culturally competent mental health care is essential. These guides do a great job of addressing this key issue for People of Color *and* their allies: Southeast Detox - New for 2023, this guide features dozens of resources to help Blackwomen rise and THRIVE in 2023 Live Another Day - Live Another Day believes in equal access to life-saving mentalhealth and substance use resources. This website provides extensive information on the best resources available.Lexington Addiction Center - Abundant resources for Asian American college students I think adding these links to your existing collection could go a long way toward more fullysupporting People of Color and our allies. It also helps by sending a strong message that these issues matter and change is always possible! What are your thoughts on including these resources on your page? Malcolm Jenkins Recovery Advocate Live Another Day E: malcolm@liveanotherday.org “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”– Maya Angelou From:Aram JamesTo:Goodell, ErinSubject:New bumper sticker replaces the one vandalized recently.Date:Wednesday, March 15, 2023 1:03:22 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.________________________________ Sent from my iPhone From:herb To:Council, City Cc:Clerk, City; Bhatia, Ripon Subject:Caltrain Crossings Quiet Zones Date:Wednesday, March 15, 2023 12:51:23 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Palo Alto and Menlo Park are considering establishing QuietZones at Caltrain at-grade crossings because federalregulations require locomotive horns to begin sounding beforeentering those crossings. A community meeting is scheduled onthat subject for March 23, 2023. Do federal regulations also require locomotive horns to beginsounding before entering a Caltrain station when thoselocomotives do not stop at a station, even during periods ofthe day when no trains are scheduled to stop at the station? For example, when the Stanford Caltrain station is not beingused, a locked fence prevents people from accessing the stationplatform and, therefore, there is no reason for locomotivehorns to sound when approaching and passing that station duringthose times. However, during the time of day when some trains stop at theUniversity Avenue and California Avenue Caltrain stations,other trains do not stop at those stations. Are thelocomotives that do not stop at those stations during thosetimes required to begin sounding their horns before enteringthose stations? Also, during the time of day when there are no trains scheduledto stop at those stations, but the passenger platforms can beaccessed, are locomotives required to begin sounding theirhorns before entering those stations? If so, creating a QuietZone at the Palo Alto Avenue/Alma Street Caltrain crosssingwould not eliminate the sound of locomotives sounding theirhorns when entering the nearby Caltrain station. From:Jo Ann Mandinach To:City Mgr; Council, City; Kou Lydia Cc:Dave Price; dianaldiamond@gmail.com Subject:Fwd: Utilities Staff rate hike recommendations Date:Wednesday, March 15, 2023 12:17:27 PM Attachments:image003.pngimage004.pngimage006.png image007.png image008.pngimage009.pngimage010.pngimage011.pngimage012.png Hello. I've been in discussions with a CPAU staffer about the utility rate hikesduring which I asked him when we're finally going to receive our payments from the Miriam Green lawsuit. First he referred me to the outside attorneys in San Diego BECAUSE he claims he's legally forbidden from discussing it. However, the terms underwich the payments will be made were publicized in September 2022. And given the widespread community concern about utility rate hikes it would be great if you -- the city, not outside lawyers -- could issue an updateon the 6-year old lawsuit. https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2022/09/16/palo-alto-reaches-settlement-in- suit-over-gas-transfers Palo Alto reaches settlement in suit over gas transfers Miriam Green challenged city's historic practice of using gas funds to pay forother city services AShare to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to PrintShare to Morby Gennady Sheyner / Palo Alto Weekly Uploaded: Fri, Sep 16, 2022, 3:51 pm "Under the agreement, which was reached through mediation, Palo Alto would issue the refunds in on-bill credits over three installments over the next 24 months. Thefirst installment would be due after the final settlement order becomes official, the second one 12 months later and the final one 24 months after the order takes effect. Former customers would be able to receive their refunds by check and customersover the age of 65 will be able to request the refund in a lump sum rather than through on-bill credits under the proposed settlement. The settlement follows six years of litigation, a judgment against the city and appeals by both parties. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Brian Walsh contended in his 2020 ruling that the city's transfer of funds from its gas utility to its general fund constituted an illegal tax and violated Proposition 26, which limits utility rates to the "reasonable cost" of providing service. The city's transfers, the court found, exceeded this reasonable cost and thus constituted an illegal tax under state law. ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Jo Ann Mandinach <joann@needtoknow.com>Date: Wed, Mar 15, 2023 at 12:05 PMSubject: Re: Utilities Staff rate hike recommendationsTo: Abendschein, Jonathan <Jon.Abendschein@cityofpaloalto.org>Cc: Batchelor, Dean <Dean.Batchelor@cityofpaloalto.org>, City Mgr<CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org> Thank you. Please tell your colleagues that they should be publicizing it since none of the articles or discussions about the rate increase mentions that. Thanks for your answer about the Green case. I will refer that to Dave Price, the publisher of Palo Alto Daily Post, for his follow up on why we haven't gotten our money. He hates stonewalling as much as the rest of the community. I'll also get Diana Diamond of Palo Alto Weekly on the case. On Wed, Mar 15, 2023 at 11:56 AM Abendschein, Jonathan<Jon.Abendschein@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote: Hello Ms Mandinach, as I noted in my prior e-mail, I’m following up with the staff in theCity who administer the 4.75% telecom UUT for a straightforward explanation of what thetelecom UUT applies to, since this isn’t my area. Apologies if I wasn’t clear. I will e-mail youthe answer once I have it. I just wanted to make sure to respond to your prior e-mail withouttoo much delay with what information I have so far. I would love to be able to give you more information on the Green case but unfortunatelywhat I stated below is all I’m legally permitted to give you as I understand it. Best, Jonathan JONATHAN ABENDSCHEIN Assistant Director, Resource Management Utilities Department (650) 329-2309 | jon.abendschein@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org From: Jo Ann Mandinach <joann@needtoknow.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2023 11:11 AMTo: Abendschein, Jonathan <Jon.Abendschein@CityofPaloAlto.org>Cc: Batchelor, Dean <Dean.Batchelor@CityofPaloAlto.org>; City Mgr<CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>Subject: Re: Utilities Staff rate hike recommendations Thanks for your reply. 1) You still didn't answer my question on exactly what is subject to the 4.75% tax -- our cell phone purchases on which we've paid sales tax, our monthly cable bills on which we pay various taxes and surcharges, our internet service? WHAT EXACTLY IS BEING TAXED? I stopped having a landline and cable service years ago. 2) Re contacting the outside law firm, our city attorney bounced me to them years ago, years before she made an announcement that getting our refunds depended on our age, health and need. Since the city made that announcement. the CITY should be advising us. Plus it costs the city MONEY for me to contact the outside lawyers who bill their client == Palo Alto -- and O as a taxpayer end up paying in both dollars and time. Please provide a time estimate. I won't make bad jokes about how I'll likely be dead by the time I get my check. Imagine the late fees for 5+years. Looking forward to hearing from you and getting your answers to my questipns/ On Wed, Mar 15, 2023 at 10:19 AM Abendschein, Jonathan<Jon.Abendschein@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote: I’m so sorry Ms. Mandinach! I often transpose letters in my head. I try to be careful tocheck names when I type, but sometimes I still make mistakes. I have a long last namemyself and know how frustrating it can be. Regarding the Green Case, the only message I can pass on right now is that Green v. Cityof Palo Alto is a class action lawsuit filed on October 6, 2016, which challenged variousaspects of the City’s gas and electric rates. Class action law prevents the City fromcommenting on this case. Class members may contact the attorney appointed to representthe class with any questions regarding the case. His contact information is below: Vincent D. Slavens 8885 Rio San Diego Drive, Suite 207 San Diego, CA 92108 T: 619-369-5252 F: 619-369-5253 I am following up with the staff in the City who administer the UUT for a straightforwardexplanation of what the telecom UUT applies to, since this isn’t my area. I will e-mail you with the answer once I have it. Best, Jonathan JONATHAN ABENDSCHEIN Assistant Director, Resource Management Utilities Department (650) 329-2309 | jon.abendschein@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org From: Jo Ann Mandinach <joann@needtoknow.com> Sent: Monday, March 13, 2023 5:53 PMTo: Abendschein, Jonathan <Jon.Abendschein@CityofPaloAlto.org>Cc: Batchelor, Dean <Dean.Batchelor@CityofPaloAlto.org>; City Mgr<CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>Subject: Re: Utilities Staff rate hike recommendations First off, my last name is Mandinach, not Mandanich as you've written. I'm aware of what the Utility Transfer Tax is, how the vote came out and how many of our "leaders" were saying how much we needed it to fund basic services like emergency dispatch services. After it passed, suddenly the city found a $40,000.000 surplus. People who weren't paying attention before they voted are sure aware of it now. What tax on Telecom? I don't have a landline or cable tv/ Remember CPAU had to issue refunds when it was found that the city had no right to tax us for services they don't provide. Speaking of refunds. when are we getting ours from the successful Miriam Green suit?? It's been years since the lawsuit was filed and we got stuck paying for your outside lawfirm in San Diego. Please explain exactly what services are subject to the 4.75% . Please be specific. Cell phone purchases on which I paid sales tax? My monthly cellphone bill on which I already pay tax? Internet services that we get but not through cable or a telco? Looking forward to your answers to my questions above. On Mon, Mar 13, 2023 at 3:54 PM Abendschein, Jonathan<Jon.Abendschein@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote: Hi Ms. Mandanich, The Utilities Users Tax is used to fund municipal services while all of the other chargesyou mentioned are a direct cost of operating the gas and electric utilities. The UtilityUsers Tax was approved by Palo Alto voters in 1987 and updated in 2010 and 2014. Itconsists of a 5% tax on electricity, gas, and water (and a 4.75% tax on telecom, whichdoes not show up on your City utility bill). Palo Alto is one of over 150 California cities that use this type of tax to fund municipal services. Regarding the outage map, if an outage crosses multiple zip codes you may get the samenumber of customers suffering outages shown in each zip code, but I heard you sayingthat just ends up looking like an error in the outage map. One of our Utilities prioritiesright now is continuing to improve outage communications, so it is helpful to hearfeedback. Thank you, and I will pass it on. I hear the frustration with the winter utility bill spike and increases in utility billsgenerally, especially for those on fixed incomes. We’ll keep working to deliver safe,reliable service at a reasonable price, and we welcome your feedback on how we can dobetter. In the meantime, I want to highlight that the City is considering utility bill rebatesto offset high winter gas prices. You can provide feedback at the March 21 FinanceCommittee meeting. We are also trying to mitigate the impact for those struggling withhigh winter bills through several resources: Extended payment arrangements enabling customers to pay off high winter billsover 6-8 months (Contact Utilities Customer Service at (650) 329–2161, or visitour Utilities Customer Service web page athttps://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Utilities/Customer-Service) Free assessments from City’s energy advisor (Home Efficiency Genie):https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Utilities/Residential/Home-Efficiency-Genie Rate assistance and free energy upgrades for income-qualified customers:https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/rap Please feel free to reply with any additional questions you have. Best regards, Jonathan Abendschein JONATHAN ABENDSCHEIN Assistant Director, Resource Management Utilities Department (650) 329-2309 | jon.abendschein@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org From: Jo Ann Mandinach <joann@needtoknow.com> Sent: Thursday, March 9, 2023 5:43 PMTo: Abendschein, Jonathan <Jon.Abendschein@CityofPaloAlto.org>Cc: Batchelor, Dean <Dean.Batchelor@CityofPaloAlto.org>; City Mgr<CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>Subject: Re: Utilities Staff rate hike recommendations You still haven't explained why we're also paying a monthly city utility users tax along with the other usage taxes. By the way, check the latest outage report you just sent out where you have exactly the same number of customers served and the exact number of customers suffering outages into two different zip codes. Some accuracy in your reporting and some proofreading would be special before you send out reports. As friends have remarked, it's increasingly difficult to take PA seriously. You might want to read Diana Diamond's blog on the escalating rates and more important the comments. Do be aware that utility bills are eating up much of people's Social Security payments. Unlike you, have 6-figure pensions -- or ANY pensions -- to lok forward to, On Thu, Mar 9, 2023 at 1:28 PM Abendschein, Jonathan<Jon.Abendschein@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote: Hi Ms Mandinach, I’ve given some answers to your more specific questions below.Would you like to talk through any of this by phone? Just let me know. Specific questions about the fees, surcharges, etc., You may find the monthly gas commodity charge information sheet posted on ourwebsite helpful. It is updated monthly with the gas rates for that month, since the gasrates vary monthly based on the cost of gas in the market and other factors. There aretwo main categories of costs in the gas rates: 1) gas supply, which is the cost of buyingthe gas and transporting it to Palo Alto, including environmental charges, and 2) gasdistribution, which is the cost of operating the gas utility within Palo Alto anddelivering gas to homes and businesses. Because costs to the gas utility change morefrequently than in for utilities like water or wastewater, to provide transparency webreak these costs into several components: Gas Supply: Commodity Charge: the cost of buying gas in the market. This varies monthly.Transportation Charge: the cost to transport the gas across PG&E’s system toPalo Alto. This varies when PG&E’s wholesale transportation charges change,as approved by the California Public Utilities Commission.Cap and Trade Compliance Charge: the gas utility is mandated to participatein the State’s Cap and Trade program covering gas emissions, and thisrepresents the cost of participation in that program and changes as the cost ofparticipation changes.Carbon Offset Charge: reflects the City’s cost to purchase offsets forgreenhouse gases produced in the burning of natural gas under the Council-approved Carbon Neutral Gas program. This changes periodically as the cost ofoffsets changes. Gas Distribution: Distribution Charge: reflects all services required to move the natural gas fromthe point of iterconnection to the city’s distribution system to the end user of thenatural gas, including the operations and maintenance of service lines and gasmains as well as administration and other organizational costs of running the gasutility. This usually only changes in July with Council approval. The Monthly Service Charge reflects the costs of customer service, accountmanagement, meter reading and meter equipment. 1) Who benefits from the Public Benefit fee for electricity? This is a State-mandated charge the electric utility must collect and use for one of fourpurposes: 1) energy efficiency, 2) renewable energy, 3) low-income programs, or 4)research and development. All utility customers are able to benefit from theseprograms, listed on our Ways to Save web page. 2) What's a Hydro Rate Adjuster fee The City gets a lot of its power from hydroelectric generators in various reservoirsaround California. These have historically been low cost resources, but their outputvaries from year to year. The City’s electric utility maintains reserves to balance thesechanges in output from year to year, but during an extended drought, reserves can getlow enough that the City activates its “hydroelectric rate adjuster,” which covers thecost of buying replacement power in the market to replace the lower hydroelectricoutput. This adjuster was activated last year, increased in January due to increases inpower market prices, and is projected to decrease by 50% or more in July. 3) Why are we paying a monthly service charge for gas? The monthly service charge reflects the costs of customer service, accountmanagement, meter reading and meter equipment. 4) What's the difference between a Gas Distribution Charge and a GasTransportation Charge? Gas Transportation covers the cost of transporting gas across PG&E’s system, GasDistribution is the cost to operate Palo Alto’s gas distribution system. 5) What's a Winter Distribution Fee and how does it differ from Gas Distributionand Gas Transportation?" The gas distribution charge varies from season to season, so when you see “WinterDistribution” on your bill it is just the winter version of the gas distribution system.Specifically, the distribution charge is “tiered,” meaning if you use above a baselineamount you pay a higher price, and in winter there is a higher baseline than insummer. The baseline amounts are approved by Council in the gas G-1 rate schedule and are 0.667 therms per day in the summer and 2.0 therms per day in the winter. See question 4 for a description of how distribution differs from transportation. 15-fold increase in the need for electric power Thanks for the link, we’re following discussion on this topic. The City is wrapping upa grid modernization study and we’re confident there will be a need for upgrades onour electric system, but also that there are opportunities to still pursue some types ofconversions while those upgrades are taking place. Currently the only requirements inplace for all-electric construction are for new construction and major renovations. Allother types of conversions are voluntary and supported by City programs for thoseinterested. There has a been a lot of community involvement in the development ofcode requirements and new programs and we expect there to be a lot more in thefuture. Feedback on what form that community involvement should take like yourcomments below is both welcome and encouraged. Best, Jonathan JONATHAN ABENDSCHEIN Assistant Director, Resource Management Utilities Department (650) 329-2309 | jon.abendschein@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org From: Jo Ann Mandinach <joann@needtoknow.com> Sent: Wednesday, March 8, 2023 2:30 PMTo: Abendschein, Jonathan <Jon.Abendschein@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Kou Lydia<lydiakou@gmail.com>; City Mgr <CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>Cc: Batchelor, Dean <Dean.Batchelor@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Dave Price<price@padailypost.com>Subject: Re: Utilities Staff rate hike recommendations Thanks for your general form letter. You obviously didn't bother to read my questions before crafting this form letter that doesn't help much when people are looking at utility bills upwards of $1,000 a month. Maybe next time you can answer our questions about why 1/3 of our bill is in fees, taxes and surcharges. 1) One more time, here are some of my specific questions about the fees, surcharges, etc., " I just got my utility bill and was admiring all the creative fees etc and wondering why for gas there's a Winter Distribution Charge ($153.35), a separate transportation charge ($19.82) a monthly service charge of $11.54 just for gas and separate from the overall Utilities User Tax of almost $40, and both a carbon offset charge (9.96) AND a Gas Cap and Trade Compliance fee ($10.93). Apart from my commodity charge, these equal $205.77 so it wouldn't matter how cold I let the house get and how much I tried to conserve! Check your bills and you'll see the commodity charges are quite reasonable vs all the add-ons! Serious questions:1) Who benefits from the Public Benefit fee for electricity? 2) What's a Hydro Rate Adjuster fee 3) Why are we paying a month;y service charge for gas? 4) What's the difference between a Gas Distribution Charge and a Gas Transportation Charge? 5) What's a Winter Distribution Fee and how does it differe from Gas Distribution and Gas Transportation?" I also suggest you bone up on all the comments and questions this topic: https://www.paloaltoonline.com/square/2023/03/03/palo- alto-utilities-customers-could-see-17-a-month-increase 2) Re the forced conversion, all the people wondering how Palo Alto and California can possibly sustain a 15- fold increase in the need for electric power. The comments here from SCIENTISTS as opposed to bureaucrats with unrealistic targets are well worth reading, https://www.paloaltoonline.com/square/2023/03/03/can- californias-power-grid-handle-a-15-fold-increase-in- electric-cars 3) You might also note that Dave Price, publisher of The Palo Alto Daily Post has called for us to vote on the forced conversion. Thoughts on that?? Regards back, Jo Ann Mandinach On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 1:12 PM Abendschein, Jonathan<Jon.Abendschein@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote: Dear Ms Mandanich, Apologies for the late reply. We agree that the energy prices this winter wereextreme, driving peoples’ gas bills to unprecedented levels, particularly for billsreceived in February. Utility customers across California saw similar increases asPalo Alto. We expect March gas bills to decline by at least 50%, and for April todecline even further. Learn more about this winter’s energy prices in this post fromour Utilities Director: https://medium.com/paloaltoconnect/in-the-public-interest-28a7d9ecb0df All utilities are experiencing major upward cost pressures due to the need to replaceaging infrastructure and increasing energy and water costs. Despite these pressuresthe City has kept the average Palo Alto residential utility bill lower than insurrounding communities. Palo Alto Utilities also held down rates through thepandemic, doing minimal increases in 2020-2022, protecting customers from theincreases in energy, water, and construction costs during that time. In 2022 energyprices started rise steeply, leading to the extreme bills the community experiencedthis winter, and rates rose to pass through those increased energy prices. While weexpect energy prices and rates to decrease significantly over the next few months,some utility rate increases would be needed in July just to maintain service levels,since increasing water, operational, and construction costs are still not being passedthrough to customers. Bills would still remain well below winter levels. TheUtilities Advisory Commission, Finance Committee, and Council are discussingwhether to increase rates to maintain service levels. We are eager for communityfeedback like yours and would be happy to talk with you to answer any questionsyou have. We also agree electric reliability is a critical part of the transition from gas toelectricity. Preparing the electric grid for electric vehicles and electrified buildings isa Council priority this year, and the City has already started an electric gridmodernization program. Best regards, Jonathan Abendschein JONATHAN ABENDSCHEIN Some people who received this message don't often get email from joann@needtoknow.com. Learn why this is important Assistant Director, Resource Management Utilities Department (650) 329-2309 | jon.abendschein@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org From: Jo Ann Mandinach <joann@needtoknow.com> Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2023 9:08 AMTo: Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; City Mgr<CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>Subject: Utilities Staff rate hike recommendations CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Becautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Mayor Kou and council members, When is the greed of CPAU enough? Our already absurd bills have us huddling in our beds under the covers to stay warm because our homes are already freezing. Please stop this nonsense and have your CPAU reviews look closely at ALL of the extra fees, surcharges and like gas distribution, city utility user tax, water connection fee etc. which are already 1/3 of our total bills or more than ANOTHER $1,000+ per household per year. Please also slow the forced electric conversion of our cars, stoves. furnaces. appliances, water heaters at least until you've upgraded the grid AND undergrounded utilities because it's not healthy for us to freeze in the dark every time a branch or balloon hits the wires! Most sincerely, Jo Ann Mandinach https://www.paloaltoonline.com/square/2023/02/24/palo- alto-utilities-staff-recommends-large-rate-increases- #comment_formDear Palo Alto Utilities Staff Recommends Large Rate Increases Original post made by Patrick Butler, University South, on Feb 24, 2023 I just received the agenda for the next Palo Alto Utilities Advisory Commission with a numbing 340 page plus of agenda, charts and attachments from the Palo Alto Utilities staff. Keep your hand on your wallet when you send that long of an agenda for one evening meeting. After giving the documents a quick read, it looks like they want significant raises to all Palo Alto residential and commercial utilities rates starting on July 1, 2023 and additional raises for some utilities continuing for 4- 5 years. Here are the residential rate proposals: Sewage- 9% per year for each of the next five years. Water rates- 3% increase Gas- Transfer 18% of yearly gas revenues to the general fund for the fiscal years 2021 to 2024. Increase the gas cost rates for tier one and two by 21.4% Increase gas distribution rates by 8%, 7%, 5%, 5%, 5% for the fiscal years 2024-2028. Electric- (Here is the one bone, or, I should say, one half of a bone) The recent Hydroelectric rate surcharge decreased by 50% on July 1, 2023. However, all residential electric rates increased by 14% effective July 1, 2023. Palo Alto Utilities are the gift that keeps giving to the folks who run our small city. Patrick Butler University South Dear Aram, For too long now, Palestinians and their supporters have been attacked, maligned and smeared simply because we’ve spoken out against Israeli apartheid, or in favour of BDS. As we approach a provincial by-election in Hamilton Centre on March 16th, Ontario NDP candidate Sarah Jama has been caught From:Aram James To:Human Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith; Council, City; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Sean Allen; Lauing, Ed; JeffMoore; Shikada, Ed; Josh Becker; Shana Segal; Jethroe Moore; Joe Simitian; Planning Commission; SupervisorSusan Ellenberg; Joe Simitian; Salem Ajluni; Jack Ajluni; Betsy Nash; Cecilia Taylor; Reifschneider, James;Binder, Andrew; Barberini, Christopher; Jeff Rosen; Wagner, April; chuck jagoda; Jay Boyarsky; Michael Gennaco Subject:An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us Date:Wednesday, March 15, 2023 12:15:47 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. in the crosshairs of B’nai Brith Canada in a vicious smear campaign. B’nai Brith is alleging that Jama is antisemitic becauseof her commendable support for BDS and Palestinian human rights. What’s more troubling is that they seem to be using the toxic IHRA definition as the barometer for concluding that Jama is antisemitic. This smear campaign against Jama, a Black woman,in the days leading up to a byelection is unfounded and racist. We say these attacks are racist because there is a documentedpattern of false accusations of antisemitism that the pro-Israel lobby overwhelmingly levels against people of colour. They perpetuate anti-Palestinian racism, and contribute to a climate of toxicity where racialized people are prevented from speakingout in support of other justice-seeking groups. Recall that earlier this month in Halifax, Palestinian high school students were told by the principal to take off their keffiyehs because they are a “sign of war”. Unfortunately, the allegations against Jama were reported onuncritically by Rob Ferguson at the Toronto Star. We encourageyou to write a letter to the editor at the Star to refute the baseless attacks, and to remind them that calling for Palestinian liberation or supporting BDS isn’t antisemitic. Send your letters (150 words max) to lettertoed@thestar.ca. I’m thankful to say that IJV members are taking action not only against this attack, but against the ability and legitimacy of thepro-Israel lobby to wage similar attacks in the future. Over the weekend, two of our members met with Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles in Kingston. In the meeting, Stiles reiterated her support for Jama’s candidacy, and we also pushed the ONDP to speak outagainst the IHRA definition. The meeting was very positive, and we’re grateful to Stiles for taking our concerns seriously. I’m thankful to say that IJV members are taking action not only against this attack, but against the ability and legitimacy of thepro-Israel lobby to wage similar attacks in the future. Over the weekend, two of our members met with Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles in Kingston. In the meeting, Stiles reiterated her support for Jama’s candidacy, and we also pushed the ONDP to speak outagainst the IHRA definition. The meeting was very positive, and we’re grateful to Stiles for taking our concerns seriously. Moreover, 120 Ontario Jews (and counting!), including many IJV members, have signed an open letter in support of Sarah Jama. If you identify as a member of the Jewish community in Ontario and want to sign your name to the letter, please email RabbiDavid Mivasair at mivasair@gmail.com. While these attacks are disheartening, I actually think that theymake us stronger. As the old adage goes, an attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. When one of us gets smeared for speaking out for Palestine, 1000 more voices join the fold. And they only get louder. With that in mind, don’t forget to mark your calendars for IJV’s15th anniversary conference in Toronto from June 16-18, 2023. It will be a historic opportunity to strengthen our intersectional anti-racist movements for justice, liberation andpeace. I hope to see you there! In solidarity, Donate to IJV or become a member! Aaron Lakoff, IJV Communications and Media Lead aaron@ijvcanada.org PO Box 30087 RPO Woodbine Heights 1500 Woodbine Avenue Toronto, ON M4C 5J2 Canada Unsubscribe from this list View in your browser From:Anneke Dempsey To:Council, City Cc:Ray Dempsey; price@padailypost.com Subject:Our huge oak tree in back (half on the City"s land) came crashing down Date:Wednesday, March 15, 2023 10:26:48 AM Attachments:image.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.pngimage.png Some people who received this message don't often get email from anneke_dempsey@yahoo.com. Learn whythis is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Members of the City Council, I have tried three times to send this message to the appropriate department in the City, but each time just before I hit "Submit," the whole message disappears. Hence, my fourth tryand sending it to you. Yesterday-afternoon, our huge decades-old oak tree came crashing down. It could haveeasily killed a person or persons. It was a miracle that the tree did not hit our home or my husband and dog, as they hadbeen in the back garden just prior, but it did hit our neighbor's back wall and roof. Howmuch damage there is, we do not know yet. We contacted our Tree Service, S.P. McClenahan. They came out immediately andestimated the removal of the tree to cost at least $10,000. Plus we will need to reconstructa new fence between the homes and one in our back. Moreover, we want to plant anothergood-size tree in the place of the crashed oak tree. A few years ago, we contacted the City of Palo Alto Tree Services and asked for permission to remove some heavy limbs, as the tree was getting too big and too heavy and wedeemed it dangerous to our home, us, surrounding homes and our neighbors. The TreeServices Department refused on the basis that they claimed that the tree was half on cityproperty (back alley) and that it was a protected tree. As a result, we want to ask the City to help us share this unexpected large expense for us. Sincerely, Anneke Dempsey1036 Bryant StreetPalo Alto, CA 94301Tel.: 650-327-0805Email: anneke_dempsey@yahoo.com From:Aram James To:Council, City; Tanaka, Greg; Shikada, Ed; Cecilia Taylor; Betsy Nash; bryan.gobin@uncbusiness.net; Rob Baker;Jeff Rosen; Josh Becker; David Angel; Cindy Chavez; Molly; Joe Simitian; walter wilson; Javier Ortega; JethroeMoore; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Steve Preminger; Sean Allen; Wagner, April;Reifschneider, James; Binder, Andrew; Rebecca Eisenberg Subject:California still fails to uphold defendants’ right to counsel Date:Wednesday, March 15, 2023 10:06:48 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ I saw this The Mercury News e-edition article on the The Mercury News e-edition app and thought you’d be interested. California still fails to uphold defendants’ right to counsel https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=5c4e712b-9ef1-48db-8921- b30a5da4470c&appcode=SAN252&eguid=d0e098f9-ece0-41b2-87ef-db699bfdd656&pnum=23# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: Sent from my iPhone From:Douglas L. Graham To:Council, City Cc:Verna M. Graham Subject:Campaign Finance Reform - March 20 Public Comments Date:Tuesday, March 14, 2023 8:47:59 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from dgrahampaca@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Council Members Last May, I signed a PETITION in support of a $500 Cap on donations to City Council candidates. I am disappointed that no action was taken on this issue and hope that the new Council will enact the reforms proposed by the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto. As most of us know, there is too much money in politics. The majority of our neighboring cities have already addressed this problem by passing ordinances setting $500 or $1000 caps on donations to city council candidates and also setting voluntary limits on campaign expenditures. Palo Alto should do the same. I was pleased that three of the 2022 Council candidates voluntarily limited donations to less than $1000, but it’s time for this Council to set a cap that is mandatory going forward. These reforms will help to bring down the spiraling cost of running for office in Palo Alto, level the playing field for diverse candidates, and reduce the sense that people with wealth have more sway over our Council members than ordinary citizens. I look forward to seeing you pass an appropriate ordinance well in advance of the next election. -- Douglas L. Graham984 Ilima WayPalo Alto, CA 94306dgrahampaca@gmail.com650-493-0689 From:Tony Ciampi To:Lisa.Scheff@cityofpaloalto.com; Binder, Andrew; Council, City Subject:incomplete public records request Date:Tuesday, March 14, 2023 7:40:17 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Lisa Scheff, Public Safety Program Manager/Records Police Department Ms. Scheff, Tony Ciampi From:Aram James To:ladoris cordell; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Josh Becker; Binder, Andrew; Council, City;Human Relations Commission; Joe Simitian; Reifschneider, James; Rebecca Eisenberg; Jeff Rosen; Wagner,April; Shikada, Ed; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; chuck jagoda; Pat Burt; Cindy Chavez; Javier Ortega; MichaelGennaco; Foley, Michael; Enberg, Nicholas; Greer Stone; Bains, Paul; Cecilia Taylor; Tony Dixon; Perron,Zachary; Dave Price; Kaloma Smith; Betsy Nash; Lydia Kou; Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright; Supervisor SusanEllenberg; Stump, Molly; Gennady Sheyner; Diana Diamond; EPA Today; Jay Boyarsky Subject:San Francisco to air Black reparations plan, $5M per person Date:Tuesday, March 14, 2023 7:13:33 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. NewsBreakUsed by over 45 million people Open APP San Francisco to air Black reparations plan, $5M per person ABC News I found this on NewsBreak: San Francisco to air Black reparations plan, $5M per person Click to read the full story Sent from my iPhone From:Mary Ruth Leen To:Council, City Subject:Cap on Council Candidate Donations Date:Tuesday, March 14, 2023 4:51:42 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from mrleen@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Last May, I signed a PETITION in support of a $500 Cap on donations to City Council candidates. I am disappointed that no action was taken on this issue and hope that the newCouncil will enact the reforms proposed by the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto. As most of us know, there is too much money in politics. The majority of ourneighboring cities have already addressed this problem by passing ordinances setting $500 or $1000 caps on donations to city council candidates and also setting voluntary limits on campaign expenditures. Palo Alto should do the same. I was pleased that three of the 2022 Council candidates voluntarily limited donations to less than $1000, but it’s time for this Council to set a cap that is mandatory going forward. These reforms will help to bring down the spiraling cost of running for office in Palo Alto, level the playing field for diverse candidates, and reduce the sense that people with wealth have more sway over our Council members than ordinary citizens. I look forward to seeing you pass an appropriate ordinance well in advance of the next election. Sincerely, Mary Ruth and Steve Leen 755 Coastland Dr Palo Alto, CA 94303 -- Take care,Mary Ruth Leen From:Carol Gilbert To:Council, City Subject:Public Comment: Campaign Finance Reform Date:Tuesday, March 14, 2023 4:40:41 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Last May, I signed a PETITION in support of a $500 Cap on donations to City Council candidates. I am disappointed that no action was taken on this issue and hope that the newCouncil will enact the reforms proposed by the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto. As most of us know, there is too much money in politics. The majority of ourneighboring cities have already addressed this problem by passing ordinances setting $500 or $1000 caps on donations to city council candidates and also setting voluntary limits on campaign expenditures. Palo Alto should do the same. I was pleased that three of the 2022 Council candidates voluntarily limited donations to less than $1000, but it’s time for this Council to set a cap that is mandatory going forward. These reforms will help to bring down the spiraling cost of running for office in Palo Alto, level the playing field for diverse candidates, and reduce the sense that people with wealth have more sway over our Council members than ordinary citizens. I look forward to seeing you pass an appropriate ordinance well in advance of the next election. Sincerely, Carol Gilbert Carol.gilbert@comcast.net From:Myra Lessner To:Council, City Subject:RE: March 20 City Council Meeting Public Comment: Campaign Finance Reform Date:Tuesday, March 14, 2023 3:34:16 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from myra.lessner@sbcglobal.net. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Last May, I signed a PETITION in support of a $500 Cap on donations to City Council candidates. I am disappointed that no action was taken on this issue and hope that the newCouncil will enact the reforms proposed by the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto. As most of us know, there is too much money in politics. The majority of ourneighboring cities have already addressed this problem by passing ordinances setting $500 or $1000 caps on donations to city council candidates and also setting voluntary limits on campaign expenditures. Palo Alto should do the same. I was pleased that three of the 2022 Council candidates voluntarily limited donations to less than $1000, but it’s time for this Council to set a cap that is mandatory going forward. These reforms will help to bring down the spiraling cost of running for office in Palo Alto, level the playing field for diverse candidates, and reduce the sense that people with wealth have more sway over our Council members than ordinary citizens. I look forward to seeing you pass an appropriate ordinance well in advance of the next election. Sincerely, Myra Lessner E-mail: myra.lessner@sbcglobal.net TO: City.Council@cityofpaloalto.org SUBJECT: March 20 City Council Meeting Public Comment: Campaign Finance Reform Last May, I signed a PETITION in support of a $500 Cap on donations to City Council candidates. I am disappointed that no action was taken on this issue and hope that the new Council will enact the reforms proposed by the League of Women Voters of Palo Alto. As most of us know, there is too much money in politics. The majority of our neighboring cities have already addressed this problem by passing ordinances setting $500 or $1000 caps on donations to city council candidates and also setting voluntary limits on campaign expenditures. Palo Alto should do the same. I was pleased that three of the 2022 Council candidates voluntarily limited donations to less than $1000, but it’s time for this Council to set a cap that is mandatory going forward. These reforms will help to bring down the spiraling cost of running for office in Palo Alto, level the playing field for diverse candidates, and reduce the sense that people with wealth have more sway over our Council members than ordinary citizens. I look forward to seeing you pass appropriate ordinance well in advance of the next election. The League of Women Voters of Palo Alto has done careful study of the issue and should be commended for continued good work on fair Palo Alto elections. From:Barbara klein To:Council, City Subject:Action on Campaign Finance Reform Date:Tuesday, March 14, 2023 2:21:03 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from bkleinpa@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Sincerely, Barbara Klein bkleinpa@gmail.com From:Emily Young To:Council, City Subject:SUBJECT: March 20 City Council Meeting Public Comment: Campaign Finance Reform Date:Tuesday, March 14, 2023 2:16:44 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from emilyjeanyoung@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear City council, I am disappointed that no action was taken on this issue and hope that the new Council will enact the reforms proposed by the League of Women Voters of PaloAlto. As most of us know, there is too much money in politics. The majority of our neighboring cities have already addressed this problem by passing ordinancessetting $500 or $1000 caps on donations to city council candidates and also setting voluntary limits on campaign expenditures. Palo Alto should do the same. I was pleased that three of the 2022 Council candidates voluntarily limited donationsto less than $1000, but it’s time for this Council to set a cap that is mandatory going forward. These reforms will help to bring down the spiraling cost of running for office in PaloAlto, level the playing field for diverse candidates, and reduce the sense that people with wealth have more sway over our Council members than ordinary citizens. I look forward to seeing you pass an appropriate ordinance well in advance of thenext election. Sincerely, Emily Young emilyjeanyoung@gmail.com -- Emily Young402 El Verano Ave Palo Alto, CA 94306home: 650-856-9571 From:Aram James To:Barberini, Christopher; Tannock, Julie; Binder, Andrew; Perron, Zachary; Shikada, Ed; Wagner, April;Reifschneider, James; Sean Allen; Josh Becker; Jethroe Moore; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Council, City; Jeff Rosen;ladoris cordell; chuck jagoda; Human Relations Commission; Michael Gennaco; Enberg, Nicholas; Foley, Michael;Joe Simitian; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Vara Ramakrishnan; Rebecca Eisenberg; Greer Stone; Bains, Paul;Cecilia Taylor; Tony Dixon Subject:Cops Let Police Canine "Gnaw" On 14-Year-Old Black teen Date:Tuesday, March 14, 2023 2:08:04 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/DgXZ3XS0Xho Sent from my iPhone From:Thomas RindfleischTo:CPNA Cc:Shikada, Ed; Eggleston, Brad; Rebecca Eisenberg; Margaret Bruce; Murray, Kevin; Council, City; Jeffrey R Koseff; Hamilton Hitchings; Neilson Buchanan; Tess BylerSubject:[CPNA] SFC Flow Prediction for the Next Storm -- Update #2 Date:Tuesday, March 14, 2023 7:24:25 AMAttachments:N2HeUGUk1Ou6Z2Lw.pngcq6Qn0zz4M3J8HRj.png CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Friends, the latest CNRFC forecast (4:23 AM) has not changed much from the previous one as to how much, where, and when the coming storm's rainwill hit us. The CNRFC prediction still has a wide range of uncertainty (see below), but the essentials are the same. The "nominal" prediction is for a 5.3 ftpeak (~1200 cfs), and the 95th percentile range goes up to 9.5 ft (~3600 cfs) -- a factor of 3 difference. The timing is also about the same, the maximumflow at the USGS gauge would occur ~2:00 PM and the peak flow at P-C would occur ~45 min later, say around 2:45PM. At this point the storm still doesnot appear to bring much chance of SFC flooding (the P-C bridge capacity is ~5500 cfs). The uncertainty continues to be worrisome but unless there is abig surprise, like the storm stalls out for a long time, the 3600 cfs high mark is ~65% of the P-C capacity. I'll continue check. You can view a satellite loopof the storm progress at this link... Tom R. From:Matthew Lenhard To:council@cityofrochester.gov; tbeiter-fluhr@ci.sheridan.co.us; Miguel.Melendez@cityofrochester.gov;Willie.Lightfoot@cityofrochester.gov; malik@malikevans.org; ronada.wright@cityofrocheter.gov;countycouncil@baltimorecountymd.gov; Tamara.Mayberry@CityofRochester.Gov Cc:Auditing Erie County; Denver Metro Audits; Leroy Truth Investigations; Long Island Audit; Council, City; bkulpa@amherst.ny.us; jberger@amherst.ny.us; dbucki@amherst.ny.us; slavin@amherst.ny.us; mszukala@amherst.ny.us; fspoth@amherst.ny.us; plucey@amherst.ny.us; Rights Crispy; Blue line BodyCam; THEAFACREW@gmail.com Subject:Example of How a 1st Amendment Audit Should Go Date:Tuesday, March 14, 2023 6:42:23 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from mattlenhard111@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Greetings Public Officials, I wanted to take a moment to share with you all how a professional town supervisorfrom Amherst NY, Brian Kulpa, works with a successful 1st amendment audit of the Amherst, NY town hall, who discusses with the 1st amendment auditor how transparency "should" work concerning public property such as town & city halls and public officials. 1st Amendment Audit of Amherst NY City Hall With Supervisor Brian Kulpa I would ask that the public officials from Rochester, NY AND Sheridan, Coloradoincluding the two Mayors and the city council members take a few notes from the Amherst NY town supervisor Brian Kulpa! Thank you, Supervisor Kulpa for your Professional and personable public service,you are a shining example of how things "should" go with 1st amendment auditorswhose work and efforts are desperately needed nationwide and you should run for higher office at the state or federal level! Sincerely,Matthew Lenhard - Concerned American 585-623-3083 mattlenhard111@gmail.com From:Aram James To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Stump, Molly Subject:Aram James celebrating 45 years as a member of the bar -trial lawyer and activist Date:Tuesday, March 14, 2023 12:57:00 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aram_Byer_James Shared via the Google app Sent from my iPhone From:Tony Ciampi To:Lisa.Scheff@cityofpaloalto.com; Binder, Andrew; Stump, Molly; Council, City Subject:Failure to identify public employee in request Date:Monday, March 13, 2023 11:56:43 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from t.ciampi@hotmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Lisa Scheff, Public Safety Program Manager/Records Police Department Ms. Scheff, I am not the person who attached the warning that cites Palo Alto Municipal Code 2.31.030. Please provide me the name of the employee who has the employee number of #04807 that I requested in my initial request W005096-022823 on February 28 Since I asked for this over ten days ago you have exceeded the allotted time pursuant to the Public Records Act and therefore expect a quicker response than ten day. Attached is a screen shot of my initial request, your response and photographs of the warning to confiscate private property by the City of Palo Alto. It also appears that you have blocked my access to my Public Records Account therefore I will be using this email address for the request. Please send your response to this email address. t.ciampi@hotmail.com On a secondary note: You identified me as a city employee. Where did you get the information that I worked for the city of Palo Alto? Do you have the right as a public employee, as a law enforcement officer, to knowingly make false statements to the public? Tony Ciampi From:Vadim Axelrod To:Council, City; French, Amy; Lait, Jonathan Subject:Ellsworth place application (23PPLN-27) Date:Monday, March 13, 2023 8:54:04 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from vadim.com@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Council and Staff, Thank you for the thoughtful discussion tonight! I'm the owner of 742 Ellsworth for 30 years.Safety first is a great place to start! I am excited about welcoming new neighbors, and may be off here, but am guessing that the buyer, Nitin Handa, will not be the one joining us on Ellsworth afterfinding https://bayareameetup.com/order-form1649289466297. I would love to see a workable solution to get more housing in Palo Alto and excited to see where this settles. If you need any feedback from long-term residents, please let me know. Best wishes, -Vadim Axelrod From:Aram James To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Council, City Subject:Start 8:pm-finish 8:02 Date:Monday, March 13, 2023 8:03:21 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Great job!! Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Lauing, Ed; Council, City Subject:Lauing start 7:53 pm-finish time -8pm- Date:Monday, March 13, 2023 8:00:41 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Council, City; Pat Burt Subject:Pat Burt start time 7:41 pm -finish time 7:46 -good timing Date:Monday, March 13, 2023 7:47:19 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Sent from my iPhone From:Thomas RindfleischTo:CPNA Cc:Shikada, Ed; Eggleston, Brad; Rebecca Eisenberg; Margaret Bruce; Murray, Kevin; Council, City; Jeffrey R Koseff; Hamilton Hitchings; Neilson Buchanan; Tess BylerSubject:[CPNA] SFC Flow Prediction for the Next Storm -- Update #1 Date:Monday, March 13, 2023 7:31:23 PMAttachments:tTiW00hI65aGADyg.pngEmyuO7oofcF5KXOr.png CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Friends, at this point it's hard to say with good confidence what will be coming our way with the next storm on Tuesday in terms of how much, where, andwhen. The CNRFC prediction as of 2:42 PM this afternoon still has a wide range of uncertainty (see below). The "nominal" prediction is for a 5.3 ft peak(~1200 cfs), but the 95th percentile range goes up to 9.5 ft (~3600 cfs) -- a factor of 3 difference. The timing is also uncertain -- the CNRFC modelmaximum flow at the USGS gauge would occur ~2:00 PM Tuesday (14th). At this point the storm does not appear to bring much chance of SFC flooding(the Pope-Chaucer bridge capacity is ~5500 cfs) and the peak flow at P-C would occur ~45 min after the peak at the USGS gauge, say around 2:45PM.The uncertainty is worrisome but unless there is a big surprise, like the storm stalls out for a long time, the 3600 cfs high mark is ~65% of the P-Ccapacity. I'll check again in the morning... Tom R. From:John Shenk To:Council, City Cc:Shikada, Ed; Guagliardo, Steven Subject:Study Session item #1 and Agenda item #6 Date:Monday, March 13, 2023 5:14:11 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Good evening Mayor Kou and City Council Members. In an effort to be efficient my comments related to tonights Study Session item #1 and Agendaitem #6 please see them below in bullet point format: Study Session #1: We and our many tenants are happy the City is focusing on how to support economicvitality in the downtown and elsewhere. Downtown needs to most help and it needs to be focused on the following: • Immediate increase in police presence to improve safety for all. • Immediate significant cleaning (steam cleaning!) of all public sidewalks andstreets. • Removal of parklets as all were meant to be temporary and they are onlybeneficial to the few restaurants that use them to increase their seating. • Immediately fix heaved curbs and sidewalks, make all tree wells safe, and makeall storm drains actually flow so we don’t get scum puddles with each rain. This work is critical and the best first step to support the downtown. By doing this, more daytime workers will be attracted to work downtown as it will be a more desirablearea. Daytime works have traditionally been the source of the vast majority of sales in the downtown. Next it will be important to address critically important updates to the retail zoningordinance (maps and uses) to make our retail district competitive and lively. Agenda Item #6: Permanent Parklets should NOT be approved. We are studying Economic Vitality andcommittees are actively working on the physical environment to arrive at a “best solution” and adopting a permanent parklet program is simply out of step and willpreempt the work StreetSense and Public Works is focused on now. Temporary Parklets should simply be removed. They are not safe, do not comply with building codes, and damage other retailers. If you are not going to remove them, pleaseadopt all of the proposed measures to make them only exist in front of the retailer, they must be cleanable so they are not rat hotels and storm drain dams. Ramona Districtmust be preserved and it must be accessible to all visitor and should support all retailers, not just the couple that economically benefit from significant increases in setting fromusing the street. Please stop this train and focus on the work StreetSense is doing and the work Public Works is doing to arrive at a plan that is best for our public rights of way. Sincerely, John John R. ShenkC.E.O. Thoits Bros., Inc. 629 Emerson Street Palo Alto, CA 94301 650.323.4868 To our honorable Mayor,Vice Mayor and Palo Alto City Council members, Thank you for your continued efforts to provide outdoor dining for Palo Alto, especially as it relates as well as a boost to the vibrancy of Palo Alto. We are excited to build upon and work with the City enrich our beloved City. It is our hope that you will continue to view parklets as public property and not require "neighborin basis, for the best interest of all. Please recognize that the majority of the parklets in Palo Alto are program. The City should be the ones to make decisions on permits to benefit the city and the com whether or not to allow parklets on CITY property. We recognize the importance of pleasing aesthetic spaces and strongly believe that as long as the parklets in front of neighboring businesses should be allowed. In regards to vacant businesses, pa space is rented, the new tenant should have the first right of refusal to use that space. If a parklet is standards set by the city and also not block visibility to that business. If we allow landlords to control these spaces rather than the city, it would take away from the vision community WANTS. Please ensure that the guidelines of parklets and the decisions pertaining to th From:Brenda LeBlanc To:Council, City Subject:Parklets and neighboring consent /tonight"s council meeting Date:Monday, March 13, 2023 5:10:24 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from bleblanccarrubba@gmail.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. From:Calvin Ross To:Council, City Subject:Can you be a sponsor for our event Date:Monday, March 13, 2023 3:36:59 PM Attachments:Break Every Chain.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello, My name is Calvin Ross and I am the Musical Director for the Palo Alto Community Gospel Choir. We are putting on a musical at the Wesley United Methodist Church located on Cambridge Avenue (1 block west of California). This musical will take place from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Since we are so close tothe restaurants in that area, we have been requesting that the restaurants offer a 10% discount on entrees for any one who attends our musical. Thus far, two restaurants have committed to participating. In addition, Mayor Kou has agreed to give greetings from the City of Palo Alto. Our theme is "Break Every Chain". This theme is particularly relevant at this time, when we are coming off or 3 years of being "chained" by COVID. However, many have run into other chains, either because of COVID or because of othercircumstances. Our theme encourages everyone to break out of those chains and start to make our lives be the best that they can be. Personally, I get excited whenever I begin to describe what this theme means to me. I am looking for help to make this event successful. And we have been working trying to get sponsors for this event. A sponsor would donate a certain amount of money, and we would print all sponsors' names on the program. The local restaurants DO NOT have to be sponsors, nor are we asking them to make any contribution, exceptto be open to the potential of having more customers. However, it would be great for the city of Palo Alto to sign up as a sponsor. This could help us with advertising as we want a really good turnout and we need some funds to pay expenses. Before COVID, we had a Christmas musical at the same church and it was a great success. Please consider my request for the City of Palo Alto to be a sponsor. Also, if there are ways to advertise the event, we could use your help in that as well. See attached flyer for additional information and thank you in advance for your consideration. Regards, Calvin Ross, Musical Director Palo Alto Community Gospel Choir presents a Multi-Cultural, Multi-Racial “Break Every Chain “MUSICAL “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles” Psalm 2:3 Wesley United Methodist Church 470 Cambridge Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94306 Saulisi Kanongata'a,Pastor Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 5:00 PM Featuring music from many cultures and ethnicities Calvin Ross and the to be held at Contact: Calvin Ross (408) 836-5944 for more information Palo Alto Community Gospel Choir Wesley United Methodist Tongan Choir Northern California Chapter of James Cleveland Workshop TABERNACULO BIBLICO BAUTISTA AMIGOS DE ISRAEL SAN FRANCISCO Flautist, Elaine Gilbrech Soloist, Nova Jimenez Sherona Harris Praise Dancers Mayor of Palo Alto, Lydia Kou FREE: No admission charge FREE: No admission charge From:Howard Crittenden To:Council, City Subject:Fwd: Parklets Date:Monday, March 13, 2023 2:18:26 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from hcrit3@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Honorable City of Palo Alto Council Members, I own Commerical Property in Downtown Palo Alto. Regarding parklets, I am pleased that the Council is requiring approval from the neighboring tenant as well as theproperty owner for encroaching parklets.My tenant Edna Bowl is struggling to stay in business, while the neighboring restaurant has a parklet that coversover half of the front of my tenant's business. Parklets were valuable during the pandemic. Today they favor some and punish others.Sincerely yours,Howard CrittendenProperty Owner Attached photo with 'Edna Bowl' label added From:LWV of Palo Alto To:Council, City Subject:March 20 Council Meeting: Public Comment (no agenda item) Date:Monday, March 13, 2023 12:47:53 PM Attachments:March23LWVpubcomment.docx CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. The League of Women Voters of Palo Alto is submitting a letter for inclusion in the March 20Special City Council meeting Public Comment, calling for campaign finance reform. -- League of Women Voters of Palo Alto 3921 E. Bayshore Road Palo Alto, CA 94303 Phone: (650) 903-0600 Web: www.lwvpaloalto.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/PaloAltoLeague/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/lwvpaloalto Dear Mayor Kou and Members of the City Council: Please support the Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC) recommendation to rededicate the 10 acre Measure E site. The City should take its commitments seriously and protect public parks. Byxbee Park was dedicated 59 years ago - in 1964. In the late 1970’s, the City had established Enterprise Funds in response to budget constraints caused by Proposition 13. The Enterprise Funds were expected to pay the General Fund for all services and space used. Rent was established on the landfill at $100,000/acre. The City, ad- dicted to the revenue stream, expanded the Refuse area three times. The Fund had paid $109,000,000 to the General Fund by 2020. The landfill didn’t close until 2014 - FIFTY YEARS after it had been Park Dedicated. In 1987 the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) expanded right to its very edge. As part of the Site and Design Review, the City Council required RWQCP to landscape a 125 foot strip of adjacent Byxbee Park to screen the Plant from the Park which was expected to open soon. Bob Wenzlau’s photo shows how successful that landscape screen is after 30 years. Over the years, other activities were located on the site - roadway access to RWQCP and the re- quired landfill management facility. And a beneficial use project for RWQCP on the Renzel Wetland installed a large pipeline under the road to allow salt water into Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse habitat. This road is also a vital part of a loop trail around Byxbee Park. And the re- quired landscape screen is providing an important habitat corridor between the Bay and the Renzel Wetland. In 2011, voters passed an Initiative to undedicate 10 acres of Byxbee Park, including this im- portant connection between the Bay and the Renzel Wetland and segment of the Byxbee Park loop trail. Section 5 of the Initiative says, "The Property shall be removed from dedication as parkland, for the exclusive purpose of building a facility ("Facility" herein) for converting yard trimmings, food waste, other municipal organics and/or sewage sludge from the regional wastewater treatment plant by biological and/or other environmentally equally protective technology. “ As a sweetener to persuade voters to support Measure E, they included “ Section 7. Reversion: "Ten years from the passage of this Initiative, the City Council may rededicate any portion of the property not used for the purposes of this Initiative to parkland" . Any other use of the site would require an additional undedication vote. Since 2011, the landfill was closed and about 2/3 of the 10-acre Measure E site was filled with refuse and became part of the certified closed landfill. The 1/3 of the site that remains (roughly 3.3 acres) includes the landscaping required for RWQCP, important habitat connection between the Bay and the Renzel Wetlands, the salt water supply to the Renzel Wetland beneficial use project, and the service road/loop trail segment. To use the landfill 2/3 would require re- opening the landfill and costly re-arrangement of tons of garbage. To use the 1/3 habitat corri- dor would be to renege on decades-long City commitments. The Parks & Recreation Commission spent more than a year studying the Measure E site and recommended that the site be rededicated. Please respect their hard work and rededicate the Measure E site. Thank you. Emily Renzel Councilmember 1979-91 Planning Commissioner 1973-79 1056 Forest Avenue Palo Alto And Enid Pearson Councilmember 1965-75 1019 Forest Court Palo Alto