HomeMy Public PortalAboutFebruary 27, 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: 2/27/2023
Document dates: 2/20/2023 – 2/27/2023
Note: Documents for every category may not have been received for packet reproduction
in a given week.
From:David Adams
To:Kamhi, Philip; Transportation
Cc:Council, City; Susanne Jul; Sandy Lockhart; Sandy Lockhart; First Last Name; Yugen Lockhart; Jared Lockhart;
cearadiane@gmail.com; Ed Kwok
Subject:Proposal to eliminate cut-through traffic on Olive Ave
Date:Monday, February 27, 2023 7:33:43 AM
Attachments:ParkBlvd.pngOlive.png
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Dear Mr Kamhi,
We are writing to you to propose a solution to the constant cut-through traffic issue that we residents on
Olive Ave have been enduring for many years now.
Our primary concern is safety. Safety of the young children that play on the sidewalk just yards fromspeeding vehicles and safety of cyclists entering and exiting their properties on Olive and attempting tofind a gap in the traffic. As you are aware, this area of PA is targeted for several extremely largedevelopments that will introduce yet more vehicles into the area. And yet, although these projects areprogressing through the planning process, the accompanying mitigations to prevent the extremedegradation to our community these projects will cause are sadly nowhere to be seen.
The proposalSee attached pics for reference.
A half-island should be constructed on Olive at the end of the 3001 ECR property with the red lineindicating the location (Olive.png). An example of such a half-island can be found nearby on Park Blvdclose to Gryphon (ParkBlvd.png).
FeaturesThe half-island would prevent eastbound vehicle entry onto R1 residential segments of Olive from ElCamino.It would allow eastbound bicycle entry onto R1 residential segments of Olive from El Camino.It would allow eastbound emergency vehicle entry onto R1 residential segments of Olive from El Camino.It would allow all traffic westbound.No extra cars are diverted up Olive and onto Park Blvd. We want to keep cars off Park as much aspossible as it is a bike boulevard.There is a precedent as similar has been implemented nearby.
We urge you to consider this proposal as a matter of priority. We are available to meet with you on-site toshow you the problem we face every day.
Thank you for your consideration.Peter LockhartSandy LockhartEd KwokSusanne JulYugen LockhartJared LockhartDavid AdamsDiHuyen Ho
From:Eileen Mclaughlin
To:Kou, Lydia; Stone, Greer; Burt, Patrick; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki
Cc:kou.pacc@gmail.com; greg@gregtanaka.org; City Clerk"s Office; howardhigh1@comcast.net;
glraabe@sbcglobal.net
Subject:Comments, 02/27/2023 Agenda Item 7, Ordinance Amendments re E-bikes
Date:Sunday, February 26, 2023 11:13:41 PM
Attachments:CCCR Comments to PACC re 02272023 Item 7_E-bikes .pdf
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Dear Mayor Kou, Vice Mayor Stone and Members of City Council:
Please consider comments in the attached letter for your consideration regarding Item 7,
the P&RC recommendation of Ordinance amendments regarding E-bikes.
Thank you.
Eileen McLaughlin Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge.408-257-7599408-230-0054 cell
P.O. Box 23957,
San Jose, CA 95153
650‐493‐5540
cccrrefuge@gmail.com
www.BayRefuge.org
February 26, 2023
Mayor Lydia Kou
Vice Mayor Greer Stone
Members of City Council
City of Palo Alto
Submitted Via Email
RE: 02/27/2023 Agenda Item 7, P&RC Recommendation to Adopt an Ordinance Amending PAMC
Section 22.04.220 to Regulate Electric Bicycles and Electric Coasting Devices in Parks and Open Spaces
Dear Mayor Kou, Vice Mayor Stone and Members of Council:
Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge is grateful for this opportunity to support approval of the
Recommendation of the Parks & Recreation Commission to Adopt an Ordinance amending City
Municipal Code in Sec 22.04.220 to regulate electric bicycles (e‐bikes) and other electrical coasting
devices (scooters, skateboards) in City parks and open space.
This recommendation is timely and pragmatic.
1. This Ordinance amendment reclaims City autonomy on decisions it makes regarding e‐bikes.
State Law AB 1909 allows e‐bikes of any class to be ridden statewide on any trail that is used by
bicycles. It became effective on January 1st, 2023 but allows compliance to be overridden by
ordinances of local jurisdictions.
2. Adopting the recommended Ordinance amendments would give the City time to learn more
about how e‐bikes impact the environment. At present, scant data is available. A 2021 e‐bike
study that the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) prepared for the MidPeninsula Regional
Open Space District (MPROSD) remarked:
“Most studies are about e‐bikes for commuter use. Much of this information will be
relevant only to urban settings, though some portion may translate to open space
settings. In addition, among the few studies conducted in open space settings, some did
not yield statistically meaningful results due to small sample sizes. More research is
needed to understand e‐bike use in open space and its potential impacts to trails,
wildlife, and other visitors.”1
That SFEI report further advises continuing review of research and study outcomes to stay
current with this emerging recreational and transportation technology.
1 San Francisco Estuary Institute, E‐Bikes and Open Space: The Current State of Research and Management
Recommendations, December 2021; https://www.sfei.org/documents/e‐bikes‐and‐open‐space‐current‐state‐
research‐and‐management‐recommendations
T
E. McLaughlin/CCCR, Letter to Palo Alto City Council, 02/26/2023 re Upcoming Agenda Item 7
Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge Page 2
3. With the recommended Ordinance Amendments, the City will sustain wildlife protections and
preservation by avoiding introducing impacts that are not yet sufficiently identified. Certain
recent, local studies already suggest impacts that may prove to be significant.
a. H.T.Harvey & Associates prepared an E‐bike noise impact study2 on wildlife for the
MPROSD. To our knowledge, it was the first study of its kind. While electric motors seem
virtually silent to human ears, they are emitting high and low decibel sounds that are
heard by wildlife. The study narrowly considers impacts on birds and bats while
acknowledging that other wildlife may also be impacted. In brief, it finds that noise
produced by e‐bikes appears sufficient to impact birds and bat species including, in
daytime hours, maternity roosting of bats.
b. On November 16, 2021, the City, with project partners, presented a webinar “Sharing
Space:…”3 that included scientists discussing issues of public access related to building a
horizontal levee in the Baylands. In it was a presentation by Dr. Lynne Trulio discussing
how human directional and speed behavior on trails impacts shoreline birds. As speed is
a factor with e‐bikes, the potential of this impact is relevant and cautionary in the
decision before you.
We ask that you approve the recommended Ordinance amendments, an action that recognizes the use
of e=bikes and other mobile e‐devices while sustaining the existing qualities of the Baylands and Open
Space preserves for the benefit of visitors and wildlife alike.
Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge is a volunteer‐run, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has
its roots in the citizen committee that worked to establish the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National
Wildlife Refuge in 1972. Since that time we have worked persistently for protection and enhancement of
the Refuge and the wetlands and wildlife all along the Bay’s shoreline.
Truly Yours,
Eileen McLaughlin
Board Member
Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge.
CC: Carin High, Co‐Chair, CCCR
Gail Raabe, C0‐Chair, CCCR
2 Julie Andersen, MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District, Memorandum to the Board, Update on the Electric
Bicycle (e‐bike) Noise Study, 11/10/2021;
https://www.openspace.org/sites/default/files/20211110_FYI_EbikeNoiseStudyResults.pdf
3 City of Palo Alto, San Francisco Estuary Partnership and the California Coastal Conservancy, 11/16/2021; Sharing
Space: Balancing Public Access and Habitat Enhancement at the Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KXgOWuUrQA
From:Robert Neff
To:Council, City
Subject:E-Bikes in Parks Proposed Ordinance.
Date:Sunday, February 26, 2023 11:10:15 PM
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________________________________
Honorable members of Palo Alto City Council,
I am writing regarding the proposed E-bike restrictions, Item 7 on your
agenda for Monday, Feb. 26.
I find myself in support of the proposed ordinance. I cannot think of a
better, more straightforward set of rules.
I am glad to see the continued permission to use E-bikes in city parks.
This is an important alternative for those who would like to use E-bikes
for transportation from their home to the parks.
Some of our bicyclists have started using e-bikes as a way to continue
to bicycle, despite serious health issues. I think it would be valuable
to recognize that allowing use of e-bikes in preserves, especially the
Baylands, or Byxbee Park, for those who would be able to reach the
preserve by E-bike instead of by automobile. We should definitely
permit E-bike use for those who would otherwise be disabled from riding
bicycles. In fact would such an accommodation be required by the
Americans with Disabilities Act?
But then, for bicyclist who are merely less fit, should we encourage
slower cyclists to get e-bikes so they can keep up with their faster
friends? What about groups of e-bikes only? I think a group of folks
on motorized bikes is a bad fit for the preserves. But crafting a rule
that covers "good" and "bad" e-bike users is difficult. My favorite
(unworkable) rule is that all E-bike users must be accompanied by a
rider of a regular bicycle. That would cover slow parents trying to
keep up with their kids!
I would want any motorized recreation to be compatible with human
powered use of the parks, but I find I cannot think of a better solution
than the restrictive proposed ordinance.
Finally, I cannot figure out if Byxbee Park would have rules like a
Park, or like a Preserve. It seems to be both a Park, and inside the
Baylands preserve. Perhaps that should be clarified in this ordinance
change.
Thank you for your service to our city of Palo Alto,
Robert Neff
Emerson Street, near Loma Verde
Palo Alto
From:Sandra Lockhart
To:Raybould, Claire
Cc:Transportation@CtyofPaloAlto.org; Kou, Lydia; Council, City
Subject:Response to Negative Mitigation Declaration
Date:Sunday, February 26, 2023 9:15:07 PM
Attachments:RE ADM Ltr to Claire Raybould re Mitigation.docx
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________________________________
Thank you, Claire.
From Sandra Lockhart
2/26/2023
From:Michelle MacKenzie
To:Council, City
Subject:Item 7 on 2/27 agenda: Support for PRC recommendations
Date:Sunday, February 26, 2023 7:57:09 PM
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________________________________
Dear Mayor Kou and City Council
I am a resident of Menlo Park but live within short walking distance to Palo Alto’s city limits. I visit the Palo Alto
Baylands 4-5 times a week and Pearson-Arastradero Preserve 2-3x a month. I am an avid birder and an aspiring
wildlife photographer. In addition, I am recovering from my cancer treatment. I have turned to birding and solace in
nature to help me heal and to truly be “in the moment.” My teen has recently started stopping by the Baylands on
her own as well as a way to decompress once or twice a week. The quiet of nature and the beauty of birds just doing
their thing is so necessary in the fast pace of our society.
I am writing to ask you to work to retain the peace of our precious nature preserves as well as to reduce the impact
of recreation on folks seeking peace - such as my daughter and myself - as well as on our wildlife, by supporting the
Parks and Recreation Commission’s recommendation to not allow electronic bikes on unpaved roads and trails in
open space and nature preserves. Allowing such usage very well might decrease the treasured biodiversity of the
Baylands and cause animals to be more alert. It would also make quiet recreation more difficult for those of us who
seek it.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely
Michelle MacKenzie
Menlo Park, California
From:Rita Vrhel
To:Council, City
Subject:NO to allowing electric bikes on unpaved trails and at the Baylands
Date:Sunday, February 26, 2023 7:48:57 PM
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Dear Mayor Kou and City Council members:
Please vote NO on allowing electric bike on unpaved trails including the Baylands. The PTCvoted correctly when banning these electric bikes.
MY research indicated, depending on the type of bike, speeds of up to 28 miles /hr are
possible.
These speeds are completely incompatible with walkers, dogs on leash or children, walking orin strollers, also being on the trail.
Even on our city streets I believe that these e-bikes belong on the road and not in the bike lane.
Again because of their speed.
The animals likley to be found along unpaved trails will also not have a chance..either likley tobe hit or have their normal habitat and hunting patterns changes second to the speed of these
bikes.
I am unsure as to what other environmental damage could occur with electric bikes, but i haveseen the damage possible at Eleanor Pardee Park with kids on electric bikes cutting deep ruts
in the soft soil.
It would be too attractive to use an e-bike as a dirt bike on soft trails, creating ruts which willincrease erosion over time.
E-bikers have the option of using a regular bike on unpaved trails... at least at the Baylands.
This seems to have worked well fo all users for years.
Sometimes you just need to say NO. Please do.
Thank you.
Rita C. VrhelPhone: 650-325-2298
From:Ziem Neubert (Project Cornerstone)
Subject:Project Cornerstone"s 2023 Asset Champions Breakfast - Last Day to Register is March 2nd
Date:Sunday, February 26, 2023 6:15:02 PM
Attachments:image001.png
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Dear Esteemed Elected Officials,
I hope all is well with you. I am writing in case you missed our Constant Contact emailinvitations to our Asset Champions Breakfast event – first time back in person since 2019! For those of you who may not be familiar with us or this tradition, since 2003, YMCAProject Cornerstone has recognized Silicon Valley schools, individuals, and organizationsthat are committed to making this a better place for young people to live and grow. ProjectCornerstone honors PreK-high schools that are creating caring and bullying-free schoolenvironments; youth whose actions and behaviors make them positive role models fortheir peers; and businesses/people who provide opportunities for young people to makemeaningful contributions to their community, help youth feel supported and proud of theiridentity, and/or model/inspire responsible behaviors. (See list of award recipients below.)
The goal of the Asset Champions Breakfast event is to shine the light on, honor, and sharethe stories of these people, organizations, and schools in a community-building andcelebratory setting. Let’s take a break and gather for a couple of hours to just be in the moment andcelebrate our resiliency! This year’s theme is Creating Connections: Youth. Family. Community.
Project Cornerstone Asset Champions BreakfastDate: Friday, March 17, 2023Time: 7:00 to 9:00 a.m.Place: Santa Clara Convention Center There will be lively entertainment from youth and heart-felt stories shared. This year’skeynote speaker is Dr. Victor Rios. (See bio below.)
I hope you and others will be able to join us. Perhaps consider getting a table of 10 or
honoring someone at an “UPstander” table.
Register today, by clicking here. (Details are below.)
With gratitude for all you do in support of youth and families,Ziem Ziem Nguyen Neubert, M.Ed. Executive DirectorYMCA Project Cornerstone80 Saratoga AvenueSanta Clara, CA 95051(P) 408-351-6419 (E) ziem@projectcornerstone.org (W)www.projectcornerstone.org(O) www.facebook.com/projectcornerstone | www.twitter.com/projcornerstone |www.youtube.com/projectcornerstone | http://pinterest.com/projcornerstone/
The Y: We’re for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.Project Cornerstone is an initiative of the YMCA of Silicon Valley.
From: Project Cornerstone <ziem@projectcornerstone.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2023 5:31 PM
To: Ziem Neubert (Project Cornerstone) <Ziem@projectcornerstone.org>
Subject: 2023 Asset Champions Awardees
EXTERNAL MAIL
Warning: this message is from outside our association. Do not divulge information, click on links or open attachments unlessyou recognize the sender's email address and know the content is safe
Congratulations to our 2023 awardees
Congratulations to the 2023 Asset Champions Awardees!
Award recipients include organizations and individuals who support ProjectCornerstone’s mission of building a web of support around young people so that theygrow into healthy, caring, and responsible adults. The 2023 Asset Champions are:
Lauri Scirigione, Lauri Gray’s School of Dance The Adult Role Model award recognizes an adult who models and inspires positiveresponsible behavior for young people. Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action
The Community Values Youth award honors people/businesses that demonstrate toyoung people that the community values their contributions and efforts.
Farah Tavana, 4th Grade Student, Van Meter Elementary, Los Gatos Union SchoolDistrictThe Positive Peer Influence award recognizes a person, 24 years or younger, whoseactions and behaviors make them positive role models for their peers. Nominees mustalso be 24 years or younger.
Annameekee Hesik, Teacher, Los Gatos High School, Los Gatos-Saratoga Union HighSchool DistrictThe Positive Cultural Identity award recognizes people/businesses that help youngpeople feel supported, comfortable, and proud of their identity.
In the Caring School Climate category, these schools are transforming their campusesinto caring communities where all students are valued and feel welcomed andrespected:
· Aptitud Community Academy at Goss (Alum Rock Union School District):
Caring Pre-K-Elementary School
· Price Middle School (Cambrian School District): Caring Middle School
· South County Community School (Santa Clara County Office of Education):
Caring High School
Register Today(Registration closes on March 2, 2023)
Friday, March 17, 2023Registration & Breakfast 7 AM - 7:30 AMProgram 7:30 AM - 9 AM Santa Clara Convention CenterMission City Ballroom5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara(free parking at the Convention Center)
Ticket Prices:Adult: $65Youth: $40Table of 10: $600Dedicate your table to an UPstander: $650
Register:Scan the QR code or click the "REGISTER" button to register and pay online.
REGISTER
Featuring Keynote Speaker
Dr. Victor RiosProfessor, Author, Speaker
Using his personal experience ofdropping out of school and beingincarcerated as a juvenile, along withhis research findings, Dr. Rios seeks touncover how to best support the lives ofyoung people who experience poverty,stigma, and social exclusion.
The author of six books, Dr. Rios hasalso been featured in several Ted Talks,the Oprah Winfrey Network, PrimerImpacto, National Public Radio, and PBSNewsHour.
Interested in sponsoring the event?See our 2023 sponsorship levels and benefits flyer
Have questions or need more information?Contact info@projectcornerstone.org
YMCA Project Cornerstone | Website
Project Cornerstone | 80 Saratoga Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95051
Unsubscribe ziem@projectcornerstone.org
Constant Contact Data Notice
Sent by ziem@projectcornerstone.org
From:Aram James
To:Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Council, City; Binder, Andrew; Shikada, Ed
Subject:St. Louis Police Seek State Takeover
Date:Sunday, February 26, 2023 4:45:38 PM
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________________________________
https://theintercept.com/2023/02/24/st-louis-missouri-police-department/
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From:Amy Christel
To:Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Greer Stone; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Tanaka, Greg;greg@gregtanaka.org; Veenker, Vicki
Subject:Please ban e-bikes from PA Baylands and City Preserves
Date:Sunday, February 26, 2023 1:18:26 PM
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Dear Council Members,
E-bikes have no place on trails in any city park or preserve. E-bikers will
add anxiety to others' experiences of our valuable open spaces. I use the Palo
Alto Baylands trails for walking, birding, and quiet observation of nature. Thepossibility of e-bikes using those same trails is frightening, because they are heavierand faster than regular bikes. These trails are predominantly used by pedestrians.
I have seen kids on e-bikes tearing around the neighborhoods, even on sidewalkspulling wheelies in front of Midtown shops! There is never a city official there tolimit or cite that behavior. The last thing we need is the Baylands becoming a
motocross track for e-bike enthusiasts. It is a Nature Preserve, after all!
As for the elderly who can't pedal a regular bike on flat land, walking is an optionfor exercise. Or, they can access the preserve on a Rascal type scooter that can't
exceed a safe speed limit.
Our roads are available to these motorized "bikes" and that's where e-bikers should ride. The Baylands has no staff to patrol speeds and ticket offenders.
Let's not create a problem with no way to limit dangerous behavior.
Sincerely,Amy Christel
From:Aram James
To:Sean Allen; Javier Ortega; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Jethroe Moore; Council, City; Josh Becker; Shikada, Ed; Wagner,April; Binder, Andrew; Barberini, Christopher; Tony Dixon; Cecilia Taylor; Rebecca Eisenberg; Betsy Nash;Reifschneider, James; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; chuck jagoda; ladoris cordell; Human Relations Commission;Enberg, Nicholas; Figueroa, Eric; Michael Gennaco; Greer Stone; Bains, Paul; Kaloma Smith; Perron, Zachary;Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Ed Lauing; Joe Simitian; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Cindy Chavez; Pat Burt; LydiaKou
Subject:Family of amputee killed by police has a message for officers: ‘Anthony was loved’( tasers used as well ineffective
….so the dirty cops fired10 rounds and killed Anthony Lowe)
Date:Sunday, February 26, 2023 12:53:16 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-01-30/police-shooting-double-amputee-family-wants-answers
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From:Beth Fairman
To:Council, City
Subject:No electric bikes on unpaved trails!
Date:Sunday, February 26, 2023 11:17:29 AM
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________________________________
Hello,
I'm a Palo Alto resident who enjoys the peace and quiet of the Baylands and other city parks. I hope you will
maintain the natural tranquility of these open spaces by supporting the Parks and Recreation Commission
recommendation to not allow electric bikes on unpaved roads and trails in open space and nature preserves.
Sincerely,
Beth Fairman
410 Sheridan Avenue
Palo Alto 94306
Sent from my iPad
From:Aram James
To:Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Stump, Molly; Figueroa, Eric; Tannock, Julie; Foley,Michael; Michael Gennaco; Enberg, Nicholas; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; Tony Dixon;Cecilia Taylor; Betsy Nash
Subject:Dayton Police Dragged Paraplegic Man Clifford p from His Car; NAAC...
Date:Sunday, February 26, 2023 10:55:34 AM
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________________________________
https://youtu.be/lj3aVWhpWg0
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From:Aram James
To:Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Jethroe Moore; Josh Becker; Sean Allen; JulieLythcott-Haims; Wagner, April; Joe Simitian; Rebecca Eisenberg; chuck jagoda; Jay Boyarsky; Wagner, April;Barberini, Christopher; Human Relations Commission; Bains, Paul
Subject:Cop Manhandles Mother, Draws Gun On Child During Traffic Stop
Date:Saturday, February 25, 2023 10:10:40 PM
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on links.
________________________________
https://youtu.be/1Wo5CKLLhnE
Sent from my iPhone
From:Patricia Brennan
To:Council, City
Subject:Electric Bikes on Park trails
Date:Saturday, February 25, 2023 9:39:51 PM
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________________________________
I am adamantly opposed to electric bikes on trails as it very dangerous. I have almost been hit by some of these
bikes who speed and don’t alert pedestrians when coming up behind them. Also it will be very disruptive to
wildlife. I birdwatch and hike on trails in the parks to enjoy the quietness and beauty and it is very disconcerting to
have electric bikes whizzing by you at high speeds. HELP!! Patricia Ann Brennan
From:Mark Baker
To:Hartley, Craig
Cc:Council, City; editor@paweekly.com
Subject:Stopping Leaf Blower Terror
Date:Saturday, February 25, 2023 8:22:06 PM
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Dear Craig Hartley, Code Enforcement Officer, Palo Alto, California,
I can't thank you enough for the work you are doing to protect my
life. https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/02/24/meet-craig-hartley-palo-altos-first-leaf-blower-enforcement-officer
Gas-powered leaf blowers are hideous in many ways, but too often the stories leave out how
this sound impacts those of us with autism. The low-frequency sounds, the excessive volume,the stopping and starting, the repetitiveness, etc. are unbearable. Being subjected to this noise
is no less than torture.
The new effort by the Palo Alto City Council to rework the nuisance codes and hire you toenforce them is to be vigorously congratulated.
Thank you!
Mark Baker
PresidentSoft Lights Foundation
www.softlights.orgmbaker@softlights.org
From:Sherry Listgarten
To:Council, City
Subject:E-bikes in the Baylands
Date:Saturday, February 25, 2023 6:22:30 PM
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Dear City Council,
I understand that you are reviewing the recommendation of Parks and Rec to prohibit e-bikeson unpaved trails in our preserves, and in particular the Baylands. The arguments seem to be
that e-bikes are just like bikes (especially Class 1), that they don't bother people or wildlife,and that people who use them will miss out if they are not allowed to go where they want.
I don't agree with any of those arguments, and I hope that you will concur with Parks and Rec
that e-bikes shouldn't be allowed on unpaved trails in our preserves.
E-bikes are not like bikes. E-bikes are more powerful than bikes, which is why people buythem. They allow more people to go farther distances at a faster speed than they would
otherwise be able to go. That is the whole point of an e-bike. An e-bike makes the Average Joe(or Jill) a strong, fast biker who can go many miles without getting tired. That means more
miles traveled, at faster speeds, in our preserves.
E-bikes do bother people and wildlife. While we cannot hear e-bikes, they emit high-pitchedsounds that some animals can hear, and as such they are disruptive to wildlife. Even more so,
if they bring more people to more remote areas of preserves, then that in and of itself is asignificant disruption.
Moreover, e-bikes also bother people, who can be surprised by these vehicles. The Baylands
has many visitors at all times of day who go there for the peace and quiet. Allowing moretypes of bikes to go there farther and faster is a mistake.
People who cannot use an e-bike retain excellent access to nature. In the Baylands, there
are plenty of paved trails for commuters and others who want to enjoy a scenic ride along thebay. I do a route often from Embarcadero down to Shoreline -- it's beautiful! I used to
commute all the time along one of these routes. I loved it.
For those who don't ride a regular bike at all, there are many very short walks from thenumerous entrances to the Baylands to lovely sites, where on weekends bird watchers (and
beaver watchers and fox watchers) are often observing and taking photos. And of course thereare special affordances for the disabled.
Finally, e-bikes can add to the rutting that occurs when vehicles travel on the unpaved trails
during wet weather, and they can also add to the creation of spur trails that already existthroughout the Baylands, which infringe on habitat.
E-bikes are great transportation options, they are a lot of fun to ride, and they help to get
people out of cars. But that doesn't mean we should allow them to go everywhere. Ourpreserve space is very precious and we must be careful with it.
I hope that you listen to the recommendation of Parks and Rec and continue with the ban on e-
bikes on unpaved trails in our preserves.
Thank you,
-- Sherry Listgarten
From:Ann McDonough
To:Council, City
Subject:E-bikes on trails and in preserves
Date:Saturday, February 25, 2023 5:06:32 PM
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Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I am writing to support e-bikes be allowed on trails, pathways and other areas, parks and OpenSpace, no differently than what is currently the policy for regular bikes – with possibly the
exception of class 3 e-bikes, which more closely resemble a motorized vehicle with respect tospeed.
E-bikes and other bikes as well as other electric powered mobility devices are to obey all
posted speed limits and other posted signs to ensure a pleasant experience for all trail users.
In regard to the proposed Palo Alto ordinance that would ban e-bike access to some trails insome areas, I believe this sets a very bad precedent and I agree with the Pedestrian and Bike
Advisory Committee (PABAC) and the City Transportation staff that the unwanted behavior iswhat should be banned and not the technology.
More and more e-bikes are being used by people that are less able to ride a regular bike, to
continue to access and enjoy the places they have enjoyed in the past, or to enable new tripsthat would otherwise be taken by car. A ban on e-bikes would be discriminating against this
growing class of riders. It would also discriminate against e-cargo bikes and similar e-bikesthat many families use to realize car-free transportation.
I believe that these types of ordinances, that discriminate against certain users, is very unwise,
sets a bad precedent and might be unlawful. By prohibiting the unwanted behavior, this willtreat all users equally and will probably better address any problems with bikes or e-bikes that
might arise in our parks and open space.
Ann McDonoughPalo Verde
From:Stepheny McGraw
To:Council, City
Subject:Monday Night
Date:Saturday, February 25, 2023 1:32:37 PM
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on links.
________________________________
On Monday night, at your next Council meeting, you will likely have a barrage of residents complaining that Palo
Alto should do more for its homeless population. They will say we — the City of Palo Alto — should make sure
these street dwellers have a warm place to stay and many other comforts.
No and no. University Avenue and El Camino are littered with squatters. These streets are now unwelcoming —
and sometimes, dangerous -- places for residents and visitors. Even walking down University Avenue at 10 in the
morning feels risky. Reimagine University? Yes, without squatters on the sidewalks. Please let our police continue
to clear out their campsites there and elsewhere.
Surveys have shown that these street dwellers are not usually from Palo Alto, nor even from California. They come
here for the weather and the largesse California offers. Just as when one feeds one pigeon, a whole swarm of them
will follow, it is the same way with the unhoused. For those willing and able to work, there are many opportunities
to do so.
For those homeless in need of mental health services, the dominant and progressive Democrats ruling Sacramento
should put a system in place to provide these services.
Please remain firm in your handling of the homeless blight.
Thank you.
Stepheny McGraw
42 year resident
From:SUSAN CANDELL
To:SUSAN CANDELL
Subject:CALE - Meeting with Attorney General Bonta 4pm Sunday Feb. 26
Date:Saturday, February 25, 2023 1:04:51 PM
Attachments:image.png
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This Sunday 2/26/23 at 4 PM
CALE Guest:
Attorney General Rob Bonta
Update:
CALE sent a series of 10 in-depth questions to the AG's office, and his office
has responded with these 3 reworded questions:
1. What is the rationale for DOJ’s Housing Strike Force and its role in holding cities
and counties accountable for the 6th-cycle RHNA housing targets?
2. In your opinion, is it reasonable to blame cities for underproduction of housing
and inability to meet targets when there could be other barriers to production?
3. What can you do to enforce Article XIII B Section 6 to ensure that cities aren’t
saddled with unconstitutional unfunded mandates?
Rob Bonta is the 34th Attorney General of the State of California.
In the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta enacted nation-leading reforms to
inject more justice and fairness into government and institutions. As the People'sAttorney, he sees seeking accountability from those who abuse their power and harm
others as one of the most important functions of the job. In elected office, he has
taken on powerful interests — pursuing corporate accountability, standing up for
workers, punishing big polluters, and fighting racial injustice.
Prior to serving in the Assembly, Attorney General Bonta worked as a Deputy City
Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco
Via Computer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6377599629?
pwd=WTlWS1RjcWpoc3VERVhWNkozZkNtUT09
From:Winter Dellenbach
To:Council, City
Cc:Binder, Andrew
Subject:Item #8 for city council 2-27-23 meeting
Date:Saturday, February 25, 2023 11:54:52 AM
Attachments:Item #8 for city council 2-27-23 meeting.msg
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on links.
________________________________
From:Ken Joye
To:Council, City
Subject:e-bikes in Baylands (Ordinance Amending PAMC Section 22.04.220)
Date:Saturday, February 25, 2023 11:14:45 AM
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important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
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on links.
________________________________
Please do not ban e-bikes in the Baylands.
Agenda item #7 for your upcoming meeting reads: "Parks and Recreation Commission Recommendation to Adopt
an Ordinance Amending PAMC Section 22.04.220 to Regulate Electric Bicycles and Electric Coasting Devices in
Parks and Open Spaces (Item Pulled from Consent January 23, 2023) (6:20 – 7:50 PM)”
As I have stated to the City Council in the past, the climate crisis is the most important filter you should apply to
issues brought before you. Please consider the impact this ordinance would have upon transportation mode shift.
The “trails” in the Baylands are essentially roads; they are wide, they are improved gravel and park motor vehicles
use them. They are also connected to the Bay Trail network, which offers a cross jurisdiction route for commuters.
Of course, the trails in the Baylands are used by recreational riders also. Please consider this ordinance with an
accessibility filter. Some members of our community may only be able to access these trails via use of e-bikes,
which offer a carbon-emissions-free assist to those with mobility limitations.
I agree with those who say that riders who use trails at excessive speed are a problem. Do we ban motor vehicles
from our city streets which are capable of traveling in excess of 100mph? No, of course not, we simply post speed
limits and react to inappropriate behavior.
I also agree with those who believe that there are trails in our park network which should be reserved for people
hiking. The trails in the Baylands are different however and should not be part of this ordinance.
thank you very much for considering these points,
Ken Joye
Ventura neighborhood
From:David Coale
To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Ciralsky, Philip; Star-Lack, Sylvia
Subject:Please don"t ban e-bikes
Date:Saturday, February 25, 2023 10:36:26 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking
on links.
________________________________
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
I am writing to support e-bikes be allowed on trails, pathways and other areas, parks and Open Space, no differently
than what is currently the policy for regular bikes – with possibly the exception of class 3 e-bikes, which more
closely resemble a motorized vehicle with respect to speed.
E-bikes and other bikes as well as other electric powered mobility devices are to obey all posted speed limits and
other posted signs to ensure a pleasant experience for all trail users.
In regard to the proposed Palo Alto ordinance that would ban e-bike access to some trails in some areas, I believe
this sets a very bad precedent and I agree with the Pedestrian and Bike Advisory Committee (PABAC) and the City
Transportation staff that the unwanted behavior is what should be banned and not the technology.
More and more e-bikes are being used by people that are less able to ride a regular bike, to continue to access and
enjoy the places they have enjoyed in the past, or to enable new trips that would otherwise be taken by car. A ban
on e-bikes would be discriminating against this growing class of riders. It would also discriminate against e-cargo
bikes and similar e-bikes that many families use to realize car-free transportation.
I believe that these types of ordinances, that discriminate against certain users, is very unwise, sets a bad precedent
and might be unlawful. By prohibiting the unwanted behavior, this will treat all users equally and will probably
better address any problems with bikes or e-bikes that might arise in our parks and open space.
Sincerely,
David Coale
Barron Park
From:Jo Ann MandinachTo:Council, CitySubject:Fwd: Undeliverable: Utilities Staff rate hike recommendationsDate:Saturday, February 25, 2023 9:11:13 AMPlease fix your spam folders already. You lose too much mail and it's been going on for too long.
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Sat, 25 Feb 2023 09:08:38 -0800 (PST)MIME-Version: 1.0From: Jo Ann Mandinach <joann@needtoknow.com>Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2023 09:08:28 -0800Message-ID: <CAMie-LLuPyiOn+eip3K+3SY8wROpSmuhptZMe5C8h3PzepWsXg@mail.gmail.com>Subject: Utilities Staff rate hike recommendationsTo: City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>, City Mgr <CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="0000000000001018cb05f5894c51"Return-Path: joann@needtoknow.comX-EOPAttributedMessage: 0X-EOPTenantAttributedMessage: 68949a6d-ce6e-4230-8536-f3e1f8d5dfdd:0X-MS-PublicTrafficType: EmailX-MS-TrafficTypeDiagnostic: BL0GCC02FT027:EE_|PH8PR09MB9481:EE_X-MS-Office365-Filtering-Correlation-Id: 361fd9af-925e-4346-6943-08db1752f1b4X-LD-Processed: 68949a6d-ce6e-4230-8536-f3e1f8d5dfdd,ExtFwdX-MS-Exchange-AtpMessageProperties: SAX-MS-Exchange-SenderADCheck: 2X-MS-Exchange-AntiSpam-Relay: 1X-Microsoft-Antispam: BCL:0;X-Microsoft-Antispam-Message-Info: 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X-Forefront-Antispam-Report: CIP:209.85.160.45;CTRY:US;LANG:en;SCL:1;SRV:;IPV:NLI;SFV:NSPM;H:mail-oa1-f45.google.com;PTR:mail-oa1-f45.google.com;CAT:NONE;SFS:(13230025)(4636009)(451199018)(2906002)(83380400001)(336012)(5660300002)(8676002)(68406010)(26005)(55446002)(86362001)(9686003)(42186006)(70586007)(316002)(33964004)(508600001)(356005)(110136005)(7596003)(7636003)(966005)(6666004)(166002);DIR:OUT;SFP:1022;X-ExternalRecipientOutboundConnectors: 68949a6d-ce6e-4230-8536-f3e1f8d5dfddX-Auto-Response-Suppress: DR, OOF, AutoReplyX-MS-Exchange-ForwardingLoop: Greer.Stone@CityofPaloAlto.org;68949a6d-ce6e-4230-8536-f3e1f8d5dfddX-OriginatorOrg: cityofpaloalto.orgX-MS-Exchange-CrossTenant-OriginalArrivalTime: 25 Feb 2023 17:08:41.2790 (UTC)X-MS-Exchange-CrossTenant-Network-Message-Id: 361fd9af-925e-4346-6943-08db1752f1b4X-MS-Exchange-CrossTenant-Id: 68949a6d-ce6e-4230-8536-f3e1f8d5dfddX-MS-Exchange-CrossTenant-AuthSource: BL0GCC02FT027.eop-gcc02.prod.protection.outlook.comX-MS-Exchange-CrossTenant-AuthAs: AnonymousX-MS-Exchange-CrossTenant-FromEntityHeader: InternetX-MS-Exchange-Transport-CrossTenantHeadersStamped: PH8PR09MB9481
---------- Forwarded message ----------From: Jo Ann Mandinach <joann@needtoknow.com>To: City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>, City Mgr <CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>Cc: Bcc: Date: Sat, 25 Feb 2023 09:08:28 -0800Subject: Utilities Staff rate hike recommendationsCAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious 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 IncreasesOriginal 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 ButlerUniversity South
From:Jo Ann Mandinach
To:Council, City; City Mgr
Subject:Utilities Staff rate hike recommendations
Date:Saturday, February 25, 2023 9:10:24 AM
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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 ANDundergrounded utilities because it's not healthy for us to freeze in the dark everytime 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 yourwallet 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 andadditional 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 years2021 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
From:Paul B Goldstein
To:Council, City
Subject:E-Bikes in the Baylands, Agenda Item #7 February 27, 2023
Date:Friday, February 24, 2023 10:24:17 PM
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Honorable Mayor Kou and Members of the City Council,
Please do not ban e-bikes in the Baylands.
I am an avid bicycle rider and have been on PABAC, the Palo Alto Bicycle and PedestrianAdvisory Committee, for many years. Although I agree with most of the aspects of the
proposed ordinance, I feel that the prohibition of e-bikes on the trails in the Baylands is poorlyresearched and ill-advised. In particular, I feel that it would prevent older riders from joining
on group rides in the Baylands. Rather than ban e-bikes in the Baylands, I recommend that theCity commit to a one-year study period of e-bikes on the Adobe Loop Trail.
Bicycles are currently permitted on trails in the Baylands. This has been the case for years and
is an accepted policy. In recent years, the technology and culture around electric bicycles haschanged rapidly. Many older riders, wanting to remain active and mobile have taken to riding
e-bikes. You will often find a group of bicyclists where some in the group are riding e-bikesand others are using muscle power only. The State Legislature has modified California
Vehicle Code (CVC) to classify electric bicycles (as defined in the CVC) as “bicycles”, and toregulate them accordingly. Local jurisdictions, are, however, able to restrict e-bikes on park
“trails”. The “trails” in the Baylands are essentially roads: they are wide, they are improvedgravel, and park motor vehicles use them.
It is entirely appropriate to regulate e-bikes and conventional bicycles in regard to speed
limits, yielding right-of-way, courtesy around other users, noise, etc. I fully support suchregulation and signage to that effect.
The Parks and Recreation Commission has met with PABAC, and with a PABAC
subcommittee, and has modified their original recommendations so that now PABAC andParks and Recreation are largely in agreement: e-bikes in the Baylands is now the primary
point of disagreement.
Rather than banning e-bikes in the Baylands, I urge the City Council to use this opportunity tostudy how e-bikes can be integrated into the usage community of this wonderful natural asset
of Palo Alto. A study period of one year, designed to elicit feedback from all users wouldprovide us with information to craft a better ordinance.
Sincerely,
Paul Goldstein
Emerson StreetPalo Alto
From:Loran Harding
To:alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; David Balakian; boardmembers; fred beyerlein;bballpod; Leodies Buchanan; bearwithme1016@att.net; Chris Field; Cathy Lewis; Council, City; Doug Vagim;dallen1212@gmail.com; Dan Richard; eappel@stanford.edu; Scott Wilkinson; Gabriel.Ramirez@fresno.gov;George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu; huidentalsanmateo; hennessy; Irv Weissman; Sally Thiessen; jerry ruopoli; JoelStiner; kfsndesk; karkazianjewelers@gmail.com; leager; Mayor; Mark Standriff; margaret-sasaki@live.com;merazroofinginc@att.net; newsdesk; news@fresnobee.com; nick yovino; russ@topperjewelers.com; SteveWayte; tsheehan; terry; vallesR1969@att.net; Daniel Zack
Subject:Fwd: Zelle & Congressional hearings
Date:Friday, February 24, 2023 9:27:54 PM
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---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>Date: Fri, Feb 24, 2023 at 9:03 PM
Subject: Fwd: Zelle & Congressional hearingsTo: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Fri, Feb 24, 2023 at 8:56 PMSubject: Fwd: Zelle & Congressional hearings
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>Date: Fri, Feb 24, 2023 at 2:16 AM
Subject: Zelle & Congressional hearingsTo: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Friday, February 24, 2023
To all- See the info re Zelle at the bottom of this mail!!!!!! Damn scary!
Analysis of how tough the fed will get now if unemployment stays low. As it gets tough,
the market will head down. The market starts up about 6 mos before the fed starts cutting topull the economy out of the recession, they are saying on Wall St. these day. Based on
historiy.
(5) Fed will be more aggressive starting in March with a 50bps hike, says NatWest'sMichelle Girard - YouTube
BUT, the US slid into a recession in the spring of 1981 as Volker took his meat ax to the
economy. (BTW, Carter appointed him Fed Chairman to fight the out of control inflationunder Carter). So by the fall of 1981 we were in a recession. 1982 was HISTORIC THAT
HORRIBLE HISTORIC. 1983 was horrible. The US unemployment rate in Sept 1983 wasstill above 10%!!!!!!! That is 1983 AD. Lordy it was bad. Finally, in January, 1984 1984,
the US unemployment rate got down to 8%. In November,1984, Reagan got re-elected,making him the Teflon President.
BUT notice the stock market. It began its famous, sustained climb in September, 1982,
a year and a half before the recession eased in the spring of 1984. That historic run just madeLou Roukeyser's "Wall St. Week" for years!!! The Dot-Com crash in spring, 2000 was the
end of that long bull market.
IMPORTANT: See vids on Youtube re people having their checking accounts looted
because of the crazy, dangerous thing called Zelle. 7 big banks own it but if you get youraccount looted they won't make good!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congress knows about it. The Comptroller
of the Currency should step in. Biden should step in. AG of California should step in.Yesterday I paid Chase way early $830 on my Chase Visa and then had Schwab pull $2500
out of Chase checking and into my Schwab brokerage account. This Zelle thing is part of yourbill--pay system Chase laid it on my bill-pay without asking me. One day about a year ago,
there is was. Never told me what the hell it was. I just says "Pay bills with Zelle". WTF? Getwith your bank and find out how to protect yourself from this.
(5) zelle congressional hearing - YouTube
L. William Harding
Fresno, Ca.
From:Aram James
To:Pat Burt; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Binder, Andrew; Council, City; Rebecca Eisenberg;Wagner, April; Josh Becker; Angie Evans; Shana Segal; Greer Stone; DuJuan Green; Shikada, Ed; Council, City;Lydia Kou; Joe Simitian
Subject:SFGATE: Wealthy Bay Area town grapples with "attack on whiteness" controversy
Date:Friday, February 24, 2023 5:31:10 PM
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Wealthy Bay Area town grapples with 'attack on whiteness' controversyTown council members in the Bay Area town of Los Gatos censured one of its planning
commissioners last week for writing an email that included what some say is racist languagetoward white people.
Read in SFGATE: https://apple.news/ASMBxP4KIQ2SKZZ1FrH5mlg
Shared from Apple News
Sent from my iPhone
From:Loran Harding
To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; David Balakian; boardmembers; fredbeyerlein; bballpod; Leodies Buchanan; bearwithme1016@att.net; beachrides; Chris Field; Cathy Lewis; Council,City; Doug Vagim; dallen1212@gmail.com; Dan Richard; Daniel Zack; eappel@stanford.edu; Scott Wilkinson;Gabriel.Ramirez@fresno.gov; George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu; huidentalsanmateo; hennessy; Irv Weissman; SallyThiessen; jerry ruopoli; Joel Stiner; kfsndesk; karkazianjewelers@gmail.com; leager; Mayor; Mark Standriff;margaret-sasaki@live.com; merazroofinginc@att.net; newsdesk; news@fresnobee.com; nick yovino;russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve Wayte; tsheehan; terry; vallesR1969@att.net
Subject:Fwd: PXD: "$100 oil by summer, 2023"
Date:Friday, February 24, 2023 5:05:24 PM
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---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>Date: Fri, Feb 24, 2023 at 4:50 PM
Subject: Fwd: PXD: "$100 oil by summer, 2023"To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Friday, February 24 2023
To all-
The CEO of PXD sees $100 oil by summer, 2023:
Pioneer Natural Resources CEO sees $100 oil by summer (NYSE:PXD) | Seeking Alpha
I bought 15 shares of PXD on February 6, 2023 for $220 per share, or for $3,300. It closedat $196.57 today, Friday, February 24, 2023, for a loss now of $351.45. It will be a fine
investment as time goes by.
11% DIV when I bought it, even higher at this price.
Trade Notification - Account ending in 130 - loran.harding@alumni.stanford.edu -Stanford Alumni Mail (google.com)
L. William Harding
Fresno, Ca.
From:Art Liberman
To:Council, City
Cc:Goldstein, Paul; Courington, Bill; Ellson, Penny
Subject:Allow a Trial Period for E-bike Usage on Unpaved Improved Trails in the Baylands
Date:Friday, February 24, 2023 4:29:15 PM
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Mayor, Vice-Mayor and Council members
I am pleased that the City Council removed the Parks and Recreation Commission
(PRC) proposal on e-bikes in parks and open spaces from the Consent Calendar at
your meeting on January 23rd of this year and to hold this discussion at your meeting
on February 27th.
I would like you to modify the proposed PRC regulations and implement a trial period
that would allow e-bikes on improved unpaved trails in the Baylands.
I sent in a letter to the Council with 5 reasons why I thought the PRC regulations,
banning e-bikes on all unpaved trails in Palo Alto Open Spaces, were not ready for
Council approval; that letter is appended to this note. And I spoke at the Council
meeting, voicing a statement from the PRC Staff memo, namely that PABAC and
PRC had an outstanding disagreement, which was over the regulations for use of e-
bikes on the improved trails in the Baylands.
On February 16th, a group from PABAC met with members of the Ad-Hoc committeeof the PRC to discuss the issue. The group from PABAC believes e-bikes should be
allowed on those trails, which are as wide as roadways and created with packed
gravel, elevating them on the levees well above the water level of the Bay and the
surrounding marsh. Although bicycles have been allowed on the Baylands trails formany years, PRC members felt that banning e-bikes is necessary to preserve habitat
for endangered wildlife.
Considering the growing role of e-bikes in recreation for seniors and for families with
young children who would be otherwise unable to enjoy those Baylands trails, thechair of the PABAC group, Paul Goldstein, proposed a trial period for e-bike usage,
possibly along with a PRC survey of trail users. The survey would provide information
to complement that from park rangers, such as whether e-bike riders respected the
speed limit and were considerate of pedestrians and of the natural environment.
In conclusion, I am asking you to endorse this alteration in the PRC proposal of a
blanket banning of e-bikes from all unpaved trails in open spaces and support this
trial period to allow e-bikes on the improved unpaved trails in the Baylands.
Thank you for your consideration and for your service.
Arthur Liberman.
PABAC member
Palo Alto resident
Mayor, Vice-Mayor and Council members: - Mon, Jan 23
I request that you remove item 7, the PRC recommended regulation for E-Bikes from
the Consent Calendar and have an open discussion on this item. Let me give you five
reasons.
First – this policy would be negatively impact one group of cyclists, namely seniors.
I am speaking as someone who is 82 years old and who is an avid cyclist. I am a
member of PABAC and I ride regularly with a group of senior cyclists, many of whom
have e-bikes. One member of our senior cycling group is 94 years old, a Korean War
veteran.
There is one specific part of the PRC recommendation that I object to. This would
prohibit persons from riding e-bikes on the unpaved trails in the Baylands. This would
prevent many seniors from accessing this marvelous area and enjoying the
magnificent vistas.
Second -- The PRC recommendation treats all the Open Space Preserves the same
way. But the Baylands are different from the other Palo Alto Open Space
preserves. The Baylands are flat and the Baylands unpaved trails are really wide
gravel roadways. Bicycles have been allowed on the unpaved trails in the Baylands
for many years.
Third , the Parks and Recreation Commission has not done an adequate amount of
community outreach. The PRC rushed their proposal. They held one discussion
meeting in October of last year, and then held a meeting in December to vote on the
proposal. They presented their proposal to PABAC in November of 2022. At the
meeting , PABAC did not endorse the PRC recommendation, Instead, a motion was
passed requesting that the PRC delay their proposal until we have a new Pedestrian
and Bicycle Plan. I am a member of PABAC's e-bike subcommittee, whose membersare continuing to hold a dialogue with PRC, specifically with regard to the PRC
proposal to ban e-bikes in the Baylands unpaved trails.
Fourth the PRC says their proposal is based on the policies of the Mid-Pen District.
However, the Mid Pen District allows E-bikes on unpaved trails in their RavenswoodPreserve . This Preserve borders the Bay and the Preserve and the unpaved trail
there are very similar to the Baylands.
At the Mid Pen Directors meeting in June, when they voted to not expand their pilot
program of e-bikes access to other unpaved trails, there was no mention of anyenvironmental damage caused by e-bike riders. At that meeting Palo Alto Open
Space Director Yoriko Kishimoto, commenting on a consultant study of the pilot
program, said ‘there was not much difference in the results of the pilot program
between e-bikes and regular bikes. The big decision was to allow bikes ontrails.’ As you know, bicycles have been allowed on the unpaved trails in the
Baylands for many years.
Fifth, the PRC regulations for the Baylands would be difficult or impossible to
enforce. Almost every day, new types of e-bikes are announced by manufacturers.
One new e-bike has a battery and motor in the hub in the rear wheel and it is virtually
indistinguishable from a manually operated bike. My feeling is that the regulation
might not be consistently enforceable even if Palo Alto had a force of trained rangers,
and there won’t be any of them anyway. The PRC recommendation mentions signs.
I would hope the Council would ask the PRC to reconsider their draft Open Space e-
bike policy. The Baylands is like Ravenswood Open Space Preserve. Prohibiting E-
bike access on unpaved trails in the Baylands would mean that Palo Alto’s
regulations would NOT be consistent with those of the Mid-Penn Open SpaceDistrict. And since it would not be enforceable, I could envisage the regulation would
be ignored.
Thank you for your consideration.
Arthur Liberman
Chimalus Drive, Palo Alto
From:Tran, Joanna
To:Council, City
Cc:Executive Leadership Team
Subject:City.Council Bundle: 2/7-2/24
Date:Friday, February 24, 2023 4:08:40 PM
Attachments:Utility increase ADUS.msgRE Rail - Quiet Zone.msgRE Middlefield and Loma Verde Fire - February 1 2023.msgRE Yet another accident at the intersection of Lincoln Ave and Middlefield.msgRE Utility increase ADUS.msgRE Dean Bachelor.msgFW 3001 - 3017.msgFW 3x high electricity and gas bill in Palo Alto.msgFW Clarification Request City of Palo Alto COVID-19 Local Emergency and Eviction Moratorium Expiration.msgimage001.pngimage003.pngimage004.pngimage006.pngimage007.pngimage008.pngRE Utility increase ADUS.msgRE El Camino real Palo Alto.msgRE contact info for Middlefield business owners impacted by fire.msgRE utility rates.msgRE Utility Rate Increases.msgRe Homeless encampment beginnig.msgFW Speaking Opportunity.msgimage009.png
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 2/7/23 -2/24/23. 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:Aram James
To:Javier Ortega; Binder, Andrew; Council, City; Angie Evans; Shana Segal; Shikada, Ed; Stump, Molly; Josh Becker;Julie Lythcott-Haims; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Joe Simitian; Wagner, April; Rebecca Eisenberg; Jeff Rosen;Reifschneider, James; Jay Boyarsky; ladoris cordell; chuck jagoda; GRP-City Council; Council, City; HumanRelations Commission; Enberg, Nicholas; Greer Stone; Bains, Paul; Kaloma Smith; Tony Dixon; Cecilia Taylor;Michael Gennaco; Perron, Zachary; Ed Lauing
Subject:Family Of Man Tased To Death For JAYWALKING Wins Settlement
Date:Friday, February 24, 2023 3:25:27 PM
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on links.
________________________________
https://youtu.be/MHFmTUkk9mU
Sent from my iPhone
From:Ed Hillard
To:Council, City
Cc:Gretchen
Subject:Item 7 on 2/27 Agenda
Date:Friday, February 24, 2023 9:46:15 AM
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Dear Council Members,
As a member of the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society I have been alerted that Palo Alto's
Parks and Rec department are recommending against allowing ebikes on the Bayland levies. Isupport this recommendation 1000%. Ebikes are already proving a hazard in limited use on
places like the Arastradero Open Space trails. I am afraid they would be used even morerecklessly in an open area like the Bayland levies. There should be a simple rule for those
levies to protect walkers and pedal bikers: No Motorized Vehicles!
Respectfully,Ed Hillard
Greer Road, Palo Alto
From:Jose Carlos Garcia Franco
To:Council, City
Cc:Jose Carlos Garcia Franco
Subject:Public comment for Council meeting Monday, February 27, 2023
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 10:26:02 PM
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RE: ACTION ITEM 7. "Parks and Recreation Commission Recommendation to Adopt an
Ordinance Amending PAMC Section 22.04.220 to Regulate Electric Bicycles and Electric
Coasting Devices in Parks and Open Spaces" (Item Pulled from Consent January 23,
2023) (6:20 – 7:50 PM)
Mayor, Vice-Mayor and Council members:
I request that you dismiss the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) recommendation
to ‘Adopt an Ordinance Amending PAMC Section 22.04.220 to Regulate Electric Bicycles
and Electric Coasting Devices in Parks and Open Spaces’. I present to you four important
reasons:
I.
It is irrelevant. There is no evidence shown that, given existing bicycle regulations,
e-bikes on unpaved trails pose additional burdens, risks or hazards beyond those of
regular bicycles. This is consistent with state regulations, in particular amendments
and additions to the California Vehicle Code resulting from AB 1096 (2015-2016).
There is no problem to solve here, the PRC recommendation is unneeded and
unguided. In a nutshell: If it is not broken, do not fix it.
II.
It is discriminatory. E-bikes allow recreational trail access to people that, because
of age, injury, fitness level or personal taste would not otherwise enjoy these open
spaces. The recommendation effectively denies trail access to these members of our
community in an unwarranted and plainly unjust manner. Moreover, unfair situations
such as these are likely to create a number of issues down the line. Please note that I
am a regular trail cyclist who does not ride e-bikes so I could selfishly support the e-
bike ban since it does not affect me and would probably lead to me having to share
the trails with fewer people. Needless to say, doing so would be wrong at many levels
and completely thoughtless towards many of our neighbors and visitors.
III.
It is bad for the community. To name a few, the exclusion of e-bikes from unpaved
trails is detrimental to the community in the following ways:
Reduced wellbeing as there is little to no debate on the positive health impact
that enjoying nature and open spaces has on most individuals.
Decreased conservation awareness since the public would be less
familiarized with our preserves and open spaces. In general, the more people
are able to immerse themselves in nature and open spaces the more they
recognize patterns and relationships that exist all around us. In turn, this leads
to connection, a sense of place, and ultimately a desire for stewardship of
these essential resources and an appreciation for their conservation and
maintenance efforts.
E-bikes are an essential piece of the strategy to replace gas-powered trips to
reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while also advancing
equity, promoting public health, reducing traffic, and supporting local
economies.
IV.
It is impractical and wasteful. Existing bicycle and trail traffic regulations are
adequate for e-bikes in terms of balancing safety and conservation (in addition to
already existing etiquette among hikers, equestrians and cyclists). There is absolutely
no need to place additional burden on rangers and traffic enforcement personnel. Not
too long ago I witnessed an incident at Montebello Open Space Preserve where
Midpeninsula Open Space District (MidPen) has put in place an e-bike ban: A ranger
incorrectly believed that a cyclist’s mountain bike housed an electric drivetrain and
wanted to remove her from the preserve. Not only was the ranger wrong but
unfortunately the conversation between the ranger, the cyclist and her companion
quickly turned into an ugly squabble. It is unreasonable to burden rangers or traffic
enforcement personnel with having to identify electric bicycle drivetrain components.
Some may be tempted to regard this as an isolated example or suggest personnel
training as a remedy to these types of situations. Realistically, it is an illustration of
how superfluous or poorly designed policies create more problems than they solve.
Rangers are invaluable resources that help us all stay safe on trails and stewards for
much welcomed conservation efforts - let’s keep it that way by keeping it simple for
them.
Put bluntly, the PRC proposal seems more of a knee-jerk reaction to mimic what has been
done in other places (e.g., MidPen) rather than to originate from factual community needs.
It introduces cost and complication with no added public benefit with respect to the status
quo.
I humbly ask the council to remove this initiative from consideration and to compel the
Parks and Recreation Commission to refocus its work towards initiatives with tangible
public benefit. I thank you for your consideration and I am confident that swift action on this
matter will save us considerable headaches down the line and clear the way for valuable
work that needs to be done in service of our community.
Respectfully,
Jose Garcia-Franco
3541 Bryant Street
jcpollo@me.com
From:Chin Chong
To:Council, City
Subject:Fw: ELLSWORTH - APARTMENTS - LETTER against 23PLN-00025
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 7:48:45 PM
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Ellsworth Place Residents Are Against Amending PC-2343
February 23, 2023
File Number: 23PLN-00025
Dear City Council,
The homeowners of Ellsworth Place vehemently oppose a change to the PC-2343, as
written in 1967, which permitted the building of the apartment complex, now known as
2901 Middlefield Road. On April 3, 1967, Lindsay Properties asked for an amendment
of Ordinance 1810, titled Ordinance 2343, which included four parcels of land located
at 2901 - 2905 Middlefield Road, and 701 - 702 Ellsworth Place. The creation of
Ordinance 2343, what is now PC-2343, allowed for the building of the apartments we
now refer to as “2901 Middlefield Road”. The current amendment sought by the owner
of 702 Ellsworth Place (a.k.a. 700 Ellsworth Place), to remove their parcel from the PC
would create a non-compliant zoning situation in our neighborhood, significantly
increasing density above what the City allows, even if parking and other concerns are
addressed.
The zoning for 2901 Middlefield Road was at one point classified as RM-15, and the
City Council had to approve the combining of four parcels of property into what
became PC-2343, which included a PC laid over the R-1 lot formerly known as 702
Ellsworth Place, which became “the parking lot”. The combination of these parcels
created sufficient lot size to allow for having 12 units in the apartment complex, while
meeting parking needs, and allowing the combined lot to conform with other
development standards.
Progressing with the times, the density for lot 2901 Middlefield Road has been
increased to RM-20 status. However, by cutting off the R-1 lot formerly known as 702
Ellsworth Place from the PC-2343 agreement with the City of Palo Alto, the apartments
have incurred a zoning issue with their density. The single parcel APN: 127-35-194 is a
total of 19,893 square feet, per the city’s online parcel system, which is 45.7% of an
acre (an acre being 43,560 sq ft). Under RM-20 zoning rules, they would only be
allowed to have 9 apartment units on the 2901 Middlefield Road parcel. But they have
12 units per the PC-2343 agreement. It is therefore required that the apartments keep
all parcels of land together as agreed upon by the PC-2343 ordinance they have with
the City of Palo Alto. No other apartment lots on the Sutter Ave block are rated higher
than an RM-20.
Removing 702 Ellsworth Place from the PC-2343 agreement creates a non-compliant
situation for the existing apartments, making them too dense for their parcel. Finding
places to create parking spaces within the property does not change the other non-
compliance issues that are now occurring since 702 Ellsworth Place was sold on
November 7, 2022.
The City’s job is to enforce city laws, and the developers and property owners of Haze
Architects, Dewey Land Development, and Handa Developers Group are flagrantly
violating our city laws. If there is an ordinance governing a parcel of land, as approved
by the City Council, that ordinance stands. Rezoning to make things less compliant
sets the wrong precedent. There are city rules and regulations in place to handle odd
situations, such as allowing older, non-compliant things to remain as they are, and
variances to help amend the more unusually shaped lots, but these situations do not
apply to 2901 Middlefield. Plus, the current RM-20 assigned to the lots comprising
2901 Middlefield Road was once an RM-15, so the parcels creating the PC-2343
ordinance are already getting a 33% increase in the allowable number of units they
can contain -- and yet they still would NOT be compliant.
What precedent would be created if the city were to choose to allow these property
owners and developers to break their laws? Would every apartment complex, grocery
store, and local business think they too can sell off their parking lots to squeeze in
homes? We know that the proposed R-1 house for the 702 Ellsworth Place lot is not a
part of the latest City Housing Element. Furthermore, as Palo Alto homeowners, we do
not wish to be steamrolled by greedy property developers looking to break peaceful
neighborhoods so they can then over their egregious solutions. The proposed
“solutions” are not right for the residents of Ellsworth Place, and they are certainly not
right for Palo Alto as a city.
Another issue is the apartment owners created the blight on the property when they
cut down all the trees on October 10, 2022, including two oak trees, and yet their plan
on page two of their proposal reads, “Tree Protection - It’s Part of the Plan!” We have
photos of what the parking lot looked like prior to October 10, 2022, when they claimed
to be doing “land maintenance” to the City Arborist. The canopies of those raised trees
are drawn on the property layout, as shown on page 6 of their proposal presentation.
The first two photos below are from Google Wayback, and were taken on November
2017.
PHOTO BELOW - Taken on October 8, 2018, was taken during their “landscape
maintenance”
A CURRENT PHOTO (below) of the parking lot was taken on February 5, 2023
Additionally, the proposed house is out of scale for Ellsworth Place, as the average
house size on the even-numbered side of the street is 1,114 sq ft in size on an
average lot size of 4,049 sq ft. The proposed house is 1,695 sq ft and would be set too
close to the narrow, 20’ wide road, which does not have sidewalks, thereby creating
safety hazards and making it difficult and dangerous for delivery trucks and residents
alike to enter and exit the narrow, slightly sloped driveway that creates the unusual
entrance to Ellsworth Place. The proposed house uses corner set-back rules designed
for 30’ wide streets with sidewalks, and it is not appropriate for the cramped conditions
of Ellsworth Place.
The proposed amendment to the PC potentially creates a significant public safety
problem, as another issue we have been having ever since the fence went up around
the parking lot is the safety of delivery trucks entering and exiting our narrow street.
The residents of Ellsworth Place and the apartments have always shared delivery
schedules with all the shipping companies and USPS, and our delivery drivers are now
struggling to reach us. The UPS driver has resorted to using the bus turn-out on
Middlefield Road to access both the apartments and the residents of Ellsworth Place.
He shared with Midtown Residence Association that he used to use the parking lot to
safely turn around to exit the street, but he is now forced to park in the bus pull-out to
reach Ellsworth Place. Other delivery trucks are choosing to maneuver through
multiple back-and-forths to turn around so they can safely exit Ellsworth Place, while
some are opting to back directly out onto Middlefield Road into traffic that flows 40 - 50
mph. We have many photos and videos showing how dangerous this has become, and
attached below are a few of them.
The photos below show a Fed-Ex truck backing into their proposed parking space #15,
(there is a video available of this and others doing a similar maneuver), a UPS truck is
shown parked in the bus turnout on Matadero Creek, a DHL driver parked alongside
the fence after backing into the street, and the USPS truck now parks next to the
carports.
And now we get to the issue of parking. Since the apartments are not fully rented
currently, while they are being renovated, not all parking spaces are being used at this
time. However, when the apartments were fully rented, every one of the parking spots
in the parking lot was filled almost every night, and often on weekends. With conditions
as they are now, is common to have cars parked alongside the chain-link fence and in
front of house #706. For safety reasons, Ellsworth Place doesn’t allow parking on the
street due to it being only 20 feet wide, without sidewalks, and a dead-end street (there
is not a cul-de-sac at the end, but simply a hard stop of the 20-foot wide road against
the fence !) Our residents include nine children, and we range in age from 14 months
old to age 85; with a representation of every age group in between. Keeping the street
clear is imperative for everyone’s safety, as emergency services have only one way in
and out of the end of the narrow 550’ long road, and the only fire hydrant close by is
placed on Middlefield Road, in front of the parking lot!
So as you can see, what has been proposed by the developers and owners of the
apartments is not well thought out for compliance with their PC-2343 agreement, and it
completely misses on neighborhood safety. Unlike the existing PC-2343, the amended
proposal is not right for Ellsworth Place, and the residents of Ellsworth Place do not
support it. We hope the City Council will follow the rule of law and protect the
homeowners and renters of Ellsworth Place and choose to keep the PC-2343
agreement in place as it was written and voted on in 1967.
Sincerely,
On and Chai Chin Chong
Owner of 717-723 Ellsworth Place, Palo Alto, CA
From:Gail Thompson
To:Council, City
Subject:Emergency Cold Weather Shelter
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 6:37:33 PM
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Good evening. I'm hoping Palo Alto has opened an emergency cold weather shelter and do
know there was one at the Rinconada library in the past. Given the cold weather and past
deaths from hypothermia among the unsheltered, I'm hoping we have a shelter tonight and
during the coming nights.
Gail Thompson
Palo Alto
From:Alex Woo
To:Council, City
Subject:Banning e-Bikes on all Preserves
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 5:25:14 PM
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I support banning e-Bikes on all Palo Alto Preserves even though I think it will be very hard toenforce. I've been at the Baylands when e-Bikes of Class 2 and 3 and motorized scooters
have zoomed past me. On none of them were the riders pedaling. If the Baylands is openedto e-Bikes, it might as well be open to mopeds because their size and speeds are similar. Is
that really what should be in a Preserve?
Alex Woo3720 Redwood Circle
Palo Alto, CA
From:Diane McCoy
To:Council, City
Subject:Item 7 on 2/27 agenda: Report on PRC Rcommendations
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 4:20:43 PM
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Dear Mayor Kuo and Palo Alto City Council Members.
Please support the Parks and Recreation Department's recommendation to NOT
allow electric bikes on trails and unpaved roads in open space parks and nature
preserves including and especially, the Bay Lands!
I am a resident of Palo Alto as well as a volunteer for Environmental Volunteers andSanta Clara Valley Audubon Society.
Along with many families, older people (like me!), walkers, joggers and regular
joggers, EV and SCVAS enjoy the many free nature and bird trips we provide in these
places. We are so grateful for the safety we will know exists on these trails, to enjoythe outdoors fully.
Keep our trails and unpaved roads safe, accessible to ALL, and 'natural.'
Do NOT allow e-bikes on the trails and unpaved roads.
Thank you for your consideration and all the work you do for our city.
Best,Diane McCoy
Greer Road
Palo Alto
From:pol1@rosenblums.us
To:Council, City
Subject:Council agenda of Feb. 27, Item 7
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 3:57:20 PM
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The Council is considering allowing e-bikes to ride at the Baylands. Because these machines
are capable of high speed, they do not belong on a shared walkway with pedestrians and
children. If people want exercise, an old fashioned human driven bicycle does the job. We
were just at the Baylands this weekend and my wife and I were made a bit uncomfortable by
the large number of pedaled bicycles going by on the crowded trail in both directions. Please
vote against this idea.
Sincerely,
Stephen Rosenblum
From:Pati Rouzer
To:Council, City
Subject:Item 7 on 2/27/2023 Agenda - Electric Bikes
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 3:28:46 PM
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Palo Alto City Council and Mayor Lou,
Please support the Parks and Rec Commission that recommends not allowing electric bikes onunpaved roads and trails in our open space and nature preserves, especially in the Baylands.
Thank you.
Pati Rouzer
2242 Louis RdPalo Alto, CA 94303
From:Samson Tu
To:Council, City
Cc:Samson Tu
Subject:Item 7 on 2/27 agenda: eBikes on unpaved open space preserves (including Baylands)
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 3:16:25 PM
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Hi,
As a Palo Alto resident, a birder, and frequent user of Palo Alto’s unpaved trails, especially
those in the Baylands, I urge the City Council to follow the Park and RecreationCommission’s recommendations to prohibit the use of electric bikes on unpaved trails (with
allowances for people with disabilities). The higher speed that electric bikes allows will havedisproportionate impact on wildlife in the surrounding area. (That’s why birders always park
and walk in the area.) The Baylands provides critical habitat for migratory birds. Addingelectric bikes to the area will further degrade the environment.
With best regards,
Samson
From:Loran Harding
To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; David Balakian; boardmembers; fredbeyerlein; bballpod; Leodies Buchanan; bearwithme1016@att.net; Chris Field; Cathy Lewis; Council, City; DougVagim; dallen1212@gmail.com; Dan Richard; Daniel Zack; eappel@stanford.edu; Scott Wilkinson;Gabriel.Ramirez@fresno.gov; huidentalsanmateo; hennessy; Irv Weissman; Sally Thiessen; jerry ruopoli; JoelStiner; kfsndesk; karkazianjewelers@gmail.com; leager; Mayor; Mark Standriff; margaret-sasaki@live.com;merazroofinginc@att.net; newsdesk; news@fresnobee.com; nick yovino; russ@topperjewelers.com; SteveWayte; tsheehan; terry; vallesR1969@att.net; George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu; beachrides
Subject:Fwd: IMPORTANT: Conclusive ev. re Vit. D and Covid outcome
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 2:58:02 PM
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---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>Date: Thu, Feb 23, 2023 at 3:37 AM
Subject: IMPORTANT: Conclusive ev. re Vit. D and Covid outcomeTo: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Thursday, February 23, 2023
To all-
Dr. John Campbell in February, 2023. Now more conclusive evidence re Vit. D and betteroutcomes re Covid. He takes 4,000 units of Vit. D3 daily and 100 mcg of Vit. K2, theMK-7 variety of K2 daily. As do I. He talks about the tiny, wishy-washy, officiallyrecommended doses of Vit. D. If you go into the ICU and die of Covid, more money for
them.
(5) Vitamin D, now conclusive - YouTube
The Vit. D3 pulls Ca out of your digestive tract and puts it into your bloodstream. Fromthere, you want the Ca to go to your bones, not to your tissues, such as to your artery walls or
your kidneys. The Vit. K2, the MK-7 variety of it, puts the Ca in your bones. It can help withosteoporosis there. If it goes to your arteries you can get "downspout arteries", straight and
stiff like a downspout. If it goes to your kidneys, you can get kidney stones- neither one is alot of fun, apparently.
He says it is unethical for agencies like the FDA to not be urging the taking of Vit. D
supplements in the face of conclusive evidence. He gets quite exercised about this.
These studies come from Spain, Israel, Italy, Saudia Arabia. Why never from the US, UKhe says. He is implying incompetence, or worse, in those places.
One reason, he opines, is that other approaches involve expensive meds made, oddly
enough, by big pharma, and they don't push dirt cheap Vit. D3 and Vit. K2, the MK-7 versionof Vit. K2.
So listen to the 14 min. video above. It could save your life, Dr. Campbell asserts.The
vitamins. are dirt cheap on AMZN.
Here is Dr. Campbell on Vit. D3 and Vit. K2, the MK-7 version of K2, from a year ago:The evidence for it is even stronger now.
(5) Vitamins D and K2 - YouTube
L. William Harding
Fresno, Ca.
From:gala b
To:French, Amy; Council, City
Cc:Yevgeny-Yoni Khasin
Subject:File Number: 23PLN-00025
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 2:46:35 PM
Attachments:Palo Alto - Apartments 23PLN-00025 - Google Docs.pdf
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Hello all,
PFA is a letter re File Number: 23PLN-00025. We are in support of what is written in theletter. Please kindly address our concerns.
Kind regards
Gala Beykin and Yevgeny Khasin 741 Ellsworth Pl
From:Tsing Xue
To:French, Amy; Council, City
Subject:ELLSWORTH - LETTER against 23PLN-00025
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 1:54:40 PM
Attachments:Palo Alto - Apartments 23PLN-00025 - Google Docs.pdf
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Dear Amy and City Council members,
This is Tsing and Shan Wang, homeowner of 731 Ellsworth Place in Palo Alto. We arewriting regarding File Number: 23PLN-00025. For the safety of residents on the street, safety
of pedestrians on Middlefield sidewalk, and for upholding city law, we strongly oppose a change to
the PC-2343. Please see attached PDF file that represents our point of view.Thank you so much for your time and consideration!
Thanks,
Tsing and Shan
Ellsworth Place Residents Are Against Amending PC-2343
February 23, 2023
File Number: 23PLN-00025
Attention City of Palo Alto Council Members,
The homeowners of Ellsworth Place vehemently oppose a change to the PC-2343, as written in 1967, which permitted the building of the apartment complex, now known as
2901 Middlefield Road. On April 3, 1967, Lindsay Properties asked for an amendment of Ordinance 1810, titled Ordinance 2343, which included four parcels of land located at 2901 - 2905 Middlefield Road, and 701 - 702 Ellsworth Place. The creation of Ordinance 2343, what is now PC-2343, allowed for the building of the apartments we now refer
to as “2901 Middlefield Road”. The current amendment sought by the owner of 702 Ellsworth Place (a.k.a. 700 Ellsworth Place), to remove their parcel from the PC would
create a non-compliant zoning situation in our neighborhood, significantly increasing density above what the City allows, even if parking and other concerns are addressed.
The zoning for 2901 Middlefield Road was at one point classified as RM-15, and the City Council had to approve the combining of four parcels of property into what became
PC-2343, which included a PC laid over the R-1 lot formerly known as 702 Ellsworth Place, which became “the parking lot”. The combination of these parcels created sufficient
lot size to allow for having 12 units in the apartment complex, while meeting parking needs, and allowing the combined lot to conform with other development standards.
Progressing with the times, the density for lot 2901 Middlefield Road has been increased to RM-20 status. However, by cutting off the R-1 lot formerly known as 702 Ellsworth
Place from the PC-2343 agreement with the City of Palo Alto, the apartments have incurred a zoning issue with their density. The single parcel APN: 127-35-194 is a total of
19,893 square feet, per the city’s online parcel system, which is 45.7% of an acre (an acre being 43,560 sq ft). Under RM-20 zoning rules, they would only be allowed to have 9 apartment units on the 2901 Middlefield Road parcel. But they have 12 units per the PC-2343 agreement. It is therefore required that the apartments keep all parcels of land
together as agreed upon by the PC-2343 ordinance they have with the City of Palo Alto. No other apartment lots on the Sutter Ave block are rated higher than an RM-20.
Removing 702 Ellsworth Place from the PC-2343 agreement creates a non-compliant situation for the existing apartments, making them too dense for their parcel. Finding places to create parking spaces within the property does not change the other non-compliance issues that are now occurring since 702 Ellsworth Place was sold on November
7, 2022.
The City’s job is to enforce city laws, and the developers and property owners of Haze Architects, Dewey Land Development, and Handa Developers Group are flagrantly violating our city laws. If there is an ordinance governing a parcel of land, as approved by the City Council, that ordinance stands. Rezoning to make things less compliant sets
the wrong precedent. There are city rules and regulations in place to handle odd situations, such as allowing older, non-compliant things to remain as they are, and variances to help amend the more unusually shaped lots, but these situations do not apply to 2901 Middlefield. Plus, the current RM-20 assigned to the lots comprising 2901 Middlefield
Road was once an RM-15, so the parcels creating the PC-2343 ordinance are already getting a 33% increase in the allowable number of units they can contain -- and yet they
still would NOT be compliant.
What precedent would be created if the city were to choose to allow these property owners and developers to break their laws? Would every apartment complex, grocery
store, and local business think they too can sell off their parking lots to squeeze in homes? We know that the proposed R-1 house for the 702 Ellsworth Place lot is not a part
of the latest City Housing Element. Furthermore, as Palo Alto homeowners, we do not wish to be steamrolled by greedy property developers looking to break peaceful
neighborhoods so they can then "rescue" us with their egregious solutions. The proposed “solutions” are not right for the residents of Ellsworth Place, and they are certainly
not right for Palo Alto as a city.
Another issue is the apartment owners created the blight on the property when they cut down all the trees on October 8, 2022, including two oak trees, and yet their plan on page two of their proposal reads, “Tree Protection - It’s Part of the Plan!” We have photos of what the parking lot looked like prior to October 8, 2022, when they claimed to be
doing “land maintenance” to the City Arborist. The canopies of those raised trees are drawn on the property layout, as shown on page 6 of their proposal presentation.
The first two photos below are from Google Wayback, and were taken on November 2017.
PHOTO BELOW - Taken on October 8, 2018, was taken during their “landscape maintenance”
From:Kristen Van FleetTo:Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; kou.pacc@gmail.com; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; greg@gregtanaka.org; Veenker, Vicki
Subject:Ellsworth Place Residents Are Against 23PLN-00025 seeking to Amend PC-2343Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 1:54:34 PM
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A CURRENT PHOTO (below) of the parking lot was taken on February 5, 2023
Additionally, the proposed house is out of scale for Ellsworth Place, as the average house size on the even-numbered side of the street is 1,114 sq ft in size on an average lot
size of 4,049 sq ft. The proposed house is 1,695 sq ft and would be set too close to the narrow, 20’ wide road, which does not have sidewalks, thereby creating safety hazards and making it difficult and dangerous for delivery trucks and residents alike to enter and exit the narrow, slightly sloped driveway that creates the unusual entrance to Ellsworth
Place. The proposed house uses corner set-back rules designed for 30’ wide streets with sidewalks, and it is not appropriate for the cramped conditions of Ellsworth Place.
The proposed amendment to the PC potentially creates a significant public safety problem, as another issue we have been having ever since the fence went up around the parking lot is the safety of delivery trucks entering and exiting our narrow street. The residents of Ellsworth Place and the apartments have always shared delivery schedules
with all the shipping companies and USPS, and our delivery drivers are now struggling to reach us. The UPS driver has resorted to using the bus turn-out on Middlefield Road to access both the apartments and the residents of Ellsworth Place. He shared with Midtown Residence Association that he used to use the parking lot to safely turn around to
exit the street, but he is now forced to park in the bus pull-out on Middlefield Road in order to reach both the apartments and the homes on Ellsworth Place. Other delivery
trucks are choosing to maneuver through multiple back-and-forths to turn around so they can safely exit Ellsworth Place, while some are opting to back directly out onto
Middlefield Road into traffic that flows 40 - 50 mph. We have many photos and videos showing how dangerous this has become, and attached below are a few of them.
The photos below show a Fed-Ex truck backing into their proposed parking space #15, (there is a video available of this and others doing a similar maneuver), a UPS truck is
shown parked in the bus turnout on Matadero Creek, a DHL driver parked alongside the fence after backing into the street, and the USPS truck now parks next to the
carports.
And now we get to the issue of parking. Since the apartments are not fully rented currently, while they are being renovated, not all parking spaces are being used at this time. However, when the apartments were fully rented, every one of the parking spots in the parking lot was filled almost every night, and often on weekends. With conditions as
they are now, is common to have cars parked alongside the chain-link fence and in front of house #706. For safety reasons, Ellsworth Place doesn’t allow parking on the street due to it being only 20 feet wide, without sidewalks, and a dead-end to the street (there is not a cul-de-sac at the end, but a hard stop of the 20-foot wide road against the
fence!) Our residents include nine children, and we range in age from 14 months old to age 85; with a representation of every age group in between. Keeping the street clear is
imperative for everyone’s safety, as emergency services have only one way in and out of our narrow 550’ long road, and the only fire hydrant close by is placed on Middlefield
Road, in front of the parking lot!
So as you can see, what has been proposed by the developers and owners of the apartments is not well thought out for compliance with their PC-2343 agreement, and it
completely misses on neighborhood safety. Unlike the existing PC-2343, the amended proposal is not right for Ellsworth Place, and the residents of Ellsworth Place do not
support it. We hope the City Council will follow the rule of law and protect the homeowners and renters of Ellsworth Place and choose to keep the PC-2343 agreement in place
as it was written and voted on in 1967.
Sincerely,
Kristen Van Fleet
Homeowner
724 Ellsworth Place
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Reply Forward
From:John Guislin
To:Council, City
Subject:SFCJPA] 2/23 board meeting cancellation. Electricity issues
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 1:36:29 PM
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Council,
Here is another example that underscores the fragility of our electric infrastructure. Ourenvironmental groups and government committees cannot conduct business as planned
because of power issues.
Pushing residents to all electric homes and EVs will likely make these issues painfully clear.These problems are well documented but too often ignored in the rush to adopt the new shiny
thing.
You must reinforce the electric infrastructure and ensure adequate electricity supply beforeyou ask residents to make these changes.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Thomas Rindfleisch <tcr@stanford.edu>Date: Thu, Feb 23, 2023 at 1:18 PM
Subject: [CPNA] [SFCJPA] 2/23 board meeting cancellationTo: CPNA <crescent-park-pa@googlegroups.com>
CC: Margaret Bruce <mbruce@sfcjpa.org>, Kevin Murray <kmurray@sfcjpa.org>, TessByler <tbyler@sfcjpa.org>, Miyko Harris-Parker <mhparker@sfcjpa.org>
On behalf of the SFCJPA management -- BOARD MTG TODAY CANCELLED... Tom R.
Many folks on your CPNA distribution list may be interested in today’s JPA board meeting
agenda item(s). However, our board chair and vice chair have asked to cancel today’s boardmeeting on account of the ongoing power and internet outage impacting so much of the area.
Please help me spread the word – this afternoon’s meeting is cancelled on account of power
and internet outages and will be rescheduled. Date tbd.
Thank you!
Margaret Bruce
--
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To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crescent-park-pa/8a097f82-20a7-6544-5bda-2cc1bd947a74%40stanford.edu.
From:Aram James
To:Cindy Chavez; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Binder, Andrew; Jethroe Moore; Council, City; Greer Stone; DuJuanGreen; dennis burns; Sean Allen; Assemblymember.Berman@assembly.ca.gov
Subject:When It Comes To Cops, These Are The Worst Of The Worst
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 12:45:44 PM
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on links.
________________________________
https://youtu.be/I5DrF04P7EY
Sent from my iPhone
From:Aram James
To:Pat Burt; Greer Stone; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Tanaka, Greg; Shikada, Ed; Binder,Andrew; Sean Allen; Josh Becker; Jethroe Moore; Winter Dellenbach; Joe Simitian; Wagner, April; Jeff Rosen;Reifschneider, James; ladoris cordell; chuck jagoda; Jay Boyarsky; Human Relations Commission; Enberg,Nicholas; Michael Gennaco; Bains, Paul; Kaloma Smith; Javier Ortega; Tony Dixon; Rebecca Eisenberg; Council,City; Cecilia Taylor; Perron, Zachary; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Ed Lauing; Lydia Kou; Betsy Nash; CindyChavez
Subject:AB 742 - would ban attack weaponized police canines -( Safety and Justice —moving away from just Law &
Order)
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 11:36:56 AM
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on links.
________________________________
Check out this inspiring press conference!!!
https://aclucalaction.org/bill/ab-742/
Sent from my iPhone
From:Aram James
To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Tanaka, Greg; Council, City; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Shikada, Ed; Josh Becker; RebeccaEisenberg
Subject:From The Mercury News e-edition - California needs a progressive senator to succeed Feinstein
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 8:37:20 AM
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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 needs a progressive senator to succeed Feinstein
https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=18e331f0-7af3-42e9-b971-
b6127c14571d&appcode=SAN252&eguid=16efc618-1f8f-446d-8f50-4bfbccc2fff5&pnum=28#
For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here:
Sent from my iPhone
From:Aram James
To:Binder, Andrew; Barberini, Christopher; Stump, Molly; Shikada, Ed; Josh Becker;Assemblymember.Berman@assembly.ca.gov; Council, City; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Enberg, Nicholas; Tannock,Julie; Wagner, April; Dave Price; Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright; Rebecca Eisenberg; Winter Dellenbach; JoeSimitian; Reifschneider, James; Jeff Rosen; chuck jagoda; Jay Boyarsky; cromero@cityofepa.org
Subject:AB 742 - ACLU California Action-would ban weaponized police canines
Date:Thursday, February 23, 2023 8:26:56 AM
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on links.
________________________________
3,500 injured annual by these police canine attacks
https://aclucalaction.org/bill/ab-742/
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From:Aram James
To:Tony Dixon; Cecilia Taylor; Josh Becker; Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Joe Simitian
Cc:Julie Lythcott-Haims; ladoris cordell; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael;
Enberg, Nicholas; Tannock, Julie; Wagner, April; Lee, Craig; Bains, Paul; Jethroe Moore; Human Relations
Commission; Shana Segal
Subject:Claim filed on behalf of Catskill man fatally burned in police taser incident
Date:Wednesday, February 22, 2023 11:58:22 PM
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on links.________________________________
https://www.timesunion.com/state/article/Claim-filed-on-behalf-of-man-fatally-burned-in-16819366.php
Sent from my iPhone
From:Yahoo Mail.®
To:Honky
Subject:David Martin and MANY OTHERS in our fight to make things right
Date:Wednesday, February 22, 2023 11:58:15 PM
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THERE YOU HAVE IT FOLKS
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/crjqVHVj5ZJ
Hydrogel Coagulates Blood and Causes Blood Clots Ana Maria Mihalcea, MD, PhD https://anamihalceamdphd.substack.com/p/hydrogel-coagulates-blood-and-causes The Pfizer-Gate Disaster: Exhaustive proof COVID Vaccines kill Millions is quietly published by your Government BY THE EXPOSÉ ON FEBRUARY 10, 2023 https://expose-news.com/2023/02/10/pfizer-gate-proof-covid-vaccines-kill-millions/?cmid=d1292202-6dd5-457b-9b0e-0c1d759e257e COVID-19 Vaccines: Proof of Lethality. Over One Thousand Scientific Studies https://www.globalresearch.ca/covid-19-vaccines-scientific-proof-lethality/5767711 Those who promote vaccines have the responsibility to prove they are safe FEBRUARY 5, 2023 https://expose-news.com/2023/02/05/those-who-promote-vaccines-must-prove-safety/ What Happens to Vaccine Clinical Trial Participants? Navigating an abusive relationship with Big Pharma (Read just how horrendous it actually is) Robert W Malone MD, MS (This is one of the most informative, important, and eye opening articles a person could ever read). LH https://rwmalonemd.substack.com/p/what-happens-to-vaccine-clinical ‘Anecdotals’ Documentary, Covid-19 Shots, Pfizer Trial ‘Like Nothing I’ve Ever Seen’ By Dr. Joseph Mercola Global Research, January 15, 2023 https://www.globalresearch.ca/anecdotals-documentary-covid-19-shots-pfizer-trial-like-nothing-ive-ever-seen/5804636 History Of Vaccines (GOOD SOURCE OF HISTORICAL INFO) Dec 26, 2015 Sydney White presents 'Murder in the First! A History of Vaccines' for Studies in Propaganda 2011 at the Free University of Toronto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anSokq_uebM Sorry, in the Vaccine Debate, the ‘Experts’ are the Historians (Another good historical source) March 15, 2015 https://idsent.wordpress.com/2015/03/15/sorry-in-the-vaccine-debate-the-experts-are-the-historians/ 160 Plus Research Studies Affirm Naturally Acquired Immunity to Covid-19: Documented, Linked, and Quoted https://brownstone.org/articles/research-studies-affirm-naturally-acquired-immunity/ Extensive proof Moderna made the Covid-19 Virus BY THE EXPOSÉ ON FEBRUARY 10, 2023 https://expose-news.com/2023/02/10/moderna-made-covid-19-lab/?cmid=d39bc9fc-1311-4127-bd6f-77c7969d8c5c
Extensive proof Moderna made the Covid-19Virus
Covid-19 is a manmade virus, and Moderna Inc., the Americanpharmaceutical and biotechnology company that has ma...
From:Aram James
To:Binder, Andrew; Barberini, Christopher; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Josh Becker; Wagner,April; Rebecca Eisenberg; Sean Allen; Winter Dellenbach; Reifschneider, James; Lee, Craig; Greer Stone; ShanaSegal; Angie Evans; ladoris cordell; Jethroe Moore; Joe Simitian; Vara Ramakrishnan; Figueroa, Eric; Foley,Michael
Subject:Footage of Cop Fatally Shooting Unarmed Man in Louisiana Released
Date:Wednesday, February 22, 2023 11:21:08 PM
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on links.
________________________________
https://youtu.be/t9I7-6lBuC4
Sent from my iPhone
From:Aram James
To:Barberini, Christopher; Tannock, Julie; Wagner, April; Shikada, Ed; Josh Becker; Council, City; Lee, Craig; JethroeMoore; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Tony Dixon; Cecilia Taylor
Subject:Police Dogs as Weapons Webinar - 2022 SJSU Transforming Communities Conf...
Date:Wednesday, February 22, 2023 11:03:15 PM
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on links.
________________________________
https://youtu.be/Txf-ncYm7cU
Sent from my iPhone
From:Aram James
To:Binder, Andrew; Javier Ortega; Shikada, Ed; Jethroe Moore; Council, City; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Sean Allen;Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael; Figueroa, Eric; Wagner, April; Joe Simitian; Winter Dellenbach; Reifschneider,James; Jeff Rosen; LaDoris Cordell; chuck jagoda; Jay Boyarsky; Enberg, Nicholas; Greer Stone; Bains, Paul;Kaloma Smith; Tony Dixon; Cecilia Taylor; Perron, Zachary; Ed Lauing; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Josh Becker;Betsy Nash; Rebecca Eisenberg; Human Relations Commission; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Lydia Kou; CindyChavez
Subject:Lawyers: Cops Tortured, Waterboarded, Shot Man For Dating White Woman
Date:Wednesday, February 22, 2023 10:47:20 PM
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on links.
________________________________
https://youtu.be/CWiDS4rgzF4
Sent from my iPhone
From:doug solomon
To:Council, City
Subject:Allow eBikes at the Badlands Please
Date:Wednesday, February 22, 2023 5:32:01 PM
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important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ]
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________________________________
Hi. I’m a nearly 50 year resident of Palo Alto and have been an avid bike rider for most of my 70+ years. About a
year ago, because of some knee problems in riding my old bike, I bought an eBike and really have enjoyed riding it,
especially on the trails of the Baylands. The new bike allows me to go further than I would be able to go otherwise.
I would strongly discourage you from banning eBikes in the Baylands. There are many people who would not be
able to bike there otherwise. As you probably know, there is a 15 mph speed limit on the trails there and I believe
that most cyclists, including eBikers, ride much slower than that. In fact, in my experience, the fastest bike riders
have always been the folks in spandex shorts who often exceed 15 mph and continually scare me as they blast past.
Banning eBikes will not make the trails safer for pedestrians.
I hope you won’t eliminate one of the great pleasures of living in Palo Alto from me and people like me who
responsibly ride eBikes near the Bay.
Please feel free to contact me by email or phone if you would like to discuss this matter further.
Thanks.
Douglas Solomon, Ph.D., MPH
650 9066369
From:mark weiss
To:Council, City
Cc:Shikada, Ed
Subject:Re: Go, Tesla, or, come
Date:Wednesday, February 22, 2023 3:58:34 PM
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Tesla market cap is $630 billion not $690 billion as a reported earlier.
If we had $1 million per year business license here that excluded mom and pops and everyonewith a market cap less than $1 billion, that would raise $100 million easy and over time we
could let the unicorns fight with the trillionaires over how to make the trillionaires pay a fairshare..
But we should end our tax break to billionaires and trillionaires. Which special K or whatever
you call it does not do.Mark
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 22, 2023, at 3:53 PM, mark weiss <earwopa@yahoo.com> wrote:From the business journal earlier today:
Tesla plans to establish a "global engineering headquarters" in Palo Alto.
California Governor Gavin Newsom joined Tesla CEO Elon Musk for a
tour of the new office Wednesday. The electric car company is taking over
the former headquarters of Hewlett Packard Inc., Musk said. Neither
Musk nor Newsom said how many people would be employed at the
facility or if Tesla would be hiring new people to work there.
Hurrah and huzzah for the big PALO ALTO company Tesla with a market
cap of $(630) billion at close today.
Reminds me to remind you that we should go back to a conversation
about how the average Palo Alto voter or taxpayer benefits from being in
close proximity to one of the worlds greatest concentrations of corporate
assets and wealth.
Maybe we could have a business tax where the hundred most valuable
companies that do business here would each pay $1 million per year
business tax that we could use for libraries, music in the parks and the like.
To raise $100m annually.
We could call that other thing “a tax on certain commercial leases, as
recommended by certain commercial landlords, and the voters”.
America is still one person one vote not one dollar one vote or $1 billion in
order to vote.
The long ineffectual conversation led by Pat Burt last year seemed more
like excuse the metaphor a bunch of gas Huffers on a corporate hose…
Mark Weiss
In Palo Alto
Sent from my iPhone
From:Maurice L Druzin
To:Craig Taylor; dick held; mbruce@sfcjpa.org; reisenberg@valleywater.org; Burt, Patrick
Cc:CPNA; Council, City
Subject:Re: [CPNA] [FWD]: New Year"s Eve Overflow At Chaucer Street Bridge
Date:Wednesday, February 22, 2023 11:53:51 AM
Some people who received this message don't often get email from druzin@stanford.edu. Learn why this is important
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This is a really articulate summary of the situation!In 1998,we were flooded and out of our house for 5 months, with three school age kids ,17,13 and 7 yearsold!This was a massive and stressful life disruptor, and “fear of flood” remains an ongoing annual stressor.12/31/2022 was once again a stark reminder of this 25 year old inadequate response!We had about 2 feet of water in our crawl space, fortunately did not rise into the house like in 1998.However, the FEMA adjuster determined that we had widespread water damage of our HUVAC system, andthat there was most likely significant mold in the crawlspace, and in the ducts. We have had to remove all of the ducts, will require a thorough cleaning and disinfection of the crawlspace,and replacement of the ductsAnother major disruption of our lives, 25 years later.!Enough is enough!Maurice Druzin1408 Pitman
Get Outlook for iOS
From: crescent-park-pa@googlegroups.com <crescent-park-pa@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Craig Taylor
<cct25569@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2023 11:38:08 AM
To: dick held <dh259@hotmail.com>; mbruce@sfcjpa.org <mbruce@sfcjpa.org>; reisenberg@valleywater.org
<reisenberg@valleywater.org>; patrick.burt@cityofpaloalto.org <patrick.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>
Cc: CPNA <crescent-park-pa@googlegroups.com>; city.council@cityofpaloalto.org <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>
Subject: Re: [CPNA] [FWD]: New Year's Eve Overflow At Chaucer Street Bridge
Excellent review of the issue. If Palo Alto ceased existing (no CO2) it would have no measurable effect on
Global Warming. The City needs to attend to the needs of its citizens it can impact. 25 years and $25 million
is an abject failure.
Craig
From: crescent-park-pa@googlegroups.com <crescent-park-pa@googlegroups.com> on behalf of dick held
<dh259@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 7:41 PM
To: mbruce@sfcjpa.org <mbruce@sfcjpa.org>; reisenberg@valleywater.org <reisenberg@valleywater.org>;
patrick.burt@cityofpaloalto.org <patrick.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>
Cc: CPNA <crescent-park-pa@googlegroups.com>; city.council@cityofpaloalto.org <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>
Subject: Fw: [CPNA] [FWD]: New Year's Eve Overflow At Chaucer Street Bridge
Dear Ms. Bruce, Ms. Eisenberg and Mayor Burt,
On December 15, 2022, twenty-five years after the 1998 flooding at the Chaucer Street bridge impacted a
reported 1700 families, the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (SFCJPA) discussed its Menlo Park
SAFER Bay Project (MPSBP) to address "tidal and sea level rise flooding" along a 3.7mile portion of the San
Francisco Bay shoreline. Sixteen days later flood waters again ran through our homes and streets from
overflow around the still present Chaucer Street bridge though the SFCJPA was created "to protect residents
from flooding."
In the twenty-five years between the two Chaucer Street bridge events an estimated $25 million tax dollars
have been invested in the SFCJPA but still the bridge stands though you are discussing worthy new efforts
which have nothing to do with the long standing and still existing threat to the 1700 residents.
Ms. Bruce, I understood you to tell me that construction on the Newell Street bridge would be addressed in
2023 and replacement of the Chaucer Street bridge would be completed in 2025 or bleed into 2026. But the
priorities of the 2023 Palo Alto City Council call, under the label of "Global Warming," for advancing Reach 2
"as close to approval as possible by the end of 2023... Secure funding and approve construction for the Newell
Bridge replacement project; advocacy with State legislators educating on project funding needs." After 25
years and some $25 million how could you still be talking about getting approvals, securing funding and
educating legislators?
Again, I am grateful for the completion of the first phase of the project and understand the challenges you
face doing public service in our communities. But my family, and I suspect yours, would not invest in a project
that after twenty-five years still had not accomplished its principal objective. Business also could not do so.
The public needs its government to spend "other peoples` money" as though it were its own. Given the
expense and the threat, replacement of the Chaucer Street bridge requires a far greater sense of urgency
than it is getting.
Ms. Bruce, I would appreciate it if you would confirm for me actual SFCJPA budget totals since its inception in
1999. Please also confirm for the CPNA expected completion dates for replacing the Newell and Chaucer
Street bridges. Finally, could you explain why you, after twenty-five years, have not already secured approval
and funding for the projects?
Ms. Eisenberg, could you please confirm that funding replacement of the Chaucer Street bridge is Valley
Water`s highest priority.
Mayor Burt, would you please explain why after twenty-five years the necessary approvals and funding have
still not been secured to replace the Newell Street bridge? Also, please explain how Palo Alto will take any
necessary preventive steps to "protect residents from flooding" should we experience another threat before
the Chaucer Street bridge is replaced.
A story is told about a devastating rail strike that was damaging the US economy during the presidency of
Teddy Roosevelt. While discussing the many obstacles to settling the strike one of the presidents advisors
said, "Mr. President, shouldn`t we appear to be doing something." After twenty-five years and twenty-five
million dollars the SFCJPA is still "appearing to do something" about the Chaucer Street bridge. After two
events likely caused by it, you continue to use "global warming" to justify your budgets. The Chaucer Street
bridge is something you have control over and It is beyond time that you did something about it.
Respectfully,
Dick and Carolyn Held
Desoto Drive
From: crescent-park-pa@googlegroups.com <crescent-park-pa@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Thomas Rindfleisch
<tcr@stanford.edu>
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2023 6:33 PM
To: CPNA <crescent-park-pa@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [CPNA] [FWD]: New Year's Eve Overflow At Chaucer Street Bridge
On behalf of Dick Held of Desoto Drive, who was having problems posting to CPNA... Tom R.
From: dick held <rwheld@gmail.com>Subject: New Year's Eve Overflow At Chaucer Street BridgeDate: February 10, 2023 at 3:54:02 PM PSTTo: Margaret Bruce <mbruce@sfcjpa.org>Cc: reisenberg@valleywater.org, patrick.burt@cityofpaloalto.org, crescent-park-pa@googlegroups.com
Ms. Bruce, Thanks again for your interest in meeting with me to share your insights and concerns followingthe flooding experienced New Year’s Eve. I am sharing this email with the CPNA because of our commoninterests and your suggestion the impacted residents also communicate their concerns to the authorities at theSanta Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) and city of Palo Alto.The overflow at the Chaucer Street Bridge in 1998 forced our family to vacate our home on Desoto Drive forover two months while repairs were completed. Media reporting indicated 1700 homes were damaged at athen estimated cost of $28 million. The organization you lead, the San Francisquito Creek Joint PowersAuthority (SFCJPA), was created in 1999 to “protect residents from flooding" and, as best I can estimate fromdata available on your website, some $25 million has been expended funding your activities. Twenty fiveyears later the New Year’s Eve flooding again resulted in several inches of water flowing through our yard. Twenty five years and some $25 million later the primary cause of both flooding events, the Chaucer Streetbridge, still has not been removed.You explained the challenges you and your predecessors have faced when multiple jurisdictions and fundingauthorities are involved. I understood you to say, however, that replacement of the Newell Street bridgeshould begin in 2023 and the Chaucer Street bridge replaced by 2025, or bleed into 2026. Having been toldby your predecessor that he thought the Chaucer Street bridge should be replaced by 2022, it would be helpfulif you could give us a definitive statement.Noting that priorities can change you encouraged me and all impacted residents to communicate our concernsto the SCVWD and Mayor of Palo Alto and seek assurance that replacement of the Chaucer Street bridge willbe fully funded and the construction schedule adhered to. Ms. Eisenberg and Mayor Burt, we wouldappreciate knowing where you stand on funding and the construction schedule.I sensed you were frustrated by my continuing to remind you that, despite the bureaucratic challenges youface, you have had twenty five years (and spent some $25 million) to replace a Chaucer Street bridge that yousaid years ago your father told you, and I agree, should never have been built. You asked me what you shoulddo or what I would do if in your position. Obviously, I am not knowledgeable enough to offer specificsuggestions. I would request you, however, consider the following:1). Never confuse motion with progress. Your job is about results, not tending process.2) Execute your position as though you and your staff were residents of the impacted area. In yourrecent SFCJPA meeting days after the New Year’s Eve flooding you spent more time on your 2023 meetingschedule than you did on the flooding, which you scheduled for discussion in your February meeting. As Iwatched my immediate reaction was you showed no sense of urgency and you were already going back tobusiness as usual.3). Do not devote any staff time or seek any funding for anything that does not directly pertain toreplacing the Chaucer Street bridge or otherwise insuring that no water can escape its vicinity duringfuture storms. Noble projects like protecting the bay from the effects of global warming, a worthy projectbut one you and your staff are incapable of meaningfully impacting, must not get in the way of “protecting theresidents from flooding” from the ill conceived Chaucer Street bridge. In advance of replacing the bridge,devise an interim plan to limit water from escaping the vicinity of the Chaucer Street bridge 4). Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. You have had 25 years and already expended some 25 milliondollars, it is time to stop making excuses.I am genuinely grateful to you, your staff and all in public service working on this problem. I am confidentyou are as frustrated with this suffocating process as the impacted residents are. This seeming inability orunwillingness of government at all levels to solve our problems is what is proving so discouraging to citizensthroughout the country. That said, the responsibility is yours, and just as you will be praised for success you should be heldaccountable for continued failure.
Sincerely,Dick and Carolyn HeldDesoto Drive
-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Crescent Park PA" group.To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to crescent-park-pa+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crescent-park-pa/36f76819-fcef-1e40-fdb6-0a7ad990babe%40stanford.edu.-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Crescent Park PA" group.To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to crescent-park-pa+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crescent-park-pa/BY5PR13MB35873243F7B84A3EEA62EFAEFDA49%40BY5PR13MB3587.namprd13.prod.outlook.com.-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Crescent Park PA" group.To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to crescent-park-pa+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/crescent-park-pa/BYAPR02MB5125381943FC240C54E18D8986AA9%40BYAPR02MB5125.namprd02.prod.outlook.com.
From:Amy Keohane
To:Council, City
Subject:Homeless encampment beginnig
Date:Wednesday, February 22, 2023 11:32:56 AM
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Hi All, There are 2 tents and a bunch of garbage starting to build in the island between the
eastbound underpass at the railroad tracks. We have had so much criminal activity in that are
that I don't think we should ignore the encampments.
Amy Keohane650-346-5306
From:Andie Reed
To:Lait, Jonathan
Cc:Council, City; City Mgr; Carla Befera; Bruce McLeod; Jim Poppy; Hank Sousa; Mary; Rob Levitsky; neva yarkin;
Alan Cooper
Subject:Castilleja - Neighbors Committee
Date:Wednesday, February 22, 2023 10:58:16 AM
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Dear Jonathan,
We need to get lines of communication open in order to comply withthe City Council's MOTION of June 6, 2022, which mandates establishing a
committee of three neighborhood representatives, unaffiliated with the
school, to review traffic counting and other concerns. We’re ready to go,
as we discussed in Oct when we met.
There are currently traffic counters in the street and we would like to know
who put them out, who's in charge of the data, when do we see it, who
do we work with.
Here is a list of neighbors willing to serve on the Castilleja project "neighborhood
committee":
Hank Sousa
Bruce McLeod
Rob Levitsky
School will be out soon and the neighbors continue to be left in the dark. According to the
transcripts of the June 6 city council meeting, first reports were to be reviewed by the city
and neighborhood committee in November 2022.
Instituting this committee now makes it easy for you to include us in the email loop
between the city and the school on any traffic counting or TDM related activities, to begin to
rectify this situation.
Thanks in advance for advising us of the next steps.
Andie Reed
Hank Sousa
Mary Sylvester
Jim Poppy
Neva Yarkin
Rob Levitsky
Carla Befera
Bruce McLeod
Alan Cooper
-- Andie Reed CPA
Palo Alto, CA 94301
530-401-3809
From:Richard Corny
To:Council, City; Kou, Lydia
Subject:Cal Ave is dead
Date:Wednesday, February 22, 2023 7:59:12 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachmentsand clicking on links.________________________________
Hello and thank you for you time as always.Cal Ave is dead. The novelty has worn off. Our customers don’t come to Cal Ave because it is closed.The restaurants are dead.90% of the time there is no one on the street. There’s still too many empty spots and new businessesaren’t flocking to open a business on a dead closed street.No matter when I take a picture, as you can see there’s no one on Friday evening, no one on Tuesday, noone on Saturday.Our business “The Cobblery “ had the worst January on record and February is not looking any better.Our retail is down 40%. We need traffic. If not foot traffic then car traffic. We need flow and we needpeople to come back to Cal Ave.The city council does not care about our business that is clear to us. They don’t care about Cal Ave, thatis clear to everyone.Re-open the street and stop procrastinating.It’s only a matter of time until more businesses close on Cal Ave. No one is thriving.Thank you for your time.
Sent from my iPhone
From:Aram JamesTo:Josh Becker; Lauing, Ed; Planning Commission; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Binder, Andrew; Council, City; Pat Burt; EPA Today; Winter Dellenbach; Wagner, April; JoeSimitian; Jeff Rosen; Reifschneider, James; Jay Boyarsky; chuck jagoda; ladoris cordell; Human Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith; Enberg, Nicholas; Perron, Zachary; Greer Stone; MichaelGennaco; Bains, Paul; Javier Ortega; Tony Dixon; Cecilia Taylor
Subject:Back in my conservative days ( circa 2004)Date:Wednesday, February 22, 2023 12:21:15 AM
Attachments:image.png
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.________________________________
Sent from my iPhone
From:Martha
To:Council, City; City Mgr
Subject:utility rates
Date:Tuesday, February 21, 2023 10:22:55 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council and City Manager,
I think everyone was surprised at the way the rates on our utilities were calculated.My understanding is the way our rates are supposed to be calculated is based on
what the city is actually paying not the most recent commodity prices. The city in the
past and hopefully now has always locked into long term contracts. That way we pay
less and our utility bills are predictable. If this has changed please let the residents
know about it. If this type of pricing continues we might as well switch to PG&E and disband the utility department.
Martha Gregory
From:Aram James
To:Shikada, Ed; Lauing, Ed; Pat Burt; Council, City; Cecilia Taylor; Betsy Nash
Subject:From The Mercury News e-edition - Rise of poverty deepens wealth disparity
Date:Tuesday, February 21, 2023 8:11:11 PM
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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.
Rise of poverty deepens wealth disparity
https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=6a147df4-6b65-43c6-987f-
073d08837628&appcode=SAN252&eguid=20f26cd2-41e2-4600-873c-651238531bb1&pnum=32#
For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here:
Sent from my iPhone
From:Aram James
To:Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Barberini, Christopher; Lee,Craig; Foley, Michael; Tannock, Julie; Enberg, Nicholas; Tony Dixon; Josh Becker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; SeanAllen; Jethroe Moore; Rebecca Eisenberg; Winter Dellenbach; Perron, Zachary; Joe Simitian; ladoris cordell; JayBoyarsky; Javier Ortega; Human Relations Commission
Subject:How many times do we have to watch public executions before policing will be held accountable?"
Date:Tuesday, February 21, 2023 7:04:11 PM
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on links.
________________________________
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/nation/raleigh-police-release-video-of-repeated-taser-use-on-man-who-died-
after-arrest
Sent from my iPhone
From:Loran Harding
To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; David Balakian; boardmembers; fredbeyerlein; bballpod; Leodies Buchanan; bearwithme1016@att.net; beachrides; Chris Field; Cathy Lewis; Council,City; Doug Vagim; dallen1212@gmail.com; Dan Richard; eappel@stanford.edu; Scott Wilkinson;Gabriel.Ramirez@fresno.gov; George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu; huidentalsanmateo; hennessy; Irv Weissman; SallyThiessen; jerry ruopoli; Joel Stiner; kfsndesk; karkazianjewelers@gmail.com; leager; Mayor; Mark Standriff;margaret-sasaki@live.com; merazroofinginc@att.net; newsdesk; news@fresnobee.com; nick yovino;russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve Wayte; tsheehan; terry; vallesR1969@att.net; Daniel Zack
Subject:Feb. 20, 2023: SB9 a flop so far.
Date:Tuesday, February 21, 2023 5:52:40 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Tues. Feb. 21, 2023
To all, especially those who own a home in a single family neighborhood:
Merc. article that did open for me, unusual if you don't subscribe. Tells how SB9 hasflopped so far in ruining our single family neighborhoods. But they will keep working on it to
ruin every homeowner in California. They'll tinker with it to make it more appealing and getlocal governments to ease up on some current housing restrictions so their citizens can have
their neighborhoods, and their lives, ruined. Thank the asshole in the California Governor'soffice. He signed it into law.
That would not be a winning platform on which to run for office in Fresno, Ca. People,
especially home owners with money to fight back, are watching this. One reason it hasflopped so far is the requirement that the property owner who does this has to live on the
property for three years. That requirement will lapse at some point, and then it might take off.
Members of the California legislature had no fear of passing this since most of them willbe termed out when it really starts to bite, i.e. when it really starts to ruin hundreds of
California single family neighborhoods.
I like how we have tens of thousands of homeless and millions of unfilled jobs.
Early results show NIMBYs, YIMBYs both wrong on California HOME Act
(mercurynews.com)
Hope this opens. If not, google it.
L. William Harding Fresno, Ca.
From:Charlie Weidanz
To:Council, City
Subject:Last Chance to Register for Chamber Breakfast with Palo Alto Mayor Lydia Kou
Date:Tuesday, February 21, 2023 1:15:59 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce - Breakfast with Palo Alto Mayor Lydia Kou
Chamber Breakfast with Palo Alto Mayor Lydia Kou
Friday, February 24th, 2023
8:30am – 9:30am
Homewood Suites by Hilton
4329 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Free to Chamber Members
RSVP Now
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