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May 22, 2023 City Council Emails
701-32 DOCUMENTS IN THIS PACKET INCLUDE: LETTERS FROM CITIZENS TO THE MAYOR OR CITY COUNCIL RESPONSES FROM STAFF TO LETTERS FROM CITIZENS ITEMS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ITEMS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES AND AGENCIES ITEMS FROM CITY, COUNTY, STATE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES Prepared for: 5/22/2023 Document dates: 5/15/2023 – 5/22/2023 Note: Documents for every category may not have been received for packet reproduction in a given week. From:Aram James To:Perron, Zachary; Council, City; Human Relations Commission; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Binder, Andrew;Wagner, April; Reifschneider, James; Josh Becker; Joe Simitian; Shikada, Ed; Michael Gennaco; RebeccaEisenberg; chuck jagoda; ladoris cordell; Shana Segal; Enberg, Nicholas; Sheriff Transparency; dennis burns;Kevin Jensen; Jay Boyarsky; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Angie Evans; Javier Ortega; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg;DuJuan Green; Cindy Chavez; Cecilia Taylor; Shikada, Ed; Bains, Paul Subject:NAACP WARNING DO NOT TRAVEL TO FLORIDA IF YOU ARE BLACK, BROWN LGBTQ Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 11:00:40 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/22/naacp-florida-travel-advisory-00098153 Shared via the Google app Sent from my iPhone From:Rebecca Sanders To:Historic Resources Board Cc:Council, City; Architectural Review Board; Lait, Jonathan; Raybould, Claire; Furman, Sheri Subject:Fwd: 3200 Park Boulevard, 200 Portage Comments from Palo Alto Neighborhoods Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 10:50:47 AM Attachments:20230508_200 Portage Letter.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Members of the Historical Resources Board: My email of May 8 on behalf of Palo Alto Neighborhoods is not included in the packet for this Thursday's meeting. Did you see it? I sent it almost two weeks ago so that you would haveample time to review it. Would someone please write me back and let me know youreceived it? If you didn't receive it, would someone write me back and tell me why? The letter contains much vital information that our team researched and put together to givethe commission fuller insight, not only into the value of the Cannery building as a historic resource, but our valid concerns that procedural red flags are popping up all over this projectof which the commission ought be made aware. We carefully prepared this document so as to present this information to you in short bullet points for ease of reference because your time as volunteers is important, your service isvaluable and is appreciated by us residents. Thank you very much. Becky Sanders Co-ChairPalo Alto Neighborhoods ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Rebecca Sanders <rebsanders@gmail.com>Date: Mon, May 8, 2023 at 9:54 AM Subject: 3200 Park Boulevard, 200 Portage Comments from Palo Alto NeighborhoodsTo: <arb@cityofpaloalto.org>, <hrb@cityofpaloalto.org>, Lait, Jonathan <Jonathan.Lait@cityofpaloalto.org>, Raybould, Claire<Claire.Raybould@cityofpaloalto.org>, City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org> Dear City Council Members, Board Members, Commissioners, Mr. Lait, and Ms. Raybould: Given that this development is one of largest in decades, we believe it is vital that the CityCouncil, Board and Commission members, and City staff address critical problems with the project previously identified with the 3200 Park Boulevard/200 Portage (Fry's site). Someproblems that the community pointed out before persist while new ones have emerged, causing us even greater concern. In general, the project: · was negotiated behind closed doors including economic considerations and site planning · destroys a major historic resource important to our cultural, business, and industrial legacies · is largely inconsistent with the NVCAP goals · fails to provide a realistic timeframe and funding plan for the affordable housing · is plagued by a lack of publicly available information · is plagued by a lack of timely notification · is plagued by irregular review processes including proceeding without benefit of DEIR comments and alternatives analysis We ask that the City please: A. Halt any further hearings/meetings on this project until the response to public comments to the DEIR is released. B. Update the project website to include all pertinent documents, including the development agreement with any changes to the development agreement clearly shown. C. Make sure that communications on this and all projects are duly noticed well in advance of the meeting to all interested parties, including those with 600 feet of a proposal as well as those who have signed up for notifications. D. Make sure that the address is consistent throughout the process. E. Address our concerns about the Secretary of Interior’s standards being ignored/avoided with regard to the historic significance of the building and its preservation F. Cease commingling staff and applicant analyses in the future to avoid work boundary issues and the confusion as to the origin of staff recommendations, To support our concerns and justify our requests, we offer the following details. Specifically: 1) The DEIR comment responses are not available. Five months have elapsed since the DEIR comments were submitted. CEQA requires consideration of reasonable alternatives to reduce or eliminate identified impacts, of which there are several. Staff has informed us that they are working on the responses, but City meetings about the project continue even though the DEIR identified significant impacts that we believe have not been addressed according to CEQA requirements. The board and commission meetings proceeding without the DEIR responses is counterproductive and highly irregular. At the last meeting of the Architectural Review Board, members were asked to review the proposals without the benefit of response to the public comments to the DEIR. We object to the ARB being denied this crucial information. We ask that no further comments or action by any board or commission take place until they and the public see the response to the DEIR. We further ask that recent comments and action by the ARB be reconsidered in light of the upcoming DEIR responses. 2) Procedural Review Irregularities The HRB recommends to the ARB. However, the ARB has been asked to comment on the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards absent HRB comments stated in motion form, a breach of prescribed protocols. The ARB is not facile with the Standards, which are the purview and expertise of the HRB. Additionally, adequate time needs to be provided between an HRB and ARB meeting so minutes can be prepared for ARB members and the public to understand what has been recommended. 3) The negotiations were held in private. The public has no access to any studies that may or may not have been provided to the Council in conducting the negotiations. For instance, what are the near-term and long- term financial benefits of the Agreement to both the City (the public) and Sobrato? Was an economic study conducted to investigate the viability of a larger amount of retail at the site, or to consider the likely success or failure of such a small (2600 sq. ft) retail space? What study was conducted to determine reuse possibilities for the Cannery Building? What advice was sought that might have led to a better site plan and circulation plan? The public deserves to see those reports and at a minimum to know what studies were provided. 4) The site planning was also done in closed session without public input, without advisory Board and Commission input. Why were the affordable housing units not included in the market rate units as is required by City code? Not planning where the affordable units will go or providing details as to mass, scale, and number of units, etc. while asking the ARB to consider other elements of the project makes no sense. There should be visuals showing the entire project. 5) Locating the affordable housing project directly in front of the Cannery presents another significant impact. Situating the affordable housing is in direct conflict with the Secretary of State standards based on what can be read into the proposed site plan and stated intentions. This impact, as we see it, has not been addressed and has been ignored by having no responses to the DEIR. 6) Notifications are not being sent in accordance with City standards Those within a 600’ radius may or may not be receiving notifications of meetings, but other interested parties, NVCAP Working Group members, and stake holders are not being notified. The notification for the ARB meeting was sent out in the middle of the afternoon on a Wednesday, the day before the 8:30 am meeting on the next day. Notifications should be sent as soon as the meeting date is established along with a link to the staff report once available. In recent correspondence with staff, staff acknowledged this was a concern. How does staff propose to solve the delays in notification? We suggest that no topic be discussed until the notification criteria have been met. The planning department seems short-staffed, and we hope the Council will be addressing this soon. 7) Project notifications and website need to clearly identify the project’s location The address most commonly known to the public, such as 200 Portage needs to be included in any notifications for the public to be adequately informed. Some notifications have listed a series of addresses that were never used before to identify the project and that bear no relevance to many if not most interested people. Because the DEIR was not noticed to stakeholders and neighbors under a meaningful and relevant description/address, and because the DEIR was posted generally using unfamiliar addresses, the existence of the DEIR was not discovered until well into the comment period. 8) An applicant’s analysis should not be mingled with the City’s analysis. In the staff report for the prior ARB meeting, both the City’s and the Applicant’s analyses of whether the project satisfies the Secretary of Interior’s Standards were in the same attachment. At a glance, the document appeared to be a product of City staff only. One had to read carefully to distinguish when one analysis ended and the other began. 9) Development scenarios for the Fry’s site put forward by the NVCAP Working Group specifically recommended housing over commercial, and yet the current proposal still emphasizes commercial/office over housing and community serving retail. The preferences of the working group, community members who donated months of service are patently being ignored. 10) The Development Agreement (DA) and other relevant documents are not readily available on the project webpage. Please make all significant and relevant materials available. Public input is stymied because we don't know what the project comprises. Shouldn’t the DA be posted to inform the public? While we understand the applicant is making changes to the DA, we believe the public should have access to the original and amended DA which we believe should be provided as a redline version. The optics are very poor here. Even if obfuscation is not the intent, obfuscation is the result. · If the DA is being changed, how? If the DA is being revised, is what the ARB reviewed consistent with the original or revised DA? · Has Sobrato revised the agreement? If so, by what authority can Sobrato revise the DA without meeting again with Council? Shouldn’t additional discussion be public? Do they respond to the earlier ARB members’ comments that were criticalof the site plan? Since those comments, it appears that the ARB purview does not include site planning or circulation or desire to see the Cannery building and itshistory respected. · Without access to the DA, we the public have no idea how much latitude there is for broader consideration including alternatives that would meet the Secretary ofInterior’s standards. If Sobrato is making changes, there must be some latitude but neither the public nor reviewing bodies have been provided with what that latitudemight be. Ought not broader considerations beyond what is being presented to the ARB and HRB be studied? Again, the EIR identified impacts. Alternatives thatavoid and/or mitigate those impacts to less than significant are required. · If one of the goals of the Draft Agreement is, as was indicated in the initial roll out of the project on Aug 1, 2022, to avoid a lawsuit by helping the applicant achievea given number of market units, then please acknowledge that fact and let the land use planning happen in public in accordance with our laws and processes. Why thechurn to keep documents and processes hidden? Ultimately, transparency will result in a faster process and yield satisfactory outcomes because the public will have been included. The public will insist anyway, so why not be as transparent as possible? · The August 1, 2022, Council meeting announcing the Sobrato agreement made some commitments in the presentation slides. Presumably, those statements wereconsistent with the negotiated terms. Please confirm. For example, it was said during the meeting that the “remnant” Cannery building (that portion remaining after the proposed demolition of 40% would be rehabilitated consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. This is backward. The Secretary of Interior’s standards need to be applied when the historic resource is still intact. The loss of the historically significant Cannery has been consistently underplayed and has never been addressed head on. The Cannery qualifies for historic protection. Why have alternatives that preserve this historic resource been denied a hearing with the HRB and the ARB? Even the commitment to applying the Secretary of Interior’s Standards to the “remnant” building are not being held to as the ARB was even asked if they should be applied given the Cannery would no longer be eligible for the CA Register. 11) The review process is following a piecemeal path The project is being presented to ARB with one or two aspects of the entire proposal being considered at a time, leading to a lack of comprehensive site planning, with no cohesive end product. Please explain why this is the way the review is being put forward. And again, the ARB is being asked to perform the duties of the HRB by commenting on the Secretary of Interior’s compatibility requirements and/or impacts (although not referred to as such) of the housing with/on the Cannery building. 12) Was the PC zoning a stipulation in the Development Agreement (and negotiations)? · Given PCs offer little assurance to the community, how the property might evolve in the future upon expiration of the DA is unknown and will not be known. · We understand that the duration of the Development Agreement is only 10 years. Are there any circumstances under which the DA could be extended? Whatwas the basis for such a short period? What governs the development after the end of 10 years? · By comparison, SOFA’s redevelopment was also complex yet provided clear zoning, development and design standards and guidelines that would govern the future during and beyond the Development Agreement. Will this current DA beadequate to address the future of the site post DA expiration? It appears unlikely, as there are no development or design standards set forth for the ARB to use inreviewing the PC housing development, PC affordable housing development or the commercial/office components of the project. If they exist in the current version ofDA, surely, they should be made available for current review. We are concerned, based on what has been presented so far, that there will be little or no provision inthe DA to guide the future. The SOFA Plan avoided the PC by creating specific zoning and standards particular to the area and properties. Such measures are notbeing attempted here even for the few parcels, and the result seems a vague, uncertain future. And we question whether better-informed site planning mightavoid non-conformances that have led to application of the PC site-wide. Finally, on page 17 and other places of the draft agreement we found, Section 10.7 is mentioned, i.e., “Owner’s obligations under this Section 10.7 shall survive expiration or earlier termination of this Development Agreement.” 10.7 does not appear to exist, yet it governs some of the terms of the agreement with regard to expiration. Maybe this has already been corrected. https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-minutes- reports/agendas-minutes/planning-and-transportation-commission/2022/2022-10-11-wip-draft-da- ptc-clean-copy.pdf We hope that you will receive these comments in the manner in which they are intended. We support comprehensive, transparent planning that serves the City and the residents, that satisfies the developer, and that follows already clear and defined processes and adheres to established standards. Thank you. Sincerely, Sheri Furman Becky Sanders Co-Chairs, Palo Alto Neighborhoods From:Aram James To:Perron, Zachary; Binder, Andrew; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Josh Becker; Human Relations Commission;Wagner, April; Reifschneider, James; Javier Ortega; Council, City; Planning Commission; ParkRec Commission;Michael Gennaco; Jeff Rosen; Joe Simitian Subject:Warning to Black, Brown, LGBTQ people and others NOT to travel to Florida Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 10:09:15 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/latimes/default.aspx?pubid=50435180-e58e-48b5-8e0c-236bf740270e Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Council, City; Human Relations Commission; Josh Becker; Reifschneider, James;Michael Gennaco; Joe Simitian; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Cindy Chavez; Javier Ortega; Wagner, April; JeffRosen; Jay Boyarsky; ladoris cordell; Rebecca Eisenberg; chuck jagoda; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Dave Price Subject:State readies mental health courts Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 9:53:11 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/latimes/default.aspx?pubid=50435180-e58e-48b5-8e0c-236bf740270e Sent from my iPhone From:Henry Etzkowitz To:Orna Rosenfeld; Christiane Gebhardt; Terry Beaubois; Jerker Lessing; Mark Granovetter; Roberta Ahlquist;Rebecca Eisenberg; Kristina Loquist; Jinx Lobdell; Marty Wasserman; Hersh Jim; Fox Ellen; daisy law; mickiewinkler; Council, City; Firoozeh Dastmalchi; Representative Eshoo; Hom Gloria; Shikada, Ed; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Greg Tanaka; John Marlin; Bette Kiernan; Dorien jacque Subject:Fwd: Wealth machine Date:Monday, May 22, 2023 8:29:23 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: Henry Etzkowitz <H.Etzko@gmail.com>Date: May 18, 2023 at 7:32:17 PM PDTTo: Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@googlemail.com>Subject: Wealth machine Realtors, as well as homeowners building equity, are an essential element of the Palo Alto wealth machine. One reason for opposition to Stanford’s purchase ofhouses in Palo Alto neighborhoods is that in addition to not wanting to be an ever smaller cog in a company town such acquisition removes houses as wealth chitson a monopoly board for future resale and commission earnings by realtors. Once under university ownership it is unlikely that they will ever be resold. A companytown with a single owner is antithetical to a wealth machine with an elite of well to do players, buyers, sellers and intermediaries, driving the operation of themachine. The more homes that come under Stanford control, on the other hand, increases the scarcity of the remaining inventory, potentially driving their pricesfurther upward. Thus, the university’s purchase, to a moderate degree is in synch with the wealth machine but allowed to continue to its monopolistic conclusion,destroys the machine. Thus opposition to Stanford purchase is not driven by aversion to living in close contiguity with academics as a Universityrepresentative mooted, without really believing, but rather by concern that a market could be destroyed See what you think Best Henry Community of Oak Creek Residents, co-Organizer International triple helix institute Www.triplehelix.net Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Perron, Zachary; Council, City; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Jeff Rosen; Rob Baker; Jay Boyarsky; Molly; SeanAllen; Jethroe Moore; Human Relations Commission; Reifschneider, James; Binder, Andrew; Josh Becker; MichaelGennaco; Joe Simitian; Shikada, Ed; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Barberini, Christopher; Tannock, Julie; Foley,Michael; Javier Ortega Subject:Judge issues landmark ruling against Contra Costa County D.A."s office o... Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 8:38:39 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/dh6GiDfsQM0 Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Perron, Zachary; Binder, Andrew; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Josh Becker; Human Relations Commission;Reifschneider, James; Michael Gennaco; Wagner, April; Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Joe Simitian; Figueroa, Eric;Foley, Michael; Tannock, Julie; Lee, Craig; cromero@cityofepa.org; Rob Baker; rabrica@cityofepa.org; JeffRosen; chuck jagoda; Shana Segal; Jay Boyarsky Subject:What to know about California"s approval of recommendations for historic reparations Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 8:30:21 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/californias-approval-recommendations-historic-reparations/story?id=99253083 Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Perron, Zachary; Binder, Andrew; Jethroe Moore; Josh Becker; Human Relations Commission; Council, City;Wagner, April; Reifschneider, James; Michael Gennaco; Joe Simitian; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Jeff Rosen;Sean Allen; Shikada, Ed; ladoris cordell; Shana Segal; Jay Boyarsky; chuck jagoda; Enberg, Nicholas; Wagner,April; Barberini, Christopher; Figueroa, Eric; wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com Subject:In New York, prison guards who brutalize guards rarely get fired Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 8:12:31 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2023/05/19/new-york-prison-corrections-officer-abuse- prisoners Shared via the Google app Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Perron, Zachary; Council, City; Jethroe Moore; Human Relations Commission; Sean Allen; Binder, Andrew;Wagner, April; Reifschneider, James; Josh Becker; Michael Gennaco; Jeff Rosen; Joe Simitian; ladoris cordell;Shikada, Ed; Shana Segal; chuck jagoda; Jay Boyarsky; Enberg, Nicholas; Foley, Michael; Figueroa, Eric Subject:Prevalence of white supremacists in law enforcement demands drastic change | Reuters Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 7:13:18 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/prevalence-white-supremacists-law-enforcement-demands-drastic- change-2022-05-12/ Sent from my iPhone From:San Jose Silicon Valley NAACPTo:Council, CitySubject:NAACP issues travel warning in Florida: the state ‘has become hostile to Black Americans’Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 5:51:02 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from moore2j+att.net@ccsend.com. Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links. Unashamedly Black, Unapologetically Beautiful!!!! The Oldest, Largest And Strongest Civil Rights Organization In The United States. 2023 Black Resistance Past, Present,& Future A new Supreme Court case threatens to make gerrymandering even worse South Carolina’s lawyers propose a rule that could make it virtually impossible to challenge racial gerrymanders. By Ian Millhiser The Supreme Court announced Monday it will hear a case that could give state lawmakers even more leeway than they already have to draw gerrymandered maps. In January, a federal court determined that South Carolina violated the Constitution’s prohibition on racial gerrymandering when it drew one of its congressional districts in the 2021 redistricting cycle. This case, known as Alexander v. South Carolina Conference of the NAACP, tees up the question of whether state lawmakers may use race to identify Democratic voters, and then draw district lines intended to diminish these voters’ ability to elect a candidate of their choice. READ MORE In Person Meeting Bible Way Christian Center 2090 Old Oakland Rd, San Jose, Conference Room He 'can resume his life': Case against Andrew Gillum dropped Jeff Burlew William L. Hatfield Tallahassee Democrat A federal judge overseeing the Andrew Gillum corruption case has granted federal prosecutors' request to dismiss charges against the former Tallahassee mayor and Democratic gubernatorial nominee and his political mentor. In a Monday morning filing in U.S. District court, the government "respectfully moves that this court dismiss theindictment against the Defendants Andrew Gillum and Sharon Lettman-Hicks." The government did not comment on the move, which came after the Tallahassee Democrat reported that jurors overwhelmingly favored acquitting the two and urged prosecutors to drop the case. READ MORE SHIBA BACKGROUND AND HISTORY The Term SHIBA, is the acronym used to represent our focus on the State of Housing in Black America (SHIBA). The recent collapse of the housing market and subsequent recession has been particularly devastating to the Black community. Not only has our homeownership rate plummeted, but, accessing mortgage credit has become nearly impossible outside of government insured programs such as the FHA and VA. Unemployment also remains high, in the double digits for Blacks, and vacant and abandoned properties clutter our communities. The SHIBA Report is designed to shed light on many of the issues centered on foreclosure mitigation, neighborhood blight, and disaster recovery for Blacks. More importantly, NAREB has endorsed several policy initiatives in this report. They address rebuilding the mortgage finance system to make loans more available for Black families, ensuring an adequate supply of credit to finance affordable rental housing, and creating a funding vehicle—specifically a community infrastructure bank—to provide the financing to enable broad-based community revitalization and jobs for unemployed workers. READ MORE NAACP issues travel warning in Florida: the state ‘has become hostile to Black Americans’ BY JULIA SHAPERO The NAACP issued a formal travel advisory for Florida on Saturday, saying the state has become “hostile to Black Americans” under Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R) leadership. “On a seeming quest to silence African-American voices, the Governor and the State of Florida have shown that African Americans are not welcome in the State of Florida,” the travel advisory reads. READ MORE Rising Communities is seeking highly motivated youth ages 15-18 that are interested in gaining activism and political engagement skills. Both programs include 8-weeks of instruction inclusive of labs that allow students to apply what they have learned in real- time through group work and culminates with a capstone project presentation. Students who successfully complete the programs are eligible to receive a $1,000 stipend, as well as a collegiate level accredited certificate and digital badge from Pacific Oaks College. The anticipated hourly commitment for these programs is anywhere between 10-14 hours. We are happy to offer technological support to meet student needs by loaning out hot spots, laptops, and headphones. The first program is our signature program MasterClass for Youth Activists. MasterClass for Youth Activists is an intensive 8-week series of learning modules that address the core competencies needed to support aspiring activists in leading authentic, inclusive, and sustained activities towards achieving a more equitable future. This course will run from June 8th, 2023- August 12, 2023. The courses topics include: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI): Tools for Advancing Social Justice Youth Activists of the Century : Si Se PUEDE! Social Movement-Making in the Social Era + The Art and Science of Social Movements: A History of Progress and Regression Authenticity and Trauma-Informed Practices: Tools for Cultural Competence and Effective Communication SMART Goals and Operationalizing Anti-Racism: Tools for Advancing Social Justice Developing Conflict Awareness” and integrating dialogue-based practices and peacebuilding lenses into activist and advocacy work Lead with Community Organizing and Civil Disobedience: Then and Now Dismantling Systemic Racism: Policy Implications & Current Events The second program we are recruiting for is our brand-new program titled “The P.E.A.R.R. Project – Prevention, Equity, Accountability, Resilience, and Reparations.” This program, which is being funded by Proposition 64 dollars, has positioned our organization to be at the frontlines of reparations, co-liberation, and healing for communities that have been subject to decades of harm resulting from the war on drugs. The P.E.A.R.R. curriculum will be rooted in disrupting false (and common) narratives taught about the history of slavery and tainted by the archetypal image of slavery, as well as covering concepts like allyship, reparations, and political engagement. This course will run from June 12, 2023- August 5, 2023. The course topics include: Settler Colonialism Slavery: Disrupting the Story We Know A Civil Rights Campaign Recap: With Liberty and Justice for Some The New Jim Crow: How Oppressive forces reinvent their Wheel Policy and Systems Change: Proposition 64 Cannabis Tax Allyship, Reparations and Land back From Stigma to Collective Healing: Gaining the Courage to Speak through the Use of Healing Circles We ask that applications be submitted by May 29th. Much Love + Sunlight, Russell Boyd Manager, Learning for EquityRising Communities, formerly Community Health Councils 4335 W Adams Blvd., Suite 200 Los Angeles, CA 90018rboyd@risingcommunities.org ▪ www.risingcommunities.org MENTAL HEALTH ACTION DAY Mental Health Action Day and this year we partnered with MTV and the Mental Health Action Network who have tasks us all to take one hour for self-care! Make a plan and set a timer for our hour long self-care time and choose what makes you feel grounded Prevalence of white supremacists in law enforcement demands drastic change By Hassan Kanu (Reuters) - A Reuters investigation on May 6 indicates that a significant number of U.S. police instructors have ties to a constellation of armed right-wing militias and white supremacist hate groups, a report that adds to a fast-growing body of evidence showing a deadly threat inside U.S. police departments. READ MORE Diversity on the Bench The Brennan Center’s updated annual analysis of demographic and professional diversity on state supreme courts shows that despite some modest progress in the last year, many still fail to reflect the populations they serve. Significantly, there are no justices of color in 18 states, including 12 states where people of color make up at least 20 percent of the population. And women hold only 42 percent of high court seats. Courts must have diverse representation on the bench to ensure a fair and effective judiciary. Professor William T ArmalineThe Human Rights Enterprise Why do powerful states like the U.S., U.K., China, andRussia repeatedly fail to meet their international legalobligations as defined by human rights instruments?How does global capitalism affect states’ ability to implement human rights, particularly in the context of global recession, state austerity, perpetual war, and environmental crisis? How are political and civil rights undermined as part of moves to impose security and surveillance regimes? This book presents a framework for understanding human rights as a terrain of struggle over power between states, private interests, and organized, “bottom-up” social movements. The authors develop a critical sociology of human rights focusing on the concept of the human rights enterprise: the process through which rights are defined and realized. While states are designated arbiters of human rights according to human rights instruments, they do not exist in a vacuum. Political sociology helps us to understand how global neoliberalism and powerful non-governmental actors (particularly economic actors such as corporations and financial institutions) deeply affect states’ ability and likelihood to enforce human rights standards. Day At The Capitol The CA/HI State Conference of the NAACP will have its annual Day At The Capitol on Monday, May 22, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cal Chamber (1230 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814) to encourage the civic participation of our local branches through direct engagement in the legislative process. This year’s Day At The Capitol will be in- person and includes CA/HI NAACP members from across the state. During this meeting, we will discuss our priority legislation and how those policies impact our membership. The power is between your ears.The power is in your heart. It is up to God to take revenge. Only God can judge. I don't have to worry about getting even with anybody or taking out any kind of aggression on anybody. Doing that is a weakness, anyway. You cannot get me to be disloyal to a friend. You just can't do it. Loyalty is a part of what I live by. I didn't say I was going to be loyal to my friend because he was right. I'm going to be loyal to my friend because he's my friend. A liberal will cut off your leg so he can hand you a crutch. 114th NAACP National Convention July 26, 2023 - August 1, 2023 The 114th NAACP National Convention is coming to Boston, MA, from July 26 to August 1, 2023! This year’s convention will officially kick off with our ACT-SO Competition followed by our convention sessions. Mark these dates in your calendar now! • ACT-SO Competition: Wednesday, July 26 – Saturday, July 29 • Convention sessions: Friday, July 28 – Tuesday, August 1 During our week-long convention, NAACP members, activists, and supporters will gather in person for a series of discussions and programs to set policies and identify priorities for the year. Website History Events Youth Address: 205 E Alma Ave d10 San Jose, CA 95112 Telephone: +1 (408) 898-6985 Drop Us A Line San Jose Silicon Valley NAACP | 1313 N Milpitas Blvd #163, Milpitas, CA 95035 Unsubscribe city.council@cityofpaloalto.org Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by moore2j@att.net powered by Try email marketing for free today! From:Aram James To:Perron, Zachary; Binder, Andrew; Josh Becker; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Human Relations Commission;Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; Michael Gennaco; Jeff Rosen; Council, City; Joe Simitian Subject:Boise Police deputy chief sued for alleged role in racist text messages ... Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 1:11:51 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/RdQGsE2U-1I Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Perron, Zachary; Foley, Michael; Michael Gennaco; Wagner, April; Reifschneider, James; Binder, Andrew; JethroeMoore; Sean Allen; Human Relations Commission; Josh Becker; Council, City; Shikada, Ed;Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Burt, Patrick; Joe Simitian; Shikada, Ed; Jeff Rosen; ladoris cordell; Shana Segal;Jay Boyarsky; chuck jagoda; DuJuan Green; Enberg, Nicholas Subject:Antioch Police Chief Steven Ford addresses racist text scandal Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 1:09:43 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/X3GrJTdSbfc Sent from my iPhone From:Henry Etzkowitz To:Julie Lythcott-Haims Cc:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Orna Rosenfeld; Dorien jacque; Christiane Gebhardt; Kristina Loquist; Whitney McNair Subject:Oak creek clubhouse soaring interior: Palo Alto’s iconic Third Place Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 12:40:17 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from henry.etzkowitz@triplehelix.net.Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachmentsand clicking on links.________________________________ Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Sheriff Transparency Cc:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Kevin Jensen; dennis burns; DuJuan Green; Binder, Andrew; Human Relations Commission Subject:Robert Jonsen’s first 100 days in office report Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 12:06:44 PM Attachments:Attachment-237237.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ http://sccgov.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=237237 Sent from my iPhone From:jerry.smith@sonic.net To:Council, City Subject:palo alto fiber status Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 12:06:04 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from jerry.smith@sonic.net. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello: I contributed my $50 to show support for the fiber project. I would think that this would automatically enroll me in the status update emails, but I have not received any. When I look on the fiber web site and blog pages, I find that they are hopelessly out of date, with the most recent information being only from the council meeting on Dec 19 of last year. Please let me know what progress is being made on this project and what schedules (if any) are planned for installation and operation of the fiber network. Hopefully, the significant costs being incurred for this project are generating some concrete results. Jerry Smith 162 Bryant St. From:Henry Etzkowitz To:Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Jinx Lobdell; Roberta Ahlquist; Terry Beaubois; Rebecca Eisenberg; Kristina Loquist; HershJim; Marty Wasserman; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Fox Ellen; daisy law; mickie winkler; Ellen Granovetter; FiroozehDastmalchi; Jerker Lessing; Hom Gloria; Representative Eshoo; Greg Tanaka; Orna Rosenfeld; Christiane Gebhardt; Dorien Detombe Cc:Roberta Ahlquist; Catie Fee; Khonika Gope; aziz.junaid@gmail.com Subject:Deconstructing a Third Space Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 11:27:58 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachmentsand clicking on links.________________________________ Dear Ed, City manager, Council members and Mayor Kou, photo:Oak Creek clubhouse billiard roomdoored and officed, without permitRemoval of blocked entrance Requested, with Scott’s kind assistance, building department, Choozbuilding. No response to date. Ideal, hoped for resolution: billiard table restored to its historic locationand Oak Creek Clubhouse landmarked, internally and externally. Respectfully request City CouncilResolution, honoring this unique Palo Alto “third place.” SincerelyHenry EtzkowitzCommunity of Oak Creek Residents, Co-Organizer Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Human Relations Commission; Josh Becker; Council, City; Binder, Andrew;Reifschneider, James; Michael Gennaco; ladoris cordell; EPA Today; Gennady Sheyner; Bains, Paul; dennis burns;Kevin Jensen; DuJuan Green; Sheriff Transparency; Lewis. james; Joe Simitian; Cindy Chavez; Supervisor SusanEllenberg; Wagner, April; Perron, Zachary; Shikada, Ed; chuck jagoda; Shana Segal; Jay Boyarsky; Angie Evans;Vara Ramakrishnan; alisa mallari tu Subject:NAACP ISSUES TRAVEL WARNING IN FLORIDA THE STATE HAS BECOME HOSTILE TO BLACK AMERICANS Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 10:54:15 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4013835-naacp-issues-travel-warning-in-florida-the-state-has-become- hostile-to-black-americans/amp/ Sent from my iPhone From:gel@theconnection.com To:Council, City Subject:Rail Committee Suggestion Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 10:42:13 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from gel@theconnection.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello, As the Rail Committee comes down to making final decisions, I would hope they keep one in mind. Please don’t compromise like the one that that decided in the early 1930’s to only have 3 lanes for the Embarcadero underpass. Only 3 lane, one direction gets 2 and the other gets only one. I have a suggestion for the Churchill underpass: 1. Full access to Alma from Churchill in all directions. 2. On Churchill east of Alma there would be 2 lanes, one in each direction and no on-street parking. 3. Churchill east of Alma would drop down to meet with Churchill west of Alma. 4. For homes east of Alma there would be a one-way local access much like is planned for getting access to Mariposa west of Alma. 5. Each home has a driveway in this area and everyone can get in and out. 6. Portion of the street along with the parking strip would be used to accommodate the local access road. 7. The only property required to achieve this would be a small corner of the 2 homes at the corner of Churchill and Alma. Take Care and Thank you, Gary Lindgren From:Aram James To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Jethroe Moore; Human Relations Commission; Sean Allen; Binder, Andrew; Wagner,April; Reifschneider, James; Michael Gennaco; Josh Becker; Jeff Rosen Subject:Los Angeles Times - eNewspaper Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 10:40:30 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/latimes/default.aspx?pubid=50435180-e58e-48b5-8e0c-236bf740270e Sent from my iPhone From:LaNell Mimmack To:Mark Schultz; Creek Siders; Council, City Subject:Re: ASAP Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 10:40:11 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from lmimmack@hotmail.com. Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links. I remember seeing a reference to Oswaldo's father who brings him supplies(?) occasionally. Is he on this mailing list? And what does he want? What kind of treatment does he need? From: palo-alto-residents@googlegroups.com <palo-alto-residents@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Mark Schultz <markydavid.tm@gmail.com> Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2023 6:02 AM To: Creek Siders <palo-alto-residents@googlegroups.com>; city.council@cityofpaloalto.org <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org> Subject: ASAP I just went back there and had a physical confrontation with Oswaldo. He told me after much pressure that he’swilling to accept treatment. After our fight, I split a bottle of wine with him and convinced him to accepttreatment. We need whatever rehabilitation/housing resource available to be dispatched on him ASAP. All teamsgo. The threat is no more, help him now immediately and he’ll take it, he promised me. Whoever and whatever,execute now. -- Warmest regards, Mark Schultz (650)646-8547-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Creek Siders" group.To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to palo-alto-residents+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/palo-alto-residents/CAJ9NnXaaW19wVw738cGfcxQ%3Dk40PDCHRkXoV6_Pnv6%2BN2v%3Dv9w%40mail.gmail.com.For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. From:Mark Schultz To:Creek Siders; Council, City Subject:Never mind Date:Sunday, May 21, 2023 12:54:04 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from markydavid.tm@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. I’m just gonna handle it. Disregard my last email. -- Warmest regards, Mark Schultz (650)646-8547 From:Mark Schultz To:Creek Siders; Council, City Subject:ASAP Date:Saturday, May 20, 2023 11:03:05 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from markydavid.tm@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. I just went back there and had a physical confrontation with Oswaldo. He told me after muchpressure that he’s willing to accept treatment. After our fight, I split a bottle of wine with him and convinced him to accept treatment. We need whatever rehabilitation/housing resourceavailable to be dispatched on him ASAP. All teams go. The threat is no more, help him now immediately and he’ll take it, he promised me. Whoever and whatever, execute now. -- Warmest regards, Mark Schultz (650)646-8547 From:Aram James To:Sheriff Transparency; Perron, Zachary; Wagner, April; Reifschneider, James; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen;Barberini, Christopher; Tannock, Julie; Human Relations Commission; Josh Becker; Michael Gennaco; MichaelGennaco; Enberg, Nicholas; Lee, Craig; cromero@cityofepa.org; dennis burns; Kevin Jensen; DuJuan Green; JoeSimitian; Rebecca Eisenberg; Jeff Rosen; Shikada, Ed; ladoris cordell; chuck jagoda; Shana Segal; Jay Boyarsky;Julie Lythcott-Haims; Council, City; Angie Evans; Javier Ortega; Cecilia Taylor; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; CindyChavez Subject:Los Angeles sheriff orders deputies to show tattoos, be interviewed about alleged gangs - YouTube Date:Saturday, May 20, 2023 6:20:34 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: Sean Allen <sallen6444@yahoo.com>Date: May 20, 2023 at 3:25:00 PM PDTTo: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>, Jethroe Moore <moore2j@att.net>Subject: Los Angeles sheriff orders deputies to show tattoos, be interviewedabout alleged gangs - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YEVwe2hDjY Sent from my iPhone From:Henry EtzkowitzTo:Bette; Dorien jacque; Pnina Abir-am; Orna Rosenfeld; Christiane Gebhardt; Arthur Millman; Arshi; Arthur Bienenstock; Claire Champenois; Sarfraz Mian; Mats Lundqvist; Ekaterina Albats; Joyce RothschildCc:Khonika Gope; daisy law; Rebecca Eisenberg; Kristina Loquist; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Council, City; Roberta Ahlquist; provost@stanford.edu; Jinx Lobdell; Marty Wasserman; Fox Ellen; mickie winkler; Ellen Granovetter; Terry Beaubois; W. James Hersh; Murray Phimester; Jim Hersh;Mary Rorty; Jinx; Firoozeh Dastmalchi; herb.el@comcast.net; Ray Tourzan; joanskurnick@gmail.com; Henry EtzkowitzSubject:Re: Philosophy Discussion Date:Saturday, May 20, 2023 4:01:32 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Bette (and all) Good to have you back in the conversazione! increased social isolation, reducing the attributes of sociability encouraged by the clubhouse Bauhaus architectural attributes, interior design and face to face seating pods as well as the low key activities like CostcoSunday brunch, diverse motion pictures from children’s to art flics, ping pong, diverse newspapers from Mercury to Wall Street Journal that helped create an environment conducive to mental and social health, in amulti generational environment is not acceptable to Stanford students, postdocs; nor to most seniors. Granted, some colleagues believe that the rights of ownership include leeway to degrade a property. However,as an academic of more than a half century at public and private universities in the US and abroad, i can attest that universities want to enhance the social and living conditions that they provide. The academic lifeis social as well as intellectual, with the former contributing to the latter and vice versa. (cf Double Helix volume for the role of informal pub meet ups in Cambridge providing key information for that discovery in addition to heinous data theft from female Birkbeck, London colleague). Oak Creekplays a similar role locally as my publication record during more than a decade’s residence documents eg Etzkowitz et al “Perspicacity of Intermediate Ties” Industry and Higher Education, 2022) Stanford will not be an exception to that principle and sully its stellar reputation. Expect the university will recognize that the quality of life offered post docs, beyond the desperate need for housing will inexorablylead to the conclusion that their social and mental welfare is as important as the undergraduate’s to whom great attention is rightfully devoted. As an imminent Phd (defense of dissertation recently completed) said,during our Marguerite hosted discussion, “Our slow growth (science rooted) start ups will be as successful as their fast growth ones.” As post-docs time in residency and population increases; it behooves theuniversity to take account of their wishes and needs, for ethical as well as practical reasons. Thus, restoration of the iconic Oak Creek Clubhouse, its full use and activities is imminent, with residents consulted regarding future enhancements. Cheers Henry Community of Oak Creek Residents, Co-Organizer Www.triplehelix.net Sent from my iPhone On May 20, 2023, at 2:33 PM, Bette <betteuk@aol.com> wrote: Dear Heny I am glad for you and your being there. I feel this is like trying to stop a tsunami. For me the right action is acceptance Fondly Bette Bette Kiernan, MFT 1540 Oak Creek Drive 407Palo Alto, CA 95304 (650) 324-3639betteuk@aol.comHome - Bette Kiernan, MFT The content of this email is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in the message only. If you received this message by mistake, please reply to this message, and follow with its deletion. On Friday, May 19, 2023, 10:04 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote: Bette, if you don’t protest, and find others who care to join with you, what are the chances? Next? Ever smaller list of possibilities, with billiards, ping pong, children’s puzzles, knock hockey, NY Times gone; screening room closed for movies but not yet gutted. Sent from my iPhone On May 18, 2023, at 12:01 PM, Bette <betteuk@aol.com> wrote: Is that permanent?? What’s next!? Bette Kiernan, MFT 1540 Oak Creek Drive 407Palo Alto, CA 95304 (650) 324-3639betteuk@aol.comhttp://www.betteconsulting.com The content of this email is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in the message only. If you received this message by mistake, please reply to this message, andfollow with its deletion. On Thursday, May 18, 2023, 7:26 AM, W. James Hersh <hershj@salve.edu> wrote: Dear Philosophers, Home - Bette Kiernan, MFT Very Important!!!Please bring the handouts from yesterday’s class, the Rorty essay, to our next class on June 6th. That’s 3 weeks from now, not 2. The Clubhouse no longer has acopying machine. Thank you so much,Jim Sent from my iPhone On May 17, 2023, at 5:28 PM, james hersh <james.hersh@icloud.com> wrote: Thx, Murray, Jim Sent from my iPhone On May 17, 2023, at 5:26 PM, Murray Phimester <murray.phimester@gmail.com> wrote: A link to Simon Schama’s 15 part documentary “A History of Britain”. <a-history-of-britain.jpg> A History of Britain (2000)watchdocumentaries.com I watch them on my iPad and airplay them onto my TV. Cheers! Murray Sent from my iPhone On May 17, 2023, at 2:34 PM, Jim Hersh <hershjim2@gmail.com> wrote: We meet today in the Clubhouse theater at 3. Jim Sent from my iPhone On May 16, 2023, at 1:14 PM, james hersh <james.hersh@icloud.com> wrote: Yes, we’ll be missing you too, Mary,Jim Sent from my iPhone On May 16, 2023, at 11:13 AM, Mary Rorty <mrorty@gmail.com> wrote: Will miss seeing y’all! Sent from my iPhone On May 14, 2023, at 4:00 PM, james hersh <james.hersh@icloud.com> wrote: Dear Philosophers, We will meet again this Wednesday (May 17th) to continue our discussion on thephilosopher Richard Rorty and the psychologist James Hillman. Despite being in twovery different fields, there seems to be a lot of agreement between them, particularly onthe imagination. But there are also areas of apparent disagreement. We will try to sortthese out. Looking forward to seeing you again! Jim Sent from my iPhone On Apr 30, 2023, at 2:15 PM, W. James Hersh <hershj@salve.edu> wrote: Dear Philosophers, I’ll see you this Wednesday May 3rd at 3 to continue our conversation onJames Hillman on “fiction” and on the “Renaissance.” Please bring yourhandouts from last time if possible. Jim Sent from my iPhone On Apr 16, 2023, at 7:37 AM, Jim Hersh<hershjim2@gmail.com> wrote: Dear Philosophers, See you this Wednesday at 3 to continue our discussion of JohnRawls, Richard Rorty, and James Hillman on the subject of“poeticized culture.” Jim Sent from my iPhone On Mar 12, 2023, at 10:28 AM, james hersh<james.hersh@icloud.com> wrote: Dear Philosophers, We meet at 3 on Wednesday this week (in theClubhouse theater) to continue our discussion onCarl Jung. We will look at his theory of archetypesand begin a look at the most prominent Jungianthinker of our own time, James Hillman. Looking forward to seeing you again. Jim Sent from my iPhone On Feb 27, 2023, at 9:30 PM, W.James Hersh <hershj@salve.edu>wrote: Dear Philosophers, I forgot to tell you that on Wednesdaywe will be meeting in the theater in theClubhouse, instead of in the largeroom. Turn left at the top of the stairs;we are in the room across from thecopy machine. See you Wednesday,Jim Sent from my iPhone On Feb 26, 2023, at 12:23PM, Jim Hersh<hershjim2@gmail.com>wrote: Dear Philosophers, We will meet this WedMarch 1st to discuss thepsychological theories ofCarl Jung (Swiss, 1875-1961). We will look at twoof his models of thepsyche and think aboutsomething he said: “Themost important discoveryof modern psychology isthe “soul” (psyche) isimages. Soul, or psyche,exists in images. It followsineluctably that imageslike psyche are alsosubstances, psychicsubstances possessingpsychic reality.” (1949) This is a topic of greatinterest to me; about 1/3 ofmy doctoral degree wasspent reading Jung’s“Collected Works.” See you Wednesday, Jim Sent from my iPhone On Feb 15,2023, at 8:20AM, W.James Hersh<hershj@salve.edu>wrote: DearPhilosophers, Just areminder thatwe aremeeting todayin theClubhouse at3. Sent from myiPhone OnFeb12,2023, at9:28AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, WewillmeetagainthisWednesdayat3intheClubhouse. WewillfinishourdiscussiononHeideggerandtheNazisandthenmoveontotwopsychologists,CarlJungandJamesHillman,bothofwhomhavedeepphilosophicalrelevance. MuchofmyPhDprogramwasspentreadingJung’sCollectedWorksandIwasfortunatetoshareanicefriendshipwithHillmanwholecturedthreetimesatmyuniversity(hepublished3ofmypapersinSpring,theJungianjournal). Lookingforwardtoseeingyou,Jim SentfrommyiPad OnFeb1,2023,at7:55AM, jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, Justareminderthatwemeettodayat3intheClubhouse. :)Jim SentfrommyiPad OnJan29,2023,at2:22PM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, SeeyouonthisWedFeb1stat3intheClubhousetocontinueourdiscussionofHeideggerandtheNazis. I’vemissedyou,Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan24,2023,at7:17AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, Sosorry,butIhavetocancelourclasstomorrow(WedJan25th).Itestedpositivefor Covidyesterdayandneedtoisolateforafewdays.Arghhh! Ifeelgreat,likeamildcold.ButI’mmissingyouguys.AndHeideggermustbemissingus. SoournextclasswillbeNEXTWEEKonWednesdayFebruary1standwewillbebackonourscheduleofmeetingonthefirst&thirdWednesdaysofeverymonth. Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan16,2023,at1:41PM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: Thankyou,Henry&ChunyanJim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan16,2023,at11:40AM,HenryEtzkowitz<h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote: Bewell collegialbestwishes HenryandChunyan SentfrommyiPhone OnJan16,2023,at11:38AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, I’mrestingupfrommybriefCovidbout,sowewillnotbemeetingthisWednesdayJanuary18th.Nextweek,WedJanuary25th,wewillbeginmeetingagain(myhomeCovidtestwasnegativethismorning…yay!).Thanksforallthewellwishesandgroceries!Verykind. Seeyounextweek,Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan8,2023,at7:41AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, WewillmeetthisWednesday(“godwilling andthecreekdon’trise!”)at3intheClubhousetocontinueourdiscussiononHeideggerandtheNazis. I’vemissedyou!Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan1,2023,at10:35AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: HappyNewYearMyDearPhilosophers! WewillmeetthisWednesdayJan4,2023tocontinuediscussingHeidegger’srelationtoanddifferencesfromtheNazis.Thiswillfocusonhisphilosophyofart. SeeyouWedat3attheClubhouse, Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnDec19,2022,at7:44AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: Dear Philosophers, RememberthatwedonotmeetthisWedDecember21.WeWILLmeetnextweekDecember28. Havegreatholidays! Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnDec12,2022,at2:06PM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, IneedtochangeournextmeetingfromWednesday,December21sttoWednesday, December28th.PleasemarkyourcalendarsandbringyourHeideggerhandoutswithyou(ifyoutookonehome)…thanks. HappyHolidaystooneandall! Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnDec5,2022,at12:51PM, jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, WewillbemeetingthisweektobegindiscussingtheGermanphilosopher,MartinHeidegger(1889-1976). HeandWittgensteinaregenerallyregardedasthemostsignificantphilosophersofthefirsthalfofthe20thCentury.Hehadhadaprofoundimpactontheanti-global-warmingmovement. SeeyouWednesday, Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnNov3,2022,at6:54AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, I’mgoingtobeusingthisemailaccount(james.hersh@icloud.com)tosendoutfuturenoticesofourphilosophymeetings. Ifyouneedtoreachme,thisemailaddresswillworkbest. IreallyenjoyedourWittgensteindiscussionyesterday.OurnextmeetingwillbeonWednesdayNovember16at3-4:30intheClubhouse. Lookingforward, Jim SentfrommyiPhone From:BetteTo:Henry Etzkowitz; Khonika Gope; daisy law; Rebecca Eisenberg; Kristina Loquist; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Council, City; Roberta Ahlquist; provost@stanford.edu; Jinx Lobdell; Marty Wasserman; Fox Ellen; mickie winkler; Ellen Granovetter; Terry BeauboisCc:W. James Hersh; Murray Phimester; Jim Hersh; Mary Rorty; Jinx; Firoozeh Dastmalchi; herb.el@comcast.net; Ray Tourzan; joanskurnick@gmail.com; Henry Etzkowitz; Bette Kiernan Subject:Re: Philosophy DiscussionDate:Saturday, May 20, 2023 2:33:18 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from betteuk@aol.com. Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Heny I am glad for you and your being there. I feel this is like trying to stop a tsunami. For me the right action is acceptance Fondly Bette Bette Kiernan, MFT 1540 Oak Creek Drive 407Palo Alto, CA 95304 (650) 324-3639betteuk@aol.comHome - Bette Kiernan, MFT The content of this email is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in the message only. If you received this message by mistake, please reply to this message, and follow with its deletion. On Friday, May 19, 2023, 10:04 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote: Bette, if you don’t protest, and find others who care to join with you, what are the chances? Next? Ever smaller list of possibilities, with billiards, ping pong, children’s puzzles, knock hockey, NY Times gone; screening room closed for movies but not yet gutted. Sent from my iPhone On May 18, 2023, at 12:01 PM, Bette <betteuk@aol.com> wrote: Is that permanent?? What’s next!? Bette Kiernan, MFT 1540 Oak Creek Drive 407Palo Alto, CA 95304 (650) 324-3639betteuk@aol.comhttp://www.betteconsulting.com The content of this email is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in the message only. If you received this message by mistake, please reply to this message, and followwith its deletion. On Thursday, May 18, 2023, 7:26 AM, W. James Hersh <hershj@salve.edu> wrote: Dear Philosophers, Very Important!!!Please bring the handouts from yesterday’s class, the Rorty essay, to our next class on June 6th. That’s 3 weeks from now, not 2. The Clubhouse no longer has a copyingmachine. Thank you so much,Jim Sent from my iPhone On May 17, 2023, at 5:28 PM, james hersh <james.hersh@icloud.com> wrote: Thx, Murray, Jim Sent from my iPhone On May 17, 2023, at 5:26 PM, Murray Phimester <murray.phimester@gmail.com> wrote: A link to Simon Schama’s 15 part documentary “A History of Britain”. <a-history-of-britain.jpg> Home - Bette Kiernan, MFT A History of Britain (2000)watchdocumentaries.com I watch them on my iPad and airplay them onto my TV. Cheers! Murray Sent from my iPhone On May 17, 2023, at 2:34 PM, Jim Hersh <hershjim2@gmail.com> wrote: We meet today in the Clubhouse theater at 3. Jim Sent from my iPhone On May 16, 2023, at 1:14 PM, james hersh <james.hersh@icloud.com> wrote: Yes, we’ll be missing you too, Mary,Jim Sent from my iPhone On May 16, 2023, at 11:13 AM, Mary Rorty <mrorty@gmail.com> wrote: Will miss seeing y’all! Sent from my iPhone On May 14, 2023, at 4:00 PM, james hersh <james.hersh@icloud.com> wrote: Dear Philosophers, We will meet again this Wednesday (May 17th) to continue our discussion on the philosopherRichard Rorty and the psychologist James Hillman. Despite being in two very different fields,there seems to be a lot of agreement between them, particularly on the imagination. But thereare also areas of apparent disagreement. We will try to sort these out. Looking forward to seeing you again! Jim Sent from my iPhone On Apr 30, 2023, at 2:15 PM, W. James Hersh <hershj@salve.edu> wrote: Dear Philosophers, I’ll see you this Wednesday May 3rd at 3 to continue our conversation on JamesHillman on “fiction” and on the “Renaissance.” Please bring your handouts fromlast time if possible. Jim Sent from my iPhone On Apr 16, 2023, at 7:37 AM, Jim Hersh <hershjim2@gmail.com>wrote: Dear Philosophers, See you this Wednesday at 3 to continue our discussion of JohnRawls, Richard Rorty, and James Hillman on the subject of“poeticized culture.” Jim Sent from my iPhone On Mar 12, 2023, at 10:28 AM, james hersh<james.hersh@icloud.com> wrote: Dear Philosophers, We meet at 3 on Wednesday this week (in the Clubhousetheater) to continue our discussion on Carl Jung. We willlook at his theory of archetypes and begin a look at themost prominent Jungian thinker of our own time, JamesHillman. Looking forward to seeing you again. Jim Sent from my iPhone On Feb 27, 2023, at 9:30 PM, W. James Hersh <hershj@salve.edu> wrote: Dear Philosophers, I forgot to tell you that on Wednesday wewill be meeting in the theater in theClubhouse, instead of in the large room. Turnleft at the top of the stairs; we are in the roomacross from the copy machine. See you Wednesday,Jim Sent from my iPhone On Feb 26, 2023, at 12:23 PM,Jim Hersh<hershjim2@gmail.com> wrote: Dear Philosophers, We will meet this Wed March1st to discuss the psychologicaltheories of Carl Jung (Swiss,1875-1961). We will look at twoof his models of the psyche andthink about something he said:“The most important discoveryof modern psychology is the“soul” (psyche) is images. Soul,or psyche, exists in images. Itfollows ineluctably that imageslike psyche are also substances,psychic substances possessingpsychic reality.” (1949) This is a topic of great interest tome; about 1/3 of my doctoraldegree was spent reading Jung’s“Collected Works.” See you Wednesday, Jim Sent from my iPhone On Feb 15, 2023, at8:20 AM, W. JamesHersh<hershj@salve.edu>wrote: Dear Philosophers, Just a reminder thatwe are meetingtoday in theClubhouse at 3. Sent from myiPhone On Feb12,2023, at9:28AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, We willmeetagainthisWednesdayat 3 intheClubhouse. WewillfinishourdiscussiononHeideggerand theNazisandthenmoveon totwopsychologists,CarlJung andJamesHillman,both ofwhomhavedeepphilosophicalrelevance. Muchof myPhDprogramwasspentreadingJung’sCollectedWorksand Iwasfortunateto sharea nicefriendshipwithHillmanwholecturedthreetimes atmyuniversity(hepublished3 of mypapersinSpring,theJungianjournal). Lookingforwardtoseeingyou,Jim Sentfrommy iPad OnFeb1,2023,at7:55AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, Justareminderthatwemeettodayat3intheClubhouse. :)Jim SentfrommyiPad OnJan29,2023,at2:22PM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, See youonthisWedFeb1stat3intheClubhousetocontinueourdiscussionofHeideggerandtheNazis. I’vemissedyou,Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan24,2023,at7:17AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, Sosorry,butIhavetocancelourclasstomorrow(WedJan25th).ItestedpositiveforCovidyesterdayandneedtoisolateforafewdays.Arghhh! Ifeelgreat,likeamildcold.ButI’mmissingyouguys.AndHeideggermustbemissingus. SoournextclasswillbeNEXTWEEKonWednesdayFebruary1standwe willbebackonourscheduleofmeetingonthefirst&thirdWednesdaysofeverymonth. Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan16,2023,at1:41PM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: Thankyou,Henry&ChunyanJim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan16,2023,at11:40AM,HenryEtzkowitz<h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote: Bewellcollegialbestwishes HenryandChunyan SentfrommyiPhone OnJan16,2023,at11:38AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, I’mrestingupfrommybriefCovidbout,sowewill notbemeetingthisWednesdayJanuary18th.Nextweek,WedJanuary25th,wewillbeginmeetingagain(myhomeCovidtestwasnegativethismorning…yay!).Thanksforallthewellwishesandgroceries!Verykind. Seeyounextweek,Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan8,2023,at7:41AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, WewillmeetthisWednesday(“godwillingandthecreekdon’trise!”)at3intheClubhousetocontinueourdiscussiononHeideggerandtheNazis. I’vemissedyou!Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan1,2023,at 10:35AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: HappyNewYearMyDearPhilosophers! WewillmeetthisWednesdayJan4,2023tocontinuediscussingHeidegger’srelationtoanddifferencesfromtheNazis.Thiswillfocusonhisphilosophyofart. SeeyouWedat3attheClubhouse, Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnDec19,2022,at7:44AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, RememberthatwedonotmeetthisWedDecember21.WeWILLmeetnextweekDecember28. Havegreatholidays! Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnDec 12,2022,at2:06PM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, IneedtochangeournextmeetingfromWednesday,December21sttoWednesday, December28th.PleasemarkyourcalendarsandbringyourHeideggerhandoutswithyou(ifyoutookonehome)…thanks. HappyHolidaystooneandall! Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnDec5,2022,at12:51PM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, WewillbemeetingthisweektobegindiscussingtheGermanphilosopher,MartinHeidegger(1889-1976). HeandWittgenstein aregenerallyregardedasthemostsignificantphilosophersofthefirsthalfofthe20thCentury.Hehadhadaprofoundimpactontheanti-global-warmingmovement. SeeyouWednesday, Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnNov3,2022,at6:54AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, I’mgoingtobeusingthisemailaccount(james.hersh@icloud.com)tosendoutfuturenoticesofourphilosophymeetings.Ifyouneedtoreachme,thisemailaddresswillworkbest. IreallyenjoyedourWittgensteindiscussionyesterday.Ournextmeetingwillbeon WednesdayNovember16at3-4:30intheClubhouse. Lookingforward, Jim SentfrommyiPhone From:Jeff HoelTo:UACCc:Hoel, Jeff (external); Council, CitySubject:TRANSCRIPT & COMMENTS -- 05-03-23 UAC meetingDate:Saturday, May 20, 2023 1:46:56 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking onlinks. Commissioners, I have made a transcript of UAC's 05-03-23 meeting, and have added my comments. Key:###: = main comment (11)###. = minor comment (33)#&# = presentation slide (71) (To view just the main comments, please do a browser search for "###:".) Thanks. Jeff -------------------Jeff Hoel731 Colorado AvenuePalo Alto, CA 94303------------------- PS: I detected five gaps in the video, which I marked "###. There's a gap in the video". Does anyone in the City have a KPI related to that? ========================================================================================================================== 05-03-23 Videohttps://midpenmedia.org/utilities-advisory-commission-31-532023/ 05-03-23 UAC agendahttps://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/utilities-advisory-commission/archived-agenda-and-minutes/agendas-and-minutes-2023/05-may-2023/05-03-2023-packet-v2.pdf Attended by:Commissioners: Chair Segal, Vice Chair Scharff, and Commissioners Croft, Forssell, Mauter, Metz, and Phillips.Council Liaison: Council Member LauingStaff: Director Batchelor, Jonathan Abendschein, Tabatha Boatwright, Karla Dailey, Catherine Elvert, Alexandra Harris, Jenelle Kamian, Anna Vuong, andDave Yuan. ========================================================================================================================== TRANSCRIPT 0:18:36: Chair Segal: Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the May 5th Utility Advisory Commission meeting. We'll start with roll call, starting online. CommissionerScharff. 0:18:49: Commissioner Scharff: Present. 0:18:51: Chair Segal: And then we can just go down from the right. 0:18:55: Commissioner Phillips: Commissioner Phillips present. 0:18:57: Commissioner Forssell: Commissioner Forssell present. 0:19:00: Commissioner Mauter: Commissioner Mauter present. 0:19:03: Commissioner Metz: Commissioner Metz present. 0:19:06: Commissioner Croft: Commissioner Croft present. 0:19:09: Chair Segal: And Chair Segal present as well. Thank you. We do not have any agenda changes, additions, or deletions. So, we'll turn to public comments. Are there any comments from the public not -- on an item that is not on the agenda? 0:19:27: Jenelle Kamian: This is Jenelle Kamian, Program Assistant. If anyone from the public would like to make a public comment, please raise your hand or dial *9on your phone. No hands raised. 0:19:42: Chair Segal: Thank you. So, we will move on to the minutes. We have two sets of minutes to approve tonight. So we will start with the minutes from theMarch 1, 2023 meeting. Are there any comments on those minutes? I don't see any comments. So, I have a motion to accept the minutes as proposed. 0:20:07: Commissioner Scharff: I'll move to accept. 0:20:10: Commissioner Forssell: I second. 0:20:12: Chair Segal: And we'll go down the line, starting with Commissioner Scharff again. 0:20:18: Commissioner Scharff: Yes. 0:20:20: Chair Segal: Commissioner Phillips. 0:20:21: Commissioner Phillips: I wasn't at this meeting. Am I -- 0:20:23: Chair Segal: You're welcome to abstain, as well. 0:20:25: Commissioner Phillips: I'll abstain. 0:20:28: Commissioner Forssell: I approve. 0:20:30: Commissioner Mauter: Abstain. 0:20:31: Chair Segai: We'll just go -- 0:20:33: Commissioner Metz: Approve. 0:20:33: Commissioner Croft: Abstain. 0:20:35: Chair Segal: And I approve. So, we have a quorum. Or, we have a majority. And we can now turn to the second set of minutes, from our April 12th meeting. Are there any comments to those minutes? OK. So we can -- if I have a motion to approve those as provided. 0:21:02: Commissioner Croft: Give a motion to approve. ###. I didn't hear a second. 0:21:05: Chair Segal: Great. So, I'll go down the line -- I'll change directions this time. 0:21:10: Commissioner Croft: Ah, yes. Accepted. Approved 0:21:14: Commissioner Metz: Approved. 0:21:15: Commissioner Mauter: Approved. 0:21:17: Commissioner Forssell: I approve. 0:21:19: Commissioner Phillips: Approve. 0:21:10: Chair Segal: Commissioner Scharff. 0:21:21: Commissioner Scharff: I also approve. 0:21:23: Chair Segal: And I approve as well. We can turn to the Utilities Director Report. Director Batchelor. 0:21:33: Director Batchelor: Thank you. Good evening, Chair Segal, commissioners. A few items to talk a little bit about today -- is -- As most of you remember, we hadtalked about some rebates for these high winter energy bills, for the gas and for the electric. The Utilities residential customers have been seeing a rebate totheir utility bills to the extreme high gas and electric costs that were experienced this winter. The rebates have been approved by Council in early April. Anddue to the financial release, they're being calculated. And we've actually got those out to customers. They will see them on their April or on their May bill,depending on how their billing came out. And it was a gas rebate from $70 to $100. The electric was from $20 to $65, with an additional $100 electric serviceand $100 on their gas service available for residents in the rate assistance program, which is our RAP. Or past-due bills greater than 180 days. And thoserebates will be automatically credited to -- again, to the April and May, depending on when the meter reading fell. And there's also rate assistance programsthat, still, for hardships, that can still be applied for, above and beyond those dollars that have been allocated. So -- So far, that we sent those all out, we'veheard good feedback from the community itself. These dollars were allocated out of the General Fund. They were not Utility dollars. And the reason for thatwas -- is that we decided that these rebates would be coming only to the residentials -- customers. Nothing to the commercial. And so, we can't usecommercial rates to give monies to residentials, or vice versa. So, since this was only for residential plan, the General Fund had to make the decision to pay forthese funds. So, that's what we ended up doing. The City did. 0:23:45: Tonight, you're going to hear a little bit more about our rate and our financial plans. We're planning on going to the Finance group here on May 9th, to talkabout our capital and our expense -- um -- budgets. We have taken our rate -- which, again, we'll hear more about that today. But we did take our rates to theFinance group. They were passed, with the exception of water and wastewater, due to the Prop 218. We had to send those notices out. But the electric andgas passed. So, we'll be taking those back, along with input from tonight, as well as input on the 9th for expense, and that on June 19th. And if approval from Council, these will become effective on July 1. The bill changes on the average on the residential was -- six services is about $11. And, again, you'll see that later this evening. 0:24:53: Staff's implementing a robust outreach, informing customers of these rate changes and the reasons for these cost increases. This includes conversations with the local media, direct communications with customers through our utility bill inserts, emails, newsletters, websites, social media, business groups. That we've been telling customers that this is pretty much what we think these financials will fall. And there will be an increase. And, like I said, for the overall -- and you'll see this today -- the overall bill will be about $11 per month. 0:25:34: A little bit on our electric hydro. Due to the recent rise in temperatures, the large amount of snowfall received by the state during the past winter is now starting to melt, and flowing in the reservoirs. And they're generating our hydro power. This has led to a significant increase in hydro generation. And the projections for the next couple years is much as high as -- that we could see is 25 percent above the average for this time. And the Central Valley area -- or, Central California -- we saw about 60 percent above average. Despite the fact that a considered amount of snow is already melted, the overall snowpack level is still more than twice the average amount for this time of year. The normal. When we take this information into account, we can project that the City hydro reser- -- or, resources will produce approximately about 104 percent of our long-term average level output for fiscal year ['23], and about 122 percent over the long-term average level for '24. So, good news in that area. That we'll be able to produce much lower -- cheaper rates for our electricity. [cough] Excuse me. 0:26:46: A little on our drought. On April 11th, Palo Alto water supply -- our San Francisco Public Utilities Commission rescinded their water shortage emergency declaration, but kept the voluntary San Francisco Regional Water statewide reduction of 11 percent in place 'til the state emergency regulations expire in June. Palo Alto water restrictions track both the state regulation, as well as the SFPUC water. Staff anticipates Palo Alto will be able to lift the 2-day-per-week onwatering restrictions at that time. The state, however, is likely to leave some restrictions in place, including restrictions on watering within 48 hours after a rainevent, and a ban on irrigation on non-functional turf with portable water at the commercial customer sites. 0:27:34: A little bit on the update on our heat pump water heater heater program. Palo Alto's full service heat pump water heater program is generating a lot ofcommunity interest. More than 450 residents are awaiting assessments. To date, we've had 6 heaters been installed. Since the launch of this program,working with this vendor that we have, has been able to identify and implement some improvements, so that there's not such a backlog. So, there's a backlogin the customers that we have, of these 450. And you can imagine, if your water heater goes out today, what are you going to do? Now, you're in the line ofthose 450. But it's not very efficient for the family So, what we've learned so far is to gain some efficiencies working with the contractor, and moving forward, to try to get some synergies around getting these 450 customers at least assessed, and what some of these costs might look like. There's two no-hasslealternatives. There's a $2700 up-front, or $1500 up-front plus $20 a month for the next 5 years, that's added to the residential bill. 0:28:56: Earth Day month was April. And it was a busy month. For two EV workshops, two EV explorers and a sold-out e-bike test ride event at Mitchell Park. Staffalso participated in two Earth Day community events. The first was an event at Stanford Hospital celebration. Staff used fun spin-the-wheel games, andattended were given fun facts about various electric appliances and clean energy sources. The second event was held at Rinconada Library, including agardening tour Staff spoke about -- to residents about water conservation and the City's newly launched full-service heat pump water heater program. 0:29:37: Some of the upcoming events that might be of interest to you. May 3rd, from 7:00 to 8:30 is tree selection and watering and care. This weekend is the 99thMay Fete parade. It's set for 10:00. If any of you are interested in walking, you can meet at Emerson and University at 9:30. And staff will help you getsituated. So if you would like to walk it, you're more than welcome to walk it. May 13th, from 10:00 to 12:00, it's Goodbye Gas and Hello EVs, and EV expos. And then, on May 15th, EVs 102. And then, May 31st, between 5:00 and 6:00, EVs for backup power. So, those will be the upcoming events in May. And thatconcludes my report. Questions I might be able to answer? No. Thank you. 0:30:40: Commissioner Phillips: Actually, one question. 0:30:41: Director Batchelor: Sure. 0:30:42: Commissioner Phillips: Um. How is the rebates calculated for the gas? Is it a percentage of the gas bill for the month of December? Or -- 0:30:53: Director Batchelor: So, what we did was, we actually took the January bill, since that was the higher. And what we did was, we took -- the average of the billswas about $365. On the average cost. And then, we came up with these dollar amounts that we talked about within that range for gas, as well as for theelectric. 0:31:11: Commissioner Phillips: Thank you. 0:31:12: Commissioner Croft: I have a question. 0:31:13: Chair Segal: Go ahead. 0:31:14: Commissioner Croft: I had a question on the tree selection. So, I was -- I'm curious also about the street trees. But are you trying to help peop- -- 0:31:24: Director Batchelor: Yeah. That's exactly what we're doing. We're trying to help customers that -- and residents that are thinking about maybe doing some new landscaping. You know, everybody's trying to get rid of the grass. And what are they going to re-landscape with? So, we're helping them with plants, trees that are going to be tolerant to the drought. Placements -- where it would be best. You know, on the property lines themselves. And trees that are not going to -- One of the things we do talk about is trees that are not going to grow up to be tall enough to get into the power lines. If there's power lines around. So, setting them back, if it's possible. But if not, you know, smaller trees. 0:32:12: Chair Segal: Any other questions? Thank you. 0:32:20: NEW BUSINESS ITEM 1 Chair Segal: We'll now turn to the first item of business, which is approving a UAC Chair and Vice-Chair for this next term, which is slightly shorter, startingtonight until March 31, 2024. So, we will start with the Chair. Are there any nominations for Chair? Commissioner Forssell. 0:32:45: Commissioner Forssell: I would like to nominate Chair Segal to continue a second term. I think she's been doing a great job. 0:32:52: Commissioner Scharff: I'll second that. 0:32:55: Chair Segal: Thank you. Any other nominations for Chair? Great. Then we will vote -- I guess it's a yes or no. Starting with Commissioner Phillips. 0:33:09: Commissioner Phillips: Yes. 0:33:13: Commissioner Forssell: I vote yes. 0:33:15: Commissioner Mauter: Yes. 0:33:17: Commissioner Metz: Yes. 0:33:19: Commissioner Croft: Yes. 0:33:20: Chair Segal: Commissioner Scharff. 0:33:21: Commissioner Scharff: I also vote yes. 0:33:22: Chair Segal: Thank you. And I vote yes as well. So, good. Then I'll continue to lead the meeting. [laughs] And do we have a nomination then for Vice Chair? Go ahead, Commissioner Forssell. 0:33:37: Commissioner Forssell: I would like to nominate Commissioner Scharff as Vice Chair, as a very experienced and senior commissioner. 0:33:47: Chair Segal: And I'll second that nomination. Any other nominations? So, we will start with a vote for Vice Chair for Commissioner Scharff, starting withCommissioner Phillips. 0:34:02: Commissioner Phillips: I vote yes. 0:34:06: Commissioner Forssell: I vote yes. 0:34:09: Commissioner Mauter: Yes. 0:34:11: Commissioner Metz: Yes. 0:34:12: Commissioner Croft: Yes. 0:34:13: Chair Segal: Commissioner Scharff. 0:34:14: Commissioner Scharff: Yes. Thank you very much for the nomination and the votes. 0:34:19: Chair Segal: And I vote yes as well. So, welcome. So, we now have our Vice Chair and Chair for this term. 0:34:27: NEW BUSINESS ITEM 2 Chair Segal: And we can move on to Item number 2, which is the -- putting together a Budget Subcommittee. And we typically have two, and can go up tothree members. Are there any nominations for the Budget Subcommittee? 0:34:52: Vice Chari Scharff: I'd be happy to do it. 0:34:56: Commissioner Forssell: I just want to add, it's a great way for new commissioners to get really familiar with the new utility and the budget process. So, don't beshy, if you're interested, to nominate yourself. 0:35:06: Commissioner Phillips: I nominate myself. 0:35:10: Commissioner Croft: I'm interested as well. But I don't know if you want multiple new people, or an experienced person and a new person. But I'd beinterested in it as well. 0:35:21: Chair Segal: Excellent. Any other -- 0:35:23: Vice Chair Scharff: I'd be happy to do it. 0:35:26: Chair Segal: Great. OK. So, I think we have our our three-person Budget Subcommittee: Vice Chair Scharff, and Commissioners Phillips and Croft. Thankyou for volunteering for that. It really is a good experience. 0:35:47: NEW BUSINESS ITEM 3 Chair Segal: OK. Rolling right through to Item 3, which is a discussion and presentation of the Strategic Plan Implementation. Do we have any publiccomments? 0:36:01: Jenelle Kamian: This is Jenelle Kamian, Program Assistant. If anyone from the public would like to speak on Item 3, please raise your hand or dial *9 on yourphone now. No hands raised. 0:36:16: Chair Segal: Thank you. We have a -- I don't know who's presenting. 0:36:22: Director Batchelor: I'll open it up. And then, we actually have four folks that will actually be talking about their areas. So -- So, CPAU's current Five-YearStrategic Plan was originally developed and approved by Council and this board in 2018. 0:36:40: #&# Presentation slide 1, packet page 39 -- UTILITIES STRATEGIC PLAN Director Batchelor: The current plan includes four key areas: workforce, collaboration, technology, and financial resource optimization and financial. Andacross those four key areas, there's three or four key performance indicators [KPIs] that track and report the plan progress, recognizing there's several intenseand external factors that changed since the last update in 2018. And tonight, we are going to share with you our updated Strategic Plan, that will propose --starts to focus on defining the strategic destination, and setting a stake in the ground to define where CPAU will be in the next five years. The Strategic Planalso focuses on efforts and reporting and tracking progress, to more responsible and each strategic KPI 0:37:34: #&# Presentation slide 2, packet page 40 -- IMPLEMENTATION Director Batchelor: that we have identified. So, I think what we want to do is, we want to kind of go through each of those main bullets in the key areas. Andthen, we'll break it down a little further, and give you the KPIs for each of those areas. So, with that, I'm going to go ahead and turn it over to Dave Yuan, ourStrategic Business Manager. 0:37:57: Dave Yuan: Good evening, commissioners and Council member. You guys were a little bit faster than we intended. So we're going to jump around the slidesa little bit. So, we'll start at the Technology priority. All four priorities are equally as important. We just labeled them 1 through 4, for some reason. Just to trackthem. 0:38:16: #&# Presentation slide 17, packet page 55 -- PRIORITY 3: TECHNOLOGY MISSION & STRATEGIES Dave Yuan: So, for Technology, with increasing convergence of technology, utility services, and customer expectations is driving changes in the utilitymarkets. As utilities, we must embrace technology, to further enhance operational efficiency, and also deliver of services. Customers' adoption of technology,such as distributed energy resources, EV, PV, and energy storage is also changing utility interaction with customers and demand for services. There's nolonger a one-way communication now, where we just simply provide power and energy and water. Now, it's more of a -- with AMI, it's more of a two-way dialogbetween the residents, businesses, and utilities, with their requests. So, our mission statement for technology is to invest in and utilize technology to enhancethe customer experience and maximize operational efficiency. The strategies under technology includes a five-year technology roadmap, to effectively guideour technology investments and customer programs. A citywide AMI deployment, enhancing customer interaction via our MyCPAU customer portal and ourfuture OMS -- our Outage Management System. We're also improving field operations, with more mobile applications and paperless forms, and providingcontinuous trainings to our employees for both existing and new technologies. Next slide. 0:39:38: #&# Presentation slide 18, packet page 56 -- PRIORITY 3: TECHNOLOGY ACCOMPLISHMENTS, INITIATIVES, KPIS Dave Yuan: So, some of the accomplishments that we've done over the last couple of years for -- under technology is the MyCPAU. We've had a pretty large success on this customer portal. I think we have about 78 percent adoption rate, which is really high for any of these customer portals. It's about 24,000+ customers. I think 55 percent of our utility bill payments come through the portal. And so, we are investing more and more into this portal, given the popularity of it. I think this past year, we added on-bill financing, for those who wants -- who are participating in that program. We also did a single sign-on for WaterSmart. So, if you want to look at your water or energy -- water usage and conservation tips, it's on there as well. And, going forward, though, we will be putting in AMI interval data and so forth. I think we also heard from the commissioners last year. We're going to be expanding the password and the different types of symbols, so there will be even more security on those. And also, we'll be putting a link to the bill inserts, so it's more accessible as well. So **, these are in the works. 0:40:42: Other upgrades or accomplishments in 2019-2022 is we have completed the first phase of the AMI project, which is installing the base stations, which are the data collectors, at 5 strategic sites throughout the City. They're mostly in substations and pumping stations. So they're on utility facilities. So it's kind of camouflaged from the public. So, those are working well so far. 0:41:08: And some of the initiatives we have for this upcoming year is to start the planning and deployment of fiber to the premises. We also launched, as Dean mentioned, the heat pump water heaters, with great success so far. I think -- so, on-bill financing we've done. And then, also, for the AMI meter so far, I think we've deployed about 1,200. ###. So, is that about 400 residences worth? We're hoping to deploy another thousand more meters by the end of the summer. And then, we're hoping to do a full deployment for the residential side bySeptember. ###. Huh? By September, will CPAU have deployed about 2,200 meters. But the City has about 24,000+ residences (0:39:38), and most residences havethree meters. And it should be, hopefully -- on the residential side, we should be done by the end of 2024. Or, is it '24? Yeah, end of '24. For the commercial side, it's morelike mid of 2025. There is a slight delay right now on commercial meters. 0:41:52: With the new Outage Management System, we are hoping to deploy it by end of the summer. Or beginning of winter. So, this will have new features. It willhave status updates for customers. So, they were -- We'll notify them when there's an outage, so let them know that we're working on it. And we're alsoproviding status updates every 30 or 60 minutes. Just to let them know. So, you should get faster responses from both our side, and, hopefully, fasterrestoration as well. 0:42:19: Dave Yuan: I think that's it for that. Is there any questions you guys have on any of these accomplishments or initiatives? I could pause. 0:42:27: Chair Segal: Commissioner Croft. 0:42:28: Commissioner Croft: Yeah. I have a general question about AMI, and when it will be rolled out, and people will get -- you know, have the opportunity to dodemand pricing and -- Are you doing any work to try to figure out what software will -- recommend to residents to kind of electrify their own homes, so thatinterfaces well with what the City has? So, for example, if you don't want people to all charge their cars at the same time, you want to somehow do some kindof demand -- um -- you know, optimization. You're going to need people's systems to be able to handle the data that you're giving them. So, are you doing anywork to try to recommend to people what to use on their side? 0:43:08: Dave Yuan: Yeah. We are trying to design some kind of time-of-use rates. Just to incentivize people with EV chargers and other appliances to charge off --during the off peaks. Which is usually after 9:00 pm. So, we are working on those. It might be a couple of different rates or so. But it's still in the works. So -- But that is the main driver on those. ###: Dave Yuan didn't exactly respond to Commissioner Croft's question. The question, as I understood it, was, how does the electric utility assure thatcustomers don't all ask for too much power at the same time (even at off-peak times)? For this assurance, does the utility want to depend on hardware and/orsoftware in residences that is out of its control? ###: For example, in Eagan, MN (where my brother lives), if a residential customer wants low EV charging rates, he/she can get a separate meter for that,which the utility can turn off.https://www.dakotaelectric.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Electric-Vehicle-Packet_0223.pdf 0:43:27: Commissioner Croft: Yeah. I mean, I guess, if I'm a homeowner, and I want to put in a system that's going to help me, you know, smartly control all myappliances, ... 0:43:35: Dave Yuan: Um hum. 0:43:35: Commissioner Croft: ... um -- will you be recommending -- certain vendors, for example, to them? 0:43:41: Dave Yuan: Well, I don't know if we're going to be recommending vendors, per se, but we do this little radio we can attach to those smart meters, called aZigbee radio. So, with that, you could buy a home device that will give you real time, instantaneous reads. So, right now, with the AMI meter, we are going togive like the next day interval data. But if you want instantaneous, we can buy one of these home devices, and monitor it yourself. I don't know if we've thoughtso far out about recommending programs yet, but it's something we can discuss internally. 0:44:11: Chair Segal: Commissioner Phillips. 0:44:13: Commissioner Phillips: I mean, installation of AMI meters. To install AMI, does it require physical access to someone's property? And has anybody resistedhaving an AMI installed? 0:44:25: Dave Yuan: Sure. So, we will be notifying customers at least 2 or 3 times. So, we're sending an email or letter a week in advance. We'll also give them a doorhanger a couple days in advance. And then, we'll also knock on the door on the day of. So, yeah, we will need access to the property. Most of the meters areoutside the gate, generally. So, the ones that hide behind the gate and are locked, we will schedule an appointment with them. And, in regards to people thatwant to opt out, they have. They can. I think we have a list right now. It's very small. It might be a couple customers so far that have chosen that opt-out. 0:44:59: Commissioner Phillips: And, kind of looking beyond the installation of AMI, and going to time-of-use pricing, is the idea to have 100 percent residentialinstallation of AMI BEFORE going to time-of-use pricing? Or would there be -- are you planning to experiment with time-of-use pricing prior to having 100percent residential AMI connection? 0:45:19: Dave Yuan: Ideally, we'd like to pilot it. But we're still having to figure out how to design it. So, if there's an opportunity to pilot for early adopters, or earlyinstallers, then, yeah, we would like to do that. 0:45:30: Commissioner Phillips: Thank you. 0:45:34: Chair Segal: Commissioner Mauter. 0:45:36: Commissioner Mauter: Um -- excuse me. I was -- I have two questions. 0:45:39: Dave Yuan: Um hum. 0:45:39: Commissioner Mauter: The first is about the technology roadmap, and the process that you are undertaking to design that roadmap. I assume that is not the roadmap that is shown on -- in this final slide. 0:45:51: #&# Presentation slide 20, packet page 58 -- PRIORITY 3: TECHNOLOGY ROADMAP Dave Yuan: It may be a little bit -- that one -- this one, a little bit, is. 0:45:55: Commissioner Mauter: This is the ... 0:45:57: Dave Yuan: At a very high level. [laughs] 0:45:58: Commissioner Mauter: OK. OK. Great. And I had a -- Not to pile on to AMI, but I would support the two prior commissioner comments, in sort of suggesting that a clear pathway -- or a roadmap -- for not only AMI communication with the customer, and thinking about how the customer is likely to interface with AMI,but also internally. How your department can use AMI data to influence things like how you would establish time-of-use pricing signals across the utilities, writlarge. How -- you know, how workflows might be established for both collecting and disseminating data from that AMI. And also, using AMI data in strategicand operational decisions. 0:46:49: Dave Yuan: Um hum. 0:46:49: Commissioner Mauter: So, you know, where does it make sense to do upgrades? Where does it make sense to do these other things? And I think -- like thisis a new technology that you're bringing on board. A roadmap specific to AMI, ... 0:47:03: Dave Yuan: Um hum. 0:47:03: Commissioner Mauter: ... so that you derive the greatest value, would be, I think, a very beneficial activity to undertake in this year. 0:47:08: Dave Yuan: OK. Thank you. So, for the deployment right now, we are doing a couple of different ways. So, there are a couple of routes we've identified, justto do parallel build testing, just to make sure what our manual meter reads and what our AMI meter reads are the same. ###. For the City's gas and water smart meters, the City just adds smart electronics to the existing analog meter. So the City can check whether the AMI andmanual readings are the same. For the City's electric smart meters, the AMI meter completely replaces the old meter. So the City can't check whether the AMIreading is the same as what the old meter reading would have been. And then, we're also targeting electrification homes. So we get better data on our transformer loads. On the different times of the day. So we are spreadingthose out throughout the City. So, if any of you guys are -- want to be part of this AMI in the earlier phase, let us know. 'Cause we are spreading out thosemeters in every which way. So -- You guys all do? 0:47:41: Chair Segal: The -- I would say, unless somebody ISN'T interested, it would be great if the entire commission were a part of that. 0:47:47: Dave Yuan. OK. We'll put you on the next rollout. There's 1,000 of them coming. So, we can definitely accommodate that. ###: Is the point here that it would be advantageous to the City to deploy, in an earlier phase, smart meters to residences whose residents (such as UACcommissioners) are aware of the potential issues and are willing to provide constructive feedback? Is the point NOT that commissioners ought to be among thefirst to benefit from having smart meters? 0:47:46: Chair Segal: Commissioner Forssell. 0:47:57: Commissioner Forssell: Yeah. I was wondering if you could talk a little more about the coming outage management system. And what bells and whistles andfeatures it will provide that we don't currently have. 0:48:08: Dave Yuan: I think, Anna, it might be better, if she's here. She's the project manager for the outage management. This is Anna Vuong, Senior BusinessAnalyst. 0:48:18: Anna Vuong: Hi. Good evening. For the outage management system, we will have notifications for the customers. So, if you call, and you want to have a call back, there is a feature for that. There is texting, as well as, if you prefer, emails. You can have email notifications as well. We are working out the social media posting right now. So, there is the possibility of posting to -- I think it was Twitter. And that -- Those are the main features, in terms of communications. 0:48:58: Commissioner Forssell: So, when you say customers can call and get a call back, you mean they can call once to enroll in the notifications program? Or they can call when their power's out? 0:49:10: Anna Vuong: So, it's when their power's out. So, if you call in and you say I would like to call back -- would like it -- to get a call back on the status of the outages, then you can request for that. 0:49:20: Dave Yuan: These are for the customers that aren't already in the system, right? 0:49:24: Anna Vuong: Correct. 0:49:24: Dave Yuan: So, I think the system stores up to five numbers for each individual household. So, if you're not on that five-number list, then you would have tocall. But if you're on there, then you'll automatically -- notify you automatically. So, we are making that push right now to gather more information fromcustomers, to see who wants to be on that outage notification. That will be automated. 0:49:45: Commissioner Forssell: And can you help me understand having the City's Twitter feed -- is that part of the new outage management system? Is thatsomething we're not currently doing? 0:49:55: Dave Yuan: We're doing that manually right now. So, Catherine or Jordan will have to wake up in the middle of the night and post a message. 0:49:59: Commissioner Forssell: Ah. So that's why sometimes when you get the Nixle notice that says go to Twitter, and you go there and there's nothing -- That willbe addressed. 0:50:07: Dave Yuan: Yes. 0:50:08: Commissioner Forssell: Got it. 0:50:11: Dave Yuan: It's very manual. [laughs] 0:50:13: Chair Segal: Any other questions? Commissioner Metz. 0:50:15: Director Batchelor: If I could just add one more thing to that. Also, too, is that as we go through, there'll be a feature when we do plan outages. So, maybethere has to be a transformer upgraded in your neighborhood. Right now, what we do is, we drop flyers off at each of your homes, to let you know that this isgoing to be coming. Tells you kind of how long it will take, what the work that actually needs to be done. Actually, this machine will actually be able to sendthose calls out ahead of time. So we won't have to be dropping just a piece of paper on your porch. It'll actually be on your phone. And, as Dave and Annamentioned, these five phone numbers -- if you decide that, you know, you want your -- most of those messages to be sent to your phone, you know, that's --you have -- you can choose where you want to have your messages sent to. Up to five. So, if your entire family wants a message, then you could put thosefive numbers. And you have to call Customer Service to set that part of it up, if it's not already in the system today. 'Cause, right now, you ... 0:51:14: Commissioner Forssell: Or, I assume that MyCPAU ... 0:51:19: Director Batchelor: the portal. 0:51:19: Commissioner Forssell: Yeah. OK. 0:51:20: Director Batchelor: Yup. Either way. 0:51:23: Anna Vuong: Just a clarification. The portal will take two phone numbers. So, if you want to add more than two phone numbers, you do have to call Customer Service. 0:51:34: Commissioner Metz: OK. Hi. Where are the electric grid related technology initiatives? I don't see anything on packet page 56 on the technology initiatives, or in the roadmap that addresses that. It seems like that would be one of the most important topics. 0:51:51: Dave Yuan: Yeah. I think we'll be talking more about it in the budget section, under the CIP. So -- 0:51:55: Commissioner Metz: OK. 0:51:57: Dave Yuan: We do have a plan. [laughs] And we are applying for grants, too, as well. 0:52:00: Commissioner Metz: Well, it seems like the main thing we do, and the main thing we spend money on. So we ought to do something about it. 0:52:05: Dave Yuan: Yeah. 0:52:07: Commissioner Metz: OK. 0:52:12: Commissioner Croft: One more question. On the -- Sorry. On the KPIs -- I think that was your section. 0:52:16: Dave Yuan: Yes. 0:52:17: Commissioner Croft: Is that your section? 0:52:16: Dave Yuan: Yeah. 0:52:18: Commissioner Croft: Um. There is a KPI on the paperless tools, that was -- the goal was to get to 90 percent by 2019. And it's currently much below that. So,I was curious -- 0:52:33: #&# Presentation slide 19, packet page 57 -- PRIORITY 3: TECHNOLOGY KPIs Commissioner Croft: Is that the GIS system is going to help that? Or, wh- 0:52:38: Dave Yuan: Are we talk- -- Sorry. This is the paperless one? 0:52:40: Commissioner Croft: Yeah. Page 19 0:52:41: Dave Yuan: Yeah. Right now, in MyC- -- Is this on? -- Yeah. Right now, we have the option for customers to select both paperless and online. I think we aretrying to work with SEW to try to promote -- or default -- future people to only paperless, and even convert the ones who are currently selecting both topaperless. So there is an initiative to help fully move more people to paperless only. Right now, ... 0:53:06: Commissioner Croft: Sorry. I was asking ... 0:53:07: Dave Yuan: Sorry. 0:53:07: Commissioner Croft: Sorry about that. I was asking about the second table. 0:53:10: Dave Yuan: The second table. Oh. Paperless ... 0:53:10: Commissioner Croft: ** the tools for the field support staff. 0:53:13: Dave Yuan: Sure. For engineering, I think it's been a longer road, just because of all the maps they need. And those are larger documents. And you can't -- It's hard to put it on a tablet or a phone. I think with the new ESRI platform, we will have more mobility. So, we will be able to pull up these maps and bigger -- zoom in better. So, that is still in the works. So, we're hoping to have that done maybe in a couple years. Operations has done a better job of transferring most of the paperless -- paper into paperless -- with our mobile apps. 0:53:48: Chair Segal: I had a couple questions as well, actually. 0:53:50: Dave Yuan: Um hum. 0:53:50: Chair Segal: Um. Going paperless for accounts. Since we rely a lot on the mailer for communications to customers. Do we have a communications plan, orsomething, where there is going to be some main place where customers can go to get the information that we -- that many customers receive today in theirmailers? 0:54:14: Dave Yuan: Yes. So, there is a bill insert website. ###. That is, there is a bill inserts page on the City's website. Google "site:cityofpaloalto.org utilities bill insert" 1st hit. https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Utilities/Customer-Service/Utilities-Bill-Pay/Bill-Inserts It's not obvious where it is. So, we will try to promote that better. Like I said earlier, we were going to put it on the MyCPAU website as well. ###. That is, there is a MyCPAU portal on the City's website. Google "site:cityofpaloalto.org mycpau" 1st hit.https://mycpau.cityofpaloalto.org/portal/ ###: Occasionally, staff is tempted to post information to places other than the City's website. For example, 07-14-22: "Palo Alto Fiber Blog Series: What’s New & What’s Next!"https://medium.com/paloaltoconnect/palo-alto-fiber-blog-series-whats-new-what-s-next-e783dd5579ebBut I think that's a mistake, because then people don't know where to search for it. (In this case, Google " 'palo alto' fiber blog' " about 9,050,000 hits, but itwas the 1st hit.) So people just click on there and get those mailers directly. 0:54:28: Chair Segal: OK. Is there any chance to have sort of an email list where people who were used to getting the inserts can receive them -- 0:54:35: Dave Yuan: That's a good idea. We could set it out with maybe the bill notification. I think there's an email that **. 0:54:41: Chair Segal: And then, the other question was, going back to the outage information. Right now, the outage map seems to be pretty -- You know, it's a nicetool. And I'm wondering, with the upgrades, will that be more precise? Will it still be there? Are we getting rid of it? 0:54:58: Dave Yuan: Yes. It will still be there. And we're hoping it's more precise. For sure. So, that is the goal. But there is a lot of data clean-up, and a lot ofsurveying we have to do out there right now in the field. So that's why it's taking a little longer than we had originally planned. It's a ** projection of where theoutages will be, once a feeder comes off. So, we just have to map everything out. More accurately. [laughs] 0:55:20: Chair Segal: Oh. So, it's not the new -- It's the information within the field itself that's the gating factor, so to speak. 0:55:28: Dave Yuan: Right. 0:55:29: Chair Segal: OK. Got it. Thanks. Thank you. 0:55:39: Dave Yuan. OK. Does anyone want to go ** next? 0:55:43: Director Batchelor: Oh, Catherine wants to go next. OK. 0:55:54: #&# Presentation slide 10, packet page 48 -- PRIORITY 2 -- COLLABORATION Catherine Elvert: Good evening, commissioners. My name is Catherine Elvert, the Utilities Communications Manager. I have the pleasure of knowing several of you for a few years now, and I want to welcome the new commissioners. We appreciate your service. I wanted to just quickly address one of the items that you were speaking about with Dave, about having access to the bill inserts, where customers often receive a lot of information. That information is available electronically. Customers who receive email notifications should get a link in that actual email, linking to the bill insert web page that Dave mentioned. But it's something that we have been trying for years to make more evident and prominent. And sometimes we have some limitations with our billing system and what we can include with some of those e-bill notifications. But as we continue our enhancements to our online account management tools, and enhancements to our billing systems, those are some items that we want to make sure are working on, as well, too. Be more transparent with folks who want to be greener. And have paperless services. And not receive paper. But, anyway, we'll continue to try to get the word out via as many outreach channels as we can, just to reach people wherever they are. 0:57:06: #&# Presentation slide 11, packet page 49 -- COLLABORATION MISSION & STRATEGIES Catherine Elvert: Well, I'm here to talk about the collaboration priority area of the Utilities Strategic Plan. And for a couple of you who were here -- a few of you where here during our last update, back in October, you may have heard some of this. But for some of the new commissioners, I just wanted to address sort of an introduction to what we mean by collaboration, just to start. So, collaboration may be one of those buzzwords that people say -- many of us say -- but wedon't always often think about what it actually means. So, when it comes to our Utilities Strategic Plan, we believe that this area might be a little bit different. Maybe a little bit of an outlier to some of the other sections, such as technology or financing. And that it's not always easy to define how to measure, or track, orquantify what success means for collaboration. It's something that we know that we inherently need to do. But we're always working to try to define what thosekey performance indicators and those metrics may be. So, collaboration means to work with somebody to produce or create something. So, just so that wecan start off with this mindset when we're talking about this area of the Strategic Plan, I think we all know that we cannot operate in a silo, either as a UtilitiesDepartment or even as individuals. And that's why we're here to talk about what we are doing with our various stakeholders, to enhance our mission of the Cityof Palo Alto Utilities Department. We're working within our various spheres of influences, such as community members, across City departments, within ourUtilities Department, and then with outside agencies, such as government, trade, and regional agencies, etc. So, these are the four main strategies that we'veidentified. We developed our mission back in 2018, and that is to work with these different stakeholders, to talk about, to recognize, and achieve those sharedobjectives. It involves a lot of coordination, communication, education, and delivery of services. So, next slide please. 0:59:02: #&# Presentation slide 12, packet page 50 -- PRIORITY 2: COLLABORATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS Catherine Elvert: When we are talking about our accomplishments, many of these will not be a surprise to you. These are areas where we have identifiedsuccesses in which we are working within these spheres of influences, with these different stakeholders. So, many of these items, that are initiatives or policiesor other programs that we've brought to you, the Utilities Advisory Commission, over the years, which you have endorsed. You've provided guidance on. Andthen, we have been able to take many of those to City Council to receive approval to continue the work in these areas, and continue to deliver these services tothe community. So, many of these major focuses have been on sustainability, the sustainability and climate action plan [S/CAP], technological enhancements,such as the fiber optics program, the advanced metering infrastructure [AMI], outage management system, customer service enhancements. And then, manyof the people in this room have been working very hard in order to put together some key initiatives, work plans, customer service, communication, andoutreach strategies. And we've made some great strides at advancing these programs. And then, again, taking these to City Council and being able to deliverthese services to the community. 1:00:15: So, when we're talking about our community focus, as one of the areas of the collaboration priority, we'd like to highlight something we're very proud of, andthat's the advancement of our Heat Pump Water Heater Program. This is something we've been trying to get off the ground for quite some time. It's a keypriority in the sustainability and climate action plan, in order for us to meet our greenhouse gas emissions. And we've been able to receive contract approvaland begin work with a marketing consultant this last fall, so that we can roll out a robust outreach campaign to meet our goals. And so you'll start to see someof those marketing materials hitting the ground, hopefully soon, once we've worked through some of the contract logistics. But we're really excited about that. We have ambitious goals there. We were able to host a community workshop on home electrification alternatives in this last quarter, again focusing on theHeat Pump Water Heater Program. Plus, of course, electric vehicles and e-bike alternatives, as a major component of beneficial electrification. 1:01:13: We hosted community workshops on the OneWater Plan. You've heard quite a bit about this from our Resource Management Group. It's our long-term plan toevaluate and implement strategies for water resiliency, especially in the face of climate change. Coming off this recent drought, and then followed by a series ofatmospheric rivers and windstorms that battered our region for the first part of 2023. It's not surprise that we are seeing the direct influence of climate change,on our water supplies, of course, and also in other areas. And we were also able to implement enhancements to the MyCPAU online Utilities accountmanagement portal, to make it easier for customers to pay their bills online, access energy, water, and electrification tools, such as an electric vehicle and solarcost estimator. And the WaterSmart portal, which includes a single sign-on. So, somebody can log onto MyCPAU and get access to all this information, findout ways to reduce their energy and water consumption and get access to our programs. There's also another benefit, in terms of efficiency, by accessingthese online tools, is that customers can sign up to receive leak alerts. So, that's a win-win. It will help keep utility costs low. 1:02:23: We've been able to refashion our website navigation, to streamline the customer entry and experience, and help people find information, creating more, let'ssay, intuitive modules, and ways to find information on our programs. Ways to save, for example, Interdepartmentally, we've successfully been working withthe Planning and Department Services Department on green building and reach codes, as part of our sustainability focus. City Council approved the new reachcode in November of 2022, and it became effective in January of 2023. Throughout the development process, we held a series of community workshops, togather feedback and input to influence the development of those codes. 1:03:07: And another focus has been on streamlining the process, and increasing the uptake of people installing Heat Pump Water Heaters. In this last quarter, we wereable to create an instant heat pump water heater permitting process. The Planning and Development Services staff -- now, they've developed a process where-- they went from a half-an-hour, perhaps, to review and approve a permit to NO time to review and approve a permit. Instantaneous. And that's for at least 50percent of all people who apply for permits. Consider that a great win. So, work on these initiatives and programs involves other City departments, such as the City Manager's office, the IT Department. And then, this work extends to the groups in Utilities, like Customer Service, Resource Management, Billing, Engineering, and Operations. Particularly when we are talking about impacts to the electric grid. We all work together to determine the safest, most reliable, practical, and best approach for how these developments roll out to the community. Working on tech advancements, such as the outage management system and advanced metering infrastructure, means that we're not handling this in a vacuum in the Utilities Department. It requires collaboration between all of the Utilities divisions. For AMI, for example, we're in the beta phase installation for the electric, gas, and water meters in residential areas of the City. And I believe Dave told you -- maybe my figure's out of date -- we've installed over 1,100 meters to date. ###. At 0:41:08, Dave said it was about 1,200. So, we're continuing the progression of that particular project. Some of our new initiatives to highlight include that WaterSmart portal. Again, it has been a great success to be able to launch that, and integrate it with single sign-on for MyCPAU, allowing customers to readily receive access to their information -- their utility consumption. And then, when it comes to government and outside agency focus, part of our success in effectively adopting the reach code that we implemented at the beginning of this year is that we worked regionally with areas -- other agencies through regional -- through reach code team meetings. And staff held leadership roles and speaking engagements, to try to advance the idea of, we really want to set out on a limb when it comes to our sustainability. We've continued our collaboration with educational institutes, to recruit and retain talented workforce. So, people who are coming out of the college arena, we'd like to let them know about the opportunities in Utilities. We were actually able to successfully hire four electrical engineers, through our efforts to work with Cal Poly, in particular. 1:05:55: #&# Presentation slide 14, packet page 52 -- PRIORITY 2: COLLABORATION INITIATIVES Catherine Elvert: When it comes to our initiatives -- next slide, please -- we're going to obviously continue our educational path to get information into the hands of our community members. Some of our members are working on -- diligently on programs such as the outage management system and advanced meteringinfrastructure. You heard Dave talk about these projects as part of the technology roadmap. Collaboration is key, because it impacts customers in so manyways. On a public-facing front, we want to make sure that we have a robust outreach strategy in place. But also internally, between the Utilities Department,it's critically important that we are informing our internal stakeholders -- our coworkers across the aisle -- about everything that's happening. Because it doesimpact the work that they do. As well as other City departments, too. We are effective when we work together as a whole, as a City. So, beneficialelectrification remains a major priority for our sustainability goals and sustainability and climate action plan. And it's going to be a big lift for us. We alreadyrecognize that. If we are to be successful, we City departments must come together as partners. And right now, what we're doing is working with the PublicWorks Department to identify electrification potentials at the City -- potential at City facilities. And we will need to continue our outreach and collaboration witheducational institutions. I think you'll hear Anna talk about what we're doing in that area of workforce. And we know that climate change is not going away. And it's critical that we do partner with the regional agencies. Our partners, such as various government agencies, nonprofits, environmental organizations. And even folks like the Northern California Power Agency ###. NCPA.https://www.ncpa.com/ and California Municipal Utilities Association. ###. CMUA.https://www.cmua.org/ If we can work with them to establish regional contracts, joint contracts, take advantage of some -- economies of scale to roll out programs that will be availableto people across the region, we may have the opportunity to improve upon our successes. 1:07:53: #&# Presentation slide 15, packet page 53 -- PRIORITY 2: COLLABORATION KPIs Catherine Elvert: So, next slide. There we go. Thank you. So, in 2018, we developed these key performance indicators -- these KPIs. And we are evaluatinghow we want to better refine these. Again, too, some of my previous comments about defining metrics, and how you measure success of collaboration, is notalways nuts-and-bolts. Here's a figure. You've got so many people participating in a program. Yes, that can influ- -- it can provide some vision on howcustomers might be coming to you. How people might be coming to you. How successful your outreach is. But Dean and I have been having conversations,we're having conversations with members of the Strategic Plan, about what are the best KPIs for us moving forward. So, we have the KPIs on this screen rightnow. Talking about customer awareness for our programs. Also, customer satisfaction -- 1:08:45: ###. There's a gap in the video. -- customers. We were able to receive a statistical response of close to 70 percent of our customers reporting that they would be very likely to recommend Cityof Palo Alto Utilities energy and water efficiency programs. So, that's good. We want to continue asking questions like that. And what customers are -- howcustomers are aware of our programs. Are we meeting their needs? Our last survey of residential customers, we asked about our usage of customerprograms. And we received a percentage response of -- more than 50 percent of customers have taken advantage of our programs, and are aware of ourprograms, and they're satisfied with our programs. We found that most successful response in that particular survey was among residents who had participatedin our flagship program, the home efficiency genie. Now, I want to just note that we don't have a reliable benchmark right now for the current survey vendor thatwe're working with, compared to the previous survey vendor, because we don't have access to the data that we had with the previous vendor. So, again, that'sgoing to be another reason why we need to redefine these KPIs and determine what means success for us. So, we'll be working with a new vendor, throughthe California Municipal Utilities Association, moving forward, to survey our business customers and our residential customers every year. This is why you seethe information on our business customer surveys here on this slide, because that was the most recent survey. So, looking at receiving a rating of aboutcustomer satisfaction, in the business survey, we received a rating of about 80 percent of our customers saying that they were very happy with their work withthe City of Palo Alto Utilities. We want to continue to raise that mark. But recognizing that the 85 percent mark that we -- ranking that we developed back in2018 -- those were based on data from a past version of our Utilities Strategic Plan. And we want to go back and look at that particular survey. And why did wedevelop that percentage. Is that a really good mark? Looking at trends for other municipal utilities in the region and investor-owned utilities in the region, whatsort of marks were they using? What sort of metrics are they setting forth? And what is meaningful for us, to help us continue to drive improvement in thisarea? And then, we have been quite successful at achieving a number of the actions we've identified in the collaboration priority, which means we get to addmore. So, you'll see more coming to you in future updates, focusing on some of these key areas that I've identified. And you'll see a revision to some of theseKPIs, too. So, with that, I will go ahead and pause to take any questions or comments. 1:11:54: Commissioner Croft: I had a question about collaboration, and just -- I started binging podcasts, getting ready for this. And came across some other cities inour area that are -- you know, we're all kind of trying to do the same thing, encouraging people to electrify and having to deal with -- you know, I know we'reunique, in that we have a full utility. But there are others that have -- residents that want to put solar on, or whatever. This is happening everywhere. So, I'm wondering, do we collaborate with other cities in any way? What kind of benchmarking or comparisons do we do? To try and learn, or share with other cities around us, where maybe the residents are similar, and we could maybe, I don't know, getting tips and tricks on how to either change usage or -- There was one on microgrids in Fremont that was really interesting. So, I was just curious. Do we talk to other cities? 1:12:53: Catherin Elvert: Well, of course, we recognize that it is the best practice to collaborate with other cities of the region as much as possible. We do participate in a number of regional committees that involve cities. Even special districts in the county. Also nongovernmental organizations, environmental organizations. Through some of those groups, such as -- One of the groups I mentioned, the reach code teams. That's a statewide initiative, involving many different stakeholders. And we share best practices. What have you done in YOUR area? What have we done -- What have you done that's worked for you? What lessons have you learned? And what can we take back to our city? I believe that Palo Alto has been pretty progressive as it relates to our sustainability and climate action plan goals. In particular, really raising the bar, our goals are even higher than the state. Of course, you know. So, sometimes, we get to take on a little bit of a leadership role, saying, you know, yes, it's been an uphill battle, but we've got ambitious goals. And, you know, we really want to continue on that trajectory. Sometimes, we've been able to bring some organizations along. But another key group that we're doing a lot of work with is the Northern California Power Agency. We have engaged in some contracts with them somewhat recently, within the last few years, to offer some of those regional programs. You know, we don't want to proliferate the installation of heat pump water heaters perhaps just in Palo Alto. Of course, that's our focus here. But how can we take advantage of a regional contractor that can help share the information and increase the proliferation of those sorts of measures across the region, thus increasing the success of that here in Palo Alto. So, we're involved in other groups through NCPA. Such as the energy efficiency group. So, those regional entities, those trade groups, other government agencies -- that's a key part of our collaboration initiatives. Recognizing how critical that is. 1:15:14: Director Batchelor: And if I could just add to that. As Catherine mentioned, you know, we are a part of this Northern Power Association [Northern California Power Agency]. There's 14 cities that are in that association. And so, usually twice a year, we actually get together, as directors. And we actually sit down andtalk a little bit about some of the initiatives of what's going on. And we also talk about, you know, what kind of KPIs, and what do you measure. And what aresome of the measurements that you actually have. Because nobody ever wants to post these in the paper. And so, it's more a little difficult to try get some ofthe results, unless you're working through, you know, a vendor that's been working with another city. But -- And there's a lot of sharing that goes on, at mylevel, that we talk about. We actually spend one full day just on collaboration and talking about what is working for us, what's not working for them. AsCatherine said, Palo Alto's kind of in the forefront on the whole electrification, from these other cities. And so, they also turn to us, to learn from us, and find outwhat some of the pitfalls are. Who have we used as contractors. So, it's a sharing mechanism that we use. But it's also part of the whole strategic plan aroundKPIs that we talk about. 1:16:36: Chair Segal: Commissioner Phillips. 1:16:38: Commissioner Phillips: I'm glad you mentioned KPIs. I think one of the issues -- I mean, it sounds great to survey base KPIs. But one of the problems withsurvey-based KPIs is, they might provide you a leveling, but doesn't provide you any idea of how you could potentially improve. So, one of the things I wouldlove to see is, are there any objective KPIs you track, such as, when there's a complaint, what fraction of complaints are resolved to the satisfaction of thecustomer? How long is it until satisfaction -- how many things are complained about that you can't do anything about but at least communicate? And even inthis communication -- these KPIs -- Again, this is great, and it seems like extremely strong performance to get in anything above 80 percent or that, for a utilityor any government agency is probably quite the achievement. But it would also be good to see the ones who are not happy. Are there patterns in what they're,you know, not happy about? And a lot of those are in the 50 percent. I think you mentioned -- I forget what the survey participation was. So, you know, just thethought of going forward. It's great to see this. It is a little hard, in context, -- As you say, it's impossible to ###. There's a gap in the video. customer service KPIs that could be more objective and looked at as well. Not that a survey isn't objective, but, you know, it is -- you know, it is kind of -- havethe hole that it doesn't really say, OK, if you're not happy, why weren't you happy? Or if you are, if you're happy, why were you happy? Thank you. 1:18:22: Chair Segal: Any other comments? Thank you. Oh, sorry. Commissioner Mauter. 1:18:29: Commissioner Mauter: It seems like there was resounding success around the instant permitting for the heat pump water heater program. And I'm wondering ifthere are any other instant permitting opportunities that would ease the transition to new technology adoption for the service area. And whether you'veevaluated kind of similar -- you know, similar instantaneous permitting opportunities. 1:18:59: Catherine Elvert: So, we have made strides in streamlining the permitting process for other areas, such as solar ... 1:19:04: Commissioner Mauter: Yeah. That's what I was thinking, actually. 1:19:06: Catherine Elvert: That's been a big focus for the last decade or two. Or so. And so, the City has been able to reduce the length of time required to receive apermit for solar. I did not include that particular item in this presentation, this update. We did talk about it in our last update, in October. Instantaneous? Probably not. You know, many times, in these sorts of installations, we need to make sure that we are evaluating very important components, such as theelectrical panel capacity, what the electrical increase in demand may be. So, there are safety aspects to that. There are real logistical aspects to that. Do wehave the electrical load available to meet the increased demand? If you install XYZ. Or EV, in that case, if we're going to use letters. So -- And manysituations, an instant permit wouldn't really be feasible. We want to make sure that we're being safe ... 1:20:17: Commissioner Mauter: Of course. 1:20:17: Catherine Elvert: ... in all of these areas. But, yeah, I think it was a great success that we able to -- figured out a way to make this permit approval process online, and essentially instantaneous. Especially since it's a major goal of the sustainability and climate action plan. 1:20:34: Commissioner Mauter: Yeah. 1:20:34: Catherine Elvert: But, yeah, we'll continue to evaluate other opportunities to reduce the length of time for permitting in other areas. 1:20:40: Commissioner Mauter: Great. It also seems like you've had a lot of success in some of the internship programs that you've been developing. I'm wondering whether there are any -- And yet, like Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, it's, you know, still pretty far away. Have you been also engaging more local colleges and universities that might provide at least like Masters-level summer internships and other opportunities? And -- Do you have an internship program that the commissioners could help advertise? 1:21:14: Catherine Elvert: Yes. We actually do. I will be, hopefully, bringing on -- aboard an intern in the next couple or three weeks. And I specifically recruited this intern through work with the Northern California Power Agency. So, by that recruitment, the requisition went out to a variety of colleges, locally and far. So, as local as Stanford, to San Jose State, Santa Clara, etc. So, not just on the administration side, the division that I work in, but our resource management group inparticularly tends to recruit interns throughout the summer. Or -- And also, climate fellows, through other educational institutions, such as Stanford. And welook for other programs in which we can bring folks on board to help us on an ongoing basis or for special projects. Yeah -- But it's absolutely a fantasticresource that we like to tap into as much as possible. 1:22:19: Commissioner Mauter: Well, let me know how I can help. 1:22:21: Catherine Elvert: Thank you. 1:22:22: Director Batchelor: Thank you. 1:22:24: **: Thank you. 1:22:24: **: OK. Thank you. 1:22:40: #&# Presentation slide 21, packet page 59 -- PRIORITY 4: SUSTAINABILITY, FINANCE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE Jonathan Abendschein: OK. Good evening, commissioners. And welcome to our new commissioners. I am Jonathan Abendschein, Assistant Director inUtilities. And heavily focused on the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan right now. 1:23:00: #&# Presentation slide 22, packet page 60 -- PRIORITY: SUSTAINABILITY, FINANCE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE -- Important changes to this priority Jonathan Abendschein: But I'm here right now talking to you as the lead for the Sustainability, Finance, and Infrastructure, uh, Priority. Priority 4. This is apriority in transition. When this priority was adopted, in 2018, the focus -- It was called the Finance and Resource Optimization priority. ###. Google "site:cityofpaloalto.org 'finance * resource optimization' " 1 hit -- the minutes of the 10-12-22 UAC meeting. (So, in 2018, it might have been calledsomething else.)https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/utilities-advisory-commission/archived-agenda-and-minutes/agendas-and-minutes-2022/10-12-2022/10-12-2022-final-uac-minutes.pdf ###. Google "site:cityofpaloalto.org finance resource optimization uac" about 111 hits. The first hit: 03-19-18: staff report: "2018 Utilities Strategic Plan"https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-minutes-reports/reports/city-manager-reports-cmrs/year-archive/2018/final-staff-report-id-9022_2018-utilities-strategic-plan.pdfIt was called "Financial Efficiency and Resource Optimization." And the focus for that priority, at that time, was on financial efficiency -- looking for ways to control increases in costs, as well as making sure that we weretaking proper care of our infrastructure. And over the -- You know, we made some important gains in some of those areas, over the years. And I heard somefeedback from our -- at our last conversation with the UAC that there wasn't enough strategic meat in this priority at that point. And we took a good look. Wetook that feedback, and agreed. The -- One of the things that had changed over those last few years was the increased focus -- increased partnership in theUtilities Department on achieving the City's ambitious 80 x 30 -- 80 percent reductions in carbon emissions by 2030 -- climate goals. And all of our financial andinfrastructure efforts were starting to be shaped by this partnership. So, we took a look at this -- this priority. And reassessed. Declared victory on some of thethings that we adopted in 2018. Consolidate some things. And we have a new set of priorities that we want to highlight for you tonight. 1:24:54: #&# Presentation slide 23, packet page 61 -- PRIORITY: SUSTAINABILITY, FINACE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE -- Mission / Strategies (Deleted) Jonathan Abendschein: So, here you see the strategies from the Finance and Resource Optimization -- or, the priority as it was constituted before. the Missionhas shifted only slightly. So, we continue to have a focus on efficient resource usage, but with the addition of sustainability as a really explicit part of thispriority. One of the things when we did this Strategic Plan back in 2018 -- Sustainability, we really assessed sustainability to be already sort of an integral partof the Utilities mission. And so, it didn't really have a highlighted section within the Strategic Plan. But in 2020, with the really honed-sharp focus on how do weactually achieve these 80 x 30 goals, sustainability -- our focus has shifted from everyday sustainability to really a dramatic transition. So, what we had in ourprevious strategies was a focus on, you know, really taking a look at our pace of infrastructure investments and maintenance, which was in reasonable shape in 2018, but there's some gaps that we really needed to focus on. And we spent time over those couple of years, you know, honing our internal reporting, and getting our infrastructure investment back to where it needed to be. And some of the result -- There's a lot of internal work that was done as part of those strategies. Some of the results that you -- more visible results that you might have seen is the regular reporting that we're now doing in the quarterly reports on the infrastructure status. And we've identified gaps. So, when we brought the wastewater rates to you, all this year, and to the City Council, we built in an effort -- you know, a sustained effort over several years to rebuild our regular investment in our sewer laterals. And it was a direct outgrowth of all the work we did to identify gaps in our infrastructure investment. Some of the -- So, the work around infrastructure. We need to maintain our efforts in these areas. And keep up. But we feel that we can consolidate some of these strategies into a single strategy, and really highlight some of the other, more long-term strategic efforts that we're undertaking. So, moving on to the next slide -- 1:27:53: #&# Presentation slide 24, packet page 62 -- PRIORITY: SUSTAINABILITY, FINANCE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE -- Strategies (New) Jonathan Abendschein: Um. We have a new set of strategies here, that reflect some of the new work that we've taken on in the last few years. Strategy 1 is a consolidation of some of the infrastructure and maintenance work that had been embodied in the previous strategies for this priority. So, we want to maintain and we want to enhance the infrastructure maintenance and investment programs that we've developed over the last few years. So, that needs to remain a focus. But -- And we are in a position, at this point, where we're reexamining our energy supply plans. We're in the middle of our electric integrated resource plan. And some of the major things that we're going to be looking at -- or are looking at -- through that plan include the -- We have a milestone coming up with our federal hydropower contract in 2024. So, deciding, you know, how we want to move forward with that. We also have a -- We have laid off our -- one of our transmission projects -- or, our transmission project. A share in the California-Oregon Transmission Project, that's coming back to us. So, evaluating what role that transmission line may or may not play in our long-term energy portfolio. And, as part of this, we're also -- there is an element of looking at what the load growth associated with the sustainability -- with our transition to an electrified community is going to look like, and how we manage that load growth. So, all of those factor in there. 1:29:51: At the same time, we're in the process of looking at what our water supply needs to look like for the future. And so, this is our OneWater Plan, that's currently indevelopment. We also -- You know, as we look at transitioning to an electrified community, electric and gas infrastructure is going to be really heavilyimpacted. So, developing and starting to implement plans for -- to manage those transitions is a really critical part of this priority as well. Part of modernizationis making sure that we are equipped to accommodate new technologies on the grid. It's not just about increasing capacity and mana- -- to accommodateelectrification. It's also about modernizing, to be able to handle things like solar, smart -- smart panels. Being able to use -- Being able to provide price signals and other ways for people to be able to manage their loads, to run during times when it saves cost and reduces emissions on the grid overall. And one of theways we're going to get at that is through working with our Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Committee on scoping a reliability and resiliency strategicplan. Their list of -- There's a really broad list of technologies that I think we're interested in looking at. And we want to make sure that we capture, you know,the priority areas that our community and our policymakers are interested in focusing on. So, that's something we'll be working on. 1:31:45: In addition to transitioning our infrastructure, managing declining sales in a gas utility is something that's going to have financial impacts. And we need to makesure that those who -- those who maybe are, you know, unable to, or lagging in transitioning to an electric home, for example, are still able to heat their homes,and, you know, maintain their quality of life without, you know, excessive impacts on their pocketbook. And managing a utility through declining sales is acomplicated exercise. It's going to require some planning. 1:32:33: The next two strategies relate to partnering on a citywide level. Utilities has a major in the sustainability and climate action plan, especially in the climate area. And part of that involves assessing what it's going to take to actually make this transition, from a financial standpoint, and what sort of funding mechanisms areneeded. What role the utility plays. What impact it has on rates for the utility. And how we manage that transition, and develop the funding sources that weneed. Next slide, please. 1:33:12: #&# Presentation slide 25, packet page 63 -- PRIORITY: SUSTAINABILITY, FINANCE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE -- Strategies (New) ... continued from priorpage Jonathan Abendschein: And then, in general, Utilities is playing a large role in the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. There is a work plan, that we'recurrently working to get it out to Council in May. And this recognizes the major Utilities role. Some of the actions that I can note here are completion of anElectric Vehicle Strategic Plan, to guide the sort of infrastructure investment that we need to do. And then partnering with other departments on establishingprograms. The sort of premier program that we've developed in the last few months, in the last year, is the heat pump water heater program. But we haveseveral other programs in the work plan that we'd like to get working on. Around home electrification, as we start to modernize areas of Palo Alto. Roof- --Commercial rooftop HVAC. And partnerships with our major facility owners, many of whom have their own sustainability goals, to see ways that we can buildcustom partnerships with them, to help reduce emissions from commuters and from their -- from the facilities themselves. Next slide. 1:34:27: #&# Presentation slide 26, packet page 64 -- PRIORITY 4: ACCOMPLISHMENTS Jonathan Abendsschein: So, accomplishments. So, we've kicked off our IRP [Integrated Resource Plan] discussions with the UAC. We've had our initialmeetings, I believe, in December. And we have more to come. The OneWater Plan is in progress. We've had two community meetings on that, and the planitself is currently in development. We're in the process of doing consultant analysis on that. We've had some very early discussions on a gas infrastructuretransition plan. We've put some requests into the FY '24 budget. The grid modernization study is largely complete. We're talking about how to bring updateson that. But we are already planning specific implementation in certain neighborhoods. So, that's already getting off the ground. Similarly, to the infrastructuretransition -- infrastructure study. We're also working on a financial transition plan study. We've done a little bit of analysis on this in the past, that we brought tothe UAC. But we need a more comprehensive analysis. And strategy 6 is around S/CAP funding study. We have written -- We have a draft scope that we'reready to put out. But we're working through stakeholder conversations, both with the S/CAP Committee and internally. And there's a funding issue that needs -- that, you know, needs to be sorted out. There will be some discussions next Tuesday with the Finance Committee -- or, actually, over the entire month of Maywith the Finance Committee -- on the budget generally, but funding for this study is part of that as well. 1:36:12: And as far as accomplishments go, you know, some of this is really -- a lot of this is really just -- you know, I think I've covered it in the previous slide. I'm sorry, can I get the next slide? 1:36:23: #&# Presentation slide 27, packet page 65 -- PRIORITY 4: FINANCE INITIATIVES, & KPIs Jonathan Abendschein: So, initiatives in progress. Obviously, I've noted a number of studies that are already underway. And that we are preparing for modernization the first neighborhood under the electric grid modernization plan. We're engaging with the S/CAP Committee on a variety of S/CAP-related work plan and programmatic items. And -- um -- And, of course, one of our major focuses is on the success of the advanced heat pump water heater pilot program. We have 400+ sign-ups. And we're working on getting our production rates up to be able to churn through those as quickly as we can. Like I said, this is a priority in transition, so we don't have key performance indicators -- new key performance indicators -- for you yet tonight. I do expect we'll keep one from the previous -- way the previous priority was constituted, which was maintaining a utility bill that is below the average of our neighboring cities. 1:37:25: Jonathan Abendschein: So, with that, I'm happy to answer any questions. 1:37:33: Chair Segal: Any commissioner questions? Commissioner Forssell. 1:37:38: Commissioner Forssell: I have a very small and specific question. You mentioned that the grid modernization study has been completed. Is that available tothe public? Or to commissioners? Where can we go if we want to learn more about that? 1:37:52: Jonathan Abendschein: So, we're talking internally about how and when to bring -- to bring an update. And I don't know if you have a timeline yet. 1:38:02: Director Batchelor: No. We have not set a timeline. It's just -- it's the high level. I mean, this is not the detailed -- down to looking at your house and seeing ifyou're going to get a transformer in your -- front of your home, or anything like that. So, this -- all we did was just do a high level of what we thought was goingto be needed. 1:38:21: Commissioner Forssell: Right. So, I wasn't assuming it was at the property level. I meant, whatever the study's that's been completed. 1:38:29: Director Batchelor: Well -- And I guess that's what the internal conversation is happening right at this period of time is is that -- um, you know, do we bring thatout, where people then are going to -- the community is going to ask a thousand questions off of that high-level design. And I'm concerned about that. We'rejust going to get bombarded by all these questions. And I won't have any detailed questions to be able to go to them and talk about it. That's why we're talkingabout how we're going to release that. And how -- And should we release it in the first place? So, we're still discussing that. 1:39:06: Commissioner Forssell: If there's any -- If there's any advance copy for curious commissioners, that would certainly be of interest. ###: This document about the Brown Act says, "As a general rule, information given to a majority of the members of the legislative body in connection with anopen meeting must be equally available to members of the public."https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/the-brown-act.pdfOne way to decide which minority of UAC commissioners should get advance copies would be to appoint a grid modernization subcommittee. 1:39:14: Director Batchelor: Yes. Understand. 1:39:16: Commissioner Forssell: Thank you. 1:39:21: Chair Segal: Commissioner Metz. 1:39:22: Commissioner Metz: Um. Yes. I had sort of the same question about the grid modernization study. And also, on packet page 62, which is presentation page24, 1:39:40: #&# Presentation slide 24, packet page 62 -- PRIORITY, SUSTAINABILITY, FINANCE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE (again) Commissioner Metz: when -- And the question is -- on grid modernization -- is, when will the commission see it. Not necessarily the public. But on page 62,when will UAC see the plans that are referenced in there, particularly S2, S3, S4, and S5? 1:39:59: Jonathan Abendschein: It's all -- I'll address them one by one. So, the Electric Integrated Resource Plan and the OneWater Plan -- that's S2 and S3 -- theUAC has already started to see these plans. I don't have the schedule in front of me for when you're going to see them next, but -- And apologies if I'm puttingyou on the spot, Karla. Assistant Director Karla Dailey may have some information on when that's coming up. When those are coming up next with thecommission. 1:40:38: Karla Dailey: Thank you. Yeah, the OneWater Plan did get delayed a little bit with some of the staff resource shifting around. We had to do around rates and the financial plans. And so, we're still hoping to ultimately get that to Council by the end of this calendar year, which means that you would probably be seeing it again late summer. 1:41:03: Jonathan Abendschein: So, moving on to S4 and S5 Thank you. Thank you, Karla. The -- I think we've answered the question about the grid modernization study. The gas infrastructure and gas financial transition plans are really -- you know, we don't even have all of the commissioners. And then there's the electric reliability and strategic plan. I don't have a timeline for that yet. It really depends on engagement with the S/CAP Committee on scoping for that effort. Because that was something that Council assigned to the S/CAP Committee, as a specific area of focus for them. 1:41:47: Commissioner Metz: Is that -- Are you referring to S6 or -- 1:41:52: Jonathan Abendschein: The small bullet under S4, which may or may not be readable, unfortunately. But the electric reliability and resiliency strategic plan -- that's something we'd like to talk with the commission about. But we really need to get the bandwidth from the S/CAP Committee to talk with them first, because this was specifically assigned to them as a work item. 1:42:14: Commissioner Metz: So S4 has kind of moved into the S/CAP Subcommittee? 1:42:20: Jonathan Abendschein: So, S4 includes all types of infrastructure -- infrastructure work that's needed to accommodate the community transition. So, there'swork to be done on grid modernization, building capacity to accommodate electrification. There's work to be done on retirements of the gas system, and theorder and method in which those would be done. And then, there's the modernization of the system, and the use of technology to expand the grid moreefficiently, and the type of work that's needed to be done to accommodate -- um -- um -- flexible loads, and new technologies -- digital technologies on the grid, that have both impacts and benefits. 1:43:12: Commissioner Metz: So, is there kind of a ballpark timeline? I mean, I know those are a bundle of different things. But -- 1:43:20: Jonathan Abendschein: Yeah. So, right now, the primary focus of the S/CAP Committee is on getting the S/CAP itself -- the actual plan -- adopted, and thework plan adopted. And I think as we get though May, we'll start to focus on -- more on some of these work items. It's a question of which ones end up gettingprioritized first. Because they have a VERY ambitious list of things to engage on, ranging from new programs, like the commercial HVAC program, to theS/CAP funding study, to these other studies, like the reliability and resiliency strategic plan, the EV strategic plan, -- 1:43:58: Commissioner Metz: Right. 1:43:58: Jonathan Abendschein: Ah -- 1:43:59: Commissioner Metz: It seems like they need to be pretty tightly coupled. 1:44:02: Jonathan Abendschein: They are. Yes. 1:44:02: Commissioner Metz: I mean, one of the discussions we had last year was that S/CAP was on one track, and utility [i.e., UAC?] was on a different, you know,track, that was, say, less aggressive time-wise. And I'm assuming they merge at some point. 1:44:18: Jonathan Abendschein: Yeah. There's been a lot of convergence on -- on infrastructure efforts ... 1:44:23: Commissioner Metz: OK. 1:44:23: Jonathan Abendschein:: ... and the S/CAP timeline. So, yeah. There is. And I think there were two parts to your question. I caught the piece on convergence,but I think the first part of your question was on -- if you could repeat it, it would be helpful. 1:44:38: Commissioner Metz: Well, the broad question was when will be see the plans? But the biggest part of it was the question that Commissioner Forssell asked, which is, you know, the electric plan -- electric grid plan. Because that drives -- I mean, that makes S/CAP possible or not. Right? 1:44:54: Jonathan Abendschein: Right. Yeah. Now, on the philosophy -- the philosophy behind the planning. So, the first -- you know, the first budgets for grid modernization are in the FY 2024 Capital Budget. And there's a lot of money devoted. We have the funding built into our rate plan. $300 million for grid modernization and capacity expansions. And the timelines, you know, are aggressive. I don't have specific timelines that I can share. But the philosophy has been, you know, get the improvements done, to get out of the way, so that the community can electrify at whatever pace the community can accommodate. 1:45:38: Commissioner Metz: OK. Great. Thank you. 1:45:42: Commissioner Forssell: Thank you. I just wanted to give you -- I realize -- some positive feedback on the change in focus of the priority, on -- and all of the new strategies. That's kind of a big deal, actually. And I also want to recognize -- you're still doing all the old strategies. [laughs] Right? Um. But I think it's great. And the fact that there's like -- you know, as Commissioner Metz refers to -- sort of a convergence of what we've -- the City's talking about on the sustainability side really being brought into the actual planning process for the utility, around the gas utility financial transition. And, I think, a strategic plan for EVs. And obviously, the grid modernization is a very active area. So, all these things. I just want to give you positive feedback that it's really great to see this priority number 4 kind of overhauled in this way. 1:46:40: Jonathan Abendschein: Thank you. I think with the level of focus that I -- you know, the level of time that I'm spending on these interdepartmental themes rightnow, it's been really amazing to see everybody come together and start pulling in the same direction. And it's really happened over the last couple of years. And has come from, I think, a real focus from both the Council and this commission on, you know, just emphasizing how much of a community priority it is. Everybody does seem to be speaking with one voice on that. So -- 1:47:10: Chair Segal: Commissioner Phillips, did you have -- 1:47:11: Commissioner Phillips: I have a process question. You've mentioned -- Somebody mentioned that this was a five-year plan, adopted in 2018. Is there nowanother five-year plan coming up? Or do we just roll forward, modifying this one? 1:47:28: Director Batchelor: So, I think our thought process was -- There's not a lot of changing in -- from the five years -- that what we put together in 2018. Ourmission statement is still staying the same. Our goals are pretty much staying the same. As you can see in what Jonathan is talking about, that's the biggestpiece in this plan. We do have workforce issues that we still deal with. But it's a key component of our strategic plan. So, our idea is -- wasn't to re-overhauland look for new areas that we were going to look at. We felt that these still are the areas that we should be focusing on, and trying to get into the day-to-dayfrom a utilities perspective. 1:48:11: Commissioner Phillips: So, it would be a rolling plan, in other words, not another ground-zero exercise, of saying what do we look like in 2028. 1:48:29: Director Batchelor: Yeah. Exactly. 1:48:26: Chair Segal: I just wanted to sort of echo what my fellow commissioners have said. I think they brought some good points. And is a nice change to see. Andthen, one little -- one little nit, I guess. Under S3, which is the OneWater Plan, we have spent a fair amount of time talking about clean water here. And so, I'mjust wondering whether you wanted to add efficient, sustainable, clean water supply? I know it's somewhat inh- -- it's -- um -- inherent. But given the addedfocus lately, -- 1:49:08: Karla Dailey: Yes. And, I would say, we will not be considering any water that's not clean and drinking water quality. 1:49:20: Chair Segal: No. Understood. That's why I -- But because we have it on our calendars, we're going to be talking about -- I'm just throwing it out there, tomaybe emphasize it along with the other. 1:49:34: Karla Dailey: Sure. 1:49:35: Jonathan Abendschein: Yeah. We can add that. 1:49:42: Karla Dailey: Thank you. 1:50:05: #&# Presentation slide 4, packet page 42 -- PRIORITY 1: WORKFORCE Anna Vuong: Good evening, commissioners, Council member. We'll be going over -- or, I'll be going over the priority 1 workforce for us this evening. 1:50:12: #&# Presentation slide 5, packet page 43 -- PRIORITY 1: WORKFORCE MISSION & STRATEGIES Anna Vuong: So, as my colleagues have mentioned, about the strategic plan, we did go through the various areas of the business, and identified workforce as one of the areas that we wanted to put some focus on. And some of the strategies we have -- Just to -- I remind everyone here -- or, then inform everyone here -- is that some of the strategies that we had was to establish CPAU as an organization where we can hire, or have experienced and proud employees who would like to work here, as well as have a place that attracts skilled employees And then provide alternative workforce solutions to achieve our business objectives. And some of the accomplishments -- next slide, please -- 1:51:18: #&# Presentation slide 6, packet page 44 -- PRIORITY 1: WORKFORCE ACCOMPLISHMENTS Anna Vuong: that we've done over the years is, we've established a system operators training program. That has been in place for a couple of years now. We've had success in having three operators in the program. And we're also working on a utilities compliance program -- an apprenticeship program as well. We have -- Just so that I don't go through this whole list, 'cause you've already read through. I'm just going to highlight a couple of them. We have worked through with HR to develop HR Department liaisons, to help speed up the recruitment process. And that has actually helped a lot in the past two years. We've actually -- Or, in the past year, we've increased our recruitment of new hires by 30 percent. With the assistance of the liaisons. Otherwise, it would have been a lot slower process, since we only have one HR person that's dedicated to us. And, you know, we've hired about four electric engineers. And that was part ofattending in-person career fairs. Career fairs. And -- At San Luis Obispo, as well as we've gone to Sac State, and, recently, San Jose State. Just reachingout. Giving -- Going out to the community and the colleges, to bring our presence there, so they can know that, you know, that Utilities -- the City of Palo Alto --is a place to come work. And we've also conducted an employee satisfaction survey. We will be going through those results and working on some of thestrategies or tasks from that survey. Next slide, please. #&# Presentation slide 7, packet page 45 -- PRIORITY 1: WORKFORCE INITIATIVES Anna Vuong: And then, our initiatives in progress. We have -- oh, sorry -- uh -- sorry -- We are working on -- We have developed a template that provides likesome training. There's a training template for each classification, that allows -- that lets them know -- lets our employees know that what's the next step. Orwhat does it take to get to the next step in their career. We have it in Water, Gas, and Wastewater Engineering. We're working on refining that. And then,once that is good and can be replicated, it will be spread over to the next divisions. And -- let's see -- I'm sorry, I have this elsewhere. And -- Well, some ofthe things we're working on, too, is exploring some daycare options. The City has recently spent it -- put out a survey for our employees about what our daycare needs are. They have also, I think, in terms of -- They've also submitted -- I think it was -- not a survey, but Palo Alto employees who have school-age children can now attend Palo Alto Unified School District, as well. And we're also looking at retention and recruitment options, such as -- Just to brieflyhighlight, in past negotiations with SEIU, they did talk about a recruitment bonus and a retention bonus, as well as flexibly staffed recruitment options. So, that'swhere, if you put -- have a higher classification, you can post it and under-fill it at a lower classification. And then, when the individual is ready to -- forpromotion, then that's where they can move into that position. It helps in terms of recruitment as well as employee morale. Next slide -- 1:55:29: #&# Presentation slide 8, packet page 46 -- PRIORITY 1: KPIs Anna Vuong: And then, our next slide would be the KPIs. Our employee return rate. One of the KPIs is to be within 10 percent -- or less than 10 percent -- ofthe return rate. We haven't been meeting that. It's really difficult. We have had vacancies of, you know, 40 in the past couple years. And last year, we'vereached 57. We did add new positions, though, in fiscal year 2023. So that's actually reflected here in 2022. But, it's -- Even despite the additional liaisons,we still have a little bit of trouble filling the positions. And then, our next KPI, filling positions, 90 percent of positions annually. Of course, that's also nothappening, as well. We're within -- dropped back down to 77 percent. Of that vacanc-- authorized filled positions. And next slide. 1:56:43: #&# Presentation slide 9, packet page 47 -- PRIORITY 1: WORKFORCE STATISTICS Anna Vuong: So, here's just a bar chart of where the positions -- or the vacancies -- are, within the divisions. Our highest ones continue to be ElectricOperations. Next one was Electric Engineering, in fiscal -- or, calendar year '22. That's because, to have those new positions -- I think it was 3 engineeringpositions that we added in the mid-year. And then, Water, Gas, Wastewater Operations is a little bit after that. Next slide. That's it for me. Any questions forme? 1:57:23: Chair Segal: Vice Chair Scharff. 1:57:25: Vice Chair Scharff: Thanks. Can we go back to the first slide you had? That would be easiest for me. 1:57:31: Anna Vuong: OK. First slide. The Mission and Strategies? 1:57:42: Vice Chair Scharff: No. Actually, it was the second slide. Sorry. 1:57:44: Anna Vuong: OK. 1:57:44: #&# Presentation slide 6, packet page 44 -- PRIORITY 1: WORKFORCE ACCOMPLISHMENTS (again) Vice Chair Scharff: Yes. I was curious, first of all, how did the employee satisfaction survey turn out? 1:57:50: Anna Vuong: Um. 1:57:53: Vice Chair Scharff: What did we learn from that? 1:57:56: Anna Vuong: Actually, we have -- we still have to provide some of the analysis on that satisfaction survey. We did have -- I don't know. Dave, do you remember how many did fill out the survey? 1:58:10: Director Batchelor: [unamplified] Yeah. Like 103 -- 105. 1:58:14: Anna Vuong: 103. 1:58:15: Director Batchelor: [unamplified] About half. 1:58:17: Anna Vuong: 50 percent filled the satisfaction survey. 1:58:22: Vice Chair Scharff: OK. But we haven't analyzed it yet. 1:58:23: Anna Vuong: Yeah. 1:58:24: Vice Chair Scharff: So, it's not really an accomplished -- on the accomplishment list yet. I mean, we DID it, but -- 1:58:32: Anna Vuong: We still have a lot of -- 1:58:34: Vice Chair Scharff: No one ** me from doing it. 1:58:36: Anna Vuong: There's still a lot of work to do on that survey. Yes. 1:58:40: Vice Chair Scharff: So, I guess I was going to ask, have we made any -- have we made any comparisons about how our hiring and workforce really is,compared to, you know, other publicly-owned utilities? Say, Santa Clara, Alameda? You know. I mean, they're obviously -- Obviously, they're probablystruggling with some of this. You know. Are we doing the same as them? Are we doing worse than them? You know. What does that look like? 1:59:10: Anna Vuong: Hmm. No. That -- I think that's a good question. We have not done that survey. 1:59:15: Vice Chair Scharff: So, I would encourage us to do that, because I don't think our KPIs really tell us what we want to know. I mean, it looked to me like, on thelast slide, that we haven't really made any progress, frankly. I mean, we sti- -- From year to year, it looked like we still had a similar amount of vacancies, andthat kind of stuff. So, the question really was, you know, if everyone's having huge problems hiring, that makes some sense. But if we're doing much worsethan our peers, that also would tell us something. And then, the one thing we really haven't talked about on this is, are our salaries competitive? I mean, doesour hiring have to do with that? Or, you know, what's -- what's really going on, in terms of issues with hiring? 2:00:03: Director Batchelor: So, Commissioner Scharff -- So, you know, SEIU just recently received a new contract. And part of the comp study that is done -- Alameda is in that comp study. Santa Clara. Roseville. Anaheim. There's one more, too, that are down south. Oh, Long Beach. City of Long Beach, from the-- just from a gas perspective. There's a couple handfuls of comp studies that were done. And, you know, I think the thing is, if you look at the comp study, andyou look it out from full benefited positions, we are below and behind Santa Clara. But, you know, we're above Alameda. We're above some of the other areasdown south. We are well above the City of Long Beach. From just a gas side. But Long Beach only has a gas system. So, I think the thing is is that, youknow, we asked Council to take a hard look at what it would take if we were going to be equal to Santa Clara from a utilities perspective. And I had gottensome feedback that they're kind of willing to go there, but I think what ended up happening is that there are some -- still some issues with trying to deal withSEIU around that, because, again, you know, this is a unit that is about 200 employees, from an SEIU standpoint, and -- But the unit itself it like about 600-650for the entire City. So, they're having a difficult time trying to explain to the other 400 or so members why is it that Utilities is special. Why is it that there is aseparate cost rate for Utilities, where there's not one from a Public Works worker, or a CSD worker, or something like that. So, it's a balance that I think that SEIU is trying to balance out as well. And I think that, as we've talked about before -- I've been very open about this -- that, you know, it's -- I think it's a little bit of an unfortunate situation that our folks are not IBEW, and that they are with SEIU. Because there's no comparisons, then, at that point. Where IBEW, they will compare to all the NCPA members, PG&E, they can go down south. It's a union that is well representative, from a utilities perspective, for gas and electric. So, I think there are issues that we just have to work out. And, you know, we were able to make some moves, a little bit, for the Utilities side. They did get a little bit of a larger increase than the General Fund folks -- we'll say that are on the other side. And -- But it wasn't enough that I think that we're still having difficulties trying to attract folks to actually come to Palo Alto in those types of positions. In those critical positions that we have. 2:03:38: Vice Chair Scharff: Thanks, Dean. That was really helpful. Any sense at all of how Alameda and Santa Clara are doing, in terms of the ability to fill their vacancies? 2:03:46: Director Batchelor: So, it's interesting -- is that I have had some conversations with them. And they are actually moving forward with their very first ever, from the history of their city, to having an apprenticeship program. Because they are losing linemen. And they are not being able to replace them. [knocks on wood] Knock on wood, that our folks are not willing to jump over there. They do have openings. I was looking at it last week. They actually have 4 lineman classifications that are open. And they're going to fill them with apprentices. And try to put on an apprenticeship program. And try to grow within. Alameda's down by one. Lodi -- I did talk to Lodi last week at a commissions meeting. They're only down by 2. And Roseville, they're full. So, I think, getting away from the Bay Area portion of it has helped, from just the cost of living. But they're starting to see some some changes in Alameda and, like I said, with Santa Clara. 2:04:54: Vice Chair Scharff: OK. Thank you very much. That was very helpful. 2:04:58: Chair Segal: Commissioner Mauter. 2:05:00: Commissioner Mauter: Do you see a deficit from like a number of applications, or a number of qualified applicants? 2:05:11: Tabatha Boatwright: Hi. This is Tabatha Boatwright. I am not only the Executive Assistant for Utilities. I am also one of the Human Relations liaisons that Anna had mentioned. We actually are seeing quite a rise in applications. That's not the issue. The issue is, we have a lot of attrition happening. So, what'shappening is, we have people that have been in Palo Alto for a few decades. And they are leaving. Therefore, having positions open. We are taking thepeople who haven't been here as long and promoting them, therefore leaving a position open. And it just so happens, this is happening, consequen- -- It's justlike a ladder factor. So, we will have open positions. And then, we'll fill the position. And now that we're fully staffed, it's like, OK, I feel comfortable now, I cango ahead and retire. Well, even though I just filled two positions, then two leads retired. So, it's kind of like, OK, well, now, we need to fill those. So, it's almostas if it's a mirror. Instead of, oh, we're completely full, it's like once we're full, then we drop back down again. And then we promote people. And now we're uphigher. And now, the lower-level positions are now open. So, the past 5-6 months, the positions that I've filled have been extensive. And we're doing it at amuch faster pace. And they are -- the applicants that I am receiving are just really appreciative of how quick it is, how much the turnaround is. So, it's not thatwe aren't getting the people. We actually -- One application -- for, of course, sustainability -- when you mention that word, everyone wants to be involved. Wewere open for three and a half weeks. Within the first two days, we have 57 applicants. So, it's not a lack of applications. It's simply, as soon as we hiresomeone, someone else leaves. Some people want to live closer to home, as Director Batchelor mentioned. People come here because it's an amazing placeto be. And then, they realize it's really far away. So, they leave, and then they end up going back. And even though, with the line crew, that is a difficultposition. Because they work really hard. And it's sometimes all the time. Even though some -- Alameda, they're only down one. They're also a much smallercrew. The crews that we require, for the amount that we have, we're down, because we have a much larger crew that we're expected. That's -- If we onlyneeded 4 people, we wouldn't be down at all. But we need 12 people. So, that's why it seems like we're down much farther. So, it also depends on how muchyou're looking at, in perspective of the types of crews. So, we have to take that into consideration as well. But, yeah, a lack of applications -- that's not ourissue. 2:08:25: Director Batchelor: If I could add to that. As both Anna and Tabatha talked about, you know, we're starting to see some really qualified folks come through tosome of these open positions. The key problem is is, if you looked at the chart there that Anna brought up, it's mostly in the Electric Engineering and then theElectric Operations side. The problem is trying to find linemen. We're not getting applications for linemen. We're not getting applications for engineering. So,we made the decision -- a hard decision -- that we're going to go to Sac State and we're going to go to San Luis Obispo. They have power engineeringprograms there. They're the only two in California. And so, we have made the decision that we're going to go after the young folks, and bring them, and trainthem, just like we do with our apprentices, and hope that they stay. That they'll grow with us, and they'll stay. And so far, the feedback has been, from the 4 ofthem, that they're really excited about being here, and it's more than what they thought it was going to be, because they thought that they were just going to becoming in and sitting down next to someone for the next years to come. But they're actually running programs. They're actually running their -- we're askingthem to actually do engineering work that they're actually learning, that they learned in school. So -- Because we need them. And so, I think that there's a lightat the end of the tunnel for that portion of it. But, unfortunately, it's just a long trade. And the thing is, when we do our apprenticeships, they're 4-yearapprenticeships. So, you bring somebody in. And we don't have -- I wish I could say that I could bring 6 apprentices on today. But the problem is, I only got 3trained linemen. So, there's a ratio that you have to have. And so, there's only 3 apprentices in the -- in getting trained. And they've got -- they're just -- theywere in their second year now. They'll be able to get into their third year. And they'll actually become hot apprentices, where they're actually were able to workon hot lines, then, at voltage. And then we can start -- That's why I wanted to bring on 2 more -- 3 more -- brand new folks. But it's a 3 year process. And thenthey will actually graduate out. And we'll cross our fingers that we're able to keep them. 2:10:38: Chair Segal: Thank you. Commissioner Phillips. 2:10:41: Commissioner Phillips: Thank you for -- all that, at least, that -- When I looked at this number of 77 percent positions filled, it was pretty dire. So I'm glad tohear at least parts of it seem to be looking up. Which is great to hear. Kind of the question I had is, how much of this -- If I went back to 2018, would this be aproblem? Or is this a new, sort of COVID -- post-COVID -- problem, emblematic of a lot of other companies who are saying we're having hard time in retainingpeople? The Great Resignation, etc., etc. Or has this been a chronic problem? Or new problem? 2:11:21: Tabatha Boatwright: As far as linemen go, that's been kind of a consistent issue. A lot of linemen come from far away, they work here, and then, once they're here for their 4 years, they're fully trained, they get everything that they need, they go back home to where they came from. So, that's an issue that all of us handle, not just Palo Alto. As far as the other, I'm not going to say the Great Resignation occurred to Palo Alto. What did occur to Palo Alto, though, is the event -- When we closed down, and everyone -- or most of us -- of course, our Engineering and our Operations were not in this situation. When City Hall closed down, and everyone worked from home, there were a couple of people who did not. However, most of City Hall did. Two years -- a little bit more than two years. And then they started slowly coming back. For a lot of people, they liked working from home. And when they started having to come back, there was a fear. And so, a lot of them resigned because of that. And some of them went for other jobs where they get to permanently work from home. Palo Alto -- we're currently now at a 2 days in, 3 days at home. So, a lot of people were OK with that. But we did lose a number of people in Engineering for that reason. And they could go and consult. They could work from home. They didn't have to come in. We did what we could to maintain the staff that we have, but that was a big reason that we lost some administrative type staff. Not Operations or the Water, Gas, Wastewater Engineering crew. 2:13:19: Commissioner Phillips: Thank you. 2:13:23: Chair Segal: Council Member Lauing. 2:13:25: Council Member Lauing: Yes. Thank you. I had some preliminary conversations with Director Batchelor about this. But this is a problem throughout our hiring in the City. That we just can't get it up to staff. And that's just backing us up everywhere. Unfortunately, this department becomes the poster child for that, with this kind of vacancy rate. Not -- That's not a negative. I'm just saying that that just emphasizes how big a problem it is. And I was requesting the other nightthat we have -- actually have a study in this budget -- a consultant to come in and do a departmental analysis -- just what else can we do, to -- in addition towhat you've got on your slide. In addition to what Ms. Boatwright just recapped. Because every department is different, as you pointed out. And even withinthe department, it's different. But this is just so critical for what you guys will have to accomplish that I just think we have to double down and invest in ourpeople one way or the other, and figure out these new ways of doing recruiting. So, I'm going to keep, you know, beating that drum. 2:14:25: Are we -- One of the questions I want ask the new liaison -- HR liaison -- is, are we getting offers turned down, after we offer these people? And, if so, do wehave sort of a no thank you, and why that happens? 2:13:39: Tabatha Boatwright: Actually, there has been a few positions that we have received a thank you but no thank you. And that was based on salary. We offer thesalary that we offer. Our salaries are based on what Council approves. We are not in the private sector. We're public. So, whatever our salaries are is basedon what Council says we can and cannot do. We have unions, but they negotiate with Council. So, we have had 3 positions that have actually turned usdown. And they said it was based on financial standings. So -- 2:15:18: Council Member Lauing: Yeah. On certain of those classifications, there ARE some changes coming that haven't been rolled in yet. So, that will help. But aswe all know, in hiring, it's usually not just salary that's a problem, of either recruitment or retention. And we all know some about a lot of them, including thecommute, and so on. But I would encourage you to be really aggressive on why -- that you're taking your own initiative, and creating your own HR liaisons, andmaking stuff happen at the -- in the trenches. I really salute that. And I'd be very aggressive with the HR Department, and continue to say, you know,whatever. I mean, for example, a couple points on your slide, ###. Presentation slide 7. you say, you know, we are exploring digital ads. Well, don't explore. [laughs] Let's just run it and see what happens. Right? And, there was another oneabout -- I can't think of it. But I think you should just take action. And get some stuff done. And, you know, ask for -- What's that old phrase? I forget. Thankyou. Ask for forgiveness later if you're too aggressive. Because this is a problem that's holding back major stuff. Like that whole S/CAP, electric grid, and soon. So, it's -- I believe it's close to a crisis for the City. And you guys can really impact our City in a positive way by plugging these holes. And when I wentover to page 37, ###. I think he meant presentation slide 37, on packet page 105, which is in support of Agenda Item 4, not Agenda Item 3. in calendar year '22, you hired 24, which is great. And we had 23 separations, and 5 retirements. So, we're behind, by 3 people, at the end of the year, after allthat work. And we still couldn't get anything done. So, I'm going to keep beating on it. But I think you can help, by pushing others in the organization to helpyou get what you need. 2:17:05: Tabatha Boatwright: As far as the digital advertising, we actually spoke to the Director of HR and the City Manager, and I got their permission. So, we actuallydid run a digital billboard, right outside Ikea, for 3 months. And it said, "Come work for Palo Alto." And we did two different advertisements. It was actuallyquite beautiful, thank you. And whether or not we impacted anyone, I don't know, because HR has a "how did you hear from us?" And that wasn't one of theoptions. So, I don't know how well we did with that. But it was -- ran for 8 seconds every 60 seconds. So it was ** -- And it brightly lit up the whole -- Youcould see it during the day and at night. 2:17:56: Council Member Lauing: That's great. Just keep testing things. See what works 2:17:56: Tabatha Boatwright: So, it was really nice. So, there are things that we are exploring, that are outside of the box, so to speak, to kind of get people's attention Because that's kind of what we need. And that's who we are. That's, you know -- I also wanted to mention that, although our number look high, we are thelargest department in the entire City. So, you can't compare us to HR, where there's only 8 staff people. And they're understaffed if they're down one person. So, I just wanted to make sure that everyone's aware of that. But ** fully staffed ** ... 2:18:28: Council Member Lauing: Is that the -- It's not the number of heads. It's that it's down 23 percent from where you want to be.. 2:1832: Tabatha Boatwright: Yeah. 2:18:32: Council Member Lauing: That's the critical factor. 2:18:34: Tabatha Boatwright: Yeah. We have bad numbers, but I just wanted -- you know, it looks ###. There;s a gap in the video. if we break out fiber. So, thank you guys. 2:18:42: Chair Segal: Commissioner Forssell. 2:18:44: Commissioner Forssell: Just one quick question. It's been a great discussion. The -- Anna Vuong -- is that your name? -- 2:18:52: Anna Vuong: Yes. 2:18:52: Commissioner Forssell: .-- brought up in passing the -- I believe the Palo Alto School Board has instituted a new policy where City employees' children canattend Palo Alto schools. I'm just curious -- Obviously, it's too soon for new data. Is there a buzz about it? Are you that it -- that it -- What's your gut feeling onhow helpful that will be in recruitment and retention? is it a big deal? Is it not really much of a deal? 2:19:18: Tabatha Boatwright: Actually, it is a huge deal. For a few reasons. We actually had employees that were here years ago who put themselves on the lower-housing list. They worked had here for years, but their children couldn't go to school here. So, there was like a big commute for them, just to take their childrento school, pick their children up. And she eventually -- after 8 years of being on the list -- got an apartment, so her daughter can go to school here. So, it is ahuge ordeal that your children go to a) the Palo Alto School District, and b) to actually have your children close by. So, if you're at work, your children are here. You're not 20 miles away, or 30 miles away, and your school calls and says your child just threw up, you need to come and pick them up. OK, I'll be there in anhour and a half. No worry. You know. As a parent, that's like devastating. You're now worried, you're nervous, and you're driving. That's not a goodcombination. So, that's a huge step for us. As far as advertising, Chantal Gaines, ###. A.k.a. Chantal Cotton Gaines. who is the Deputy City Manager, she is the one who is promoting this. And she is promoting it crazy. It did just start, so -- But it is going to be a big deal. Andshe's putting it everywhere. So, in our recruitments, it will start to be a little blurb in -- when we post. So, it will be a big thing. We just need to figure out whatthe details are, so when we're asked, we know. 2:21:01: Chair Segal: Can I just -- just pulling up, because now I might be confused. Because you talked about housing AND school. And are you saying they'relinked? Or if an employee has school-age children and they're here, they can go to the PAUSD schools? 2:21:18: Tabatha Boatwright: No, I was just saying how important it is for Palo Alto employees to have their children close. That some of the employees got put on ahousing list so their children could come here. So, that's a huge impact. That they were willing to move here just so their children could go here. 2:21:41: Director Batchelor: But to go back, to answer your question, yes, that is correct. So, one of the advantages in this program that's just launched, I believeCouncil just approved it last -- this week, or last week -- ###. I looked in Council's 04-24-23 and 05-01-23 agendas and didn't see anything. 2:21:54: Council Member Lauing: Which program? 2:21:54: Director Batchelor: The childcare -- 2:21:57: Council Member Lauing: You mean the child going to school here? 2:21:58: Director Batchelor: School here. Yeah. So, it's brand new. So, what this means is is that an employee can actually, once they get in -- so, there's a lotto ###. A.k.a. lottery. number that they have to get in. But once they get in, their child will be in school at Palo Alto from -- say, from kindergarten, if they were able to get in, they're in all the way to the 12th grade, if they want to, with this program. So, there's definitely advantages. So, hopefully, you know, this will be something -- retention, as well as an attraction portion of it. And they can apply every year to bring their child. So -- Once they're in, though, they're actually in. And the reason -- One of the reasons that -- I heard that -- reason why PAUSD was willing to do this, they're starting to get low attendance in their school. And so, the idea was, why not try to explore this with them? ###. At the 04-18-23 PAUSD School Board meeting, at agenda item 5B, the board voted 5-0 to address declining enrollment by, among other things, inviting full-time Palo Alto City employees to enroll their children in PAUSD. (From this URL, https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/pausd/Board.nsf/Public it takes several clicks to get to the 04-18-23 agenda.) On the video for Item 5B (0:41:59-1:21:24) https://midpenmedia.org/palo-alto-unified-school-district-board-meeting-64-4182023/ at 0:52:22, Superintendent Austin said that if this measure passed, there would be a meeting with the City on Thursday (04-20-23), but he didn't say with whom in particular. (The City/School Liaison Committee meets Thursdays, but I didn't see it on the 04-20-23 agenda.) 2:22:55: Chair Segal: OK. Commissioner Croft. 2:22:58: Commissioner Croft: I had another question about -- it kind of was a comment in passing -- that there's only one HR person dedicated to hiring all these positions. Could you guys comment on the resource? 'Cause it seems like, you know, hiring one position is really hard. Hiring 57 positions is like -- do we just need more people working on the hiring itself? 2:23:19: Tabatha Boatwright: Well, that's -- That was a misconception. Utilities pays the salary for one full-time HR person. So, HR has a staff of recruiters. But there is a dedicated recruiter for Utilities. So, yes, that is a lot of work for one person. Which is why we created the, you know, HRLs [human resources liaisons]. And there are three of us. So -- And that was for our benefit, as well as for HR's benefit. We can control it. We can take on a lot more. So, if one person can handle, you know, 4 recruitments, and there's 4 of us now, we can recruit quite a bit more. And then, each one of us has our own group. And we have meetings every week about how we're doing. Does anyone need help? What's happening? And once you start a recruitment, and it's actually off and running, and you're receiving applications, you can move on to another recruitment, and make that process happen. Then, when the recruitment closes, you set up the interviews. So, I mean, it -- there's a pattern. It doesn't all have -- You don't stop because one recruitment is happening. So, you can actually recruit multipleat one time. But there is a limit that everyone can do, because we do have our own regular jobs, too. This is just -- And even the HR person that we do have --she is dedicated to Utilities for recruiting, but she does have other duties that she has to do, that's part of that. So, it's -- it takes a lot to recruit one posting. So -- But that's what we meant, was, there are more HR people, but there's one that we pay full-time. Her dedicated time is to us. 2:25:19: Commissioner Croft: Yeah. It sounds like it's everybody. All hands on deck. And I guess the question is, then, like, just do we have enough peop- -- Do weneed to -- should we hire -- consider hiring -- are you guys feeling like everything's better now? I wasn't aware that -- This is a recent change, but how do wefeel about the staffing level of the HR people? 2:25:38: Tabatha Boatwright: We actually don't have control over that. HR is their own department. So, we're just blessed to be able to afford to have one. They aretwo recruiters short. They have been recruiting for recruiters. Unfortunately -- I know that sounds kind of funny. Unfortunately, the recruitment world reallyisn't what it used to be. There used to be a time when everyone wanted to be a recruiter. Well, now, everything is done online. So, it's hard to get a humanwho wants to come into an office and actually do recruitment kind of stuff, because you can work for firms. Recruiting firms. Headhunters. And you don't gointo the office. I've actually spoken to three different recruiting firms to help us out, and they're all remote. They're -- all the offices are remote. So, when you'reactually recruiting a recruiter, and you have to come into the office, that's an interesting concept, that they're really struggling with. They've had multiplerecruitments, and haven't gotten ANY. And then, the couple that they have gotten, they haven't lasted. Because they realized they had to actually come in, andit wasn't just an error. Even though they only have to come in two days a week, it was still a burden for them. So, that's the issue with HR recruitment currently,right now. 2:27:13: Commissioner Croft: Thank you. 1:27:18: Chair Segal: I think we'll take -- Or was there -- OK. I think we're going to take a quick, 10-minute break It's 8:15. So, let's be back sharp at 8:25, for our lastitem. Thanks. 2:27:30: BREAK 2:37:55: NEW BUSINESS ITEM 4 Chair Segal: Welcome back, everyone. We're now on Item 4, which is the UAC -- or, the -- sorry, the operating and capital budget for the utilities. Are thereany public comments? 2:38:12: Jenelle Kamian: This is Jenelle Kamian, Program Assistant. If anyone from the public would like to speak on Item number 4, please raise your hand or dial *9on your phone. No hands raised. 2:38:26: Chair Segal: Thank you. Do we have a presentation? 2:38:28: Director Batchelor: We do. Commission. So, as Chair Segal just mentioned, this is really the proposal for the operation -- the Operation and the CapitalBudgets for this year. And I'm just going to go ahead and turn it over to Alexandra Harris, who is our Senior Business Analyst, that will walk you through on theelectric side, to start off with. So, with that, Alex. ** 2:38:58: Alexandra Harris: Good evening, commissioners and Council member. My name is Alexandra Harris. And I will be providing an overview of the Utilities preliminary budget for fiscal year 2024. Here, we have -- Oh, next slide, please. 2:39:16: #&# Presentation slide 2, packet page 70 -- BUDGET REQUEST PROCESS Alexandra Harris: Here we have an overview of the budget process, and what comes next. Budget change requests were analyzed and reviewed by HR, OMB, and the City Manager's office. We're here tonight to discuss the preliminary budget being proposed to the Finance Committee next week. And there will be some following workshops between the Finance Committee and Council before Council ultimately adopts the budget June 19th. A quick note: the proposed budget packet was officially released to the public after this staff report was published. So, even though it is almost identical, it's preliminary in nature. The content contained within. Next slide, please. 2:40:05: #&# Presentation slide 3, packet page 71 -- PROPOSED NEW PROJECTS Alexandra Harris: So, this slide highlights new projects and a brief outline of recent grant opportunities. In reference to the comments made earlier about the convergence of S/CAP and Utilities work, these grant opportunities enable the City to accelerate some large infrastructure investments necessary to meet our S/CAP initiatives. So, the Grid Modernization project was established in anticipation of the work needed to upgrade our infrastructure, and support a 100 percent electrification future. There have been ongoing discussions about what it's going to -- what's going to be needed to upgrade the City's electric grid system. And with the initial high-level study that was completed in December of last year, we're now taking a lot of the preparatory steps to make this actual. Some potential developments on the horizon are a second study, to help determine and mitigate load impacts from battery, EV, solar usage, and evolvingtechnologies, such as remote control PV. We're going to continue a pilot program through fiscal year '24 to rebuild secondary networks and install transformersthat would increase capacity to about 500 homes within Embarcadero, Louis, and Amarillo. We also plan to complete a design by December 2023. So, I knowthis sounds aggressive, but we're also positive about the grant opportunities. And then, lastly, we hope to construct the first 10 percent of the system -- spring2024. This may potentially be a design build, with further details to be smoothed out. 2:41:59: The FTTP -- Oh, sorry. I'll quickly go over the next project. So, the FTTP project was added for establishing a new service that will provide broadband internetto the community. A contract amendment was recently approved this week on Monday [05-01-23] that references the Report Number 2303-1215. The contractamendment would program management for the construction of the backbone and phase 1 of the FTTP. Also, network ops and tech support, because the Citywould be an internet service provider, or an ISP. And then, also, electric make-ready engineering work. ###: I assume this make-ready work is moving cables in the telecommunications space of utility poles to make room for City fiber. (So it's not "electric.") We do plan to come back with a summer update to Council, and probably some RFPs are anticipated as well. ###. Would this come to UAC first? And so, with these large -- what some people have called generational -- projects, we're also aggressively pursuing recent grant opportunities that came upbecause of a bipartisan infrastructure bill that was passed a couple years ago. So, one of them that we recently just applied for is for the smart grid AMIproject. And that would be approximately $11 million. We're in the process of applying for the grid modernization project, which is part of the reason why wetrying to solidify the plans that have project milestones. And hopefully, we can come back with more details about what that roadmap looks like. So, it goeshand in hand with this grant effort as well. That grant would probably be about $100 million to $150 [million], because it is a 50 percent match of the projecttotal that we estimate in the grant package. 2:43:51: And then, our gas team, they are also actively pursuing a gas grant. And that would hopefully bring in about $9 million. Next slide, please. 2:44:01: #&# Presentation slide 4, packet page 72 -- Projected Change in Residential Median Bill Commissioner Phillips: Can I ask a question? Should we ask questions as we go along? 2:44:03: Alexandra Harris: Um. 2:44:06: Commissioner Phillips: OK. 2:44:06: Alexandra Harris: Sure. 2:44:07: Commissioner Phillips: So, these grants -- these would be incremental to the budget we're going to see? So, this budget does not presume we win thesegrants? Or -- Is that correct? 2:44:15: Alexandra Harris: Correct. We have not reflected these grants until they are rec- -- until they're approved. 2:44:21: Commissioner Phillips: Very wise. But then we would -- that would be incremental, and would help pull forward some of what we're going to see in the budget? Is that correct? 2:44:30: Alexandra Harris: Um. Well, so what we did do, we programmed in the anticipated project costs, as fully as we could. But we did not bring up the revenue in anticipation of the grants, until we know the grant status. 2:44:47: Commissioner Phillips: Would receiving the grants allow us to reduce our rates? 2:44:51: Alexandra Harris: That is a good question. I think I will have to defer to Jonathan to answer that -- our interim rates manager. 2:45:04: Jonathan Abendschein: Um. Is this working? I'm on. OK. So, we did not include the gas rates -- included winning these grants -- in setting our gas rates this year. What I will say is that our reserves are in the ballpark of $8 [million] to $10 million below the minimum guideline right now. And so, I think, rather than allowing us to reduce rates, the -- any additional revenue freed up would probably go towards replenishing reserves. If multiple grants were received, it might --you know, it might replenish reserves to the point to -- that we could maybe phase in some of the later-year rate increases over a longer period. But one-time --when receiving one-time grant proceeds, it usually won't allow us to lower rates. 'Cause they're one-time cost savings, as opposed to ongoing cost savings. 2:46:12: Commissioner Phillips: Thank you. 2:46:14: Commissioner Mauter: May I ask just a quick question? 2:46:16: Alexandra Harris: Sure. 2:46:16: Commissioner Mauter: Are these federal or state grants? 2:46:18: Alexandra Harris: These are federal. The grid modernization grants are from the Department of Energy. 2:46:24: Commissioner Mauter: Great. Are you aware of a California-specific cost-share program where you can plus up federal grants by $1 million? 2:46:37: Alexandra Harris: No. It would probably ... 2:46:40: Commissioner Mauter: In future applications to DoE, as long as you apply to California CUC, ... 2:46:47: Alexandra Harris: Yes. 2:46:47: Commissioner Mauter: ... they will provide an extra $1 million supplement. 2:46:50: Alexandra Harris: OK. 2:46:50: Commissioner Mauter: So -- And that happens automatically if DoE selects it. So, ... 2:46:57: Alexandra Harris: Yeah. 2:46:56: Commissioner Mauter: ... keep in mind on future applications. But it has to get on the list of eligible grants, prior to applying. 2:47:05: Alexandra Harris: I would like to correct myself, though. I have kind of a narrow scope of the grants that we're applying for. But we can definitely confirm. Thank you. 2:47:18: So, this slide actually is a recap of rates that were presented to Council on April 17th, and also at the budget kickoff earlier this week, on Monday. We have new information, which impacts the water rates, that are not yet reflected in this table. Water rates are comprised of a distribution side and a commodity side, which is the cost to purchase the water. The commodity rates are passed through to the customers. And they're calculated based on SFPUC rate changes. Those are anticipated to change from 11.6 percent to 9.6 percent. This change will slightly reduce the water rates, which would decrease from 6 percent to 5 percent. About $5.90, down to $5.21, in the estimated monthly bill impact. Next slide, please. 2:48:10: #&# Presentation slide 5, packet page 73 -- ELECTRIC Alexandra Harris: So, for the following slides, we will go over the preliminary budgets by fund, starting with the electric fund. Copies of the preliminary budget are linked in staff report number 2302-0949. ###. This staff report is included in the packet for the 05-03-23 UAC meeting, on packet pages 67-110. https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/utilities-advisory-commission/archived-agenda-and- minutes/agendas-and-minutes-2023/05-may-2023/05-03-2023-packet-v2.pdf 2:48:29: #&# Presentation slide 6, packet page 74 -- ELECTRIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS & INITIATIVES Alexandra Harris: The first 5 links in the staff report go to a preliminary view of the Capital Budget. Those documents are organized by fund, and include a detailed budget summary table, and details per project. The last link goes to a preliminary view of the Utilities Operating Budget. That document is organized by fund, starting with an overview to various budget summary tables. And it ends with a detailed reconciliation from the prior year budget to this year's 2024 budget. So, we have 5 funds to run though. And if it's OK, we can try to answer questions at the end of the funds section. 2:49:13: So, kicking off the electric fund, we have some highlights of recent accomplishments. We recently launched our HP- -- um -- heat pump water heater program,and the related on-bill financing program. Continued to make good progress on our smart grid AMI project. And, in 2022, we completed a high-level grid modernization study, to evaluate the impacts of electrification loads. Recently, we also started construction to increase the physical security at our electricsubstations. Next, are some initiatives planned in the electric fund. We will continue our efforts to apply for grants. And explore any alternative fundingresources. Work on our electric grid modernization plan, which will kind of help tie everything together for the electrification efforts. And then, complete a newcost-of-services study. And -- oh, excuse me -- services ANALYSIS. And launch the new outage management system. Next slide, please. 2:50:23: #&# Presentation slide 7, packet page 75 -- ELETRIC PRELIMINARY OPERATING BUDGET EXPENSES Alexandra Harris: So, this slide shows the electric operating expenses for fiscal year '24, grouped by manor expense categories. So, if you're following alongin the linked documents, the budget summary tables for electric start on page 13 of the operating book. The key drivers for electric operating expenses comefrom utility commodity purchases, which are comprised of costs incurred from purchasing activities, to purchase energy. There's also expenses from the capital-- ###. There's a gap in the video. next slide, please -- 2:50:55: #&# Presentation slide 8, packet page 76 -- ELECTRIC PRELIMINARY CAPITAL BUDGET EXPENSES Alexandra Harris: Here we have a high-level view of the electric fund's five-year capital improvement program. Details by project can be found in thepreliminary capital budget link for the electric fund. For more visibility on this slide, we highlighted the grid modernization project. So it's its own category in theyellow bars. The first column on the left -- it provides the estimated year-end total for fiscal year '23. And then, after initial reappropriations have been made. So, we had already reappropriated $12.5 million from fiscal year '23 into fiscal year '24. That $12.5 million is already reflected in the second column to the left,with $54.9 million in total in fiscal year '24. So, -- Oh. Yes? 2:51:51: Commissioner Metz: Would this be a good place to address the question that I raised before, namely, what's in the electric fund grid modernization? Because Idid read the attached reference document, the -- number 8987. ###. Commissioner Metz is referring to this document:https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-minutes-reports/reports/city-manager-reports-cmrs/attachments/electric_cip_8987.pdfThe number "8987" is in the URL, but not in the text. And I didn't see anything in there either. So, I'd like to understand what's in that activity, since it's -- as you can see, it's the big chunk of the budget for electric -- capital budget for electric. 2:52:20: Alexandra Harris: It is. So, what we have here is just a very high estimate of the cost. Partly driven by the grant efforts. Further details, though, are in flux. So-- We do have that high-level study that was completed in December. A more in-depth one is on the way. Um. And I think if we do want further details, weshould probably come back to UAC with that information. The budget that we provided here was just very high-level and preliminary, so that there's moretransparency and awareness of how much it would cost to really go support a 100 percent electrification infrastructure. 2:53:07: Commissioner Metz: Right. That's exactly the question. What's in there? 2:53:11: Alexandra Harris: What's needed. Yes. There will be details about what's needed. Numbers of transformers that would have to be upgraded. That kind of information. I do believe it's forthcoming. 2:53:23: Commissioner Metz: OK. I mean, since it's between $200 [million] and $300 million, it seems like ... 2:53:27: Alexandra Harris: Yes. Definitely. And when ... 2:53:29: Commissioner Metz: Either ... 2:53:29: Alexandra Harris: ... writing it off for the grant as well, so -- 2:53:33: Commissioner Metz: OK. Thank you. 2:53:36: Alexandra Harris: Thank you for your patience. Um. I did want to spend a second to explain what reappropriations are, since we have some new members. So, reappropriations happen when work that was programmed for the current fiscal year is anticipated to continue on into the next fiscal year. For the ElectricFund, this is mostly due to limited engineering resources. And so, some of the projects had to be postponed. And then, there were also some intentionalpostponement, to try to align with the grid modernization efforts. There's also some supply chain issues. And it's actually -- we have some difficulty procuringtransformers. And so, those are just some examples of why we may reappropriate funds from one year to the next. Next slide, please. 2:54:37: #&# Presentation slide 9, packet page 77 -- ELECTRIC FUND HIGHLIGHTS Alexandra Harris: So, in summary, the Electric Fund fiscal year '24 revenues are approximately $265 million. This is about $80 million more than what wasadopted in the fiscal year '23 budget. This big discrepancy is mostly due to the fiscal year '23 adopted budget -- the retail sales revenue for the adopted did notreflect market spikes that happen throughout fiscal year '23. There was a mid-year alignment brought forward in the fiscal year '23 mid-year adjustments. So, ifwe compared it to the modified fiscal year '23 budget, it would actually be about a $10 million increase, instead of a $30 million. In addition to increases in retailsales, we also have at one -- we also reflect the debt financing we plan to go for, with the grid modernization project, to help fund it through some bonds. Andthere was that one-time $24 million revenue from the lawsuit that we won. I would like to quickly note the $24 million payment. It was received in fiscal year'23, but at the time we published this information, we were anticipating it for '24. So, if you happen NOT to see it in '24, it's still there. It just got received in '23. For fiscal year '24 expenses, we're looking at about $260 million. And most of this is comprised of that capital improvement expense. And then, also, thecommodity purchases. So, similarly, on the expense side, there were some market changes that happened in fiscal year 2023. So, if we actually compared thecommodity purchases to modified fiscal year '23 budget, it's about a $5.7 million difference, instead of $17 million. 2:56:41: #&# Presentation slide 10, packet page 78 -- Residential Electric Bill Comparison Alexandra Harris: For another data point, this slide shows the City of Palo Alto's residential electric bill, compared to PG&E and Santa Clara. Although the Cityof Palo Alto is lower than PG&E, we are slightly higher than Santa Clara, because they do generate their own electric power. Next slide, please. 2:57:06: #&# Presentation slide 11, packet page 79 -- FIBER Alexandra Harris: All right. And so, for those following along in the linked documents, the Fiber Fund starts on page 23. Oh. I'm sorry. I apologize. We wouldlike to take questions about the Electric Fund at this time. 2:57:25: Commissioner Metz: I had one question, which is, I looked at the rate increase, and didn't really understand that. So, maybe you can explain that. I mean, Iknow it was **. But the core rate was going up 21 percent. And it seemed like with the plush hydro that we expect to have the next two years, that shouldn't behappening. So, maybe just help explain that a little. 2:57:48: Alexandra Harris: Sure. So, um, we'll invite Johnathan, our rate manager, back. 2:57:52: Commissioner Metz: OK. 2:57:52: Alexandra Harris: Thank you. 2:57:55: Jonathan Abendschein: So, the story here is that electric rates -- electric revenues are about 20 percent below electric costs, going forward, for the long term. And so, there's a need to match revenues to costs. Now, normally, we would want to do that over several years. But the drought, combined with the FY 2023 electric price spikes, even with the hydro rate adjuster that we put in -- not all of that cost was passed through to customers. And so, reserves are very low in the electric utility. Fortunately, we were able to receive $24 million from a settlement with the federal government over our cost allocations in the federal hydropower project. We were able to use that to replenish our reserves somewhat. We were able to repay an outstanding internal loan to our Electric Special Projects Reserve. So, not only were operations reserves low, they also had outstanding internal loans to other reserves within the Electric Utility. So, we were able to repay those. And then, we have a reserve that we use to balance our hydroelectric from year to year. And our target for that reserve, to be able to have an adequate cushion, to manage through dry -- you know, dry periods is about $19 million. As of the end of last year, the reserve was $400,000. So, some of the money from that settlement also went toward the -- replenishing that reserve. With all of that in place, we felt comfortable enough recommending that we eliminate the hydroelectric rate adjuster. There was -- There were really good indicators for hydroelectric power generation around that time. We're expecting that a lot of the revenue from the strong hydro generation this year will go into replenishing this hydroelectric stabilization reserve. And the net effect -- So, we're not expecting to use that money to hold down rates, because that puts us in a bad position for future years. However, that replenishing of reserves that happened allowed us to remove the hydroelectric rate adjuster. And so, even with the 21 percent base rate increase, people will see a 5 percent decrease, on average, in their bills. So, we were able to give people a bill decrease, even though we're trying to put our electric utility on much firmer financial footing. Does that all make sense? It's a very complicated story. 3:00:52: Commissioner Metz: It sounds like it goes back to the hydro rate adjuster doesn't exactly match our costs. Is really kind of ... 3:01:01: Jonathan Abendschein: Well, that's part of it. And we're looking at -- You know, this is our first experience with the -- Well, and what it really goes back to is, holding down rates during the pandemic, for several years, ###. There's a gap in the video. [Commissioner] Metz. So people were able to benefit from lower rates for several years. And we're catching up from that. The hydroelectric rate adjuster -- You're right, the design could be improved, I think. This is our first experience putting it into effect, and I think we learned some things that we'd like to -- um --that we'd like to modify. 3:01:30: Commissioner Metz: Right. It's a little confusing, because we call it the hydro rate adjuster, but it really is something we charge for buying other electricity. Than when we do NOT have hydro. 3:01:39: Jonathan Abendschein: Well, that's true. 3:01:41: Commissioner Metz: Right? 3:01:41: Jonathan Abendschein: Yeah. To manage the impacts of lower hydroelectric generation. 3:01:46: Commissioner Metz: Right. OK. So, I guess I understand. It just seems like we're bulking up the core rate now ... 3:01:55: Jonathan Abendschein: Right. 3:01:55: Commissioner Metz: Which makes it kind of permanent. As opposed to something that would depend on future, you know, energy costs. 3:02:03: Jonathan Abendschein: Yeah. So, that's true. The -- It's somewhat true. Part of what's happening is that our long-term -- So, the hydro rate adjuster ismeant to manage hydroelectric variability. And there are some increases in our core costs -- our core continuing costs, unrelated to hydro. So, those aredriving the base rate increase. There are also long-term increases in the cost of energy, that are also part of that core rate increase. 3:02:45: Commissioner Metz: Right. 3:02:45: Jonathan Abendschein: At the same time, the -- you know, the -- the drought-related issues that were related -- that caused us to put the hydro rate adjuster inplace are easing, and so we're able to pull it off. And so, these two things offset each other. But it is not true that we are taking costs associated with thehydroelectric rate adjuster and putting them into the base rate. Because that hydro adjuster is meant to manage the variability associated with hydroelectric. 3:03:10: Commissioner Metz: Right. That's helpful. I guess if this were 7 percent, or even 10 percent, I wouldn't have flagged it. But it's 21 percent. 3:03:17: Jonathan Abendschein: Yeah. No. It's ... 3:03:19: Commissioner Metz: You know, to say that labor costs have gone up, or whatever other costs have gone up -- I mean, that's a lot. For one year 3:03:26: Jonathan Abendschein: It is. I will just point out that for the previous three years, this -- we had, I think, 0, 0, and 5 percent. 3:03:33: Commissioner Metz: Right. 3:03:33: Jonathan Abendschein: And when we look at the overall bill increase -- So, last year, because of the spikes, we saw about an 11 percent increase. If we go back to that chart on the overall rate increases, you can see the last -- that this year was about an overall 11 percent increase in the median residential bill. 3:03:55: Commissioner Metz: Right. 3:03:55: Jonathan Abendschein: But the previous two years were 1 percent increases. When you annualize it over those three years, ... #&# Presentation slide 9, packet page 77 -- ELECTRIC FUND HIGHLIGHTS (again) Jonathan Abendschein: it's about 4 percent increases. And utility rates -- 3:04:04: #&# Presentation slide 4, packet page 72 -- Projected Change in Residential Median Bill (again) Jonathan Abendschein: utility costs -- utility rates -- overall, nationwide, are increasing above inflation, because of aging infrastructure, and all the investmentthat's involved in that. 3:04:13: Commissioner Metz: Right. 3:04:13: Jonathan Abendschein: So, it looks like a lot, 'cause it's all packed into one year, but, you know, we really did hold things down there for a couple of yearsthere. 3:04:21: Commissioner Metz: OK. Well, thank you for mapping it out. 3:04:23: Jonathan Abendschein: Good. 3:04:29: Commissioner Croft: I have -- Sorry, I have a new-member question. Just on some of the categorization of the pie chart, versus the next page. So, whatmakes a capital improvement program -- What's the difference between what's in that bucket, versus the capital budget expenses on the following page? 3:04:51: Alexandra Harris: Are we talking the slide -- the pie chart -- and the slide -- 3:04:54: Commissioner Croft: The pie chart and the operating -- like, what makes something in the operating budget versus -- 3:04:59: #&# Presentation slide 7, packet page 75 -- ELECTRIC PRELIMINARY OPERATING BUDGET EXPENSES (again) (the pie chart) Alexandra Harris: Got it. So, the capital improvement program, on -- in the pie chart, that is the non-salary capital expenses for fiscal year '24. But the capitalimprovement program, although we adopt the capital costs for fiscal year '24, it's a five-year plan. And so in the bar chart .. 3:05:21: #&# Presentation slide 8, packet page 76 -- ELECTRIC PRELIMINARY CAPITAL BUDGET EXPENSES (again) (the bar chart) Alexandra Harris: what we see are the -- is the entire five-year plan. And so, in fiscal year '24, the $54.9 million -- that is a fully-loaded cost, including salaryand benefits for the capital improvement program in the electric fund. 3:05:37: Commissioner Croft: OK. Got it. So, that's -- The main difference is that it's not an entire picture in the pie chart. Did -- 3:0545: Alexadra Harris: Correct. In the pie chart, it took all the salary and benefits and combined it into one slice. 3:05:52: Commissioner Croft: Got it. Got it. OK. Thank you. 3:05:56: Alexandra Harris: You're welcome. 3:05:56: Commissioner Croft: I did have a question on the more detailed electric budget. 3:05:59: Alexandra Croft: Sure. 3:05:59: Commissioner Croft: Is now the time to ask that? 3:06:01: Alexandra Harris: Yes 3:06:02: Commissioner Croft: OK. So, there was a bump from '22 to '23 in the electric demand side management, from $2.9 million to $8.3 million. And I was justcurious. Like, what are we doing on the demand side that that cost went toward? We had a similar demand-side bump on the gas budget. And so, I was justcurious. Like, what falls in that bucket? 3:06:33: Alexandra Harris: Are you looking at the Operating Budget book, page 14? 3:06:37: Commissioner Croft: I'm looking at page 13 of -- I dug into the electric-specific budget. It was not in the packet. It was linked in the packet. 3:06:49: Alexandra Harris: Got it. ** 3:06:52: Commissioner Croft: Oh, sorry. I don't know. Yeah. I don't see a footnote on it. I can show you this, if you want. 3:07:02: Alexandra Harris: I think Jonathan will be able to answer. 3:07:04: Jonathan Abendschein: Yeah. So, a lot of what you're seeing is related to the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. So, we are -- For example, the cost ofthe advanced heat pump water heater pilot program is, I believe, $5.7 million. On top of that, we have multi-family electric vehicle charging -- 3:07:31: Commissioner Croft: OK. 3:07:31: Jonathan Abendschein: multi-family electric vehicle charging program, that has significant budget in it. And, also, we have -- you know, we're trying to rampup, and we have some ambitious goals around energy efficiency as well. Got new contracts in place. So, we are -- you know, we are going to expend thismoney, that's available to us, for cutting emissions and doing energy efficiency work. 3:07:57: Commissioner Croft: I'm glad we will be spending it. I just -- Yeah. So, it's good to know. I just was wondering. That's exactly the programs we've heardabout. So, that makes sense. Thank you. 3:08:13: Alexandra Harris: Do we have any more questions for the electric fund? #&# Presentation slide 11, packet page 79 -- FIBER (again) 3:08:22: Alexandra Harris: OK. So, the Fiber Fund starts on page 23, if you're following along in the linked budget documents. #&# Presentation slide 12, packet page 80 -- FIBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND INITIATIVES Alexandra Harris: We recently accomplished some major milestones for upgrading the fiber infrastructure. We completed 100 percent engineering design forthe City's fiber backbone and fiber to the premises -- or FTTP -- network. We received strong community interest in FTTP, collecting over 3,600 surveys fromthe community, and deposits from 700 residents. We also received approval from Council in December to proceed with a new fiber backbone project and phase 1 of the FTTP project. So, we're going to be staffing up and added two new dedicated fiber people: Dark Fiber Engineering ###: The staff report doesn't say that one of new positions should be for "dark" fiber engineering. In fact, that would be a mistake. The expertise we need is forFTTP. and a Marketing Analyst. Some upcoming fiber initiatives are plans to add fiber in the foothills, continue searching for alternative funding sources, and to issueconstruction bids and proposals related to the fiber backbone and FTTP projects. 3:09:33: #&# Presentation slide 13, packet page 81 -- FIBER PRELIMINARY OPERATING BUDGET EXPENSES Alexandra Harris: Most of the $36.75 million you see here is comprised of the capital improvement programs. So, that's coming from costs for the fiber backbone and the FTTP project, which we programmed into fiscal year '24. Other major expenses are Salary & Benefits and Allocated Charges. Allocated Charges are the internal overhead costs from internal services, such as IT or HR support. Next slide, please. 3:10:03: #&# Presentation slide 14, packet page 82 -- FIBER FUND HIGHLIGHTS Alexandra Harris: So, in summary, the Fiber Fund's fiscal year '24 revenues are anticipated to be $4.6 million. Most of this is attributed to a $200,000 increase in return on investments. And that's because the City's treasury has projected market increases due to inflation. Fiber expenses are anticipated to be about $37 million. This is a $32.2 million increase from fiscal year '23 adopted budget. And, again, it's mostly due to the investments in our capital improvement program, and additional staffing added to support the rollout of FTTP. 3:10:54: #&# Presentation slide 15, packet page 83 -- FIBER EXPANSION PLAN Alexandra Harris: This slide provides some additional background for the fiber expansion plan, because it is such a large infrastructure investment. For some context, the City has an existing fiber backbone network. A non-technical way to think about the fiber backbone expansion that I have in my head is that it's like we are repaving the road and adding some more lanes. FTTP, on the other hand -- we're not only building more fiber but we're also creating a new servicedelivery model, to offer fiber broadband internet to the community on a fiber network that we build. A non-technical way to think about the FTTP project is, it'slike we're adding roads in the driveways to individual premises. To help with the fiber expansion and FTTP project, Magellan, a municipal fiber consultant, hasbeen contracted with the City. Council also recently approved to amend and expand the Magellan contract to support the next phases of the fiber project. Andso, now we can take some questions for the Fiber Fund. 3:12:06: Commissioner Phillips: The only revenue on here is -- from this program is interest on money in the fund. Is that correct? 3:12:13: Alexandra Harris: Correct. So, the $4.6 million is just fiber -- Oh, the $4.6 million is fiber revenue from our existing dark fiber business. 3:12:24: Commissioner Phillips: Got it. 3:12:27: Chair Segal: Commissioner Forssell. 3:12:30: Commissioner Forssell: Quick question. The phased build-out of FTTP phase 1 and the initiative to add fiber in the foothills. Are those the same thing, or arethose completely different things? 3:12:45: Alexandra Harris: They're different. So, the fiber to the foothills -- it's more part of the fiber expansion plan. So, we would be ... 3:12:55: Commissioner Forssell: The extra lanes, if you will, and not the driveways? 3:12:57: Alexandra Harris: Correct. But also for the internal City's cameras and equipment -- 3:13:02 Commissioner Forssell: What facilities -- What City facilities are being connected up there? Out of curiosity. 3:13:07: Director Batchelor: So, if you remember -- Remember, we -- from -- we had some customers call us -- actually talked to all of us ... ###. Adobe Creek Networks.https://adobecreek.net/ 3:13:12: Commissioner Forssell: I DO remember that. 3:13:12: Director Batchelor: ... that -- up there? So, the thing is, we haven't been able to connect them yet. ###: So, does that mean that Adobe Creek Networks is not yet actually a customer? If they become a customer, will they be paying the City's standard darkfiber rates? So, the idea is to push the fiber back up, as we are undergrounding the electric line that's running through Foothills Park. So, we're going to combine those two. And then, the other thing is is that we have some reservoirs up there that don't have any fiber. So we have no security, per se. And then, also, there's going to be some links that are going to happen to the new police station. They want to do some site to site, using that. And then -- So, we want to push the fiber more up in that foothills area, so that -- Those are the two projects -- differences. And the phase 1 is more in town. 3:13:55: Commissioner Forssell: Got it. OK. So, the -- So, the dark fiber is being pulled up there both because there's just an opportunity, because undergrounding's happening anyway, and we always talk about when you're digging anyway. So, that's actually happening. But also -- But the dark fiber's being provided -- just as dark fiber -- to the community up there that wants internet access, and they're going to form their own ISP. 3:14:20: Dave Yuan: Right. The neighbors over there are trying to find a partner to help meet us at -- with the dark fiber spot. 3:14:26: Commissioner Forssell: OK. 3:14:26: Dave Yuan: And they would connect them to the ISP. 3:14:28: Commissioner Forssell: But unrelated to the phase 1. 3:14:30: Dave Yuan: That is correct. That's a separate endeavor. 3:14:30: Commissioner Forssell: Great. OK. Thanks. 3:14:37: Chair Segal: I have one question. I'm just not quite understanding -- the same question -- or related to what Commissioner Phillips was asking. So, we have$4.6 million on the dark fiber. I understand this. And this $200,000 on investment -- that's just the interest on the cash that's sitting there in the fund. And the$4.6 million revenue -- like, how much does it cost us for that $4.6 million? 3:15:02: Dave Yuan: The cost is pretty minimal -- it's just a -- really just the salaries and benefits. 'Cause the infrastructure has already been paid for, 20 years ago, andthere's very low maintenance. It just -- 3:15:13: Chair Segal: But like when we upgraded the University Avenue, and whatnot, that wasn't -- That was not insignificant. Right? 3:15:22: Dave Yuan: Right. 3:15:22: Chair Segal: How much is allocated to fiber expansion? 3:15:25: Dave Yuan: I think for that one, I think the fiber repaid about a million and a half towards that one. As a project. ###: On 04-09-18, Council voted to reduce what the Fiber Fund should pay for the Upgrade Downtown Project on University Avenue from $2,140,404 to$1,070,202.https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-minutes-reports/reports/city-manager-reports-cmrs/year-archive/2018/final-staff-report-id-9017_funding-allocation-for-upgrade-downtown-project.pdfI think that was still excessive. The questionable rationale was that the water, gas, and fiber utilities should pay equally for opening the trench, even thoughmost of the trench-opening expenses were due to the needs of the water and gas utilities. Council should really ask staff to propose principles for trench cost-sharing that make more sense. 3:15:31: Chair Segal: OK. Great. Thanks. 3:15:39: #&# Presentation slide 16, packet page 84 -- GAS Alexandra Harris: And now, I'll go ahead and pass the presentation on to Anna. 3:15:44: Anna Vuong: Thanks, Alex. All right. #&# Presentation slide 17, packet page 85 -- GAS ACCOMPLISHMENTS & INITIATIVES Anna Vuong: So, I'll be going over the Gas, Water, and Wastewater Funds. It's not as sparkly and interesting as Electric and Fiber, but -- And I might just zip through everything. So, please slow me down if you need to. OK. So, similar format to Alex's slides on Electric and Fiber, we have the gas accomplishments here. We've completed phase 3 of the crossbore program. So, for the new commissioners, the crossbore is when a utility line crosses through another. In this case, gas lines through a sewer lateral. To date, we've inspected over 9,000 laterals, and we have about 3,700 remaining. Overall, we found about -- a total of 27 crossbores to date. And for gas main replacement projects, the City replaces approximately 4 miles of gas mains every 2 years. We've completed the gas main replacement for 23. And project 24A. And we will be finalizing the designs for -- and going out to bid, actually -- for gas main replacement 24B. So, the gas main replacement projects -- to water and wastewater -- they're all -- project -- they're consecutive. Wrapped together. They're based on criteria of age of the pipe, the deterioration of the pipe, maybe even pipe material. And then, they're packaged together into a project number and ** funded in future years, as we'll see in the CIP slide. In initiatives, we will then ** the bid. We will complete work on the construction, and complete 24B. Our gas main 24B. We also have a gas decommissioning study slated for fiscal year '24, to meet the overall City S/CAP goals to reduce carbon emissions. And then, the electrification, we'll start a study in 2024 to evaluate the approach for downsizing the gas system, and identify potential locations for proof-of-concept. Another initiative is -- Due to the winter -- recent winter gas price spikes, staff will evaluate winter hedging strategies to mitigate future price spikes. And then, similar to Electric and Fiber, too, we mentioned looking to apply for the federal grants, as well, for the gas. All right. Next slide. 3:18:27: #&# Presentation slide 18, packet page 86 -- GAS PRELIMINARY OPERATING BUDGET EXPENSES Anna Vuong: This is the budget -- gas operating budget by category. Top 3 categories is purchases -- commodity purchases, CIP, and salaries & benefits. 3:18:44: #&# Presentation slide 19, packet page 87 -- GAS PRELIMINARY CAPITAL BUDGET EXPENSES Anna Vuong: And the next slide is our gas CIP program for the next five years. Um. In fiscal year -- Or, in the current year, we have $14.8 million in estimatesfor fiscal year '23. And we have programmed for fiscal year '24 is about $7 million. And it includes a little bit of the reappropriations -- about $300,000. Yousee that it's a big, tall bar in '23, because we have about $10 million for GMR [gas main replacement] 24A and -B already funded in 2023. And then, in '24,there's that -- it's a design year. '25, it's a construction year. But we've kind of -- We've spread it out in the next 5 years, so it's not that peak-and-valley that we're going to see. Or that we've seen here. 3:19:47: #&# Presentation slide 20, packet page 88 -- GAS FUND HIGHLIGHTS Anna Vuong: Um. Let's see. And then, we can -- Oh, yes. Thank you. [laughs] For the gas summary, revenues -- we'll see an increase of about $19.6million over the -- as compared to the fiscal year '23 adopted budget. This -- As we know, the high market prices this -- the fiscal year '23 adopted doesn'treflect those fluctuations. So, we'll see a $19.8 million in retail sales -- increase. And then, in the expenses, it's an increase of $6.2 million. And that will coverthe commodity purchases. I just want to note here that you see that negative $5.9 [million] capital improvement -- as I mentioned just in the previous slide -- it'sjust because we're moving from one year to the next. It's $10 million in '23, and then coming down to $5 million in fiscal year '24. And we have another slide 3:20:54: #&# Presentation slide 21, packet page 89 -- Residential Gas Bill Comparison Anna Vuong: It's a bill comparison. Palo Alto is -- Our Palo Alto median residential bill is about 11 percent below PG&E. That's all I have for Gas Fund. If youhave any questions. OK. Thank you. It's OK. [laughs] 3:21:26: #&# Presentation slide 22, packet page 90 -- WASTEWATER Anna Vuong: OK. The Wastewater Fund. 3:21:33: #&# Presentation slide 23, packet page 91 -- WASTEWATER ACCOMPLISHMENTS & INITIATIVES Anna Vuong: We've completed a design and construction for the project 31. Project 31 construction was actually programmed in fiscal year '24. Due tocoordination with CalTrains, we had to pull forward -- or, pull -- yeah -- pull forward funding from fiscal year '24 to '23. The -- CalTrain has a big repaving projecthappening at -- along Alma. And if we missed that, it's going to be another five years before it can come back to that area. And, actually, I think we canprobably consider Wastewater Project 30 as all an accomplishment, too. We have actually just wrapped -- about to wrap up. We have some punch list items inthere. So, not quite an initiative. We do have a Sewer Master Plan Study that's planned for fiscal year '24. We last did a master plan study in 2004. This willhelp us determine our present and future capacity for wastewater collection. It will also help us determine like the areas -- the future areas of the projects that --for replacement. And they're going to develop a hydraulic model, as well as a model for capacity analysis. Lots of engineering stuff. We've also replaced -- or,will also replace 39 monitoring units for sewer sanitary overflow throughout various areas of the City. That's been helpful in bringing down our overflownumbers. 'Cause it alerts us before the overflow happens. And then, we have construction of 31. That's, again, the one with coordination with CalTrain. 3:23:27: #&# Presentation slide 24, packet page 92 -- WASTEWATER PRELIMINARY OPERTING BUDGET EXPENSES (again) Anna Vuong: And for our wastewater operating expenses, our pie chart, the top categories are utility purchases -- which is actually the treatment plant. And it'sNOT CIP for this fund. And then, it's Allocated Charges and Salaries & Benefits. So, Allocated Charges, as Alex mentioned earlier, are internal services, withHR, IT, ASD. Our numbers -- The CIP is lower here in this fund because, again, in '24, we -- the funding that we had originally planned for 31 was movedforward. So, it looks like it's a lot lower. But it's really not, because we -- Once we encumber the contract this year, the activity's going to start in July. We'llhave to reappropriate or carry forward that contract to next year anyway. 3:24:21: Chair Segal: I have one question. So, almost half of the operating expenses is utilities. So, that's the gas and electric to operate the plant. Is that what that is? Or, what is -- 3:24:34: Anna Vuong: So, it's -- Oh. So, that's wastewater treatment charges. 3:24:43: Commissioner Phillips: So, that's the charges that the wastewater treatment plant charges us, which is proportional to our usage, relative to the others. And then, the Salaries & Benefits are the salaries and benefits of the people here. They're not part of those charges. So, that can be entirely considered separate. 3:25:00: Anna Vuong: Yes. They are separate. 3:24:01: Commissioner Phillips: Thank you. 3:25:09: Chair Segal: OK. So, 30 percent is electricity -- of that $12 million? 3:25:15: Dave Yuan: Yes. I think we share it with four or five different partners, like Mountain View, and whoever else. I think the City's share is about 30 something --32 percent. Currently. At the treatment plant. I think we are doing an assessment to see if that's the right percentage. Is that what you're asking? 3:25:31: Chair Segal: Yeah. I guess I'm just trying to understand what is encompassed in that Utility Purchases. It's half of the -- 3:25:37: Dave Yuan: Yeah. Those are just the treatment charges for the Regional Quality Plant. That's how much they charge us to -- 3:25:44: Chair Segal: To -- to clean our wastewater. OK. So, it's not utility in the sense of what we thing of it -- gas and electricity. It's operating the plant. 3:25:57: Dave Yuan: Yes. I think they just try to standardize the categories across all the different funds. So -- It should be called treatment charges, and notcommodity purchase. 3:26:06: Chair Segal: Right. 3:26:13: #&# Presentation slide 25, packet page 93 -- WASTEWATER PRELIMINARY CAPITAL BUDGET EXPENSES Anna Vuong: And then, our next slide is our capital improvement. So, as mentioned previously, we have a big spike in fiscal year '23. That's -- $5 million ofthat was originally in '24. And then, in fiscal years '25, '26, '27, '28, we actually do have some changes for the wastewater that's not reflected here. We areincreasing the replacement rate from 1-2.5 miles to 2.5 miles per year. ###. I think she meant from 1.2 miles per year to 2.5 miles per year. Right? And that's not shown here. It will be part of the adopted budget. We -- We'll see the spike start in '26. In fiscal year '26. It will go from $5.2 million forreplacement project to about $11 million. Per project. 3:27:14: #&# Presentation slide 26, packet page 94 -- WASTEWATER COLLECTION FUND HIGHLIGHTS Anna Vuong: And -- So, in summary, we -- in revenues, the wastewater fund -- wastewater collection fund -- will -- we're anticipating an increase of about $2.1million And that can be attributed to the rate increase. And in expenses, we have an increase of $700,000. And that's toward the treatment charge -- treatmentplant charges. They have a rehabilitation project, so I think we may see like incremental increases over the next couple years. Or few years. 7-10 years. Theyhave a big rehabilitation project. It's about $300 million, that they're -- 3:28:00: Chair Segal: But you don't expect that to start being imposed for another 7 -- It's not going to start for another 7-10 years? So those $300 million are outside ofthe five-year plan we're seeing here? 3:28:13: Anna Vuong: It's part of the financial forecast already -- in the wastewater treatment -- sorry, in the wastewater collection fund. We've already fore- -- includedthat forecast into the financial plan. For the -- these increases. 3:28:30: Dave Yuan: They're also going to be bond financing most of that money. So, we're only repaying the debt service part of it. Or 30 percent of it. 3:28:40: Anna Vuong: Yes. It sounds like a big number. It's not all for us. 3:28:45: Chair Segal: But we have about a third of it -- that $300 million. 3:28:50: #&# Presentation slide 27, packet page 95 -- Sewer Bill Comparison Anna Vuong: OK. And then, in our next slide, we have the -- some sewer bill comparison, for residential and non-residential customers. Residential, we have about -- we are about 28 percent below our comparison cities. And then, in the non-residential, for commercial-class customers, it's about 7 percent above. And then, for the restaurant-class customers, it's 12 percent below our city comparators. 3:28:22: Commissioner Phillips: Does the Regional Water Quality Plant -- Do they lease their land from us? Or rent it from us? 3:29:30: Anna Vuong: No, I believe they own it. Right? The City owns that -- 3:29:33: Commissioner Phillips: We own it. 3:29:36: Dave Yuan: [unamplified] They pay rent to the City, probably. Like we do for our substations and reservoirs. 3:29:42: Commissioner Mauter: Two very quick questions. Do we have a meter on our wastewater? Or is that referenced to water? 3:29:52: Amma Vuong: We don't have a meter for our wastewater. 3:29:53: Commissioner Mauter: OK. 3:29:53: Anna Vuong: It's based on the -- 3:29:56: **: Yeah. We do? 3:29:57: [staff huddle -- inaudible] 3:30:06: Anna Vuong: Did you catch that? For residential customers, it's a flat rate. For commercial customers, it's based on their water usage. 3:30:16: Commissioner Mauter: Great. And then, in terms of accelerating these lines, and these sewer line replacements, you know, aside from the fact that like whenthe road's dug up, like, you might be incentivized to replace it, is there a sort of data driven plan for -- and liking -- for when we decide to replace different partsof the lines? 3:30:40: Anna Vuong: Right. Yes. We do. So, the Sewer Master Plan that we're going to be doing this year will inform us of -- will provide more information about theage of the pipes. And the deterioration of the pipes as well. Yes, there is a ranking that they put together. 3:30:59: Commissioner Mauter: OK. 3:31:08: Chair Segal: Can you just remind us -- With the comparison cities -- And mostly, I'm curious why Hayward shows up there. It's seems a little bit -- surprising. 3:31;24: Anna Vuong: Oh. Jonathan's going to help us out with that question. 3:31:29: Jonathan Abendschein: You know, I -- I'm going to have to confer with a colleague. It's been a while since I looked at this one. But what I remember about Hayward is that they have -- they have a -- Maybe, first off, they are right across the Bay from us. And they have similar water supplies. And they have some water and wastewater rates that I think are a little bit on the low side. And I think there was a desire at some point to include them as a comparison city. And so, they were added in. But I would need to go back and talk to my colleague, Lisa Bilir, about the -- see if she remembers the history. 3:32:08: Chair Segal: And then, the other thing I just want to follow up. Did you say that we are hiring someone to take a look at our participation obligation for the plant? What percent? And any idea when that study will happen? 3:32:23: Dave Yuan: Yeah. I think that endeavor is being led by Water Quality. So Public Works is leading that effort. They're hiring a consultant, to check the flows of all the different cities. 3:32:36: Chair Segal: Great. I'm really glad to hear they're pursuing that. Commissioner Mauter. 3:32:48: Anna Vuong: Thank you. 3:32:53: #&# Presentation slide 28, packet page 96 -- WATER Anna Vuong: Now, on to our last fund. It's the water fund. 3:32:56: #&# Presentation slide 29, packet page 97 -- WATER ACCOMPLISHMENTS & INITIATIVES Anna Vuong: Our accomplishments. We mentioned the OneWater Plan. We began the community engagement and the development of the OneWater Plan. It's a 20-year water supply plan to address supply reliability. And the droughts and climate change. We will have complete -- We will have completed by Juneof '23 -- 2023 -- is the assessment of Park Reservoir, to determine whether or not -- to determine whether we're going to replace Park Reservoir or rehabilitatePark Reservoir. And, in terms of initiatives, once we have that assessment done, then we can go ahead and design and construct for Park Reservoir. We alsohave wrapping up the Water Main Replacement Project 28. And Project 29, actually, begins in fiscal year '24 as well. And then, next slide. 3:34:03: #&# Presentation slide 30, packet page 98 -- WATER PRELIMINARY OPERATING BUDGET EXPENSES Anna Vuong: Here, in our operating pie chart -- our operating expense pie chart -- we have -- the top three categories are the utility purchase of the watercommodity, the CIP program, and the Salaries & Benefits. 3:34:22: #&# Presentation slide 31, packet page 99 -- WATER PRELIMINARY CAPITAL BUDGET EXPENSES Anna Vuong: For the capital improvements five-year plan, we have in fiscal year '23, we have -- our current year total is $27 million. That's adopted budget. And we are estimating about $14.4 million of that will be spent, and reappropriating $12.6 [million] of that. Part -- the bulk of that would be the Park Reservoir. And the water system's ** improvements project, we have an initiative to replace the security cameras, as well as install generators at our booster pumps --booster stations and pump stations. And so, in fiscal year '24, the CIP for water fund is $26-point -- $26 million. And that includes that $12.6 [million]reappropriation that I just mentioned. 3:35:24: #&# Presentation slide 32, packet page 100 -- WATER FUND HIGHLIGHTS Anna Vuong: OK. And then, in summary, for the Water Fund, we anticipate an increase of $3 million in revenues. And that would be the -- at the point of timewhere we were doing -- putting the presentation together. It was a 6 percent rate increase. Now -- And for the adopted version -- the adopted budget, we'll beproposing a 5 percent rate increase. And then, in expenses, it's an increase of about $13 million. That includes the capital improvement. So, that would besome of the reappropriations from '23, as well as Water Main Replacement 29. And then, as well as an increase from the commodity -- the SFPUC commodityrate increase of what, at the time, was 11 percent, and now is 9.6 percent. OK. 3:36:23: #&# Presentation slide 33, packet page 101 -- Single-Family Residential Water Bill Comparison Anna Vuong: And then, our next slide is the water bill comparison for residential customers. Palo Alto is about 14 percent above our other comparative cities. We do have a proactive investment in our infrastructure. And we're 100 percent Hetch Hetchy. Some of these other cities might have ground water sources. 3:36:46: #&# Presentation slide 34, packet page 102 -- Commercial Water Bill Comparison Anna Vuong: And then, our next slide is our Commercial Water Bill Comparison, where we are 5 percent above comparison. I did note that we are gettingcloser. And we used to be higher than Redwood City. So, our -- the gap between how high we are compared to other cities is closing. 3:37:19: #&# Presentation slide 35, packet page 103 -- STAFFING Anna Vuong: And then -- Well, do you have any questions for the Water Fund? 3:37:29: Vice Chair Scharff: Um, ... 3:37:29: Chair Segal: Commissioner -- or Vice Chair Scharff. 3:37:32: Vice Chair Scharff: Thanks. I don't really have a question. I actually just wanted to give a comment. I actually just remembered why we use Hayward. One, I think it's because of BAWSCA. And we use it on this as well, because we -- they get Hetch Hetchy water as well. And then, a lot of cities actually don't do their own sewer. Like Fremont, and Newark, and Union City belong to Alameda County Water District, and I think Oakland and most of the other north Alameda counties ###. cities? belong to East Bay MUD. I think it's one of those that actually works. I remember something about that when we chose it, a long time ago. So, I just thought I'd throw that out, because it might help. 3:38:10: Anna Vuong: Great. Thank you. 3:38:11: Chair Segal: Thanks. Commissioner Phillips. 3:38:16: Commissioner Phillips: I guess I'm just curious about the Water Fund -- the difference between the revenues and the expenses. The $21 million gap. Maybe Imissed something, but -- 3:38:30: Dave Yuan: Yeah. I think part of it is because of the reappropriations. So, there's like $10 million of money that was encumbered in 2023, but we have movedthat to 2024. And then, the other reason is, we do have a healthier reserves in water, compared to the other utilities. Mostly, it's because of the deferral of CIPprojects in the past. And also during -- I think, during COVID, the revenues actually was higher than we projected, 'cause a lot of people working from home. And so forth. So -- 3:38:57: Commissioner Phillips: So, the $9.4 million -- the reappropriation -- is already covered -- in rev- -- because we already have the budget for that. And theremainder is going to come out of the reserves? Is that what I hear? 3:39:11: Dave Yuan: Yes. 3:39:13: Commissioner Phillips: And that will leave our reserves in a reasonable position? 3:39:16: Dave Yuan: Yes. It still is in a very healthy state. 3:39:24: Commissioner Croft: I guess I'll ask my question now, since it's a similar question. Before we go on to staffing. But it was about the budget. And, again, I'msorry, I don't know -- this is a page 8 of -- I was trying to find like just a summary of all the funds. Revenue and Expenses. And so, it's page 8 of -- I think it wasthe attached budget -- full budget. And so, the revenues are -- Sorry, the expenses are $470 million and the revenues are $413 [million] So, there's a bigdifference. This year -- Oh, sorry, for 2024 proposed budget. But then, if I look past -- '22 and '23 are the same. Like, there's a very large difference between -- the expenses being much, much higher than the revenues. Consistently. So, I was curious where that money came from. How are we covering thoseshortfalls. And so, I went to go look at the City budget. But we don't break it out by fund. So, it's really hard. You can't figure it out. So, what -- Are we justeating into reserves? Or is there some other place that the shortfall comes from? 3:40:35: Dave Yuan: Yes. So, a part of those expenses is reappropriation dollars. I don't know what the total might be. Around $20 million for 2024. I'm guessing. Roughly. But another thing is, for budget expenses, it's how much we're authorized to spend. We don't normally spend everything. So, for, like CIP, we onlyusually spend anywhere from 25 to 50 percent of our budget, depending on the time when we issue the project, and depending on staffing. And for our salariesand savings, we do have a 20 percent vacancy. So, that won't be spent as well. So, there's also Contract Services, that we may not have time to complete. So, I think what we realize, usually, is about -- I want to say 60 to 75 percent of our expenses we'll spend. So, even though we are authorized to spend more,we don't usually use it all. 3:41:23: Jonathan Abendschein: I can also add that when we reappropriate things from one year to another, we've collected the money for those expenses in rates. And so, you may ha- -- So, that will end up in reserves, and then get drawn down the following year. So, it's all factored into the long-term business plan, thelong-term rate plan. When that sort of inter-fiscal-year thing happens. 3:41:50: Commissioner Croft: So, do you have -- Just to follow up. So, this is happening repeatedly for three years, that we have a much bigger -- So, do we just have kind of a rule of thumb when we're doing our planning, that on the expense side, we're not going to spend it all? Like, just how do you come up with a budget, where you're so different, in terms of revenues and expenses, and feel comfortable with it? Like, how do you -- Is it due to that rule of thumb that you're talking about, where really the expenses you're expecting -- you never -- you never spend them all? 3:42:27: Dave Yuan: I would think yes. That is part of the dynamics of the budget to the actuals. It's probably better if you look at the prior year actuals, to see what the true spend rate is. So, you'll see that. Like, our budget actuals in prior years, in '21 and '22, the total expenses is more like $280 [million]-$320 million. And -- Whereas, that what we're budgeting this year is more like -- a lot more than what we're really able to spend. Like, if that money -- Again, there's like $50 million in the grid modernization project and the fiber to the premises. So, those dollars will get spent a little bit, but not the full amount. And that will be carried forward to the following year after that.. 3:43:06: Jonathan Abendschein: [unamplified] So, is this electric ** 3:43:08: Dave Yuan: No, that's everything. 3:43:10: Jonathan Abendschein: [unamplified] Oh. Everything. Yeah. Well, and then there's also some things in there that are going to be debt financed. And there'ssome things [cough] Right? 3:43:19: Jonathan Abendschein: [amplified again] Yeah. So, there are also some items in there that we're expecting to debt finance. So that's probably responsible forpart of it. And then we also have a practice of spending more on CIP in some years and less in other years. We're doing a main replacement project, forexample, every other year, so that we can have a larger project and be able to get more bids. And also manage staff capacity issues. And so, you'll see,sometimes -- Some years, you'll see high spending on capital and low spending the next year. And we take care of that through a capital reserve that wemaintain. So, there's -- that's what the -- Next year -- And we -- You -- We already brought this to the commission, but every year, we'll bring a -- essentially,a business plan -- a financial plan for each utility, that takes all of these varian- -- year-to-year variances into account, and maps them against the reserves. And against weights. And that's where we really do the checks, to make sure that the utilities are in a good financial position. 3:44:27: Commissioner Croft: OK. Thanks. I'll look forward to that. 3:44:30: Jonathan Abendschein: And we can forward those to you, too. 3:44:31: Commissioner Croft: OK. Awesome. 3:44:42: Anna Vuong: Any other questions? OK. All right. Well, we'll move on to staffing. 3:44:50: #&# Presentation slide 35, packet page 103 -- STAFFING (again) #&# Presentation slide 36, packet page 104 -- STAFFING -- Vacancies and Recruitments Anna Vuong: We touched on it a little bit with the Strategic Plan. But this just kind of goes back to it This slide here is on our vacancies and activerecruitments. Currently, we're at 57 vacancies. Um. To date. And that is about -- represents about a 22 percent vacancy. We do have 34 active recruitments,and we're able to do that with the help of the HR liaisons that we mentioned earlier. 3:45:22: #&# Presentation slide 37, packet page 105 -- STAFFING (continued) Anna Vuong: And in the next slide, here, is -- just kind of covers what Tabatha mentioned earlier. Despite our -- all the activity, we do have a net loss of 6positi- -- 6 FTEs. We've hired 30 new hires, from -- in the year -- calendar year '22, and the first three months of this year. We also have 23 promotions. Butthrough all of that shuffle, we did have 5 retirements and 36 separations -- oh, sorry, 31 separations. So -- for a net loss of 6. 3:46:02; #&# Presentation slide 38, packet page 106 -- STAFFING AND RETAINMENT STRATEGIES Anna Vuong: So, we don't quite catch up. Even through we have all this -- you know, all this work that we've been doing in filling the positions. OK. And ournext slide, for recruitment and retainment strategies, the recent, I think, commissioner -- or Councilman Lauing, you had mentioned that the negotiations -- youknow, the recent contract -- Right? -- we did raise -- there has been some market alignments. About a 10 percent to the market rate. And we'll continue thateffort as well. To be -- To reach market rate, or be more competitive. And then, we also have the flexible remote work in place, for the positions that areavailable to take advantage of that. And we have our new apprenticeship programs. One other thing to highlight is our cross training program with our meterreaders. Part of the AMI transition -- or post-AMI transition for that project is to provide our meter readers opportunities within the department -- other optionsas well. So, we did have one meter reader go to Customer Service, and another meter reader go to Water Transmission. And then, we do cross train when wehave full staffing in the meter reading position -- group. We do have full staffing via hourly positions. And so, when those are all full, we're able to provide ourfull-time guys -- and even the hourlies -- cross training opportunities. And then, let's see, we talked about career fairs. And retention. So, in the new contract, for -- with SEIU, we have a -- there's a hiring bonus and a retention bonus that they have put in. We will need some interpretation from HR, but it's on a case by case basis. So that should help, in terms of recruitments and retention as well. We'll see that maybe in the next couple months or a year. We'll get some data there. And, I think, -- 3:48:34: #&# Presentation slide 39, packet page 107 -- PROPOSED STAFFING REQUESTS Anna Vuong: Oh, one more thing. Proposed staffing for fiscal year '24. This is reflected in the various funds over the budget book. We have -- are proposing to increase our regular FTEs by 4.5 positions. And that's mostly in the Palo Alto Fiber. Um. With -- I think it's going to be a new division. And then, a .04 in the hourly. So, that -- our .04 is where we're going to increase an hourly position up to 1.0 FTE. Any questions on the -- on staffing in general? 3:49:20: Chair Segal: I think we spent a lot of time on staffing. [laughs] Thank you. 3:49:24: #&# Presentation slide 40, packet page 108 -- STAFF RECOMMENDATION TO UAC FOR APPROVAL Anna Vuong: OK. All right. And then, I think that is our recommendation slide. Do I have to read that out? OK. 3:49:39: Chair Segal: So, it's two different motions. ###: In theory, for action items, UAC should be able to make any motions it wants, not just the motions staff recommends. So, if anybody wants to move to recommend that Council approve the FY '24 utilities operating budget -- Do I have a motion to approve that? 3:50:02: Vice Chair Scharff: I'll move it. 3:50:04: Chair Segal: And a second. 3:50:05: **: [inaudible] ###. I don't know who seconded the motion. 3:50:06: Chair Segal: Great. So why don't we just go down the line, starting with Commissioner Croft. 3:50:12: Commissioner Croft: Approve it. 3:50:14: Commissioner Metz: Yes. 3:50:16: Commissioner Mauter: Yes. 3:50:18: Commissioner Forssell: Yes. 3:50:20: Commissioner Phillips: Yes. 3:50:22: Chair Segal: Vice Chair Scharff. 3:50:22: Vice Chair Scharff: Yes. 3:50:23: Chair Segal: And I approve as well. So, that passes. ###. 7-0 (unanimous). ###. In theory, unless the commissioners identify themselves, it may difficult to figure out who voted for and who voted against. And then the motion is to recommend that Council approve the FY2024 utilities capital budget. Do I have a motion? 3:50:40: Commissioner Phillips: I'll move that. 3:50:41: Commissioner Mauter: Second. 3:50:41: Commissioner Croft: I'll second. ###. I don't know which second counted as the official second. ###: At this point, I think it would have been good for Chair Segal to have asked whether any commissioners wanted to propose an amendment or substitute motion. 3:50:43: Chair Segal: OK. We'll start on that end, Commissioner. So -- 3:50:45: Commissioner Phillips: Yes. 3:50:46: Commissioner Forssell: Yes. 3:50:47: Commissioner Mauter: Yes. 3:50:48: Commissioner Metz: Recognizing the great amount of work that went into this, in the absence of any specifics on the grid modernization, I'm going to vote no. 3:51:00: Commissioner Croft: Yes. 3:51:01: Chair Segal: Vice Chair Scharff. 3:51:03: Vice Chair Scharff: Yes. 3:51:04: Chair Segal: And, yes. That carries as well. ###. 6-1 (Metz no). OK. Thank you for all the work on that. And now, I'll move to Commissioner Comments and Reports. ========================================================================================================================== From:Jethroe Moore To:abjpd1@gmail.com; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; Perron, Zachary; Josh Becker; HumanRelations Commission; Council, City; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael; Tannock, Julie; Sean Allen; Jeff Rosen;Barberini, Christopher; Shikada, Ed; Rebecca Eisenberg; chuck jagoda; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Jay Boyarsky Subject:Re: DC officer arrested for tipping off Proud Boys leader about his arrest - YouTube Date:Saturday, May 20, 2023 12:51:56 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/prevalence-white-supremacists-law-enforcement- demands-drastic-change-2022-05-12/ There is a problem and we keep arming and training these folks Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android On Sat, May 20, 2023 at 3:49 PM, Jethroe Moore <moore2j@att.net> wrote: What is needed is an op ed piece nothing long, we need to vet all officers. Much like the LA Sheriff's Department is doing searching for tattoos etc. Sent from AT&T Yahoo Mail on Android On Sat, May 20, 2023 at 2:36 PM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqd909z8Hmw> > > Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; Perron, Zachary; Josh Becker; Human RelationsCommission; Council, City; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael; Tannock, Julie; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; JeffRosen; Barberini, Christopher; Shikada, Ed; Rebecca Eisenberg; chuck jagoda; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; JayBoyarsky Subject:DC officer arrested for tipping off Proud Boys leader about his arrest - YouTube Date:Saturday, May 20, 2023 11:36:50 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqd909z8Hmw > > > Sent from my iPhone From:Henry EtzkowitzTo:Bette; Khonika Gope; daisy law; Rebecca Eisenberg; Kristina Loquist; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Council, City; Roberta Ahlquist; provost@stanford.edu; Jinx Lobdell; Marty Wasserman; Fox Ellen; mickie winkler; Ellen Granovetter; Terry BeauboisCc:W. James Hersh; Murray Phimester; Jim Hersh; Mary Rorty; Jinx; Firoozeh Dastmalchi; herb.el@comcast.net; Ray Tourzan; joanskurnick@gmail.com; Henry Etzkowitz; Bette KiernanSubject:Re: Philosophy DiscussionDate:Friday, May 19, 2023 10:04:28 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Bette, if you don’t protest, and find others who care to join with you, what are the chances? Next? Ever smaller list of possibilities, with billiards, ping pong, children’s puzzles, knock hockey, NY Times gone; screening room closed for movies but not yet gutted. Sent from my iPhone On May 18, 2023, at 12:01 PM, Bette <betteuk@aol.com> wrote: Is that permanent?? What’s next!? Bette Kiernan, MFT 1540 Oak Creek Drive 407Palo Alto, CA 95304 (650) 324-3639betteuk@aol.comhttp://www.betteconsulting.com The content of this email is confidential and intended for the recipient specified in the message only. If you received this message by mistake, please reply to this message, and follow withits deletion. On Thursday, May 18, 2023, 7:26 AM, W. James Hersh <hershj@salve.edu> wrote: Dear Philosophers, Very Important!!!Please bring the handouts from yesterday’s class, the Rorty essay, to our next class on June 6th. That’s 3 weeks from now, not 2. The Clubhouse no longer has a copyingmachine. Thank you so much,Jim Sent from my iPhone On May 17, 2023, at 5:28 PM, james hersh <james.hersh@icloud.com> wrote: Thx, Murray, Jim Sent from my iPhone On May 17, 2023, at 5:26 PM, Murray Phimester <murray.phimester@gmail.com> wrote: A link to Simon Schama’s 15 part documentary “A History of Britain”. <a-history-of-britain.jpg> A History of Britain (2000)watchdocumentaries.com I watch them on my iPad and airplay them onto my TV. Cheers! Murray Sent from my iPhone On May 17, 2023, at 2:34 PM, Jim Hersh <hershjim2@gmail.com> wrote: We meet today in the Clubhouse theater at 3. Jim Sent from my iPhone On May 16, 2023, at 1:14 PM, james hersh <james.hersh@icloud.com> wrote: Yes, we’ll be missing you too, Mary,Jim Sent from my iPhone On May 16, 2023, at 11:13 AM, Mary Rorty <mrorty@gmail.com> wrote: Will miss seeing y’all! Sent from my iPhone On May 14, 2023, at 4:00 PM, james hersh <james.hersh@icloud.com> wrote: Dear Philosophers, We will meet again this Wednesday (May 17th) to continue our discussion on the philosopherRichard Rorty and the psychologist James Hillman. Despite being in two very different fields, thereseems to be a lot of agreement between them, particularly on the imagination. But there are also areasof apparent disagreement. We will try to sort these out. Looking forward to seeing you again! Jim Sent from my iPhone On Apr 30, 2023, at 2:15 PM, W. James Hersh <hershj@salve.edu> wrote: Dear Philosophers, I’ll see you this Wednesday May 3rd at 3 to continue our conversation on James Hillmanon “fiction” and on the “Renaissance.” Please bring your handouts from last time ifpossible. Jim Sent from my iPhone On Apr 16, 2023, at 7:37 AM, Jim Hersh <hershjim2@gmail.com> wrote: Dear Philosophers, See you this Wednesday at 3 to continue our discussion of John Rawls,Richard Rorty, and James Hillman on the subject of “poeticized culture.” Jim Sent from my iPhone On Mar 12, 2023, at 10:28 AM, james hersh<james.hersh@icloud.com> wrote: Dear Philosophers, We meet at 3 on Wednesday this week (in the Clubhousetheater) to continue our discussion on Carl Jung. We will lookat his theory of archetypes and begin a look at the mostprominent Jungian thinker of our own time, James Hillman. Looking forward to seeing you again. Jim Sent from my iPhone On Feb 27, 2023, at 9:30 PM, W. James Hersh<hershj@salve.edu> wrote: Dear Philosophers, I forgot to tell you that on Wednesday we will bemeeting in the theater in the Clubhouse, instead ofin the large room. Turn left at the top of the stairs;we are in the room across from the copy machine. See you Wednesday,Jim Sent from my iPhone On Feb 26, 2023, at 12:23 PM, JimHersh <hershjim2@gmail.com> wrote: Dear Philosophers, We will meet this Wed March 1st todiscuss the psychological theories ofCarl Jung (Swiss, 1875-1961). We willlook at two of his models of the psycheand think about something he said:“The most important discovery ofmodern psychology is the “soul”(psyche) is images. Soul, or psyche,exists in images. It follows ineluctablythat images like psyche are alsosubstances, psychic substancespossessing psychic reality.” (1949) This is a topic of great interest to me;about 1/3 of my doctoral degree wasspent reading Jung’s “CollectedWorks.” See you Wednesday, Jim Sent from my iPhone On Feb 15, 2023, at 8:20AM, W. James Hersh<hershj@salve.edu>wrote: Dear Philosophers, Just a reminder that we aremeeting today in theClubhouse at 3. Sent from my iPhone On Feb 12,2023, at 9:28AM, jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, We will meetagain thisWednesday at3 in theClubhouse. We willfinish ourdiscussion onHeideggerand the Nazisand thenmove on totwopsychologists,Carl Jung andJamesHillman, bothof whom havedeepphilosophicalrelevance. Much of myPhD programwas spentreadingJung’sCollectedWorks and Iwas fortunateto share a nicefriendshipwith Hillmanwho lecturedthree times atmy university(he published3 of mypapers inSpring, theJungianjournal). Lookingforward toseeing you,Jim Sent from myiPad OnFeb1,2023,at7:55AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, Justareminderthatwe meettodayat3intheClubhouse. :)Jim SentfrommyiPad OnJan29,2023,at2:22PM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, SeeyouonthisWedFeb1stat3intheClubhousetocontinueourdiscussionofHeideggerandtheNazis. I’vemissedyou,Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan24,2023,at7:17AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, Sosorry,butIhavetocancelourclasstomorrow(WedJan25th).ItestedpositiveforCovidyesterdayandneedtoisolatefor afewdays.Arghhh! Ifeelgreat,likeamildcold.ButI’mmissingyouguys.AndHeideggermustbemissingus. SoournextclasswillbeNEXTWEEKonWednesdayFebruary1standwewillbebackonourscheduleofmeetingonthefirst&thirdWednesdaysofeverymonth. Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan16,2023,at1:41PM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: Thankyou,Henry&ChunyanJim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan16,2023,at11:40AM,HenryEtzkowitz<h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote: Bewell collegialbestwishes HenryandChunyan SentfrommyiPhone OnJan16,2023,at11:38AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, I’mrestingupfrommybriefCovidbout,sowewillnotbemeetingthisWednesdayJanuary18th.Nextweek,WedJanuary25th,wewillbeginmeetingagain(myhomeCovidtestwasnegativethismorning…yay!).Thanksforallthewellwishesandgroceries!Verykind. Seeyounextweek,Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan8,2023,at7:41AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, WewillmeetthisWednesday(“godwillingandthecreekdon’trise!”)at3intheClubhousetocontinueourdiscussiononHeideggerandtheNazis. I’vemissedyou!Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnJan1,2023,at10:35AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: HappyNewYearMyDearPhilosophers! WewillmeetthisWednesdayJan4,2023tocontinuediscussingHeidegger’srelationtoanddifferencesfromtheNazis.Thiswillfocusonhisphilosophyofart. SeeyouWedat3attheClubhouse, Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnDec19,2022,at7:44AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, RememberthatwedonotmeetthisWedDecember21.WeWILLmeetnextweekDecember28. Havegreatholidays! Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnDec12,2022,at2:06PM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, IneedtochangeournextmeetingfromWednesday,December21sttoWednesday, December28th.PleasemarkyourcalendarsandbringyourHeideggerhandoutswithyou(ifyoutookonehome)…thanks. HappyHolidaystooneandall! Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnDec5,2022,at12:51PM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com>wrote: DearPhilosophers, WewillbemeetingthisweektobegindiscussingtheGermanphilosopher,MartinHeidegger(1889-1976). HeandWittgensteinaregenerallyregardedasthemostsignificantphilosophersofthefirsthalfofthe20thCentury.Hehadhadaprofoundimpactontheanti-global-warmingmovement. SeeyouWednesday, Jim SentfrommyiPhone OnNov3,2022,at6:54AM,jameshersh<james.hersh@icloud.com> wrote: DearPhilosophers, I’mgoingtobeusingthisemailaccount(james.hersh@icloud.com)tosendoutfuturenoticesofourphilosophymeetings.Ifyouneedtoreachme,thisemailaddresswillworkbest. IreallyenjoyedourWittgensteindiscussionyesterday.OurnextmeetingwillbeonWednesdayNovember16at3-4:30intheClubhouse. Lookingforward, Jim SentfrommyiPhone From:Aram JamesTo:Binder, Andrew; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Human Relations Commission; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; MichaelGennaco; Josh Becker; Joe Simitian; Rebecca Eisenberg; ladoris cordell; Shikada, Ed; chuck jagoda; Shana Segal; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Enberg, Nicholas;Perron, Zachary; Angie Evans; Javier Ortega; Cecilia Taylor; Foley, Michael; Figueroa, Eric; Council, City; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; dennis burns; TinaBoales; Kevin Jensen; DuJuan Green; Cindy Chavez Subject:Judge finds Contra Costa DA’s filing practices are racist, dismisses gang charges in murder case Date:Friday, May 19, 2023 5:12:51 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachmentsand clicking on links. eastbaytimes.com Judge finds Contra Costa DA’s filing practices are racist, dismisses gang charges in murder case Nate Gartrell 6–8 minutes MARTINEZ — In a first-of-its kind ruling statewide, a judge on Friday dismissed gang charges against fourBay Area men under the Racial Justice Act, ruling that Contra Costa prosecutors have disproportionatelytargeted Black people with enhancements that open the door for sentences of life in prison without parole. It is a case already under heavy scrutiny because two of the defendants were directly referenced in racist andbraggadocios text messages sent by Antioch police officers who investigated their alleged crimes. The texts— part of a much larger scandal involving racism, alleged civil rights violations, and dozens of impugnedofficers — made light of injuring the men during their arrests and referred to Black people in explicitly racistways. Earlier this week, county prosecutors formally conceded that the racist texts by Antioch officers constituted aseparate violation of the Racial Justice Act, and said they’ll debate the appropriate legal remedy before ajudge at a later date. Contra Costa Judge David Goldstein’s Friday ruling did not take into consideration any of the racist texts.Rather, Goldstein looked solely at filing practices of the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, dating backa decade and found ample evidence of a “significant statistical disparity” showing Black people are moreoften targeted with special circumstances gang charges. It is a ruling that calls into question dozens of othercriminal cases over the past 10 years, involving some of the most serious charges on the books. In making his decision, Goldstein relied on data that both prosecutors and defense attorneys largely agreedupon, which showed that Black people were either 8 percent or 6 percent more likely to be charged withspecial circumstance gang enhancements than people who weren’t Black. A data pool of 89 defendants — 48of whom were Black — showed that Black people faced such enhancements 62 percent of the time, comparedto roughly 53 percent for the non-Black defendants. County prosecutors urged Goldstein to use a 91-defendant data pool, which eased the margins but still showed a clear racial disparity, Goldstein said. “I assure everyone that I don’t take this decision lightly in any way,” Goldstein said in court Friday. Goldstein threw out special circumstances enhancements against four men — Eric Windom, Terryon Pugh,Keyshawn McGee, and Trent Allen, — who are accused of fatally shooting a man to benefit an Oakland gang.His ruling does not affect the underlying murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy counts. Friday marks the second time that prosecutors in Contra Costa County have made California history byviolating the Racial Justice Act, a new state law intended to weed out racism in the superior courts. LastOctober, Judge Clare Maier ruled that a county prosecutor used “racially coded language” that “evoked racialstereotypes of African American men” during a two-defendant murder trial and threw out murder convictionsfor both men. Maier’s ruling dealt specifically with a portion of the act that refers to a prosecution’s statements during trial,while Goldstein’s ruling cited a different subsection that covers an entire DA office’s charging practices. Evan Kuluk, a lawyer with the county’s Alternate Defender’s Office, was an attorney of record in both cases.In a written statement to this newspaper, Kuluk noted that Goldstein found the Contra Costa DA’s office hasno best practice guidelines in place to identify implicit bias in the way criminal cases are filed. “The impact of today’s ruling is an acknowledgement that racial bias infects every stage of the criminal legalprocess,” Kuluk said. For many defense attorneys in Contra Costa, Friday’s ruling was a seen as a vindication after years of callingon Contra Costa prosecutors to audit their own filing decisions. Diana Becton — the first woman and firstBlack person ever to serve as Contra Costa DA — partnered with the Vera Institute in 2019 in a projectintended to identify implicit bias in the way cases are prosecuted, but has yet to release the underlying datapublicly. Chief Public Defender Ellen McDonnell said Goldstein’s ruling “drives home the unfair charging practicesthat too often result from the role of implicit bias in our legal system.” “Testimony in this case demonstrates that the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office does not have policies,procedures, or guidelines for imposing life without parole enhancements, which causes implicit bias toinfluence charging decisions,” McDonnell said in an email to reporters. “This has a disparate and damagingimpact on Black people and leads to the dramatic overrepresentation of black people in our county’s criminallegal system.” An hour after Goldstein’s ruling, demonstrators took to the streets of Martinez to protest the Antioch PoliceDepartment in a march that started downtown and ended at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, a few feet fromwhere a Black Lives Matter mural was defaced in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020. Participantsincluded several plaintiffs in a recently filed civil suit intended to secure federal oversight of the Antiochpolice department, as well as Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe, who has called for all the officers who sent racisttexts to be fired. The racist texts were discovered after the FBI seized phones of several officers amid an ongoing criminalinvestigation into more than a dozen current and former law enforcement officials who worked in Antiochand Pittsburg. With the criminal probe still looming, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced apolicies and practices investigation into the Antioch police department last week, saying that internal datasuggested “concerning” civil rights abuses. On top of all that, an Antioch officer was recently fired and placedunder criminal investigation for allegedly beating a man during an arrest last year. “As the city of Antioch continues to grapple with the reality that its police department is plagued with deepinstitutional racism, I will continue to focus on ensuring that this issue is not conveniently swept under therug,” Thorpe said in a statement to reporters Friday. “Under my watch that will not happen.” -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RJAimplementation" group.To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email torjaimplementation+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.To view this discussion on the web visithttps://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rjaimplementation/025901d98a94%24f8a55d00%24e9f01700%24%40gmail.com.For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. To unsubscribe from the OSPD_AB_2542 list, click the following link:http://listserv.state.ca.gov/wa.exe?SUBED1=OSPD_AB_2542&A=1 From:Aram JamesTo:Binder, Andrew; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Human Relations Commission; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; MichaelGennaco; Josh Becker; Joe Simitian; Rebecca Eisenberg; ladoris cordell; Shikada, Ed; chuck jagoda; Shana Segal; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Enberg, Nicholas;Perron, Zachary; Angie Evans; Javier Ortega; Cecilia Taylor; Foley, Michael; Figueroa, Eric; Council, City; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; dennis burns; TinaBoales; Kevin Jensen; DuJuan Green; Cindy Chavez Subject:Judge finds Contra Costa DA’s filing practices are racist, dismisses gang charges in murder case Date:Friday, May 19, 2023 5:12:49 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachmentsand clicking on links. eastbaytimes.com Judge finds Contra Costa DA’s filing practices are racist, dismisses gang charges in murder case Nate Gartrell 6–8 minutes MARTINEZ — In a first-of-its kind ruling statewide, a judge on Friday dismissed gang charges against fourBay Area men under the Racial Justice Act, ruling that Contra Costa prosecutors have disproportionatelytargeted Black people with enhancements that open the door for sentences of life in prison without parole. It is a case already under heavy scrutiny because two of the defendants were directly referenced in racist andbraggadocios text messages sent by Antioch police officers who investigated their alleged crimes. The texts— part of a much larger scandal involving racism, alleged civil rights violations, and dozens of impugnedofficers — made light of injuring the men during their arrests and referred to Black people in explicitly racistways. Earlier this week, county prosecutors formally conceded that the racist texts by Antioch officers constituted aseparate violation of the Racial Justice Act, and said they’ll debate the appropriate legal remedy before ajudge at a later date. Contra Costa Judge David Goldstein’s Friday ruling did not take into consideration any of the racist texts.Rather, Goldstein looked solely at filing practices of the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, dating backa decade and found ample evidence of a “significant statistical disparity” showing Black people are moreoften targeted with special circumstances gang charges. It is a ruling that calls into question dozens of othercriminal cases over the past 10 years, involving some of the most serious charges on the books. In making his decision, Goldstein relied on data that both prosecutors and defense attorneys largely agreedupon, which showed that Black people were either 8 percent or 6 percent more likely to be charged withspecial circumstance gang enhancements than people who weren’t Black. A data pool of 89 defendants — 48of whom were Black — showed that Black people faced such enhancements 62 percent of the time, comparedto roughly 53 percent for the non-Black defendants. County prosecutors urged Goldstein to use a 91-defendant data pool, which eased the margins but still showed a clear racial disparity, Goldstein said. “I assure everyone that I don’t take this decision lightly in any way,” Goldstein said in court Friday. Goldstein threw out special circumstances enhancements against four men — Eric Windom, Terryon Pugh,Keyshawn McGee, and Trent Allen, — who are accused of fatally shooting a man to benefit an Oakland gang.His ruling does not affect the underlying murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy counts. Friday marks the second time that prosecutors in Contra Costa County have made California history byviolating the Racial Justice Act, a new state law intended to weed out racism in the superior courts. LastOctober, Judge Clare Maier ruled that a county prosecutor used “racially coded language” that “evoked racialstereotypes of African American men” during a two-defendant murder trial and threw out murder convictionsfor both men. Maier’s ruling dealt specifically with a portion of the act that refers to a prosecution’s statements during trial,while Goldstein’s ruling cited a different subsection that covers an entire DA office’s charging practices. Evan Kuluk, a lawyer with the county’s Alternate Defender’s Office, was an attorney of record in both cases.In a written statement to this newspaper, Kuluk noted that Goldstein found the Contra Costa DA’s office hasno best practice guidelines in place to identify implicit bias in the way criminal cases are filed. “The impact of today’s ruling is an acknowledgement that racial bias infects every stage of the criminal legalprocess,” Kuluk said. For many defense attorneys in Contra Costa, Friday’s ruling was a seen as a vindication after years of callingon Contra Costa prosecutors to audit their own filing decisions. Diana Becton — the first woman and firstBlack person ever to serve as Contra Costa DA — partnered with the Vera Institute in 2019 in a projectintended to identify implicit bias in the way cases are prosecuted, but has yet to release the underlying datapublicly. Chief Public Defender Ellen McDonnell said Goldstein’s ruling “drives home the unfair charging practicesthat too often result from the role of implicit bias in our legal system.” “Testimony in this case demonstrates that the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office does not have policies,procedures, or guidelines for imposing life without parole enhancements, which causes implicit bias toinfluence charging decisions,” McDonnell said in an email to reporters. “This has a disparate and damagingimpact on Black people and leads to the dramatic overrepresentation of black people in our county’s criminallegal system.” An hour after Goldstein’s ruling, demonstrators took to the streets of Martinez to protest the Antioch PoliceDepartment in a march that started downtown and ended at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, a few feet fromwhere a Black Lives Matter mural was defaced in the wake of George Floyd’s murder in 2020. Participantsincluded several plaintiffs in a recently filed civil suit intended to secure federal oversight of the Antiochpolice department, as well as Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe, who has called for all the officers who sent racisttexts to be fired. The racist texts were discovered after the FBI seized phones of several officers amid an ongoing criminalinvestigation into more than a dozen current and former law enforcement officials who worked in Antiochand Pittsburg. With the criminal probe still looming, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced apolicies and practices investigation into the Antioch police department last week, saying that internal datasuggested “concerning” civil rights abuses. On top of all that, an Antioch officer was recently fired and placedunder criminal investigation for allegedly beating a man during an arrest last year. “As the city of Antioch continues to grapple with the reality that its police department is plagued with deepinstitutional racism, I will continue to focus on ensuring that this issue is not conveniently swept under therug,” Thorpe said in a statement to reporters Friday. “Under my watch that will not happen.” -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RJAimplementation" group.To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email torjaimplementation+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.To view this discussion on the web visithttps://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rjaimplementation/025901d98a94%24f8a55d00%24e9f01700%24%40gmail.com.For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. To unsubscribe from the OSPD_AB_2542 list, click the following link:http://listserv.state.ca.gov/wa.exe?SUBED1=OSPD_AB_2542&A=1 From:Aram James To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Veenker, Vicki; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Council, City; Human Relations Commission; Binder, Andrew; Wagner, April; Michael Gennaco; Josh Becker; Joe Simitian; Jeff Rosen; Rebecca Eisenberg; ladoris cordell; Shikada, Ed; Shana Segal; Jay Boyarsky; Enberg, Nicholas; chuck jagoda; Perron, Zachary; Javier Ortega; Angie Evans; Cecilia Taylor; Supervisor SusanEllenberg; Cindy Chavez; dennis burns; DuJuan Green; Kevin Jensen; Barberini, Christopher; Perron, Zachary; Tina Boales; DianaDiamond; Gennady Sheyner; EPA Today; Betsy Nash; Vara Ramakrishnan Subject:Why are we giving police more resources when we know they don"t keep us safe Date:Friday, May 19, 2023 4:39:28 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links. Dear Aram, Congress is set to pass bills that will not make our communities any safer. The "InvestTo Protect" Act would give police officers resources to expand their forces when we know that will not make our communities safer1. "Invest to Protect" and other bills aimed atexpanding the number of police officers send a message to the public that we need morepolicing when we know that isn't true. Funding for more police has already been boosted atthe state and local levels. Providing additional federal funding would be used by police tocriminalize further and incarcerate members of our communities. We must tell our legislators we don't need to give police more money to recruit officersto threaten our community members with incarceration. We do not need more policing. We need Congress to focus on funding real solutions andpolicies to keep our communities safe, including investments in community-led solutions ineducation, housing, health care, economic opportunity, and youth programs. We call on lawmakers to say “No” to the" Invest To Protect" Act. We've seen police departments across the country expand their budgets.2 We also knowdifferent legislative solutions would be more successful — and far less harmful — in keepingour communities safe. We do not need Congress to pass legislation giving law enforcement more money to expand police forces. Since the murder of George Floyd in 2020, there has been no congressional actionaimed at reforming our flawed policing system. Instead, Congress has consistentlyprioritized law enforcement over our communities' well-being, sending a clear message thatlawmakers are willing to stand with the police at the expense of Black people. Make sure your voice is heard! Sign now to tell your congressional representative tooppose the Invest to Protect Act. Until Justice Is Real, Sakira Cook Vice President of Campaigns, Policy and Government Affairs Color Of Change References: 1. Cortez Masto, C. (2023, March 30). S.1144 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): Invest toprotect act of 2023. Congress.gov. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/396246?t=8&akid=56908%2E1456029%2ED2Bwro2. Beck, B. (2022, April 14). We analyzed 29 years of police spending in hundreds ofcities. Slate Magazine. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/396247?t=10&akid=56908%2E1456029%2ED2Bwro Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folksand our allies, and win real social and political change. Email us Color Of Change relies on donations from people like you, not corporations orlobbyists who don’t share our values. But if you’d like to remove yourself from ourfundraising and special offer emails, you can opt out. If you wish to opt back in,send an email to members@colorofchange.org. If you’re absolutely sure you don’t want to hear from Color Of Change again, clickhere to unsubscribe. From:Tran, Joanna To:Council, City Cc:Executive Leadership Team; Clerk, City Subject:Council Consent Questions: Items 6 and 7 (5/22/23) Date:Friday, May 19, 2023 1:43:46 PM Attachments:image001.pngimage003.pngimage004.pngimage006.pngimage007.pngimage008.pngimage009.png Dear Mayor and Councilmembers, On behalf of City Manager Ed Shikada, please view the following links for the amended agenda and staff responses to questions from Councilmember Tanaka for Monday night’s Council Meeting: May 22 Amended Agenda Staff responses to Items 6 and 7 Thank you, 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:Charlie Weidanz To:Council, City Subject:REGISTRATION EXTENDED: Palo Alto Community Survey Workshop Date:Friday, May 19, 2023 11:47:05 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Register Now for the Palo Alto Community Survey Workshop City of Palo Alto Many nonprofits are evaluating purpose, services and impacts after the pandemic. Join the City of Palo Alto staff as they share the results of thesurvey. The City seeks community-wide feedback through the Palo Alto Community Survey. The Palo Alto Community Survey process is a critical communityfeedback tool that helps the City Council and City staff understand community perspectives on current services and programs, as well as unmet needs and priorities. Working collectively is key to sustainability and impact. This workshop will help your organization gain data and insight for strategic decision-making. Let’s network with city staff and council to evaluate our work and align more with our community’s unmet needs and priorities. SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday, May 24 at 9:00 am Register Here ZOOM Link will be sent out prior to event This email was sent on behalf of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce 355 Alma St Palo Alto, CA 94301.To unsubscribe clickhere. If you have questions or comments concerning this email or services in general, please contact us by email at info@paloaltochamber.com. From:Aram James To:Burt, Patrick; Shikada, Ed; Lauing, Ed; Greer Stone; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Council, City; Veenker, Vicki; Human Relations Commission; SeanAllen; Jethroe Moore Subject:Lythcott-Haims finds allies in her challenge over speaking fees | News | Palo Alto Online | Date:Friday, May 19, 2023 10:46:59 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.________________________________ https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/05/19/lythcott-haims-finds-allies-in-her-challenge-over-speaking-fees?utm_source=express-2023-05- 19&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=express&utm_source=Embarcadero+Mailing+List+%28including+SLJ+Members%29&utm_campaign=361f297179- EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_05_19_05_00&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ba1b002ad7-361f297179-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Binder, Andrew; Barberini, Christopher; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; Perron, Zachary; Jethroe Moore;Sean Allen; Human Relations Commission; Council, City; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael; Joe Simitian; Tannock,Julie; Council, City; Planning Commission; Josh Becker; Rebecca Eisenberg Subject:Housing Segregation and Redlining in America: A Short History | Code Swi... Date:Thursday, May 18, 2023 10:44:51 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/O5FBJyqfoLM Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Council, City; Human Relations Commission; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; dennis burns Subject:Jameel Douglas in Magenta"s "Just Cruise 2" Date:Thursday, May 18, 2023 8:00:27 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/SHK_VSyp1D0 Sent from my iPhone From:Kevin Stevenson To:Council, City Subject:Palo Alto, Fiber Network Date:Thursday, May 18, 2023 2:20:50 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from kevin@app-render.us. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello, I'm reaching out as a resident of High St. in Palo Alto. Our service from Comcast recently hasbeen questionable, with common speeds of 1-2 megabits per second down. As we've been working from home more since the pandemic, this has incredibly negative impacts on ourproductivity. I was heartened initially to see Palo Alto was considering building it's own fiber network, but then saddened to learn that it was met with internal resistance. I don't get too upset, but it issilly that reliable fast internet isn't definitely easy to come by in the heart of the Silicon Valley, or at least not for residents. AT&T, and Google seem to not have available fiber networkshere, despite other local bay area cities having them available. Anyways, just writing to say that I'd fully support a city network, and look forward to ways I can show that support, or work toward a better internet future. Best,Kevin Stevenson From:Charlie Weidanz To:Council, City Subject:Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce News & Updates - May 18, 2023 Date:Thursday, May 18, 2023 2:10:16 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. NEWS & UPDATES - MAY 18, 2023 Palo Alto Community Survey Peninsula Restuarant Week Leadership Palo Alto 2023-2024 Information Reception Avenidas Lifetimes of Achievement Palo Alto Street Map & Guide Sponsorship Opportunities Palo Alto Community Fund is Hiring! Palo Alto Festival of the Arts, Aug. 26-27 Last Chance: Register Now for the Palo Alto Community Survey City of Palo Alto Many nonprofits are evaluating purpose, services and impacts after the pandemic. Join the City of Palo Alto staff as they share the results of the survey. The City seeks community-wide feedback through the Palo Alto Community Survey. The Palo Alto Community Survey process is a critical community feedback tool that helps the City Council and City staff understand community perspectives on current services and programs, aswell as unmet needs and priorities. Working collectively is key to sustainability and impact. This workshop will help your organization gain data and insight for strategic decision-making.Let’s network with city staff and council to evaluate our work and align more with our community’s unmet needs and priorities. SAVE THE DATE:Wednesday, May 24 at 9:00 am Mark your calendar. It’s the Peninsula’s biggest food event of the year! Come join us! We are celebrating our local eateries for 9 days, with special dishes andgift card giveaways. This foodie centric event is sure to please your taste buds! From May 19th until the 27th, come check out this sweet event, filled with your favorite local restaurants (and discover some new ones too). See which restaurants are participating with our online directory. Want to win gift cards to local restaurants? Visit @peninsulafoodist and @thesixfifty on Instagram for details on how to Register Here ZOOM Link will be sent out prior to event See Participating Restaurants win from May 17 - May 27. Winners will be chosen at random. Presented by Partnered with Leadership Palo Alto Information Reception Leadership Palo Alto 2023-2024 Information Reception Thursday, June 1, 2023 5:30pm to 7pm Location: The Avant 4041 El Camino Way Palo Alto, CA 94306 Join us for an informational reception. Learn about our Leadership Palo Alto Program. Light refreshments served. Register Now Avenidas Presents Lifetimes of Achievement Avenidas Lifetimes of Achievement The Avenidas Lifetimes of Achievement will be held on Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 3 to 5pm here in Palo Alto. The 2023 Honorees have beenchosen and they are truly an amazing group! This year we will honor: Loretta Green, Karen Ross, Roger Smith, Anne Warner Cribbs, and Jane Shaw & Peter Carpenter. We are looking for individual or company sponsorships as these gifts make it possible for Avenidas to provideessential services that impact the lives of our community’s older adults. Whether your gift enables frail seniors to receive care at our Rose Kleiner program, provides rides to the grocery store for seniors who no longer drive, or matches older volunteers with children who need help reading,each dollar helps older adults live more independent, healthy, and connected lives. I hope you will be able to join us for this wonderful celebration. Thank youfor considering becoming a sponsor. You can find moreinformation here or contact Amy Yotopoulos at ayotopoulos@avenidas.org. Palo Alto Street Map & Guide Sponsorship Opportunities Map Icon The Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be working with the marketing firm of Town Square Publications to produce a brand-new, up-to-date, full-color Palo Alto Street Map & Guide. This publication will be the only official map endorsed and distributed by the Palo Alto Chamber. This accurate, user-friendly map will be the perfect resource for the thousands of visitors to our area annually that we hope will enjoy all that PaloAlto has to offer and who will help our community prosper. Our representative from Town Square Publications is Tom Stroup, and he will be contacting you shortly to review in detail the benefits ofparticipation. Remember, that limited spaces are available and allocated on a first-response basis. Thank you for your continued support of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce. Palo Alto Community Fund (PACF) PALO ALTO COMMUNITY FUND IS HIRING! Director of Development Join our dynamic small team at the Palo Alto Community Fund (PACF) during a time of historic growth. PACF raises funds from the local community to invest in the nonprofit organizations that serve Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. We seek a high energy teammate who is ready to jump in and do just about everything, including streamline and strengthen fundraising systems, gather and analyze data, inspire prospective and current donors, write thank you notes and enthusiastically ask for money! Our Director of Development will make the mostof our highly engaged PACF board and new Salesforce CRM as we build awareness and fuel our ambitious growth. This is a half time position with some time in our office in downtown Palo Alto. See full job description which includes how to apply here. Administrative Associate Are you organized and energetic? Join our dynamic small team as the Palo Alto Community Fund (PACF) amidst a high growth period. PACF raises funds from the local community to invest in the nonprofit organizations that serve Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. We seek a can-do, flexible individual who is willing to jump in and do whatever is needed, including trips to the post office,calendar management, supporting PACF’s fundraising and grantmaking efforts, and logistics for events. This is a part time, hourly position. Our office is in downtown Palo Alto across from the Caltrain station. Find the full job description including how to apply here. Palo Alto Festival of the Arts - Celebrating 40 years Celebrate the 40th Annual Palo Alto Festival of the Arts! Mark your calendar and join us for your favorite arts festival along University Avenue Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 26-27, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be fun for all ages. The Festival will feature more than 250 fine art and contemporary craft artists, an interactive Kids’ Art Studio, Italian Street Painting, live entertainment on multiple stages, food, wine and microbrews. SPONSORS: Businesses interested in branding, promotional and lead generation sponsorship opportunities at this well-attended Festival may contact Claudette Mannina at 831-461-1796 or claudette@designingleads.com. ARTISTS: Applications by fine or contemporary artists are being accepted for space or waiting list consideration. Email Pacific Fine Arts Festivals at pfa@pacificfinearts.com. See full Festival details at www.paloaltochamber.com/festival. Hope to see you Aug. 26-27! This signature event is proudly hosted by: Proceeds from this event help the Chamber continue supporting our business community. See Our Upcoming Events Learn More About The Chamber PALO ALTO CHAMBER & VISITORS CENTER 355 ALMA STREET | PALO ALTO | CA | 94301 | 650-324-3121 WWW.PALOALTOCHAMBER.COM This email was sent on behalf of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce 355 Alma St Palo Alto, CA94301.To unsubscribe click here. If you have questions or comments concerning this email orservices in general, please contact us by email at info@paloaltochamber.com. This email was sent on behalf of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce 355 Alma St Palo Alto, CA 94301.To unsubscribe clickhere. If you have questions or comments concerning this email or services in general, please contact us by email at info@paloaltochamber.com. From:Aram James To:Sheriff Transparency; Michael Gennaco; Shikada, Ed; Jeff Rosen; Reifschneider, James; Sean Allen; JethroeMoore; Human Relations Commission; Binder, Andrew; Wagner, April; Council, City; Joe Simitian; RebeccaEisenberg; Kevin Jensen; DuJuan Green; dennis burns; ladoris cordell; Barberini, Christopher; Figueroa, Eric;Tannock, Julie; Foley, Michael; EPA Today; Gennady Sheyner Subject:L.A. County sheriff"s deputies ordered to show suspected gang tattoos - Los Angeles Times Date:Thursday, May 18, 2023 11:30:53 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-17/dozens-of-lasd-deputies-ordered-to-show-suspected-gang- tattoos-reveal-others-who-have-them Sent from my iPhone From:Elizabeth Goldstein Alexis To:Council, City Cc:Nadia Naik; Bhatia, Ripon; Kamhi, Philip; Ellson, Penny Subject:Rail committee meeting review of grade separation alternatives Date:Thursday, May 18, 2023 9:56:50 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Unfortunately, I have a family emergency and cannot attend today's meeting so I amsubmitting these comments. Charleston 1)Traffic roundabout. I would strongly encourage a design concept that is much more of a u-turn facility than a full roundabout. There is little need for a full roundabout and this offers the possibility of allowing east bound cars to merge down to one lane before deciding to gostraight or go into the u turn lane. It would be very useful to see an analysis of the maximum cars that could be accommodated by a turnaround facility assuming that traffic is pulsed from the different directions usingcoordinated light signals. Currently the approach is to forecast future traffic and try and accommodate 2) Bicycles should be encouraged to cross at the light at Carlson, instead of at theroundabout/u-turn facility. 3) The right hand turn onto Charleston East from Alma south should be no turn on red, toallow alternating traffic with through Charleston vehicles. 4) The bicycle facility on the northwest side of the train tracks (Charleston and Park) shouldutilize the full lot, as it will need to be purchased. 5) I am still not convinced that access to Ely needs to be limited. The original reason waswhen the traffic circle was located at the Mumford intersection. Now that it is before, there is limited additional benefit to cutting through from what exists already today.6) Lane width should be narrowed from 12 feet to max 11 feet, like Meadow. Meadow 1) I believe the designs need substantial reworking to minimize infrastructure build out nearAlma Plaza. I also think though that this is an opportunity to improve a very problematic area which confuses bicyclists and motorists. 2) The bicycle crossing at proposed location would present serious safety issues. Can the 2way cycle track be extended to the next intersection where an improved crossing could be available for all modes? 3) The bike crossing should be a separate structure from the auto one, like Charleston Charleston and Meadow1) I would heartily endorse the concept of mitigating construction issues by pre-building another bike/ped crossing in the vicinity. This would then also provide another alternativewhich would minimize cyclists crossing on "wrong side". 2) I previously recommended a "quality of service" analysis which would look at the major origin-destinations for cyclists and look at how trips would change, taking into account anydifference in routing based on new infrastructure. I don't believe that has been done yet and I think it would be very helpful in understanding why bike lanes on each side of the road in anaerial/hybrid solution would not be much more helpful than what is proposed or even less advantageous as far as travel times go, weighted by O-D data. 3) The bike vertical required clearance should be no more than 8 feet and the rail bridgeshould be as thin as possible to minimize the dip required. It would be very helpful to at least provide alternative profiles with these assumptions. 4) We should consider limiting "shield lane" widths such that total width could accommodateone car pulled over. The underpass is very short and it seems excessive to have full lanes on both side. Regards,Elizabeth From:Sandy PerryTo:Gardener, LizCc:Palo Alto Forward; Palo Alto Renters" Association; Roberta Ahlquist; Council, City; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Sheryl Klein; Robert Chun; Steve Levy; scottoneil; Lauren Bigelow; Summa, Doria; mathew@siliconvalleyathome.org; Jennifer Loving; Wong, Tim; Van Der Zwaag,MinkaSubject:Re: Two Crucial Housing Events: in Person and VirtualDate:Thursday, May 18, 2023 9:53:57 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Slater’s book Freedom to Discriminate is essential reading for anyone advocating affordable housing today - it takes up where the Color of Law left off & describes the inner workings of the “real estateindustrial complex” that is working to kill our affordable housing programs even as we speak. Sandy On May 18, 2023, at 1:21 AM, Liz Gardner <Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com> wrote: Hi All, Here a couple of upcoming local & state housing events: 1) A San Mateo County History Museum presentation , author Gene Slater, Freedom to Discriminate: How Realtors Conspired to Segregate Housing and Divide America. $6general $4 seniors or Students Saturday, May 20, 1pm 2200 Broadway. Redwood City. (Note: Accommodate time for parking and construction in and around the location) Description linkas follows: https://historysmc.org/courthouse-docket/ And Cal-Matters “virtual or in Person: may 23 8:30 am to 9:30 am . What it entails to become a first time homeowner in today’s highly volatile California housing market: Link to registration.No cost but your your email and name. https://events.calmatters.org/homeownership?_gl=1*ddjvca*_ga*MTM5OTIzNDAxMS4xNjg0Mzk1NzM4*_ga_5TKXNLE5NK*MTY4NDM5NTczOC4xLjEuMTY4NDM5NjU4NS42MC4wLjA.&_ga=2.266071951.1049428877.1684395739-1399234011.1684395738 Just a heads up and an FYI. Thank you. Sincerely, Liz -- Liz Gardner From:Liz GardnerTo:Palo Alto Forward; Palo Alto Renters" Association; Sandy Perry; Roberta Ahlquist; Council, City; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Sheryl Klein; Robert Chun; Steve Levy; scottoneil; Lauren Bigelow; Summa, Doria; Mathew@siliconvalleyathome.org; Jennifer Loving; Wong, Tim;Van Der Zwaag, Minka Subject:Two Crucial Housing Events: in Person and Virtual Date:Thursday, May 18, 2023 1:21:46 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Hi All, Here a couple of upcoming local & state housing events: 1) A San Mateo County History Museum presentation , author Gene Slater, Freedom to Discriminate: How Realtors Conspired to Segregate Housing and Divide America. $6 general$4 seniors or Students Saturday, May 20, 1pm 2200 Broadway. Redwood City. (Note: Accommodate time for parking and construction in and around the location) Description link as follows: https://historysmc.org/courthouse-docket/ And Cal-Matters “virtual or in Person: may 23 8:30 am to 9:30 am . What it entails to become a first time homeowner in today’s highly volatile California housing market: Link to registration. Nocost but your your email and name. https://events.calmatters.org/homeownership?_gl=1*ddjvca*_ga*MTM5OTIzNDAxMS4xNjg0Mzk1NzM4*_ga_5TKXNLE5NK*MTY4NDM5NTczOC4xLjEuMTY4NDM5NjU4NS42MC4wLjA.&_ga=2.266071951.1049428877.1684395739-1399234011.1684395738 Just a heads up and an FYI. Thank you. Sincerely, Liz -- Liz Gardner From:Aram James To:Binder, Andrew; Shikada, Ed; Jethroe Moore; Josh Becker; Sean Allen; Human Relations Commission; Council,City; Joe Simitian; Michael Gennaco; Reifschneider, James; Jeff Rosen; Rebecca Eisenberg; ladoris cordell; chuckjagoda; Shana Segal; Jay Boyarsky; Vara Ramakrishnan; Cindy Chavez; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Wagner,April; Enberg, Nicholas; Perron, Zachary; Angie Evans; Javier Ortega; Cecilia Taylor; Linda Jolley Subject:Pregnant and homeless in Los Angeles: Meet McKenzie - Los Angeles Times Date:Wednesday, May 17, 2023 10:36:06 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Compelling! Heart wrenching! https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-07-13/pregnant-homeless-tent-los-angeles-hollywood-mckenzie Sent from my iPhone From:Loran Harding To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; Leodies Buchanan; bballpod;beachrides; David Balakian; bearwithme1016@att.net; fred beyerlein; boardmembers; dennisbalakian; CathyLewis; Chris Field; Council, City; Dan Richard; Doug Vagim; dan.richard@earthlink.net; dallen1212@gmail.com;Daniel Zack; eappel@stanford.edu; Scott Wilkinson; Gabriel.Ramirez@fresno.gov; George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu;hennessy; huidentalsanmateo; Irv Weissman; Sally Thiessen; Joel Stiner; jerry ruopoli;karkazianjewelers@gmail.com; kfsndesk; leager; merazroofinginc@att.net; Mark Standriff; Mayor; margaret-sasaki@live.com; newsdesk; nick yovino; news@fresnobee.com; russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve Wayte; terry;tsheehan; vallesR1969@att.net Subject:Fwd: Good report by CNBC on Cal HSR. Date:Wednesday, May 17, 2023 10:28:44 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>Date: Wed, May 17, 2023 at 10:05 PM Subject: Fwd: Good report by CNBC on Cal HSR.To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org> Wednesday, May 17, 2023 Doug- Thanks for this piece on HSR. I shall build some comments around it and get thatout to 50 parties. Notice that China builds 1,000 miles of HSR per year. SF to LA will be 580 miles or something. Scroll at the end to see the good CNBC vid on California HSR. Dreary recitation: Germany has a huge HSR system, as does France, as does Spain, as doesItaly, as does Japan, as does S. Korea. We provide a free military defense to each and every one of them. The seats on their trains must articulate so the riders can be bent double laughingat the suckers, the prize suckers, the American people. We ride on Amtrak stock and Amtrak does great work trying to make it work. Before I saw this vid, I found several vids in the past 24 hours about HSR in Europe. DB inGermany has taken delivery of a brand new HSR train model. Bigger, roomier, on and on. SO NOW, THE COUNTRIES IN EUROPE ARE COMPETING TO SEE WHO CAN GET THEBEST NEW NEW MODEL OF HSR TRAIN. The companies who operate the trains are competing to see who has the latest and best new train set. You can't just say they have HSRand we don't. You have to say that they keep improving and upgrading their HSR, all of it indirectly funded by the suckers, the American people. It's not another Viet Nam, but it ISanother royal screwing of the American people by the United States government. We provide their military and they use that money for HSR and a lot more. Here is a vid about the new train of DB in Germany, the ICE 3 Neo. First run on December5, 2022 between Frankfurt and Koln. 200 meters long, eight wagons, 320 KM or 200 mph. It is a beauty: I hope the CHSRA is watching these developments as it considers rolling stockfor our system. Germany’s incredible BRAND-NEW high-speed train – the ICE 3neo - YouTube And here is a new HSR train in Spain running Barcelona to Madrid. Notice they go throughGuadalajara, Spain, 20 minutes from Madrid. When the Spaniards founded Guadalajara, Mexico in 1542, they maybe thought that few additional people would cross the Atlantic, sothey wouldn't see where they got the name. The Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620, so see how much earlier the Spanish were in getting into the new world. Cortez landed in 1519,101 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth rock. IRYO: Europe’s NEWEST High-Speed Train is THE BEST – here’s why… - YouTube The wonderful Chuck Shumer got the bulk of the rail money in the infrastructure bill diverted to the NE corridor by using blackmail. All Californians should remember that as theycancel their vacation plans to New York. Hey Chuck- That was our tax money you took. We want it back! Dan Richard looks and sounds great in this video. We used to trade emails at 1AM aboutHSR. I still think he would make a tremendous President of the United States. But we suckers can't have the best. We get Biden, Harris or Trump. This is like living in the WeimarRepublic, and you know where that led. Loran L. William Harding Fresno, Ca. On Tue, May 16, 2023 at 10:18 PM Doug Vagim <dvagim@gmail.com> wrote:Hi, Loran. Here's a good and comprehensive report on Cal HSR by CNBC. "Why California’s High-Speed Rail Is Taking So Long:" https://youtu.be/FgHSYHXFfwg They included an interview with Dan Richard who gave a good defense of the SJV route instead of simply following the I5 alignment. From:Aram James To:Foley, Michael; Tannock, Julie; Reifschneider, James; Binder, Andrew; Wagner, April; Barberini, Christopher;Figueroa, Eric; Josh Becker; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Council, City; Human Relations Commission; MichaelGennaco; Joe Simitian; Jeff Rosen; Shikada, Ed; Rebecca Eisenberg; ladoris cordell; Shana Segal; Jay Boyarsky;Enberg, Nicholas; Perron, Zachary; Angie Evans; chuck jagoda; Cecilia Taylor; Javier Ortega; Supervisor SusanEllenberg; dennis burns; DuJuan Green; Kevin Jensen Subject:It was extremely disturbing": Police chief on discovering officer"s hate-filled online comments - YouTube Date:Wednesday, May 17, 2023 4:59:52 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ > FYI: > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjX0FnEDTuI > > > Sent from my iPhone Some people who received this message don't often get email from andreena.narayan@paramount.com. Learn why this is important From:Horrigan-Taylor, Meghan To:Narayan, Andreena; Council, City; City Mgr; Clerk, City; PWD; Info, Plandiv; Building Cc:@KPIX News Assign. Editors Subject:RE: KPIX request: Chef José Andrés’ restaurant at Stanford gets go-ahead? Date:Wednesday, May 17, 2023 1:47:19 PM Attachments:image001.pngimage002.pngimage003.pngimage004.pngimage007.png Good Afternoon Andreena, Thank you for your email. For an update on the Stanford Shopping Center Gas Utility service connection matter, go here. Best, Meghan MEGHAN HORRIGAN-TAYLOR Chief Communications Officer (650)329-2607 | Meghan.Horrigan-Taylor@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org From: Narayan, Andreena <Andreena.Narayan@paramount.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2023 1:06 PM To: Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; City Mgr <CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>; Clerk, City <city.clerk@cityofpaloalto.org>; PWD <pwd@cityofpaloalto.org>; Info, Plandiv <Plandiv.Info@cityofpaloalto.org>; Building <Building@CityofPaloAlto.org> Cc: @KPIX News Assign. Editors <KPIXNEWSASSIGN.EDITORS@CBS.COM> Subject: KPIX request: Chef José Andrés’ restaurant at Stanford gets go-ahead? CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello City of Palo Alto, KPIX would like to confirm reports chef José Andrés’ restaurant at Stanford Shopping Center has received the go-ahead. Do you have a statement or comment confirming the report? Palo Alto gives the go-ahead to chef José Andrés' restaurant at Stanford center (mercurynews.com) Thank you, Andreena Narayan KPIX Freelance Assignment Editor From:Narayan, Andreena To:Council, City; City Mgr; Clerk, City; PWD; Info, Plandiv; Building Cc:@KPIX News Assign. Editors Subject:KPIX request: Chef José Andrés’ restaurant at Stanford gets go-ahead? Date:Wednesday, May 17, 2023 1:06:59 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from andreena.narayan@paramount.com. Learnwhy this is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello City of Palo Alto, KPIX would like to confirm reports chef José Andrés’ restaurant at Stanford Shopping Center has received the go-ahead. Do you have a statement or comment confirming the report? Palo Alto gives the go-ahead to chef José Andrés' restaurant at Stanford center (mercurynews.com) Thank you, Andreena Narayan KPIX Freelance Assignment Editor From:Whitney McNair To:Henry Etzkowitz Subject:RE: Request for Meeting Date:Wednesday, May 17, 2023 12:39:32 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from wmcnair@stanford.edu. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. I’m happy to meet you 1:1 today at 4:00. See you then, Whitney Whitney McNair 650.799.4380 | wmcnair@stanford.edu From: Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2023 12:01 PM To: Whitney McNair <wmcnair@stanford.edu>; Dorien Detombe <doriendetombe@hotmail.com>; Marty Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com>; Hersh Jim <hershj@salve.edu> Cc: Office of the Provost <provost@stanford.edu>; Rebecca Eisenberg <rebecca@rebecca4water.com>; Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; Jinx Lobdell <jinxlobdell@comcast.net>; Kristina Loquist <Kristina.Loquist@bos.sccgov.org>; City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Orna Rosenfeld <Orna@ornarosenfeld.com>; Christiane Gebhardt <christiane.gebhardt@t-online.de> Subject: Re: Request for Meeting Whitney Confirmed as one on one, only did not hear back that you were interested in meeting other oak creek residents. I am not willing to meet with Gary. I have been meaning to respond to “Office” query of why he is not included in my correspondence list. He defamed and bullied me, the latter in the Precise UK sense of the term. I wrote requesting evidence for his claims. No response; requested public apology to all colleagues present at the second meeting and to oak creek residents, in writing. I recall that the Provost was copied with this request, so will assume it is available to you Best Henry Co-Organizer Community of Oak Creek Residents Sent from my iPhone On May 17, 2023, at 11:00 AM, Whitney McNair <wmcnair@stanford.edu> wrote: Henry, I want to confirm our meeting today at 4pm in the clubhouse. Have you invited any other people to attend? I’ve asked Gerry Norris to come today. See you at 4:00, Whitney Whitney McNair 650.799.4380 | wmcnair@stanford.edu From: Whitney McNair Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 12:09 PM To: 'Henry Etzkowitz' <h.etzko@gmail.com> Subject: RE: Request for Meeting OK, that works for me. Whitney McNair 650.799.4380 | wmcnair@stanford.edu From: Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:50 AM To: Whitney McNair <wmcnair@stanford.edu> Subject: Re: Request for Meeting Whitney In person 17th Wednesday 4pm works. Clubhouse? Henry Www.triplehelix.net Sent from my iPhone On May 10, 2023, at 9:52 AM, Whitney McNair <wmcnair@stanford.edu> wrote: Henry, This Friday I’m only available via zoom. I can meet between 1:30 – 4:00. Alternatively, I can meet in person on Tuesday, May 16th at 4:00 pm, or Wednesday, May 17th between 3:30 – 5:00 pm. I’m also available to meet in person on Wednesday, May 24th between 10:00 – 11:30. Whitney Whitney McNair 650.799.4380 | wmcnair@stanford.edu From: Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 3:05 PM To: Whitney McNair <wmcnair@stanford.edu> Cc: Office of the Provost <provost@stanford.edu> Subject: Re: Request for Meeting Whitney apologies for not responding sooner but your mail disappeared from my system after the initial read. As it happens, a faculty member who lives in oak creek wishes to express similar concerns from his perspective. Happy to introduce, with a view to meeting with us both and ideally with the PhD student who has expressed the strongest concerns, the one I helped contact the Provost when her daughter’s birthday party was at risk on an uncharacteristically rainy Saturday. I still suffer ptsd from the staff member’s threatening behavior and only rarely frequent the clubhouse since. Overwhelmed with overseas zooms. Since you are presumably in neighborhood, prefer to meet in person. Can be available after 9am this Friday, suggest oak creek clubhouse or Monday, between 11:30am and 4pm, Coupa Cafe by Green library or your office if in walking distance Best Henry Community of Oak Creek Residents, Co-organizer Www.triplehelix.net Sent from my iPhone On May 9, 2023, at 2:19 PM, Whitney McNair <wmcnair@stanford.edu> wrote: Henry, I’m following up on my request to meet and discuss your concerns. Please let me know if you have availability. Whitney Whitney McNair 650.799.4380 | wmcnair@stanford.edu From: Whitney McNair Sent: Sunday, May 7, 2023 8:56 AM To: h.etzko@gmail.com Subject: Request for Meeting Henry, I manage Faculty Staff Housing for the university. I’ve been copied on multiple emails that you’ve sent the Office of the Provost. The Office of the Provost has suggested that you direct your concerns to the property manager at Oak Creek Apartments and Gerry Norris, from my office. I see that many of the emails you send are directed to many others but neither of those who deal directly with the property. I’d like to set up a zoom meeting with you this week so that I can understand your concerns. Please let me know a few times that work in your schedule. I’m traveling back from NYC right now, but I’ll respond with a specific time once I return on Monday. Whitney Whitney McNair Senior Associate Provost and Executive Director, Faculty Staff Housing 650.799.4380 | wmcnair@stanford.edu https://fsh.stanford.edu/ From:Henry Etzkowitz To:Whitney McNair; Dorien Detombe; Marty Wasserman; Hersh Jim Cc:provost@stanford.edu; Rebecca Eisenberg; Roberta Ahlquist; Jinx Lobdell; Kristina Loquist; Council, City; Orna Rosenfeld; Christiane Gebhardt Subject:Re: Request for Meeting Date:Wednesday, May 17, 2023 12:00:59 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Whitney Confirmed as one on one, only did not hear back that you were interested in meeting other oak creek residents. I am notwilling to meet with Gary. I have been meaning to respond to “Office” query of why he is not included in my correspondence list. He defamed and bullied me, the latter in the Precise UKsense of the term. I wrote requesting evidence for his claims. No response; requested public apology to all colleagues present at the second meeting and to oak creek residents, in writing. I recall that the Provost was copied with this request, so will assume it is available to you Best Henry Co-Organizer Community of Oak Creek Residents Sent from my iPhone On May 17, 2023, at 11:00 AM, Whitney McNair <wmcnair@stanford.edu> wrote:Henry, I want to confirm our meeting today at 4pm in the clubhouse. Have you invited any other people to attend? I’ve asked Gerry Norris to come today. See you at 4:00, Whitney Whitney McNair 650.799.4380 | wmcnair@stanford.edu From: Whitney McNair Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 12:09 PM To: 'Henry Etzkowitz' <h.etzko@gmail.com> Subject: RE: Request for Meeting OK, that works for me. Whitney McNair 650.799.4380 | wmcnair@stanford.edu From: Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 11:50 AM To: Whitney McNair <wmcnair@stanford.edu> Subject: Re: Request for Meeting Whitney In person 17th Wednesday 4pm works. Clubhouse? Henry Www.triplehelix.net Sent from my iPhone On May 10, 2023, at 9:52 AM, Whitney McNair <wmcnair@stanford.edu> wrote: Henry, This Friday I’m only available via zoom. I can meet between 1:30 – 4:00. Alternatively, I can meet in person on Tuesday, May 16th at 4:00 pm, or Wednesday, May 17th between 3:30 – 5:00 pm. I’m also available to meet in person on Wednesday, May 24th between 10:00 – 11:30. Whitney Whitney McNair 650.799.4380 | wmcnair@stanford.edu From: Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 9, 2023 3:05 PM To: Whitney McNair <wmcnair@stanford.edu> Cc: Office of the Provost <provost@stanford.edu> Subject: Re: Request for Meeting Whitney apologies for not responding sooner but your mail disappeared from my system after the initial read. As it happens, a faculty member who lives in oak creek wishes to express similar concerns from his perspective. Happy to introduce, with a view to meeting with us both and ideally with the PhD student who has expressed the strongest concerns, the one I helped contact the Provost when her daughter’s birthday party was at risk on an uncharacteristically rainy Saturday. I still suffer ptsd from the staff member’s threatening behavior and only rarely frequent the clubhouse since. Overwhelmed with overseas zooms. Since you are presumably in neighborhood, prefer to meet in person. Can be available after 9am this Friday, suggest oak creek clubhouse or Monday, between 11:30am and 4pm, Coupa Cafe by Green library or your office if in walking distance Best Henry Community of Oak Creek Residents, Co-organizer Www.triplehelix.net Sent from my iPhone On May 9, 2023, at 2:19 PM, Whitney McNair <wmcnair@stanford.edu> wrote: Henry, I’m following up on my request to meet and discuss your concerns. Please let me know if you have availability. Whitney Whitney McNair 650.799.4380 | wmcnair@stanford.edu From: Whitney McNair Sent: Sunday, May 7, 2023 8:56 AM To: h.etzko@gmail.com Subject: Request for Meeting Henry, I manage Faculty Staff Housing for the university. I’ve been copied on multiple emails that you’ve sent the Office of the Provost. The Office of the Provost has suggested that you direct your concerns to the property manager at Oak Creek Apartments and Gerry Norris, from my office. I see that many of the emails you send are directed to many others but neither of those who deal directly with the property. I’d like to set up a zoom meeting with you this week so that I can understand your concerns. Please let me know a few times that work in your schedule. I’m traveling back from NYC right now, but I’ll respond with a specific time once I return on Monday. Whitney Whitney McNair Senior Associate Provost and Executive Director, Faculty Staff Housing 650.799.4380 | wmcnair@stanford.edu https://fsh.stanford.edu/ From:Keith Ferrell To:Reifschneider, James Cc:City Mgr; Council, City Subject:Re: Vehicle on El Camino Real Date:Wednesday, May 17, 2023 11:02:13 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. This is today. Garbage on the sidewalk, in the street between the sidewalk and the bus, infront of the bus and also just blowing around the general vicinity at this point. Also, he has put up two cones covering about 10ft in front of the bus. So, I guess he has just taken control of that land as well. Has anyone at the city contacted the state, Caltrans or anyone in the state legislature or is thecity just hoping this will just become commonplace and no one will care. That seems to be the strategy in other cities in CA. On Tue, May 16, 2023, 1:55 PM Keith Ferrell <ferrell.keith@gmail.com> wrote:Thanks for the response James. I believe your response highlights why the city needs to come up with a solution. The police and other employees are spending their time addressingthe actions of this single individual instead of using it to improve the conditions of all of the residents. What do you mean when you say, "we've not yet been able to facilitate a resolution"? Whatneeds to be facilitated? What is keeping the city from towing and impounding the bus? I am well aware of the issues surrounding mental health. I have multiple generations of my own family that have struggled with mental health, including schizophrenia. The owner ofthe bus is parked a mile away from one of the best hospitals in the country. There are safe parking spaces, halfway houses, shelters, the Opportunity Center, etc... all withinwalking distance. Allowing this man to continue as he is without doing everything possible to get him the help he needs is worse than turning a blind eye to the trash littering the sidewalk and streetaround the bus. Between the leaders of Stanford, the city and the state, someone has to be able to figure out a way to rectify the situation. If the answer is to just wait him out and hope for the best, thenwe need a change in leadership. Here's a photo from this morning. If a lawsuit needs to be filed for ADA violations, I'm sure we can get that done if that's what it will take to get the city to address the situation insteadof trying to facilitate a solution with someone who clearly is not able to understand logic. Keith On Mon, May 15, 2023 at 12:19 PM Reifschneider, James<James.Reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote: Good Afternoon Mr. Ferrell, Your email exchange with Councilmember Tanaka’s office, and an attached photo from on or before May 3rd, were forwarded to my attention for reply. I can appreciate yourfrustration. The Police Department is aware of this situation and has been out there near-daily over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, we’ve not yet been able to facilitate aresolution. Multiple citations have been issued to the vehicle and its owner, and we areworking with the DA’s Office to see they are prosecuted. Debris outside of the vehiclehas been tagged and removed by Public Works multiple times, as recently as late lastweek. I confirmed that, at present, the adjacent street and sidewalk are clear, although thevehicle itself remains. We will continue to pay attention to the area, issuing citations andremoving debris as appropriate, and also continue our efforts to connect the vehicle’sowner with appropriate resources that might facilitate him moving along. Respectfully, James JAMES REIFSCHNEIDER Captain Investigative Services Division Palo Alto Police Department 275 Forest Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94301 650.838.2778 (ph) 650.617.3120 (fx) From:Aram James To:Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Josh Becker; Human Relations Commission; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; PlanningCommission; Joe Simitian Subject:"We"re tired of this life": San Jose sweeps another homeless camp - San José Spotlight Date:Wednesday, May 17, 2023 7:30:40 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://sanjosespotlight.com/were-tired-of-this-life-san-jose-sweeps-another-homeless-camp/ Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Sean james; Jethroe Moore; Council, City; Josh Becker; Human Relations Commission; Reifschneider, James;Wagner, April; Binder, Andrew; Sean Allen; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael; Jeff Rosen; Rebecca Eisenberg;ladoris cordell; Shikada, Ed; Javier Ortega; Shana Segal; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Jay Boyarsky; Enberg, Nicholas;Perron, Zachary; Angie Evans; Cecilia Taylor; chuck jagoda; Linda Jolley; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; dennisburns; Kevin Jensen; DuJuan Green Subject:- Jail report angers county leaders Date:Wednesday, May 17, 2023 6:22:37 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ I saw this The Mercury News e-edition article on the The Mercury News e-edition app and thought you’d be interested. Jail report angers county leaders https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=6729a8ae-23a5-49c5-a5eb- 47a68713bf4f&appcode=SAN252&eguid=78578ff4-fc0a-496c-83bd-c74552b73e02&pnum=3# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: Sent from my iPhone From:Ada Ari Subject:My Feature in Essence and Parents Magazine Date:Tuesday, May 16, 2023 8:50:07 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from contact@ada-ari.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Link to Articles I am so excited about the national attention and interest there is in my culturally immersive program - African Storytelling Reimagined. It is clear that there is a huge appetite for the work that I am doingin schools, libraries, and communities around the United States to bring a hands-on, interactive learning experience about African culture to young audiences. Link to Articles Thank you so much to all the schools, libraries, and spaces that have invited me, thejournalists who have highlighted my work, and the support from family and friends around the world. I look forward to continuing this important work in upcoming school years.-- Adawww.ada-ari.com Instagram @ada_ari From:Loren Brown To:Council, City Subject:Please Suspend Professorville Parking Program Date:Tuesday, May 16, 2023 5:46:26 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ 5-16-2023 Dear Council Members, I call upon the City to suspend further enforcement of the Downtown Parking program in Professorvile (Zones 8 and 9). The conditions that gave rise to the enactment of the parking program in these areas (i.e. downtown office workers parking in adjacent residential neighborhoods) no longer exist. There is no longer any compelling reason to enforce a two-hour parking limit in these areas. The continuance of this program is unnecessarily intrusive, bothersome and costly to residents and their guests. Trsidents and their guests have to either pay for parking permit, move their cars every two hours or pay parking fines. The program should not continue for the purposes of employing an enforcement person or for revenue purposes. Instead, let’s shrink government and suspend this program. If and when a compelling reason for reinstating the residential parking permit program comes to exist, the program can then be reinstated. Loren Brown 334 Kingsley Avenue Palo Alto Sent from my iPad From:Keith Ferrell To:Reifschneider, James Cc:City Mgr; Council, City Subject:Re: Vehicle on El Camino Real Date:Tuesday, May 16, 2023 1:56:01 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Thanks for the response James. I believe your response highlights why the city needs to comeup with a solution. The police and other employees are spending their time addressing the actions of this single individual instead of using it to improve the conditions of all of theresidents. What do you mean when you say, "we've not yet been able to facilitate a resolution"? What needs to be facilitated? What is keeping the city from towing and impounding the bus? I am well aware of the issues surrounding mental health. I have multiple generations of myown family that have struggled with mental health, including schizophrenia. The owner of the bus is parked a mile away from one of the best hospitals in the country. There are safe parkingspaces, halfway houses, shelters, the Opportunity Center, etc... all within walking distance. Allowing this man to continue as he is without doing everything possible to get him the help he needs is worse than turning a blind eye to the trash littering the sidewalk and street aroundthe bus. Between the leaders of Stanford, the city and the state, someone has to be able to figure out a way to rectify the situation. If the answer is to just wait him out and hope for the best, then weneed a change in leadership. Here's a photo from this morning. If a lawsuit needs to be filed for ADA violations, I'm sure we can get that done if that's what it will take to get the city to address the situation instead oftrying to facilitate a solution with someone who clearly is not able to understand logic. Keith On Mon, May 15, 2023 at 12:19 PM Reifschneider, James <James.Reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote: Good Afternoon Mr. Ferrell, Your email exchange with Councilmember Tanaka’s office, and an attached photo from on or before May 3rd, were forwarded to my attention for reply. I can appreciate yourfrustration. The Police Department is aware of this situation and has been out there near- daily over the past few weeks. Unfortunately, we’ve not yet been able to facilitate aresolution. Multiple citations have been issued to the vehicle and its owner, and we are working with the DA’s Office to see they are prosecuted. Debris outside of the vehicle hasbeen tagged and removed by Public Works multiple times, as recently as late last week. I confirmed that, at present, the adjacent street and sidewalk are clear, although the vehicleitself remains. We will continue to pay attention to the area, issuing citations and removing debris as appropriate, and also continue our efforts to connect the vehicle’s owner withappropriate resources that might facilitate him moving along. Respectfully, James JAMES REIFSCHNEIDER Captain Investigative Services Division Palo Alto Police Department 275 Forest Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94301 650.838.2778 (ph) 650.617.3120 (fx) From:Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo To:Council, City Subject:Meet Luna the Sloth! Date:Tuesday, May 16, 2023 1:30:20 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links. Logo_Full_Color_CMYK.jpg What's New at the JMZ?May 16, 2023 Hello Friends, I’m delighted to share that Luna, a sloth, has arrived at the zoo! Luna’s name means“moon” in Spanish. She was given this name because her light fur reminded JMZ staff ofmoonlight in her natural habitat, the rainforest. As Luna acclimates to her newenvironment, she will be available to visit in the Wildlife Circle Tuesdays throughThursdays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. You can read more about this incredible animal and theopportunity to sponsor sloths as permanent residents in the zoo in the interview with John Aikin, JMZ Executive Director, below. I hope you will join the Friends for our next community event on Tuesday, May 23 from 3 - 4 p.m. in honor of World Turtle Day. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Edward and other turtles at the JMZ. The event is free with admission; please remember to purchase tickets to the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo in advance. With summer fast approaching, staff at the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo are gearing up for a busy and exciting season. I look forward to seeing you at the JMZ soon! Lauren AngeloPresident, Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo The JMZ Welcomes Luna the Sloth!Questions for John Aikin, JMZ Executive Director Can you tell us about sloths and what makes them unique? Sloths are incredibly interesting creatures. They can be divided into two groups: two-toed and three-toed. Our sloth, Luna, is a two-toed sloth from Guyana. Surprisingly, the two groups are not as closely related as scientists originally thought. The fossil record indicates giant ground sloths roamed North and South America during the Ice Age– some of these sloths weighed up to 3,000 pounds! Three different types of giant ground sloths have been found at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. Sloths are related to some unlikely creatures, such as armadillos and anteaters. In the wild, many sloths are green. This is due to algae that grows on their fur. Beinggreen is advantageous in the wild because it helps camouflage sloths from predators. Thisalgae feeds an ecosystem of organisms, most notably a moth that lays its eggs every timethe sloth visits the forest floor. The tropics are full of these kinds of symbiotic relationships,and it is important for us to tell visitors to the JMZ about the interdependence manyanimals have on each other. Sloth fur is also well-suited for humid environments. Fur onthe belly flows toward their backs, so that excess precipitation falls off when they areupside down. Sloths spend most of their time upside down. Surprisingly, they don’t have many musclesin their legs and arms to keep them from falling. Instead, they hang from hook-like clawson the ends of their arms and legs. This takes little energy and not much strength. In orderto stay secured to trees, sloths will often only take one limb off of a branch at a time, sothat they always have three points of contact. Sloths are solitary creatures, but becausedifferent sloths have varied preferences on which leaves they consume, many can live in asmall area. They don’t compete for the same food, so the diversity of the rainforestsupports a dense population. Luna hangs upside down from a branch in the Wildlife Circle. Why did the JMZ decide to acquire a sloth? We have explored ways to add mammals to the “Loose in the Zoo” experience evenbefore we reopened. Conveniently, our Zoo Curator has a lot of experience working withsloths. A sloth is a great addition because they spend almost all of their time in trees,above visitors and out of reach, but still close enough to give a unique perspective. Rainforests are a popular biome studied by elementary school students and sloths are often featured in these lessons. Luna will help reinforce these lessons in the zoo and classrooms when she can visit schools. Children are familiar with sloths from the media, and often have preconceived ideas aboutthem. We have all heard the stereotype that sloths are very slow! While it is true they arenot particularly active animals, Luna, our sloth, shows a lot of curiosity, and is much fasterthan people might expect. However, Luna does sleep anywhere from around 15 to 18hours a day, and is mostly nocturnal. A close up photo of Luna as she explores new branches in the zoo. When can we see the sloth? Tell us more about what visitors can expect duringtheir visit. Right now, we are training our sloth Tuesday through Thursday in the Wildlife Circle from3:30-4:30 p.m. until June 9. Luna really enjoys being outside and exploring the brancheswe’ve placed in the Wildlife Circle for her. So far, her favorite treats have been what wecall “french fries.” These are really just sweet potatoes, zucchini, and carrots we cut intothe shapes of french fries to give her as a reward. Sloths have a really powerful bite andsharp teeth, so if we are feeding her, it is important animal care staff keep their hands asafe distance from her mouth. We don’t grab Luna when handling her. It is really important to us that she feels safe and respected when we train her. We let her exit her crate on her own time, and let her go back inside when she decides. So far, she has been comfortable in the Wildlife Circle for about an hour. We are hoping that the more familiar she becomes with the JMZ, the more time she will want to spend in the zoo. There are some acacia trees for her to climb and we are going to add more branches and a rope in front of the flamingos so that she has more space to explore. Luna will eventually visit schools as part of our education program. Having Luna at the zoo allows us to talk about the interesting adaptations of sloths while further enhancing the “Loose in the Zoo” experience. Luna is on loan right now fromanother facility with multiple sloths. If your family is interested in sponsoring sloths aspermanent residents at the zoo, please contact marie@friendsjmz.org for more details. A member of the animal care staff prepares to feed Luna a "french fry." Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zooinfo@friendsjmz.org | www.friendsjmz.org DONATE NOW Connect with us Friends of the JMZ | 1451 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301 Unsubscribe city.council@cityofpaloalto.org Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by info@friendsjmz.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today! From:Aram James To:Council, City; Binder, Andrew; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Human Relations Commission; Josh Becker; JoeSimitian; Michael Gennaco; Jeff Rosen; Shikada, Ed Subject:San Jose Council Gets Failing Grade For Policing | Campbell, CA Patch Date:Tuesday, May 16, 2023 1:04:12 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://sanjosespotlight.com/san-jose-city-council-gets-failing-grade-for-policing-police-reform-sjpd/ Sent from my iPhone From:Charlie Weidanz To:Council, City Subject:Taking LEADERSHIP To The NEXT LEVEL Date:Tuesday, May 16, 2023 12:53:45 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Leadership Palo Alto Information Reception Leadership Palo Alto 2023-2024 Information Reception Tuesday, June 1, 2023 5:30pm to 7pm Location:The Avant 4041 El Camino Way Palo Alto, CA 94306 Join us for an informational reception. Learn about our Leadership Palo Alto Program. Light refreshments served. Register Now This email was sent on behalf of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce 355 Alma St Palo Alto, CA 94301.To unsubscribe click here. If you have questions or comments concerning this email or services in general, please contact us by email atinfo@paloaltochamber.com. From:Jennifer Landesmann To:amontescardenas@smcgov.org Cc:Council, City Subject:Public comment not on agenda - SFO TWG Date:Tuesday, May 16, 2023 12:41:34 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Jennifer Landesmann <jlandesmann@gmail.com>Date: Tue, May 16, 2023 at 12:28 PM Subject: Game changing proposalTo: <SFO.GBAS@flysfo.com>, <amontescardenas@smcgov.org> Hello GBAS team, I continue to be very concerned about the way the GBAS proposals picked up by SFO arehappening arbitrarily. It would be helpful to have a report on a) all the proposals you received, b) why they were accepted c) why they were not accepted, d) how they relate to prior effortsto address noise. And I wonder if an effort was made to look at proposals which the FAA has solicited before? One of the "game changing" proposals I haven't seen is the Full Length of the Bay solution,brief description here attached. The reason that the Full Lenght of the Bay solution would be a game changing is that the community has long asked why aren't planes using the full length of the Bay? Thank you, Jennifer From:Aram James To:Binder, Andrew; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Greg Tanaka; Veenker, Vicki; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Council, City;Human Relations Commission; Josh Becker; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; Michael Gennaco;Reifschneider, James; Joe Simitian; Rebecca Eisenberg; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Shikada, Ed; ladoris cordell;chuck jagoda; Enberg, Nicholas; Perron, Zachary; Javier Ortega; Cecilia Taylor; Jeff Rosen; Supervisor SusanEllenberg; dennis burns; Jay Boyarsky; Cindy Chavez; Kevin Jensen; DuJuan Green; Bains, Paul; Molly; DianaDiamond; Gennady Sheyner; EPA Today; Dave Price; Greer Stone; Betsy Nash Subject:Does San Jose need a military-grade arsenal? - San José Spotlight ( or Palo Alto for that matter)? Date:Tuesday, May 16, 2023 8:36:49 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://sanjosespotlight.com/does-san-jose-need-a-military-grade-arsenal/ Sent from my iPhone View this email in your browser Supporting a diverse and vibrant community. From:Palo Alto Community FundTo:Council, CitySubject:PACF Awards 84 Local Nonprofit Organizations over $1.7 millionDate:Tuesday, May 16, 2023 8:00:43 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links. 2023 Grantees gather for PACF's Rise & Shine meet and greet // April, 26 2023 Over $1.7 million Awarded to Inspiring, Resilient, Local Nonprofits Palo Alto Community Fund (PACF) is proud and pleased to announce our 2023 grants. Thank you to our donors who make these significant grants totaling $1.725M possible, and to the extraordinary people in our local nonprofit organizations who deliver hundreds of essential services and life-changing programs to our community of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. 2023 Trends and Concerns Our local nonprofit partners have continued to feel the effects of the pandemic. Cost of living—especially high housing costs—makes it challenging for many nonprofit staff to live in our area. Simply put, the need for nonprofit services has increased, but the hiring pool has shrunk. In addition, the price of nearly all supplies and services has risen over the last 12 months. Rising costs and hiring challenges not only strain an organizations’ ability to meet the needs of the community, but also increases the demand for even greater fundraising and operational support. Palo Alto Community Fund’s 2023 Grants For a full list of grantees with focus areas of need see below. PACF grants include: 3 Impact Grants, $100,000 each PACFs Dave Mitchell Impact Grants provide larger, unsolicited, general operating support to nonprofit organizations that deliver transformative solutions to critical issues in our community in a way that achieves both immediate impact and longer-term systemic change. This year, our Impact Grants were awarded to: Environmental Justice/Climate Resilience: Climate Resilient Communities in support of their exceptional work in advocacy and collaboration at the local and regional, as well as state levels, and in building resilient programs that address housing, community, and education inequities. Economic Mobility: JobTrain, in support of their innovative approaches to fuel economic mobility. Their new Center for Economic Mobility in East Palo Alto and Innovation Fund provide pioneering job training programs through deep collaboration, including shared office space for nonprofit partners. Transitional Housing: Lifemoves, (awarded Fall 2022) in support of their Homekey Palo Alto facility, an 88-unit interim housing program with ongoing wraparound support services for those seeking permanent housing at 1237 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto. 26 Multi-Year Grants PACF introduced multi-year grants in 2022 with the goal of providing nonprofit organizations with secure funding for a two-year period. In 2022, we awarded 15 grants within this structure, and we are pleased to offer 26 more grants in 2023. 84 Annual Grants, $1M in total We are very grateful to the dedicated nonprofits that work every day to uplift the most vulnerable in our neighborhoods and improve the lives of everyone in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. From vital, long-standing services to innovative programs, these organizations and their teams bring life and love to our community. Seventeen of our 2023 grantees are new to PACF, and we are enjoying getting to know them and their work. See below for a full list of grantees. Emergency Grant for flooding victims In January 2023, we were able to give immediate help to our neighbors whose housing and livelihoods were impacted by the horrendous flooding this sinter, through a grant to local nonprofit, El Comité de Vecinos del Lado Oeste, in East Palo Alto. 2 Executive Director Grants, $10,000 each PACF’s Cammie Vail Executive Director grants are unsolicited awards given for exceptional leadership and program innovation. Lisa Van Dusen, executive director of PACF, awarded two grants in 2023 to: El Comité de Vecinos del Lado Oeste in support of their dedicated work in providing safety net services and supporting tenant rights amidst a planned relocation. LifeMoves in support of their Vehicle Maintenance Fund Pilot Program at the Opportunity Center in Palo Alto to provide financial and logistical support for vehicle repairs. Our Work Beyond the Dollars Collaboration and community are key to the success of our nonprofits and those they serve. By working together, we are stronger and more effective at meeting local needs. A significant share of PACF’s work is dedicated to connecting with our local nonprofit leadership teams, and offering spaces and events for people to come together to meet, get to know each other, and share ideas. Most recently, 130 nonprofit professionals gathered for our Rise and Shine breakfast. Join us at our annual Community Celebration Please join us for an evening of celebration and connection over food and wine on Monday, June 5 from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo, honoring the many grantees, donors, and supporters who help our community thrive. Palo Alto Community Fund’s 2023 Grantees Addressing Affordable Housing and Homelessness CORA - Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse Downtown Streets Team El Comité de Vecinos del Lado Oeste Heart and Home Collaborative HIP Housing (Human Investment Project, Inc.) LifeMoves Rebuilding Together Peninsula WeHope Addressing Food Insecurity and Nutrition Ecumenical Hunger Program Fresh Approach La Comida de California Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen Peninsula Food Runners Organization St. Anthony's Padua Dining Room Special Needs Services AchieveKids Ada's Cafe Jasper Ridge Farm PARCA Via Rehabilitation Services, Inc. Vista Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired Supporting Seniors Avenidas East Palo Alto Senior Center Fit To The Core Inc Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, Inc Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. (PVI) TeleVisit.org Accessible Healthcare (Physical / Dental) Ravenswood Family Health Network Peninsula Healthcare Connection San Mateo County Health Foundation Mental Health Support Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) Children's Health Council (CHC) Counseling and Support Services for Youth (CASSY) Friends for Youth, Inc. Kara Palo Alto University Peninsula Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower The Grateful Garment Project Addressing Racial Equity Center for Excellence in Nonprofits Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center Climate Action and Environmental Justice Climate Resilient Communities Nuestra Casa de East Palo Alto Belle Haven Community Development Fund Supporting Culture and Community Anamatangi Polynesian Voices Christmas Bureau of Palo Alto East Palo Alto Community Archive Quinteto Latino Supporting Equity and Accessibility in the Arts Art in Action EPACENTER Kids and Art Foundation Pacific Art League of Palo Alto Palo Alto Art Center Palo Alto Players TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Providing Accessible Community Services Tax-Aid Women's Achievement Network and Development Alliance (WANDA) Providing Accessible Legal Services Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto Elevate Community Center Supporting Children & Youth (Beyond the Classroom) Able Works Ambition Angels Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula Bring Me a Book Camp Kesem at Stanford CASA of San Mateo County Cooline Team of East Palo Alto DreamCatchers East Palo Alto Academy Foundation East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring (EPATT) Innovate Public Schools P.I.E.F.E.S.T. Limited Palo Alto Community Child Care (PACCC) Peninsula Bridge Positive Alternative Recreation Teambuilding Impact San Francisco 49ers Academy Vida Verde Nature Education Youth Community Service Supporting Education (School-Based) All Five East Palo Alto Kids Foundation Eastside College Preparatory School Environmental Volunteers Health Connected JobTrain Learning Home Volunteers Ravenswood Classroom Partners Ravenswood Education Foundation Rosalie Rendu Center Science is Elementary Silicon Valley Urban Debate League StreetCode Academy The Circuit EPA The Institute for Families and Nannies Providing Accessible Athletic Programs Beyond Barriers Athletic Foundation East Palo Alto Razorhawks Rugby Football Club Rich May Foundation Supporting Equity in Higher Education Foundation for a College Education Gunn Foundation Live in Peace Rise Together Education The Peninsula College Fund Upward Scholars You can make a difference in our community. Donate to PACF today! Copyright © 2023 Palo Alto Community Fund, All rights reserved. Thank you for being a friend of the Palo Alto Community Fund. Our mailing address is: Palo Alto Community Fund PO Box 50634 Palo Alto, CA 94303-0634 DONATE Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. From:Aram James To:Binder, Andrew; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Human Relations Commission; Figueroa, Eric; Foley, Michael;Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; Michael Gennaco; Council, City; Josh Becker; Shikada, Ed Subject:- Activist sues city over alleged excessive force Date:Tuesday, May 16, 2023 7:57:14 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ I saw this The Mercury News e-edition article on the The Mercury News e-edition app and thought you’d be interested. Activist sues city over alleged excessive force https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=2d129062-028d-4416-b34a- 9c5030f84637&appcode=SAN252&eguid=c745ea67-b8d2-48f8-a511-77ca80b5dec8&pnum=47# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: Sent from my iPhone From:John Kelley To:Council, City Cc:Lait, Jonathan Subject:PA-PACC: Please see the attached letter, which expands upon the executive summary sent to you last night ---Re: PA-PACC: I strongly urge you to further reform Palo Alto’s 2023 ADU Ordinance - Executive Summary Date:Monday, May 15, 2023 9:23:31 PM Attachments:PA-PACC-letter to CPA re ADU reform--2023-05-15--with exhibits.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Via Email: city.council@cityofpaloalto.org Honorable Lydia Kou, MayorHonorable Greer Stone, Vice Mayor Honorable City Council MembersCity of Palo Alto 250 Hamilton AvenuePalo Alto CA 94301 Re: May 8, 2023, Joint Special Meeting,[1] Public Comment & May 15, 2023, Special Meeting, Action Item 14 I strongly urge you to further reform Palo Alto’s 2023 ADU Ordinance. Dear Mayor Kou, Vice Mayor Stone, and City Council Members, Please see the attached letter, which expands upon and provides additional support for the matters discussed in the Executive Summary sent to you last night. Respectfully submitted, John Kelley On May 14, 2023, at 11:08 PM, John Kelley <jkelley@399innovation.com>wrote: Via Email: city.council@cityofpaloalto.org Honorable Lydia Kou, MayorHonorable Greer Stone, Vice MayorHonorable City Council Members City of Palo Alto250 Hamilton AvenuePalo Alto CA 94301 Re: May 8, 2023, Joint Special Meeting,[1] Public Comment & May 15, 2023, Special Meeting, Action Item 14 I strongly urge you to further reform Palo Alto’s 2023 ADUOrdinance. Dear Mayor Kou, Vice Mayor Stone, and City Council Members, This follow my remarks during the Public Comment portion of yourmeeting last Monday night. As indicated at that time, I recommend that you take further action tomorrow, May 15th, to overcome problems with and to strengthenPalo Alto’s 2023 ADU Ordinance, thereby both (a) enhancing our community’sability to achieve the goal of affirmatively furthering fair housing and (b)increasing the likelihood of the California Department of Housing andCommunity Development’s approving our city’s newly revised HousingElement. Please see the attached letter providing an Executive Summary of detailsin support of these recommendations. Respectfullysubmitted, John Kelley [1] See the agenda for the May 8, 2023 Joint Special Meeting of the City Council and the agenda for the May 15, 2023 Special Meeting of the City Council. <PA-PACC-letter to CPA re ADU reform--Executive Summary--2023-05- 14.pdf> View this email in your browser Visit us on www.lwvpaloalto.org, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter May E-BLAST May 15, 2023 In this Issue LWVPA Updates Annual Meeting Updates Climate Calls: Bridging the Gap Between Climate and Housing Upcoming Events Shielded: How the Police Became Untouchable Richard and Leah Rothstein: Challenging Segregation and the Color of Law League of Women Voters of California Convention 2023 Celebrate AAPI Month! From:LWV Palo Alto (Eblast)To:Council, CitySubject:LWVPA May E-Blast: Catch Up on What"s Happening at the LeagueDate:Monday, May 15, 2023 9:21:47 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links. Subscribe to our Google Calendar LWVPA UPDATES Annual Meeting Updates A big THANK YOU to our members who attended the LWVPA Annual Meeting on May 7. It was great to see so many of you in person and thank you for sharing your ideas, suggestions and what’s important for the League. PROGRAM Members adopted the League’s budget and local program emphases for 2023-2024, which include the following: Affordable Housing for All Gun Violence Prevention Climate Change Civics Education Local Campaign Finance Reform Members also voiced a need to encourage community leaders to pursue and comply with comprehensive planning that results in equitable transportation and community services to sustain Palo Alto. All issues will be considered through a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) lens. Members recommended that LWVC priority issues for 2023-2025 continue to be: Housing/Homelessness Climate Change Criminal Justice Reform Our League also recommended updating the LWVC gun safety position, and a housing focus on state forgivable loans to builders of low and moderate/workforce housing. These recommendations were forwarded to LWVC. ELECTIONS New officers, directors, and a nominating committee were elected for 2023-2024. We thank the outgoing Board members Kathy Miller, Liz Jensen, and Cari Templeton for their valuable contributions to the League, and welcome new co-presidents Nancy Shepherd and Judy Kleinberg and new Board member Sunny Dykwel. We also thank Terry Godfrey and the Nominating Committee for their work in putting together the new Board. New Board of Directors for 2023-24 Climate Calls Bridging the Gap Between Climate and Housing Written By Hilary Glann To reduce Bay Area greenhouse gas emissions during the critical next ten years, we need a regionalvision that is resilient to climate change, protects biodiversity, and advances safe housing for all. However, some Bay Area residents, including climate activists, don’t support infill housing in theircities. (“Infill housing” refers to repurposing obsolete or underutilized buildings and sites for housing, preferably near schools, transit stops, and stores). Low-income residents and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by a lack of housing near jobs; they are forced to live further away to find affordable housing. Many workers live in areas that are more vulnerable to climate-driven disasters. For example, 25 % of Californians live in areas at a high risk for a catastrophic wildfire. Longer commutes for these workers also create more greenhouse gas emissions in the Bay Area. Infill housing not only reduces these commutes, it also results in less energy and water use than in traditional suburban single family homes. Environmentalist Bill McKibben recently wrote: Yes in Our Backyards: It’s time progressives like me learned to love the green building boom. McKibben detailed how his thinking about building housing to fight climate change has evolved: “We’re at a hinge moment now, when solving our biggest problems—environmental but also social—means we need to say yes to some things: solar panels and wind turbines and factories to make batteries and mines to extract lithium. And new affordable housing that will make cities denser and more efficient while cutting the ruinous price of housing… Some NIMBY passion will need to be replaced by some YIMBY enthusiasm—or at least some acquiescence... Saying no is relatively simple, and sometimes right. But we live in a moment when our future—and the future of everyone and everything—depends on sometimes learning to offer a resounding yes.” If you are interested in learning more, please join an event organized by Palo Alto Forward and 350SV Palo Alto on Thursday, June 15, from 6 to 8 pm. Speakers from the Nature Conservancy, Greenbelt Alliance, and Green Foothills will discuss how infill housing reduces emissions, water use, and energy consumption while protecting our region’s open space and biodiversity. Limited seating is available to join the event live at the Stanford Hub, but there is plenty of availability to join the event via Zoom. UPCOMING EVENTS Shielded: How the Police Became Untouchable Tuesday, May 16, 2023 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm In Shielded, UCLA law professor Joanna Schwartz exposes the myriad ways in which our legal system protects police at all costs, with insightful analyses about subjects ranging from qualified immunity to no-knock warrants. The product of more than two decades of advocacy and research, Shielded is a timely and necessary investigation into why civil rights litigation so rarely leads to justice or prevents future police misconduct. This discussion by the LWV of Piedmont’s book club is open to the public. You don't have to be a League member. We hope you'll join us! You can hear, or read highlights of, the author’s interview on NPR’s “Fresh Air” here. Richard and Leah Rothstein: Challenging Segregation and the Color of Law Wednesday, May 31, 2023 5:30 pm Available both in-person and online Register Now Six years ago, Richard Rothstein’s important book, Color of Law, made a powerful case that direct and indirect government action and policies at the federal, state and local levels had caused segregation and the resulting social problems throughout the United States. In their new book, Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law, Rothstein and housing policy expert Leah Rothstein provide a blueprint on how to address segregation for concerned citizens and community leaders. The Rothsteins provide a tool kit for activism and advocacy, with myriad real-life examples from communities, groups and individuals that have confronted segregation-related challenges from legal, real estate, banking, and commercial development standpoints. They also counter misconceptions about the consequences of integration and make their case for closing the wealth gap that has made homeownership unaffordable for many middle-class Americans, particularly African Americans. Please join The Commonwealth Club of California for a critical conversation about how people can be empowered to address the legacy of state-sanctioned segregation. This program can be viewed both in-person and online. Register below to receive a link to the livestream event. And if you haven't watched it, here is a great 18-minute video summary of The Color of Law that covers the main points in the book in an entertaining, engaging way. League of Women Voters of California Convention 2023 Register Now Friday, May 19 to Sunday, May 21, 2023 Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA San Francisco, California The League of Women Voters of California Convention is back in-person in San Francisco! Check HERE for convention information and the convention schedule. Come meet passionate people from across the state who are making democracy work! Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month! Register Now Celebrate AAPI heritage month by learning about AAPI art and history, enjoying APPI foods, and supporting AAPI small businesses! Stay Informed! Sign Up for LWV California & LWVUS News & Alerts Click here to sign up for Email News and Action Alerts from LWVUS Facebook Twitter Website Instagram Copyright © 2023 League of Women Voters Palo Alto, All rights reserved. From Voter Recipient List Our mailing address is: League of Women Voters Palo Alto 3921 E Bayshore Rd Ste 209 Palo Alto, CA 94303-4303 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can unsubscribe from this list. From:Aram James To:Council, City; Sean Allen; Binder, Andrew; Jethroe Moore; Human Relations Commission; Wagner, April; JoshBecker; Joe Simitian; Michael Gennaco; Jeff Rosen; Rebecca Eisenberg Subject:- Former FCI Dublin prison guard charged with sex abuse ( The Rape Club) Date:Monday, May 15, 2023 9:11:22 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ I saw this The Mercury News e-edition article on the The Mercury News e-edition app and thought you’d be interested. Former FCI Dublin prison guard charged with sex abuse https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=2dcb4b43-e1a7-40a1-940d- fc682f0658b9&appcode=SAN252&eguid=c6e3e9b9-0892-4d97-999d-990a0a42e4df&pnum=29# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: Sent from my iPhone From:Elizabeth Beheler To:Council, City Subject:Thank you for work on Cubberley Date:Monday, May 15, 2023 7:12:17 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from elizabeth.beheler@gmail.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear City Councilmember, Thank you so much for the earnest work and discussions on the progress towards CubberleyCommunity Center this evening. I am on the Friends of Cubberley committee but this is not from the committee, only myself. I appreciate all the thoughtful questions this evening and feel genuinely excited about theprogress after the school board letter signaling an openness to land negotiations. I personally like the idea of the land swap at Fletcher. My daughter attends school there and my son willalso in a few years and I had no idea the city owned that b/c it doesn't seem to make sense. If it could be traded for more acres at Cubberley for the potential community use that soundsfantastic to me. From my uneducated perspective, 15 acres sounds very possible to build a community center, including parking, possibly including a multi use performing arts center and definitely a pooloption that doesn't require costly membership at the JCC, Greenmeadow or the Elk's club. I hope all options are thoughtfully and fairly considered, even outside the box ones like housing. I share all the frustrations about the seemingly never-ending process and hurdles this visionhas run into but I also know it's necessary to get it all right this time. So thank you very much again for taking up the issue with serious intent on action. I look forward to being encouragedby more progress towards a spectacular community center! With gratitude, Elizabeth BehelerSouth Palo Alto community member From:matt@evolutionaryteams.com To:Council, City Subject:Status on hurdles to ramping HPWH installation rate Date:Monday, May 15, 2023 5:54:03 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Council Members, Palo Alto has a very admirable goal to reduce our community’s carbon pollution and emissions. We call this goal our 80x30 goal which is shorthand for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2030. It is a remarkable and enviable goal. While goals are a great first step, goals must be accompanied with action. Here, too, our community has taken an admirable step and implemented a program to replace dirty fossil fuel gas burning water heaters with clean, efficient electric heat pump water heaters. These electric appliances take advantage of our electricity which is sourced from renewable power. The program was launched in January of this year with a goal of replacing 1000 water heaters during the year, 2023. To replace 1000 water heaters in a year, that would require replacing approximately 20 water heaters per week. In our community, I estimate that there are around 26,000 dirty gas burning water heaters. Per our 80x30 goal, we want to replace 80% of them by 2030. Let’s just use round numbers and say we want to replace 20,000 dirty gas water heaters by 2030, which means we need to ramp up to a weekly replacement rate of about 65 water heaters replacements per week to meet that goal. As of April 27, in the first 5 months of the HPWH program, the program has installed 8 new water heaters. 8 of 1000. 8 in 5 months. Knowing that we need to ramp up to replacing 20 per week for our pilot program goal and then up to 65 per week to meet our 80x30 goal, I very much want to understand the hurdles that this program is facing that are preventing the ramp up of the installation rate and what corrective actions are being proposed to overcome these hurdles. I would also appreciate if city council would host a status report of this program that can be accessed by the entire community. Thank you, Matt Matt Schlegel Schlegel Consulting 650-924-8923 Author: Teamwork 9.0 Website: evolutionaryteams.com Blog: evolutionaryteams.com/blog/ Linked In: linkedin.com/in/mattschlegel/ Twitter: twitter.com/EvoTeamMatt Instagram: instagram.com/MattSchlegel6 Facebook: facebook.com/mattschlegel.77 YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCLkUMHuG4HVa831s9yeoZ5Q Enneagram Quiz: www.EnneaSurvey.com From:Aram JamesTo:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Molly; Josh Becker; Joe Simitian; Binder, AndrewSubject:Tops Market Buffalo, NY 1st Year Anniversary of the mass murder of 10 Buffalo residentsDate:Monday, May 15, 2023 3:58:44 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.________________________________ Sent from my iPhone From:Roberta Ahlquist To:Angie, Palo Alto Renters Association; Palo Alto Renters" Association; Aram James; Donald A. Barr; Joyce Beattie;Marie-Louise Starling-Bell; chuck jagoda; Cherrill Spencer; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Human Relations Commission;Gardener, Liz; Gerry jurgensen; Sunita de Tourreil; Winter Dellenbach; Rebecca Eisenberg; Henry Etzkowitz; EPAToday; Emer Martin; mark weiss; Fred Balin; Paul George @ PPJC; HRW Silicon Valley Subject:Fwd: Protest the Mahan - Trump Homelessness Plan Tuesday May 16 Date:Monday, May 15, 2023 2:34:30 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: <perrysandy@aol.com>Date: Mon, May 15, 2023 at 8:03 AM Subject: Protest the Mahan - Trump Homelessness Plan Tuesday May 16To: PLEASE send emails if you cannot attend.r DUMP THE TRUMP - MAHAN HOMELESSNESS PLAN! Please join Affordable Housing Network and people from dozens of community organizations to speakout AGAINST cutting Measure E affordable housing funds at the San Jose City Council meeting onTuesday, May 16. The budget hearing will begin at City Hall (200 E. Santa Clara Street) at 2:00 PM. Ifyou cannot attend in person, you will be able to testify by Zoom athttps://sanjoseca.zoom.us/j/88957084529 Almost every San Jose organization representing tenants, unhoused people, and people of consciencewill be rallying to protest the Mahan plan at 12 noon in front of City Hall. Mayor Mahan is calling for a draconian diversion of “uncommitted Measure E resources” to his otherpriorities: moving unhoused people out of sight, increased police staffing, and establishing “no-encampment zones”. He is proposing drastically reducing the 75% share of Measure E funds allocated to affordable housingby City Council in 2022. There would be no city funds at all for the preservation plan that the CityCouncil just decided to create – or for any other new affordable housing projects not already funded. But defunding housing will only make homelessness get worse in San Jose – because interim housingand shelters only work when there is permanent affordable housing to move into afterward. The last timeCity affordable funds were cut, when redevelopment was ended in 2011, homelessness in San Joseexploded. In his budget message, Mayor Mahan promoted the punishment-based “Haven for Hope” shelter founded by Donald Trump’s notorious Interagency Council on Homelessness director, Robert Marbut. Marbut, like Trump, is well-known for opposing the evidence-based “Housing First” approach to ending homelessness used by HUD, the State of California, and by cities all across the country. Marbut claims that homelessness is not a housing problem but a behavioral problem best addressed by punishment to make people work harder. He calls his approach the “Velvet Hammer”. Without permanent affordable housing, the only way the Mayor can “end encampments” is with Marbut- style detention centers. If unhoused people ever decide to leave those centers, Mahan promises to send out police officers to bring them back, by enforcing his edict that “we should expect unhoused residents to accept alternatives to unmanaged encampments when offered”. Affordable Housing Network believes that the City Council’s 2022 Measure E allocation of 75% to affordable housing and 25% to homelessness prevention and services is the proper balance between permanent housing and interim solutions. SAVE MEASURE E HOUSING FUNDS!DUMP THE TRUMP - MAHAN HOMELESSNESS PLAN! Rally: 12 Noon Tuesday May 16 at San Jose City Hall, 200 East Santa ClaraStreetTestify: 2 PM in City Council Chambers From:Ken Horowitz To:Clerk, City Subject:Public Documents Date:Tuesday, April 25, 2023 4:29:00 PM Attachments:CCAC Final Report Volume 2_3-8-2013.pdf [You don't often get email from klhorowitz67@gmail.com. Learn why this is important athttps://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking onlinks.________________________________ Clerk:Please attach this Community Report as my oral comments to the May 22 City Council Study Session on CubberleyThank you,Ken Horowitz525 Homer AvePalo Alto, CAv94301(650)464-8959 https://go.boarddocs.com/ca/pausd/Board.nsf/files/AK9P3H62A5E8/$file/CCAC%20Final%20Report%20Volume%202_3-8-2013.pdf Sent from my iPad