Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAboutAugust 14, 2023 City Council Emails701-32 DOCUMENTS IN THIS PACKET INCLUDE: LETTERS FROM CITIZENS TO THE MAYOR OR CITY COUNCIL RESPONSES FROM STAFF TO LETTERS FROM CITIZENS ITEMS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ITEMS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES AND AGENCIES ITEMS FROM CITY, COUNTY, STATE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES Prepared for: 8/14/2023 Document dates: 8/7/2023 – 8/14/2023 Note: Documents for every category may not have been received for packet reproduction in a given week. From:Carole Hyde To:Council, City; Clerk, City Subject:Several power point slides for Animal Shelter Item #6 Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 11:18:34 AM Attachments:SLIDE FOR CITY COUNCIL ON TNR.pptx Some people who received this message don't often get email from carole@projecthumanekind.org. Learn whythis is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear City Clerk, Could you include this short PowerPoint set in the council members’ packets? Much appreciated. I will also want to show them (perhaps the middle slide particularly) this evening duringcomments on Item #6. Thank you so much! Carole Carole Hyde President (650) 504-5898 www.projecthumanekind.org HAIINE Presentation Template SUPPORTING TNR August 14, 2023 Carole Hyde, President SUPPORT TNR: IT Works! •Gold Standard in Animal Sheltering •Bay Area: Best municipal practice •Stanford University proves success •Helps residents spay ”backyard” cats CREATE STAKEHOLDER WORKING GROUP ON TNR FOR PALO ALTO www.projecthumanekind.org Thank You! From:kamthyetrading@yahoo.com To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 11:11:38 AM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from kamthyetrading@yahoo.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Dear Council members, I am a resident of Palo Alto. Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is terribly inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. *** We strongly encourage supporting TNR. All cats are checked for a microchip prior to services. TNR keeps the feral cat population down, improves the quality of life for the cats, reduces the spread of feline diseases, and helps the wild birds. Please support TNR. Thank you. Sincerely, Bobbie Chu From:Ashley Lychee To:Council, City Subject:Support for Trap Neuter Return: NO BAN on TNR! Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 10:58:54 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from ashleylycheeboba@gmail.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello, My name is Ashley and I have been a member of the Palo Alto community for many years. I am writing to express my support for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and to implore city councilto end the deeply harmful ban on TNR. TNR is the only humane and effective approach to community cats. Community cats, also known as feral cats, are unowned cats who live happy and healthy lives outdoors. Communitycats are the same species as pet cats. However, since most community cats are not socialized or friendly to people, they cannot be adopted and live indoors. During TNR community catsare humanely trapped, taken to a veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, eartipped for identification, and, after recovery, are returned to their outdoor homes. TNR is a community-based program that will benefit the cats and residents of Palo Alto. TNRstabilizes community cat populations by stopping the breeding cycle. TNR improves cats’ lives and benefits public health by relieving them of the constant stresses of mating andpregnancy and vaccinating them against rabies. TNR stops disruptive mating behaviorslike yowling, spraying, roaming, and fightingso cats and people can coexist peacefully. Lastly,TNR saves taxpayer’s money by reducing shelter intake, shelter euthanasia, and calls of concern to animal control. Hundreds of communities have adopted an official TNR ordinance or policy, and thousandsmore conduct grassroots, volunteer-led programs. These numbers continue to rise as more communities realize the outdated approach of catching and killing cats is cruel and ineffective.It’s time for the cats and residents of Palo Alto to experience the many benefits of TNR firsthand. Thank you for your consideration, Ashley Chu From:Ken Horowitz To:Council, City Subject:How Cubberley Community Center was envisioned Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 10:54:11 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://concordia.com/project/cubberley-community-center/ Shared via the Google app Sent from my iPhone From:Catherine Valentine To:Council, City Cc:council@losaltosca.gov; citycouncil@losaltoshills.ca.gov Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 10:53:34 AM Attachments:CCAP PA-PIN Letter and Attachments-Final.pdf Some people who received this message don't often get email from catherinevalentine@live.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. CCAP.org Page 1 of 4 TO: Palo Alto City Council RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Palo Alto City Council Members: The Community & Companion Animal Project is writing to request the City of Palo Alto’s Councilmembers and leadership of Pets In Need (“PIN”) work together, along with Councilmembers of both the City of Los Altos and the Town of Los Altos Hills, to permit the implementation of a Trap/Neuter/Release (“TNR”) program for feral cats in the cities of Palo Alto and Los Altos, and the Town of Los Altos Hills. Palo Alto contracts with Pets In Need for the provision of animal shelter services to Palo Alto, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. The current contract and the proposed new contract terms prohibit PIN from offering traditional Trap-Neuter-Return (“TNR”) services for feral cats in those jurisdictions. The Palo Alto City Council intends to approve the term sheet for the new contract on August 14th. We recommend that the terms of the new contact between PIN and Palo Alto reflect recognized best shelter and humane practices by including a TNR program in which feral cats are spayed/neutered, vaccinated for FVRCP and Rabies, and if not candidates for adoption, returned to their location of origin. Prohibiting TNR results in an exponentially increasing number of unowned cats. Using the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program’s shelter and outdoor cat population calculator, we estimate the current population of free-roaming cats within the Pets in Need service area of Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills is approximately 15,527 community/feral cats. See Attachment A. TNR stabilizes and reduces the feral cat population. It improves the lives of cats, addresses community concerns, reduces complaints about cats, and stops the breeding cycle. TNR improves the co-existence between outdoor cats and humans in our shared environment. The efficacy of TNR has been proven to be effective throughout the San Francisco Bay Area communities and across the United States in general. CCAP.org Page 2 of 4 Local examples include: Stanford University Campus - The Stanford Cat Network (now Feline Friends Network) began a TNR program in 1989 with an estimated population of over 1,000 feral cats on campus. The combination of near zero growth, natural attrition and an adoption program for tame strays and kittens young enough for domestication reduced the cat population, to only 4 reported ‘community cats’ on campus as of August 13, 2023 per Kathleen Cregar, the current President of the Feline Friends Network on the Stanford Campus. City of San Francisco - Over the past 30 years, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park (and the City of San Francisco) has gone from “Hundreds of feral cats in GG Park” to “hardly any cats in Golden Gate Park” and in fact, by 2019, San Francisco had gotten very close to ZERO population growth for feral cats in most areas of the city. City of San Jose – The City of San Jose’s TNR program began as a pilot in March 2010. Four years into the program, researchers observed cat and kitten impounds decreased 29.1%; euthanasia decreased from over 70% of intakes in 2009, to 23% in 2014. Euthanasia in the shelter for Upper Respiratory Disease decreased 99%; dead cat pick up off the streets declined 20%. A steady decrease and leveling off in shelter cat intakes was observed until 2008 when just over 14,000 cats entered the shelters countywide. This 50% drop in cat impoundments from 1990–2008 has been largely attributed to the spay/neuter programs available for both owned and unowned feral cats. San Francisco Bay Trail TNR Project - A population of 175 community cats, as determined by an initial census, living on a 2-mile section of the San Francisco Bay Trail declined by 99.4% over a 16-year period. After the conclusion of the initial count, the presence of cats was monitored as part of the TNR program’s daily feeding regimen. Of the 258 total cats enrolled in the program between 2004 and 2020, only one remained at the end of the program period. These results are consistent with other documented long-term TNR programs. These examples demonstrate the advantages and efficacy of TNR Programs in the immediate area, continue to be cited in research studies today, and are also validated in this 2006 Maddies Fund article on San Francisco Bay Area Community Cat Programs. In the Bay Area, TNR programs are endorsed and supported by the cities of San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Saratoga, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Campbell, and the counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Contra Costa and Marin; only the Palo Alto City Council prohibits their animal services provider from providing TNR. CCAP.org Page 3 of 4 Additionally, the City of Palo Alto is the only member of the Shelters First / WECare Alliance of the six shelters in Santa Clara County that does not offer TNR for community/feral cats despite the Alliance's acknowledgement that the ‘catch and kill’ methodology does not work. If TNR is not available, how does Palo Alto intend to manage an increasing population of feral cats? After 8 weeks of age the majority of feral cats need to be socialized for adoption. The Maddie's Fund training presentation on Socializing Unsocial Kittens states that the optimal time for socializing feral kittens is between 4-8 weeks of age and acknowledges that kittens over two months of age require extensive time for fostering and socialization and some may never become socialized. Trapping and releasing the cats outside their location of origin, would be considered inhumane by most animal welfare organizations. Feral cats have strong territorial instincts and adapt to specific environments. Relocating them to a new area leads to stress, disorientation, and difficulties in adapting to the new environment, preventing them from finding adequate food, water, shelter and protection from predators. The Alley Cat Allies article on “Relocation: A Last Resort” notes that “Even if done with proper protocol, relocation can be ineffective and even dangerous for cats” For similar reasons, release of cats in a location other than their location of origin without proper relocation protocols would be abandonment in that the cat would initially be unable to provide for its basic needs. Abandonment of an animal is prohibited under both California Penal Code § 597s (2021) and Santa Clara County, California - Code of Ordinances TITLE B - REGULATIONS Division B31 - ANIMALS AND FOWL CHAPTER I. - IN GENERAL Sec. B31-8. Does Palo Alto intend to trap and warehouse feral cats in cages until they die? Such a practice would be both inhumane and costly. Or does Palo Alto intend to trap and kill feral cats which are domestic pets that have been either abandoned or lost, or are the unfortunate descendants of such unlucky pets? This approach is also inhumane and would be costly, ineffective, and need to be done repeatedly. And who will do the trapping? Trapping in TNR programs is done by dedicated unpaid volunteers who do this hard work because they are concerned about the welfare of animals and the coexistence of outdoor cats and humans. These volunteers will not trap cats so they can be relocated from their homes, warehoused or killed and it is unlikely Palo Alto will be able to find another source of free labor to do this work. CCAP.org Page 4 of 4 The City of Palo Alto will have to do this difficult, costly work at taxpayer expense and must do it year after year as none of these “alternatives” to TNR address the problems of animal overpopulation and abandonment. Each year unwanted litters will continue to be born as cats continue to escape, become lost, or abandoned. If the Palo Alto City Council is interested in effectively managing feral cat populations in Palo Alto, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, it should contract with PIN for both TNR services and increased spay/neuter availability so residents of these cities can spay/neuter their pets and feral cats in order to prevent unwanted litters and restrict the growth of free-roaming cats within these jurisdictions. The current number of 60 community spay/neuter appointments is inadequate and needs to be increased 2-3 fold to accommodate the demand for appointments and shorten wait times to a reasonable period of time. TNR is the only cost effective and humane way to manage feral cats. In the Bay Area and across the United States “best shelter practices” for feral cats means supporting TNR. The majority of Veterinary Associations and animal welfare organizations support the use of TNR programs over euthanasia as feral cat colony control methodology. (See Attachment B) In the Bay Area, Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills are alone in failing to meet this standard of “Shelter Best Practices”. The Palo Alto City Council should correct this failure. Thank you. Sincerely, Catherine Valentine The Companion & Community Animal Project cc: Los Altos City Council Los Altos Hills City Council Human population Annual feline intake Live release %Euthanasia %Indoor only pet cats Indoor/outdoor pet cats Outdoor community cats Cats impounded and released alive Cats impounded and euthanized 108,686 431 98%2%16,303 10,869 15,527 423 8 Palo Alto 68,572.00 Los Altos 31,625.00 Los Altos Hills 8,489.00 Total Population 108,686.00 431 98.10% Outdoor cat population dynamics calculator To use this calculator, you must know the approximate population served by a shelter or group of shelters (e.g. a city, group of cities or county). Data can be obtained from the U.S. census bureau (http://www.census.gov/#). Enter the population served in column A. Enter the intake and outcome data for the shelters serving this population in the highlighted cells in columns B through C. The calculator will populate the remaining columns and generate the pie chart. Sample provided on next tab. References: Pet cat population based on 2011 pet cat population estimate from 2012 AVMA Demographic sourcebook; estimated 40% of pets allowed outside (percentage may be higher in rural areas, lower in urban areas; range of estimates from 23% to 85% of cats allowed outdoors (Johnson, Lewellen et al. 1994; Johnson and Lewellen 1995; Lord 2008; Kass 2013). Unowned cat population based on composite of multiple studies leading to estimate of ~ 1 cat per 7 people in a community (mid-point of range estimated by Loss,et al. 2013, "The impact of free-ranging domestic cats on wildlife of the United States."). Range of estimates from 1 cat per 2.5 people to 1 cat per 12.2 people. To change assumptions of persons/cat, adjust denominator in cell H3. See references on tab 3 for details. Population per US Census - 2020 Decennial Census Pets in Need - City of Palo Alto Asilomar / Maddie's Fund Report 01/01/2021 to 12/31/2021 Cats - Adjusted Total Intake Live Release Rate Source: https://www.sheltermedicine.com/library/resources/?r=shelter-and-outdoor-cat-population-calculator Recent science has given us more information about how many un-owned cats there are in communities. We also know that about 50% of a population needs to be removed (e.g. through admission to a shelter), or 75%-95% sterilized, in order to achieve long term control. Untargeted programs rarely come close to this level. Using this handy calculator, you can determine the percentage of outdoor cats impounded at your local shelter - if the number falls well shy of 50%, check out our "New Paradigms for Shelters and Community Cats" for information on more strategically targeted approaches to feline sheltering. 40% 58% 2%0% Community and shelter cat dynamics Indoor/outdoor pet cats Outdoor community cats Cats impounded and released alive Cats impounded and euthanized UC Davis Cat Population Calculator - Palo Alto - Pets in Need - Attachment A ATTACHMENT B Page 1 of 4 The Association of Shelter Veterinarians Position Statement: Trap-Neuter-Return Free Roaming and Community Cats “The ASV supports and promotes trap-neuter-return (TNR) in the management of free-roaming and community cat populations as part of a comprehensive population control strategy. TNR programs provide an effective alternative to euthanasia of otherwise healthy cats. Such cats should be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped, and permanently identified as such with a tattoo and/or microchip prior to return to their original location. TNR programs should be part of an overall management strategy that includes public education, the promotion of responsible cat ownership to reduce abandonment, as well as affordable and easily accessible spay-neuter and adoption programs.” American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) 2023 Free-Roaming Cat Position Statement “The AAFP supports the humane management of free-roaming cats with the overarching goals of sustained reductions of unowned free-roaming cat populations over time; improved cat health and wellbeing; mitigating negative impacts on the environment, wildlife, public health and neighborhoods; and supporting free-roaming cat caregivers and their human–animal bond. The AAFP supports reducing the number of free-roaming cats through humane capture, sterilization and appropriate homing based on the spectrum of socialization to people and lifestyle that characterizes Felis catus with adoption into homes, where appropriate, and return to the original or appropriate location (eg, barn, community) once sterilized.1 The AAFP supports non-lethal programs for controlling free-roaming population.” American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Pet Overpopulation – Position Statement The American Animal Hospital Association is committed to continuing the search for more acceptable means to managing the population of homeless animals. North America’s animal shelters, both public and private, face the difficult decision to euthanize millions of homeless cats and dogs each year. Veterinarians should work with and support shelter medicine programs to improve the health and wellbeing of animals in shelters, reduce relinquishment, promote the adoption of shelter animals, and support spay/neuter and behavior programs. ATTACHMENT B Page 2 of 4 American Veterinary Medical Assn. (AVMA) Free-roaming abandoned and feral cats “AVMA encourages the use of non-lethal strategies as the initial focus for control of free-roaming abandoned and feral cat populations. Public, private, and not-for-profit humane organizations and individuals must make every effort to promote adoption of acceptable unowned cats and implement sterilization programs.” “The AVMA recognizes that managed colonies are controversial. However, properly managed programs can improve quality of life for these cats through better nutrition, vaccination to prevent disease, spaying and neutering to reduce unwanted litters, euthanasia of sick and debilitated cats, and adoption of healthy kittens. The goal of colony management should be continual reduction and eventual elimination of the colony through attrition. Appropriately managed colonies also have the potential to significantly decrease risk to public health, wildlife, and ecosystems. “ National Animal Care & Control Association (NACCA) Animal Control Intake of Free-Roaming Cats “NACA advises officers to take proactive steps to divert intake of “stray cats” while offering services that support the goals of community animal management and protection programs: ● Refer the public to local organizations or other staff/programs within the shelter that focus on trapneuter-return, low-cost spay/neuter clinics, or utilize a return-to-home program within the agency if outside resources are not available or accessible. ● Support ongoing care of community cats with information on best feeding practices, referrals to pet pantries and sources for outdoor cat shelters, etc. to reduce likelihood of future complaints and contribute to the wellbeing of the individual community cats. Feeding bans are not effective strategies for dispersing congregations of cats or mitigating complaints. ● Work with residents to mitigate nuisance complaints, deploying a range of available tools (e.g., humane deterrents) and collaborating with caregivers and local TNR and rescue groups. ATTACHMENT B Page 3 of 4 The Humane Society of the United States Common ground for cats and wildlife “With a mission to protect all animals, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) stands on common ground with those who care about both cats and wildlife.” “Robust trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs and related strategies are part of the solution, not the problem and should be more widely practiced with broader support from animal welfare organizations, conservationists, policy makers and individual residents.” Outdoor cats FAQ Humane Euthansia of Feral Cats: “While some people feel sorry for outdoor cats because they view the cats as fending for themselves or feel they will suffer a fate worse than euthanasia, adult community cats are generally healthy and thriving outdoors. Others are annoyed by the cats' behaviors and want them removed without much thought to what happens to the cats. But the majority of people don't feel that community cats should be euthanized. It’s not a solution to overpopulation either. Community cats live at a certain location because it offers food and shelter. When cats are removed, unmanaged cats from surrounding areas may move in to take advantage of the newly available resources. The cycle of reproduction and nuisance behavior begins all over again. Rarely does an animal control agency have the capacity to remove enough cats to impact the population.” Removal of Cats to protect Wildlife: “There are no easy answers to the issue of cat predation on wildlife. However, removing cats only results in a temporary reduction in the cats’ numbers, essentially putting a bandage on the problem and further distance from real solutions. Trap and remove may at first glance seem to be a logical approach to solving cat-wildlife conflict. You might be able to eliminate the population if your target is just a few cats, but trap and remove does not effectively scale up to an entire community—the level you’d need in order to have any impact on threats to wildlife. In order to reduce the population, at least 50% of the cats will need to be removed annually. The cats left behind will tend to have larger litters of kittens, and more of those kittens will survive. The ATTACHMENT B Page 4 of 4 population will quickly return to where it was before cats were removed—and in some cases has been documented to double! Wildlife and cat advocates can help protect wildlife by joining forces in non- controversial collaborative projects such as informing cat owners about keeping owned cats indoors, seeking support and funds for installing cat- proof fences around sensitive natural areas, humanely relocating cat colonies that pose unacceptable risks to wildlife and, of course, continuing community cooperation to improve the efficiency and economy of TNR programs” American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) Position Statement on Mandatory Spay/Neuter Laws “In particular, the ASPCA supports voluntary, affordable, accessible spay/neuter programs for owned pets, Trap-NeuterReturn (TNR) programs for feral cats and the mandatory sterilization of shelter animals and dogs and cats prior to sale by pet stores.” “The most important step a humane community can take to decrease companion animal overpopulation is to make a safe, effective, voluntary spay/neuter program available and readily accessible to the community, and create programs and incentives targeted to the populations known to be contributing disproportionately to shelter intake and euthanasia.” From:Nicola Macfarlane To:Council, City Subject:Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 10:37:17 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from nicola.mac7140@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Council Members: I understand that the City of Palo Alto is renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN). I would like to express my concern about two items in the contract: 1. The greatly reduced volume of spay/neuter surgeries that are being performed sincePets In Need took over the Palo Alto Shelter. Previously large numbers of free roaming cats were spayed/neutered at the city operated shelter but this number has dropped so muchthat it is barely making a dent in the population. This is especially important because the city of East Palo Alto borders Palo Alto and the environmentally sensitive Baylands. Spay/neuter is the single most effective way to reducethe free roaming cat population. When the City of Palo Alto was running the shelter, residents and volunteers were able to routinely access spay/neuter resources for free roamingcats in the area. That has been significantly reduced in favor of importing more cats and dogs from outside the area. Can we make spay/neuter for free-roaming cats a priority in thecontract? 2. Ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) This will actually result in MORE free roaming cats. The cat population will absolutely skyrocket without volunteers doing TNR and volunteers won’t support trap to kill. We haveseen how just one year without TNR availability due to COVID has led to an increased free roaming cat population. Without access to spay/neuter and the ability to return cats who arenot adoptable, the cat population will only increase. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of free roaming cats. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR.“Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this. Sincerely, Nicola Macfarlane From:Eilers, Wendy To:Council, City Subject:Please Support TNR Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 10:28:01 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from weilers@stanfordhealthcare.org. Learn whythis is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Honorable Mayor and Members of the Council: My name is Wendy Eilers. I’m employed at Stanford Health Care and am a caregiver of cats on the Stanford campus. I am part of the program that has reduced a campus feral cat population of 1,000 to a current half dozen cats. You perhaps saw the article in the Daily Post that explained how the Stanford cat project can model an effective approach to feral cats in Palo Alto. Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) is the only proven, humane way to reduce the population of homeless cats in our communities. It is currently BANNED by the Palo Alto City Council in the City of Palo Alto and sister cities Los Altos and Los Altos Hills! Volunteers who do TNR in every other community in the Bay Area are now forbidden to help homeless cats in these three cities. The result is more breeding cats, more kittens for whom there are no homes, more suffering. You cannot have a policy that is humane and reflective of best animal control practices that does not permit the return-to-colony of feral cats. A ban on return-to-colony means the killing of animals at the shelter. This is what the local Audubon advocates want. They want staff at the shelter to engage in killing healthy animals. Kindly consider removing this prohibition from the animal shelter contract and allow for a discussion that includes your local rescue community in developing a program to address the feral cat issue. Thank you so much. Sincerely, Wendy Eilers From:Charlie Weidanz To:Council, City Subject:Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce News & Updates - August 14, 2023 Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 10:00:53 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. NEWS & UPDATES - August 14, 2023 Save the Date: Palo Alto Festival of the Arts - Aug 26-27 Discover 70 Years at Town & Country Village Makers Market Brunch Palo Alto Festival of the Arts - Aug 26-27 Celebrating 40 Years - Palo Alto Festival of the Arts There’s something for everyone at the 40th annual Palo Alto Festival of the Arts from 10-6 Aug. 26-27 along University Avenue, proudly hosted by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce. There will be 250 quality artists in all genres, Kids’ Art Studio, Italian Street Painting Expo, live music, and delicious food and drink. See the full list of participating artists and entertainment lineup at www.paloaltochamber.com/ festival. Free admission and plenty of parking all around the Festival. We hope to see you there! August 26-27, 2023 10:00 am - 6:00 pm >Directions to the Festival >Festival Map Discover 70 Years at Town & Country Village Discover 70 Years at Town & Country Village Join us on Saturday, August 19th to Discover 70 Years at Town & Country Village. Starting from 12-3pm we will amaze you with face painting, glitter tattoos, and a balloon artist! From 3-6pm join us for The Fabulous CruiseTones Band, hula hoop fun, and a trivia game for a chance to win fabulous prizes. Enjoy street food available for purchase from your favorite Town & Country Village merchants! 12-3pm • Street Entertainment face painter + balloon artist + glitter tattoos around the village 3-6pm • The Fabulous CruiseTones Band in front of Manresa Bread & Hudson Grace 3-6PM• Trivia Game and Hula Hoop Fun in band area for a chance to win fabulous prizes _____ Enjoy street food available for purchase from your favorite Town & Country Village merchants including: Kara’s Cupcakes – buy 6 regular cupcakes & receive a free cookie treat – up to a $4.25 value, excludes artisan sugar cookies (order in-store only) The Penny Ice Creamery – mini root beer floats Roost & Roast – free Thai tea with a purchase of our popcorn chicken (order in-store only) Teleferic Barcelona – paella demo & servings for sale Wildseed – plant based small bites, cookies, sandwiches & beverages Learn More and Join the Trivia Hunt Makers Market Brunch Makers Market Brunch HOTEL CITRINE & WILD ONION BISTRO & BAR LAUNCH MAKERS MARKET BRUNCH - STARTING SUNDAY, AUGUST 13 New Series Highlights Local Makers and Artisans, Inviting Guests to Enjoy a Weekend Dining and Shopping Experience! Palo Alto’s Wild Onion Bistro & Bar at Hotel Citrine debuts a new way to experience weekend brunch with the Markers Market Brunch series on Sundaysstarting August 13 11am - 2pm. In addition to its California-inspired bistro brunch menu, guests can mix, mingle and shop with a number of local artisans and makers at mini pop-up shops located throughout the restaurant’s outdoor patio. Wild Onion will welcome three to four different makers every Sunday, giving guests something new to discover each week. When: Sundays starting August 13 from 11am - 2pm Where: Wild Onion Bistro at Hotel Citrine | 750 San Antonio Rd, Palo Alto,CA 94303 Featured vendors include: Tiny Right Brain Designs featuring 3D printed jewelry by Betty Chang; @tinyrightbrain Kailuna Soap Company offering clean, natural and sustainable skincare; @kailunaco The Eclection Shop specializing in hand carved, block print fabric design; @theeclectionshop Saltwater Society’s ceramics and other crafts; @saltwater._.society Chaparral Made reclaimed, eco inspired designs; @chaparralmade Naturals By Nisha soaps, body butter and scrubs; @naturalsbynisha Dancing Bee Blends garden grown herbal products; @dancingbeeblends Stitches by Tiff’s modern embroidery hoops and kits; @stitchesbytiff Kawaii Glass Co. handmade stained glass; @kawaiiglassco Reservations: Make reservations for brunch via OpenTable or call 650-999- 7092. Make it a staycation and check in on Saturday! Visit Hotel Citrine’soffers page for special packages and rates. See Our Upcoming Events Learn More About The Chamber ​ PALO ALTO CHAMBER & VISITORS CENTER 355 ALMA STREET | PALO ALTO | CA | 94301 | 650-324-3121 WWW.PALOALTOCHAMBER.COM This email was sent on behalf of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce 355 Alma St Palo Alto, CA 94301.To unsubscribe clickhere. If you have questions or comments concerning this email or services in general, please contact us by email atinfo@paloaltochamber.com. From:elenac1128@yahoo.com To:Council, City Subject:Re: Pets in Need Palo Alto Aug 14 meeting Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 9:34:13 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from elenac1128@yahoo.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear all, I would like to express my Pets In Need's opinions for your Aug 14 meeting: I have wonderful experience with Pets In Need(PIN) in Palo Alto. Last winter in Nov & Dec, I trappedthree kittens and their mom in our neighborhood. I took them to PIN right away and they took care ofthem. They neutered and gave them vaccines with all the necessary cares. And they put two of thekittens for adoption successfully when they are ready for good homes. The employees I dealt with arevery nice, helpful and responsive. I volunteered in their "Doggy Day Out" program four times since Nov last year when I found out this program. It'sa great opportunity for the volunteers to help out the shelter dogs. I think PIN managed a wonderful program for theshelter dogs that the dogs can exercise and feel the outside world. PIN staff and volunteers are professional, care the animals and try their best for the animals. PIN does so much forour community from offering cheap vaccines to keeping the animals safe when they are taken to PIN facility. Iwould think our city needs PIN and it's a tough job that not many shelter operators are available nowadays. Thankyou Sincerely,Elena Chiu1570 Bryant St, Palo Alto From:Bill Hough To:Council, City Subject:Back public comment regarding item #7 on 8/14/2023 agenda Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 9:17:35 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from psa188@yahoo.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Council should adopt a resolution opposing SB532's toll increase. Bay Area residents are already nickel and dimed to death. In addition to the already high bridge tolls, voters in Santa Clara County have passed multipletax and fee increases including gas taxes, the Caltrain Measure RR tax, two bridge toll increases, three VTA sales taxes, Santa Clara County’s Measure A 1/8 cent sales tax, the stateprop 30 ¼ cent sales tax and the 2010 Measure B Vehicle Registration Fee of $10. Additionally, we’re on the hook to pay back numerous state bond issues including high speedrail, the Proposition 1 water bond and the infrastructure bonds of 2006. All this nickel and diming contributes into making the Bay Area a horribly expensive place to live, especially for people of modest means, who must pay the greatest percentage of theirincome in these regressive taxes and fees. Each increase by itself does not amount to much, but the cumulative effect is to add to the unaffordability of the region. From:Jenna Skinner To:Council, City Subject:Pets in Need/TNR services Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 9:10:55 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from onamission2012@yahoo.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. To whom it may concern, I would like to address the Palo Alto's contract with Pets in Need and the necessity of TNR services for the cities of Palo Alto, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. TNR is the only humane answer to the hundreds, possibly thousands of free roaming cats in those communities. TNR is endorsed, supported, and funded by the cities of San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Saratoga, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Campbell, and the counties of San Mateo, SantaClara, Contra Costa and Marin. It is recognized nationally with organizations like Maddies Fund, Ally CatAllies and the Humane Society of the United States. The cities represented by this city council areprogressive, wealthy and respected cities. The fact that TNR is not practiced here is an embarrassmentand a disservice to your community and its animals. If euthanizing all trapped cats is the answer to the problem of feral cats in your purview, say that out loud.I don't think I've seen that language in anything I have read. I can't see any other result when you are notallowed to release them. It's been suggested that the cats are released in other areas. That is a deathsentence as well. Is that what happens when feral cats are surrendered in the cities you serve? if not,what is the plan? Where are the cats that are trapped in these areas going? The only sustainable method of population control is Trap Neuter and Return. And there are many studiesto support that. You have a fabulous success story right in your backyard. The Stanford Cat Projectsuccessfully achieved the goal that all of us that practice TNR and colony management want. The last ofthe colonies on that campus have passed peacefully and cared for. The Stanford colony mangers kept aclose eye on all the cats, made sure any newcomers were TNR'd and humanely cared for them until thecolony died of old age. Please renew the contract with PIN and include comprehensive TNR services for the communities youserve. Jenna Skinner Director Gatos de la Noche From:Molly Davey To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 8:40:54 AM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from molly.davey12@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Council members, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Molly Davey From:Nelly O To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 7:49:57 AM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from nellyoiknine@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, I am a resident of (Palo Alto/Los Altos/Los Altos Hills.) , . Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Nelly Oiknine From:SHANNON MATTINGLY To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 7:38:37 AM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from shannonmattingly@sbcglobal.net. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, I work in Palo Alto, 345 Hamilton Ave. I am also a resident East Palo Alto. Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Shannon Mattingly Sent from Shannon’s new iPhone 14 pro max From:Comcast To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Monday, August 14, 2023 4:42:23 AM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from robbiesue@comcast.net. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, I am a resident of Palo Alto, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Robyn Heinrich Sent from my iPhone From:Denise Uriarte To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter - in favor of Trap-Neuter-Return for Cat Population Management Programs Date:Sunday, August 13, 2023 8:49:55 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from denisebythesea1@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, I am an animal rescuer that has been trapping and altering (spay/neuter domestic pets and Trap-Neuter-Return for community cats) in the Bay Area for the past 25 years. I am also one of the original founders of Feral Freedom- the premier Shelter-Neuter-Release community cat management program model used and enjoyed by ALL Santa Clara County area shelters and WeCare Shelter members (San Jose Animal Care & Services, Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority, County of Santa Clara Animal Shelter, and Humane Society of Silicon Valley). All of our local shelters employ TNR as a best practice in shelter management, as do most progressive shelter do nationwide! All - Except Palo Alto , that is! Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. The WeCare Coalition supports TNR. Maddie’s Fund, a major Grant contributor to our local shelters, doesn’t just support, but they actually REQUIRE an active shelter TNR program in order to qualify for future grant funding! Do NOT allow a Special Interest group, such as the Audubon Society, which has absolutely no experience in the area of community cat population control, try to sway you with scare tactics and misinformation. They tried before with Mountain View and lost, because the committee was able to factually & statistically refute every ONE of their false claims. The bottom line is the Trap-Neuter-Return, which the community performs by trapping the cats for free to bring them in for altering, actually directly addresses the Aududon Society’s #1 goal !! …of having “fewer free-roaming cats!” . Progressive, informed cities support best practices. All major cities thought the USA support TNR! Why is Palo Alto the sole holdout in employing this proven solution. The ONLY solution that actually reduces community cat numbers and kitten intake at shelters? Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. Pets in Need supports TNR. The city should too! It’s a solid investment in your community and a service your constituents want! 87% of people in a national survey stated they support Trap-Neuter-Return. Only 2% want healthy animals killed. Listen to the majority voice, follow modern best practices in Shelter Care and support TNR. One additional point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is inadequate. When domestic pets get fixed, fewer get “dumped” and fewer end up as ferals. Prevention works! Taxpaying constituents have a right to get their animals altered affordably at a taxpayer supported animal shelter, to prevent (and hopefully finally fix once and for all!) the companion animal over-population crisis in California. Thank you for your time. I hope your vote reflects the wishes of your community. Sincerely, Angela Denise Uriarte From:Mary Beth Train To:Council, City Subject:Support for Palo Alto Commons expansion Date:Sunday, August 13, 2023 8:22:34 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. I support the Palo Alto Commons expansion by adding a 3rd story. I couldn't find the drawings that Irwin Partners would have submitted which would show what it would look like from the outside. I realize that the neighbors are worried about shadows, but I wonder if the trees already along the back fence mitigate that, as shown in the Google overhead street view. As for someone being able to see into a backyard from a bedroom window, I wonder if that could be remedied by a slight modification under the windows. Palo Alto's elderly population is growing, and an increasing number of people won't be able to manage living in a house. Palo Alto needs a variety of senior housing as an alternative to the single family home. My friends who are members of Avendias Villages enjoy it now, and use it to prolong their time in their present independent homes and plan to go to a facility when managing alone becomes too much. The online comments to the Palo Alto Weekly article are mostly favorable. Sincerely, Mary Beth Mary Beth Train - Home office phone 650-324-7346 *voice only, not text* -mbt3305@yahoo.com From:herb To:Council, City; Clerk, City Subject:August 14, 2023 Council Meeting, Item #6: Animal Shelter and Pets in Need Date:Sunday, August 13, 2023 5:37:48 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. AUGUST 14, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, AGENDA ITEM #6PROPOSED TERM SHEET WITH PETS IN NEED AND INTERIM PAYMENT I urge you to reject the proposed term sheet, and instead actto terminate the City's relationship with Pets in Need, whilethe City acts to implement new staffing for the City'sresponsibility pursuant to state law to "provide animal controland sheltering services for the purpose of ensuring the safetyof people and animals, providing for the proper care, andsheltering of abandoned or neglected animals, licensingdomestic animals and providing humane disposal of animals whennecessary" for Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills byeither City staff or an organization whose main purpose is toprovide those services. Pets in Need's main service is to advocate for the no-killmovement by bringing to Palo Alto from other locations inNorthern California pets that nobody wants to adopt in thosecommunities. Pets in Need is not interested in providing the services thestate requires and has demonstrated by its past behavior thatit is not able to adequately provide those state-requiredservices with the quality that was provided by City staff priorto the contract being awarded to Pets in Need. Pets in Need responded to the City's request that led to thecurrent contract because it wanted to use the City's buildingfor the animals it claims it is "rescuing" and because Pets inNeed wants to use the City's name for fundraising purposes tosupport its advocacy of the no-kill movement. When Pets in Need's contract is terminated now, or when itlater terminates if you choose to extend its contract with PaloAlto, then Pets in Need should agree to take with them the"rescued" animals at the shelter and to be bound for a periodof years after Pets in Need leaves to take any adopted"rescued" animals that are returned to the shelter, becausethose "rescued" animals may have a hire rate of return by theirowners due to the fact that nobody wanted to adopt them intheir home communities. From:Allison Fluty To:Council, City Subject:Birder in support of TNR Date:Sunday, August 13, 2023 5:31:41 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from allisonfluty@yahoo.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. I would like to preface by mentioning that I have been an on-and-off member of the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society since 2010 and am currently a member, and in 2019/2020 I volunteered in the Wetlands Docent program. I have also been a member and volunteer with SFBBO since 2018 where I have participated in snowy plover and burrowing owl surveys (2018-2019), monitored the egret colony at Google for the colonial waterbird nesting survey (2019-2022), and am a current volunteer at the Coyote Creek Field banding Station (since Jan 2022). I am not writing as a representative or on behalf of either organization mentioned above, and I only mention my involvement to indicate my dedication and belief in the importance of bird conservation. I am writing as a birder, student of ecology, and indoor cat-owner to strongly urge Palo Alto to include TNR as part of the new PIN contract. Robust TNR programs are essential for population control of unowned, outdoor cats and mitigation of harm to native species (and the cats themselves). My love of birds is what first led me to dedicate a significant amount of free time these last two years to practicing TNR in my community. The more I have learned about the ecological damage caused by outdoor cats (owned and unowned), the more I have dedicated myself to actively doing TNR (my personal motto: “I want to make (outdoor) cats a thing of the past!”). TNR has been repeatedly proven to stabilize population growth of feral cat colonies when implemented effectively (Gunther, et al., 2022, Spehar and Wolf, 2019, Kreisler, Cornell, and Levy, 2019, Spehar and Wolf 2017, Centonze and Levy, 2002). Sustained management through TNR can ultimately result in significant population decline to the point of colony extinction (Spehar and Wolf, 2019). Although meaningful population control can be achieved with as little as 55 to 75 percent rate of sterilization (Jones and Downs, 2004, Andersen et al, 2004), trappers in our area will often not settle for less than a 90 to 100% sterilization rate. Because of this, there are many trappers and colony managers in the South Bay who can provide real examples of colonies that have stabilized and ultimately declined in population over time due to the successful implementation of TNR. The resources that would be required by the city to provide TNR services would be minimal compared tothe resources volunteers would personally expend to utilize the services. Volunteer trappers andmotivated citizens will work tirelessly to trap every cat in a colony if community TNR resources are madeavailable, no matter the number of cats. Volunteers with access to TNR resources will spend days orweeks preparing a colony for trapping, including trap-training cats, identifying feeders to educate andcoordinate, and knocking on doors of every house and business in the area to gather information aboutcats in the area and educate about trapping intentions (leaving flyers with contact information if unable tospeak in-person). Volunteers will also spend their own money on traps and equipment including wirelesscameras to monitor areas where trapping is taking place. Volunteers often share traps and equipmentamongst each other, especially with new volunteers who have just begun to trap. Volunteers will trap lateinto the evening and wake up in the early hours of the morning before dawn to trap the last cat in acolony. Trappers often keep in touch with the people they help and will respond to future requests for helpwhen new cats show up, which is a key aspect of long-term maintenance (Boone, 2015). When TNR is prohibited, trappers will simply stop trapping cats in those jurisdictions. Trappers will not continue to trap cats, or suddenly start trapping cats, if the only outcome for healthy feral cats is euthanasia. In the absence of TNR, the city would require paid staff to trap entire colonies if the goal is to eliminate community cats from a given area. Less ambitious goals to decrease population size and growth rate would still require significant effort. Population modeling and practical studies have shown that euthanizing less than 50% of a colony population is not effective in decreasing population growth (Andersen et al, 2004, McCarthy et al, 2013), and will require higher efforts by staff depending on colony size and immigration rate (Schmidt et al, 2009). In fact, low-level culling has been shown to increase the number of feral cats in a colony due to immigration compared to colonies where no action is taken(Lazenby, Mooney, and Dickman, 2014). Continued monitoring via surveys or cameras by city staff would be required to address new cats that show up to areas that have been culled. It is worth mentioning that the sanctioning of a TNR program in the jurisdictions served by PIN does not have to be an act of defiance against the local bird conservation efforts. Project Bay Cat is a local example of how Audubon chapters can work together with cities and community cat organizations to create positive outcomes for everyone. The Homeless Cat Network, Foster City, and Sequoia Audubon Society collaborated on Project Bay Cat in 2003, which implemented a very successful TNR program on a section of the Bay Trail that resulted in consistent population decline each year until 2020 when only one cat remained out of a beginning census of 175, and 258 total cats going through the program (Spehar and Wolf, 2020). John Boone, Ph.D, the research coordinator at the Great Basin Bird Observatory, published a 2015 article which discusses how TNR can be effective for the management of cat populations when certain practices are followed (Boone, 2015). The methods he recommends are already well-known and practiced by our local trapping community. Issues with TNR Often, issues that are brought-up regarding TNR such as the attraction of nuisance wildlife to public feeding areas are mistakenly assumed to be sanctioned aspects of TNR programs. In reality, effectiveTNR programs include education of colony caretakers and seek to eliminate irresponsible practices suchas free-feeding. A common complaint by people who live or work in areas with cat colonies is thepresence of free-feeding stations. Feeding stations where feeders routinely dump unattended food areirresponsible at best and are not compatible with TNR programs. Leaving food unattended (i.e., fillingbowls with food and then leaving) permits cats to come as they please, which results in some cats onlyappearing when there are no people around, obscuring the true number of cats at a location and allowingthe continued breeding of unfixed colony members unknown to colony caretakers. Unattended food alsoattracts other animals including insect pests such as flies, wasps, and ants, and urban wildlife such asskunks, raccoons, opossums, coyotes, gulls, and crows. Non-native and invasive species including thered fox and Eurasian collared dove are also attracted to and supported by feeding stations. The presence of visible feeding stations suggests to passersby that feeding outdoor cats is ok or even encouraged and exacerbates issues of unregulated feeding by multiple people. Visible feeding stations may also encourage the abandonment of owned cats, as people may use the presence of stations as evidence that “someone” is taking care of the area’s cats (Castillo, D. & Clarke, A.L., 2003). Highly visible feeding stations and feeding stations where food is left unattended should be eliminated and individuals educated and ultimately cited for continued, irresponsible maintenance of feeding stations. The fundamental issue with TNR cited by critics of TNR is the intentional release of trapped cats, a predatory invasive species responsible for the decline and extinction of dozens of native species all over the world. However, allowing owned cats to free-roam outdoors is an issue that directly contributes to the predation of native species. In 2021, a national US survey found that around 33 percent or 26 million of the estimated 79 million owned pet cats have outdoor access (Hurley and Levy, 2002). During my time volunteering with the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley, I witnessed many birds enter the facility due to injuries sustained after being captured by owned, pet cats. Rather than banning TNR, steps should be taken to enforce more effective policies to decrease the number of owned cats that are allowed to free roam outdoors by citizens of Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills. These policies should also address situations involving owned, unfixed cats that are allowed to roam outdoors. Access to low-cost spay and neuter services for owned cats will be crucial in the absence of an ability to reduce the number of owned cats allowed to free-roam outdoors. Allison Fluty, M.A. From:Cheryl Berman To:Council, City Subject:Trap/Neuter/Return Date:Sunday, August 13, 2023 5:31:30 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from drcberman@aol.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. As a 50 year resident of Palo Alto, I am very concerned about the city's ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR). I believe this ban will result in more unowned cats and more dead cats. TNR has proven effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Locally, Stanford University's Cat Network's TNR program brought the feral cat population down from over 1000 to about 12 cats. If TNR is not available in Palo Alto how does Palo Alto intend to manage feral cats,the majority of which are unadoptable after 8 weeks of age? Trapping and releasing cats in areas outside of Palo Alto is considered inhumane by animal welfare organizations and actually illegal in many jurisdictions. Killing the cats or warehousing them in cages until they die are also inhumane and despicable solutions. TNR has proven effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports and funds TNR. Heck, even in places like Brooklyn, NY, TNR is the policy. The answer is not death, the answer is TNR. How can such an enlightened city as Palo Alto not support TNR?? Cats have a right to live. We have the solution to control the cat population humanely, we know it works because of successful programs likeat Stanford. Do the right thing. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities by contracting with Pets in Need to provide TNR services in our area. Thank you. Cheryl Berman 427 Alma St. #206Palo Alto 94301 From:Elaine Won To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Sunday, August 13, 2023 4:10:47 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from ewon888@yahoo.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Elaine Won From:Loran Harding To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; beachrides; David Balakian; LeodiesBuchanan; bearwithme1016@att.net; bballpod; fred beyerlein; Council, City; Cathy Lewis;cramirez.electriclab133@gmail.com; Doug Vagim; dennisbalakian; dan.richard@earthlink.net;dallen1212@gmail.com; eappel@stanford.edu; Scott Wilkinson; Gabriel.Ramirez@fresno.gov;George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu; huidentalsanmateo; hennessy; Irv Weissman; Sally Thiessen; jerry ruopoli; JoelStiner; kfsndesk; karkazianjewelers@gmail.com; leager; Mark Standriff; Mayor; merazroofinginc@att.net;margaret-sasaki@live.com; maverickbruno@sbcglobal.net; newsdesk; news@fresnobee.com; nick yovino;duty.office@fresno.gov; Dan Richard; russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve Wayte; terry; tsheehan;vallesR1969@att.net; Daniel Zack Subject:Fwd: YouTube Santa Monica unsafe!!!!!! Date:Sunday, August 13, 2023 2:02:23 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: Sun, Aug 13, 2023 at 1:27 PM Subject: Fwd: YouTube Santa Monica unsafe!!!!!!To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org> Sunday, August 13, 2023 IMPORTANT. Don't miss these vids, ESPECIALLY THE ONE WITH THEFORMER SHERIFF OF LA COUNTRY. HE TALKS ABOUT THE "HOMELESSINDUSTRIAL COMPLEX". Cities, counties, states, feds give billions to non-profits to fighthomelessness. Their executives pay themselves $800,000 per year, twice what the LA Co. Sheriff ever got. You don't think some of those non-profits show their appreciation togovernment officials for the billions of taxpayer dollars they get? Thousands of good jobs are involved in fighting homelessness, so, of course, these people are not going to solve the problem and put themselves out of work. THEN watch the vid on laws to punish fentanyl dealers, OR THE LACKTHEREOF. OH JESUS. WE ARE DOOMED. THIS DRUG KILLS, THEY CAN GET FIVE YEARS MAX IN CALIFORNIA IF CONVICTED, AND THEY ARE OUT IN A FEWMONTHS!!!!! They should be convicted of murder and executed. Then we won't have to feed and house them. The word would get around. Santa Monica is not safe: (2) California Resident: Santa Monica Is Not Safe - YouTube Former LA County Sheriff on why big money thrown at homeless problem will not solveit: The Homeless Industrial Complex: (2) Former Sheriff Explains LA's Homeless Industrial Complex - YouTube Proposed solutions to homeless crisis without addressing root causes: (2) Resident Explains Why Homeless Won't Be Solved In California - YouTube RV dwellers: (2) I Wouldn't Have Talked To The Homeless If I Knew This... - YouTube Former SF Fire Commissioner attacked severely: (2) San Francisco Homeless Beat Up Government Official - YouTube This is sweet about crime in San Francisco: (2) Resident Tells Why San Francisco Is Different Than You Think - YouTube In California, we lock up fentanyl sellers and that's the end of them, right? I certainlythought so since the stuff kills people all the time: Don't miss this: (2) Laws to Punish Fentanyl Dealers Fail to Pass in California | Matt Capelouto - YouTube I've turned it over and over in my mind and I cannot see why the California legislaturewon't pass tough laws imposing the death penalty on fentanyl dealers. See if you can figure it out. It's a real head-scratcher. L. William Harding Fresno, Ca. From:Beatka Beatka To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Sunday, August 13, 2023 12:39:26 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from allforbeatka@yahoo.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear City Council members, As a resident of Palo Alto, I write you regarding the City’s renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic service. I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just eight years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is more of what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has proven effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had more than 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now, there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that number. Residents have a right to have their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer-supported clinic. Thank you! Sincerely, Beatka Szkop 3191 Mackall Way, Palo Alto, CA 94306 Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone From:Amy Brown To:Council, City Subject:Pets in need and TNR. Date:Sunday, August 13, 2023 10:45:07 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from abrown@hausnerschool.org. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Councilmembers, As a friend of Palo Alto, I write you regarding the City’s renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic service. I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just eight years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is more of what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has proven effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had more than 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now, there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that number. Residents have a right to have their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer-supported clinic. Thank you! Sincerely, Amy Brown 4240 Terman drive Palo Alto, Ca. 94306 Amy Brown Transitional Kindergarten Lead Teacher abrown@hausnerschool.org Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School 450 San Antonio Road | Palo Alto, CA 94306 650.494.8200 | hausnerschool.org | Facebook From:Elizabeth Osborn To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Sunday, August 13, 2023 10:05:42 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from eosborn12@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Council Members, I am writing to you regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) foranimal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feralcats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. Some personal accounts: In the last few months I have assisted two Palo Alto residents get access to TNR spay/neuter and adoption services for a total of 15 cats that would have otherwise continued to populateoutdoors and led to a net increase in the Palo Alto feral cat population: This February I assisted an elderly resident in Barron Park who had come to Pets inNeed (PIN) to ask for help with a feral female cat she had started feeding and who continually had litters around her property. As an independent volunteer I dedicatedapproximately 20 hours of my time to spay/neuter a total of 7 cats at the residence (many of these cats were unknown to the resident, but frequented her outdoor feedingstation). Four of these cats were female (one was pregnant at time of spay), which would have led to at least a 100% increase in the population within a matter of 3-4months and a continued increase thereafter. Had this resident not sought help, had I not dedicated my time, and PIN assisted with spay/neuter appointments thispopulation would have quickly spiraled out of control. The resident has agreed to continue monitoring for new cats and continues to feed the existing outdoor cats. Another resident started feeding a semi-feral cat after continually seeing the cat in her backyard. After a couple weeks 7 kittens started emerging from underneath the shed.A family member of the resident sought help on a local TNR Facebook page. Two volunteers offered many hours over a period of 3 days to trap all 7 kittens and themother. The kittens were taken into the Pets in Need foster program and the mother was spayed and returned to the property. In both of these cases had the resident had any reason to believe these cats could have beeneuthanized they would have not intervened, which would have resulted in an unsustainable increase in the cat population in their neighborhoods. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than halfa dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contactwith them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that.Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you for your time. Elizabeth From:Helene Grossman To:Council, City Cc:Ellner, Robin; Reynolds, Brian; Hartley, Craig; French, Amy Subject:Thank you! Date:Sunday, August 13, 2023 9:19:43 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear City Council, I wanted to thank you for all your investment and efforts to enforce Palo Alto's gas leaf blowerban. The improvement over the last year has been nothing short of amazing! It used to be that I couldn't open my window during the day, since there were gas leaf blowers going most of the time -- now I can open my windows. It also used to be that I'd encountermultiple gas leaf blowers every time I would go running -- now, I can run all around the neighborhood and gas leaf blowers are rare. This change has vastly improved quality of life for myself, my family, and the othercommunity members I talk to. It's also great for the environment and health of gardeners! *Thanks* so much to all of you, to the code enforcement staff, and in particular, to Craig Hartley, Robin Ellner, Brian Reynolds, and Amy French. All of us in the community are incredibly grateful for all you've done to help residents enjoyclean air and quiet neighborhoods! Many thanks, Helene Grossman From:Nina Wouk To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Saturday, August 12, 2023 11:34:07 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from nwouk@ix.netcom.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, Fixing cats works. Trying to kill cats doesn’t. Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Nina Wouk From:Ann Chasson To:Council, City Subject:Letter in support of TNR as performed by Pets In Need Date:Saturday, August 12, 2023 8:36:53 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from ann@thedancingcat.org. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. August 12, 2023 Dear Councilmembers, As a friend of Palo Alto, I am writing you to support the renewal of your contract with Pets in Need. Palo Alto has been without a city-run shelter of its own for several years, and your contract with Pets in Need has been very successful. In addition, I am urging you to reverse your policy of prohibiting residents of Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills from having feral cats that were spayed/neutered at Pets in Need released back to their homes. Your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) is out of step with all other cities in the South Bay. More importantly, this ban will cause residents to avoid getting outdoor cats fixed, knowing they will instead be euthanized at PIN. This will lead to even more unwanted kittens being born outdoors in these communities. TNR is proven to be effective in reducing the number of free-roaming cats, something that all of us have as a goal. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. Sincerely, Ann Chasson Ann Chasson, Co-FounderThe Dancing Cat702 E Julian, San Jose, CA 95112www.thedancingcat.org408.459.9644 Find us on Facebook | Instagram | Threads From:Shellythao To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Saturday, August 12, 2023 7:15:26 AM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from shellythao@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, I am a resident of (Palo Alto/Los Altos/Los Altos Hills.) , . Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Shelly Duong Sent from my iPhone. From:sam.pawsibilities@gmail.com To:Council, City Subject:ITEM 6 Date:Saturday, August 12, 2023 6:30:20 AM Attachments:PIN letter supporting Palo Alto TNR.docx.pdf Some people who received this message don't often get email from sam.pawsibilities@gmail.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android RE:Item 6 -Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Councilmembers, As a friend of Palo Alto,I write you regarding the City’s renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN)for animal sheltering and clinic service.I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR)will result in MORE unowned cats:One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just eight years!That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed,nobody will do this important (and free to the City)work.Result:more feral cats. That is more of what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has proven effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats.Stanford University had more than 500 cats on campus 34 years ago.Now,there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area,except Palo Alto,endorses,supports,and funds TNR.“Best municipal practices”means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health.They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities.PIN supports TNR. One more important point:The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN.Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate.Please require double or triple that number.Residents have a right to have their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer-supported clinic. Thank you! Sincerely, Samantha Carroll From:Aram James To:Binder, Andrew; Lee, Craig; Reifschneider, James; Sean Allen; Jethroe Moore; Council, City; Jensen, Eric;Figueroa, Eric; Hornung, Joel; Shikada, Ed; DuJuan Green; Tanaka, Greg; Josh Becker; Wagner, April; JoeSimitian; Human Relations Commission; Michael Gennaco Subject:Thrown to the ground by the racist PAPD in 2004 for not wearing a helmet while skateboarding to Terman Jr on the way to school check him out now Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 10:07:40 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://youtu.be/SHK_VSyp1D0 From:Sheriff Transparency To:Aram James Cc:Robert. Jonsen; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Council, City; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Shana Segal; Josh Becker; Shikada, Ed; Wagner, April; Human Relations Commission; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael; Tannock, Julie; Jensen, Eric; Figueroa, Eric; Jeff Rosen; Rebecca Eisenberg; Mila Zelkha; Perron, Zachary; Jay Boyarsky; Enberg, Nicholas; Joe Simitian; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Kevin Jensen; DuJuan Green; dennis burns Subject:Re: Gangs in Pasadena Police Department? Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 9:15:53 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hi Aram, We hope nobody is surprised after reading this. Many LE agencies harbor some sort ofgroup, whether characterized as a 'gang', 'clique', or a 'band' of cops whose members set out to commit egregious acts within the community and/or against other LE Officers as in this casein Pasadena. We know the LASD leads the issues on this, however, there can be as little as 3 people who act together or separately to commit crimes, violate civil rights, etc. while upholding theircommitment to being in these LE groups of thugs, which are not uncommon in many agencies. They operate and work right under their commanders' noses, some know and some do not. Webelieve the new (Jan2023) Chief of Pasadena PD has not been made aware and now is raising an eyebrow. Seems to us that perhaps his command staff did not appropriately bring thetroubling issues to the Chief's attention sooner because they are part of his command staff.That is the problem is you have commanders (and all the way up to the Chief/Sheriff)involved or were involved and it is an uphill battle to address the issues when the leadersare the roadblocks. This is one of the reasons why new Chiefs and Sheriffs should be rid of the formerChief/Sheriff Commanders because you just do not know who/what you are getting. To rely on the judgment of a former Chief or Sheriff is plain reckless and ignorant as in the currentcase of the SCC Sheriff's Office (we have noted that the current Sheriff is Cc'ed on this email), keeping former Sheriff Laurie Smith's commanders in place. MANY depts who haveappointed/elected new Chiefs/Sheriffs reorganize their command structures.Not uncommon and similar to private companies, new mayors, etc. We want to applaud Pasadena Councilmember Tyrone Hampton (a person with integrity) fordemanding an independent investigation into the allegations. We need everyone in Gov't to be like Tyrone Hampton unless your goal is not to uphold trust for our communities because yousimply do not care, and/or just sitting, collecting a paycheck. We have YET to see or hear about anyone in any City or this County demanding that any LE Civil Rights violationallegations they learn about within their cities call for an INDEPENDENT investigation. If you know, please respond. We'd like to know. We have presented to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors for an independentinvestigation and of course, were ignored. That is the worst thing an agency (SCCBOS) committed to upholding the values of our diverse communities can do. Or are they reallycommitted? or just collecting a paycheck? We want everyone here to know and we will continue to pass on our sentiments on behalf of our group, victims, and witnesses, that because those in Santa Clara County do not takeanything seriously (look how long it took them to be rid of the former Sheriff) when it comes to corruption and transparency, we have found other investigating agencies who has (taken usseriously) to investigate the allegations (or at least delegate to another authority) we have presented. When the time comes, we will be happy to expose to the media/public who wereached out to when the public demands why wasn't something done sooner or even addressed. That would mean everyone on the current board of the County Board of Supvs,including the current and retired SCC Executive Director and those complicit in failing to take action. ~SCCSTG On Fri, Aug 11, 2023 at 3:45 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: https://www.pasadenanow.com/main/chief-harris-responds-to-lawsuit-claiming-gang-in-police-department Shared via the Google app Sent from my iPhone From:forest light To:Council, City Cc:Clerk, City Subject:Keep Terman Park a City Park! Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 6:01:32 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Keep Terman Park a City Park! Terman Park is dedicated parkland owned and extensively used by the residents of the city. This parkland has been shared without incident by the schools and the residents for manyyears. It is the ONLY parkland residents living on the south side of Arastradero have on their side of the busy Arastradero corridor. In fact, it is the ONLY readily accessible city resourceresidents have in our landlocked southern corner of town — hemmed in as we are by Adobe Creek, Arastradero and El Camino. Residents of all ages use the path along the edge of the park for their daily exercise and thepark itself for other activities. The Park provides a secluded set of playing fields used by athletic leagues of all sorts. It offers sets of basketball courts and tennis courts that are used byafter school athletes and athletes and athletic leagues and associations from all over the city and beyond. Our south-end neighborhood's seniors especially value the park as it is a quiet, pleasant openspace shielded from traffic and a is a safe location for them to enjoy the path and its benches. Our neighborhood children also value the park as a safe, accessible space to play on. What happens to adjacent our neighborhood resident's access to the Terman Park if thePAUSD acquires it? Based on recent school actions vis a vis the Terman Park, the answer appears to be to lock the Glenbrook Gate (and presumably all the other existing access openings and actual gates to thepark) and prohibit residents and athletes from accessing the fields and ball courts. Or is it just the Glenbrook Gate passage into Genbrook Ave/Greenacres One neighborhood that theschools intend to lock — and have locked before? This is unacceptable. Once parkland is lost as a city resource, there will be no recovering it. Ever. Nor can there be any believable assurance that the school would not find some reason to sell the land andfacilities in the future. Despite the nonsense blathering about the school's traditional/historical reluctance to sell off its properties and grounds, the PAUSD has a sad history of willingness tosell/trade off such assets — including portions of the original Terman School grounds — for housing or whatever else the buyer chooses or can get away with. These ill-advised schoolproperty sales were one-way-deals that meant that the schools could never again possibly afford to buy back the lost but rapidly appreciating properties. And the school district'smassively short-sighted selling practices were stopped only by a bitter election. If the schools choose to sell off their lands, could the city and/or its residents once again have an opportunity to stop such sales via the ballot box as they can with parklands? No. The schools could sell their lands to third parties such as developers. And if so, as we are seeingwith the Driftwood properties/Oxford Capital) and over in Menlo Park in the instance of the Sunset Magazine properties, the buyers will doubtless attempt to force high-density/“affordable” dwelling construction onto them. Michael Maurier ResidentFairmede Ave. Greenacres One NeighborhoodPalo Alto From:Tran, Joanna To:Council, City Cc:Executive Leadership Team; Clerk, City Subject:City.Council Bundle: 7/14 - 8/8 Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 5:05:36 PM Attachments:RE Greene Middle school NEW POOL GATE .msgRE Parklets.msgFW Reaching out for Public Engagement Contact.msgJanitorial RFP.msgATT Lead Cables Overhead and Underground.msgRE Cell Tower Applications .msgFollow Up - Application Request .msgRE Loma Vista Park.msgRE Forever chemicals.msgFabian Way complaint.msgRE Sign on Cal Ave .msgFW Appeal Regarding the Removal of Italian Stone Pine F37 in Robles Park 4116 Park Blvd.msgimage001.pngimage003.pngimage004.pngimage006.pngimage007.pngimage008.pngimage009.png Dear Mayor and Council Members, On behalf of City Manager Ed Shikada, please see attached staff responses to emails received in the City.Council inbox from 7/14 – 8/8. 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:Tran, Joanna To:Council, City Cc:Clerk, City; Executive Leadership Team Subject:Council Consent Question 8/14/23: Items 2 and 4 Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 4:15:02 PM Attachments:image010.pngimage015.pngimage017.pngimage018.pngimage019.pngimage020.pngimage002.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: August 14th Amended Agenda Staff Responses to Items 2 and 4 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:Aram James To:Robert. Jonsen; Binder, Andrew; Sheriff Transparency; Reifschneider, James; Council, City; Jethroe Moore; SeanAllen; Shana Segal; Josh Becker; Shikada, Ed; Wagner, April; Human Relations Commission; Michael Gennaco;Foley, Michael; Tannock, Julie; Jensen, Eric; Figueroa, Eric; Jeff Rosen; Rebecca Eisenberg; Mila Zelkha; Perron,Zachary; Jay Boyarsky; Enberg, Nicholas; Joe Simitian; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Kevin Jensen; DuJuanGreen; dennis burns Subject:Gangs in Pasadena Police Department? Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 3:45:37 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://www.pasadenanow.com/main/chief-harris-responds-to-lawsuit-claiming-gang-in- police-department Shared via the Google app Sent from my iPhone From:Kristen Van Fleet To:French, Amy Cc:Robert Chen; Dao, Veronica; Summa, Doria; Bryna Chang; William Ross; Council, City; City Mgr; Lait, Jonathan Subject:Re: FW: Mandarin Translator Requested for PTC Meetings Regarding Ellsworth Place Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 1:18:48 PM Attachments:image011.pngGmail - Mandarin Translator Requested for PTC Meetings Regarding Ellsworth Place.pdf Dear Amy French, This is a response to your email of Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 4:27 pm, which was sent only 3 hours before PTC Meeting, ACTION ITEM #3 was scheduled to begin at 7:40 pm later that evening. (See Attached PDF for the full e-mail communications regarding this issue.) Prior to sending this email, Ellsworth Place homeowners Kristen A. Van Fleet and Robert Chen had more than one conversation about the difficulty with translation during the City meetings regarding a development project that would directly impact the existing homes on Ellsworth Place. Kristen had reached out to several people who have more experience with meetings run by the City of Palo Alto, and it was recommended more than once to her that a request for a translator be submitted; possibly under ADA laws. So she confirmed with Robert Chen that he would like this request made on his behalf, and he agrees it would be helpful for him. Because it remained unclear when the next PTC meeting would be scheduled for this development on Ellsworth Place, the request for the translator was sent immediately following the release of “the packet” to the public, late afternoon on Thursday, August 3, 2023. Also, because it was unclear who to ask about a translator request, the email was sent to several departments within the City of Palo Alto. Any one of those departments could have responded to this inquiry with communication stating that CPA does not provide translation for its citizens. That communication should have been done with adequate time to make other arrangements. Instead, we were told a translator would be provided, and then told one would not be provided about 3 hours before the meeting was scheduled to begin; only to be told 3 minutes before the meeting actually began that a translator had been provided! Below is a timeline of the communications regarding this request for a translator, and a PDF of the actual email communications is also attached. —------------------------------------------------------ Thursday, August 3, 2023, at 5:43 PM - On behalf of Robert Chen, Kristen A. Van Fleet's email original inquiry for a translator was sent to CPA upon learning the packet for this PTC meeting of August 9, 2023, was released to the public. Monday, August 7, 2023, at 10:10 AM - Clerk of the PTC, Veronica Dao, emailed to confirm that a translator was still needed. Monday, August 7, 2023, at 12:30 PM - This email is replied to along with a screenshot of texted communications confirming the need for the translator. Monday, August 7, 2023, at 12:42 PM - Clerk of the PTC, Veronica Dao, emailed a “thank you” for this confirmation. Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 4:26 PM - Amy French from the Planning Department sends an email that says a translator will NOT be provided and gives reasons why, along with instructions for Mr. Chen to use Zoom and its language translation tools. Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 5:20 PM - Kristen A. Van Fleet is notified via phone call by Attorney William Ross that the translator will not be provided. (He was CC'd in the email.) Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 5:21 PM - Kristen A. Van Fleet calls Robert Chen to let him know there will not be a translator for him, and asks him if he has read Amy’s email. He confirms he has not yet seen the email from Amy French. He says he needs time to think about whether or not he will attend the meeting in person or stay home and use Zoom as suggested by Amy. Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 7:03 PM - Kristen A. Van Fleet speaks with Robert Chen again briefly and he tells her he has decided to stay home. (Up until this point, he was planning on presenting at the meeting.) Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at 7:40 PM - at the Council Chambers, Attorney William Ross informs Kristen A. Van Fleet that there may be a translator on Zoom for Robert Chen, but this is unconfirmed. She sends a text to Robert to let him know this and does not receive a response from him, (which is not uncommon as mornings are a better time to communicate with him). Wednesday, August 9, 2023, during the break between sessions at approximately 9:00 PM - Amy French talks to Kristen A. Van Fleet in the Council Chambers, approaching her while she is in conversation with Attorney William Ross, and she lets her know that there is a translator available for Robert Chen; that this translator has been paid for by the City and is logged in on Zoom. Kristen informs Amy that Robert has decided to stay home per her recommendation that he use Zoom. Kristen adds that the request for the translator went out the day the packet was released, and there was time to properly communicate, and that this in addition to having only 5-days with the story poles is more lack of fair treatment; especially when we have tried to communicate with her quickly and do not receive responses! In frustration, Kristen exclaims, “Stop jerking us around!” Amy, seeming flustered, asks Kristen to call Mr. Chen and get him to the City Chambers, (which Kristen did not want to do given the meeting was about to begin), and simultaneously, Amy is told by Veronica Dao that Robert Chen is logged into Zoom, so she tells Kristen not to worry about calling him and says she will take care of it and then walks away. Kristen then resumes her conversation with Attorney William Ross and the meeting starts a few mins later. Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at approximately 9:03 PM - The meeting begins —------------------------------------------------------ In conclusion, I’d like to state that the situation of the translator should have been handled better by the City of Palo Alto. I do understand the City is overworked and understaffed and mistakes will occur because of this. However, If there was a translator online that was being paid for by the City, and that translator went unutilized, please note that this was an unfortunate outcome of poor communication on the part of CPA and is in no way the fault of either Robert Chen or myself. Sincerely, Kristen A. Van Fleet Homeowner - Ellsworth Place On Wed, Aug 9, 2023 at 4:26 PM French, Amy <Amy.French@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote: Hello Robert, Kristen requested the City provide a translator for you for the Commission hearing tonight. The requesteventually made its way to me. Since I have your email, I am responding directly to you, copying the PTCchair and vice chair, and blind copying the other emails Kristen copied in her email. People are allowed to bring their own translator and have extra time for the translation. But the staff sonot know of any legislation that makes it required for the City to provide translation. Our clerk’s and attorney’soffices note that not knowing the primary language is not considered a disability. Our policy (and the law) requires that public comment time be extended to account for languagetranslation. Kristen’s request on your behalf goes beyond that and we don’t have a policy or budget for that. However, if you wish to join via zoom, you can select the "Mandarin" language channel in Zoom. This isan example of how you can set up a simultaneous translation in Zoom. I remain available for questions and dialog, Mr. Chen. From: Kristen Van Fleet <kvanfleet@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, August 3, 2023 5:42 PMTo: Dao, Veronica <Veronica.Dao@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Planning Commission<Planning.Commission@cityofpaloalto.org>; William Ross <wross@lawross.com>; City Mgr<CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>; City Attorney <city.attorney@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Glanckopf, Annette<annette_g@att.net>; Furman, Sheri <sheri11@earthlink.net>Subject: Mandarin Translator Requested for PTC Meetings Regarding Ellsworth Place CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links. Hi Veronica, My neighbor Robert Chaoqiang Chen is a native speaker of Mandarin. While he holds a Ph.D. in structuralengineering and has been an integral part of the Ellsworth Place property dispute, he is missing keyinformation during public meetings, and his public presentations are becoming cut off and made morechallenging due to the language barrier. Reading English is a better way to communicate for him than hearingthe spoken word, and he has been doing his best to take part in all of the pertinent public meetings we've hadthus far. However, the next meeting is perhaps crucial to this process, and It is, for this reason, he is requestinga Mandarin translator to assist him at the next public meeting, per ADA laws, which will be covering adiscussion and planning of a potential development at 702 Ellsworth Place. (Although a language barrier ishardly a disability, but it is likely covered by public laws.) The next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 9th at 6 pm, however, we have requested thisdate be postponed due to the lack of "Demonstration Structires" being in place before the 7-day period prior tothe scheduled meeting, and are awaiting a response on this request from the City Manager. In clarification, to be sure Robert is able to understand the public meetings he is integrally a part of, he wouldlike a translator provided by the City on his behalf for this upcoming PTC meeting, regardless of when it isscheduled. Sincerely, Kristen A. Van Fleet on behalf of Robert Chaoqiang Chen From:David Rutan To:Council, City Subject:TNR support Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 12:33:57 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from david@wizdomonwheels.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Please consider fully supporting and helping fund TNR services in Palo Alto.​​These programs help reduce the feral and stray populations which directly impact native wildlife -- allowing the populations to grow uncheck (through not supporting TNR) can devastate the Baylands and other areas in the community.​Releasing cats in the Baylands following a TNR setup does not occur by any of the rescue groups, and if there is an individual doing so it is already prohibited behavior that can be handled on a case by case basis -- releasing typically occurs by putting the cat back in the community it was picked up.​The foster and rescue communities are sorely hurting with the influx of kittens and lack of vet services to handle spay/neuters. These lack of services are already causing local population growth in cat colonies.​Please help keep the cat colonies in check by fully supporting and helping fund TNR practices in Palo Alto.​​- David Rutan From:Carole Hyde To:Council, City Subject:Recent media on TNR Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 12:13:44 PM Attachments:PA-TNR Daily Post July 28 2023.pdf Some people who received this message don't often get email from carolepahs@icloud.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear members of the Council, Given the article in today’s Weekly, with heavy emphasis on Pets In Need killing animals and public abhorrence of it, I urge you to support TNR, not ban it. Not many ferals in Palo Altoanyway!! Baylands and Parks ALREADTY protected by your very own city ordinance!! To effectively deal with feral cats, here is recent media highlighting the innovative and successful Stanford experience with cat control. https://nathanwinograd.substack.com/p/mission-accomplished Sincerely, Carole Carole Hyde Formerly at Stanford c (650) 504-5898carolepahs@icloud.com From:Erin Vitus To:Council, City Subject:Please keep TNR Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 11:59:24 AM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from erinvitus@gmail.com. Learn whythis is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachmentsand clicking on links.________________________________ Hello, We are very disheartened to hear that TNR is being reconsidered. I don’t understand how or why thisprogram would be discontinued. Do you like finding half-dead kittens in your garbage? I can personally tell you that I do not. Please, I beg you, if you do anything in your stewardship of this city, please continue TNR. How wetreat vulnerable animals like this is the litmus test of the level of civility in our society. Confused and concerned,Erin Vitus12895 Normandy LaneLos Altos Hills (650) 722-1496 From:Stacie To:Council, City Subject:Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 9:57:00 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from staciepiza@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Councilmembers, As a resident of Palo Alto, I am writing to you regarding the City’s renewing its contract withPets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic service. I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left tobreed produces more than 2 million cats in just eight years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trappingwill be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is more of what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has proven effective nationwideat reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had more than 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now, there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR.“Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in PaloAlto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple thatnumber. Residents have a right to have their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer- supported clinic. Thank you! Sincerely, Stacie Piza From:Krystina Weinacht To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 8:14:30 AM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from krystina.weinacht@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Council-members, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Krystina Crowley From:Jeanette Kennedy To:Council, City Subject:Monday meeting i.e. TNR Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 8:00:13 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from calalexs@pacbell.net. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. i.e. TNR This plan for feral cats has the best chance of reducing agony on multiple litters of feral cats. It is as humane a solution to the problem Jeanette Kennedy736 Kendall From:Aram James To:Council, City; Chuck Jagoda; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Robert. Jonsen; Roberta Ahlquist; Shikada, Ed;Reifschneider, James; Binder, Andrew; Josh Becker; Shana Segal; Wagner, April; Human Relations Commission;Michael Gennaco; Jeff Rosen; Sheriff Transparency; Enberg, Nicholas; Jensen, Eric; Figueroa, Eric Cc:Joe Simitian; Hornung, Joel; Cindy Chavez; District1@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Vara Ramakrishnan Subject:I Spent Over 40 Years Working in Corrections. I Wasn’t Ready for Rikers. | The Marshall Project Date:Friday, August 11, 2023 7:22:39 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.________________________________ https://www.themarshallproject.org/2022/10/28/i-spent-over-40-years-working-in-corrections-i-wasn-t-ready-for-rikers Sent from my iPhone From:Anne Scott To:Council, City Subject:TNR letter Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 11:16:59 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from awscott77@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Palo Alto City Council, TNR is the only cost effective and humane way to manage feral cats. In the Bay Area it is endorsed, supported, and funded by the cities of San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Saratoga, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Campbell, and the counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Contra Costa and Marin. “Best municipal practices” for feral cats means supporting TNR. Palo Alto is alone in failing to meet this standard. The Palo Alto City Council must correct this failure when it meets on Monday, August 14. Sincerely, Anne Scott Los Altos From:Melanie Otsuji To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 10:08:42 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from motsuji@me.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Melanie Lombrana Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Robert. Jonsen; Binder, Andrew; Council, City; Foley, Michael; Michael Gennaco; Reifschneider, James; JoshBecker; Wagner, April; Shikada, Ed; Jensen, Eric; Hornung, Joel; Figueroa, Eric; Tannock, Julie; Barberini,Christopher; Shana Segal; Joe Simitian; Human Relations Commission; Jeff Rosen Subject:Long Island cop shot my eye out with a taser: suit Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 9:31:35 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: August 10, 2023 at 8:20:16 PM PDTTo: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>, Jethroe Moore <moore2j@att.net>, Richard Konda <rkonda@asianlawalliance.org>, Raj<raj@siliconvalleydebug.org>Subject: Long Island cop shot my eye out with a taser: suit https://nypost.com/2019/01/19/long-island-cop-shot-my-eye-out-with-a-taser-suit/ Sent from my iPhone From:Kurt Wiedenhoeft To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 8:40:40 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from kurtww@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Councilmembers, I am a homeowner and resident of Palo Alto. I own two cats who are indoor only. Outdoorcats are a problem, and Trap/Neuter/Return can help reduce the breeding population of feral cats. I encourage you to revisit this policy and allow PIN to return spayed/neutered cats ratherthan to put them in a kill shelter. I also encourage you to require that PIN provider more spay/neuter appointments at the clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Kurt Wiedenhoeft 722 Marion AvePalo Alto, CA 94303 From:Christina De La Rosa To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 8:18:43 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from bayareadietitian@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Christina De La Rosa From:Lauren Briskin To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 7:48:54 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from ljbriskin@icloud.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, I am a resident of (Palo Alto/Los Altos/Los Altos Hills.) , . Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Lauren Joy Briskin Sent from my iPad From:Claire Wald To:Council, City Subject:TNR Support Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 7:12:58 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from claireko96@hotmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Palo Alto City Council, I urge you to repeal the ban on TNR (Trap, Neuter and Release). It is is the only proven, humane way to reduce the population of homeless cats in our communities. Banning TNR means more breeding cats, more kittens for whom there are no homes, more suffering. It would reduce the burden on shelters, reduce costs of housing feral cats in shelters and prevent suffering of innocent animals. TNR is the only cost effective and humane way to manage feral cats. In the Bay Area it is endorsed, supported, and funded by the cities of San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Saratoga, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Campbell, and the counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Contra Costa and Marin. A concerned resident, Claire Wald From:Aram James To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Linda Jolley; Angie Evans; Vara Ramakrishnan; Joe Simitian; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; District1@bos.sccgov.org; Cindy Chavez;supervisor.lee@bos.sccgov.org; Shana Segal; Council, City; Shikada, Ed; dennis burns; Bains, Paul; LaDoris Cordell; Josh BeckerSubject:The San Francisco Replacement Housing Act Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 5:30:01 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments andclicking on links.  Aram — Today marks 75 years since the founding of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency (SFRA), which was responsible for the demolition of thousands of housing units in lower-income communities and communities of color like the Western Addition, Fillmore, SoMA, and Japantown. Packaged as “urban renewal”, this period of redevelopment leveled hundreds of businesses and forced thousands of residents – largely people of color – out of their homes. The SFRA has since been dissolved and replaced, but its legacy of broken promises and racial injustice persists. Today, nearly 6,000 units of affordable housing that were destroyed by the SFRA have yet to be replaced. It’s time to right this wrong and address our city’s shameful history of urban renewal. That’s why I’ve introduced the San Francisco Replacement Housing Act, which will allow San Francisco to replace all of the affordable housing units that were demolished by the SFRA. This legislation will help us meet our state’s ambitious housing goals by providing key financing for these new units. Will you sign on in support of the San Francisco Replacement Housing Act? Folks in the Western Addition, Fillmore, SoMA, and Japantown have been waiting decades for promises of affordable housing to be fulfilled – we can’t wait any longer for action. Let’s get it done: ADD YOUR NAME – Senator Scott Wiener If you would like to learn more about Senator Wiener, please visit our website. If you would like to support Senator Wiener's campaign, please make a grassroots donation so he can keep fighting for all of us. In the Senate, Senator Wiener works to make housing more affordable, invest in our transportation systems, increase access to healthcare, support working families, meaningfully address climate change and the impacts of drought, reform our criminal justice system, reduce gun violence, reduce California’s high poverty rate, and safeguard and expand the rights of all communities, including immigrants and the LGBT community. Senator Scott Wiener represents District 11 in the California State Senate. District 11 includes all of San Francisco, Broadmoor, Colma, and Daly City, as well as portions of South San Francisco. PAID FOR BY RE-ELECT SCOTT WIENER FOR STATESENATE 2024 FPPC #1434666 Re-Elect Scott Wiener for State Senate 2024312 Clay St. Suite 300Oakland, CA 94607United States If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe. From:Nancy Hughes To:Council, City Subject:TNR and PALO ALTO Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 4:03:59 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from nancyhughes63@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Palo Alto contracts with Pets In Need for the provision of animal shelter services to Palo Alto, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. The current contract prohibits PIN from offering TNR servicesfor feral cats in those cities. The Palo Alto City Council is developing the terms it will offer for anew contract with PIN and will decide those terms at a meeting on August 14. The terms offered toPIN should reflect best municipal and humane practices by including a Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) program in which feral cats are neutered, vaccinated and returned to their homelocations. TNR reduces and stabilizes populations of community cats. It improves the lives of cats,addresses community concerns, reduces complaints about cats, and stops the breeding cycle. TNR improves the co-existence between outdoor cats and humans in our shared environment.Prohibiting TNR results in an exponentially increasing number of unowned cats. The North Shore Animal League America estimates one unspayed cat and its offspring can produce 2000cats in 4 years and over 2 million cats in just 8 years. TNR has been proven to be effective in Palo Alto. In 1989 Stanford University estimated thatit had over 1,000 feral cats on campus. A group of volunteers, calling themselves the Stanford Cat Network, started a TNR program that stabilized the University’s cat population to nearzero growth. The combination of near zero growth, natural attrition and an adoption program fortame strays and kittens young enough for domestication reduced the cat population to about 12 catsby 2019. The success of the Stanford Cat Network was a catalyst in the adoption of TNR programs by universities, towns, cities, shelters and humane organizations across the country.It is strange that the Palo Alto City Council has prohibited TNR in view of this local successstory. If TNR is not available, how does Palo Alto intend to manage feral cats? The majority areunadoptable after 8 weeks of age. Trapping and releasing the cats in a location other than their home is considered inhumane by animal welfare organizations and treated as illegalabandonment in jurisdictions that support TNR. Release of cats trapped in Palo Alto to locationsoutside of Palo Alto would also be treated as an illegal abandonment by the receiving jurisdiction.Does Palo Alto intend to trap and warehouse feral cats in cages until they die? Such a practice would be both inhumane and costly. Or does Palo Alto intend to trap and kill these cats whichare abandoned or lost domestic pets or the descendants of such pets? This approach is also considered inhumane and would be costly, ineffective, and need to be done repeatedly.And who will do the trapping? Trapping in TNR programs is done by dedicated unpaid volunteers who do this hard work because they are concerned about the welfare of animals andthe co-existence of outdoor cats and humans. These volunteers will not trap cats so they can be moved from their homes, warehoused or killed. The City of Palo Alto will have to do thisdifficult, costly work at taxpayer expense and must do it year after year as none of these “alternatives” to TNR address the problems of animal overpopulation and abandonment. Each year unwanted litters will continue to be born and cats will continue to be abandoned orlost. These cats will move into the spaces where cats were previously removed by the City and reproduce.If the Palo Alto City Council is interested in effectively managing feral cat populations in Palo Alto, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, it should contract with PIN for both TNR services andincreased spay/neuter availability so residents of these cities can afford to neuter their pets and prevent unwanted litters. The current number of 60 appointments is not enough and should betripled or at least doubled. TNR is the only cost effective and humane way to manage feral cats. In the Bay Area it isendorsed, supported, and funded by the cities of San Jose, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Saratoga, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Campbell, and thecounties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Contra Costa and Marin. “Best municipal practices” for feral cats means supporting TNR. Palo Alto is alone infailing to meet this standard. The Palo Alto City Council must correct this failure when it meets on Monday, August 14. Nancy and Harold HughesLos Altos Hills From:Shashank Divekar To:Council, City Subject:4075 El Camino Real (23PLN-00391) 14 Additional Senior Housing Units to Palo Alto Commons Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 3:26:30 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from shashankdivekar@yahoo.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. To Palo Alto City Council: Regarding the Proposal to Modify an existing Planned Community(Palo Alto Commons) to Allow 14 Additional Senior HousingUnits, Including an Increase in the FAR, Lot Coverage, Densityand Height within the Daylight Place This is a followup to the Hearing Notice for a Study Session onMonday , August 7,2023 at 7:35 pm Item 4 for above Proposal: I am the owner of a single family home on 4054 Wilkie Way, PaloAlto, CA 94306.My property shares the common backyard fence abutting with PaloAlto Commons. I oppose the Addition of 14 units to the Palo Alto Commonsexisting community for the following reasons:1. As I understand the Daylight Plane will extend to 35 feetinstead of the allowed 27 feet that will be violation of theCity Code2. Addition of the units will cause decrease in Property Valueof my Single Family Residence. As a residence of Palo Alto,Property Value conservation is very important to single familyOwners such as myself.3. There will be considerable loss in Privacy with 14additional Units overlooking our backyard and cause significantdeterioration in the Quality of life that we as Palo-Altansenjoy, treasure and take pride in our community.4. The Visitor parking from the additional units will spillonto Wilkie Way and cause further traffic (people and vehicles)congestion on our street. I re-iterate my opposition to the addition of the 14 units andhope and request Palo Alto City Council to support my views andconcerns and not allow this expansion of property and additionof units at Palo Alto Commons to go on. Very Sincerely, Shashank Divekar(4054 Wilkie Way, Palo Alto, CA 94306) From:David Rutan To:Council, City Subject:TNR in Palo Alto shelter and Palo Alto in general Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 12:53:19 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from david@wizdomonwheels.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. I'm writing to get more details regarding the proposed contract with Pets in Need and the city relating to the TNR issue.​​Would you mind clarifying things a little?​​From what I understand the issue is whether the shelter in Palo Alto offers discounted services to the TNR teams - such as discounted spay/neuter and vaccination + ear tipping, is this correct?​TNR that is done in general in the Palo Alto area is not affected, correct?​​One key point that is brought up in arguments is regarding releasing cats in the Baylands - that's long been prohibited behavior and would not be an issue with TNR services. I would suggest disregarding irrelevant talking points such as that one. ​ ​I've been on the Board of the Palo Alto Humane Society for a very long time, so I want to make sure I'm clear on the issues before forming an opinion on the subject. ​ ​If there's any information regarding the TNR subject relating to the shelter, I would greatly appreciate reading it. ​Thank you for your time and consideration! - David Book an Appointment: wizdomonwheels.com/book Download Splashtop SOS: wizdomonwheels.com/sos From:Lisa Schmidt To:Council, City Cc:Charlene Mercadante Subject:Support for allowing TNR to address the overpopulation of feral cats Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 12:52:46 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from lschmidt@losaltoshills.ca.gov. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello Council members I am a council member for Los Altos Hills and have an interest in this matter because we contract with PA for animal services. Charlene, copied above, raised my awareness of this issue and I want to add my support to her letter copied below. Thank you, Lisa Schmidt Councilmembers, I am a resident of Los Altos Hills and I also founded a small cat rescue in LAH called Pink PawsFor The Cause. We know that TNR is the only tool we have that actually reduces the feral cat population. PHS,Nine Lives Foundation, SVACA, SJACC, HSSV all have TNR programs and support theircommunities. I have seen first hand how colonies of 50+ cats can be reduced to 5 in a matter of years. Theseare animals that did not choose to be feral, they were born to a feral mother and no interventionever happened. That mom was not spayed, her kittens were not fixed and were left to multiply. When efforts are focused on spay and neuter - cat populations reduce. It’s common sense. Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinicservices, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will actually resultin MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats injust 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trappingwill be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats.That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. StanfordUniversity had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen,thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact withthem. TNR actually provides them the medical care they need.. in addition to the spay/neuter,they are given vaccines for FVRCP and Rabies. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability atPIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that.Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Charlene MercadantePink Paws For the Cause26471 Weston Drive,Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 From:Stepheny McGraw To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 12:29:40 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from stepheny@earthlink.net. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, I am a resident of (Palo Alto/Los Altos/Los Altos Hills.) , . Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, From:pennyellson12@gmail.com To:Council, City Subject:Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy --Where is the data and response appendix? Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 12:03:00 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Re: Item #5 on Council’s agenda. Re: Stakeholder engagement--I live within one block of Charleston Shopping Center. I walk there almost daily for groceries and other services. This staff report is the first I have heard about focus groups or outreach for the Economic Development Strategy. Did anyone from Greenmeadow, my neighborhood which immediately abuts Charleston Shopping Center, attend? Who represented our neighborhood? What outreach was offered to our neighborhood as part of “discussions with residents”? To whom, when, where was it offered? How were nearby residents notified? What questions were they asked? What were the responses? Once again, the report is missing the collected responses and data that drove recommendations. How are Council and citizens to evaluate recommendations without seeing the data? I would like to see the appendix to the consultant report that I hope exists and holds this important information. I hope Council wants to see it too. Thank you for considering my comments. Penny Ellson Virus-free.www.avg.com From:slevy@ccsce.com To:Council, City Cc:Nose, Kiely; Lait, Jonathan; Larisa Ortiz; Ashley Labadie Subject:the ED strategy report on your Aug 14 agenda Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 10:53:12 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Mayor Kou and council members, I support the strategy framework set forth by the Streetsense team. I understand it is a framework with implementation and details to be decided by council. I see a strong connection between recommendation 10 re new housing and the dual opportunity to provide more customers for DTN and Cal Ave businesses AND take a positive step toward developing a compliant Housing Element. As a DTN resident I support incentives for both market rate housing (that allowed us to sellour SFH, remain in the community we love and reduce car use) and my desire and ourobligation to site housing for low-income residents fairly across the city. I also see the opportunity to reduce the number of vacancies by supporting new service businesses DTN. My wife and I have plenty of opportunities to buy clothes and most retail items in T&C and SSC. Besides Whole Foods, CVS and Ace our DTN shopping which is very large is focused on take out and dine in places and a whole array of services that we use regularly and can walk to. I think also the new services can serve local residents and be part of making DTN a more diverse destination center. Stephen Levy From:Freeze, Suzanne To:Council, City Subject:Please support TNR Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 9:58:01 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from suzanne.freeze@cbnorcal.com. Learn whythis is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Council People, We know that TNR is the only tool that reduces the feral cat population. I am concerned thatremoving the funding for Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will increase the unowned cat population. One unspayed cat and its offspring left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just eightyears. This is unacceptable. The animals did not choose to be feral; they were born to a wild mother or dumped bysomeone. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the number of feral cats.Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half adozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports,and funds TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact withthem. TNR provides them with the medical care they need.. in addition to the spay/neuter, theyare given vaccines for FVRCP and Rabies. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. Another critical point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixtyappointments per month are pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residentshave a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer-supported clinic. Sincerely, Suzanne Freeze-Manning *Wire Fraud is Real*. Before wiring any money, call the intended recipient at a number youknow is valid to confirm the instructions. Additionally, please note that the sender does nothave authority to bind a party to a real estate contract via written or verbal communication. From:anne annefujimoto.com To:Council, City Subject:Allow trap/neuter and return in Palo Alto Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 8:29:36 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from anne@annefujimoto.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Palo Alto City Council, Please allow trap, neuter and return of cats in Palo Alto. Not all feral cats are adoptable and they should be given a chance to live out their lives. Anne Fujimoto Mountain View resident near the border of Palo Alto From:Katie Rueff To:Council, City Subject:Following up from Monday"s Council Meeting Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 6:49:44 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from k.rueff3@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear City Council, Thank you so much for sending many warm responses to our presentation at City Councilearlier this week. I wanted to follow up to thank you, to reiterate our asks, and to attach my team members' motivations for staying involved in climate action. I'm attaching my teammembers' motivations since you're a part of many of ours––at the very least, you're a part of mine. Our asks:1. We ask for you to direct city staff to set a sunset date on the flow of natural gas. The science and BAAQMD has shown us that it ought to be 2030; at the very least, setting a date shows usexactly what we need to do and when in order to be prepared. 2. We ask to reconsider the council's general approach to housing. If we are to meet the state'shousing requirements and our citizen's needs for housing and safe, walkable streets, we'll need to build denser housing and approve projects that aren't all single-family.3. We ask for you to help our youth team create a youth climate advisory board to the council. You have a plethora of wonderful resources for youth, and yet we still lack a seat at the tablefor the very issue that will most adversely impact us. Why we are motivated to take climate action: "I’ve seen and experienced first hand the effects of climate change, and it’s disproportionateimpact on certain communities. To work with and for these communities is why I work in climate action." - Angelina Rosh, Grade 12 "I’m involved with climate action because i’m told every day how much of a problem we haveto solve, and I realized i was not too young to be a part of the solution" - Maya Perkash, Grade 12 "A strong feeling that I want to leave this world in at least as good a place as I found it. And Iwant my grandchildren to enjoy a life on an earth that is sustainable and healthy for all living beings." - Debbie Mytels "We now have the technology, the funding and the willpower to switch to electricity in ourcountry. This increases the possibility that we will bend the curve on climate change within my lifetime." - Hilary Glann "I’m motivated to reduce the use of fossil fuels because I have 5 grandchildren, and their liveswill be seriously disrupted by floods, fires, smoke and heat, if we don’t stop carbon pollution." - Debbie Mytels "I'm motivated to stay in the climate fight because I want to preserve the environment forfuture generations." - Will Simon, Recent Stanford Graduate "I feel a responsibility to help where I can to limit the impact that climate change will have on my kids and their generation. It’s energizing to work with others on a common thoughextremely challenging goal." - Matt Passell Thank you,Katie Rueff From:Becky Brewer To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 6:27:25 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from b.brewha@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Councilmembers, I am a resident of Palo Alto. Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering andclinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feralcats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than halfa dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contactwith them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that.Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely,Becky Brewer From:Maureen Smyth To:Council, City Subject:Street sweeping Date:Thursday, August 10, 2023 6:24:41 AM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from msmyth730@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ City Council of Palo Alto, This morning my neighbors & I were rudely awakened at 4:00am by the street sweepers & their leaf blowers. They were cleaning the seperated/dedicated bike lane in the 600 blk of Arastradero. It carried on until 5:15am. I am hoping & requesting that this will NOT be the new normal and a weekly 4am occurrence. Maureen Smyth 650-996-9447 Msmyth730@gmail.com From:Aram James To:Robert. Jonsen; Binder, Andrew; Sean Allen; moore2j; Shikada, Ed; Josh Becker; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg;supervisor.lee@bos.sccgov.org; District1@bos.sccgov.org; Joe Simitian; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April;Perron, Zachary; Council, City Subject:Officer injured during taser training, shock caused severe muscle contractions and three herniated disc and a concussion fracture. His attorney says there have been hundred of injuries of officers during training. Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 11:10:55 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Subject: Officer injured during taser training, shock causedsevere muscle contractions and three herniated disc and aconcussion fracture. His attorney says there have been hundredof injuries of officers during training.https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/dallas-police-officer-sues- over-injury-during-taser-training/ DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - In January of 2009, then Dallas Police officer Andrew Butler was getting training on use of the department's Taser stun gun. Like everyone else he signed a release form. What attorney Mark Haney says Butler didn't know was a number of officers had previously been injured in the training. "There have been hundreds of officers injured in the course of training by taking these kinds of taser hits" said Haney. Listen to LP Phillips reporting Butler claims he was 'tased' for five seconds but the shock caused such severe muscle contractions he herniated three discs in his neck and suffered a compression fracture in his back. Steve Tuttle of Taser International says, "they've supported that our warnings are sufficient for anybody that goes through a training course." Because Butler signed the release form the courts have ruled Taser International is not liable. (©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.) Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Sheriff Transparency; Robert. Jonsen; District1@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Joe Simitian; SeanAllen; Binder, Andrew; Cindy Chavez; supervisor.lee@bos.sccgov.org; Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Dave Price;Reifschneider, James; Barberini, Christopher; Kevin Jensen; DuJuan Green; dennis burns; Afanasiev, Alex; Raj;Shana Segal; Wagner, April; Human Relations Commission; Michael Gennaco; Jeff Rosen; Julie Lythcott-Haims;Rebecca Eisenberg; LaDoris Cordell; Mila Zelkha; Josh Becker; Perron, Zachary; Vara Ramakrishnan; JayBoyarsky; Angie Evans; Enberg, Nicholas; Kaloma Smith; Linda Jolley; Rob Baker; chuck jagoda; moore2j Subject:Shawn Curran v. Axon Enterprise, Inc., No. 21-2151 (4th Cir. 2023) :: Justia Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 11:00:37 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Police playing the part of a civilian role player wear a helmet, eye goggles, full body suit before being exposed to a taser blast—wow -what an acknowledge of the risk involved in police tasering community members with none of these protections —have the police willing-fully failed to tell local city council members, city managers, community members about the extent of dangers involved in tasing vulnerable members of our community? You decide!! Read the below case. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca4/21-2151/21-2151-2023-01-09.html From:Aram James To:Sheriff Transparency; Robert. Jonsen; Binder, Andrew; Sean Allen; moore2j; Reifschneider, James; Council, City;Shikada, Ed; Binder, Andrew; Wagner, April; Joe Simitian; supervisor.lee@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor SusanEllenberg; Joe Simitian; Cindy Chavez; District1@bos.sccgov.org; Josh Becker; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael;Tannock, Julie; Shana Segal; Jeff Rosen; Rebecca Eisenberg; LaDoris Cordell; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Mila Zelkha;Perron, Zachary; Jay Boyarsky; Vara Ramakrishnan; Kevin Jensen; DuJuan Green; dennis burns; Angie Evans;Enberg, Nicholas; Linda Jolley; Kaloma Smith; Rob Baker; Afanasiev, Alex; Human Relations Commission Subject:Tasers so so dangerous that police being trained to understand the effects of a taser blast should wear helmets and protective eye goggles Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 10:45:59 PM Attachments:212151.P.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links.________________________________ Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Barberini, Christopher; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Sean Allen; Veenker, Vicki; Binder, Andrew; Shikada, Ed; JoeSimitian; Hornung, Joel; Jensen, Eric; Figueroa, Eric; Reifschneider, James; Council, City; Shana Segal; JoshBecker; Foley, Michael; Mila Zelkha; Michael Gennaco; Wagner, April; Afanasiev, Alex; Human RelationsCommission; Sheriff Transparency; Rebecca Eisenberg; LaDoris Cordell; Jeff Rosen; Perron, Zachary; SupervisorSusan Ellenberg; Jay Boyarsky; Vara Ramakrishnan Subject:Officer injured during taser training, shock caused severe muscle contractions and three herniated disc and a concussion fracture. His attorney says there have been hundred of injuries of officers during training. Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 10:28:42 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: August 9, 2023 at 7:44:35 PM PDTTo: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>, Jethroe Moore <moore2j@att.net>, Rose Lynn <roselynn95035@yahoo.com>, Richard Konda<rkonda@asianlawalliance.org>, Raj <raj@siliconvalleydebug.org>Subject: Officer injured during taser training, shock caused severe musclecontractions and three herniated disc and a concussion fracture. His attorneysays there have been hundred of injuries of officers during training.https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/dallas-police-officer-sues-over-injury-during-taser-training/ DALLAS (1080 KRLD) - In January of 2009, then Dallas Police officer Andrew Butler was getting training on use of the department's Taser stun gun. Like everyone else he signed a release form. What attorney Mark Haney says Butler didn't know was a number of officers had previously been injured in the training. "There have been hundreds of officers injured in the course of training by taking these kinds of taser hits" said Haney. Listen to LP Phillips reporting Butler claims he was 'tased' for five seconds but the shock caused such severe muscle contractions he herniated three discs in his neck and suffered a compression fracture in his back. Steve Tuttle of Taser International says, "they've supported that our warnings are sufficient for anybody that goes through a training course." Because Butler signed the release form the courts have ruled Taser International is not liable. (©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.) Sent from my iPhone From:Nynke van den Berg To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 10:12:02 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from n.s.vandenberg@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, I am a resident of (Palo Alto/Los Altos/Los Altos Hills.) , . Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Nynke van den Berg From:bonnie troxler To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 10:01:06 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from bgtn800@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Councilmembers, I am a resident of Palo Alto. Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering andclinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feralcats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than halfa dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contactwith them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that.Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Bonnie Troxler From:Lenore Delgado To:Council, City Cc:Lenore Delgado Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 8:32:04 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from leonor31@sbcglobal.net. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clickingon links.________________________________ Councilmembers, I am a resident of (Palo Alto/Los Altos/Los Altos Hills.) Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am veryconcerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left tobreed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed,nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policyachieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices”means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixtyappointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to gettheir animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely,Leonor Delgado From:bbennigson@aol.com To:Council, City Subject:Item 6 -- Trap/Neuter/Return ban Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 8:01:08 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from bbennigson@aol.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Councilmembers, As a resident of Palo Alto, I write you regarding the City’s renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic service. I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just eight years! That is what your no-TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is more of what your no-TNR policy achieves. TNR has proven effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had more than 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now, there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that number. Residents have a right to neuter their animals affordably at this taxpayer- supported clinic. Thank you! Sincerely, Barbara Bennigson From:J.Sides To:Council, City Subject:Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 7:58:22 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from sidesfamily@yahoo.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Councilmembers, I am a resident of Los Altos, an adopter of several kittens (from shelters), and a backyard bird enthusiast over the course of living here 30+ years. Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is an effective, humane and ethical solution to problems caused by stray cats living inour small communities. TNR can help save shelters, pounds and animal control agencies a significant amount ofmoney. For one cat to participate in a TNR program, it is reported half the cost of euthanizing that same cat by someagencies. Various animal welfare organizations in the bay area have TNR programs that are successful and supporttheir communities. In April of last year the Berkeley County city council members reviewed this same issue and voted to approve itsTNR program. Debbie Allen, Berkeley Animal Center manager, reported “…it’s a humane option over trapping andbringing feral cats into the shelter that do not do well in the shelter environment. They’re not adoptable pets.” Thetrap, neuter, and release option allows the shelter to spay and neuter these feral cats, vaccinate them, and then earchip the animals to readily identify those already sterilized. She concluded “… they can return them back to thecommunity where they used to live and where they know their resources are”. It helps to save the lives of feral catsrather than having them put to sleep. It also allows Berkeley Animal Center to have fewer cats they need to keep.Fewer kittens mean fewer feral cats in the long term. Please allow Pets In Need to adopt and implement a "TNR policy for feral cats in Palo Alto. Local conservationistsand bird advocates, of which I consider myself in allignment, may not have the facts about TNR programs and long-term outcomes versus emotional responses. KC Hetterly, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society, spoke out against thepolicy and stated that "domestic cat predation is one of top threats for birds". Well, the feral cats (not the domesticcats that have a home regardless of whether the owner chooses to allow them outside) are already outthere; implementing an intensive TNR policy will pull some of them back out to their same environments but willreduce breeding and injuries/fighting among these cats, especially if it isaccompanied with an adoption program for the seasonal litters of feral kittens. Palo Alto will have a reducedpopulation overall of feral cats as the years progress which is a win-win for the bird enthusiasts as well. Understanding data collected by TNR programs and some of the limited study results could help educateothers. Results of one study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science (26 July 2019) by Boone, et al outlined good rationale for a policy of intensive TNR. The study authors reported the cumulative preventable deaths,particularly of kittens, over 10 years are much lower for higher-intensity sterilization (TNR) than for all otherscenarios (including trap & kill). Culling is likely to be ineffective and inefficient in terms of cumulative preventabledeaths and population size reduction. “Because of the high reproductive capacity of cats, which can produce many more offspring than are needed tomaintain a population their analysis indicates that kitten deaths usually comprise a large majority of overallmortalities that can be influenced by population management actions or inactions. The animal welfare communityhas often emphasized preventing deaths from lethal management, but based on this studies’ findings mandating thereduction of kitten deaths should be an equally explicit management/policy goal. The best management strategy foraccomplishing this is to quickly suppress reproduction with high-intensity sterilization (TNR), leading to reducedpopulation size over time, and then allow these changes to generate compounded benefits into the future. With sufficient intensity, TNR offers significant advantages in terms of minimizing preventable deaths while also substantially reducing population size. High-intensity TNR programs can be further be improved by reducing abandonment, or by combining return to field for some cats with adoption for others” Thank you for taking the time to consider this important issue. Sincerely, Joan SidesLos Altos Resident From:Brooke Bailey To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 7:03:24 PM Attachments:image.png Some people who received this message don't often get email from brookebailey@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Kittens from feral cats that I fostered through Community Cat Rescue, which is activelytrapping (TNR of adult cats) in local communities The pandemic over the past several years has exacerbated the feral cat problem in ourcommunity, as vets closed or reduced service for an extended period, and people abandoned adopted animals. Councilmembers, As a resident of Palo Alto, I write to you regarding the City’s renewing its contract with PetsIn Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic service. I am very concerned that your ban ofTrap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just eight years! That is what your no TNR policyachieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trappingwill be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is more of what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has proven effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. StanfordUniversity had more than 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now, there are fewer than half a dozen,thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Bestmunicipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability atPIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that number. Residents have a right to have their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer-supported clinic. Sincerely, Brooke BaileyThain Way, Barron Park From:magdalena maese To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - 8/14/23 Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 6:47:09 PM Attachments:PIN letter supporting Palo Alto TNR.docx.pdf Some people who received this message don't often get email from magdalena_maese@yahoo.com. Learn whythis is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android RE:Item 6 -Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Councilmembers, As a resident of Palo Alto,I write you regarding the City’s renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN)for animal sheltering and clinic service.I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR)will result in MORE unowned cats:One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just eight years!That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed,nobody will do this important (and free to the City)work.Result:more feral cats. That is more of what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has proven effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats.Stanford University had more than 500 cats on campus 34 years ago.Now,there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area,except Palo Alto,endorses,supports,and funds TNR.“Best municipal practices”means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health.They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities.PIN supports TNR. One more important point:The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN.Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate.Please require double or triple that number.Residents have a right to have their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer-supported clinic. Thank you! Sincerely, Maggie Maese Nine Lives Foundation Volunteer RN From:magdalena maese To:Council, City Cc:Magdalena Subject:8/14/23 Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 6:42:14 PM Attachments:PIN letter supporting Palo Alto TNR.docx.pdf Some people who received this message don't often get email from magdalena_maese@yahoo.com. Learn whythis is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. I, Maggie Maese, am submitting in support of a TNR Program . Sincerely, Maggie Maese Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android RE:Item 6 -Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Councilmembers, As a resident of Palo Alto,I write you regarding the City’s renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN)for animal sheltering and clinic service.I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR)will result in MORE unowned cats:One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just eight years!That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed,nobody will do this important (and free to the City)work.Result:more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has proven effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats.Stanford University had more than 500 cats on campus 34 years ago.Now,there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area,except Palo Alto,endorses,supports,and funds TNR.“Best municipal practices”means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health.They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities.PIN supports TNR. One more important point:The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN.Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate.Please require double or triple that number.Residents have a right to have their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer-supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Maggie Maese Nine Lives Foundation Volunteer RN From:leslie farrell To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 6:37:18 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from lesfarrell22@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Dear City Council Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. It is important we all work together. I kindly ask you to change a policy that is creating more harm than good. You can do this, and feel good about it!! Thank you. Sincerely, Leslie Farrell Sent from my iPhone From:Yuk Wen Wong To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 4:51:50 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from yodaling@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Councilmembers, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering andclinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feralcats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than halfa dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contactwith them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that.Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely,Yuk Wen Wong Sent from my phone From:Jennifer Zhou To:Council, City Subject:Support for Pets in Need TNR program Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 4:47:05 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from happygrape2@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Hi, Here's my letter that I would like read aloud at the town hall if possible. Thank you for your consideration! I would like to remain anonymous or omit my last name if my first name must be used. ---- Imagine that you're a little kid, lost outdoors in the cold. You don't know where your parents are. Maybe they abandoned you. You're shivering, hungry, and scared. Finally, some nice people find you. They wrap you up in a blanket and take you indoors. You think you're finally safe, maybe you'll even find a family to love and a home. The people don't tell you this, but you only have five days left to live. Ten, if you're lucky. You could count the days on your hands before you will be euthanized, not because you did anything wrong, but because the shelter didn't have enough space. This is the reality facing the animals at our animal shelters. Some are mama cats who just gave birth to tiny infant kittens. Others are friendly cats who were dumped and let down by their owners. There are cats who are injured, who could recover with TLC, but are put down because of lack of vet resources. All the animals are all innocent and they deserve a chance. We desperately need a low-cost spay/neuter program to prevent any more suffering. This will fix the problem at the root and prevent the need for more euthanizations, paying off over the long run. Trap-neuter-return (TNR) is proven to work. Otherwise, more stray cats will just move into the same space, costing the city more time and money. Please imagine yourself in the shoes of a helpless animal. Treat them the way you would want to be treated. ---- Thanks From:Laura Adams To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 4:27:42 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from laura5501@att.net. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Laura Adams Sent from my IPhone From:Richard Reitman To:Council, City Subject:Re: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 4:16:09 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from mitrabbit@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. On Wed, Aug 9, 2023 at 4:14 PM Richard Reitman <mitrabbit@gmail.com> wrote:Councilmembers, I am a resident of Palo Alto. Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will resultin MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble oftrapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats.Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR.“Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availabilityat PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayersupported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely,Diane Levine, 4250 El Camino Real B417, Palo Alto, ca 94306 From:Richard Reitman To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 4:14:36 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from mitrabbit@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Councilmembers, I am a resident of Palo Alto. Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering andclinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feralcats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than halfa dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contactwith them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that.Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely,Diane Levine, 4250 El Camino Real B417,Palo Alto, ca 94306 From:Jennifer Summit To:Council, City Subject:please support TNR Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 4:13:46 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from jsummit@sfsu.edu. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Council Members: Please reinstate TNR (Trap, Neuter, and Release) in Palo Alto: it’s the only humane, effective way to reduce our feral cat population for good. As a volunteer to support homeless cats, I’m heartbroken by the scope of the problem in our community: without TNR, the problem will only get worse. Thanks, Jennifer Summit 2131 Harvard Street Palo Alto CA 94306 From:Charlene Mercadante To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 3:59:03 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from charlenemercadante@gmail.com. Learn whythis is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Councilmembers, I am a resident of Los Altos Hills and I also founded a small cat rescue in LAH called PinkPaws For The Cause. We know that TNR is the only tool we have that actually reduces the feral cat population. PHS, Nine Lives Foundation, SVACA, SJACC, HSSV all have TNR programs and supporttheir communities. I have seen first hand how colonies of 50+ cats can be reduced to 5 in a matter of years. These are animals that did not choose to be feral, they were born to a feral mother and nointervention ever happened. That mom was not spayed, her kittens were not fixed and were left to multiply. When efforts are focused on spay and neuter - cat populations reduce. It’scommon sense. Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will actuallyresult in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trappingwill be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats.Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR.“Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. TNR actually provides them the medical care they need.. in addition to thespay/neuter, they are given vaccines for FVRCP and Rabies. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that.Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Charlene MercadantePink Paws For the Cause 26471 Weston Drive,Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 From:Geri Spieler To:Council, City Subject:Support TNR Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 3:33:16 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from gspieler@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dealer Council People I'm really surprised Palo Alto does not support Trap, Neuter and Return activity for homeless cats. It has been proven over and over again as an effective way to reduce the feral cat population. It's humane and doesn't cost the city anything. Please reconsider. Geri Spieler www.gerispieler.com Housewife Assassin: The Woman Who Tried to Kill President Ford (Diversion Books) won an awards for Nonfiction True Crime from BookFest, Five Stars fromReader's Favorite, winner from Firebard, San Francisco Book Festival, and bestcurrent American History the International Book Awards. See my blogs at Huffington PostRegina of Warsaw. Truthdig Medium From:Eric Whitson To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 3:08:15 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from ericwhitson@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Councilmembers, I am a resident of Palo Alto. Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Eric Whitson From:Ida W To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 2:35:13 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from idawb77@yahoo.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, I am a resident of (Palo Alto/Los Altos/Los Altos Hills.) , . Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Ida Walworth Sent from my iPhone From:Jeff DeLisio To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 2:13:56 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from jeffdelisio@yahoo.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, I am a resident of (Palo Alto/Los Altos/Los Altos Hills.) , . Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, From:Rebecca Sanders To:Council, City Cc:Furman, Sheri Subject:Agenda Item #5, City Council Meeting - August 14 Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 2:13:05 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Mayor Kou and Council Members: Thank you for taking up this important topic which is vital to the wellbeing of our community. We at Palo Alto Neighborhoods (representing our neighborhood associations citywide) urge you to focus on El Camino Real and other neighborhood retail centers, in addition to downtown and Cal Ave. We’re pleased to see Midtown Retail Center and.Charleston Plaza included in our economic strategy, but urge you to add all potential community-serving retail centers into the mix. Edgewood Plaza and El Camino are not mentioned. El Camino, south of Page Mill, is a key neighborhood retail area that needs your attention, as this stretch of ECR will be in proximity to lots of new housing in the housing element. We will be welcoming several thousand residents, who, if nothing changes, will have to drive for their goods and services. What if, as part of any new apartment complex, ground floor retail were part of the mix? All new homes should be planned with a mind toward providing meaningful retail nearby, more than coffee shops. We should target ECR for retail renewal and add amenities like public art, planters, and shaded benches to attract stores, shoppers and diners. Our economic development team needs to recruit and support new and existing businesses and should be led by a charismatic enabler that can bring stakeholders together, close deals, and get things done. Without focus and direction, opportunities like reopening the Middlefied - Loma Verde shops are taking too long to pursue and support. For businesses recovering from pandemic setbacks or new ones trying to get established, a proven leader responsive to their needs is key. Ground floor retail protection is critical to our success in revitalizing retail. Zoning changes can take a long time to have the desired impact. We need to make it clear that we really want ground floor retail and that it’s not negotiable. Property owners need to know that they can’t get around our laws and that we are serious about creating a thriving, vibrant and healthy retail sector. Penalties for vacant storefronts would re-enforce the rules. If the coverage area of the ground floor retail ordinance is reduced, it will push up retails rents, shrink the number of viable retailers, and discourage visitors to our shopping areas, Issues like Mike's Diner and Bill’s Cafe are ripe opportunities for the city to insert itself in the conversation and get these important anchor businesses for our neighborhood centers functioning well. Not all retail should be viewed from a city tax revenue lens. Smaller retail clusters that serve residents are a critical public benefit. By downplaying the importance of community-serving retail, this report excludes value factors that retail centers provide, such as: increased community cohesion through central gathering places for friends and families a real reduction in car trips to shops and restaurants outside of our city safe places for our children to congregate more activities and destinations in town that ultimately result in more retail tax revenue as residents shop anbd engage in activities near where they live. What if we looked at all potential places to strengthen our retail? What if Council set a goal of attracting 5-10 diverse new places to shop and 5-10 activities to do per site, based on size? Our economic development team could go out and find those shops and businesses. If our retail spaces offered a true diversity of shops and enriching opportunities for children, elders and everyone in between, residents would flock to them rather than drive elsewhere. Finally, the consultant appears to want to maximize our city tax revenue and has picked national comparisons that may not be as relevant as other Bay area downtowns of similar size. What do nearby cities such as Los Gatos, San Carlos, Los Altos, Menlo Park and Burlingame do to support retail? Let’s learn from these cities and get our retail mix in order. Additionally, do we have any data to report on the relative success of retail street closures? This topic would be good to pursue as well. The uncertainty of Cal Ave’s future is a major barrier for some businesses to decide to invest in the street. We are sure that with the right person at the helm, with clear goals, community collaborations and swift enforcement, we can revive and create a sustainable retail sector for all Palo Altans to enjoy. Thank you. Becky Sanders Sheri Furman Co-Chairs Palo Alto Neighborhoods From:Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo To:Council, City Subject:You"re Invited: Lemonade and Storytime at the JMZ! Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 2:01:39 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links.   Logo_Full_Color_CMYK.jpg This event is free with admission. To purchase tickets for the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, please go to Enjoy! Online and book your visit for Tuesday, August 22. We hope to see you then! 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 powered by Try email marketing for free today! From:Susan Evoy To:Council, City Subject:August 14 Meeting - Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 2:01:29 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from susanevoys@yahoo.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Councilmembers, Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR). Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal shelteringand clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of TNR will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely,Susan Evoy 1539 Lilac LaneMountain View, CA 94043 From:Susan Barkan To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 1:49:40 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from sabarkan@me.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Councilmembers, From me: I am a resident of Mountain View who belongs to two groups who care forcommunity cats, that is, former pets who have been dumped by their owners. These cats are accustomed to being fed and cannot survive on their own. We trap, neuter, vaccinate, andrelease the cats in our care so they can live peacefully in their colonies. From cacap.org: Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR)will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trappingwill be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats.Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR.“Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability atPIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supportedclinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Susan Barkan From:Eileen Stolee To:Council, City Subject:CineArts Theatre Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 1:48:00 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Mayor Kou & council members, My deepest wish is that you continue to maintain the public benefit and ensure that the Cinéarts Theater remains for the enjoyment of all of our community. I remember many warm summer evenings and rainy winter days walking to thistreasured theatre! It is walkable from Ventura, Barron Park, CA Easy, and Evergreen neighborhoods. This theater is known for offering independent and foreign films as well asHollywood movies. Film festivals and opera from the MET are popular with residents and others. PLEASE do not discard this public benefit for new office space. The community is hungry for arts after being closed up due to the pandemic. Wecan now easily walk to restaurants on California Avenue. Having a theatre we can also walk to is vital for the community. People are comfortable going to publicspaces to be enriched by novelty. Palo Alto needs the CinéArts theater now more than ever. Respectfully, Eileen and Richard StoleeCollege Terrace From:Amanda Jo Fisk To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 1:21:41 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from amandajofisk@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Please help stop the cycle of suffering by supporting spay and neuter for all cats. Thank you. Sincerely, Amanda Jo Fisk Amandas Cat Rescue 501c3 non profit Sent from my iPhone 408-460-3038 From:Susan C To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 1:09:53 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from teachinator@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Councilmembers, I am a resident of Palo Alto. Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering andclinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. Personal comment added to this form letter: without support for TNR, the result will be a far greater feral cat population. The only alternative would be mass killing of the existing feralcats, which will not be publicly supported. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, almost everyone who is currently doing this important (and free to theCity) work will stop. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than halfa dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats havezero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: TheCity Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to gettheir animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, From:maliha zaidi To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 1:09:11 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from maliha_786@hotmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, I am a resident of Palo Alto. Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Maliha Syed From:Michael Lieu To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 1:07:53 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from mdlieu@icloud.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you Michael Lieu From:Angelina Ambrosio To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 1:05:59 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from beanbody28@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Angelina From:Puppy Piggie To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 1:05:53 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from puppydoggy1012@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Bella Lieu From:Tania Ruiz To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 12:47:52 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from myoat7@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Tania Ruiz From:Tania R To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 12:47:03 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from myoat650@yahoo.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has been proven to be effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, Tania Ruiz From:Aram James To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki; Burt, Patrick; Lydia Kou; Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Binder,Andrew; Sean Allen; moore2j; Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Vara Ramakrishnan; Joe Simitian;supervisor.lee@bos.sccgov.org; Sheriff Transparency; District1@bos.sccgov.org; Foley, Michael; Mila Zelkha Subject:- Homelessness may haunt Newsom in DeSantis debate Date:Wednesday, August 9, 2023 8:34:43 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. Homelessness may haunt Newsom in DeSantis debate https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=0393176a-e049-4cd3-b5e6- 3d0cfa80de78&appcode=SAN252&eguid=9e1b70e2-6015-45b2-918b-130058017daa&pnum=30# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: Sent from my iPhone From:Sherry Smith To:Council, City Subject:langvangrang@yahoo.com Date:Tuesday, August 8, 2023 9:39:41 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from langvangrang@yahoo.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Please find answers to airplane noise. Planes flying insanely low. The frequency of flights has increased and will continue to do so. I wear noise canceling headphones All Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! From:herb To:Council, City; Clerk, City Subject:August 8, 2023 Policy and Services Committee Meeting, Item #3: Censure Policy Date:Tuesday, August 8, 2023 7:33:14 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Discussion of City Council Procedures and Protocols CensurePolicy The two houses of Congress need procedures disciplining membersbecause the Constitution does not provide a method for thepublic to recall Representatives and Senators. Palo Alto and other jurisdictions have the ability to use therecall power if a Council Member is behaving badly. It has been twenty years since the Council has been discussingand adopting elaborate policies and procedures at theinstigation of Council Members who were trained by the Chamberof Commerce. Here is an article from the May 5, 2003 San FranciscoChronicle about the first attempt to do so. Council's code draws sneers / Council's rulesget Bronx cheer/ Palo Alto learns not everyone is nice By Suzanne Herel, Chronicle Staff Writer May 5, 2003 Shake not your head, feet, or legs, roll not the eyes, lift notone eyebrow higher than the other, wry not the mouth.-- from George Washington's "Rules of Civility and DecentBehavior in Company and Conversation". An attempt by the Palo Alto City council to take a page fromGeorge Washington's book has fired off the mock heard round theworld. When a council committee recently recommended that boardmembers refrain from disparaging body language at meetings,critics from as far away as Australia rolled their eyes, raisedtheir eyebrows and frowned. It is precisely those types of expressions that the proposedcode of conduct -- to be voted on tonight -- would restrict. "We just got crucified all over the world for proposing thesame thing that George Washington did," said Councilman JimBurch. To be clear, council members were not trying to emulate thefounding father; an astute resident brought Washington's wisdomto their attention. That letter-writer, Herb Borock, alsopointed out that such behavior is rarely codified because it'salready inherent in decent society. Not to mention taught in kindergarten, said Councilman JackMorton. "Frankly, I think it's kind of embarrassingly silly," he said. The Palo Alto council's effort to turn their frowns upside-downmade it onto Rush Limbaugh's show and into London's FinancialTimes and dozens of U.S. newspapers. Councilwoman Nancy Lytle'sbrother called her from Korea to say he had heard about it onan international radio show. The fight to be polite also elicited scores of very rude e-mails. "We've received the most bizarre and vicious e-mail we'vegotten in my 16 years with the city," said Emily Harrison,assistant city manager. "The language and expression and sheernastiness was something I hadn't seen." Councilwoman Judy Kleinberg, who headed the committee effort,received threats and one entreaty to "put a bag over her head,"Harrison said. Kleinberg was on vacation last week and could not be reachedfor comment. Morton, a native of Canada, said he was flustered by the furor. "I come from a culture in which political expression isconsidered an art form, and the louder and more pointed andalmost belligerent you can be, the more points you get," hesaid. Too, Morton, a self-described bearded curmudgeon, often appearsto be frowning and would be in constant peril. The troublesome dictate is included in an eight-page documentthat took more than a year to draft and also addresses howcouncil members should deal with the staff and public. It reads in part: "Do not use body language or other non-verbalmethods of expressing disagreement or disgust. Other forms ofnon-civil disagreement could include personal, abusive,disparaging or angry comments, name-calling or labeling." Outside the council chambers, members are urged to "Treatothers as you would like to be treated. Ask yourself how youwould like to be treated in similar circumstances, and thentreat the other person that way." The belabored protocol-producing process was par for the coursefor the contentious council, whose members admit to being miredin indecision and arcane details. The protocols were requested after members watched somecolleagues in neighboring communities tussle with ethics, andrealized that many of their own new council members weren'tfamiliar with the ways of the board. "We have new folks who hadn't followed the traditional path through the boards and commissions. They hadn't had thatexperience of developing agendas, working with colleagues,"said Harrison, the assistant city manager. "For that firstyear, we weren't very productive. We kept having proceduralproblems." In addition, all of the other towns in Santa Clara County haveprotocols, she said. "(Council) thought, if we adopt one, we'll all be on the samesheet of music."Instead, it produced discord. "I think it's gotten out of hand," said Councilman BernBeecham, who sat with Kleinberg on the committee. "I thinkwe've taken ourselves too seriously. We've taken too long onit, and it got blown out of proportion." Councilwoman Lytle has proposed paring down the controversialsection to require respect, decorum and attentiveness inlistening to whoever has the floor. She also wants the protocols to focus more on ethics, ratherthan manners. "You can do a lot of bad things politely," she said. Lytle also admitted some self-interest. "If I were not to be able to use facial gestures or my hands, Iwould have to wear a mask," she said. "I have a lot of littlewrinkles, and I've earned them all." Indeed, most of the council members in interviews said theywould be happy with simplifying the disputed section andabandoning hours-long debates over what constitutes civility. "We finally decided that if you have to define the word'civil,' we're in trouble anyway," Beecham said.Former longtime City Councilman Gary Fazzino, known for hisexpressiveness, said he never would have survived under theproposed code of conduct. "I'd be a dead man," he said. He offered an alternate solution: Use common sense and developa thicker skin. "You've got to learn to take hits . . . to disagreepassionately, vehemently, but at the same time civilly," hesaid. "Now, we're replacing Berkeley as the laughingstock of thenation." May 5, 2003By Suzanne Herel From:Dinah Hayse To:Council, City Subject:RE: Item 6 - Approval of a revised Term Sheet with Pets In Need for Operations of the Palo Alto Animal Shelter Date:Tuesday, August 8, 2023 7:04:08 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from dinah.hayse@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Councilmembers, I am a resident of (Palo Alto/Los Altos/Los Altos Hills.) If you do not reside in one of these towns, omit this line. Regarding the City renewing its contract with Pets In Need (PIN) for animal sheltering and clinic services, I am very concerned that your ban of Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) will result in MORE unowned cats: One unspayed cat left to breed produces more than 2 million cats in just 8 years! That is what your no TNR policy achieves. If residents are told at the PIN clinic that the feral cat they have gone to the trouble of trapping will be killed, nobody will do this important (and free to the City) work. Result: more feral cats. That is what your no TNR policy achieves. TNR has proven effective nationwide at reducing the numbers of feral cats. Stanford University had over 500 cats on campus 34 years ago. Now there are fewer than half a dozen, thanks to TNR. Every jurisdiction in the Bay Area, except Palo Alto, endorses, supports, and funds TNR. “Best municipal practices” means supporting TNR. Feral cats have zero impact on human health. They are terrified of people and avoid contact with them. Please support TNR in Palo Alto and sister cities. PIN supports TNR. One more important point: The City Council should mandate more spay/neuter availability at PIN. Sixty appointments per month is pitifully inadequate. Please require double or triple that. Residents have a right to get their animals neutered affordably at this taxpayer supported clinic. Thank you. Sincerely, From:Aram James To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Tanaka, Greg; Veenker, Vicki; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Sean Allen; moore2j; Council, City;Shana Segal; Angie Evans; Josh Becker; Joe Simitian; Human Relations Commission;supervisor.lee@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; District1@bos.sccgov.org; Chuck Jagoda; RobertaAhlquist Subject:-county-eviction-court-oakland-hayward/ Date:Tuesday, August 8, 2023 7:02:03 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://oaklandside.org/2023/08/08/alameda-county-eviction-court-oakland-hayward/ Shared via the Google app Sent from my iPhone From:YIMBY ActionTo:Council, CitySubject:The housing shortage is hurting our walletsDate:Tuesday, August 8, 2023 3:33:26 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links. Image Housing prices have skyrocketed across the country, with prices up 37.5% following the pandemic. Our neighborhoods are riddled with exclusionary zoning: bans on duplexes, apartments, student housing, and other dense affordable housing options. This is making housing unaffordable for renters and homeowners alike. YIMBY Action firmly believes housing expenses should only be 25% or less of household income. Instead, families are forced to live paycheck to paycheck with little money for other essentials, let alone leisure. Obstacles are even greater for seniors and people with disabilities, who struggle to find affordable options that meet their accessibility needs. Currently, the Low- Income Housing Tax Credit Program doesn’t include requirements for accessibility within housing options. That’s why YIMBYs support the VITAL Act, which would introduce these requirements and allocate additional funding to the program. If passed, it will enable seniors and those with disabilities to live in homes that are safe, affordable, and inclusive, while also increasing the production of affordable housing overall. Care about affordable housing and ready to do more? Become a YIMBY Action member! Joining is easy with multiple donation options and a volunteer option to choose from. Every member increases our power to effect change. Plus, you’ll gain access to our members-only info session happening this Sunday about the VITAL Act with The Kelsey, the sponsors of the VITAL Act. BECOME A YIMBY Your donation funds the core team and tools that it takes to build a movement to fight for abundant, affordable housing across the United States. Any donation amount is welcome! Donations of at least $50/month enters you in our Infill Circle, our club for top supporters! Affordable Home $5/MONTH Triplex $25/MONTH Fourplex (Infill Circle Club) $50/MONTH Midrise (Infill Circle Club) $100/MONTH YOUR YIMBY ACTION MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP STATUS None DONOR LEVEL None VOLUNTEER LEVEL None Join or Renew LOCATION Unknown, Unknown Unknown Add/update location MOBILE ALERTS None Add/update mobile Keeping this information up to date powers our activism! Need help with your membership? Email hello@yimbyaction.org. Image YIMBY Action is a network of pro-housing activists fighting for more inclusive housing policies and a future of abundant housing. Sent via ActionNetwork.org. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails fromYIMBY Action, please click here. From:Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo To:Council, City Subject:Friends" Program Spotlight: Scholarships for JMZ Summer Camps Date:Tuesday, August 8, 2023 2:00:21 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links.   Logo_Full_Color_CMYK.jpg Summer Updates from the JMZAugust 8, 2023 Hello Friends, As we approach the end of the summer break, we highlight the Friends’ summer campscholarship program, which enabled 18 children to experience the JMZ’s enrichingscience camps this summer. We are looking for a donor or corporate partner to sponsorour scholarship program next summer. If you would like to learn more about this or othersponsorship opportunities, please reach out to our Development Manager Marie Ivich,marie@friendsjmz.org. I hope you will find time to visit the JMZ this month. The JMZ's animal care team is busy hand-raising scarlet and sacred ibises to join the "Loose in the Zoo" experience soon. If you hear loud chirping during your visit, that means that these newest residents are ready for mealtime! On August 22, the Friends will host a storytime in collaboration with the Palo Alto Library from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the JMZ’s Dawn Redwood Courtyard. Enjoy a glass of lemonade during this event! Friends’ events are free with admission; please remember to purchase tickets to the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo in advance. Lauren AngeloPresident, Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo Friends’ Program Spotlight: Scholarships for JMZ Summer CampsQuestions for Access & Inclusion Committee Co-Chair, Evelyn Semenza Tell us about the Friends’ summer scholarship program. The Friends started offering summer camp scholarships in 2019. The program took a hiatus for a few years due to COVID limitations but was revamped for this year. JMZ summer camps offer a rich variety of activities for children, from science experiments to swimming. Summer camps allow children to explore their interests in a fun and relaxed environment.The JMZ’s camps focus on different science topics, which supplement STEM educationwhile keeping young minds excited to learn when they are not in school and thuspreventing summer slide. It is really important to JMZ educators that each child discoversa love of science during camp activities – some children are naturally drawn more todifferent topics, and it is so special to watch what inspires each individual. Camps alsooffer a wonderful opportunity for kids to socialize and practice teamwork skills. Sincecamps place children of similar ages and interests together, kids are able to connect withpeers that attend different schools. This is very beneficial for forming friendships. Summer can be challenging for families if summer camps or other forms of childcare arenot available. Cost is often a barrier to access. Camp scholarships benefit not onlychildren, but families as well, giving parents access to childcare. Camp expenses can addup quickly, especially if there are multiple children in a household. We were able toprovide scholarships to a few siblings during the same camp weeks, which was reallyhelpful for families. Photo of campers and educators enjoying the Baylands. What other accommodations were available to ensure children could attend theJMZ's camps? We partnered with HopSkipDrive to arrange transportation to and from camps, so that this would not be a barrier to anyone who wished to attend. This is convenient for families as well, since it does not require children to be dropped off somewhere before they can be driven to camp. Drivers pick up children directly from the home, and make sure that they arrive in time for check in. We also provided post-camp as an option. This way, parents and guardians would not have to leave work or other obligations early for pickup. Post-camps are a great way for kids to continue to socialize and play outside of regular camp hours. One parent shared that her kids could not stop talking about how much fun they had during post-camp! This was a really popular addition that nearly all families used. A young camper proudly displays a craft created in Camp Kinetic. How were campers identified for this program? We collaborated with the Palo Alto Unified School District’s Family Engagement Specialistand local organizations that identified children who would benefit from JMZ summercamps, and for whom registration expenses were a barrier to their family. All of these organizations were intentional about the interests of each child, and worked with the JMZ’s Education Director to select which camp would be the best match. In total, we funded 18 scholarships for K-5 students and placed kids in a variety of camps. Depending on the child and their schedule, some kids were able to attend camps focused on animals, others on the ocean, and some even enjoyed Wildlife Camp at Foothills Park. The families and the organizations we partnered with expressed superior satisfaction withJMZ summer camps. Our goal is to offer more scholarships in the future, so that morechildren can experience the benefits of science camps. 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 powered by Try email marketing for free today! From:Yuri Madenokoji To:Council, City Subject:Plea: Keep Terman Park as City-Owned! Date:Tuesday, August 8, 2023 1:52:26 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from yurim@bowmanschool.org. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hi there, I hope you are well. I'm sending this email to request the City of Palo Alto to keep Terman Park as a city-owneddedicated park. I teach 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders at Bowman School, a Montessori school near Terman Park. I take my students to the park for lessons on Zoology, Botany, Geography, and other science-related activities. They love going there to examine their studies in a hands-on manner. Terman Park is essential to their learning processes, and we, educators, love the park becauseit's safe and provides a ground for education beyond the four walls of a classroom. My students were heartbroken when they learned about the possibility and implications of Terman Park ceasing to be a city-owned park. As young as they are, my students took theinitiative to write letters to the City of Palo Alto. I wish you could see their passion for the cause. As an educator, the needs of students always come first. I request that the City of Palo Altokeep Terman Park city-owned so students can use the space to maximize their educational opportunities. Let us keep Terman Park for every student in Palo Alto. Let us keep Terman Park for all thecity residents. Thank you for your consideration. With gratitude, Yuri Madenokoji -- Yuri Madenokoji Teacher, Lower Elementary Bowman School 4000 Terman Drive Palo Alto, CA 94306 Phone: 650-285-9556 Discover. Create. Become. Facebook|Twitter|Instagram Pronouns: She/Her Why are pronouns important?-- Yuri Madenokoji Teacher, Lower Elementary Bowman School 4000 Terman Drive Palo Alto, CA 94306 Phone: 650-285-9556 Discover. Create. Become. Facebook|Twitter|Instagram Pronouns: She/Her Why are pronouns important? From:Justin Harper To:Council, City Subject:Justin Harper’s Speech 8/7/23 Date:Tuesday, August 8, 2023 1:16:04 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from jharper9323@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. I am emailing my speech due to my stuttering, stammering, and twitching. This is due to braindamage from an accident when I was a kid (not drugs) I say this because I have had accusations that this is a result of me being a drug addict (FYI I am not nor have been). Ladies and gentlemen, Today, I stand before you not just as a speaker but as a voice for the homeless communityliving on the streets, in RVs, tents, and cars. I am one of them, experiencing firsthand thechallenges and struggles that many face each day. Our society often assumes thathomelessness is solely caused by drugs, gang activity, or unemployment, but I am here to shedlight on the realities and advocate for humane solutions. ***CUT Let us begin by examining the data about homelessness in Palo Alto. These numbers revealthe staggering extent of the issue, emphasizing the urgent need for action. However, thesolutions currently in place only address a fraction of the problem, leaving many still withoutsupport and hope.CUT*** To truly understand homelessness, we must look beyond our own borders. There are countriesthat have made significant progress in combating homelessness, offering valuable insights andinspiration. By analyzing these success stories, we can learn about the strategies, policies, andinvestments that have led to tangible results. It is crucial that we recognize homeless individuals as fellow human beings, deserving ofrespect, dignity, and compassion. They are not statistics or inconveniences to be brushedaside. Each person living on the streets has a unique story, dreams, and potential. Byextending a helping hand, we can empower them to rebuild their lives and contribute to ourcommunity. Homelessness is not a reflection of personal failure, but a symptom of systemic shortcomings.It is our collective responsibility to extend a helping hand and work towards creating a societywhere no one is left behind. One of the challenges faced by the homeless community is the issue of proper trash disposal.Due to limited access to affordable waste management options, a significant problem persists.For instance, I personally tried for two years to secure a dumpster, willing to cover the costs,only to be denied because I do not own or rent a property, and dumpsters are not allowed onthe street. However, let us not overlook this issue but strive to find solutions. By working together andengaging with local authorities, organizations, and individuals, we can explore innovative ways to address this challenge. Ensuring accessible and convenient means for homelessindividuals to dispose of their waste can improve cleanliness, hygiene, and overall well-being for everyone involved. Today, I urge each one of you to consider the implications of homelessness on our society. Letus come together to advocate for compassionate, comprehensive solutions that address the rootcauses of homelessness. Through increased affordable housing options, access to mentalhealth services, job training, support networks, and improved waste management practices, wecan help homeless individuals rebuild their lives and find a path to self-sufficiency. Together, we can transform Palo Alto into a city where homelessness is no longer a pervasiveissue, but a challenge we have overcome. Let us write a new chapter, one that reflects ourshared values of justice, empathy, and dignity for all. Thank you. From:Magrissa Funnie To:Council, City Subject:RV Encampment on 3800 Fabian way Date:Tuesday, August 8, 2023 12:48:31 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from mikkifunnie@yahoo.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Good morning my name is magrissa Funnie and I am writing it to you today because of the RV encampment at 3800 Fabian Way. There are about 20 RVs parked on one block which is adjacent to a school and senior citizen complex and other types of housing. There is an an abandon boat that people are living on at night. The vehicles were tagged by the police department about a month ago. They have yet to follow up on the three day notices of towing. Other cars have moved into the area since then so now I have 25 RV vehicles on one city block. We need help! Can anyone help us? We can’t even walk down one side of street. We need help. Please on your way to work drive by what we see everyday and see what we see. It does not make you enthusiastic about coming to your own home after a hard day’s work. We are old and tired and just want to be able to walk down your own block. Please help your constituents live out their latter days in peace. Thank you for your time Magrissa Funnie Senior citizen 650-283-6250 Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:RANDALL HIGGINS; Sheriff Transparency; DuJuan Green; dennis burns; Kevin Jensen; Afanasiev, Alex; Enberg,Nicholas; Binder, Andrew; Robert. Jonsen; Cerise Castle; Reifschneider, James; Josh Becker; Vara Ramakrishnan;Council, City; Mila Zelkha; EPA Today; District1@bos.sccgov.org; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Shikada, Ed; ShanaSegal; Wagner, April; Joe Simitian; Human Relations Commission; Michael Gennaco; Jeff Rosen; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Rebecca Eisenberg; LaDoris Cordell Subject:EXCLUSIVE: 2 Black Men Tortured & Shot By Miss. Cops Speak Out - Cops Plead Guilty Date:Tuesday, August 8, 2023 12:35:36 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: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>Date: August 8, 2023 at 12:32:06 PM PDTTo: Sheriff Transparency <sccsherifftransparencyinfo@gmail.com>, "Robert. Jonsen" <Robert.jonsen@shf.sccgov.org>, Andrew Binder<andrew.binder@cityofpaloalto.org>, Sean Allen <sallen6444@yahoo.com>, James Reifschneider <james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>, City Council<city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>, moore2j <moore2j@att.net>, Shana Segal <voteshanasegal@gmail.com>, April Wagner<april.wagner@cityofpaloalto.org>, Jeff Rosen <jrosen@dao.sccgov.org>, christopher.barberini@cityofpaloalto.org, Michael Gennaco<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>, michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org, Joel.Hornung@cityofpaloalto.org, Eric.Jensen@cityofpaloalto.org,eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org, julie.Tannock@cityofpaloalto.orgSubject: EXCLUSIVE: 2 Black Men Tortured & Shot By Miss. Cops SpeakOut - Cops Plead Guilty https://youtu.be/dmsBJh1m2xM Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Sheriff Transparency; Robert. Jonsen; Binder, Andrew; Sean Allen; Reifschneider, James; Council, City; moore2j;Shana Segal; Wagner, April; Jeff Rosen; Barberini, Christopher; Michael Gennaco; Foley, Michael; Hornung, Joel;Jensen, Eric; Figueroa, Eric; Tannock, Julie Subject:EXCLUSIVE: 2 Black Men Tortured & Shot By Miss. Cops Speak Out - Cops Plead Guilty Date:Tuesday, August 8, 2023 12:32:13 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ https://youtu.be/dmsBJh1m2xM Sent from my iPhone From:Hank Sousa To:Council, City Cc:Rob Levitsky; Bruce McLeod Subject:Castilleja TDM Date:Tuesday, August 8, 2023 12:10:49 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from thomashenrysousa@gmail.com. Learn whythis is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. HI Council Members: Many thanks for spending so much time on an issue so important to many of us close-in neighbors. I think rebuilding trust is not as important as you might think it is. For most of us we'd ratherhave a strongly written TDM than spend time trying to build trust with the school. Most of us believe, I think, that as long as Nanci Kauffman remains school head we will be dealing withan unreliable broker. The latest example would be the decision to try to increase enrollment to 450 without moving the all students off-site. Spend time introducing us to the new compliance officer and transportation department liaison to review TDM reports once it gets tightened up.As for our neighborhood committee (of which I am a member) please require we get set up with a contact on city staff. And then we will present our findings at the twice yearly Castillejaneighborhood meetings (June and October). We will see you again in the near future when the TDM comes back. Please keep the "AndieReed" letter close by as it does a good job of pinpointing some obvious departures from the intent of the council's motion. Regards, Hank SousaMelville Ave. 530-401-3808 From:Kenneth Streib To:Council, City Subject:Castilleja School Date:Tuesday, August 8, 2023 12:24:38 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. The discussion about what to do about Castilleja has been a continuous topic for a very long time. Does anyone think there is a case to take it to the Palo Alto Voters, and poll them to see what they would do about Castilleja if they has the chance? Thanks so much for your time, Ken Streib From:Carla Befera To:Council, City Subject:Notes regarding Castilleja’s TDM Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 11:35:26 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from carlab@cb-pr.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. At tonight’s meeting Mr. Lait noted that the school’s initial (required) traffic count report lastNovember was faulty. Instead of requiring the school to redo it in a timely manner, City staff told the school to just skip it and report again in April. He now states they are “still reviewing” the newer April report. It is now August - four monthslater, on the cusp of a new school year. The neighborhood committee, required by council last June and finally appointed this June, still has not seen any reports. The next traffic counting report will be due within weeks for the school to maintain theirrequired thrice-weekly reporting. Mr. Lait stated “we also ask for lots of other data” - he was unspecific, but if the data is collected by the school, such as “asking their students to self-report how they got there” - thenall the data is surely suspect. Ultimately, there is nothing in the TDM that requires all data collected to be used for reporting total car trips. There was much talk of creating a TDM “with teeth” but this is clearly asham. Our point remains: if the counting is faulty (or non-existent), it is all specious. Mr.Lait fumbled under Councilmemeber Veekers’ very specific question - how is ADT actually calculated? Mr. Lauing made many excellent points about how the language isconfusing. We beg you to have this document revisited for clarity of language. Below are my spoken comments: Castilleja’s TDM is a document we will all have to live with for the next few decades, and it will create a precedent. We have read it carefully and ask that you pull it off for additionalstudy. First and foremost: while the Council required in its motion that “traffic be monitored and reported.” The school and city staff have interpreted this as the school will write its own TDM,will then hire its own firm to monitor traffic - and this is the part I love - the school will review the data collected and THEN will share those findings. This is both asking the fox toguard the henhouse, and then to provide a report on the chickens. We ask the TDM be rewritten so that “An independent traffic monitoring company, hired by the City of Palo Alto - and paid for by the school - track and report its findings directly to theCity and the neighborhood committee that has now been set up to review it.” Secondly, there is much ambiguous language in the TDM, which offers the school multiple opportunities to reinterpret the rules. Why is this so important? Need we point out the most recent example? The Council gave school a maximum of 416students until construction was complete OR (as an incentive to move) it would be allowed it to enroll 450 students if it moved to another location during construction. The school is insteaddoing both: it is remaining on campus AND it has increased enrollment, by moving a portion of the new students to the JCC. Among the issues this raises; neighbors were told specifically by Nanci Kaufman thatwhenever the school has an “All School” meeting or event, “of course the off-site students and their families will be invited” noting “It doesn’t say that we can’t.” Tonight we ask: 1 - that you add to the TDM a requirement that the CITY hires a traffic consultant whoreports directly to the City. 2 - That events on campus cannot be open to students beyond the 416 cap. 3 That traffic being “monitored” - is actually included in the final counts. And 4th - we ask your help in tightening the language. We cannot help but think allowing the school to write its own TDM was inviting nebulous restrictions that can be reinterpreted at will. This version is full of enormous loopholes and ask your help in clarifying the language. Many thanks for your attention! - Carla Befera From:Aram JamesTo:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Council, City; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Shikada, Ed; Barberini, Christopher; Tannock, Julie; Jensen, Eric; Hornung, Joel; Figueroa, Eric; Foley, Michael; Lee, Craig; Afanasiev, Alex; Josh Becker; Shana Segal; Wagner, April; Joe Simitian; Human Relations Commission; MichaelGennaco; Jeff Rosen; Sean Allen; Rebecca Eisenberg; Mila Zelkha; Sheriff TransparencyCc:dennis burns; DuJuan Green; Kevin Jensen; Sheriff Transparency; Robert. Jonsen; Roberta AhlquistSubject:Criticism of police, Palo Alto Daily Post August 7, 2023Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 11:12:15 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.________________________________  Sent from my iPhone From:Aram JamesTo:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Council, City; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Shikada, Ed; Barberini, Christopher; Tannock, Julie; Jensen, Eric; Hornung, Joel; Figueroa, Eric; Foley, Michael; Lee, Craig; Afanasiev, Alex; Josh Becker; Shana Segal; Wagner, April; Joe Simitian; Human Relations Commission; Michael Gennaco; Jeff Rosen; Sean Allen; Rebecca Eisenberg; Mila Zelkha; Perron, ZacharyCc:dennis burns; DuJuan Green; Kevin Jensen; Sheriff Transparency; Robert. Jonsen; Roberta AhlquistSubject:Criticism of police, Palo Alto Daily Post August 7, 2023Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 11:12:10 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.________________________________  Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Tanaka, Greg; Burt, Patrick; Council, City; Jethroe Moore; Sean Allen; Shikada, Ed; Binder,Andrew; Michael Gennaco; Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; Shana Segal; Human Relations Commission; JoeSimitian; Rebecca Eisenberg; Josh Becker; Sheriff Transparency; LaDoris Cordell; Mila Zelkha; Chuck Jagoda;Perron, Zachary; Jay Boyarsky; Barberini, Christopher; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Kevin Jensen; DuJuan Green;dennis burns Subject:Racially discriminatory policing is nothing new with the Palo Alto Police Departnent Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 10:58:24 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://socialistworker.org/2008/11/13/racial-profiling-in-palo-alto Shared via the Google app Sent from my iPhone From:matt@evolutionaryteams.com To:Matt Schlegel Subject:Daisy"s article on AAPI activism Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 7:05:41 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hi Palo Alto Climate Strikers! Daisy finished her AMAZING article and asked me to share it with you. Thank you, Daisy! 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: Daisy Ding Sent: Monday, August 7, 2023 2:53 PM To: matt@evolutionaryteams.com Subject: Re: Fridays For Future Climate Vigil Hi Matt, It would be a great help for my group if you could share this with your email list before tomorrow. With that being said, here is our article! _________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Environmental Issues and Activism Regarding the AAPI Community A student team from the Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute’s 2023 Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) came together this summer to engage the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in environmental activism and issues. The students have interviewed SVYCA members and other experienced leaders, accumulated several weeks' worth of research, attended the SVYCA Youth Leadership Summit and participated in the Fridays for Future Climate Vigil based in Palo Alto. They examine the effects of the model minority myth on Asian Americans and how it connects to environmental issues that have alluded to the AAPI community. Using examples from local and out-of-state levels, the students shed light on the different environmental issues that have transpired in predominantly AAPI-populated areas and discuss the importance of environmental activism and how to get involved. HOW ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES CONNECT TO RACIAL IDENTITY The term model minority, as defined by the USC Pacific Asia Museum, refers to the stereotyping of Asians “as studious, successful, smart — a model minority who excel in education and accomplish the ‘American Dream.’” This term praises Asian Americans for their perceived success while ignoring the oppression that Asian Americans face, creating a misleading narrative that paints the average Asian Americans as being affluent and well educated while ignoring those who do not fit that mold. Esther Duong, a member of the Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action (SVYCA), explains, “It's mostly the East Asian communities in America that tend to be more affluent, and often time the East Asian community is the what you think the model minority myth…the myth neglects everyone else, like South Asian, South East Asian people”. This myth is especially problematic when studying environmental issues in disadvantaged communities, as low income Asian American communities are often overlooked by research teams and humanitarian efforts that address extreme pollution. Duong explains, “because of the model minority myth, often [Asians] are neglected in terms of policy and research, just because the idea that every Asian is affluent and is up there in terms of socioeconomic side.” As shown in Andrew Aoki’s work in his novel, Asian American Politics, Asian Americans as a whole appear to perform well in education and economics due to Asian Indian and Pakistani average education levels, while other minority groups such as Cambodians and Laotians clash with this hegemonic narrative. Chinatowns, Japantowns, Koreatowns and other large Asian American communities are mainly situated in large urban centers, where there are large amounts of pollution. According to a study by the University of Texas, this has exposed Korean and Chinese Americans to the highest levels of carcinogenic hazardous air pollutants in the United States. While it is true that socioeconomic status plays a significant role in finding affordable housing further away from toxic sites, race is undeniably a factor as well. In a 1987 Commission for Racial Justice national report on waste sites, then Executive Director Dr. Benjamin F. Davis asserts that not only did race (measured by the minority percentage of the population) still prove to be more significant than socioeconomic status, but also that race was the most significant factor that correlated to the location of toxic waste facilities. That same report highlights “half of all Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indians lived in communities with uncontrolled toxic waste sites” and a statistical analysis revealed that this data has “a probability of less than I in 10,000 that [it] occurred by chance.” Environmental justice should never have to be a matter of race in the first place, but the unfortunate reality is that healthy low-income housing has been discounted for the pursuit of newer industry, hence the proximity of current cheap residential areas to toxic industrial sites. The income inequality has sharply risen within the Asian community over time. A 2018 Pew Research Center article notes that Asians have the highest income inequality (measured by the factor of income the top 10% of the ethnic group earns compared to the bottom 10%). While Asians do earn the highest average income of all ethnic groups, the aforementioned statistic provides key context that gets overlooked when simply talking about an average income. For a myriad of Chinese, Pilipino, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Korean, and Laotian workers, they have to seek pay while working in dangerous conditions. As explained by Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) co-founder and Chinese Progressive Alliance board director Pam Tau Lee, some of these more dangerous jobs Asian workers are forced into include garment sweatshops that are “inadequately ventilated, poorly lit, and overcrowded…causing high rates of byssinosis and respiratory illness”, farms “exposed to pesticides” and dry cleaning which exposes workers to tetrachloroethylene, which the EPA categorizes as a likely carcinogen. Not only are Asian workers exposed to toxic chemicals, but their children, who often go with their parents, are also placed at heavier risks in such an environment which is heartbreaking. But, the conditions are not much better within their homes. Due to their socioeconomic status, low-income Asian workers are systematically at a stark disadvantage as they are forced into the cheapest living conditions available in overcrowded, cheap city housing built many decades ago and being exposed to toxic lead paint, according to Lee. As mentioned previously, minorities live in closer proximity to waste sites in the first place, so regardless of staying at home or work, the low-income workers are being poisoned. INTRUSION ON PACIFIC ISLANDER ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities have often been marginalized and excluded from critical discussions on the climate crisis. Cici Xu, a member of the SYVCA, says the model minority myth “ignores diversity in communities,” with the green gentrifications threatening Pacific Islander communities most prominently, an issue that has been neglected for years. Climate changes have led to environmental displacement and rising sea levels, which pose severe threats to these communities. Climate experts Lachlan Mclever, lead author of a 2016 World health organization study on the effects of climate change on the health of Pacific Islanders, and Kealoha Fox, a Native Hawaiian public health researcher, predict that increased extreme weather events can lead to fatal consequences for low-income AAPI communities who lack the necessary resources and options to protect themselves from dangerous weather events. The Honolulu Civil Beat states that climate change has apparent health effects, including death, injury and diabetes. A 2018 study shows that Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders were more than twice as likely to have diabetes. People in these communities have limited access to healthcare and live on islands that are far more exposed to climate change. The model minority myth ignores NHPI environmental issues meaning that these communities cannot make their climate issues heard and receive enough help to combat climate change. Hawaii has historically been used and colonized by the US with little respect for the Native Hawaiians who live there. Environmental rights have been a struggle for Native Hawaiians as their land is confiscated for commercial or government use. The Thirty Meter Telescope is a prime example of the discordance of rights for the Pacific Islander community. In 2009, the Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT), a $1.4 billion research project funded by the UC system, proposed plans of building on Hawaii’s Big Island on Mauna Kea where thirteen other observatories and telescopes were built. The peak of Mauna Kea has limited air pollution and favorable atmospheric conditions which would allow scientists to further their research in astronomy. Mauna Kea’s cultural and religious significance to the Pacific Islander community has created pushback against the TMT efforts as it defaces sacred land and denies the right for them to practice their culture. Mauna Kea was regarded as a part of the Crown Lands which were reserved only for the Hawaiian monarchy and not for public or government use. After statehood, the state of Hawaii leased the University of Hawaii (UH), land located on Mauna Kea, and ever since then, UH has continued to sublet land for telescopes and observatories. The University of Hawaii has violated the agreement to protect Mauna Kea’s natural environment as stated in Report No. 98-6, the Audit of the Management of Mauna Kea. The TMT failed to meet the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) sect. 28 and 29 which focuses on recognizing indigenous people’s rights to the conservation of their land and protection of their cultural practice. The lack of recognition for this sacred indigenous site has stirred up protests across the Hawaiian Islands, Guam and especially on UC campuses. Faculty member of the University of California Berkeley Asian American and Asian Diasporas studies program, Dr. Lisa Hirai Tsuchitani, among the 2,000 staff, faculty and UC Berkeley undergraduate students has signed a briefing and petition to Chancellor Carol T. Christ addressing UC Berkeley’s involvement with the support for the TMT. Dr. Tsuchitani stated that the briefing addresses the environmental impacts of the TMT which includes “chemical and human waste [that] could leak undetected from the two 5,000 gallon storage tanks located under the TMT.” “Pollution from the TMT can poison aquifers that Hawaii Island communities rely on,” said Tsuchitani, “which are fed by water filtering through Mauna Kea.” The environmental impacts of the TMT on unceded Native Hawaiian lands could mean the desecration of Mauna Kea and send the message that AAPI communities do not matter. Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian communities bear the burden of environmental injustices and climate change impacts despite what the model minority myth suggests. Many AAPI communities are not financially equipped to battle climate change and inequalities and many more lack the knowledge about such environmental injustices. Acknowledging these disparities and empowering these communities to be part of the conversation is essential in developing more equitable and sustainable solutions for the future. A CLOSER LOOK AT BAY AREA ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES “Poor people who are affected by the crisis of pollution from the refinery need to fight for ourselves. Rich people don’t care about us, that we have bad health from the pollution. If we don’t fight, nobody else is going to fight for us. We want the next generation - our children and grandchildren - to have clean air so that they don’t get sick and die like us now.” - Laotian refugees Lipo and Saeng Chantanasak, Toxic Tides Study. Analyzing the local community provides insight into the negative effects of systemic racial injustice and the lingering environmental damages that have begun to affect BIPOC communities as a result. Modern medicine helps us to understand the effects of industrial factories polluting air spaces and superfund sites that have added lasting toxins into the water systems of the bay. Pollution, in all of its forms, creates an environment that can affect nearby residence zones, whether by creating an unpleasant odor in the air, letting chemicals seep into the ocean or groundwater, etc. While low-income housing may seem like an opportunity for the enfranchised to let those who are in a lower economic class “show their worth”, it can actually endanger individuals living in those situations. Low coastal housing is a practice used by urban planners to accommodate California’s growing population and is used in cities such as Oakland. NBC Bay Area news reported that California experienced a series of storms in 2022- 23 that showcased just how these housing practices endanger the AAPI and other socially vulnerable residents trying to make a living in the bay area. Oakland itself flooded enough to cause Interstate 580, a major highway that runs directly through the heart of the city itself, all as a result of poor storm drain management. According to major news publishers such as the San Francisco Chronicles, major urban spaces like Oakland’s Chinatown suffer all over the bay from aging sewage systems that struggle to handle the increase in heavy rainfall. Additionally, a research team based out of Berkeley reports that groundwater is continuing to rise, which threatens to flood streets and homes with raw sewage and storm runoff. Additionally, superfund sites and air pollutant factories dot the landscape of the bay area, creating toxic environments that disadvantaged children become poisoned by. One such superfund site, the AMCO Chemical site, rests on the west bay of Oakland, a few miles from Oakland’s Chinatown, and has polluted the area for decades. Although steps are being made to remove its toxic waste permanently, the EPA has not released a major update on the site since 2017, which has caused communities to further raise concerns about the lingering contamination of the soil and groundwater in the area. Richmond, CA is a prime example of a city within the seemingly flourishing Bay Area that is struck with poverty and racial injustices. The foundation started over 100 years ago with the birth of Standard Oil, later to be Chevron, which held a stranglehold on the city’s politics. For example, four-time Richmond mayor and Standard Oil employee, W. W. Scott initiated a chain of nepotism in which politicians who were given funding from the oil industry gained positions of power, as reported by author Robert Wenkert. With the emergence of World War II, Richmond experienced a rapid influx of refugees and thereby led to an increase in the demand for housing. As noted in the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy, housing for these refugees “was built in the vicinity of existing industrial operations because the land was cheap and the people were poor” and in Richmond, this meant downwind from the Chevron refinery. According to a University of Michigan environmental justice case study on Richmond, there were 304 industrial accidents from the Chevron plant in a six-year span in the early 1990s alone. For low-income people of color who lived close to these sites, their health was at significant risk. In order to instill change for the better in Richmond, the West County Toxics Coalition (WCTC) filed suits and started campaigns to fight back against the toxic advances to maintain the good health of the community and found success in doing so by blocking plans to build an incinerator near an elementary school, winning hundreds of millions after company explosions in Richmond, and establishing a new community health center, according to Executive Director Henry Clark in an interview with UC Berkeley researchers. Although the Richmond residents are yet to receive their deserved reparations, these social justice efforts set the groundwork for future progress. Even as of 2012, “nearly 80% of the population near the [Chevron] plant are people of color, 25% of which being low-income”, according to former APEN Executive Director Roger Kim. The issues still prevail as it takes a tragic accident such as a plant explosion which sends thousands of nearby residents to the hospital for companies to offer reparations in the form of money. Unfortunately, these accidents are rampant in the Richmond and Contra Costa County area and at some point, money will not be enough, but rather the eradication of toxic sites near low-income communities of color would serve as true justice. By getting the youth active in groups that let them share their voice, future generations can be better educated so that steps can be taken to mitigate the damage of climate change and pollution on the world and the population at large. Additionally, turning the public’s eyes towards wetland restoration and continuing the discussion on the construction of bioswales can serve as fantastic means of providing support to disadvantaged and low-income neighborhoods that are currently affected by the collected storm of pollution around the bay. THE AVENUES OF CHANGE Climate Justice: APEN Bridging the Gap for Vulnerable Communities The Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) is on a statewide mission to organize a collective movement to combat environmental and socioeconomic issues. APEN was founded in 1993 by Peggy Saika, becoming one of the leading organizations in environmental justice that is deeply grounded in the leadership of Asian immigrant and refugee communities. APEN places a strong emphasis on community empowerment, education, and leadership development so communities can fight for their rights and improve their living conditions. Managing local renewable energy projects, establishing microgrids to generate and store renewable energy, and designing projects to bring down renewable energy costs for entire apartment complexes and neighborhoods demonstrates the positive impact that APEN has had to focus on benefiting communities that need it most. By engaging immigrant and refugee voters in their languages, APEN encouraged voters statewide to vote for policies that put working-class communities of color first. They also offer resources to people who are not financially stable but still want to battle the climate crisis. Their mission is to build a world where everyone, not just wealthy companies and people with money, have access to all the resources they need and the power to support the climate. APEN’s offices are based in Oakland and Richmond, but their organization reaches all the way to Los Angeles. Recently, due to APEN’s efforts, the California State Legislature passed all of their major environmental policies regarding low-income communities of color. APEN now is currently working with Asian communities that are directly affected by the subsidies for major fossil fuel corporations. One of the ways APEN has sought justice is through the Laotian Organizing Project (LOP). The Laotian residential community in Richmond is a collectively marginalized victim of environmental injustice, primarily being forced to live in the vicinity of one of the over 350 toxic facilities such as the Chevron refinery, as identified in a Toxic Tides Case Study. The organization decided to approach the community with caution and looked to progress gradually due to the language barriers, diversity and traumatic history of the Laotian people. While the WCTC was instrumental in initially pushing for the aforementioned siren emergency warning system, it was the LOP’s efforts that eventually made the overall mission a success. After the 1991 and 1999 Chevron explosions unveiled Contra Costa County’s insufficient emergency system and sent thousands to the hospital, the LOP advocated for a Richmond-residential phone alert system to notify emergencies in native languages, which were the finishing touches on a great success to inclusively support the Laotian residents, among other ethnic minorities. Lipo and Saeng Chantanasak, two Laotian refugees, share their story of escape to the US in Richmond due to the Vietnam War in a documentary by APEN in which they detailed the experience of the Chevron refinery explosion as they struggled to breathe within their own home. Eventually, they became motivated to work with APEN as they explicitly stated that the city council refused to engage with the community of minorities in Richmond or to acknowledge the ills of industrial corporate tycoons upon the environment. Not only were such corporations harmful to the environment, but also the residents who worked were very poorly compensated. By no means is this experience unique to just these two Laotian residents, or even the city of Richmond, as millions of ethnic minorities also experience similar struggles of being unheard in the face of environmental injustice. A Movement That Demands National Change: Fridays For Future Fridays For Future is an international and intersectional organization and movement that believes science is the best available resource for government policies and actions. In 2022, Matt Schlegel founded the Palo Alto chapter of the international climate movement, Fridays For Future. He tells a Youth Leader Academy (YLA) student on a Friday after a climate vigil, “This is a problem that affects everybody. Everybody needs to be doing everything all at once. . . It’s not Asian, or White, or African, it’s everybody.” The Palo Alto Fridays for Future climate vigil is specifically focused on addressing policies on a local level with the aim “to encourage the city to take action on climate,” according to Schegel. However, Palo Alto is not their only action group. Fridays For Future uses local groups to organize movements related to climate change, and the groups are nationwide, ranging from the west coast to the east coast. According to Fridays For Future’s website, their national demands, “focus on issues central to the youth climate movement and environmental justice, as well as highlighting our work involving youth in environmental policy spaces.” The demands consist of taking science to action, reinvesting in communities, and uprooting the systems. The group is currently centering its efforts on urging the city leaders to follow through with the city council-approved Heat Pump Water Heater Program, which sets out to replace one thousand gas-powered water heaters with greener, electric heat pump water heaters by the end of 2023. A student from YLA who attended the protests in Palo Alto had this to say: “I was honored to be welcomed by Matt and several other members of the Palo Alto Fridays for Future group for the 79th Climate Vigil. We started our demonstration in front of the city council, then marched across downtown Palo Alto with our signs in an effort to make the issue of climate change more visible during a busy afternoon in the city. While we were sometimes met with weird stares, we also received a lot of support from the people of Palo Alto. Seeing strangers honk their horns and offer words of encouragement while we marched down the street holding our signs made me feel a true sense of empowerment as a citizen and scholar.” “Overall, I had an amazing experience that day, but I realized that the community aspect of climate activism was really the part that I enjoyed the most. Being in a group of people who were so passionate about living sustainably was a big inspiration for me to continue to do my part. For example, a Palo Alto resident shared his experience with me, and he has practiced sustainable living for several decades. He told me that starting as early as 1971, he would bike 8.5 miles to work, "just on a 'not polluting the air' theme." Nowadays, he says that his main mode of transport is still public transit. As George was sharing his story, I started to realize that he looked very familiar. It turns out that George sat right in front of me when I rode the 522 bus to attend this climate vigil that day! Through our conversations, I experienced a sense of companionship that reaffirmed that I wasn’t alone in choosing to be sustainable when few others would do the same. As my previous sense of futility was replaced with newfound optimism, I realized that these kinds of passionate and supportive communities are precisely what makes participating in climate activism so meaningful.” Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders: Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action (SVYCA) was founded in 2019 by three Asian Pacific Islander (API) women: Hoi Poon, Tara Sreekrishnan, and Linda Sell. It all started with a summit and according to Tara Sreekrishnan in an interview with a youth leader, “We (Poon, Sreekrishnan, and Sell) were very inspired by the youth that have started speaking up at city council meetings…and we started with a team in Cupertino to talk about climate action plans…and it just kept expanding to other cities.” One of the main things the leaders emphasize is the importance of environmental and climate literacy. The SVYCA website provides climate advisory lessons that were developed and produced by the youth of SVYCA as an engaging and easy way to inform their viewers about how to engage in climate and environmental advocacy. Many of the student leaders at SVYCA identify as API and come from diverse backgrounds. The organization empowers youth and leaders to take proactive roles in addressing climate change now, using a project-based, hands-on learning approach. SVYCA has action teams across San Mateo and Santa Clara County, encouraging their youth to take action on their own and explore their passions whilst tackling climate change issues. They have experts and advisors from diverse sectors such as education, government, and policy to guide the students through taking initiative, building relationships with key stakeholders like elected officials and non-profit groups. SVYCA’s advocacy reaches not only on the city-level but also on the state-level. Using their connections with boards like the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, they were able to invest in resources toward the County Office of Sustainability and partner with the Santa Clara County Office of Education to support Environmental Literacy and Education across the county. Poon states in a discussion with a YLA student, “The bottom line is that we need everyone to go electric, and new technology is here such as heat pump which is a lot more efficient and cheaper with rebates from local clean energy such as Silicon Valley Clean Energy, Peninsula Clean Energy, Silicon Valley Power and San Jose Clean Energy, who presented at the summit. Nature solutions is another key area. Also growing green jobs in many areas helps to solve climate change.” SVYCA website provides more resources for climate news. The annual SVYCA Youth Leadership Summit is an opportunity for local youth to be introduced and involved with climate activism. YLA students attended the 2023 SVYCA Youth Leadership Summit in order to learn more about the SVYCA’s mission and activities. The SVYCA’s three goals of advocacy, fostering leadership and relationship building, and career exposure were addressed throughout the summit by speakers, panels, and workshops. The Climate Career Panel and Q&A was composed of leading members of industries confronting climate change. Members of the panel shared anecdotes and advice for Youth interested in green careers. Evan Haynes shared stories and answered questions regarding his web startup. Antoinette West described the work her company does in connecting youth with internships at climate companies. Dan Evans detailed the process of creating products to solve climate issues. All three speakers taught attendees how they can turn their passion for climate activism into a career. Throughout the summit, speakers highlighted the importance of government policy in addressing the climate crises. In State Senator Dave Cortese’s closing speech he emphasized the power youth have in influencing government policy. While at the transportation panel, the YLA students had an opportunity to interact with people such as Fremont Union High School District superintendent Graham Clark, Former Mayor of Cupertino, Founding member of Silicon Valley Clean Energy Rod Sinks, and Sunnyvale council member Linda Sell. Sharing their stories and having their voices heard by local community leaders was empowering for the students. As part of the SVYCA’s mission, the organization has set up local action teams in order to provide youth with connections and tools to influence their own communities. During the summit, local action teams met in order to discuss environmental issues concerning their community. In order to solve any problem, it is important to first identify the issue. Discussing environmental issues in the community allows solutions to be created in order to solve the problem. The goal of the local action teams and SVYCA as a whole is to teach the youth the skills to advocate for a better future — one without the threat of climate change. CONCLUDING REMARKS When asked about how Asian Americans can participate in climate activism, Schlegel recommends that “they talk to others in their community and find others with similar purpose, values and passion.” To get started, here are some ways people can participate in climate activism: 1. Start conversations on climate change. It is important to be educated on political topics and engage in conversations about things like climate change to make these issues more visible and to encourage each other to take action. These conversations can look like a dinner table discussion about the record-breaking heat waves this summer, or simply liking and reposting a climate change message on Instagram. 2. Make your voice heard. Perspective matters, so people should use their voice! Some starting places include voting at local and national elections, attending demonstrations and protests, speaking at city council, and writing to policymakers. 3. Become a leader. Organize a demonstration, or consider becoming an elected official! Asian Americans are severely underrepresented in the field of climate activism, which is dominated mostly by White, upper-class men (Horn-Muller & Chen, 2023). Additionally, Asian Americans hold less than 1% of all elected positions (Dugyala, 2021). So be a leader and make the community's voice be heard. How is positive change and the advocacy for personal beliefs enacted? In a society where social media and online movements dominate attention, one cannot overstate the importance of physically engaging in activism. Physical engagement ensures that voices are loud in the real world and not limited to virtual spaces. It brings a sense of community and unity, crucial for challenging oppressive systems and advocating for justice. Physical engagement is a form of direct action, whether attending protests or volunteering. There are communities that are disproportionately affected by environmental issues and the effects of climate change which shows that the climate crisis is not just an environmental issue, it is also a social justice issue. Getting involved with environmental groups is one way to get started in environmental activism with community backing. SVYCA, APEN, and Fridays For Future are some of the many groups that advocate for environmental justice and climate change activism. Enabling people to make an immediate impact will drive meaningful change, and every person must realize that they hold the power to create a better world. Environmental and climate literacy are key points in activism and actively engaging in activities that push for change will raise awareness, destroy systemic injustices, and create a fair and more equitable society. By taking action today, the world can be transformed into one that is cleaner, more sustainable, and more equitable for all. Works Cited Anonymous source (personal communication, July 14, 2023) Aoki, Andrew. (2008). Asian American Politics. Polity. APEN. (2019). Lipo and Saeng’s story. Vimeo. https://vimeo.com/364407516\ APEN, T. (2019, October 8). Our History. Asian Pacific Environmental Network.https://apen4ej.org/our-history/ Audit of the Management of Mauna Kea and the Mauna Kea Science Reserve THE AUDITORSTATE OF HAWAI`I. (1998). https://files.hawaii.gov/auditor/Reports/1998/98-6.pdf Author Unknown. (2022). AMCO Chemical Superfund Site. FrazerOnder Environmental Law.https://foenvironmentallaw.com/super-funds/california/amco-chemical-superfund-site/ Bay City News. (2023, March 10). Interstate 580 in Oakland Reopens Following Flooding.NBC Bay Area. https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/east-bay/flooding-interstate-580-oakland/3176851/ Budiman, A. (2021, April 29). Key facts about Asian Americans, a diverse and growingpopulation. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/04/29/key-facts-about-asian-americans/ Case studies. Toxic Tides. (n.d.). https://sites.google.com/berkeley.edu/toxictides/case-studies Chiravann. (2016, August 30). How APEN members made climate history in the halls ofpower. Asian Pacific Environmental Network. https://apen4ej.org/how-apen-members-made-climate-history-in-the-halls-of-power/ Cici Xu (personal communication, July 30, 2023) Clark, H., Thomas, A., & Wilmsen, C. (2003). Fighting Toxic Emissions in Richmond,California, 1984-2000. Climate justice. AAPI Victory Alliance. (n.d.). https://aapivictoryalliance.com/climatejustice Duggan, Tara. (2023, January 18). New map shows where rising groundwater in Bay Areaadds flood risk. San Francisco Chronicle. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/new-map-shows-where-rising-groundwater-in-bay-17726500.php Dugyala, R. (2021, April 5). Asian Americans are the least likely to hold elected office.https://www.politico.com/news/2021/05/04/asian-american-pacific-islander-representation-elected-office-485279 Debunking the Model Minority Myth. USC Pacific Asia Museum. (n.d.). https://pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu/exhibitions/online-exhibitions/debunking-the-model-minority-myth/ Esther Duong (personal communication, July 26, 2023) EPA. (2022, November 1). What is Superfund? United States Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/superfund/what-superfund Grineski, S. E., Collins, T. W., & Morales, D. X. (2017a, July). Asian Americans and disproportionate exposure to carcinogenic hazardous air pollutants: A national study. Socialscience & medicine (1982). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5523857/ Fridays For Future US. Fridays for Future US. https://fridaysforfutureusa.org/ Help Prevent Sewage Spills into the Bay | San Francisco Baykeeper. (n.d.-b). Baykeeper.org.https://baykeeper.org/articles/help-prevent-sewage-spills-bay Hofschneider, A. (2021, October 22). Climate Change Threatens To Worsen HealthDisparities In Hawaii. Honolulu Civil Beat. https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/10/climate- change-threatens-to-worsen-health-disparities-in-hawaii/ Hoi Poon (personal communication, August 3, 2023) Horn-Muller, A., & Chen, S. (2023, May 7). Asian Americans left out of climate movement.https://www.axios.com/2023/05/07/asian-americans-climate-movement Kim, R. (n.d.). Final APEN Statement 2012. APEN Asian Pacific Environmental Network.https://apen4ej.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Final-APEN-Statement-1.pdf Kochhar, R., & Ciluffo, A. (2018, July 12). Income inequality in the U.S. is rising mostrapidly among Asians. Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2018/07/12/income-inequality-in-the-u-s-is-rising-most-rapidly-among-asians/ Lee, P. T. (1992). Environmental justice for Asians and Pacific Islanders. Reimagine Race,Poverty & the Environment. https://www.reimaginerpe.org/node/962 Lisa Hirai Tsuchitani (personal communication, July 21, 2023) Manke, K. (2023, June 20). Rising Groundwater Threatens Thousands of Toxic Sites in the Bay Area. Berkeley News.https://news.berkeley.edu/2023/06/20/rising-groundwater-threatens-thousands-of-toxic-sites- in-the-bay-area/#:~:text=A%20new%20report%20finds%20that,managed%20contaminated%20sites%20 at%20risk. Matt Schlegel (personal communication, July 14, 2023) Pang, E. (2023, March 21). Ask An Expert: What Flood Risk Does the Bay Area Face? Savethe Bay. https://savesfbay.org/ask-an-expert-flood-risk/? gclid=Cj0KCQjw2qKmBhCfARIsAFy8buLDPHmLBAyY5r8qzKAOH4yA_wX_BJO4XmrT1j4VPdt9TAyDqmMTslYaAv1fEALw_wcB Schill, M. H., & Austin, R. (1991). Black, Brown, Poor & Poisoned: Minority grassrootsenvironmentalism and the Quest for Eco-Justice. Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy. https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8527&context=journal_articles Silicon Valley Youth climate action. Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action. (n.d.).https://www.svyouthclimateaction.org/ Sherman, S. (n.d.). Environmental justice case study: West county toxics coalition and thechevron refinery. Environmental Justice Case Study: Richmond, CA. http://websites.umich.edu/~snre492/sherman.html Tara Sreekrishnan (personal communication, July 23, 2023) Toxic wastes and race - NRC. (1987). https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML1310/ML13109A339.pdf Thirty Meter Telescope Selects Mauna Kea. (n.d.). TIO. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from https://www.tmt.org/news/tmt20090721 United Nations. (2007). United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Human Rights Quarterly, 33(3). https://doi.org/10.1353/hrq.2011.0040 US Human Rights Network Blog - US Human Rights Network. (n.d.). Ushrnetwork.org. Retrieved August 2, 2023, from https://ushrnetwork.org/news/76/100/Violations-of-Human-and-Indigenous-Peoples-Rights-at-Mauna-Kea-Hawaii Wenkert, R., Magney, J., & Templeton, F. (1967). An historical digest of negro-whiterelations in Richmond, California. Survey Research Center, University of California. Wilmsen, C., & Cole, L. W. (2003, December 11). FIGHTING TOXIC EMISSIONS INRICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, 1984-2000. UC Berkeley Bancroft Library. https://digitalassets.lib.berkeley.edu/rohoia/ucb/text/toxicemissions00clarrich.pdf _________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ And I wanted to say once again, thank you so much for letting me and my friends join y'all in the climate vigil! We all really enjoyed it and it was a big help for my class work as well. Best, Daisy Ding On Fri, Aug 4, 2023 at 11:08 AM Daisy Ding <daisyzding@gmail.com> wrote: Hi Matt, Thank you for the quick response! Of course, I will send you the link to the article after we publish it. There has been a change of plans, and we've actually decided to publish the article on the Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action website. We're hoping to get it published by the end of next week. Many thanks, Daisy Ding From:McFarland, Tessa To:Council, City; Veenker, Vicki; Burt, Patrick; Kou, Lydia; Lauing, Ed; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Stone, Greer;gret.tanaka@cityofpaloalto.org Subject:August 7, 2023 Council Meeting: Agenda Item 6 Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 2:32:35 PM Attachments:Agenda Item Letter to City Council - August 7, 2023 Council Meeting.pdf Some people who received this message don't often get email from tmcfarland@prometheusreg.com. Learn whythis is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Mayor Kou and Councilmember Veenker, Councilmember Burt, Councilmember Lauing, Councilmember Lythcott-Haims, Councilmember Stone, and Councilmember Tanaka: We write to ask you to vote NO on Agenda Item 6, as the proposed ordinance adds yet another layer of regulation, increases the administrative burdens on housing providers, conflicts with existing Statewide and local Palo Alto renter protections, and ultimately will reduce the housing supply in Palo Alto as it increases the burdens on maintaining existing housing and providing new housing, at a time when Palo Alto must meet its state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Please see attached letter which has more detail on our perspective as a housing provider doing business in Palo Alto. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can answer any questions or provide more information. Thank you, Tessa Theresa “Tessa” McFarland | General CounselPROMETHEUS REAL ESTATE GROUP, INC. | Est. 1965 | Certified B Corporation™ p: 650.931.3658 | prometheusapartments.com | tmcfarland@prometheusreg.com CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This message, including attachments, is confidential and/or privileged and is intended only forthe recipient(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, copy,disclose, or distribute the message or the information contained in it. If you have received themessage in error, please notify the sender and immediately delete the message. From:Lynn Gordon To:Council, City; cinearts@sonic.net Subject:Palo Alto Square theatre Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 2:28:35 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from lynnmuse@earthlink.net. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Dear members of the City Council: We are writing to express our strong support for reopening the theatre at Palo Alto Square. For many years, we enjoyed seeing movies there, as well as Metropolitan Opera broadcasts. It is an elegant venue and an important cultural asset for Palo Alto and the surrounding area. Please do all you can to bring back the theatre, so that we can look forward to many more pleasurable evenings there. Sincerely yours, Lynn Gordon and David Simon From:Aram James To:Stump, Molly; Tanaka, Greg; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Veenker, Vicki; Lauing, Ed; Burt, Patrick; Greer Stone; LydiaKou; Shikada, Ed; Joe Simitian; Lait, Jonathan; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; Perron, Zachary; JethroeMoore; Wagner, April Cc:Council, City Subject:Santa Clara County leaders get pay raise amid budget cuts—-should Palo Alto’s management team get break thebank raises when Palo Alto has a 5 hundred million PERS deficit??? I say we must put the breaks on raises fortop-end management folks now. JUST... Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 2:05:09 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.Santa Clara County leaders get pay raise amid budget cuts—-should Palo Alto’s management team get break the bank raises when Palo Alto has a 5 hundred million PERS deficit??? I say we must put the breaks on raises for top-end management folks now. JUST SAY NO TO MANAGEMENT RAISES NewsBreakUsed by over 45 million people Open APP Santa Clara County leaders get pay raise amid budget cuts San José Spotlight I found this on NewsBreak: Santa Clara County leaders get pay raise amid budget cuts Click to read the full story Sent from my iPhone From:sheryl johnson To:Council, City Cc:sheryl johnson Subject:Electric Bikes on trail in City Parks and Perserves Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 1:54:25 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from s_johnson2003@hotmail.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello, I Enjoy nature the sounds of nature, the beauty, the animals, the plants, the birds, the insects, the trees, the wildflowers. I would not enjoy the sound of an electric bike in nature. I am requesting the City of Palo Alto disallow all electric bikes from all City owned parks. If the mode of transportation is motored regardless of gas or electricity it needs to be on the road. I use Arastradero Park a lot and with the few bicyclist that used that park it is a royal pain at times when the cyclists thinks the are king of the trail. Yes, there are some that are polite and realize I am not a young wiper snapper and will give me time to move to the side of the trail dogging poison oak, etc. But there are some that go zipping by without a thought as to who is on the trail with them. The thought of the City of Palo Alto allowing electric bikes on the trail is rather horrifying. We go into nature to renew, to destress, to relax; please keep you City Parks a joyful place of nature. Please do not allow eclectic bikes on your park trials. Thank You, Sheryl Johnson A Santa Clara County Resident. Sent from Mail for Windows From:Sharon Webster To:Council, City Subject:Landlord-Tenant Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 1:40:18 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from sharonjune.sw@gmail.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ And even commercial tenants! We need you to take a quick proactive role in helping us to save businesses & tenants currently endangered in Palo Alto. And some have been recently lost, like Footwear, etc. on University Ave., a business that was there for 37 years ! But the landlord went up on the rent and the business got no help from the City of Palo Alto ! We are currently in danger of losing the Fish Market, a 47 year old business & Cine Arts Theater at Palo Alto Square & and now Mike Wallau, Mike’s Cafe, Mike’s Diner Bar at Midtown. I noticed Greer Stone, the Vice Mayor, and Councilman Ed Lauing, both say they are interested in helping tenants, that should include Palo Alto businesses who have had a terrible time surviving with Covid ! These greedy Palo Alto landlords jack up the rent with no one lifting a hand ! I am still waiting for the CEO of Acclaim Homes to call about the Fish Market. They are not interested in saving the Fish Market. They offered them to pay rent at a price they couldn’t afford and there was no help coming from the City of Palo Alto ! This is the oldest restaurant in the chain ! It was packed every night. They owned their own boats. They owned Farallon Fisheries. But Covid hit ! These were jobs for thousands of people ! It was part of their life. I remember when the City Council voted to close the Olive Garden, a very popular packed restaurant even on a Monday night without any consideration to the citizenry. And the Counter on California was closed- the most popular restaurant in the chain- gone ! And we find out the landlord of Mike’s Cafe has been going up on the rent since Covid hit and he has been dealing with it largely by his self ! The Palo Alto City Council should have been protecting businesses ! And they should be protecting tenants in rental housing, which they have not. As that class action law suit, Green v. City of Palo Alto for 12.6 million dollars attests. The tenants did not owe one penny of that money that was stolen from them between 2015 thru 2019 by the then City Mgr and his Utility Company. You had a seminar for Affordable Housing at City Hall on Saturday, May 19, 2023. None of those groups that you had there help tenants in Affordable Housing that are United States Citizens ! They have rules and laws, by H.U.D., but there is no one to enforce those rules & laws ! H.U.D, largely has not paid any attention to the Housing Authority nor enforced the laws. So we need you to get interested in tenancy issues, more than just a couple of words, and this includes commercial landlords too, that have businesses that mean a lot to the people ! Sincerely, SHARON L. WEBSTER Sent from my iPhone From:Annette Glanckopf To:Council, City; Clerk, City; Shikada, Ed Subject:Mike Diner Bar Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 1:39:47 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Good evening, Mayor Kou and Council, I am planning to speak next week about the economic strategy report and Midtown, but now as you all have heard, Midtown has an immediate and pressing need for help in keeping Mikes Diner Bar Open and not have him be evicted. We have circulated a petition and as of mid-day today, we have received over 575 signatures asking for city help to work with owners to negotiate, so that Mike can stay in business. Our efforts, the petition, are CPR for a dying business. We need your help to breathelife back into the "patient" The key problem, not adequately addressed in the economy strategy report, is the unsatiable demands for increased rent, as well as increasing operating costs and theinability to get adequate staff. The city needs to be more aggressive in its actions to preserve and revitalize retail. The city needs to work with owners and property managers, seek out and encouragethe right retail for the right location, assign an ombudsman for new small retail businesses, and have a more lenient approach to building permits. Until that happens, the economic strategy report recommendations are just putting lipstick on a pig. I ask what business might be next? HELP US PRESERVE LOCAL SERVING RETAIL Thank youAnnette Glanckopf Vice Chair Midtown From:Kristen Van Fleet To:PlannerOnDuty; Council, City; Planning Commission; City Attorney; City Mgr; Glanckopf, Annette; Furman, Sheri;William Ross Subject:Ellsworth Place - Requesting an Application for Establishing Road Ownership Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 1:25:05 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. To Whom it may concern, Ownership of the Ellsworth Place "private" road is still an unanswered question. There is evidence it is already a public CPA road, per the 1968 County Assessor's Parcel Map, but thishas recently been refuted by CPA during the Planning and Transportation Commission meetings regarding a proposed development on Ellsworth Place, Applications: 23PLN-00025,and 23PLN-00027. No one pays taxes for this road. The Ellsworth Place Homeowners would like to start an application process with the City of Palo Alto to get ownership of the road determined. Per the research, a 170.8 foot portion ofthis road is abandoned and is, therefore, potential liability to the City of Palo Alto, (or does an abandoned road revert to County or State ownership?) How do we go about starting this process? Sincerely, Kristen Van Fleeton behalf of Ellsworth Place Homeowners 650-646-8677 From:Alan Cooper To:Council, City Cc:Alan Cooper Subject:Castilleja enrollment -- CC action request. Agenda Item: Public Comment Date:Monday, August 7, 2023 12:54:40 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from akcooper@pacbell.net. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. The following letter is a Castilleja Public Comment item (ie. Not a Castilleja TDM item). Re: Castilleja student enrollment August 7, 2023 Dear City Council For 39 years, I have lived on Kellogg Avenue across the street from Castilleja. Below, I address two issues regarding Castilleja student enrollment: compromise and integrity. And I ask for a Council action tonight. Compromise: After many years of negotiation and compromise between neighbors, Castilleja and City Staff, the City Council debated and decided on several key issues. One key issue was student enrollment. Council decided that Castilleja could go to from 416 to 450 students when new school construction was completed. Council added an incentive to <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->speed up construction by a year and <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->keep girls away from construction danger. In a simple statement, Council stated if Castilleja moved girls offsite during construction, then they could immediately go from 416 to 450 student enrollment. A compromise had been reached. Integrity: The integrity of the situation is that both parties abide by the compromise. Neighbors have. Castilleja has not. Castilleja chose a procedure they commonly use: try to comply and if unsuccessful, look for a loophole and threaten a lawsuit as needed to achieve their goal. So, Castilleja moved a few of their girls (~65), offsite, and had attorneys write a sevenpage letter to the City justifying why they could legally go from 416 to 450 students keeping the rest of their students on the campus during construction. Rather than honor the intent of the original compromise, they would achieve their goal of getting from 416 to 450 students immediately, by threat of lawsuit. Castilleja’s action is not ethically right, and it is not fair to neighbors, to their girls and to others in the city. Why should Castilleja be held to a different ethical standard? Action: I ask that Council take an ethical approach, regardless of threatened lawsuit, and tonight restate formally that Castilleja must move all girls off campus if Castilleja is to increase from 416 to 450 students immediately. Thank you. Alan Cooper