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HomeMy Public PortalAboutJanuary 22, 2024 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: 1/22/2024 Document dates: 1/16/2024 – 1/22/2024 Note: Documents for every category may not have been received for packet reproduction in a given week. From:Charlie Weidanz To:Council, City Subject:Parents of Teens: Jan 23 Open House, Bowman School Date:Monday, January 22, 2024 9:00:26 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Bowman School Secondary Open House flyer To Parents of Teens (entering Grades 7-12 next fall): Are you looking for a highly respected Montessori school to bring out the best in your teen, for college and beyond? Bowman School develops considerate and confident problem-solvers (with the option of an IB diploma), in our 7th-12th grade Secondary Program. Come learn more at our Jan 23rd Open House | 6:30-8pm! 4000 Terman Dr. Palo Alto, CA 94306 RSVP on Ravenna, or email admissions@bowmanschool.org. This email was sent on behalf of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce 355 Alma St Palo Alto, CA 94301.To unsubscribe click here. If you have questions or comments concerning this email or services in general, please contact us by email atinfo@paloaltochamber.com. View this email in your browser Visit us on www.lwvpaloalto.org, Facebook, and Instagram SPECIAL E-BLAST January 22, 2024 From:LWV Palo Alto (E-Blast)To:Council, CitySubject:Special E-Blast: Join Program Planning Meeting on Saturday, February 17Date:Monday, January 22, 2024 8:03:02 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links. Subscribe to our Google Calendar Program Planning 2024 Saturday, February 17, 2024 9:30 am - 12:00 pm Social 9:30 - 10:00 am Light refreshments will be provided Meeting starts at 10 am In Person Meeting at PCC Raptor Room 3921 E. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto HELP DECIDE LEAGUE PRIORITIES FOR EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY Program planning is the League's process of selecting public policy issues for education and advocacy to move our mission forward. LWVUS and LWV Palo Alto look to our grassroots members to help decide priority issues for education and advocacy in 2024-26 (LWVUS) and 2024–2025 (LWV Palo Alto). LWVUS Program for 2024-26 The LWVUS Board recommends that the national program for 2024–2026 continues to be Campaign for Making Democracy Work®, which focuses on: voting rights; improving elections; money in politics; redistricting; and abolishing the Electoral College. The goal is to ensure a free, fair, and accessible electoral system for all voters at this critical time for our democracy. What other critical issues or new positions should our League recommend? Should we support LWV Vermont's request of a new national position on health care privatization? Our recommendations along with those from other Leagues will be considered by the LWVUS Board and presented at the bi- annual LWVUS Convention in June 2024. LWV Palo Alto Program for 2024–25 Making Democracy Work® is a core mission of our League, ensuring fair and open elections, voting rights, and addressing money in politics. Our other local priorities adopted at our May 2023 Annual Meeting include: Affordable Housing for All Income Levels, with a focus on zoning reform, new financing models, and renter protections Climate Action, with a focus on food waste and equitable conversion to electricity Gun Violence Prevention, with a focus on community education Local Campaign Finance Reform, with a focus on limiting contributions to $1000 and expanding disclosure of independent expenditures Civics Education, with a focus on mentoring high school civics engagement programs (needs chair) All issues viewed with a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens Members will vote on whether these issues should continue for 2024-25, or whether new aspects of these issues or new issues should be added (remember to identify who will spearhead the new work). Recommendations will be presented at our Annual Meeting in May 2024. Don't miss this opportunity to help select national and local public policy issues for education and advocacy. We look forward to seeing you in person! JOIN A TEAM! Come to an LWVPA team meeting and learn about important issues affecting you and your community. You can make a difference! Learn More About Our Teams and Programs on our Website! Stay Informed! Sign Up for LWV California & LWVUS News & Alerts Click here to sign up for Email News and Action Alerts from LWVUS Register Now Facebook Website Instagram Copyright © 2024 League of Women Voters Palo Alto, All rights reserved. From Voter Recipient List Our mailing address is: League of Women Voters Palo Alto 3921 E Bayshore Rd Ste 209 Palo Alto, CA 94303-4303 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can unsubscribe from this list. From:Loran Harding To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; David Balakian; boardmembers;bearwithme1016@att.net; Leodies Buchanan; bballpod; fred beyerlein; Council, City; Cathy Lewis;cramirez.electriclab133@gmail.com; Doug Vagim; dan.richard@earthlink.net; dallen1212@gmail.com; DanielZack; eappel@stanford.edu; Scott Wilkinson; Gabriel.Ramirez@fresno.gov; George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu;huidentalsanmateo; Irv Weissman; Sally Thiessen; Joel Stiner; jerry ruopoli; kfsndesk;karkazianjewelers@gmail.com; Kevin.Nower@bestbuy.com; karkazian@gmail.com; merazroofinginc@att.net;margaret-sasaki@live.com; Mark Standriff; Mayor; MY77FJ@gmail.com; maverickbruno@sbcglobal.net; nickyovino; news@fresnobee.com; newsdesk; russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve Wayte; terry; tsheehan;vallesR1969@att.net; dennisbalakian Subject:Fwd: The WH tapes. Very interesting. Viet Nam Date:Monday, January 22, 2024 12:46:24 AM 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: Sat, Jan 20, 2024 at 5:04 PM Subject: Fwd: The WH tapes. Very interesting. Viet NamTo: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org> Sunday, January 21, 2024 To all- Excellent. How we got into the VN war in a big way in 1964. Kept secret for years: The UStrained and equipped some S. Vietnamese troops to go up the coast of N. VN by sea andconduct some commando raids, blow up bridges, etc. That was never revealed to Congress. LBJ knew about it. The N. Vietnamese then sent some patrol boats into the Gulf of Tonkin toinvestigate. All the talk of torpedoes in the water was probably wrong. The messages went from our ships in the Gulf of Tonkin to somebody in S. Viet Nam, S. Viet Nam to an admiral in Hawaii,on to the Pentagon, and then to the Oval Office. Lots of room for stuff to get garbled, confused. But this is how Lyndon got us into the Viet Nam war in a big way. Highlyrecommended: (1) The Lies That Led America To War In Vietnam | White House Tapes | Real History - YouTube At the end you see McNamara lie into the camera years later and say we told Congress inExecutive Session about the commando raids we were behind. American training, American weapons. No record of the Johnson administration informing Congress of those raidsexists. Johnson and McNamara were lying. But congress then passed the Tonkin Gulf Resolution in response to this BS about torpedos in the water aimed at the destroyers Maddoxand Turner Joy. Tiny background: Lyndon was escalating a slow-simmering war run by the CIA in Viet Nam since 1954. He wanted a big war, and got one. French Indochina was a French colony since ~1865. Not a typo. When the Japanese arriived around 1941, the French did not fight them. They just pulled out. When the Japanese left in 1945, the British ran the place for a year. THEN, and get this (!),the French went back out there in ~1946 to take over their colony! Can you believe what you are reading?? We should have prevented their doing that. The French should have worked atcleaning up and getting their own country going again after thousands of US, British and other troops evicted the Germans, at great cost. The Viet Namese fought the French re-occupiers from 1946 and finally defeated them atDien Bien Phu in 1954. So the French finally pulled out. A senile Dwight Eisenhower then sent diplomats to Geneva to establish the "Geneva Accords". These told the Viet Namese that"the northern half of your country is now your country and the southern half of your country is now our country, called South Viet Nam. This was in 1954. The US then ran a low-level warthere using the CIA as the Viet Namese tried to kick us out. The Dulles brothers, John Foster at State and Allen at the CIA got Eisenhower to pursue that. JFK then continued that policy for his three years. Then Lyndon, once nearly safelyelected in 1964, escalated the war hugely with the phony "Gulf of Tonkin" incident in August, 1964. This led to a compliant Congress passing the "Tonkin Gulf Resolution". Johnson andNixon then used that to run a huge war in VN from 1965 to 1975. Congress repealed the "Tonkin Gulf Resolution" around 1975. I have indicated in previous emails my sentiments regarding Lyndon and Dick. They got58,000 youmg, healthy Americans killed in Viet Nam, a place we had utterly no business ever being. Countless thousands more severely wounded. The American people let them get awaywith it because it wasn't their kid being sent to his death. It created prosperity. The word around the water-coolers in the office parks was "Stay the course". L. William Harding Fresno, Ca. From:Alan CooperTo:Historic Resources Board Cc:Council, City; French, Amy Subject:6 NEW preservation incentives Date:Sunday, January 21, 2024 11:26:38 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from akcooper@pacbell.net. Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. To: Historic Resources Board members,Cc: Palo Alto City Council,I ask the HRB to consider 6 new incentives for listing historic homes on the Palo Alto historic register. To assure that the City and historic-home owners are treated equitably in achieving communityhistoric-preservation goals, more incentives than now exist should be implemented and promoted. Incentives 1 and 2: these resurrect prior historic preservation incentives that were formally approved by City Council in 1999.Incentives 3 to 6: these are new ideas to align City historic incentives with contemporary incentives by other civic organizations. The following two historic preservation incentives were part of the prior Palo Alto Ordnance 4571 that was approved on June 28, 1999. (https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/city-clerk/ordinances/ordinances-1909-to-present/ordinances-by-number/ord-4571.pdf) 1. Increase FAR to 500 ft.² from 250 ft.² (ie. Today) - when Ordinance 4571 was later rescinded and revamped to the current Ordinance, the number of square feet allowed was reduced to 250 ft.² However,there is no public record and justification as to why this reduction from 500 ft.² was made. PA Ordinance 4571 Section 3: As a greater economic incentive to list homes on the PA register, why not raise the square footage allowed back to 500 ft.² 2. Reinstate the HRB resident advocate - Section 10 of Ordinance 4571 appointed one member of the HRB "... To represent and further the interests of persons, having an economic interest in real property…eligible for inclusion on the Palo Alto Register." Alternatively, this function might be done by a city planner dedicated exclusively to educating and helping the public with historic preservation issues. 3. Eliminate costs to an owner for listing their home/building on the historic register - encourage owners of historic homes/buildings to list their homes on the register by having the city, absorb the costs forevaluation and approval of the home/building being listed. For the owners that have filed objections to their house/building being listed this year, allow them to remove the objection and list their propertyat no cost. 4. Provide civic recognition for owners of historic homes/buildings - civic recognition is a fundamental tenet of charitable and volunteer organizations. Recognition could include such things as an honor rollplaque/wall (eg PA Anniversary Wall), annual invited social function (eg. PAST functions), City-hosted events at a historic home/building. All of these would be paid for by the City in acknowledgmentof the help/participation of historic property owners. 5. Eliminate administrative, permitting and inspection fees for historic preservation work requested by the HRB - work that is suggested/required to the exterior of a building to continue to make Palo Alto abeautiful place to live, should be supported in part by the City. Eliminating fees is a straightforward way to do this. For work that is not historic preservation as determined by the HRB, such as interiorwork, usual City fees would apply. 6. Provide listed-historic property owners with educational opportunities - for these property owners, provide a free membership in the California Preservation Foundation (https://californiapreservation.org/).As members, they can sign up for lectures and seminars on historic preservation. The objectives of these incentives are to encourage more historic-property owners to join the Palo Alto Historic Register AND to engage the city more actively in equitably augmenting the Register. I hope that the HRB and City Council will look favorably on implementing these and other new historic preservation incentives! Thank you, Alan Cooper270 Kellogg Ave From:Neighbors AbroadTo:Council, CitySubject:You"re Invited: Opening Reception for We Are What We Eat / A Sister City Celebration of Food and ArtDate:Sunday, January 21, 2024 8:02:48 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from mschreiber@neighborsabroad.org. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links. View in browser YOU'RE INVITED! Opening Reception for 'You Are What You Eat,' a Special Sister City Exhibit at the Palo Alto Art Center Please join Neighbors Abroad for the opening of We Are What We Eat— Culinary Heritage of our Sister Cities on Saturday, February 3, from 3-5 p.m. at the Palo Alto Art Center. Through the universal language of art, We Are What We Eat explores how food--and our traditions around food--can tell the story of a country and its culture. Artists from Palo Alto’s eight Sister Cities on three continents contributed to the project, curated by Palo Alto arts champion Harriet Stern. Attendees will enjoy small bites with an international flair and the opportunity to meet artist Joanne Posluszny-Hoffsten, our participating artist from Linköping, Sweden, who is traveling to Palo Alto for the exhibit, along with her whimsical sculpture "Meatballs with Mashed Potatoes, Brown Gravy, Peas and Lingon Jelly." We Are What We Eat will run through March 31. The show runs concurrently with another food-themed exhibit in the Art Center's main gallery titled In Feast or Famine, as well as photographs by Palo Alto High School students documenting their mealtimes at home. Neighbors Abroad's 2023 submissions to Sister Cities International's Young Artists and Authors Showcase (YAAS) also will be on display. What: Opening reception for We Are What We Eat— Culinary Heritage of our Sister Cities When: Saturday, February 3, 3-5 p.m. Where: Palo Alto Art Center, 1313 Newell Road Information/Questions: Please email monicahayde@yahoo.com. Pictured: "Still Life with White Asparagus" by Heidelberg artist Giuseppe Blasotta (top), "HaringParty" by Enschede photographer Richard Morsman (center), and a photograph by Oaxaca's Ruben Morales, from the series Fotos de Tlayudas. Thank you to The Graduate Palo Alto for graciously hosting our visiting artist! Neighbors Abroad 355 Alma Street, Palo Alto CA 94301 United States You received this email because you signed up on our website or made a purchase from us. Unsubscribe From:Vicki Vaughn To:Historic Resources Board; Council, City Subject:Property historical status Date:Sunday, January 21, 2024 4:36:15 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from vicki_v@msn.com. Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Good Morning, Unfortunately, I am not able to attend (in person) the meeting this week regarding the designation of historical properties. I wanted to go on record once again that I am still (and will continue to be) adamantly opposed to my properties designated historical. The properties are 323 High Street and 317 High Street. Nor am I interested in having my properties placed on any "eligible for historical designation" list. I have always maintained my properties due to a deep sense of pride and appreciation for their age. I wish to maintain my right as a property owner to have complete control over them though. I'm not sure why either would qualify as historic except that I've taken great care of them. If this is part of the criteria for qualification, then I should have left them as my neighbor did hers. I completely understand and support other property owners who wish to have their property designated historical. Just not mine. In my opinion, it would be a great overreach of city government to demand that a property owner have their home designated historical if the owner objects. Thank you for reading my email and taking my views into consideration. Vicki Vaughn From:Earl Barron To:Council, City Subject:RV Parking on Park Blvd Date:Sunday, January 21, 2024 3:16:48 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from earl.barron@intapp.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello, We are a local business employing more than 100 people in our office at 3101 Park Blvd in Palo Alto. To enter our office, employees, clients, and business partners must first pass a row of 10 RVs that are illegally parked on both sides of the street. These RVs have not moved in months, despite prominent signage indicating that no overnight parking is permitted. In addition to the unsightliness of these vehicles, they pose both a safety issue and a health issue to our employees and guests, as well as the employees of other local businesses and nearby residents.. We learned that an owner of one of the vehicles pulled a knife on a resident who approached – and garbage is consistently strewn throughout the area. We have also contacted the Palo Alto Police Department regularly for assistance enforcing the current parking ordinance, which limits parking in the area to no more than 72 hours. Below is a list of license plate numbers and makes of the illegally parked vehicles: 1. 8MZE752 CA (Expired Plates in 2022)-Bounder 2. 6YVD364 CA (Expired Plates in 2022)-Shasta 3. 7RCR669 CA-Leprechaun by Coachman 4. 5TWJ780 CA-Jamboree 5. 8PWB185 CA-Majestic 6. 1FJP367 CA (Expired Plates in 2018)-Lindy 7. 3CEC467 CA(Expired Plates in 2019) 8. AH22044 AZ 9. 6XGH872 (Expired Plates in 2022)-Four Winds 10. 1KX7076 K2 by Komfort We ask that you take immediate action to rectify the situation, removing the illegally parked vehicles from Palo Alto Blvd and ensuring that future violations are swiftly enforced. Thank you in advance – we look forward to hearing back from you. Regards, E Earl Barron VP Talent Experiences Intapp People & Places Team Intapp – Powering Your Connected Firm Cell: 415-637-1858 Email: earl.barron@intapp.com Intapp.com | Intapp LinkedIn | Intapp Twitter Disclaimer: The information in this email (including any attachments) may contain confidential or legally privileged information and is intended solely for the individual(s) or entity(ies) named above. If you are not an intended recipient or an authorized agent, you are hereby notified that reading, distributing, or otherwise disseminating or copying, or taking any action based on the contents of this email is strictly prohibited and any unauthorized interception of this e-mail is illegal. If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify the sender by return email and permanently delete all copies of the email. Although the individual(s) or entity(ies) named above have taken reasonable precautions to ensure no viruses are present in this email, the same cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of this email or attachments. © Integration Appliance, Inc. All rights reserved. Intapp, OnePlace, and DealCloud are registered trademarks of Integration Appliance, Inc., or its subsidiaries. From:Miriam K. Freedman To:Council, City Subject:Parkland Dedication of Tower Well Site Date:Sunday, January 21, 2024 2:14:39 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from miriamkfreedman@gmail.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear members of the City Council, I'm writing to support that beautiful little park at the Water Tower on Alma Street. It's a gem. I walk past it often--as do many people--and I see people enjoying the seats amid thenative-type plantings and the historic Water Tower. It's a lovely spot for respite. I am glad that the City will continue to dedicate it for itscurrent use by the citizens of Palo Alto. Thank you for your efforts. Miriam Freedman Miriam Kurtzig Freedman, JD, MA Author, Special Education 2.0 & many other books 617 510 0248 (cell) miriamkfreedman@gmail.comhttp://schoollawpro.com From:Aram James To:Cindy Chavez; Council, City; David S. Norris; District1@bos.sccgov.org; DuJuan Green; Ed Lauing; Emily Mibach;GRP-City Council; Greg Tanaka; Jax Ajluni; Josh Becker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Linda Jolley; Gardener, Liz;Michelle; Raj Jayadev; Raymond Goins; Roberta Ahlquist; Salem Ajluni; Shikada, Ed; Supervisor Otto Lee;Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Susan Hayase; Vicki Veenker; Zelkha, Mila; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; dennisburns; Foley, Michael Subject:Israel’s war in Gaza has exposed a deepening global divide Date:Sunday, January 21, 2024 10:37:14 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Israel’s war in Gaza has exposed a deepening global divide https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/19/middleeast/israels-war-in-gaza-has-exposed-a-deepening-global-divide?cid=ios_app From:Patricia Jones To:Council, City Subject:Top Priorities for 2024 Date:Saturday, January 20, 2024 11:18:07 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from pkjones1000@icloud.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Here are the top two issues above all others that I think City Council should concentrate onduring 2024: 1. Community Health and Safety 2. Creek and Flooding Thank you very much. Pat Patricia Jones pkjones1000@icloud.com Instagram: @pkjones1000 Facebook: @pkjones1000 www.pkjones.com Would you like to receive occasional updates about the latest in my studio? Click here to sign up. From:Yahoo Mail.® To:Honky Subject:National American Renaissance Movement is requesting all law enforcement agencies to take action on these issues. Date:Saturday, January 20, 2024 10:07:23 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. SIRS, MADAMS Our organization appreciated your response to our recent phone call to request your e-mail address. Our listings are huge. With the overwhelming amount of evidence to make the cases for, indict and prosecute those involved in many criminal activities taking place in our country that we offer in these two WEBSITES and we share with WeThe People of the USA and people throughout the world, together we can change the world Thank you for your efforts in the matters that will be coming your way. Respectfully Frank Agamemnon https://nationalarm.org https://nationalarm.org/call-to-action/?fbclid=IwAR10125IaEdgCMHkwS5KKQfG30mIAizU1NaDp-- MZ3LVCQK62BPAIIyoFK4 From:Elizabeth Fama To:Council, City; Planning Commission; Sauls, Garrett Subject:949 Scott Street Date:Saturday, January 20, 2024 6:42:32 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from fama.elizabeth@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. To the Palo Alto City Council and Planning Department: I live within 600 feet of 949 Scott Street, and I'm writing to encourage you to allow thevariances to go through at 949 Scott Street. I'm delighted that people want to pay $2 million for a tiny lot in our neighborhood, and build a family home on it at great expense to themselves. The immediate neighbors already havenatural buffers of a side yard for one, and a driveway for the other. Thanks to downtown residential parking restrictions--which I'm opposed to, by the way!--there is ample residentialstreet parking in the neighborhood, making dedicated parking spaces for 949 unnecessary. It's my opinion that you should let the new owners build what they want on their property. Thank you for your time, Elizabeth FamaBryant Street From:Aram James To:Council, City; DuJuan Green; GRP-City Council; Human Relations Commission; Jeff Moore; Josh Becker; JulieLythcott-Haims; Kaloma Smith; Lewis james; Sean Allen; Shana Segal; Zelkha, Mila;citycouncil@mountainview.gov Subject:Will you donate to help expose Joe Biden’s support for genocide in Gaza? Date:Saturday, January 20, 2024 4:42:43 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Last Sunday, Joe Biden issued a statement marking 100 days of Israel’s war in Gaza. His statement made zero mention of the 24,000 Palestinians killed by Israel, 60,000 injured, or 10,000 missing and likely buried under rubble — the vast majority women and children. And Biden certainly didn’t mention that most of the bombs used to level Gaza were U.S.-made, according to expert analysis of bombfragments. What’s worse is that so little U.S. news coverage acknowledges the true scale of horror faced by Palestinian civilians. In fact, we’ve seen reporters who challenged the U.S.-backed Israeli siege of Gazacanceled, fired, or otherwise sidelined, including former MSNBC host (and my former colleague) Mehdi Hasan. That’s why The Intercept is so desperately needed right now: to ensure that the massive scale of suffering in Gaza is not erased and the Biden administration isheld accountable for its role as the principal arms dealer and enabler during Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. As a nonprofit news outlet, we depend on the support of readers like you to make this reporting possible. Will you make a donation to The Intercept tohelp power our ongoing coverage of the war in Gaza? If you’ve saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately: DONATE $15 → DONATE $25 → DONATE $50 → DONATE $100 → DONATE ANOTHER AMOUNT → From the very beginning of Israel’s barbaric war of annihilation in Gaza, Biden has made sure that his “great, great friend” Benjamin Netanyahu would have a virtually unlimited supply of U.S. weapons, the full support of America’s extensive intelligence and targeting capabilities, and the political backing of Washington with no “red lines.” Biden and company ensured that Israel’s lies, no matter how grand or obscene,would be embraced and promoted from the podium at the State Department and White House every single day. Over the past 100 days, the administration has watched the carnage wrought on the people of Gaza, yet officials admit that they have “taken great pains to avoid calling for a ceasefire.” However, as opposition to the war on Gaza has grown among Biden’s political base in the U.S., he has scrambled to distance himself from the indiscriminate killing of civilians he is actively facilitating. And far too many U.S. news outlets have played along, running with stories planted by the administration about how Biden is “losing patience” with Netanyahu, how Antony Blinken is concerned about the mounting pile of Palestinian corpses, how the White House seeks no wider regional war. What absolute nonsense. There is no need for media outlets to serve as conveyor belts for the administration’s disingenuous posturing. Biden’s actions are the only evidence that matters. The Intercept’s coverage of the war in Gaza and the U.S.’s unwaveringsupport for Israel is needed now more than ever, and as co-founder, I’m asking you to help support this work by making a donation today. STAND WITH THE INTERCEPT → Thank you, Jeremy Scahill Co-founder The Intercept’s fiscal sponsor is First Look Institute, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (tax ID number 80-0951255). The Intercept’s mailing address is: P.O. Box 27442 Washington, DC 20038 The Intercept is an award-winning nonprofit news organization dedicated to holding the powerful accountable through fearless, adversarial journalism. Our in-depth investigations and unflinching analysis focus on surveillance, war, corruption, the environment, technology, criminal justice, the media and more. Email is an important way for us to communicate with The Intercept’s readers, but if you’d like to stop hearing from us, click here to unsubscribe from all communications. Protecting freedom of the press has never been more important. Contribute now to support our independent journalism. From:Stephen Rock To:Council, City Subject:Abandoned house Date:Saturday, January 20, 2024 11:54:24 AM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from ser84@caa.columbia.edu. 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. ________________________________ The house at 3886 Ross Rd has been unoccupied for about 1 1/2 years. There is a fence around it covered with white plastic with advertisements for contractors and other businesses. It was sold by the family of the deceased person on Sept 1, 2022. Please make it available for homeless people or smoother worthwhile purpose. It is a moral disgrace that people live on the streets or in RVs while a useable home is left empty. Less important it's also an eyesore having big advertisements in a residential neighborhood. There may be other properties in a similar state. Related to this, RVs are permanently parked partially blocking bike paths and thus causing a hazard on Park Blvd north of Lathrop and on Fabian between 101 and the JCC. This is unsafe. On Park Blvd there is a sign forbidding RVs to park between 2AM and 6AM. I have not checked, but I don’t think there are many cyclists at those times. It appears to me that the same vehicles are there every day at about 9 AM. If you want to restrict RV parking to certain hours, I suggest banning them during commute hours when bike traffic is greatest. Or better yet, encourage the RV residents to more into abandoned houses. Stephen Rock 3872 Nathan Way Palo Alto From:Aram James To:<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Binder, Andrew; Cindy Chavez; Council, City; Damon Silver; David S. Norris;Ed Lauing; Jack Ajluni; Jeff Moore; Joe Simitian; Joe Simitian; Josh Becker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; KEVIN JENSEN;Linda Jolley; O"Neal, Molly; Raj Jayadev; Raymond Goins; Salem Ajluni; Sean Allen; Shana Segal; Stump, Molly;Supervisor Otto Lee; Vara Ramakrishnan; Vicki Veenker; Zelkha, Mila; kenneth.Binder@shf.sccgov.org; Foley,Michael Subject:Watch ""Stunned, angry, and infuriated": Journalists address US silence on colleagues killed in Gaza" on YouTube Date:Friday, January 19, 2024 11:29:41 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://youtu.be/nyE4Bpsq1xg?si=_GPGxFui7SSvm3Eg From:Mircea To:Peck, Korwyn Cc:Yendler, Ariella; Mundy, Heather; Vargas-Aguilera, Elisa; Hoyt, George; Chung, David; Gerhardt, Jodie; MacDonald, Robert; City Mgr; City Attorney; Council, City; McDougall, Paul@HCD Subject:Re: 23REV-00749 Final Resubmission: 3880 El Centro Palo Alto, CA (23BLD-03282, 23PCE-02004)/23BLD-00245 Date:Friday, January 19, 2024 10:51:12 PM Attachments:image001.pngimage002.png Looping in the City Council on more staff lies on the stop work reasons and nonsense not that they care, because they do not, just for documenting. HCD copied too. I want the approval on this permit revision which project deserves 100% NOW. This is a total deliberate discrimination and systematic delay that must stop now. You are deliberately delaying the production of housing units which the state warned Palo Alto already to stop with the barriers. Mircea On Fri, Jan 19, 2024 at 4:07 PM Mircea <mircea27v@gmail.com> wrote: Korwyn, Clearly you do not understand what happened on site in November 2023. You should talk to Heather she was there she asked us to fix certain things and we did she came and verified the requests on securing the electric panel and other small things and she was fine and then 2 days later we got a stop work order. What was the unauthorized work?? We did exactly what Heather asked us to do, period. I have the text messages that I can provide you on what she asked and my replies. Pls advise if you want those text messages. The waste of time is for staff to ask the same questions during plan checks, not answer emails and missreesenting and creating incomplete public records based on site conditions after I called them in to review the roots running into existing structure(Urban Forestry). I will not accept any more delays from staff. This has to be resolved next week and lift the stop work by Friday 1/26, period. Thanks Mircea On Fri, Jan 19, 2024 at 3:02 PM Peck, Korwyn <Korwyn.Peck@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote: REPLY IN RED From: Mircea <mircea27v@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2024 6:15 PMTo: Peck, Korwyn <Korwyn.Peck@CityofPaloAlto.org>Cc: Yendler, Ariella <Ariella.Yendler@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Mundy, Heather<Heather.Mundy@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Vargas-Aguilera, Elisa<Elisa.Vargas@cityofpaloalto.org>; Hoyt, George <George.Hoyt@CityofPaloAlto.org>;Chung, David <David.Chung@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Gerhardt, Jodie You don't often get email from mircea27v@gmail.com. Learn why this is important <Jodie.Gerhardt@CityofPaloAlto.org>Subject: Re: 23REV-00749 Final Resubmission: 3880 El Centro Palo Alto, CA (23BLD- 03282, 23PCE-02004)/23BLD-00245 Korwyn, I added Jodie/Planning and David/Building. After many calls and email conversations on addressing staff items it is expected 100% approval on 1/23/24 as confirmed by Ariella as the due date from staff. I am scheduling in advance because we have wasted enough time already. Please do not schedule any inspections until the revision is approved, as noted in my previous email. We have a building permit, 23BLD-00245 BLD23-02245 approved and issued we are under building permit revision review. You are aware, yes? Yes, as referred to in my previous email: “23REV-00749, which is intended to revise and expand theoriginal scope of work, has not been issued at this time. Once we are notified that therevision is ready to be issued, we will need to verify that the new scope of work concurswith the field conditions. I intend to expedite this part of the process.” As far as Urban Forestry we do not need any approval from them on this resubmission since all will be handled in court as specified in the resubmitted plans sheet A100. Please advise specifically on Urban Forestry since we have full disagreements on fees and conclusions by UF that applicant when the applicant has all other department clearances (Fire/Building/Planning/Utilities/GreenBuilding-T24) except UF could proceed with lifting stop work and start building foundation etc and is not dependent on litigation, so I know where I will go with this issue next. There are no issues on trees on site. I won’t speak for UF or any other department that has jurisdiction over this project. However, the Stop Work Order will not be lifted without the concurrence of the heads of those departments. Please advise. Revision 23REV-02004 description of work needs to be verified prior to issuance.Once the Revision is issued, we will determine what portion of the work canproceed.You are welcome to communicate with me directly as it pertains to getting your inspections scheduled, if you prefer.The wasted time you refer to is a result of the discovery of unauthorized work. In spite of that, we are motivated to expedite this process. Thanks Mircea Thank you Korwyn Peck, BSCM Building Inspection Manager (Senior Master Sargeant, US Air Force, Retired) Planning & Development Services (650) 329-2663 | korwyn.peck@cityofpaloalto.org https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Planning-Development-Services On Thu, Jan 18, 2024 at 5:07 PM Peck, Korwyn <Korwyn.Peck@cityofpaloalto.org>wrote: (Added Building Permit and Code Enforcement Case #’s to the Subject Line) Mircea Voskerician, I am sorry I missed your call, however I often miss calls because I am often not available. I acknowledge your scheduling of inspections on 1/16/2024 to occur on 1/24/2024, andalso note that the Stop Work Order was issued on 11/15/2023 under authority of thePalo Alto Municipal Code: 16.14.070 Section 202 Definitions: SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL (AKA 50-50-50 RULE)16.04.080 Section 103 Code Compliance Agency16.04.225 Section 114 Violations16.04.230 Section 115 Stop Work Order16.40.010 Dangerous building defined (p) Unsafe conditions also existed at the time for both your electrical and gas services, and both services were disconnected for that reason. Active construction had occurredaround and above the utilities, and we witnessed arcing and a plume of smoke in the immediate vicinity of the gas service. By authority of the Chief Building Official, inspections cannot be scheduled under aStop Work Order or on work for which a permit has not been issued. And scheduling inspections for unauthorized work takes resources away from that which has beenauthorized. 23REV-00749, which is intended to revise and expand the original scope of work, has not been issued at this time. Once we are notified that the revision is ready to be issued,we will need to verify that the new scope of work concurs with the field conditions. I intend to expedite this part of the process. The inspections that you have scheduled are therefore cancelled, and may be scheduledagain after the revision is issued. Right now we are 1-2 days out on scheduling inspections, but if you have any challenges getting inspections scheduled in a timelymanner, please send me an email request with the permit # and address in the Subject line, and I will see what I can do. Korwyn Peck, BSCM Building Inspection Manager (Senior Master Sargeant, US Air Force, Retired) Planning & Development Services (650) 329-2663 | korwyn.peck@cityofpaloalto.org https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Planning-Development-Services From: Mircea <mircea27v@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 1:10 PMTo: Mundy, Heather <Heather.Mundy@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Peck, Korwyn<Korwyn.Peck@CityofPaloAlto.org>Cc: Yendler, Ariella <Ariella.Yendler@CityofPaloAlto.org>Subject: Re: 23REV-00749 Final Resubmission: 3880 El Centro Palo Alto, CA We have a inspection scheduled for 1/24/24 afternoon to lift the stop work, period. Weexpect full approval on 1/23/24 from Building, Fire, Planning and Utilities based on1/15/24 resubmission and Ariella’s comment that this review will take 5 business days..I do not need more excuses from anybody. I heard them all. We got to get back to worknext week. I need answers by Th 1/18 EOB so I know where this issue will get escalated next. Thanks Mircea From: Mircea <mircea27v@gmail.com>Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2024 10:02:57 AMTo: Peck, Korwyn <Korwyn.Peck@CityofPaloAlto.org>Cc: Yendler, Ariella <Ariella.Yendler@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Mundy, Heather <Heather.Mundy@CityofPaloAlto.org>Subject: Fwd: 23REV-00749 Final Resubmission: 3880 El Centro Palo Alto, CA CAUTION: This email originated from outside of theorganization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clickingon links. Korwyn, I left a message yesterday AM to talk to you on this project. Heather, you have on your Stop Work Order a statement regarding issues to be resolved with Urban Forestry which I am not sure what that will be: UF wrote citations to the property owner that are in Appeal now and UF wrote a NOV report that requests more trees and fees which will be challenged in court. I believe those are the issues to be dealt with on your Stop Work order Till the court will determine the outcome of UF imposed fees we will be done with the project. I do not need any approval from UF at this time since we 100% disagree with their conclusions and in lieu-fee impositions and this detail is stated on the Plans resubmitted on 1/15/24. There are no other tree issues on site that are at risk or any other trees to be removed or to be protected, just disagreements on conclusions and associated fees. I have scheduled the Stop Work order site inspection and GB inspection on 1/24/24 afternoon. We been delayed enough and we need to restart work next Thursday 1/25/24. Please advise. Thanks Mircea 650-996-1114 ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Mircea <mircea27v@gmail.com> Date: Mon, Jan 15, 2024 at 7:09 PMSubject: 23REV-00749 Final Resubmission: 3880 El Centro Palo Alto, CATo: Yendler, Ariella <ariella.yendler@cityofpaloalto.org>Cc: Chung, David <david.chung@cityofpaloalto.org>, Jovel, Jose<Jose.Jovel@cityofpaloalto.org>, Gerhardt, Jodie<jodie.gerhardt@cityofpaloalto.org>,<Benjamin.Wong@cityofpaloalto.org>, Truong, Jenny<jenny.truong@cityofpaloalto.org>, Espinoza, Danielle<danielle.espinoza@cityofpaloalto.org>, Haruta, Kelly<kelly.haruta@cityofpaloalto.org>, Latha, Madhavi<madhavi.latha@cityofpaloalto.org>, Hernandez, Uriel<Uriel.Hernandez@cityofpaloalto.org>, Gollinger, Peter<peter.gollinger@cityofpaloalto.org>, Mundy, Heather<heather.Mundy@cityofpaloalto.org>, Vargas-Aguilera, Elisa<elisa.vargas@cityofpaloalto.org>, City Mgr<CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org>, City Attorney<city.attorney@cityofpaloalto.org>, <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>,Schneider, Karl <Karl.Schneider@cityofpaloalto.org> Hi Ariella, I just resubmitted C2_3880ElCentro_PLANS, C2- 3880ElCentro_DOCS and C2_3880ElCentro_REPLY. As you mentioned this is a 5 business days review. Communications with staff on staff comments received on 12/21/2023 resubmission: Emailed David - Fast Response. Applicant's structural engineer, Peter Sung, spoke with Jenny Truong. Peter Sung updated structural plans and was agreed that no more changes after this resubmission. Emailed Benjamin Wong- No Response- Escalated to Jose Jovel- Response clarified the issue Emailed Danielle- Response - Clarified issues Emailed Jodie - Response - Clarified issues. Emailed Uriel - No Response Spoke with Madhava - No issues Spoke with Karl Schneider - An Example of a very efficient employee for the City of Palo Alto. He answered his phone, quickly answered my questions and he processed/reviewed a Fire Sprinkler permit in less than 2 weeks over the December holidays. Exceeded all expectations. I am done with repeated comments, staff not reading plans and reports, unanswered emails questions to staff, and new staff that are now jumping in and raising issues that were never an issue before BP was issued on 11/2/2023 and not related to Remodel vs Substantial remodel. Either you keep the same response standards to all applicants, or you just artificially delay us for no reason, and I will not tolerate it. Thanks Mircea From:Deborah Goldeen To:Council, City Subject:Housing Date:Friday, January 19, 2024 5:37:29 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachmentsand clicking on links.________________________________ I don't know what you all were thinking going along with all the "I lke Palo Alto the way it was when Imoved here in 1985!" people? Every week some interesting, engaged, talented person LEAVES. And now our economy is tanking.What were you all thinkg? >> > B Deborah Goldeen, 2130 Birch St., 94306 From:Jeanne FlemingTo:Sauls, Garrett Cc:Lait, Jonathan; Clerk, City; Council, City; Architectural Review Board; Planning Commission; chow_tina@yahoo.com; todd@toddcollins.org; wross@lawross.com Subject:RE: Cell Tower ApplicationsDate:Friday, January 19, 2024 3:20:22 PM Attachments:image022.pngimage023.pngimage013.pngimage017.pngimage021.pngimage024.pngimage026.pngimage028.pngimage030.pngimage034.pngimage039.pngimage041.pngimage043.pngimage045.pngimage049.pngimage050.png Hi Garrett, Thank you for your prompt and helpful reply, including the information about the macro tower modifications. Quick question: Do you have any reason to anticipate receiving one or more applications for new small cells in the first half of 2024? My best, Jeanne Jeanne Fleming, PhDJFleming@Metricus.net650-325-5151 From: Sauls, Garrett <Garrett.Sauls@CityofPaloAlto.org> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2024 4:25 PM To: Jeanne Fleming <jfleming@metricus.net> Cc: Lait, Jonathan <Jonathan.Lait@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Clerk, City <city.clerk@cityofpaloalto.org>; chow_tina@yahoo.com; todd@toddcollins.org; wross@lawross.com Subject: RE: Cell Tower Applications Hi Jeanne, Thank you for the well wishes and I hope you have had a good start to your new year as well! We did not receive any new small cell applications since we corresponded last year. I have only had a handful of Tier 1 Wireless facility modifications for existing macro sites at: 101 Alma Street, 1985 Louis Road, 2047 E. Bayshore Road, and 3000 El Camino Real. Nothing yet so far this year for macro site modifications. Best regards, Garrett Sauls Planner Planning and Development Services Department (650) 329-2471 | Garrett.Sauls@CityofPaloAlto.org NEW Parcel Report | Palo Alto Municipal Code | Online Permitting System | Planning Application Forms & Handouts | Planning Applications Mapped From: Jeanne Fleming <jfleming@metricus.net> Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2024 1:52 PM To: Sauls, Garrett <Garrett.Sauls@CityofPaloAlto.org> Cc: Lait, Jonathan <Jonathan.Lait@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Clerk, City <city.clerk@cityofpaloalto.org>; Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Architectural Review Board <arb@cityofpaloalto.org>; Planning Commission <Planning.Commission@cityofpaloalto.org>; chow_tina@yahoo.com; todd@toddcollins.org; wross@lawross.com Subject: Cell Tower Applications Hi Garrett, I would appreciate it if you would tell me whether there are any new-since-August-3rd applications for small cell cell towers in Palo Alto. As always, thank you for your help. Regards to you, and best wishes for the new year, Jeanne Jeanne Fleming, PhDJFleming@Metricus.net650-325-5151 From: Sauls, Garrett <Garrett.Sauls@CityofPaloAlto.org> Sent: Thursday, August 3, 2023 4:09 PM To: Jeanne Fleming <jfleming@metricus.net> Cc: Lait, Jonathan <Jonathan.Lait@CityofPaloAlto.org>; chow_tina@yahoo.com; todd@toddcollins.org; wross@lawross.com Subject: RE: Cell Tower Applications I will be sure to let you know whenever any of the carriers have submitted projects for new cell towers. Best regards, Garrett Sauls Planner Planning and Development Services Department (650) 329-2471 | Garrett.Sauls@CityofPaloAlto.org NEW Parcel Report | Palo Alto Municipal Code | Online Permitting System | Planning Application Forms & Handouts | Planning Applications Mapped From: Jeanne Fleming <jfleming@metricus.net> Sent: Thursday, August 3, 2023 4:05 PM To: Sauls, Garrett <Garrett.Sauls@CityofPaloAlto.org> Cc: Lait, Jonathan <Jonathan.Lait@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Clerk, City <city.clerk@cityofpaloalto.org>; Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Architectural Review Board <arb@cityofpaloalto.org>; Planning Commission <Planning.Commission@cityofpaloalto.org>; chow_tina@yahoo.com; todd@toddcollins.org; wross@lawross.com Subject: RE: Cell Tower Applications Thank you for your prompt and helpful reply, Garrett. On behalf of United Neighbors, I would be most appreciative if you would give me a heads up 1) when a new cell tower application is submittedand 2) when you or your colleagues learn that a new application is in the offing. My best, Jeanne Jeanne Fleming, PhDJFleming@Metricus.net650-325-5151 From: Sauls, Garrett <Garrett.Sauls@CityofPaloAlto.org> Sent: Thursday, August 3, 2023 3:53 PM To: Jeanne Fleming <jfleming@metricus.net> Cc: Lait, Jonathan <Jonathan.Lait@CityofPaloAlto.org>; chow_tina@yahoo.com; todd@toddcollins.org; wross@lawross.com Subject: RE: Cell Tower Applications Hi Jeanne, Below are my responses: 1. We haven’t received any new small cell applications this year so far. 2. So far this year I’ve only received two applications for macro cell tower modifications and both are Tier 1 applications: 2047 East Bayshore Road (DISH), 4005 Miranda Avenue (AT&T). 3. I haven’t heard from any of the carriers that they are interested in applying for new small cell applications this year. In the past and to this point, I’ve only ever heard from AT&T or Verizon about small cell projects. Nothing from DISH or T-Mobile. Let me know if you have any questions. Best regards, Garrett Sauls Planner Planning and Development Services Department (650) 329-2471 | Garrett.Sauls@CityofPaloAlto.org NEW Parcel Report | Palo Alto Municipal Code | Online Permitting System | Planning Application Forms & Handouts | Planning Applications Mapped From: Jeanne Fleming <jfleming@metricus.net> Sent: Thursday, August 3, 2023 3:42 PM To: Sauls, Garrett <Garrett.Sauls@CityofPaloAlto.org> Cc: Lait, Jonathan <Jonathan.Lait@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Clerk, City <city.clerk@cityofpaloalto.org>; Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Architectural Review Board <arb@cityofpaloalto.org>; Planning Commission <Planning.Commission@cityofpaloalto.org>; chow_tina@yahoo.com; todd@toddcollins.org; wross@lawross.com Subject: Cell Tower Applications CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Garrett, I would appreciate it if you would answer three questions: 1. Since January 31, 2023, has the City of Palo Alto received any new applications for small cell node cell towers? 2. Since January 31, 2023, has the City of Palo Alto received any new applications for macro cell towers? 3. Does Staff anticipate receiving applications for new small cell nodes and/or new macro towers before the end of the year? As I understand it, applicants typically preview their intentions. Thank you, as always, for your help. I have, of course, checked the City’s websites to see if there have been new cell tower applications sincethe beginning of the year, and I don’t see any. Nor have I received any notifications related to cell towers from Building Eye. But I want to besure I am correct that no cell tower applications have been filed with the City in the last seven months. Sincerely, Jeanne Jeanne Fleming, PhDJFleming@Metricus.net650-325-5151 From:Sonia Capitant Subject:Riekes Spotlight Film Showcase Invitation Date:Friday, January 19, 2024 10:38:08 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from scapitant@riekes.org. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello! Riekes Film will be hosting our 2nd annual Spotlight Short Film Showcase on Sunday, February 4th at The Guild Theatre in Menlo Park. This showcase will feature a selection of short films from local filmmakers, including Documentary and Narrative Films. Prior to the Submission film showing, there will be a student showcase of films created by students that participated in our Summer Documentary Film Program. These films are entirely student created and feature topics including Polynesian food and culture, gentrification, disability awareness, coping with isolation through music and more! The student showcase begins at 2pm and all are welcome! Whether you are a seasoned film enthusiast or new to independent cinema, we invite you to join us for this special event. We have reserved 2 tickets for you! If you will be able to join us, please RSVP by responding to this email, or fill our our google form here: https://forms.gle/sLAuxf1t1a8rXAcy5 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2024 4:00 PM 6:00 PM GUILD THEATRE 949 EL CAMINO REAL MENLO PARK, CA, 94025 Warmly, Sonia Capitant Community Advancement Manager 650-704-2136 The Riekes Center 3455 Edison Way Menlo Park, CA 94025 From:Yahoo Mail.® To:Honky Subject:Dear Brothers and Sisters, Please check out our newest National American Renaissance Movement web page and share it far and wide Date:Friday, January 19, 2024 1:24:40 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Please check out our newest National American Renaissance Movement web page and share it far and wide https://nationalarm.org/call-to-action/ Public participation is key to the success of our organization. This page was set up to start to build the organization. We need involvement and financial support! From:Aram James To:<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Bryan Gobin; Cindy Chavez; Council, City; Damon Silver; Dave Price; DavidS. Norris; Dennis Upton; Don Austin; Ed Lauing; Greer Stone; Jack Ajluni; Jeff Moore; Joe Simitian; Josh Becker;Kaloma Smith; Linda Jolley; Gardener, Liz; Michelle; O"Neal, Molly; Roberta Ahlquist; Salem Ajluni; Sean Allen;Shana Segal; Stump, Molly; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Vara Ramakrishnan; WILPFPeninsula Palo Alto; Zelkha, Mila; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; dennis burns Subject:Artist Emily Jacir: Rampant Censorship Is Part of the Genocidal Campaign to Erase Palestinians Date:Thursday, January 18, 2024 10:03:24 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Artist Emily Jacir: Rampant Censorship Is Part of the Genocidal Campaign to Erase Palestinians https://www.democracynow.org/2024/1/18/censorship_israel_palestine_gaza From:Aram James To:Angel, David; Baker, Rob; Council, City; David S. Norris; Don Austin; DuJuan Green; Ed Lauing; Greer Stone;Human Relations Commission; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Moore; Josh Becker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; KEVIN JENSEN;Linda Jolley; Gardener, Liz; Kou, Lydia; Roberta Ahlquist; Rosen, Jeff; Sean Allen; Shana Segal; Supervisor OttoLee; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Zelkha, Mila Subject:Holocaust Survivor Marione Ingram Decries Climate of Censorship After Her Hamburg Talks Are Canceled Date:Thursday, January 18, 2024 9:57:53 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Holocaust Survivor Marione Ingram Decries Climate of Censorship After Her Hamburg Talks Are Canceled https://www.democracynow.org/2024/1/18/gaza_israel_palestine_solidarity_censorship From:Aram James To:Council, City; Ed Lauing; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Gardener, Liz; Shikada, Ed; Vicki Veenker Subject:Palestinian Artist Samia Halaby Slams Indiana University for Canceling Exhibit over Her Support for Gaza Date:Thursday, January 18, 2024 9:53:58 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Palestinian Artist Samia Halaby Slams Indiana University for Canceling Exhibit over HerSupport for Gaza https://www.democracynow.org/2024/1/18/censorship_palestinian_solidarity From:Tran, Joanna To:Council, City Cc:Executive Leadership Team; Clerk, City Subject:Council Consent Questions: Items 2 and 5 (1/22/24) Date:Thursday, January 18, 2024 8:54:14 PM Attachments:image001.pngimage002.pngimage003.pngimage004.pngimage006.pngimage007.pngimage008.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: January 22 Amended Agenda Item 2 and 5 Q&A 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:Rice, Danille To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed Cc:Executive Leadership Team; Clerk, City Subject:City.Council Bundle_January 18 Date:Thursday, January 18, 2024 7:13:34 PM Attachments:FW 3880 El Centro violation appeals.msgRE Speed Bump Petition.msgimage001.pngFW Request for Media Interview.msgRE Trash.msgRE debate Jan. 31 for Eshoo candidates.msgRE Cell Tower Applications .msg Good afternoon Mayor and Councilmembers, On behalf of City Manager Ed Shikada, please see attached staff responses to emails received in the City.Council inbox through January 18, 2024. Respectfully,Danille Danille RiceAdministrative AssistantCity Manager’s Office|Human Resources(650) 329-2229 | danille.rice@cityofpaloalto.orgwww.cityofpaloalto.org From:Aram James To:<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Baker, Rob; Binder, Andrew; Cindy Chavez; Council, City; Damon Silver;David S. Norris; District1@bos.sccgov.org; Don Austin; DuJuan Green; Jensen, Eric; GRP-City Council; JayBoyarsky; Jeff Moore; Joe Simitian; Joe Simitian; Hornung, Joel; Josh Becker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; KEVINJENSEN; Kaloma Smith; Karen Holman; Linda Jolley; Michelle; Van Der Zwaag, Minka; O"Neal, Molly; RaymondGoins; Rosen, Jeff; Sean Allen; Stump, Molly; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Vara Ramakrishnan; WILPF PeninsulaPalo Alto; Perron, Zachary; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Lee, Craig; cromero@cityofepa.org; dennis burns;Figueroa, Eric; kenneth.Binder@shf.sccgov.org; Foley, Michael Subject:Federal Judge Orders Release of Racist and Homophobic Texts from Former San Jose Police Officer Date:Thursday, January 18, 2024 10:35:47 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Federal Judge Orders Release of Racist and Homophobic Texts from Former San Jose Police Officer https://www.newsbreakapp.com/n/0qpEfl2S? pd=053DGJmN&lang=en_US&s=i0&send_time=1705602649 From:Aram James To:<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Cecilia Taylor; Council, City; Damon Silver; Dave Price; David S. Norris; DonAustin; DuJuan Green; GRP-City Clerk; GRP-City Council; Human Relations Commission; Jack Ajluni; Jeff Moore;Josh Becker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; KEVIN JENSEN; Kaloma Smith; Linda Jolley; Michelle; Van Der Zwaag, Minka;O"Neal, Molly; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Raymond Goins; Salem Ajluni; Sean Allen; Stump, Molly; Tanaka,Greg; Vara Ramakrishnan; Zelkha, Mila; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; dennis burns; Figueroa, Eric Subject:Israel-Hamas cease-fire gets council support Date:Thursday, January 18, 2024 9:23:42 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Israel-Hamas cease-fire gets council support Israel-Hamas cease-fire gets council supporthttps://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=84476718-1fac- 4d58-985a-789505872da5&appcode=SAN252&eguid=c1f57d42-bdba-4511-b77d-923712abf4e2&pnum=4# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: From:Aram James To:Baker, Rob; Binder, Andrew; Cecilia Taylor; Cindy Chavez; Council, City; Dave Price; David S. Norris; Don Austin;Ed Lauing; Friends of Cubberley; Jack Ajluni; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Moore; Joe Simitian; Josh Becker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; KEVIN JENSEN; Kaloma Smith; Lewis james; Linda Jolley; O"Neal, Molly; Raymond Goins; RobertaAhlquist; Rosen, Jeff; Salem Ajluni; Sean Allen; Shana Segal; Shikada, Ed; Stump, Molly; Supervisor Otto Lee;Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Vara Ramakrishnan; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Zelkha, Mila;citycouncil@mountainview.gov; dennis burns; ladoris cordell; walter wilson Subject:Watch "John Mearsheimer: Hamas Prepares To COUNTERATTACK After Israel JUST LOST At The Court Of Justice" on YouTube Date:Wednesday, January 17, 2024 11:16:55 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://youtu.be/Jo4nBPigZx4?si=fuzRyKQ7JFe5jUjb From:Bruce Arthur To:Council, City Cc:Nordman, Eric; Neff, Robert Subject:Request from PABAC concerning the upcoming CalTrans project to repave El Camino Date:Wednesday, January 17, 2024 4:44:27 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from barthur@mac.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 clickingon links.________________________________ On January 9th the Palo Alto Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee met and passed the following motion by a12-2 vote with 1 absence. The CalTrans El Camino Bikeway plans require removing on-street parking in favor of bikeways. PABACmembers support removing unnecessary parking from El Camino Real to support multi-modal transportation, withadditional space for bikeways or pedestrian facilities. In order to gather information about parking on El Camino Real, to determine the need of street parking to supportexisting businesses on El Camino, PABAC recommends city staff commence a parking study, especiallyconcentrating in any areas where businesses may have limited off street parking, and depend on El Camino Real formost of their business parking. The parking study should also consider parking diversion from El Camino thatwould impact school commute routes. With this information City Council and Planning and Transportationcommittee can make reasoned decisions on removal of street parking in favor of bikeways, or to maintain time-limited parking on El Camino Real to support business needs. This motion will be communicated to Council andPTC by the PABAC chair. From:matt@evolutionaryteams.comTo:palo-alto@fridaysforfutureusa.orgSubject:FFF Follow Up – Jan 12 (Week #105) Date:Wednesday, January 17, 2024 2:22:17 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from matt@evolutionaryteams.com. Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. We kicked off the first week of our third year of climate strikes with a joint event with the Climate Friends Book Club. We had a very powerful conversation about chapter 6 of All We Can Save on the topic of feelings. Claudia, who has facilitated Climate Cafes, gracefully navigated us through this conversation. Needless to say, we are all carrying strong feelings about the climate crisis, and we are grateful for each other’s understanding and support as we navigate these emotionally fraught times. The next chapter is entitled Nourish and those who read ahead report that it is another good one. The next book club meeting will be Feb 9. Thank you, Claudia, for organizing this! After book club, we turned to planning the upcoming march. Everyone is excited about the ponchos that Casey identified, and we look forward to trying them on next week. We came up with a couple simple, flexible options for our “Burma Shave” signs. Casey reached out to the Lamenters to see if they would like to join us. It’s shaping up to be an impactful march! Mark your calendar for Feb 2. On Saturday, Casey and I attended Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action Teams (SV-YCATS) Green New Year Celebration, a regional climate summit organized by youth climate leaders from Cupertino, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Los Gatos/Saratoga, Morgan Hill/Gilroy, San Jose and San Mateo. It was great to hear all their accomplishments in 2023 and their goals for 2024. Several elected city and school district leaders shared their stories of the impact that youth advocacy had on their work. We came away inspired to continue creating a sustainable future for our city, our region and our planet. On Tuesday, I spoke at city council about the heat pump water heater program and the importance of accelerating the installation rate to equal that of the failure rate of gas water heaters. Certainly, we do not want our community to install any new gas water heaters as it locks in years more of needless greenhouse gas emissions. Listen to my comments here. I also encourage you to listen to Andrea who spoke on how climate anxiety is affecting our youth here, and to Avroh, a Paly freshman who also spoke about is own climate anxiety here. Deborahlise spoke on the connection between war and the climate crisis here. I am so moved to be in a community that cares so deeply about addressing the climate crisis. While reading All We Can Save, I was inspired to write this poem: Crazy People Did you see those crazy people Out at City Hall Taking pictures with climate signs It makes no difference at all I would never act like that They just sit and talk and sing What’s the purpose of that They don’t accomplish anything If I were acting on climate now I’d do something cool I’d encourage youth to vote And get them to the poll Or maybe I would plant a tree, Maybe more than one I’d restore a forest Or maybe an ocean Or maybe I’d help build a house For someone who lost theirs Maybe from the floods Maybe from fires Or maybe something close to home I’d stop burning fossil fuel First I’d do my own home Then help my neighbors too I’m excited, I’m gonna start I’m gonna get involved I’ll do more than those crazy people In front of City Hall Keep Up the Fight and See You Friday! Completed site assessments 473 437 381 342 311 244 147 111 58 Dropouts*85 In Progress 230 Installations Total Full Service HPWHs installed 158 140 117 90 70 27 16 12 8 Total DYI HPWH installed 44 43 37 n/a 13 Total HPWHs installed 202 183 154 90 83 Target Installations 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 Monthly Installation Rate Monthly Installation Rate 19 29 64 7 43 13 9 4 7 Target Monthly Installation Rate 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 Highlighted numbers not accurate because of missing data point *Drop outs: not have enough space for a heat pump water heater, requiring relocation of the water heater or a “split” system with the compressor outside (both options are quite a bit more expensive). Weekly Photos FFF Jan 12: https://photos.app.goo.gl/zxNnW59A9C7K38tJ6What We Are Reading/Watching/Listening to:Julie Lythcott-Haims Substack: https://jlythcotthaims.substack.com/p/israel-palestine-and-me Climate One podcast: https://www.climateone.org/listen-watch/podcasts The Great Simplification with Nate Hagens (podcast): https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/ Follow Fridays For Future Palo Alto: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fridaysforfuture_paloalto/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Fri4Future_PA Email notifications of FFF Palo Alto events: https://mailchi.mp/c8c130127345/join-fridays-for-future-palo-alto You are receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in supporting climate action in Palo Alto. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please let me know. Matt Schlegel Organizer Fridays For Future Palo Alto Cell: 650-924-8923 Email: Palo-Alto@FridaysForFutureUSA.org Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fridaysforfuture_paloalto/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Fri4Future_PA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMGKrv_ADB5k7HPK9FJO_Hw Web: https://fridaysforfutureusa.org/local-groups/palo-alto/ Email List: https://mailchi.mp/c8c130127345/join-fridays-for-future-palo-alto From:Getting it Right from the Start Cc:Jason Soroosh; Lynn Silver Subject:New 2024 CA Medical Cannabis Requirement: Roadmap for Safer Local Policy Date:Wednesday, January 17, 2024 2:11:00 PM Attachments:Issue Brief_Complying with SB1186_Principles for Protecting Youth, Public Health, and Equity.pdf Some people who received this message don't often get email from gettingitright@phi.org. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear California City/County Officials, In the coming weeks, your jurisdiction may be facing difficult decisions on its approach to cannabis policy. On January 1, 2024, Senate Bill 1186, the Medicinal Cannabis Patients’ Right of Access Act, became operative. The bill, passed in 2022, absent successful challenges in the courts, may prohibit local jurisdictions from adopting or enforcing regulations that prohibit the retail sale by delivery within the local jurisdiction of medical cannabis to medicinal cannabis patients or their primary caregivers. It also specifically requires that a physical premises for either a storefront or non- storefront medical retailer be allowed in the jurisdiction if no other medical cannabis retailer is already present. Our California Cannabis Local Laws Database showed that in 2023, there were 309 (57%) cities and counties in California that could be affected by SB 1186, as they did not license cannabis retailers within their jurisdiction. Although, 68 of these already allow delivery from retailers located outside their jurisdiction boundaries. As the bill would effectively override the foundational local control principle of Proposition 64, there is some discussion regarding its legality and whether local jurisdictions should comply or challenge it in the courts, or wait for any challenges to their current laws, or whether jurisdictions can construe it to only protect medically necessary products, for which the retailer must provide meaningful evidence that each product sold is medically necessary. If your jurisdiction is forced to allow medical cannabis retail delivery or feels it should update its policies, we have developed a 2-page brief on policy options you may wish to consider that better protect youth, public health, and equity. We have also developed tools and resources for the benefit of California jurisdictions, including three model local ordinances on cannabis retail, marketing and taxation, a one-page brief on best practices for cannabis regulation, a policy map, highlighting the good work of your neighbors, and a listserv dedicated to maximizing all our efforts and sharing lessons learned. We hope these resources help jurisdictions that allow legal sales of cannabis to do so without promoting the development of a new tobacco-like industry in our state.We recommend that the purpose of any legalization of sale, whether medical or adult-use, should be to provide safer legal access and replace the illicit market, without driving up harmful consumption patterns, rather than maximizing economic growth. If your jurisdiction is pursuing legal action, please let us know. For more information or assistance, please contact Jason Soroosh at jsoroosh@phi.org. Sincerely, The Getting it Right from the Start Team Lynn Silver, MD, MPH, FAAP Director Alisa A. Padon, PhD Research Director Aurash J. Soroosh, RD, MSPH Policy Associate Kiara Gonzalez Health Equity Program Manager Getting it Right from the Start Public Health Institute 2000 Center Street, #308 Berkeley, CA 94607 https://gettingitrightfromthestart.org/ Donate Today! From:Mala Narasimharajan To:French, Amy; Council, City; Historic Resources Board Cc:Vijay Chakravarthy Subject:Palo Alto Historical Inventory - OBJECTION LETTER for 546 Washington Ave Date:Tuesday, January 16, 2024 7:24:46 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from mnaras@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Historical Resources Board and Amy French, Thank you for the opportunity to provide input for your consideration on our property’s potential nomination for listing on the Palo Alto Historical Inventory. This email conveys our extremely strong objection to any such listing/inclusion for our property at 546 Washington Ave in Palo Alto. We love our home which is why we purchased it. We just do not want to be part of the Palo Alto Historical Inventory program and its implications. Impact to home salability Our realtor has extensive experience buying and selling Palo Alto properties, and has advised us that the restrictions on potential/future development resulting from a historic designation can lower resale value by 10-20 percent. “Board Member Wimmer said she talked to some of the realtors trying to get their perspective on what it means to have a house that’s listed on an inventory, in terms of salability. They have said it narrows the buying pool and it is seen as a negative thing.” (HRB retreat minutes, July 28, 2023) Added restrictions and requirements We do not want our property to have more restrictions and requirements above and beyond the City’s already rigorous and lengthy permit approval process. Homeowner choice For most people, their home is their most consequential asset. Palo Alto voters in 2000 sent a clear message to the City Council to let the homeowners decide by defeating Measure G. “We don’t suspect the council would designate a property to the inventory over the objections of the property owners, French said.” (Palo Alto Weekly, November 3, 2023). To reiterate, as homeowners of 546 Washington Ave we extremely object to being listed as a historic home on the Palo Alto Historical Inventory List. Being listed as a historic home and listed on an inventory of historic homes should be done only at the choice (i.e. owner agrees to "Opt-in") of the homeowner and the designation absolutely hould not be forced upon us. Sincerely, Vijay Chakravarthy and Mala Narasimha Homeowners - 546 Washington Ave From:Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo To:Council, City Subject:Celebrating 25 Years of JMZ Science Outreach in East Palo Alto Date:Tuesday, January 16, 2024 5:05:22 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from info+friendsjmz.org@ccsend.com. Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links.   Logo_Full_Color_CMYK.jpg Celebrating 25 Years of JMZ Science Outreach in East Palo AltoJanuary 16, 2024 Hello Friends, This month marks 25 years since the Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo firstbegan funding the JMZ’s exceptional Science Outreach program for students in East PaloAlto and eastern Menlo Park. In celebration of this milestone, the Friends are hosting abreakfast fundraiser for JMZ Science Outreach on May 3rd. Funds raised during the event will support science lessons for elementary school students in the Ravenswood CitySchool District, East Palo Alto Charter School, the Primary School, and the Redwood CitySchool District. For more information, please contact Marie Ivich, Friends DevelopmentManager, at marie@friendsjmz.org. In addition, donations can be made via the Friendswebsite at friendsjmz.org/donate. In this newsletter, board member Aletha Coleman, who served as president of the Friendsboard from 2004 to 2021, shares how funding Science Outreach in underserved schoolsbecame a key priority for our organization, and how the initiative has expanded over theyears. You can learn more about the program in our August 2022 Newsletter and in our JMZ Science Outreach video. I hope you will join us for our next community event on February 9 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. where JMZ guests can celebrate Lunar New Year. Friends’ visitor events are free with admission; please remember to purchase tickets to the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo in advance. I hope to see you at the JMZ soon! Lauren AngeloPresident, Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo History and Expansion of JMZ Science Outreach in Underserved Schools Questions for Aletha Coleman How did funding the JMZ’s Science Outreach program in underserved schools become a core initiative for the Friends? The JMZ’s Science Outreach lessons had been offered in Palo Alto schools since the1970s. The lessons were popular amongst children, teachers, and families. Hearing aboutthe positive benefit Palo Alto children received, the Friends was inspired to bring theprogram to East Palo Alto in 1999 to address inequalities in STEM education (Science,Technology, Engineering, and Math) between East Palo Alto schools and more affluent,neighboring public school districts. At the time, the Friends funded one exhibit project a year for the JMZ, usually raisingabout $10,000. Making a commitment to fund $25,000 worth of Science Outreach lessonsin East Palo Alto was a large undertaking, but aligned well with our values to expandaccess to science education. In 2006, Carmen Christensen gave a generous donation ofone million dollars to the Friends, $200,000 of which was dedicated to Science Outreachlessons in East Palo Alto. As a result, we were able to fund lessons for eight years whilebeginning to fundraise for the JMZ Initiative Capital Campaign to rebuild the JMZ. A group of students look through microscopes during a JMZ Science Outreach lesson(1990s). How has this program evolved? Over the years, Science Outreach in East Palo Alto evolved into Science Outreach in theRavenswood City School District, serving both East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park.Since the completion of our capital campaign in 2021, we have dedicated more resourcesto the expansion of this program. In 2023 we began to fund lessons in two underservedschools in the Redwood City School District. It is amazing to see how much this programhas grown over the past 25 years. The Friends currently funds over 400 lessons a yearand reaches 2,000 students. JMZ educators ensure that science lessons align with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which were released in 2013. These guidelines better prepare students for STEM classes as they continue their education. The JMZ incorporates these standards into activities that are engaging and fun for students, which then inspires them to ask questions and think critically. JMZ Director of Education Alex Hamilton explains a science lesson to two youngstudents. How does the Friends evaluate the program’s impact? Students who receive JMZ Science Outreach lessons become more engaged in science and feel better prepared for STEM classes in middle school and high school. JMZ educators create memorable experiences for students, introducing them to concepts like electricity with a Van de Graaf generator or animal adaptations with hissing cockroaches. Alumni of the program have shared that science lessons inspired them to explore their curiosity outside of the classroom, even conducting their own experiments at home. Every year, JMZ educators connect with teachers in participating schools to evaluate howtheir needs are being met. We receive overwhelmingly positive feedback, citing theengaging JMZ educators and the high-quality lessons provided. Satisfaction with theprogram is well known, and schools in the area often approach the JMZ and the Friendsabout bringing lessons to their classrooms. JMZ Science Outreach lessons have becomea staple in Ravenswood classrooms, giving children the opportunity to learn about sciencethrough hands-on experiences. A JMZ Educator introduces a rabbit to a classroom. Photo courtesy of Scott Nakajima(2015). 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:slevy@ccsce.com To:Council, City Cc:Lait, Jonathan; John Kelley; Leah Russin Subject:Fwd: Palo Alto Tree Ordinance: wrong rule, wrong problem. Date:Tuesday, January 16, 2024 2:01:01 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Mayor Stone and council members, I am writing in support of Leah Russin's letter below and prior communications from Leah and John Kelley about the inadequacy and risks in the current ordinance. I am not a tree expert but was in conversation with Leah during her experience with the city and subsequently the disruption to her family's life and extra costs. I also did not understand the staff report, which is a dangerous signal to me confirmed with similar response from intelligent friends. As a non tree expert, I do believe the city and this ordinance wrongly place the burden of proof and responsibility for extra time and costs on homeowners. I also believe that HCD, which called out the tree ordinance in their last letter to the city,will see this ordinance as unduly restricting future housing growth. I believe the argument that last year's storms and winds are a one-off is likely wrong and in any event. a risky position for the city to take given the magnitude of disruption and costs that Leah reported after repeated and rebuffed attempts to engage the city before the tragedy occurred. Please go back to the "drawing board" and get this right. Stephen Levy - From: Leah Russin <leah.russin@gmail.com>Date: January 16, 2024 at 12:16:47 PM PSTTo: city.council@cityofpaloalto.orgSubject: Palo Alto Tree Ordinance: wrong rule, wrong problem. To Palo Alto City Council: I write regarding the Palo Alto Tree Ordinance, which I believe is fatally flawed because itsimultaneously puts residents at risk, fails to achieve its stated goals, and disincentives thevery actions it purports to encourage. 1. The Palo Alto Tree Ordinance is the wrong rule for the wrong problem. To start with, giant trees near homes are a risk. Even the best arborists can't accurately predict what trees will come down or when. I had two independent certified arborists - both recommended by Canopy - come look at the Douglas Fir in my backyard. Both said it looked healthy and strong. But less than six months later, it crashed into my home, right above where I sat with my toddler, piercing the roof on both stories, and punching through the ceiling over our heads. https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/04/14/after-wild- weather-season-residents-raise-alarms-about-falling-trees What gives my neighbors the right to prevent me from protecting my family from such a large and unknowable risk? For the aesthetic? For the carbon capture? I wanted to replace one tree with a different tree - a new tree that would provide shade all year but not tower 80 feet up, nor drip sticky sap all over our yard where my children play. I planned to replace it with a magnolia, which would have checked both the aesthetic and carbon capture boxes. But the city wouldn't allow it under the new tree ordinance. And so instead of contributing to a beautiful canopy that was more in line with the risks I wanted to assume and the way my family wanted to use our yard, I have spent the past 9 months managing the repairs to my home, trying to get permit approvals through the city, and findingworkers to repair the damage. These "unusual" storms are going to become more common. Climate change will make sure of that. Insurers are pulling out of California because they know that big storms bringing big damages are going to become the new normal. While no one wants all large trees to be removed, residents need flexibility to determine for themselves which risks they want to assume, allowing homeowners to steward their own property. The regulation's purported purpose is to ensure that Palo Alto has a thriving and growing canopy that stores carbon. Notably, the ordinance was unnecessary from its inception. There is no systematic evidence, nor has any ever been presented, that there is an epidemic of removals of mature trees in our town. At best, there has been a series of anecdotes. What we do know is that our canopy is now larger than it was in the 1950s. So why do we need to impose a confusing, burdensome, and expensive process on our residents? Any ordinance adopted by this city must countenance both the norms and the exceptions: most giant trees are not at risk of removal by homeowners, but all trees will eventually fall, and some will cause catastrophic damage when they do. This ordinance, both as currently written and with the proposed staff revisions, locks in disincentives to homeowners while simultaneously requiring us to assume unquantifiable risks of trees falling. Nothing in the ordinance encourages planting new trees. It is all about penalties for removal, and requirements for maintenance. Trees *will* eventually come down. Homeowners should have the right to remove them safely when they want to, provided they take reasonable steps to replace the loss to the canopy. The city should focus on ensuring that those reasonable steps are taken rather than preventing safe removal of unwanted trees. 1. Problems with the staff report and draft revisions: Staff has added a "right tree right place" provision, but it's so vague that no one but the city arborist himself really knows what it means. How could anyone buying a home know whether they could remove any tree on the lot before going through the process? The whole thing is too opaque and subjective. It interferes with private property rights in the name of benefiting the community, but the community could realize those benefits with a far less restrictive regulation. Also, the ordinance is so unclear as to be absurd. It is so confusing that no one understands what is allowed and what isn't. There's a list of protected trees, but then every tree over a certain size is protected except for a few unwanted trees. And the whole section on lot percentage is positively Byzantine. 1. A better approach: Palo Alto can do better than this. If we truly want to ensure our neighborhoods continue to enjoy a vibrant urban forest, we should be encouraging and helping residents to contribute to the growth and maintenance of that forest. Command and control (do this, not that) regulation is outdated and disfavored. Incentives and flexibility are the way to go. There are much more imaginative ways to encourage and increase a healthy canopy in our community than what Council is considering tonight. Other cities actually just give away trees to any resident who completes a 20-minute online tree care class (City Plants – Get Free Trees!). We could also develop a "Cap and Plant" program modeled on the successful cap and trade program that eliminated acid rain. Instead of fines for disobeying an overly restrictive ordinance, we could simply offer residents a choice: (a) replace the trees at a ratio to ensure canopy continuity on their own property within a reasonable period of time, or (b) charge a fee for tree removal, and establish community fund with those fees. That fund could be used for developing our canopy in South Palo Alto, which has fewer trees than North Palo Alto. It could also help lower-income residents maintain or plant larger trees on their properties, since maintenance of mature trees is expensive. We could even use that fund to help adjacent communities grow their canopies, since we will benefit from that as well. East Palo Alto's canopy is far less dense than ours, creating a heat sink that impacts our entire area. Belle Haven East Palo Alto have far fewer trees than neighboring communities. Groups like Canopy hope to change that | News | Palo Alto Online | This fund could also pay for planting new trees on public lands in the city. Allowing residents to have the trees they want will encourage us to care for them, rather than discourage anyone from allowing trees to mature, as our current ordinance does. It will also encourage our urban forest to adapt to climate change, by encouraging replacement with trees that can withstand big storms, rather than locking in the landscaping choices made by residents (or wildlife) in the last century. Bottom line: Palo Alto's tree ordinance, both as currently written and with the staff's proposed revisions:is an aggressive restriction that is too confusing and ambiguous; leaves homeowners open to unwanted risk of harm; and lacks the imagination that Palo Alto ought to be demonstrating. The fact that our neighboring cities have adopted similar restrictions doesn't make it right. We should be a leader, not a follower, particularly with respect to climate change, property rights, and safety. Trees are a defining part of our community. It's literally in our name. We should foster a cooperative relationship with our urban forest. The current tree ordinance is not the answer, and the revisions proposed by the city staff are not enough to save it. Thank you for your consideration, Leah Russin From:Aram James To:<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Angel, David; Wagner, April; Baker, Rob; Bryan Gobin; Cindy Chavez;Council, City; Damon Silver; Daniel Kottke; Dave Price; District1@bos.sccgov.org; Don Austin; DuJuan Green; EdLauing; GRP-City Council; Greer Stone; Ingo Brauer; Jack Ajluni; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Moore; Joe Simitian; JoshBecker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; KEVIN JENSEN; Lewis james; Michelle; O"Neal, Molly;Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Raymond Goins; Roberta Ahlquist; Rosen, Jeff; Salem Ajluni; Sean Allen; Stump,Molly; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Vara Ramakrishnan; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Zelkha,Mila; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; dennis burns; kenneth.Binder@shf.sccgov.org Subject:Live updates | Gaza death toll tops 24,000 as UN agencies call urgently for more aid Date:Tuesday, January 16, 2024 1:41:29 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Live updates | Gaza death toll tops 24,000 as UN agencies call urgently for more aid https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-01-15-2024-966bd5a9375e7439dd3de5fc113a7e7d From:Nat Fisher To:Council, City Subject:Re: [City of Palo Alto] Re: debate Jan. 31 for Eshoo candidates Date:Tuesday, January 16, 2024 1:32:53 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from sukiroo@hotmail.com. Learn why this isimportant no additional comments ​Natalie ​​ From: City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org> Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 1:13 PM To: Nat Fisher <sukiroo@hotmail.com> Subject: [City of Palo Alto] Re: debate Jan. 31 for Eshoo candidates Your request (3193) has been updated. To add additional comments, reply to this email.Thanks for the info.​Natalie ​​ This email is a service from City of Palo Alto. Delivered by Zendesk On January 15, 2024 at 10:44:28 PM UTC, Shikada, Ed ed.shikada@cityofpaloalto.org wrote: Hello Nat, The January 31 event isn’t sponsored by the City, it’s sponsored by Palo Alto Weekly and just being held at city hall. The format is decided by the Weekly. Attached is a link to other events sponsored by the League of Women Voters. Looks like you can watch their congressional candidate forum on zoom and perhaps available on other formats as well. Best regards, --Ed Ed Shikada, City Manager ICMA Credentialed Manager (650) 329-2280 | ed.shikada@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org Some people who received this message don't often get email from sukiroo@hotmail.com. Learn why this isimportant From: Nat Fisher <sukiroo@hotmail.com> Sent: Monday, January 15, 2024 1:19 PM To: Shikada, Ed <Ed.Shikada@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org> Subject: debate Jan. 31 for Eshoo candidates CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. This debate can only be seen in person or on YouTube. Why isn't it broadcast on the City's channel 26 since it is taking place in the Council Chambers? Two of the candidates are even Council members! This is so unfair to people who can't come to City Hall or watch YouTube. I want to know why this is being done. ​Natalie Fisher​​[Z55V92-GYKGW]