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HomeMy Public PortalAboutFebruary 20, 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: 2/20/2024 Document dates: 2/12/2024 – 2/20/2024 Note: Documents for every category may not have been received for packet reproduction in a given week. From:Rob Schreiber To:Council, City Subject:Road safety Date:Tuesday, February 20, 2024 11:25:00 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from r_schreiber_98@yahoo.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Two bicyclists killed in one week. We are reactive, trying to assess and perhaps establish legal liability in these cases. Wrong approach. These things are predictable given the way people now drive. So proactive, not reactive, is the answer. The time has come -- indeed this is long overdue -- to install speed and red light cameras, raise fines, do away with lenience, on the main roads of the city. Lives are at stake. Rob Schreiber From:Bruce Arthur To:Council, City Cc:Nordman, Eric; Ellson, Penny; Richard Swent; Wachtel, Alan Subject:Please do not select the underpass option for Rail Crossings at Meadow and Charleston Date:Tuesday, February 20, 2024 9:13:35 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from barthur@mac.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. I am writing to you today to express my opposition to the underpass option for the grade separated crossings at Meadow and Charleston. In short, the proposed plan for the underpassesis bad for both pedestrians and cyclists, and I would urge the committee to chose the hybrid option or the viaduct option as the underpass option is so bad. Alternatively, it would bepossible to fix the underpass option by adding bike lanes and side walks to both sides of the crossings. I would like to remind the committee that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committeedid review these plans and had a strong negative reaction to the underpass option as designed. Why is the underpass option bad for cyclists and pedestrians? The underpass option has separated areas for bikes and pedestrians, but they are only on one side of the road. That will require half of the users to cross Meadow or Charleston twice to usethe path, or cyclists will just ride through the intersection mixing with the motor vehicles. Having observed high school students crossing Alma at Churchill, I strongly suspect that moststudents will just ride with the vehicles which is allowed by state law. Unfortunately that will put them at risk riding on Charleston between Alma and the proposed rotary. Riders will begoing up hill, and have vehicles passing them on both sides until they are able to merge across the right lane. Additionally, many of the vehicles in the right lane will be trying to merge intothe left lane in order to go around the rotary and continue to move westbound on Charleston toward El Camino. The traffic rotary is just terrible. It will probably be dangerous for vehicles as maymovements will require merging over a short distance and it will likely require drivers to change lanes while entering the rotary. It will be dangerous for cyclists using the road ridingfrom Alma toward Middlefield as they will have to move across a lane of traffic while riding uphill. Additionally, it will require taking at least 4 pieces of property in order to build it. I reviewed the criteria that the council wanted to use for evaluating the options, and the ratingsfrom the city staff. And I have provided my comments. Council Criteria for the Rail Crossing project: Facilitate movement across the corridor for all modes of transportation The plan for the underpass requires many pedestrians and cyclists to cross Meadow or Charleston twice in order to cross the tracks. That is not “factilitating movement”, ratherit is making movement substantially harder. Reduce delay and congestion for vehicular traffic at rail crossings Focusing on vehicular congestion over pedestrian and cyclist safety is bad. This iscounter to the principle of "Complete Streets”. New projects should offer safe and efficient transportation for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all agesand abilities. The traffic studies seem to indicate that the design is hoping to handle almost twice thevolume of vehicles for unclear reasons. Provide clear, safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the rail corridor, separate from vehicles The separate paths are great for the people moving on that side of the road. But the complete absence of bike paths and side walks in the other direction is a terribleregression from today. If the plan proposed removing 50% of the routes available to motor vehicles, it would be dismissed as terrible. Maintain access to neighborhoods, parks, and schools along the corridor, whilereducing regional traffic on neighborhood streets Pedestrian and cyclist access will improve due to mode separation. I strongly disagree with the claim that the plan will improve access. Physical separation of the path is good, but losing existing bike lanes and sidewalks is terrible. Thisstatement could only be written by people who do not walk or use a bike in these areas. Can we fix the Underpass Option? We can make it much better by adding side walks and bike lanes to both sides of Meadowand Charleston. That would remove some of the free right turns for motor vehicles, and would likely reduce the maximum throughput of motor vehicles through the intersection. But itwould still be a better solution that what is proposed, and it would be better than today’s at grade crossing. There are some other issues with the Charleston underpass option. 1. The underpass design at Charleston is really too much concrete to support high speed moving cars. If feels like we are adding more roads like the Oregon Expressway-PageMill road underpass, and that feels bad. We need to make sure that our new transportation construction is inviting to pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, e-bikers,and everyone else. 2. The bike bridge over Charleston west of the tracks that cyclists can use to cross the roadrequires a 180 degree turn in too small of a space. As designed, most cyclists would avoid this, or need to dismount in order to navigate this turn. Additionally, these turnsare almost impossible for long bikes, cargo bikes, tandems, recumbents, and bikes using a trailer. 3. The is a ramp to the east of Charleston to provide a way for cyclists and pedestrians to move up to the sidewalk and bike path. Unfortunately, there is also a 180 degree turn onthe ramp that will be very difficult for cyclists to use. 4. On Charleston, riders are expected to use the pedestrian crossing at Mumford. This is a painted cross walk with no signal light. So riders would need to dismount their bicyles,wait for the cars to stop for them, walk across the intersection, and remount their bicycle. The traffic study states "An additional delay times of 30 seconds was assumedat the Mumford Place crossing.”. Again, this must be written by someone not familiar with riding a bike or waiting for cars to stop on Charleston. Bruce ArthurChairperson of the Palo Alto Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee References http://opr.ca.gov/docs/Update_GP_Guidelines_Complete_Streets.pdf"Update to the General Plan Guidelines: Complete Streets and the Circulation Element" Here are the sections I think are most relevant for evaluating the underpass option: Page 3: DD-64-R1 states that Caltrans will: • “Provide for the needs of travelers of all ages and abilities in all planning,programming, design construction, operations, and maintenance activities and products on the State Highway System; • View transportation improvements (new and retroft) as opportunities to improvesafety, access, and mobility for all travelers and recognizes bicycle, pedestrian, and transit modes as integral elements of the transportation system; Page 4: Federal and State funding criteria vary slightly, but typically funds are allocated for: • (1) “The planning, design, and construction of infrastructure-related projectswithin approximately two miles of a primary or middle school (high schools per Caltrans funding) that will improve the ability of students to walk and bicycle toschool; Page 5: The National Complete Streets Coalition defines complete streets as follows: Complete streets are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users.Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities must be able to safely move along and across a complete street. Creating complete streets means transportation agencies must change theirorientation toward building primarily for cars. Instituting a complete streets policy ensures that transportation agencies routinely design and operate the entire right of way to enable safe access for all users. From:Charlie Weidanz To:Council, City Subject:Register Today: Women in Enterprise Speaker Series - Margaret Jackson, #1 Radio Personality in Silicon Valley Date:Tuesday, February 20, 2024 8:01:39 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Women In Enterprise ad The Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce Presents:Women in Enterprise Speaker Series Unleash the Waves of Wisdom, Come join us and the #1 Small Business Radio personality in Silicon Valley, Margaret Jackson. With over 7.75 million listeners, Margaret will be the keynote speaker for Women in Enterprise, hosted by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce. Friday, March 1, 20248:30 AM to 10:00 AM Light breakfast provided Generously Hosted ByJazz Pharmaceuticals 3170 Porter Dr. Palo Alto, CA 94304 $20 for Members $35 for Non-Members >Register Online Elevating and supporting professional women across all industries in Silicon Valley. This email was sent on behalf of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce 355 Alma St Palo Alto, CA 94301.To unsubscribe clickhere. If you have questions or comments concerning this email or services in general, please contact us by email atinfo@paloaltochamber.com. From:Loran Harding To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; David Balakian; Leodies Buchanan;bballpod; boardmembers; cramirez.electriclab133@gmail.com; Council, City; Cathy Lewis; dennisbalakian; DougVagim; dallen1212@gmail.com; dan.richard@earthlink.net; Daniel Zack; eappel@stanford.edu; fred beyerlein;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;margaret-sasaki@live.com; MY77FJ@gmail.com; maverickbruno@sbcglobal.net; Mark Standriff; Mayor;merazroofinginc@att.net; nick yovino; news@fresnobee.com; newsdesk; russ@topperjewelers.com; SteveWayte; terry; tsheehan; vallesR1969@att.net; yicui@stanford.edu Subject:Fwd: More re falling batt prices for EVs Date:Monday, February 19, 2024 5:47:10 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>Date: Mon, Feb 19, 2024 at 5:32 PM Subject: More re falling batt prices for EVsTo: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org> Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 To all, including the team at Tesla- That Tesla Redwood vehicle, Model 2, if it has LFP 2.0 batteries from CATL, made inthe Tesla Reno battery factory, will be a giant seller. LONG waitings lists probably. Tony Seba's 2027 battery prediction is about to happen 3 YEARS EARLY! (youtube.com) I'm tempted to buy more TSLA stock. Will the many charging stations the feds are building in the US be able to push theKWs into these new batteries as fast as they can accept them? The US government shouldget with Tesla and arrange for the charging stations to be able to do that. European countries too, e.g., will need charging stations able to take advantage of these new batteires. It is animportant point. Maybe have CATL design and build the charging stations too. It would be frustrating if one's EV could charge in 15 minutes but the charging stations took 30 minutes to deliver the juice. L. William Harding Fresno, Ca. From:Annette Ross To:City Mgr Cc:Council, City Subject:Housing Element Date:Monday, February 19, 2024 2:56:31 PM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from port2103@att.net. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clickingon links.________________________________ I checked the HCD website today only to find that it is indeed true that Palo Alto still lacks an approved housingelement. Given the ramifications of this status, please use some of the time allotted to you for City Managercomments at the next Council meeting to explain why Palo Alto has failed to do what it is obliged by the State to do. Other cities in the county have compliant plans. Why don’t we? Annette RossResident, Palo AltoSent from my iPad From:Deborah Goldeen To:Council, City Subject:Privacy Date:Monday, February 19, 2024 2:22:33 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from deborah.goldeen@sonic.net. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear council members - in your February 12th meeting both Ed Lauing and Lydia Koumentioned privacy as their main concern regarding the building of housing. Ms.Kou in particular referred to privacy as a right. As with all rights, your right to privacy stops where someone else's right to live starts - thefirst and foremost need for survival (life) being shelter. That said, privacy is important when it comes be being able to cope psychologically with living cheek by jowl with thousands of other humans. However, according the research doneby Charles Montgomery for his book, "Happy City:Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design," what does meet our need for privacy and what we feel we need are not one and thesame. What we need for privacy is a room where we can withdraw by ourselves and be alone and undisturbed. It's that simple - and size of the room doesn't matter. What most violates oursense of privacy? Noise - airplanes overhead, loud automobiles, garbage trucks, blasting car stereos. None of that has any connection to suburban, single family residential housing. Infact, Armstrong goes into a great deal of detail as to why the model of urban design that organizations like Palo Alto Neighborhoods (PAN) and politicians like Lauing and Kou areintent on defending is a recipe for an unhappy city. Do you want a happy city? Allow for greater housing density, curb cars, prioritize bikes and for heavens sake, don't build any towers. Deborah Goldeen, 2130 Birch, 94306, (650)799-3652 From:Deborah Goldeen To:Council, City; City Mgr Subject:Bike/Bus Lanes on ECR Date:Monday, February 19, 2024 1:59:31 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links. ________________________________ Now that we have relatively lighter traffic post pandemic and now that I have a souped up, exceptionally visible electric assist bike, I have been experimenting with biking on El Camino Real for short stretches when it makes for a direct rather than circuitous route. Being able to ride my bike on El Camino makes a huge difference - it cuts route times by five to ten minutes. I've been using a bike for errands and commutes in Palo Alto and the surrounding area for half a century. I've long been accustomed to biking a pretzel shaped route to get where I need to go. I hadn't realized how maddening biking a contorted route was until now. There can't be bike lanes on ECR soon enough for me. Why we don't already have dedicated bus lanes on ECR also mystifies me. With the advent of electric assist, I hardly drive at all anymore. Doing so has made me realized how awful driving it. To avoid driving even more, I've been experimenting with riding the 522, mostly to and from SJC. Unless the freeways are jammed, taking the bus takes about twenty minutes longer, but I don't care because it means I don't have to drive. Riding the 522 regularly has given me an appreciation for what the bus drivers endure. It's ridiculous. Do you care about mitigating climate change? Do you care about peace in the middle east (it's all about oil)? If yes, you need to make it easier to bike and use public transit and harder to drive a car. Bike/Bus lanes on ECR is low, low hanging fruit. Deborah Goldeen 2130 Birch, 94306, (650)799-3652 From:Kristen Gee To:Council, City Subject:Research Study Posting Date:Monday, February 19, 2024 1:42:53 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from ktgee@stanford.edu. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Palo Alto City Council, My name is Kristen, and I am a research coordinator at Stanford University. I saw that you have a community newsletter and I’m wondering if you allow people to submit postings about potential research studies to see if they would like to volunteer. Please let me know, thank you! Best, Kristen Gee From:Aram James To:Binder, Andrew; Cindy Chavez; Council, City; District1@bos.sccgov.org; GRP-City Council; Jeff Moore; JoeSimitian; KEVIN JENSEN; Kaloma Smith; Raymond Goins; Robert. Jonsen; Sean Allen; Sheriff Transparency;Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; kenneth.Binder@shf.sccgov.org Subject:Oversight board urges sheriff to body-scan deputies entering jails Date:Monday, February 19, 2024 10:36:43 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Oversight board urges sheriff to body-scan deputies entering jails Oversight board urges sheriff to body-scan deputies entering jailshttps://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=e48bfef0-57ce- 4f0e-a19e-ce9fe5007d7c&appcode=SAN252&eguid=9997565e-b8d5-4171-8e20-3d52eaf1864a&pnum=36# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: From:Loran Harding To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; David Balakian; fred beyerlein;bearwithme1016@att.net; Leodies Buchanan; bballpod; boardmembers; Council, City; Cathy Lewis;cramirez.electriclab133@gmail.com; dennisbalakian; Doug Vagim; dan.richard@earthlink.net;dallen1212@gmail.com; Daniel Zack; 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; margaret-sasaki@live.com;MY77FJ@gmail.com; maverickbruno@sbcglobal.net; Mark Standriff; Mayor; merazroofinginc@att.net; nickyovino; news@fresnobee.com; newsdesk; russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve Wayte; terry; tsheehan;vallesR1969@att.net; yicui@stanford.edu Subject:Fwd: First "look" at Tesla Model 2 Date:Sunday, February 18, 2024 9:14:53 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>Date: Sun, Feb 18, 2024 at 9:00 PM Subject: Fwd: First "look" at Tesla Model 2To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org> Sunday, February 18, 2024 IMPORTANT- To all, and especially to Elon Musk. "First Look" at the Tesla Model 2. What a joke as a first look. Let's see it. Hopefully that Apillar will get a lot more vertical. Production won't start till mid or late 2025. Is there not time to change that A pillar? Make the roof taller too. It is just a question of whether Tesla wants tosell this car. Tall people will not buy it if it's tough to get in and out of it. Make twomodels, one for the short, one for the tall. Maybe even go with gull wing doors. Thatwould for sure help sell it, but that is expensive. BTW, see the door on the Tucker 1948. A part of the roof came out when one opened the doors giving clearance for entry and exit. Ofcourse, the door frame ran all the way up to and into the roof there, not stopping where the glass emerged from the door. Jeeps have steel door frames that run all the way up to the roof.They also have pretty vertical A pillars. I suspect that that steel door frame helps the vehicles meet the roof crush standards so that the A pillar can be good and vertical. Maybe LFP batts. LFP 2.0???? That and the new motor, would be big selling points. Willthey be the LFP 2.0 batteries? 2.0????? Here is information about the improvements that CATL has made in the LFP battery. Seethis, it is important. Elon should say whether the Redwood will get the LFP 2.0batteries. LFP 2.0. 2.0. Notice here at 0.39 a letter from Congress to Musk on Sept. 30,2023 asking about Tesla's relationship with CATL. Viking says here that "theRepublicans are trying to get the government to intervene to prevent Ford from doing asimilar deal with CATL". That is probably about sourcing the batteries from China. LFP 2.0: NEW Tesla Battery by CATL Changes Everything in 2024! (youtube.com) Then watch this! More detail. : I will not write out the facts that he states. Watch this andtake notes if you must. Making these batts in the US at the Reno Tesla batt plant will qualify them for the batt. incentives. Does that mean the Redwood will cost $17,500 after rebates? Ifso, Tesla will need a bigger plant. The Monterey plant is taking a long time to build and equip. That will cost TSLA big money in lost sales. CATL reveal new batteries for Tesla EVs that will KILL the competition(youtube.com) "The price TSLA pays for the NEW LFP batteries in China is insanely low. Maybe $80 per KWH, a fraction of what it pays for 4680 cells made by Panasonic". LFP batts have allowedvehicles to go a million miles before the battery degrades significantly. The low price to make them is a huge deal. He says "the decision to manufacture LFP batteries in Nevada willcompletely change Tesla's situation, giving Tesla a price advantage". Once thismanufacture of LFP batts begins in Reno, ALL Tesla batteries will qualify for batteryincentives. Elon Just Gave INCREDIBLE First Look of 2024 25K Tesla Model 2! (youtube.com) The DeLorean Story: Car Crash The DeLorean Story (youtube.com)tory- BBC They only mention tangentially here what really happened. A 20% (?) prime rate in the USin 1981-82 was a huge part of the DeLorean problem. The drunk Lyndon Johnson plunged us into Viet Nam in 1965 and that cost $100 billion, in those dollars. Plus Apollo! Nixon tookover in Jan. 1969. Economy booming. Nixon was kicked out in August, 1974 and Gerald Ford took over. In December, 1974, the US tipped into a recession. Spring, 1975 US unemploymentwas around 9.2%. Ford got it down to 7.2% by the spring of 1976 and went on to lose the election in Nov. 1976 to Carter. Under Carter in 1977, 1978, 1979, the US had high inflation,a hold- over from Johnson-Nixon's Viet Nam War plus Apollo. CARTER appointed Paul Volker, "Tall Paul", as Fed Chairman to fight the inflation. He took a meat ax to the USeconomy in 1980, 1981, 1982. So Reagan suffered under Carter's appointment of Volker and his high, inflation-fighting interest rates. THAT helped kill sales of the DeLorean, and a lotmore, in the US, and elsewhere, in 1981, 1982. It wasn't until January, 1984 that the US unemployment rate went under 10%, and Reagan went on to be re-elected in Nov. 1984,making him the "Teflon President"- that and getting away with Iran-Contra. US unemployment in there had hit 10.8% and GM was collecting canned goods for laid offworkers in the rust-belt. LFP 2.0 battery from CATL for Model 2, maybe. Reno, Sparks, NV, is the location of the Tesla battery plant, not Las Vegas. Here is a very important link. DO NOT MISS THIS. He seems to call lithium ironphosphate batteries "lithium ion phoshate", he talks so fast and with his British accent. IT'S IRON, NOT ION. He says here that CATL will set up a production line in the Sparks, NVTesla battery plant to make LFP batts. That wll allow the batts to qualify for bigrebates. That will be a big deal for Tesla. It's "F" in LFP because iron is Ferrous in chemical nomenclature. The symbol for iron is Fe on the periodic table. Lithium-iron-phosphate. Tesla's American LFP battery plant will produce game changing new battery(youtube.com) Burning question: Will the Redwood vehicle get the LFP 2.0 battery from CATL? Elon should fight to get that batt in the Redwood. I find it hard to believe that CATL will put aproduction line in the Reno Tesla battery plant and make the first version of LFP batteries. It will make the LFP 2.0 batteries there unless Elon has gone off the rails. If that is what isgoing to be produced at the Reno battery plant, Elon should make a big deal out of announcing it. If that is what the Redwood vehicle will have, it will be a huge seller. We hear of 10 minutecharging time and 460 miles of range here. That vehicle for $17,500? CATL calls its new LFP 2.0 battery the Shenxing battery. You hear here Quilin 3.0 too. Especially if Tesla fixes the A pillar on Redwood so that people over 5'5" in height can access it. Tesla should have a big banner in all of their plants saying "TALL PEOPLE WILLNOT BUY IT IF IT'S TOUGH TO GET IN AND OUT OF". Faith in TSLA stock: Your trade was executed in your Schwab account ending in 130 -loran.harding@alumni.stanford.edu - Stanford Alumni Mail (google.com) L. William Harding Fresno, Ca. From:Martin J Sommer To:Burt, Patrick Cc:Council, City Subject:Trees along Caltrain Date:Sunday, February 18, 2024 5:49:54 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hi Pat, this is a shocking story for Menlo Park: https://inmenlo.com/2024/02/18/palms-trees-near-menlo-park-caltrain-station-removed-due-to-electrification-work/ Is there anything like this planned for our Palo Alto University Ave station? Thanks, Martin -- Martin Sommer650-346-5307martin@sommer.netwww.linkedin.com/in/martinsommer "Turn technical vision into reality." From:Aram James To:Angel, David; Binder, Andrew; Cecilia Taylor; Council, City; David S. Norris; Ed Lauing; Jack Ajluni; Jeff Moore;Josh Becker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; KEVIN JENSEN; Kaloma Smith; Lewis james; Linda Jolley; Gardener, Liz;Roberta Ahlquist; Salem Ajluni; Sean Allen; Vara Ramakrishnan; Vicki Veenker; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto;Perron, Zachary; dennis burns; kenneth.Binder@shf.sccgov.org Subject:Re: Watch "Jimmy Carter on Israeli apartheid #palestine" on YouTube Date:Sunday, February 18, 2024 5:35:28 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3O7MBMNuhS/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== On Sun, Feb 18, 2024 at 4:23 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:https://youtube.com/shorts/y23V6PLTCMw?si=dNHJNc7CviyFJ-Ya From:Barry Hart To:Council, City Subject:City department and function closures in a post "covid state of emergency" world Date:Sunday, February 18, 2024 4:50:12 PM Attachments:image0.png Some people who received this message don't often get email from hartb88@yahoo.com. Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links. City Council - Now that the Covid State of Emergency has ended, how will City Government closingsbe handled? Who decides what gets closed?How are the decisions made to close a function of city government? What was the specific reason for closure of each function communicated to the public? How are the closings communicated to the public? Today there was a post by the "Palo Alto Open Space Rangers" on Facebook and Next Door saying that Baylands, Foothills, and Arastradero Open Spaces are closed Sundayand Monday (Feb 18 and 19). See attached photos. The City of Palo Alto Seal is being used, so it appears to be official. There was no mention of any closure on the City Web Page for open spaces. OurCresent Park group moderator sent a message from the City about the storm, but no mention of closures. I went to the Baylands today and there was no evidence of closure and there were many people enjoying the outdoors. The big questions are - How will the City let people know if there is a closure of any type? Will the city be closing things 'out of an abundance of caution' like they did duringthe pandemic, even though we know what harmful effects that caution caused Barry HartPalo Alto Ave From:Aram James To:Ahmed@ahmedforcongressca.com; Cindy Chavez; Council, City; District1@bos.sccgov.org; DuJuan Green; EdLauing; Greg Tanaka; Jeff Moore; Joe Simitian; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Kaloma Smith; Linda Jolley; Gardener, Liz;Lotus Fong; Bains, Paul; Raymond Goins; Roberta Ahlquist; Sean Allen; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor SusanEllenberg; Tanaka, Greg; Vicki Veenker; dennis burns; ladoris cordell Subject:Discrimination claims threaten nonprofit pact County reviewing allegations before extending shelter, services contract Date:Sunday, February 18, 2024 12:49:32 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Discrimination claims threaten nonprofit pact County reviewing allegations before extending shelter, services contract Discrimination claims threaten nonprofit pact https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=9ed9cc96-78cf-470d-8a29-b69dff2ad85c&appcode=SAN252&eguid=146d78a6-b479-4fcc-a5ff- be36e04b83b1&pnum=4# For more great content like this subscribe to the The Mercury News e-edition app here: Download full resolution images Available until Nov 23, 2023 From:Magrissa Funnie To:Council, City; Becchetti, Benjamin Subject:Re: Let’s tag them, no tags on any of these vehicles Date:Sunday, February 18, 2024 10:22:03 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Good morning, it’s been awhile, now I have a RV because of non ticketing. This is not their home it’s mine and I deserve some peace, directly under my window. What is happening? Noway can this be happening! RVs are not being tagged anymore 72 hours. I have left you guys alone and RVs are getting worst. Please help! Starting ticketing!!!!! Property owners deservesome relief. Sent from my iPhone On Nov 15, 2023, at 7:55 PM, Magrissa Funnie <mikkifunnie@yahoo.com> wrote:Officer Ben, Thank you thank you for the RV removals. Fabian way went from 15 RVs, oneboat and three abandoned cars down to two RVs. Thank you! You can see thebuilding and the sunshine. Thank you!!!!! Today I actually saw people walking up the street. This what Palo Alto used tolook like. Thank you again! Sent from my iPhone On Oct 24, 2023, at 3:25 PM, Magrissa Funnie<mikkifunnie@yahoo.com> wrote:<IMG_4120.jpg> <IMG_4121.jpg> <IMG_4122.jpg> <IMG_4123.jpg> <IMG_4124.jpg> <IMG_4125.jpg> <IMG_4126.jpg> <IMG_4127.jpg> <IMG_4128.jpg> <IMG_4129.jpg> <IMG_4130.jpg> <IMG_4131.jpg> <IMG_4132.jpg>Abandoned vehicles, so sorry, city council your constituents arewondering what’s going on. Officer Ben you are great, I know youare working hard but city council not so much. Officer Ben, can you tell me who to call to have the trash removed? This is where we live and not how we want to live. Sent from my iPhone From:Aram James To:Pacific GrovePD Cc:Binder, Andrew; Brandon.Dupre@crain.com; Council, City; DuJuan Green; Ed Lauing; Friends of Cubberley; Human Relations Commission; Independent.InspectorGeneral@cookcountyil.gov; Jack Ajluni; Josh Becker; Kaloma Smith; Kevin.Morrison@cookcountyil.gov; Lewis james; Linda Jolley; Michelle; Palo Alto Free Press; Robert. Jonsen; Roberta Ahlquist; Salem Ajluni; Scott.Britton@cookcountyil.gov; Sean Allen; Sean.Morrison@cookcountyil.gov; Vara Ramakrishnan; Zelkha, Mila; andrew.jack@ft.com; connor.echols@theintercept.com; dennis burns; devora@northwestern.edu; edith.olmsted@thedailybeast.com; emily.babb@northwestern.edu; jeremy.scahill@theintercept.com; k-jones@northwestern.edu; kenneth.Binder@shf.sccgov.org; kharris@cityofevanston.org; l-bartelle@northwestern.edu; matthew.wietbrock@northwestern.edu; merrill.silverman@northwestern.edu; mwynne@cityofevanston.org; nupresident@northwestern.edu; nuprovost@northwestern.edu; opinion@dailynorthwestern.com; stanley.moore2@cookcountyil.gov; tsuffredin@cityofevanston.org; vpsa@northwestern.edu Subject:Re: Northwestern-Labels Blacks "Klan," Stands up for Genocide! | Hostages Sacrificial Lambs, Hamas Scapegoat,Zionist Anti-American Assault on Campuses v9 Date:Saturday, February 17, 2024 4:41:26 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hi Bryan, Thanks for another provocative Post. As Justice Louis Brandeis said: if you don't like myopinion ( bad speech) don't censor me; give me your opinion on the subject( good speech). Please, folks stop weaponizing anti-Semitism as a way of silencing other people's opinions. Regards, Aram On Sat, Feb 17, 2024, at 2:18 PM Pacific GrovePD <pacificgrovepd@gmail.com> wrote:Northwestern University---Arresting Anti-Apartheid, Anti-Genocide black students under ancient laws designed for the Klan because of a parady on the student newspaper [link]? Surely your law enforcement had lexis-nexus assistance provided by the ADL or othersimilar-minded hate groups who claim Anti-Zionism = Anti-Antisemitism? Anti-Apartheid = Anti-Semitism; Pro-American-value = Anti-Semitism... Why would you kowtow to Zionist Jew-hating, Anti-Western cowards like StandwithUs,ADL,AMCHA, or other Zionist hate group who are Holocaust Racketeering Shyster Schmucks. Grow a Pair. If students had STOOD up for Jews in the '30s, we may not havehad the Holocaust....But some took the advice of "America First" spokesman Charles Lindbergh who urge us not to let sympathy get in the way of our better judgment--andreminded all listeners that America's interest is preserving the "white European race." ....To hell with the ADL, and all Coward Crooked spineless MITs & Northwesterns forkowtowing to Anti-American Genocide promoters Read the real story below----Aren't you supposed to be academics? You are the reason why america has lost confidence in its institutions! You stand up for NAZIS! ---------- Forwarded message --------- SOCIAL SPOTLIGHTS @JGreenblattADL Yesterday, I sent a letter to @MIT President Kornbluth to express concern regarding the student group Coalition Against Apartheid. Last night, MIT got it right by suspending the group's privileges after it once again failed to follow school policies. #NotOnMyCampus Democrats---see memo to Israeli Academics below. Note, we all in my community knowBibi set a trap for Hamas. Civilians and Hostages are sacrificial lambs. Hamas is the Scapegoat. Update on TULPPP website. The GOAL is not to remove simply Hamas--the goal is to scapegoat Hamas as a pretensefor the Final "TRANSFER PLAN" solution of all GAZANS out of the ghetto to the grave or beyond... Read the Finkelstein memo--Pick 3 enemies, one of which must be Black (Law & Order,Crime, Woke), one of which should be weird (Trans,etc), and the other which cannot be thrown under the bus by the Democrats--Israel. But remember, George H.W. Bush provedthat the "silent majority is real" when he held up an aid package to Israel until agreements were made on STOPPING settlements--70 percent approval ratings. Fight like aFinkelstein (webpage) Putin could not have planned a more effective operation with Bibi's Zionist warmongers than he did last time per FBI transcripts [link]. People identifying as Jewish account for 2.5 percent of the U.S. population withconcentration in NYC, LA, and Philly, please don't tell me the Senator from Delaware became the #1 recipient of Anti-Democratic-fascist-Zionist-fare for the sake of Phillyvotes. Zelenskyy is the patriotic Jew who asks us to uphold our responsibilities to our forefathers--America's greatest generation--whose sacrifices created the international-rules-based order that Putin and Putin's Mini-Bibi seek to undermine and destroy....We have Obligations to Ukraine, and to the international-rules based Order. We stand withUkraine or Stand for Nothing at all. Will you piss on my grandparents' grave? Will you? I don't give fck about the BS definition of Anti-semitism---Fck that Anti-American Predatory Jew-Hating SovietPropaganda! Sent to 400 Israeli Academics Dear Israeli Legal Academics--- You must get your guns & government out of Gaza NOW. We know Israel's secrets, butyou don't know the apocalyptic nightmare you are going to bring upon yourselves, theUnited States, and the entire world. Genocide Joe and Killer Kamala & her Zionist wifemust be stopped--perhaps we should all follow the Zionist billionaire lead of Adelson &Ackman & Milken who vote Hitler Trump! Surely Hitler will promote Jewish interests, right? Here is the Update on TULPPP website. Your pathetic campaign of bombing the Warsaw Ghetto must stop NOW...Let me beclear--there was NO intelligence failure among the higher-ups. Hamas walked into a trap and was given enough time to be fcking stupid. Your government did NOTHING toprotect its own military personnel, civilians, including concert-goers who attended an event ISSUED PERMITS to take place in the path of an invading ARMY! That is MOREthan incompetence---when your government had the Hamas "jericho wall" plans for over a year? Come on how...Don't be naive. Stop the BS slogan about "release hostages and we'llnegotiate." BS--Your terrorist regime will genocide--complete the transfer alive or dead Gazans. Foreign and domestic policy are the same. What we do abroad to people, We will do athome--I know this from 1st hand experience. I know as Law grads you are risk averse about "speaking up" on matters of genocide given the need to maintain your Zionist aficionado credentials which require you adhere to whatmy tulppp link calls a malicious, stupid, Anti-American Int'l Holocaust Racketeering Alliance definition of Antisemitism as Gospel Truth (pun-intended). The Hostages are Sacrificial Lambs, Hamas is the Scapegoat for "The Transfer"Genocide Proposal talked about for over a two decades...Here is the Update on TULPPPwebsite. Contrary to conventional wisdom, this was NOT an intelligence failure...In fact,Hamas walked into a trap set by Zionist warmongers in the political and military establishment...History repeats itself...Btw, Are you willing to condemn the war crimes ofHamas, and the genocide being holocausted against the Gazans as I have done? Aren't you a Professor of Law---or a cowardly stooge... Of course, the top Zionist orgs in the US had a heads up from the were prepared to launchtheir BS "Anti-Semitic" campaign against human rights activists. Imagine if more students on U.S. campuses had stood up for Jews being massacred in Europe? Imagine how manylives might have been saved if we had prioritized destroying Eichmann's network, and Auschwitz. Zionist are now the greatest threat to Jews in the real Jewish homeland--America--as well as those Israeli Jews who are duped into a deal with the a 75-year deal with the devil in exchange for what they imagined to be "security." Israel has NO RIGHTto exist as an ANTI-AMERICAN etho-religious Jewish Supremacist Holo-causting nightmare. Also take note of Zionist War on Campus Academic Terrorist Network postcardfeaturing Berkeley Law's "Goebbels" Mark Yudof---sponsors Anti-American Academic Engagement, and Kids-in-Kages or Killed. Act 2 for Zionist is Anti-Semitism Tzar KenMarcus who had been nominated by Zionists to head Civil Rights (lack of)Enforcement at the U.S. Dept of Education. In that role, he succeeded in undermingcivil rights and being a staunch religious zealout on behalf of partisan extremist israeli fascists who insist that he must Censor, Suppress, and Sabotage American Education andpromote white supremacy! Marcus is henchman against Civil Rights for Israel andAmerica. Zionists consider Marcus best thing since Meghan McCain became Zionist-Jewish-supremacist ambassador of Anti-scanty-panty-ism. Notice the "censored" Zionists are always like Deputy Sheriffs--Stupid-entitled-annoying-Bit*ches who can't get anypussy...like Ken Marcus at both Williams and Berkeley. Update on TULPPP website. Bryan Gobin Ph. (702) 358-7554Connect with me on LinkedIn @ADL Urging people to #StandUpToJewishHate shouldn't result in baseless accusations, conspiracy theories about Israel, or the trivialization of antisemitism. But that's what happened after @FCASorg's #SuperBowl ad Sunday night. Our Center on Extremism has more here. @JGreenblattADL We've long asked @Meta to take down the Facebook & Instagram accounts of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei & applaud that it's finally happened. He's used these platforms for years to incite violent antisemitism, to legitimize militant anti-Zionism and to make genocidal threats. News Link. @ADL It’s unconscionable that 12 members of the #UNRWA staff in Gaza participated in the massacre of Israelis on 10/7. ADL’s Ken Jacobson shares recommendations for reforms in @TimesofIsrael. News Link. ================ The contents of this email message and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee(s) and may contain confidential and/or privileged information and may be legally protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient of this message or their agent, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, please immediately alert the sender by reply email and then delete this message and any attachments. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, copying, or storage of this message or its attachments is strictly prohibited. From:Tim James To:Aram James; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Ahmed@ahmedforcongressca.com; Angel, David; Angie, PaloAlto Renters Association; Wagner, April; Baker, Rob; Binder, Andrew; Braden Cartwright; Cait James; CeciliaTaylor; Cindy Chavez; Council, City; D Martell; Damon Silver; Daniel Kottke; Dave Price; David S. Norris; DonAustin; Donna Wallach; DuJuan Green; EPA Today; Ed Lauing; Emily Mibach; Enberg, Nicholas; Jensen, Eric;Freddie.Quintana@sen.ca.gov; Friends of Cubberley; Greg Tanaka; Human Relations Commission; Jack Ajluni;Jax Ajluni; Jeff Moore; Jeff Rosen; Joe Simitian; Josh Becker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; KEVIN JENSEN; KalomaSmith; Karen Holman; Lewis james; Gardener, Liz; Michelle; Van Der Zwaag, Minka; O"Neal, Molly; Palo AltoFree Press; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Bains, Paul; Raymond Goins; Robert. Jonsen; Roberta Ahlquist; RoseLynn; Salem Ajluni; Salem Ajluni; Sally Lieber; Sameena Usman; Sean Allen; Supervisor Otto Lee; SupervisorSimitian; Susan Hayase; Vara Ramakrishnan; Vicki Veenker; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Perron, Zachary; ZahraBilloo; Zelkha, Mila; alphonso.lozano@santamonica.gov; chuck jagoda; kenneth.Binder@shf.sccgov.org; ladoriscordell; Foley, Michael; walter wilson; yolanda Subject:RE: How Gaza turned everything upside down for the Black church and Biden Date:Saturday, February 17, 2024 8:59:16 AM Attachments:image861140.png Some people who received this message don't often get email from tjames@rsaplaw.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. I guess this explains why he got only 97% in the South Carolina primary. From: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, February 16, 2024 10:23 PM To: <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com> <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Ahmed@ahmedforcongressca.com; Angel, David <dangel@dao.sccgov.org>; Angie, Palo Alto Renters Association <paloaltorenters@gmail.com>; April Wagner <april.wagner@cityofpaloalto.org>; Baker, Rob <rbaker@dao.sccgov.org>; Binder, Andrew <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>; Braden Cartwright <bcartwright@padailypost.com>; Cait James <caitlin.a.james@gmail.com>; Cecilia Taylor <cmrstaylor@gmail.com>; Cindy Chavez <cindy.chavez@bos.sccgov.org>; CityCouncil <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; D Martell <dmpaloalto@gmail.com>; Damon Silver <damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>; Daniel Kottke <daniel.k@earthlink.net>; Dave Price <price@padailypost.com>; David S. Norris <dsnorris@menlopark.gov>; Don Austin <daustin@pausd.org>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; DuJuan Green <dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; EPA Today <epatoday@epatoday.org>; Ed Lauing <elauing@equitysearchpartners.com>; Emily Mibach <emibach@padailypost.com>; Enberg, Nicholas <nicholas.enberg@cityofpaloalto.org>; Eric.Jensen@cityofpaloalto.org; Freddie.Quintana@sen.ca.gov; Friends of Cubberley <friendsofcubberley94303@gmail.com>; Greg Tanaka <greg@gregtanaka.org>; Human Relations Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Jack Ajluni <jaxpolo@gmail.com>; Jax Ajluni <jaxsalon@gmail.com>; Jeff Moore <moore2j@att.net>; Jeff Rosen <info@jeffrosen.org>; Joe Simitian <joe.simitian@bos.sccgov.org>; Josh Becker <becker.josh@gmail.com>; Julie Lythcott- Haims <julieforpaloalto@gmail.com>; KEVIN JENSEN <KP14him@aol.com>; Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>; Karen Holman <rsvp.paloalto.2022@gmail.com>; Lewis james <alphonse9947@gmail.com>; Liz Gardner <Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Michelle <michelle1771@gmail.com>; Minka Van Der Zwaag, <minka.vanderzwaag@cityofpaloalto.org>; O'Neal, Molly <Molly.ONeal@pdo.sccgov.org>; Palo Alto Free Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Paul Bains <pbains7@projectwehope.com>; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>; Robert. Jonsen <Robert.jonsen@shf.sccgov.org>; Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; Rose Lynn <roselynn95035@yahoo.com>; Salem Ajluni <sajluni@yahoo.com>; Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com>; Sally Lieber <vote@sallylieber.org>; Sameena Usman <sameenau@gmail.com>; Sean Allen <sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Supervisor Otto Lee <supervisor.lee@bos.sccgov.org>; Supervisor Simitian <supervisor.simitian@bos.sccgov.org>; Susan Hayase <shayase@onemain.com>; Tim James <TJames@rsaplaw.com>; Vara Ramakrishnan <vara@acm.org>; Vicki Veenker <admin@siblingcitiesusa.org>; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto <wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Zachary.Perron@CityofPaloAlto.org; Zahra Billoo <zbilloo@cair.com>; Zelkha, Mila <Mila.Zelkha@asm.ca.gov>; alphonso.lozano@santamonica.gov; chuck jagoda <jagodachuck@gmail.com>; kenneth.Binder@shf.sccgov.org; ladoris cordell <judgecordell@icloud.com>; michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org; walter wilson <walterlwilson@hotmail.com>; yolanda <yolanda@rocketmail.com> Subject: How Gaza turned everything upside down for the Black church and Biden How Gaza turned everything upside down for the Black church and Biden https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/biden-black-churches-gaza-rift-20240215.html From:Aram James To:<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Ahmed@ahmedforcongressca.com; Council, City; Damon Silver; Ed Lauing;JIM MINKLER1; Jeff Rosen; Joe Simitian; Josh Becker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Lewis james; Gardener, Liz;Michelle; O"Neal, Molly; Roberta Ahlquist; Shikada, Ed; Stump, Molly Subject:NORMAN FINKELSTEIN GRILLS BILL MAHER - YouTube Date:Friday, February 16, 2024 9:23:53 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. NORMAN FINKELSTEIN GRILLS BILL MAHER - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jAv007GYbFohttps://m.youtube.com/shorts/jAv007GYbFo? si=96USmmjrIFcvUt52&huid=i8sFqoGvGtyT7p7tgUAzKg From:Aram James To:<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Ahmed@ahmedforcongressca.com; Cindy Chavez; Council, City; D Martell;David S. Norris; DuJuan Green; Ed Lauing; Emily Mibach; Friends of Cubberley; Greg Tanaka; Human RelationsCommission; Jack Ajluni; Jeff Moore; Jeff Rosen; Joe Simitian; Joe Simitian; Josh Becker; KEVIN JENSEN; KalomaSmith; Karen Holman; Lewis james; Linda Jolley; Michelle; Bains, Paul; Roberta Ahlquist; Salem Ajluni; SeanAllen; Shikada, Ed; Stephen Le; Supervisor Otto Lee; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Susan Hayase; VaraRamakrishnan; Vicki Veenker; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Zelkha, Mila; dennis burns; editor@paweekly.com;Foley, Michael; walter wilson Subject:African Methodist Episcopal Church calls for end to all US aid to Israel Date:Friday, February 16, 2024 7:08:04 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. African Methodist Episcopal Church calls for end to all US aid to Israel https://forward.com/fast-forward/583380/ame-church-israel-aid-genocide/?amp=1 From:Linnea WICKSTROM To:Council, City Subject:Housing Date:Friday, February 16, 2024 4:11:05 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from ljwickstrom@comcast.net. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. How the city of Sacramento found a solution to California’s affordable housing crisis https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/sacramento-california-affordable-housing- 18663865.php extracts … “Instead, this affordability comes from a deliberate choice by city leaders to pursue a “more ofeverything” housing strategy. Yes, more subsidized, affordable housing. But also more higher- end housing with the amenities some renters are looking for — swimming pools and dogshowers and so on. To make this happen, the city also took a “more of everything” approach to reform, includingupzoning in key corridors, more flexible standards, relatively low development fees, eliminating parking requirements and dozens of other incremental improvements that add upto big changes in how much it costs to build housing. Above all, Sacramento changed its apartment building approval process from a political one— with approvals by elected officials, as in San Francisco — to what’s called a “ministerial” process, with decisions made impartially by planning staff. If a proposed building complieswith the code, it’s approved automatically. This way, project decisions aren’t political or swayed by the loudest voices; they’re made fairly and in accordance with the city’s housinggoals. … After a unanimous City Council vote, Sacramento will this year replace all single-family zoning with a much more flexible citywide code. This will allow smaller, more affordable units — townhomes, cottages, four-plexes and six-plexes, and so on — in every neighborhood. Sacramento is the first city in California (and one of the first in the country) to do so. From:Loran Harding To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; David Balakian; fred beyerlein;bearwithme1016@att.net; Leodies Buchanan; bballpod; boardmembers; Council, City; Cathy Lewis;cramirez.electriclab133@gmail.com; dennisbalakian; Doug Vagim; dan.richard@earthlink.net;dallen1212@gmail.com; Daniel Zack; 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; margaret-sasaki@live.com; Mark Standriff;Mayor; merazroofinginc@att.net; MY77FJ@gmail.com; maverickbruno@sbcglobal.net; nick yovino;news@fresnobee.com; newsdesk; russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve Wayte; terry; tsheehan;vallesR1969@att.net; yicui@stanford.edu Subject:Fwd: Toyota 750 mi. range electric batt. Date:Friday, February 16, 2024 3:25:55 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>Date: Fri, Feb 16, 2024 at 1:58 AM Subject: Fwd: Toyota 750 mi. range electric batt.To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org> Friday, February 16, 2024 To all, and especially to Elon Musk and the US and California governments: Important: This looked like huge news, but then why is is not all over the network news? It is not allover the news. Toyota Confirms 750-Mile Range Electric Car With Solid-State Battery #electricvehicle (youtube.com) Then I found the following on Roku and Youtube: It is important to see this if you areinterested in an EV: this man keeps putting these vids out. He calls his series "Just have a think". I recommend it. A Brit, apparently. Digest this to see where the world is in solid statebatts: Solid State Batteries - FINALLY powering electric vehicles in 2024! (youtube.com) Car buyers should study, and learn, this, but it goes beyond that: Congress, the WH, theDepartment of Energy, the Department of Transportation should study this. The federalplan to build huge numbers of charging stations in the US may be a putting too many eggs inone basket if they involve a charging cable. Inductive charging is a great technology, and soputting federal dollars into that too may be warranted. Build induction chargers in the ground in select places where they will be safe from vandals, and make digging them up aserious felony. We are fighting to avoid a catastrophe with climate change and resulting sea level rise. Tesla says it is working on induction. For sure, putting federal money into solid state battery research seems like good idea too if doing that that will hasten the day that these batts are in production and in use. Theylook like a big breakthrough. Seven hundred miles of range with 10 minute charging time ishuge news if it can be done, with little battery degradation from charging. This development is going to impact EV sales NOW. Maybe solid state batts will beavailable in 2029. If one buys a new Tesla now with Lithium-ion batts, or a Chevy Bolt, or many other brands of EVs coming on now, those batts could be obsolete in five years.Obsolete, not non-functional. Tesla, et. al., should make their cars now so that the lithiumbatts can be removed and the far better solid state batts can be installed when thelithiums reach the end of their lives.The US and California governments, e.g., should pledge now to help financially with that process when it gets here. Batteries do degrade over time, and so a big expense faces EV buyers today at some pointup the line. If the car makers configure their vehicles so that the lithium batts can bereplaced with the new solid state batts when the lithium batteries need to be replaced, itwould lessen the impact on sales now from the impending arrival of sold state batteries. LH- Tesla apparently builds its cars now so that the lithium-ion batteries can be taken out and replaced when they degrade enough. Pretty clear that five or ten years from now Tesla willnot be replacing them with more lithium batteries of the kind that come with today's cars. So I suggest that Tesla, GM, et. al. build their vehicles so that today's lithium batteries can begotten out and replaced with the fantastic new solid state batteries when they become available. The power electronics and software in the cars will have to be changed out too,maybe, when that is done. It would help sales today if the auto makers would announce that that swap will be possible when the solid state batts are available. Say they are building theircars today so that process will be affordable to owners when the time comes. If they don't saythat, many people will wait until 2029 to buy an EV with solid state batteries. I for one donot trash a car at the 10 year mark and would hate to do so because the car needed new batteries. And there is this: Coming soon to Tesla vehicles (?): LFP batteries. Made by CATLcompany. These are not the solid state batteries coming by 2029, but they willl be a big improvement over current Lithium-ion batteries. It seems that Tesla could have these soon. Somore here for car buyers to contemplate. I hope that Elon puts these in the new Redwood model coming in 2025. If he does, the car will be a huge success. Just make that A-pillar morevertical, and make the roof taller so those over 5'6" can get in and out of it without contortions! If it is tough for them to enter and exit, they won't buy it. Tall people havemoney too. In fact, they often have more money. LFP 2.0: NEW Tesla Battery by CATL Changes Everything in 2024! (youtube.com) And then there are these developments in batteries. Watch and learn all of this if you are a potential EV buyer. Message is, fantastic improvements are being made in batteries. Justgreat news!! Ten minute charging times, 500 mile range. Cheaper, lighter, less prone tofires. These are startling developments. Don't miss these videos: "Tesla Car World" is theseries. See more of them on YouTube: There are 3 NEW Futuristic Battery Tech for 2024! Elon Musk's proof it works! (youtube.com) Discussion of Tesla Model 2, the Redwood, and Chevy Bolt Gen Two, both coming in ayear or two: Tesla 3.0 Model 2 Faced with BIG Rival Low-Priced from GM, What Happened Next with Elon Musk ? (youtube.com) I do not like the $100 billion bill in Congress for Ukraine, Gaza and Taiwan, not ifthe American suckers, perceived in Washington as the biggest bunch of patsies ever to come down the pike, are going to be bled, yet again, to get it. Biden should issue an announcememtto countries all over the world saying that if they don't want to see Ukraine go down, they will have to chip in, and now, to a fund managed by the US. Tell them what their per capita shareis, and demand the money be sent to Washington, D.C. immediately. Call them out if they won't help. You don't hear anything like that coming from official Washington. Being bledconstantly for these developments is not sitting well with the bleedees, the American people. Why us? Why is it always us? Hey, spread the load! Trump has the right idea with the NATOcountries, er, sort of. It is only the presence of American weapons and troops that keeps the Russians out of Germany. The problem is that the NATO countries will not build up bigmilitaries and get them to work together against foreseeable, and unforeseeable, threats. They just assume that if a military crisis befalls them, the United States will come and save them.It's not that they don't somehow pay into NATO. That's not how it works. They are all supposed to have substantial militaries, and they don't have. Germany did pledge recently tostart spending $100 billion per year on defense. The US this year will spend $868 billion on it. They mostly spend their money on HSR, affordable universities, and wonderful, cheap,national health care. Notice how quiet they all are when the wolf is at the door and big money is needed to stop him. North Korea, China and the former Soviet republics would probably laugh at the aboveidea, but the rape of Ukraine should bother any rational peoples the world over. YET, the burden to stop it falls on the American people! Biden said "America honors its commitments".Well, if the cost of doing that falls hard on the American people, maybe the US government should be more careful about making commitments. Biden sounds like Lyndon there. We needthings in this country too. The $100 BILLION Biden wants to hand over to these people would complete the California high speed rail system. The schools are so bad in the UnitedStates that most people here don't even know where Ukraine is or what Biden wants to give her. That's no accident. "Keep 'em broke, barefoot and pregnant" is the guiding policy of ourleaders in the USA, with notable exceptions. Here is a vid of Jay Leno with his Cybertruck talking with two men from Tesla: Franz von Holtzhausen, Chief Designer for Tesla Motors and Lars Moravy, Vice-President for VehicleEngineering: Slide the slider back to see this from the beginning: Really good information about the Cybertruck. Good video with top-gun guys from Tesla. Cybertruck Easter Eggs, Features & Design - Jay Leno's Garage (youtube.com) L. William Harding Fresno, Ca. Long discussion by Mary Barra today, Thurs. February 15, 2024: General Motors Company (GM) Wolfe Research Global Auto and Auto TechConference (Transcript) | Seeking Alpha From:Aram James To:<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Binder, Andrew; Council, City; D Martell; Daniel Kottke; Dave Price; David S.Norris; Don Austin; DuJuan Green; Ed Lauing; Emily Mibach; Friends of Cubberley; Human RelationsCommission; Jeff Rosen; Joe Simitian; Josh Becker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; KEVIN JENSEN; Kaloma Smith; KarenHolman; Linda Jolley; Van Der Zwaag, Minka; Raj Jayadev; Roberta Ahlquist; Sally Lieber; Supervisor Otto Lee;Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Tim James; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto Subject:Re: STOP U.S. AID TO ISRAEL- (1988) Poster/Silkscreen by nationally and internationally esteemed Berkeley- based poster maker Doug Minkler ( Gunn HS Class of 1967) Date:Friday, February 16, 2024 3:15:52 PM Attachments:8966ADD0-DACC-4D96-AF98-8A8E8DA567DF.png CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. FYI: On Fri, Feb 16, 2024 at 3:11 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote: From:Rossana Mattioli To:Council, City Subject:Rossana Mattioli Spallanzani from Florence - quakes histudy in advance Date:Friday, February 16, 2024 2:21:48 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from rossanahenrika68@gmail.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. With the present I inform You that I don t work anybmore in S.Crice shop Peruzzi from theend of 1999 . Another Rossana was replaced , but She Is not me .I inform You that My study were also stel by locale hackers but I Ve the prove about It and than , no body else can replace me in this .Italy Is not more the same Place and many jackals around became to rich . There are nonlawyers or trustanle persons .Never send Money or persuase by local . If You addres me tò a specific contact , I Will follow You .This histudy Is mine and not of others relatives or sosia . Best regardsRossana Mattioli Spallanzani Firenze+393512476359 From:Michelle de Blank To:Council, City; City Mgr; Police Subject:Fwd: Crescent Park crime Date:Thursday, February 15, 2024 4:59:26 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from michelledeblank@gmail.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. To Whom it May Concern, My name is Michelle de Blank and I am representing a group of neighbors in Crescent Park as we are increasingly concerned about the safety of our families and our homes. Recently (approximately the past 6 months), our neighborhood has been hit with multiple residential burglaries and armed robberies. In some case, people were home during these break-ins. One neighbor's teen children were home alone when someone broke into their second story window. Obviously, this is terrifying and unacceptable. My block met with a police officer (unfortunately I was out of town during the meeting). The officer recommended several things that we could do as residents to protect ourselves. We are taking these suggestions and implementing them. However, we need to do more than this. We cannot prevent armed assault (one just took place a few weeks ago) and every break-in with these measures. We believe that police deterrence is also necessary. Most of the crime happens in the evening. We are requesting patrols during this time. We understand that an emergency could occasionally prevent a patrol. A few years ago, the Palo Alto police set up a patrol at the Apple store downtown. We don't understand why a commercial store received more protection than the families that live in Palo Alto. These are not just car break-ins or property destruction. These are really scary and potentially dangerous activities. We do not want to wait until someone is also physically injured to take action. We are happy to have a discussion with you and work collaboratively. Thank you, Michelle de Blank Emily North Sarah Sands Richard Gu Michelle Zhang David Young Rebecca Young Brynn Ewen From:Rice, Danille To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed Cc:Executive Leadership Team; Clerk, City Subject:City.Council Bundle_February 15 Date:Thursday, February 15, 2024 4:29:29 PM Attachments:FW Response requested Feb 12th Public Comment - Item 1 Electrification Study Session.msgFW Weed abatement question.msgRE Speedway at E. Charleston and Montrose.msgFW Plea to PROPERLY fix issues causing brownouts.msgFW Bicycle Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update.msgRE South PA Utilities Infrastructure Concerns.msgRE Traffic Lights on Embarcadero at Palo and Town Country.msgimage001.pngFW Lytton plaza commercials .msgRE HISTORICAL DESIGNATION 2005 Cowper.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 February 15, 2024. Respectfully,Danille Danille RiceAdministrative AssistantCity Manager’s Office|Human Resources(650) 329-2229 | danille.rice@cityofpaloalto.orgwww.cityofpaloalto.org From:matt@evolutionaryteams.com To:palo-alto@fridaysforfutureusa.orgSubject:FFF Follow Up – Feb 9 (Week #109) Date:Thursday, February 15, 2024 1:49:12 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 andclicking on links. Claudia led our Climate Friend’s Book Club discussion of All We Can Save chapter 7 “Nourish.” We all agreed that the tone of this chapter was very optimistic and hopeful as we reviewed many climate solutions based on regeneration and renewal of our food and natural systems. For instance, I learned a lot about how soil can sequester carbon and water, making them more resilient to drought and able to grow much more nutritious food. There are so many wonderful solutions if we just take the time to listen to the natural world! Robin was surprised to learn how much carbon humans released from tilling soil, even before we started burning fossil fuels. George reminded us that we must stop killing the planet – amen to that! Four of us shared that we have stopped flying to avoid burning those fossil fuels. Ingrid led a reading of one of the poems in the chapter with different readers taking different lines. It was beautiful to hear everyone’s voices. Thanks, Claudia, for leading this wonderful discussion. LeeAnn noted that small mouth fish are more sustainable than those with larger mouths. Thanks for sharing that tip, LeeAnn. Here’san interesting article on sustainable seafood. Rick reported that his apartment flooded in the recent storm This is the second time since he’s moved in. With higher atmospherictemperatures, there is now 10% more water vapor in the air, leading to wetter storms like we are experiencing. The time to prepareand adapt is now. Thanks for sharing, Rick. Kadir joined us for the first time, a friend of Kimberly’s. He is optimistic for the future because of people’s innate desire to solveproblems. He is working on highly energy efficient cost-effective buildings. Thanks for joining us, Kadir! Scott, also a friend of Kimberly’s, joined us. He is frustrated by a lack of progress and wants to decrease oil production. He’sworried that restricting SUPPLY will increase prices and is politically unviable. Meanwhile, our group also focuses on reducingDEMAND, which doesn’t have those concerns. Thanks for joining us, Scott! Both Claudia and I shared that we are rewilding our front yards. We are enjoying the process of nature reclaiming the space. George chuckled and shared that he and his wife rewilded their yard years ago. I think we need a field trip to see George’s yard! We next turned to the upcoming election. LeeAnn pointed out that the Sierra Club’s report card is a great resource:https://www.sierraclub.org/california/report-cards Thanks for sharing that, LeeAnn! Linda stopped by and pointed out that the City of Palo Alto is still contracting with services that have not electrified their vehiclesand equipment. She pointed specifically to Brightview landscapers and the street sweepers. It’s a great point, and we need to ensurethat Palo Alto’s S/CAP includes prioritizing contractors who have gone electric. Dina, visiting from Toronto, shared how her city is working to replace gas burning equipment with heat pumps. That is great tohear! Thanks for your advocacy, Dina! Diane provided us with an update on the heat pump water heater program—see below. There is a nice uptick in participation! Thanks, Diane! Speaking of heat pumps, 350 Silicon Valley Palo Alto is preparing for the next community canvass on Feb 24 and 25 to get the wordout on Palo Alto’s Heat Pump Water Heater Program. We want our community to enjoy the benefits of California’s TECH Rebatebefore it runs out. Join the fun and sign up here. This Friday, let’s decide on the wording for our upcoming Climate Slow March message and begin the conversation about the nextGlobal Climate Strike this spring. Keep Up the Fight and See You Friday! Saturday and Sunday, Feb 24 & 25, 1:00 to 4:00PM: Community Canvass – Help canvass Palo Alto neighborhoods to get the word out on Palo Alto’s heat pump water heater program. This event is organized by 350 Silicon Valley Palo Alto. Join the fun and sign up here. Friday, Mar 1: Noon to 1:00, Climate March! – we meet at King Plaza in front of Palo Alto City Hall and march through downtown Palo Alto Peninsula Peace and Justice calendar: https://peaceandjustice.org/events-calendar/ More Climate Action Environmental Voter Project Environmental Voter Project We identify inactive environmentalists and transform them into consistent voters to build the power of the environmental movement. Elders Climate Action: We need elders who enjoy working with youth, who are respectful of their ability to challenge authority, and who encourage their authentic voice in realizing a team’s goals. Contact: norcal@eldersclimateaction.org Heat Pump Water Heater Program Update As of:1/31 12/28 11/30 11/2 10/2 9/7 7/27 6/29 6/1 4/27 HPWH full-service interest list signups 750 687 658 604 549 521 459 511 488 466 Site assessment agreements (SAA) sent 748 679 658 604 549 519 458 437 399 345 Signed SAAs 579 522 500 448 407 387 326 306 280 156 Completed site assessments 510 473 437 381 342 311 244 147 111 58 Dropouts*n/a 85 In Progress n/a 230 Installations Total Full Service HPWHs installed 184 158 140 117 90 70 27 16 12 8 Total DIY HPWH installed 49 44 43 37 n/a 13 Total HPWHs installed 233 202 183 154 n/a 83 Target Installations 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 Monthly Installation Rate Monthly Installation Rate 31 19 29 n/a n/a 43 13 9 4 7 Target Monthly Installation Rate 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 83 *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 Feb 9: https://photos.app.goo.gl/HVto6oef8NYwNtMX7 Photos of Feb 2 Climate Slow March: https://www.probonophoto.org/2024/02Feb24PAClimateMarch What We Are Reading/Watching/Listening to: Bernie is still delivering pitch perfect messaging. Here’s a speech he gave this week: Solar Impulse Foundation: 1000+ profitable solutions to protect the environment: https://solarimpulse.com/ 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:Star Teachout To:Council, City; BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org Subject:Could we encourage card stock/paper campaign signs? Date:Thursday, February 15, 2024 12:54:38 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from teachout@sonic.net. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Palo Alto City Council and SC County Board of Supervisors, It was suggested by Bren Lehr from the elections division that I contact you about this issue. Could we add to any existing literature related to campaigns in SC County a strongencouragement for candidates to use card stock/paperboard lawn signs? I would love them banned, but understand this is one plastic article of many which could lead us down aregulatory path of minutiae. My NextDoor message is referenced below: Until I get around to writing our city council and county board of supervisors, whenever anyone is running for public office, would you please use the cardboard signs rather than thecorrugated plastic ones? Although they might come in handy as outdoor place mats (once band-sawed in half), rectangular frisbees, or structural elements when 50 are bolted together,they are just one more piece of plastic garbage. Thanks for considering. Humor intended if not received on that channel! Thank you for considering,Star Teachout Palo Alto, CA View this email in your browser Visit us on www.lwvpaloalto.org, Facebook, and Instagram SPECIAL E-BLAST February 15, 2024 From:LWV Palo Alto (E-Blast)To:Council, CitySubject:Special E-Blast: Important Information to Read Before Program Planning Meeting on Saturday, February 17Date:Thursday, February 15, 2024 11:36:20 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 Important information for members attending League Program Planning 2024: Please read the FAQs explaining LWV Vermont’s request to consider health care as a public good. Should we support LWV Vermont's request? 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). Join us to help decide public policy issues for education and advocacy to move our mission forward! 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:Charlie Weidanz To:Council, City Subject:Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce News & Updates - February 15, 2024 Date:Thursday, February 15, 2024 11:06:28 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. NEWS & UPDATES - February 15, 2024 Women in Enterprise Speaker Series 2024 Tall Tree Awards - Registrations Now Open! Avenidas Now Hiring: President & CEO Discover Sweets at Sweet 55 - Town & Country Village Certified GHG Accounting and Carbon Markets Practitioner Imagination Lab School ILS In-Person Tours LA SCUOLA Enrollment & Italian Immersion Programs Women In Enterprise ad The Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce Presents:Women in Enterprise Speaker Series Unleash the Waves of Wisdom, Come join us and the #1 Small Business Radio personality in Silicon Valley, Margaret Jackson. With over 7.75 million listeners, Margaret will be the keynote speaker for Women in Enterprise, hosted by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce. Friday, March 1, 2024 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM Light breakfast provided Generously Hosted By Jazz Pharmaceuticals 3170 Porter Dr. Palo Alto, CA 94304 $20 for Members $35 for Non-Members >Register Online Elevating and supporting professional women across all industries in Silicon Valley. 44th Annual Tall Tree Awards Celebrate with Us! The 44th Annual Tall Tree Awards Celebration recognizes our city's outstanding businesses and individuals. April 18, 2024 | Oshman Family JCC Recognizing our Outstanding Business Professional Businessperson Citizen Volunteer NonProfit >Purchase Your Tickets or Table Online Sponsorship Opportunities Contact: Charlie@paloaltochamber.com Networking Reception and Award Presentations benefit the educational programs of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable org. Avenidas Logo - Re-Inventing Aging Avenidas Now Hiring: President & CEO Are you an exceptional mission-driven leader that steers an organization with both head and heart, with a record of accomplishment of financial sustainability, community advocacy, operational responsibility, and fostering staff empowerment? The Avenidas President & Chief Executive Officer may be the opportunity for you! Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO is responsible for an organization of over 50 well-qualified and committed staff, including thesenior leadership team and administrative personnel as direct reports, with over 350 active volunteers. Our Board of Directors includes notable leaders from academia, business, law, medicine, science, and technology. At Avenidas, we create a community that supports and celebrates older adults. We provide a wide range of programs, information, and services in the heart of downtown Palo Alto and have two satellite facilities/additional centers serving the mid-Peninsula that enable people to stay active, maintain their independence,help their aging parents, or care for a spouse. Our innovative programs and compassionate staff enrich the lives of more than 5,000 mature adults and their families each year! See our website at avenidas.org, which includes our organization’s mission, vision, and values. The ideal candidate will possess relevant education and experience. >Details and Qualifications To Apply: Please email your resume and cover letter telling us why you are a great match for this role to avenidascareers@gmail.com. Discover Sweets at Sweet 55 - Town & Country Village ad Discover Sweets at Sweet 55 - Town & Country Village Starting February 1st, take a selfie with Ben the Bear at participating merchants, post to your Instagram or FB story tagging Town & Country Village, and show SWEET55 to get a free chocolate heart lollipop. You’ll also be entered in a giveaway to win gift cards from participating merchants throughout the month. Tag @townandcountryvillage on Insta or @tandcvillage on FB! Event Details IICSR: Carbon Markets - Sustainability Dialogue Series 4 flyer Certified GHG Accounting and Carbon Markets Practitioner Date: 22-23 Feb'24 Time: 10 am to 5:00 pm PST Location: Hanahaus, Palo Alto Register Online 20% Discount code for Palo Alto business association members: PABA Imagination Lab School Tours ad Imagination Lab School ILS In-Person Tours We believe that every child deserves a community where they feel seen and heard as their authentic self, an environment that ignites curiosity and creativity, and a team of caring adults who both support and challenge them to learn and grow at their own pace. Join us for one of our bi-weekly Tuesday Tours to see ILS in action! Imagination Lab School is a nonprofit, independent school serving students in grades TK-8 throughout Silicon Valley. LA SCUOLA - Enrolling Now flyer Spazio Gioco - Italian Immersion Program: 3 - 4:30 PM Dopo Scuola - Italian Immersion Program: 4:30 - 5:30 PM LA SCUOLA Enrollment & Italian Immersion Programs Learn more and sign up: In-Person Tours Spazio Gioco - Italian Immersion Program: 3 - 4:30 PMDopo Scuola - Italian Immersion Program: 4:30 - 5:30 PM See Our Upcoming Events Learn More About The Chamber ​ PALO ALTO CHAMBER & VISITORS CENTER 355 ALMA STREET | PALO ALTO | CA | 94301 | 650-324-3121 WWW.PALOALTOCHAMBER.COM This email was sent on behalf of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce 355 Alma St Palo Alto, CA 94301.To unsubscribe click here. If you have questions or comments concerning this email or services in general, please contact us by email atinfo@paloaltochamber.com. From:Batchelor, Dean To:Council, City Cc:Shikada, Ed; Nose, Kiely Subject:Fwd: Plea to PROPERLY fix issues causing brownouts Date:Thursday, February 15, 2024 8:41:51 AM Attachments:image001.pngimage002.pngimage003.pngimage006.png Honorable Council, This is a status update on the brown outs (flickering lights). Yesterday Utilities crews delivered emergency shut off notices to the effected neighborhood informing them the backyard transformer would be changed out today. I confirmed with electric operations that the work would be completed this morning. The power will be off for 5-6 hours. Thanks, Dean Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphoneGet Outlook for Android From: Batchelor, Dean Sent: Monday, February 12, 2024 3:27:21 PM To: Elvert, Catherine <Catherine.Elvert@CityofPaloAlto.org> Subject: FW: Plea to PROPERLY fix issues causing brownouts Here you go !!! DEAN BATCHELOR Director of Utilities City of Palo Alto Phone: 650.496.6981 E-mail: Dean.Batchelor@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org Some people who received this message don't often get email from patricia.judge@gmail.com. Learn why this is important From: Patricia Judge Tamrazi <patricia.judge@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, February 12, 2024 2:05 PM To: Batchelor, Dean <Dean.Batchelor@CityofPaloAlto.org> Cc: Shikada, Ed <Ed.Shikada@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Stump, Molly <Molly.Stump@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Burt, Patrick <Pat.Burt@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Kou, Lydia <Lydia.Kou@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Lauing, Ed <Ed.Lauing@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Lythcott-Haims, Julie <Julie.LythcottHaims@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Stone, Greer <Greer.Stone@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Tanaka, Greg <Greg.Tanaka@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Veenker, Vicki <Vicki.Veenker@CityofPaloAlto.org>; City Mgr <CityMgr@cityofpaloalto.org> Subject: Re: Plea to PROPERLY fix issues causing brownouts CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello again, everyone, As an update since my emails on Friday: My lights continue to flicker after Thursday's "Band-Aid fix," as described by CPAU employees. Over the weekend, I discovered a 6th neighboring house with flickering lights. My understanding is that flickering lights are a sign of possible fire risk, as they are often caused by loose connections that may arc. Since I did not receive an answer from any of you on Friday regarding whether my neighbors and I are at risk for fire, despite my desperate plea, I called the Fire Department this morning to ask. I have been told that they are looking into it. I talked with Dean this morning, after I spoke with the Fire Department, and he is looking into the issue. I do appreciate his call. I still do not understand why CPAU's standard practice falls below PG&E standards or how that is acceptable? The Metering Department has been out to pull the load logger from my house and put a new one. I understand they're analyzing the data. Why not just change out the transformer, as PG&E would do? Further, there seems to be no effective regulation of CPAU. I think you all (with the exception of Dean and perhaps the City Attorney) are responsible for oversight, but I have not heard anything substantive from any of you. Quite honestly, I now feel incredibly unsafe here in Palo Alto. Does maintenance of the gas infrastructure also fall below PG&E standards? There is something up on the pole on Greer as I walk my children to school that makes a lot of noise. Is it a transformer? Does the noise mean it's old and in disrepair? I know if a transformer explodes, my children and I should not be under it, as we will be harmed by the oil inside falling on us. Do I have to reroute our walk to keep us safe? I trusted CPAU, and although I noted the sound every time I walked under it, I didn't think twice about walking under it. Now, I do think twice. The problems aren't just with the Utilities Department. On December 19, the garbage cans were not collected in my cul-de-sac. My elderly neighbor phoned daily, and the cans were not collected until December 23, after my second elderly neighbor in the cul- de-sac called on December 22 (so it took 3 days of calling, plus it seems like it wasn't taken seriously until there was a second household calling). After my experience with Utilities, I was sure to apologize to my neighbor for not calling as well - I had never heard of anything like this! Recology always comes out the next day, whenever there is an issue. We just spent 2 years lovingly renovating our Eichler - it's our dream house and we intended for it to be our "forever home." We moved here from Redwood City for the schools and also to be surrounded by a community of safety-oriented individuals (something that became especially important in the pandemic). I am devastated to learn that CPAU standards fall below PG&E standards. We are now considering moving, but it would be very difficult for us to do so financially. I appreciate hearing any thoughts you may have? Trish Tamrazi 3409 Greer Rd. 650-208-4802 On Fri, Feb 9, 2024 at 1:30 PM Patricia Judge Tamrazi <patricia.judge@gmail.com> wrote: Hello everyone, I know you're all busy and it's Friday, but I really do think this is urgent. Can someone please get back to me? I have 2 small children in my home, and I am worried about the safety of the electricity being supplied to my home and the homes around me. Am I at risk for fire? I've asked this to CPAU multiple times, with no answer. Am I safe to stay in my home over the weekend? I am lucky enough to have a very close family friend who is a retired PG&E lineman. His partner has been in the hospital, I have just found out, so we were only just able to reach him late morning today. He said that PG&E would have changed out that transformer - that's what Tito said he is opting not to do and the 2 other employees at CPAU told me I should "plead my case" for. I had no idea what the standard is, until now. I am new to Palo Alto, having only owned my home for a little over 2 years, but my understanding from fellow residents is that CPAU is better than PG&E. Then why isn't CPAU doing the minimum that PG&E would do? As you can tell from my email below, I had already lost faith - given prior interactions - that CPAU was fixing our problems. I wasn't sure, though - maybe not replacing a transformer was a fix, which is why I emailed you. Now, I have an opinion from a knowledgeable source that the transformer should have been replaced. After learning that CPAU is possibly not meeting standard practice - and having not heard back from anyone with higher authority - I contacted the California Public Utilities Commission and was disheartened (to say it lightly) to hear that they only advocate for customers of shareholder owned utilities - i.e., not CPAU. I was advised that I need to appeal to the City - which, I think, is all you. Is there anyone else, or any other entity, to protect CPAU customers when there is evidence that a standard is not being met? Am I reaching out to the wrong people for help? Am I at risk for fire? Should I call the Fire Department and ask? What does a "Band- Aid fix" versus a "real fix" mean, in terms of safety? Should I leave my home? Are my neighbors safe? Trish Tamrazi 3409 Greer Rd. 650-208-4802 On Fri, Feb 9, 2024 at 6:46 AM Patricia Judge Tamrazi <patricia.judge@gmail.com> wrote: Good morning, Dean, I'm at my wit's end and writing to you, copying the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Council, asking you to please ensure that my ongoing and severe electrical issues at 3409 Greer Road are fixed by CPAU. At least 4 of my neighbors are experiencing these same issues (5 houses total). I have been told by 2 CPAU employees that we are receiving a "Band-Aid fix," not a real fix. I am considering filing a lawsuit, given how grossly negligent and, frankly, abusive, my interactions with CPAU have been. But - at this time - my focus is on getting the electrical service to my house and my neighbors' houses properly fixed. Attached please find results from my smart meter, pulled yesterday, February 8, showing severe brownouts to my home at 3409 Greer Rd. This smart meter was put on my house on February 7. As you'll see, one brownout lasted 1 hour 9 minutes, which I have been told is "insane." For those on the email without an electrical background, here is a quick primer on the seriousness of brownouts. I'm also attaching a video of one light fixture at my house, illustrating the severity of the flickering lights that I first reported to CPAU on January 24. (Please excuse the paint job - we just finished completely renovating the inside and don't have the nice weather yet to paint the outside. That is a new light fixture, installed last year.) As reported to CPAU, this has been happening throughout my entire house, and we also heard exhaust fans throughout the house slowing down and speeding up. My next door neighbor had the same experience. From January 24 to the time this data was looked at by CPAU yesterday, February 8, CPAU employees have denied that there are any issues on CPAU's side. Shockingly, they continued to deny this, even after being formally informed of 4 more houses with flickering lights. Until yesterday afternoon when they finally looked at the smart meter data from my house, various CPAU employees kept telling me to call an electrician, which I did (multiple, in fact). As an aside, 1 week into my ordeal, one neighbor called CPAU dispatch reporting flickering lights and was told to call back when the flickering got worse. Every knowledgeable person I have talked to - with the exception of one CPAU employee - has thought that was absolutely reckless, most laughing in disbelief. Linemen came out yesterday to rectify the situation, but I was told by 2 individuals within CPAU that they were doing a "Band-Aid fix," not a real fix. I was told by one well-meaning CPAU employee that I should walk around the corner to where the linemen were working and find a big guy with a bald head named Tito to "plead my case" for a real fix. That in itself is one of the craziest things I've ever heard! Tito did not seem very receptive to this (rightfully so because who am I as a homeowner to tell him how to do his job?), so, shaken up, I went home and called the City Manager's office, pleading for an advocate. Ingrid, the administrative assistant, took down my story and my information, and I have received attempted help from Alex Gonzalez, Utilities Supervisor. Alex even worked on my issue into the evening. However, Alex is not in charge of the correct division of CPAU to address my issue. This illustrates a continued lack of understanding of my issue, at best, and perhaps a continued lack of willingness to rectify my issue. That is why I'm reaching out to you. Can you help? With best regards, Trish Tamrazi 3409 Greer Rd. 650-208-4802 From:Neilson Buchanan To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Nose, Kiely Subject:Old News, Worthy Advice Date:Thursday, February 15, 2024 8:03:16 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Please note recent observations from Stanford's Business School Public Pensions Are Mixing Risky Investments with Unrealistic Predictions Neilson Buchanan 155 Bryant Street Palo Alto, CA 94301 650 329-0484 650 537-9611 cell cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com Public Pensions Are Mixing Risky Investmentswith Unrealistic Predictions From:Art Liberman To:City Mgr Cc:Council, City Subject:Support for you proposal to limit signs at public meetings Date:Wednesday, February 14, 2024 7:32:36 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from art_liberman@yahoo.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Mr. Shikada I am writing to support your decision to limit the size of signs and paraphernalia that some members of the public have been bringing to public meetings in Palo Alto. No one wants to limit the free expression of viewpoints at public meetings, but members of the public at large have a right to attend public meetings where they know they can be safe, where there is decorum, where large banners are not unfurled and people with large signs cannot hold them up and where all opinions can be raised and discussed. Your proposal, formulated with support from Mayor Stone and Vice Mayor Lauing, are sensible and responsible. Arthur LibermanPalo Alto From:Aram James To:Ahmed@ahmedforcongressca.com; Angel, David; Binder, Andrew; Cecilia Taylor; Council, City; Dave Price;Donette Gamblin; DuJuan Green; Ed Lauing; Emily Mibach; Greer Stone; Jack Ajluni; Jeff Moore; Jeff Rosen; JoeSimitian; Josh Becker; KEVIN JENSEN; Kaloma Smith; Lewis james; Linda Jolley; Gardener, Liz; Michelle;Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Roberta Ahlquist; Salem Ajluni; Sally Lieber; Sameena Usman; Sean Allen; VaraRamakrishnan; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Zelkha, Mila; dennis burns; ladoris cordell Subject:Aram’s Instagram account: aramjames1 Date:Wednesday, February 14, 2024 6:07:13 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Please check out my new Instagram account: aramjames1.You will see my shoutout for: Ahmed Mustafa For Congress ( 16th District) From:Andie Reed To:Lait, Jonathan; Shikada, Ed; Council, City Cc:Bruce McLeod; Yang, Albert Subject:Castilleja TDM Date:Wednesday, February 14, 2024 12:36:40 PM Attachments:image005.pngimage006.png Thank you, Director Lait, for your email of Feb 8, 2024 (email string below). We are asking to work with you to clarify the ambiguities in the TDM — per council instructions — and are ready and willing to sit down with you and offer our comments, gathered from many public meetings. Let's not let this draft TDM go on forever until it becomes the norm. One Castilleja Neighborhood Committee (CNC) member, Bruce, and I have offered to supply you the Neighbors' input into the TDM. We urge you to meet with us in order to get the TDM revised to represent what the school agreed to. Your response is to require that the Castilleja Neighborhood Committee hold another public meeting! I was just reviewing the transcripts and minutes of three public meetings, and they are enlightening. It is clear that the CNC and various neighbors have provided substantial source material for your work, as well as offering to sit down with you and give you our version. All three CNC members can't meet with you because of the Brown Act, so they have delegated me to join Bruce because I coordinated the red-lined version of the TDM. I am copying City Manager Shikada, Mayor Stone, Vice Mayor Lauing and Council Members on this email because we neighbors are getting pushed around by bureaucratic gamesmanship. We understand this TDM and the Castilleja Neighborhood Committee (CNC) may be an unusual set-up, but we feel that you are putting up unnecessary roadblocks. We have suggested that you delegate someone in your office or the Transportation Dept as our liaison, but have been ignored. Getting an audience with you takes months. No one from staff attended our Nov 7, 2023 public meeting, even though it was held at City Hall. HISTORY: 1. The school wrote their own TDM (Dec 2022), and staff proposed it first as a consent calendar item and then agendized it. City Council reviewed this draft TDM at a public meeting on Aug 7, 2023, during which neighbors wrote and spoke about the many loopholes within the TDM, allowing the school to skirt what they agreed to (like counting all car trips and posting raw data). The City Council deliberated, provided you with ample recommendations in areas that needed to be nailed down, and directed you to clear up ambiguities and conflicts. There are voluminous written and verbal recommendations from neighbors sent to the City of Palo Alto for that meeting, in addition to the City Council's specific directions on Aug 7, 2023, sufficient to revise the document. Please review the transcripts. 2. Additionally, our CNC has held 2 public meetings (Oct and Nov 2023) to discuss exactly what you are asking for, what are the problems with the TDM and the F&P reports? Written minutes from the meetings, recordings of the meetings, and all written public letters and testimonials have been provided to you (no staff attended our meetings). Please review those documents. It is insulting that you ask the Castilleja Neighborhood Committee to call another noticed public meeting that neighbors will need to attend and again speak and write the same points and show the same slides and documentation, after which the three- member Committee, who can't speak outside of the meeting, will somehow supply you a written letter repeating all these same points. As Castilleja tells us when we meet with them, they will "do what the City tells them to do". We have been waiting for the City to tell them to do what they agreed to do. School is expected to begin demolition this summer. One of our main concerns is that the draft TDM says that construction vehicles will be required to comply with the TDM (MMRP7a). The next page of the TDM excludes them. This is just one example of conflicts we have brought to your attention, citing page numbers and back-up documentation. Let's all get on the same page. Since the CNC can't meet to talk about anything, Bruce and I have met, reviewed the status of the TDM, and requested to meet with you and Albert to provide neighborhood input, which we will represent and which includes the many deeply researched and cited pages that you already have. Thank you, Andie Reed On Thu, Feb 8, 2024 at 5:53 AM Lait, Jonathan <Jonathan.Lait@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote: BCC: Rob Levitsky; Hank Sousa Thanks, Andie and Bruce for your emails and I apologize for my delayed response. As noted below, the City Council reviewed the TDM plan in August. Their direction was toreach out to the Castilleja Neighborhood Committee to receive comments on the TDM plan.As this committee is a Brown Act body, its work needs to be conducted at a noticed publicmeeting. A meeting can be scheduled at the committee’s convenience provided notice isgiven in advance as previously discussed. Please accept this email as a formal request for the Neighborhood Committee to meet anprovide comments to staff on the draft TDM plan, which can be accessed online at:https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/City-Clerk/Citys-Meeting-Agendas/Meeting-Agendas-and-Minutes for the Council meeting dated August 7, 2023. The most appropriate procedural path forward is for the Committee to meet publicly, receivecomments, discuss the TDM plan and designate one of its members to prepare a commentletter to the City that reflects the Committee’s direction and to follow up with staff asneeded to address any questions that may arise. Andie’s contributions on the TDM plan orany other community member can be treated as public comment and acted upon at theCommittee’s discretion. Please let me know if you have any questions as to process and please forward to me theCommittee’s comments on the TDM plan when available. We can meet afterwards to reviewthe comments and discuss next steps. Thank you both, and again, I apologize for my delayed reply. Take care, Jonathan JONATHAN LAIT Director Planning and Development Department (650) 329-2676 | jonathan.lait@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org From: Andie Reed <andiezreed@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2024 12:55 PMTo: Lait, Jonathan <Jonathan.Lait@CityofPaloAlto.org>Cc: Yang, Albert <Albert.Yang@CityofPaloAlto.org>; Bruce McLeod <mcleodbruce@gmail.com>Subject: Re: TDM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hi Jonathan, As you indicated in a previous email, Council asks that Castilleja neighbors provide input into the school's TDM that your staff is revising per Aug 7, 2023 Council direction. You mentioned that our Castilleja Neighborhood Committee (CNC) did a good job leading the publicmeetings and providing you with minutes and all the written correspondence during October and November 2023, so you are abreast of neighbors' interests in getting this done. Bruce's email to you of Jan 10 suggests that we (Bruce and myself) sit down with you and Albert, as an efficient way to agree on clearing up inconsistencies and ambiguities, as emphasized by Council members. The latest reports from Fehr&Peers reflect what the school tells them to do and thus they continue to report faulty car counts. The school tells usthey will do "what the City tells them to do". Everybody agrees that the students and staff park on the school-side of the surrounding streets and don't cross over driveways, as one example of what needs to be clarified, thus the current system is undercounting car trips. Let's not let this draft TDM go on forever until it becomes the norm; we encourage a sit-down with you and Albert, who might be very helpful inmoving things along. Now's the time to get this off your plate and get everybody working together. Please advise. Thanks, Andie On Mon, Jan 22, 2024 at 1:11 PM Bruce McLeod <mcleod.bruce@gmail.com> wrote: Wondering how we can get a meeting to go over the TDM questions and suggestions we have? Thanks Bruce Bruce McLeod650-465-2908 On Wed, Jan 10, 2024 at 4:37 PM Bruce McLeod <mcleod.bruce@gmail.com> wrote: Jonathon, I hope you had a good break over the holidays. I'd like to get on your calendar sometime later this month. Andie Reed and I have been going through the TDMdocument and feel we need to move this process along. We could sit down with you and go through our notes with an eye towards getting anyproposed clarifications to Council in time to have an approved TDM for the nextmonitoring period that begins in March. It might be helpful to have Albert there also since there will likely be questions about what can come under the umbrella of clarifications and avoiding ambiguities as expressed by council. Let me know if there are some times that might work, I am in town and fairly availableand I believe Andie is also. Thanks, Bruce McLeod 650-465-2908 -- Andie Reed Palo Alto, CA 94301 530-401-3809 From:Carmen Stuhlmuller To:French, Amy; Historic Resources Board Cc:Council, City Subject:HISTORICAL DESIGNATION Date:Wednesday, February 14, 2024 9:59:52 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from carmen@stuhlmuller.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. We have absolutely zero interest in any Historical Designation for our home. In fact, take us off any list to be considered. We object to any Historical Designation. Do not nominate our home. Our home is not historical It is simply old. The architect is not famous. We are not famous. We are only the second family to live in this house. The original owners were not famous either. Who do you think believes this designation “adds value” to our home? This looks very much l like an attempt to limit growth in a changing Palo Alto under the guise of preservation. Hands off!! Carmen and Roger Stuhlmuller 2005 Cowper St 650.444.0725 From:mark weissTo:Council, CityCc:Julie Lythcott-Haims; Shikada, EdSubject:Lytton plaza commercialsDate:Wednesday, February 14, 2024 9:56:37 AM [Some people who received this message don't often get email from earwopa@yahoo.com. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.________________________________ Sent from my plaza There is a restaurant on the 500 block of Emerson that, despite being told by me that their signs are not permitted, they continue to put them at Litton Plaza, which has a strict anti-commercial ordinance. Please send enforcement of our laws .The restaurant already subscribed to a program where we have yielded parking to them. They don’t need to commercialize our parks. Mark WeissIn Palo Alto a good friend of the parks. PS we tried the restaurant once it’s OK ; But they are somewhat rude to me. They don’t really belong here and they should play by the rules. They pretend they don’t understand our ordinance. From:Aram James To:Wagner, April; Baker, Rob; Council, City; David S. Norris; DuJuan Green; Friends of Cubberley; Greg Tanaka;Jack Ajluni; Jeff Moore; Joe Simitian; KEVIN JENSEN; Karen Holman; Salem Ajluni; Sally Lieber; Sean Allen; VaraRamakrishnan; Perron, Zachary Subject:We’re investigating media bias toward Israel. Can you donate $5? Date:Wednesday, February 14, 2024 9:36:15 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Even after 28,000 deaths in Gaza, Palestinians continue to be silenced and dehumanized by mainstream journalists like New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, who recently set off a firestorm by comparing Arabs and Muslims to insects and spiders. Meanwhile, the New York Times has repeatedly heeded complaints from a far- right, pro-Israel pressure organization by publishing corrections or makingchanges to published stories. By complying with Israel’s sanitized narrative, the corporate news media is giving Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu the cover they need to continue this brutal war. At The Intercept, we refuse to give in to the pro-war status quo — and we’reinvestigating the media’s pro-Israel bias. But as this war grinds on, our nonprofit newsroom needs your financial support to continue this journalism. Can you donate $5? 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 → The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis has obtained hundreds of corrections across the media, including dozens at the New York Times, since 2000 over coverage the group deemed to be insufficiently pro-Israel, including during the ongoing war in Gaza. CAMERA’s targeting of the Times has been particularly aggressive, with tactics like buying billboards outside the New York Times’s headquarters. Since Israel’s war on Gaza began, the Times has removed the use of the term “occupation” from a description of Israeli military forces and altered languagedescribing Palestinian deaths in Gaza at CAMERA’s request. The Intercept’s journalists have been investigating media bias toward Israel — and this is just the latest. Our reporting also exposed how CNN routes almost all Israel and Palestine coverage through a Jerusalem bureau, where it could besubject to the Israel Defense Forces’s official censor. And we analyzed over 1,000 articles from the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times, where we found a consistent bias: Words like “slaughter,” “massacre,” and “horrific” were used almost exclusively when Israelis were killed, rather than Palestinians. This nonprofit reporting on Israel and Gaza is powered by generous readers like you. Can you make a donation today? STAND WITH THE INTERCEPT → Thank you, The Intercept team 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:Aram James To:Binder, Andrew; Council, City; Jeff Moore; Joe Simitian; Josh Becker; Sean Allen; kenneth.Binder@shf.sccgov.org Subject:How the Israel-Hamas conflict has spread beyond the Mideast Date:Tuesday, February 13, 2024 8:44:00 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. How the Israel-Hamas conflict has spread beyond the Mideast https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/israel-hamas-war-spread-gaza-pakistan-middle-east-region/index.html From:Rossana Mattioli To:Council, City Subject:Fwd: Question about histudy of Earthquake in Advance from Italy, idea by Palo Alto. ( #3412 ; #3413 ; # 3471 ) Date:Tuesday, February 13, 2024 5:17:30 PM Attachments:Screenshot_20240209-005244.png Luna calante 77% visibile - modulo Hawaii - California.pdf Screenshot_20240214-021502.png Some people who received this message don't often get email from rossanahenrika68@gmail.com. Learn why thisis important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. List quake screenshot ---------- Forwarded message --------- Da: Rossana Mattioli <rossanahenrika68@gmail.com>Date: mer 14 feb 2024, 02:06 Subject: Question about histudy of Earthquake in Advance from Italy, idea by Palo Alto. (#3412 ; #3413 ; # 3471 ) To: <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org> With the present I envoy My study of map on 1 february 2024 and result After days previsioned by Lunar position . If You can translate , I had oberved Hawaii, California and Alaska to foresee Italy and Mediterraneo.I send the list of quakes mg +3 of INGV . In Advance of days I track quakes in distance , position and time Just by Maps .This Is My wiring , but the " idea " Is started by Palo Alto After 2004 . Let me know what I Ve tò do .It s ok a videocall if It arrive from You the appointment . Best regards Rossana Mattioli Spallanzani Firenze+393512476359 From:Kristen Van Fleet To:Shikada, Ed; Stump, Molly; Lait, Jonathan; Council, City; Stone, Greer; Burt, Patrick; Lauing, Ed; Kou, Lydia; Veenker, Vicki; Tanaka, Greg; Lythcott-Haims, Julie Cc:William Ross Subject:Ellsworth Place is a Private Street Connecting to Middlefield Road Date:Tuesday, February 13, 2024 4:37:21 PM Attachments:718 Ellsworth_Venkata Kurra and Kanaka Juvva_Chicago_Title-Letter 2.pdfChicago Title_July 27_2023_950674-Letter.pdf Some people who received this message don't often get email from kvanfleet@gmail.com. Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links. Dear Ed Shikada, Molly Stump, Jonathan Lait, and Members of the City Council, Regarding Ellsworth Place, a Private Street: Ellsworth Place does connect to Middlefield Road. Several times throughout the PC amendment process, including verbal comments during public and private meetings and in written formats for memos, reviews, and “packets”, CPA Staff have referred to the Ellsworth Place private street as the “Ellsworth driveway”, likening/comparing the street to the entrance of a multifamily residential complex or apartment complex, and they have also equated it to an alleyway. CPA Staff have used this rationalization to wrongly claim that the Ellsworth Place private street does not connect to Middlefield Road. It does connect. This correction needs to be made by ALL CPA Staff: the Ellsworth Place private street connects to Middlefield Road. This misunderstanding is having a directly harmful effect on the road safety measures being applied to Ellsworth Place at Middlefield Road, and it undermines the property rights of the 13 existing Ellsworth Place homeowners. Attached are two separate letters from Chicago Title Insurance Company lawyers that support this needed correction, and the full chain of title for "702 Ellsworth" and additional maps are available upon request to further support the Chicago Title letters. Here are two of many examples of comments made by CPA Staff over the past year, as related to this misunderstanding. 1. On September 18, 2023, Jonathan Lait responded to a question from Council Member Greer Stone, as copied from the YouTube transcript of the CPA City Council meeting. This link is timestamped accordingly: https://www.youtube.com/live/X5phQEZeWgc? si=ngopmwG40Nu0WKaX&t=11803 Jonathan Lait 3:16:43 - 3:17:10 3:16:43 so if it were a subdivision today we would require a 32 foot minimum width for the private Street 3:16:52 that would that's the that's what's in the code today so we're we're not looking at this as a new private Street 3:16:58 as part of the subdivision we're looking at it as an easement across an existing parcel that provides it provides access 3:17:04 to uh Ellsworth place which is a private road 3:17:10 okay an easement across a property providing access to a street Greer Stone - responds to Jonathan Lait 3:17:15 3:17:15 okay I can understand um I can understand staff's position on that now 2. On December 11, 2023, a similar statement was made by Jonathan Lait to Council Member Pat Burt, as copied from the YouTube transcript of the CPA City Council meeting. This link is timestamped accordingly: https://www.youtube.com/live/xBWkDW8bNK0?si=ThKW5sJadkS1tfG4&t=8627 Jonathan Lait 2:23:48 - 2:24:10 2:23:48 just another sort of I think you're hitting on another complication about this uh this situation is that the 2:23:56 street the private Street actually doesn't connect as a 2:24:01 private street through uh from Middlefield to Ellsworth place it goes by via easement over the um 702 2:24:10 Ellsworth property so to the extent that that also factors into the to the discussion um not to land on a solution Both of Mr. Lait’s statements, as quoted above, state that the Ellsworth Place private street does not connect to Middlefield Road. This is not correct. Evidence to support a needed correction: Attached are two letters from Chicago Title Insurance Company, as written by their lawyers, for two of the Ellsworth Place parcels. These letters outline the chain of title, which directly affects the parking lot parcel a.k.a. 702 Ellsworth Place, formerly “parcel four” of the Sutter Arms Apartments at 2901-2905 Middlefield Road. The letter for 718 Ellsworth Place states, “The Property abuts Ellsworth Place, a private way which leads to Middlefield Road, a public way.” The letter for 724 Ellsworth Place states, “The Property abuts Ellsworth Place, a private way which leads to Middlefield Road, a public way.” All 14 properties on Ellsworth Place, which includes “Parcel 3 ” of the 2901 Middlefield Road apartment complex, have ingress/egress rights to the center of Middlefield Road. Available Upon Request: Copies of all 15 property deeds, including the apartments and the parking lot parcel, a.k.a. "702 Ellsworth" The full chain of title for the parking lot parcel, a.k.a. “702 Ellsworth Place”, records the property rights of all Ellsworth Place properties upon this land. A detailed list of all private streets in Palo Alto with information showing other private streets have a similar property arrangement to Ellsworth Place. Ellsworth Place is a private street according to CPA’s definition of a “private street,” as copied and pasted below. (It should be noted that Ellsworth Place is 525 feet long from Middlefield Road to its dead end, making the ingress/egress rights of the existing homes notably longer than “two hundred feet in length”): 21.04.030(b)(30) Is the CPA definition of a private street: (30) “Private street” means any right-of-way, including vehicular access easements, not dedicated as a public street which is used for vehicular traffic to or from two or more which do not have frontage on a public street, or to or from one parcel which does not have frontage on a public street if the right- of-way or easement used for ingress or egress is more than two hundred feet in length. … More support for the entire length of Ellsworth Place being a “street” is shown on Santa Clara County maps. Below is the SCC accessor’s map of 1968: Here is a close-up of Ellsworth Place, as highlighted in yellow: The CPA Property Information Map shows Ellsworth Place as a private street (not a driveway). You will notice on the CPA map below that “driveways” do not have names, as can be seen along Middlefield Road, where the apartment complexes exist on the east side of the street, between Ellsworth Place and Layne Court. Given that all the supportive evidence proves Ellsworth Place is a “street” and not a “driveway”, as both legally outlined and publicly recorded, the CPA Staff must change their representation of Ellsworth Place to reflect these facts. Misinformation is being propagated by CPA Staff with the potential for deleterious effects on the safety of Ellsworth Place at Middlefield Road, and these flagrant actions are a direct threat against the property rights of the 14 existing homes on Ellsworth Place. Thank you for making this important adjustment to your understanding of the Ellsworth Place private street. If the City has any legal argument as to why any part of Ellsworth Place, including the portion over the parking lot, a.k.a. “702 Ellsworth” is not considered a private street we would like to see proof, as it may create serious legal and financial consequences for property owners on our street. Sincerely, Kristen A. Van Fleet On behalf of Ellsworth Place homeowners From:Aram James To:Prior, Christine Cc:Ahmed@ahmedforcongressca.com; Baker, Rob; Binder, Andrew; Braden Cartwright; Cecilia Taylor; Council, City; Dave Price; Don Austin; DuJuan Green; EPA Today; Ed Lauing; Lauing, Ed; Emily Mibach; Friends of Cubberley; Greer Stone; Greg Tanaka; Jack Ajluni; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Moore; Jeff Rosen; Joe Simitian; Josh Becker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Kaloma Smith; Karen Holman; Lewis james; Linda Jolley; Gardener, Liz; Van Der Zwaag, Minka; Paul George @ PPJC; Raj Jayadev; Raymond Goins; Roberta Ahlquist; Rose Lynn; Salem Ajluni; Sean Allen; Shikada, Ed; Stump, Molly; Vara Ramakrishnan; chuck jagoda; dennis burns; ladoris cordell Subject:Re: New signage limits. Are they unduly restrictive. Date:Tuesday, February 13, 2024 2:41:08 PM Attachments:image001.png 2/13/2024 Hi Christine, It was excellent speaking with you this afternoon. 1. Yes, thanks for adding to my CPRA my request for the full language of the new regulationsregarding new restrictions being Implemented on the type of signage and symbolic materials etc., that will now be limited incity hall chambers at city council meetings. 2. Scope of my CPRA request should include any notes, time, dates of any meetings regarding the new restrictions held with members of the community, with the police department, cityattorney’s office, lobbying groups like AIPAC —America Israeli Political Action Committee, ADL, Anti-Defamation League, ACLU, American Civil Liberties Union, the names of allindividuals who attended, the groups they were affiliated with- and any all related material regarding said meetings. All employees of the city of Palo Alto who attended said meetings.Tape recordings of said meetings, video footage of said meetings. All materials of any sort reflecting on this issue in the city’s poi session. Actual possession, construction possessionetc. Thank you so much for all of your assistance in this matter. Best regards, Aram James On Tue, Feb 13, 2024 at 1:48 PM Prior, Christine <Christine.Prior@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote: Dear Mr. James, Thank you for your phone call. We’ve received your request and entered it into GovQA, the City’s public records portal. You should receive a separate confirmation email fromGovQA. Staff will release records through the portal. I will talk with our staff about sending documents in pdf form or hard copy rather than the portal. I will also add your request forthe final regulation language to the PRA. Please feel free to reach out to the Clerk’s Office with any questions or concerns. Thank you, Christine Prior Administrative Associate III Office of the City Clerk P: 650.329.2159 | E:Christine.Prior@cityofpaloalto.org www.cityofpaloalto.org From: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, February 12, 2024 9:34 PMTo: Ahmed@ahmedforcongressca.com; Braden Cartwright<bcartwright@padailypost.com>; Council, City <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; DavePrice <price@padailypost.com>; Emily Mibach <emibach@padailypost.com>; GregTanaka <greg@gregtanaka.org>; Jeff Moore <moore2j@att.net>; Joe Simitian<joe.simitian@bos.sccgov.org>; Julie Lythcott-Haims <julieforpaloalto@gmail.com>;Lewis james <alphonse9947@gmail.com>; Gardener, Liz <gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>;Michelle <michelle1771@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>;Sean Allen <sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Shikada, Ed <Ed.Shikada@CityofPaloAlto.org>;Stump, Molly <Molly.Stump@CityofPaloAlto.org>Subject: New signage limits. Are they unduly restrictive. CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. 1. Signage questions. 2. Public Records Act Dear Molly, ( City Attorney Molly Stump) I'm curious whether the new signage regulations that city manager Ed Shikada mentionedduring city manager comments comports with the First Amendment and the more liberal California First Amendment equivalent. Also interested in determining even if the new regulations are consistent with FirstAmendment law if they are being implemented for racially discriminatory purposes. Pursuant to the CPRA -California Public Records Act I am requesting: 1. Any and all documents in the city’s possession regarding the changes being implemented regarding new rules on the signage and symbolic materials allowed into Palo Alto citycouncil meetings beginning February 26, 2024. 2. Any and all letters received by members of the public requesting such restrictions. 3. Any and all letters received by lobbying groups I.E., AIPAC and other lobbying organizations requesting such additional restrictions. *** Molly, if you have questions regarding the scope of this CPRA request please reach outto me. Thanks so much. Aram James 415-370-5056 From:Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo To:Council, City Subject:Exploring a Lifetime of Curiosity at the JMZ Date:Tuesday, February 13, 2024 12:32:19 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from info@friendsjmz.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 Exploring a Lifetime of Curiosity at the JMZSpotlight on Arad Kedar, JMZ Educator February 13, 2024 Hello Friends, The Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo turns 90 this year! For the past nine decades, the JMZ has served as a destination for young children to get curious about science and nature, and to create lasting memories with their friends and families. For many children, the JMZ ignites a passion for science that extends well into adulthood. In this month’snewsletter, we speak with Arad Kedar, JMZ Educator, who was introduced to the JMZ andits science lessons as a child, and is now a full-time JMZ educator, teaching Friends-funded JMZ Science Outreach lessons in the Ravenswood City School District. As Aradsays in his interview, “This is what the JMZ is all about–engaging children’s curiosity andwonder about our natural world.” I hope you will join the Friends on Tuesday, March 5 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. for animalinteractions and conservation activities in honor of World Wildlife Day. Friends’ visitorevents are free with admission; please remember to purchase tickets to the JMZ in advance. Lauren Angelo President, Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo Inspiring a Life Long Love for Science: How the JMZ is a Space for All Ages Questions for Arad Kedar, JMZ Educator The JMZ is a wonderful place for young children to learn and play. How did the JMZ inspire your interests in science and nature? As a young child, I visited the JMZ and participated in programs. I attended Palo Altoschools, and on a few occasions, I remember JMZ educators bringing animals to classes.I enjoyed the interactive nature of the JMZ’s educational programs which allowed me tolearn through hands-on activities instead of simply listening to a lesson. I became more deeply involved with the JMZ when I was in high school. One of my friendsvolunteered already and encouraged me to apply as well. I immediately enjoyed theexperience and continued to help out after school, starting off in the zoo and then latermoving into education. The JMZ offered a great space for me to build community and findsanctuary outside of high school. It gave me the opportunity to connect with other studentsmy age who were interested in similar topics like science and animals. Not only that, but itallowed me to give back to my community and feel pride in my work. I started to help withafter school programs and became part of the JMZ’s summer camp staff in 1998. I’vebeen involved with the JMZ since then. There are still opportunities for high schoolers to volunteer at the JMZ and get a taste of what it’s like to work at a museum and zoo. If you are interested, fill out an application form online! JMZ Educator Arad Kedar shows a science experiment to two young learners (2014). You stayed involved with the JMZ after high school. What brought you back? As a college student, I helped with summer camps every year. I enjoyed the chance to come back to the JMZ and immerse myself in a space committed to education and early childhood development. It was incredibly rewarding to reconnect every summer, working with many of the same educators and kids. Helping out as a camp assistant also provided a glimpse into a career in education and created an avenue for me to work at the JMZ. We still have plenty of summer camp assistants who continue working with us into the school year because they enjoy facilitating our programs so much. After I graduated college, I became a JMZ educator in 2006. I’ve been teaching for over15 years now and continue to enjoy how our programs have evolved to reflect curriculumstandards and new scientific findings. A group of students builds experiments during Camp Kinetic (2017). As an educator, you started to teach lessons in local schools. Can you tell us aboutyour experience teaching Friends-funded lessons in the Ravenswood City SchoolDistrict? The first JMZ Science Outreach class I taught by myself was in Willow Oaks ElementarySchool in east Menlo Park, which merged with Belle Haven in 2020. When I startedteaching lessons, there was very little science instruction in the Ravenswood City SchoolDistrict which serves East Palo Alto and east Menlo Park. Most of the curriculum wasliteracy and math based, leaving little time and few resources for teachers to dedicate toscience. One of my favorite things about teaching in Ravenswood was that the students were always–and still are–really excited to participate in hands-on science experiments. These lessons give students the opportunity to explore new ideas and encourage a hunger to learn. I taught in Ravenswood from 2006 to 2023, so I was able to build relationships with the students, often teaching them year after year. This continuity builds an environment that promotes conversations and collaboration between instructors and students. Young learners feel comfortable and excited to ask questions and understand how all the experiments we conduct work. Every time I teach a class, the kids know I’ll bring something they’ll enjoy. The energy is electric, and I’ll have students start to ooh and ahh even when I reveal an unopened box with supplies. As an educator, the positive reactionsI receive from students continue to inspire me. This is what the JMZ is all about–engaging children’s curiosity and wonder about ournatural world. Those feelings of excitement continued into my teenage years and youngadult life, and ultimately led me to my current career. There are opportunities for people ofany age to get involved at the JMZ, from visiting as a child to volunteering as a teenager,adult, or senior. Arad explains how to calculate density to a fifth grade class at Belle Haven ElementarySchool (2022). 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.ccsend.com powered by Try email marketing for free today! From:D Martell To:Julie Lythcott-Haims Cc:Shikada, Ed; Veenker, Vicki; Lydia Kou; Stone, Greer; Tanaka, Greg; Lauing, Ed; Burt, Patrick; Joe Simitian; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; senator.becker@senate.ca.gov; annaeshoo@mail.house.gov; anne ream; schedule@barbaraleeforca.com; rMacasero@bayareanewsgroup.com; Dave Price; Diana_Diamond@gmail.com; Drekmeier, Peter; Adawes@embarcaderopublishing.com; Council, City Subject:for Julie Lythcott ... MARTELL | The Truth Is ... Date:Tuesday, February 13, 2024 12:12:23 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from dmpaloalto@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Julie Lythcott-Haims, Palo Alto City Councilwoman, former attorney, former Stanford University Dean, and California Congressional Candidate 2024 Dear Julie, I was surprised to receive your inappropriate email, sent yesterday, February 11, 2024. (See appended emails.) Regardless of how much you are offended, or how strongly you find thetruth to sting, you are wrong to scold me in an attempt to silence my expressing disapproval of your performance as my elected official. I am an American exercising my right to an opinionduring an election year. It is illegal for you to shame or bully me for exercising my first amendment rightby criticizing you, a politician. The first amendment throws "politeness" out the window. I am entitled to criticize, without fear of one-word-of-retaliation orpersecution from you, including shunning or influencing others to shun me. Your leadership lacks merit. You have little experience in politics, and it shows like ared flag. Folks call you, "Icky Julie" and make fun of your run for Congress. Lookto Barbara Lee for an example of leadership, and take a stand on the Israel issue. You wrote to me, "I have called for a bilateral humanitarian ceasefire." Voters don't want sly remarks from candidates. A call for the U.S. to stop financing Israel'saggression towards their neighbors is the ONLY support you can show for Gazachildren that has meaning. I am saddened you wrote to me that you do not consider your elected position as Palo Alto City Councilwoman to be your job. Your claim that your job on City Councilis not really "my job", hurts your image as a relentless voice for the vulnerableof Palo Alto. I am stunned that you consider your position as Councilwoman tobe a side project. Palo Alto is the richest little city in America, the Stanford community, and the heart of Silicon Valley; residents need Councilpersons who viewtheir positions as a privilege and an honor to be serving ... not as a membership into a fancy social club. Get off your high horse; the further you spin out, the harder you will fall after the Primaries. As a politician, you take offense too easily. I am not against you Julie, I just wantyou to please get back to work full-time, as our Councilwoman, and help us PaloAlto seniors fight oppression. Society is measured by how it treats its mostvulnerable. Act locally Julie! Thank you for your understanding. God, Home, CountryYours truly,Danielle Martell----------------------- dmPaloAlto@gmail.comPalo Alto City Council Candidate 2016 & 2005 From:D Caleb Hauser To:Council, City Subject:Notice to destroy weeds Date:Tuesday, February 13, 2024 10:47:56 AM Some people who received this message don't often get email from dcalebhauser@gmail.com. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Hello, I am a beekeeper and am concerned about the notice I saw in the Palo Alto weeklynewspaper, on Feb 9. Are pesticides or roundup going to be used? Concern for the bees is widespread. What is the plan to protect our bees. Thank you for your attention, Caleb Hauser (Palo Alto resident) From:Charlie Weidanz To:Council, City Subject:Join Us: Women in Enterprise Speaker Series - Margaret Jackson, #1 Radio Personality in Silicon Valley Date:Tuesday, February 13, 2024 8:00:16 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. Women In Enterprise ad The Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce Presents:Women in Enterprise Speaker Series Unleash the Waves of Wisdom, Come join us and the #1 Small Business Radio personality in Silicon Valley, Margaret Jackson. With over 7.75 million listeners, Margaret will be the keynote speaker for Women in Enterprise, hosted by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce. Friday, March 1, 20248:30 AM to 10:00 AM Light breakfast provided Generously Hosted ByJazz Pharmaceuticals 3170 Porter Dr. Palo Alto, CA 94304 $20 for Members $35 for Non-Members >Register Online Elevating and supporting professional women across all industries in Silicon Valley. This email was sent on behalf of Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce 355 Alma St Palo Alto, CA 94301.To unsubscribe clickhere. If you have questions or comments concerning this email or services in general, please contact us by email atinfo@paloaltochamber.com. View this email in your browser Visit us on www.lwvpaloalto.org, Facebook, and Instagram February E-BLAST February 12, 2024 In this Issue LWVPA Updates Program Planning LWVPA Virtual Speaker Event LWVPA First Thursdays Voter Services Updates Candidate Forums Recordings Pros and Cons Voter's Choice Act Primary Election - Get the Ballot You Want Vote with the League In Memoriam From:LWV Palo Alto (Eblast)To:Council, CitySubject:LWVPA February E-Blast: Join League"s Program Planning on Saturday, February 17!Date:Monday, February 12, 2024 5:14:07 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links. Join LWV of Palo Alto Happy Valentine's Day! LWVPA UPDATES 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 continue 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 crucial issues or new positions should our League recommend? Should we support LWV Vermont's request for 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 biannual 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. 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 priority issues should continue for 2024-25, or whether new aspects of these issues or different 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! LWVPA Virtual Speaker Event Wednesday, March 27, 2024 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Featuring our Guest Speaker Rachael Myrow Senior Editor of KQED’s Silicon Valley News Desk Register Now Free Speech in the Digital Age & The Mass Extinction of American Journalism American journalism, like the other pillars of our democracy developed 250 or so years ago now, is struggling to keep up. Worse, struggling to stay alive. You might be thinking, “I’ve got more news coming at me on my phone, 24/7, than I can handle!” KQED's Rachael Myrow is not discounting your experience. She's warning that what many of us observe about the state of journalism right now is like a wet year late into a mega drought; the larger trend lines point to the challenges in the digital age. BIO: Rachael Myrow is Senior Editor of KQED's Silicon Valley News Desk. You can hear her work on NPR, The World, WBUR's Here & Now, and the BBC. She also guest hosts for KQED's Forum. Over the years, she's talked with Kamau Bell, David Byrne, Kamala Harris, Tony Kushner, Armistead Maupin, Van Dyke Parks, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tommie Smith, among others. Before all this, she hosted The California Report for 7+ years, reporting on topics like assisted living facilities, the robot takeover at Amazon, and chocolate persimmons. She has won numerous awards for her work. Rachael holds degrees in English and journalism from UC Berkeley. Outside of the studio, you'll find Rachael hiking Bay Area trails and whipping up Instagram-ready meals in her kitchen. Register Now LWVPA MembershipFirst Thursdays Conversation Thursday, April 4, 2024 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Homewood Suites, 4329 El Camino Real We will be joined by Kelly Kline and Maya Perkins at Stanford University Office of Government Affairs for a conversation about Stanford land use and the recently approved Santa Clara County Stanford University Community Plan. Mark your calendar and we look forward to seeing you! VOTER SERVICES UPDATES California Primary - March 5, 2024 Are You Ready to Vote on March 5? Candidate Forums & Other Resources to Help You Get Ready Election Day is March 5, and you should already have received your ballot. In addition to the presidential primary, voters in Palo Alto will be voting for candidates for the US Congress, CA Assembly, Santa Clara County Supervisor and County Superior Judge. All voters will also be voting Proposition 1. Watch LWV Candidate Forum recordings to learn about the candidates and where they stand on pertinent issues: U.S. Congressional District 16, February 3, 4-6 pm Recorded Video Santa Clara County Supervisor District 5, January 31, 7 pm Recorded Video County Superior Court Judge, Office 5, February 6, 7 pm Recorded Video State Assembly District 23, February 7, 7pm Recorded Video Pros & Cons The LWV of California Education Fund (LWVCEF) has developed the following resources for the pros and cons of Proposition 1 that will appear on the March 5, 2024, Primary Election ballot: Pros & Cons video - watch video explainer with the slide deck. Pros & Cons - read the PDF version. Easy Voter Guide - Our Easy Voter Guide helps the election make sense. English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese language versions are currently available at easyvoterguide.org. Santa Clara County is one of the 29 Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) counties in California, and this means you have “More Days, and More Ways to Vote” for the upcoming Primary Election. Vote Centers open soon, and you can vote in-person up to 10 days before the election. You can also vote by mail, or drop your ballot off at a secure drop box. If you need to check the status of your voter registration or find the voter centers, go to https://rovservices.sccgov.org. VOTE WITH THE LEAGUE About Proposition 1. LWV California opposes Proposition 1: Mental Health Care and Addiction Treatment Reform & Bonds to Build Places for Treatment & Supportive Housing. You can find LWVC’s ballot recommendation on Prop 1 here. See also a CalMatters article, which cites LWVC’s Executive Director, Stephanie Doute, here. IN MEMORIAM We will miss you, Deborah Ann Turner, MD, JD (1950–2024) Sadly, the president of the League of Women Voters US passed away suddenly on January 28th. Practicing as a doctor of gynecologic oncology for 35 years, she was a fierce advocate for women’s rights and racial equity. She was the associate medical doctor for the Heartland area’s Planned Parenthood and was active in the Des Moines and Iowa Leagues before assuming the role of 20th president of the national League in 2020. Her leadership will be sorely missed. View her funeral here. Happy Valentine’s Day from the League of Women Voters Stay Informed! Sign Up for LWV California & LWVUS News & Alerts Click here to sign up for Email News and Action Alerts from LWVUS 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:Suzanne Keehn To:Council, City; Lydia Kou; Ann Balin; Ben Lerner; Becky Sanders; Lisa Latin; Flora Sullivan2; Jo Ann Mandinach;Joe Hirsch; Barry Smith; Pat Marriott; Paul Machado; Mary Gallagher Subject:Fw: PEERS: Can a Big Village Full of Tiny Homes Ease Homelessness in Austin? January 8, 2024, New York Times Date:Monday, February 12, 2024 1:57:45 PM Some people who received this message don't often get email from dskeehn@pacbell.net. Learn why this isimportant CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links. ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: Theresa Bruno <tbruno5127@yahoo.com> To: Theresa Bruno <tbruno5127@yahoo.com> Sent: Monday, February 12, 2024 at 11:25:38 AM PST Subject: PEERS: Can a Big Village Full of Tiny Homes Ease Homelessness in Austin? January 8, 2024, New York Times FYI: This is first I've heard of this help for homeless in Austin. This is great news...sounds like it is not just shelters but makings of a working "city" so homeless can support themselves. ---- Date: February 9, 2024 at 1:22:29 PM CST Subject: Inspiring News: Austin's Tiny Home Village, The Potential of Time Banking, More Join over 2,000 caring and inspired subscribers to this list Subscribe here for one inspirational email a week PEERS: Cultivating Community and Transformation Through Inspiration and Education This message is also available at this link. We're US $16,900 in the red for the quarter. Kindly support this inspiring work by donating here. Hey wonderful friends, Explore below key excerpts of inspiring news articles with information on finding community in a tiny home village in Austin, TX, time banks bringing people together to exchange services, Colorado becoming the first U.S. state to employ an incarcerated college professor, and more. Each inspiring excerpt is taken verbatim from the media website listed at the link provided. If any link fails, click here. The key sentences are highlighted in case you just want to skim. Please spread the inspiration and have a great one! With faith in a transforming world, Mark Bailey and Amber Yang for PEERS and WantToKnow.info Quote of the Week: “I hope at least the following will endure: my trust in the people, and my faith in men and women, and in the creation of a world in which it will be easier to love.” ~~ Brazilian philosopher Paulo Freire Can a Big Village Full of Tiny Homes Ease Homelessness in Austin? January 8, 2024, New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/08/headway/homelessness- tiny-home... On the outskirts of Austin, Texas, what began as a fringe experiment has quickly become central to the city’s efforts to reduce homelessness. To Justin Tyler Jr., it is home. Mr. Tyler, 41, lives in Community First! Village, which aims to be a model of permanent affordable housing for people who are chronically homeless. In the fall of 2022, he joined nearly 400 residents of the village, moving into one of its typical digs: a 200-square-foot, one- room tiny house furnished with a kitchenette, a bed and a recliner. Eclectic tiny homes are clustered around shared outdoor kitchens, and neat rows of recreational vehicles and manufactured homes line looping cul-de-sacs. There are chicken coops, two vegetable gardens, a convenience store ... art and jewelry studios, a medical clinic and a chapel. In the next few years, Community First is poised to grow to nearly 2,000 homes across three locations, which would make it by far the nation’s largest project of this kind, big enough to permanently house about half of Austin’s chronically homeless population. Many residents have jobs in the village, created to offer residents flexible opportunities to earn some income. Last year, they earned a combined $1.5 million working as gardeners, landscapers, custodians, artists, jewelry makers and more. Ute Dittemer, 66, faced a daily struggle for survival during a decade on the streets before moving into Community First five years ago with her husband. Now she supports herself by painting and molding figures out of clay at the village art house. A few years ago, a clay chess set she made sold for $10,000 at an auction. She used the money to buy her first car. Note: Explore more positive stories like this in our comprehensive inspiring news articles archive focused on solutions and bridging divides. Banking the Most Valuable Currency: Time January 12, 2024, Reasons to be Cheerful https://reasonstobecheerful.world/time-banks-valuable- currency... A time bank does with time what other banks do with money: It stores and trades it. “Time banking means that for every hour you give to your community, you receive an hour credit,” explains Krista Wyatt, executive director of the DC-based nonprofit TimeBanks.Org, which helps volunteers establish local time banks all over the world.Thousands of time banks with several hundred thousand members have been established in atleast 37 countries, including China, Malaysia, Japan, Senegal, Argentina, Brazil and in Europe,with over 3.2 million exchanges. There are probably more than 40,000 members in over 500 time banks in the US. Many time banks are volunteer community projects, but the one in Sebastopol, [CA] is funded by the city. “Every volunteer hour is valued around $29,” Wyatt calculates. “Now think about the thousands of dollars a city saves when hundreds of citizens serve their community for free.” The Sebastopol time bank has banked more than 8,000 hours since its launch in 2016. Five core principles ... guide time banks to this day: First, everyone has something to contribute. Second, valuing volunteering as “work.” Third, reciprocity or a “pay-it-forward” ethos. Fourth, community building, and fifth, mutual accountability and respect. “What captured me is that people are doing things out of their own good heart,” Wyatt says. “Many years ago, a woman ... said to [civil rights lawyer] Edgar Cahn, ‘I have nothing to give.’ Edgar Cahn listened and finally responded, ‘You have love to give.’ And the whole room just went silent.” Every hour of service is valued the same, no matter how much skill and expertise a task takes, whether it’s an hour keeping someone company, helping them file their taxes or repair a roof. Through a simple online platform, every member can offer and request services and then register the hours they served or received. Especially during and since the Covid pandemic, the bank has also been an antidote to the epidemic of loneliness. Note: Explore more positive stories like this in our comprehensive inspiring news articles archive focused on solutions and bridging divides. Colorado Becomes One of the First to Employ an Incarcerated Professor January 7, 2024, ScheerPost https://scheerpost.com/2024/01/07/colorado-becomes- one-of-the-first... On a late-November afternoon, at the head of a cramped classroom, David Carrillo stood at a small podium and quizzed 17 students on macroeconomic terminology. For the two-hour class, Carrillo, the adjunct professor teaching for Adams State University, mostly kept his hands in his pockets as he lectured students in green uniforms. Like his students at the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility, Carrillo, 49, also wears green. He holds a position that is extremely rare in prison: He’s an incarcerated professor teaching in a prison bachelor’s degree program. A new initiative at Adams State — one of the first of its kind in the country — focuses on employing incarcerated people with graduate degrees as college professors, rather than bringing in instructors from the outside. Most people in Colorado prisons only make 80 cents a day, so it would take them around 17 years to earn the $3,600 that Carrillo gets for a single class. Higher wages help incarcerated individuals build savings to help cover their basic needs when they are released. Poverty can often be a driver of decisions that land people back in prison. Adams State hopes to eventually employ more graduates of their own programs in the future. Currently ... around 100 people in prisons across the country are working towards their MBA through Adams State like Carrillo did. The 36-credit print- based MBA correspondence program costs $350 per credit for a total of $12,600, plus textbooks. Note: Explore more positive stories like this in our comprehensive inspiring news articles archive focused on solutions and bridging divides. Getting On the Dance Floor Will Shred Pounds in Overweight People, Improve Blood Pressure and Mental Health January 23, 2024, Good News Network https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/getting-on-dance- floor-will-shred... Boogying the night away produces meaningful improvements in one's body mass and waist circumference in people who are overweight or obese, a new study found. Dancing was also seen to improve blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, physical fitness, cognitive disorders, hypertension, cardiovascular ailments, diabetes, and mental health—in other words, all the root causes of the non-communicable diseases that kill most people in the West. The researchers believed that dance would be a more ideal form of exercise because it is sustainable—it's a sociable, entertaining way of exercising that participants will enjoy, rather than a drudgery they have to push themselves through. “Dance is effective on fat loss in people overweight and obese and has a significant improvement on body composition and morphology,” said Zhang Yaya, a Ph.D. student at Hunan University, China. To get their results, published in the journal PLoS ONE, the team studied data from 646 participants who were overweight and obese across ten different studies. They found that dance is very effective for improving body composition and showed that more creative dance types had the most pronounced body composition improvement when compared with traditional dance. Improvements were also found in overweight children and patients with Parkinson’s disease. Note: Explore more positive stories like this in our comprehensive inspiring news articles archive focused on solutions and bridging divides. A school in Jerusalem brings Arab and Jewish kids together to boost understanding January 23, 2024, NPR https://www.npr.org/2024/01/23/1221957556/israel- schools-arabs-jews... When the bell rings at Jerusalem's Hand in Hand school, you hear something that's not common in Israel: the sound of young people's voices rising together in laughter and conversation in both Hebrew and Arabic. Israeli society is largely segregated. The separation begins at kindergarten, when Jewish and Arab children are sent to different schools and experience completely separate education "tracks" or systems. "Arabs go to Arab schools in their neighborhoods and Jews go to Jewish schools in the areas where they live," says Nour Younis, events manager for Hand in Hand.Hand in Hand [was] founded in 1998 by a group of parents who wanted their children to grow updifferently. What began as two kindergarten classes in Jerusalem and Galilee has nowbecome six campuses nationwide, with some 2,000 students. The school's eventual goal is to create a fifth track of education within the Israeli school system. Today there are four options: Arab schools and three Jewish tracks — secular, religious and ultra-Orthodox. The students at Hand in Hand campuses are around 60% Arab and 40% Jewish. There is a waiting list of Arab children who would like to attend. Since Oct. 7 ... this school has become a rare oasis of freedom for Palestinians who say they can be harassed or worse for expressing their anguish over the war. "For our students, this is a safe place, a safe environment," says [school vice principal Engie] Wattad. Note: Explore more positive stories like this in our comprehensive inspiring news articles archive focused on solutions and bridging divides. This joint Memorial Day ceremony for fallen Israelis and Palestinians overcame hate April 28, 2023, Philadelphia Inquirer https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/israel-memorial-day- palestinians... Memorial Day used to be Israel’s most sacred secular holiday because it honored those who died in wars or terrorist attacks. I attended one memorial service in Tel Aviv that rose above these tensions and penetrated to the heart of the issues troubling the country: a meeting of Israeli and Palestinian families who had lost relatives to the conflict and gathered together to share their grief. What was most astonishing about the event was to see the Palestinians fall into the arms of their Israeli hosts and hold on tightly. Why astonishing? Because these days, Palestinians and Israelis almostnever come into contact, except at Israeli military checkpoints on the West Bank, or when violent Israeli settlers attack their fields — or when Palestinian workers come to Israel to work in construction or in agriculture. It was moving in the extreme to see Palestinians and Israelis whohad experienced heartbreak at the hands of the other side embrace each other tightly and talkabout family. It was also moving to watch thousands of Israelis file into the fenced-off area of the ceremony and fill endless rows of plastic chairs (the organizers say that 300,000 watched online). They listened in total silence as Israeli Jews and Palestinian Muslims told their personal stories on the stage. Yuval Sapir, whose sister Tamar was murdered in Tel Aviv in 1994 by a Palestinian suicide bomber ... choked out these words: “It is easy and natural to hate ... I chose to try to break the chain of revenge and hatred.” Note: Explore more positive stories like this in our comprehensive inspiring news articles archive focused on solutions and bridging divides. 'Dead' Man Jolted Back to Life by the Intolerable Bumps of India’s Potholes January 15, 2024, Good News Network https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/dead-man-jolted- back-to-life-by... India’s famous potholes actually saved a life on Friday. The ‘late’ Darshan Singh Brar was being transported to the Indian version of a wake after his untimely death from a chest infection at the age of 80. Family, relatives, and friends had already gathered for a banquet and cremation, when the ambulance he was being caried in received a nasty jolt from a pothole on the roads in Nising, in far- Northern India’ Haryana state. It was then that Mr. Brar’s grandson who was onboard the ambulance at the time noticed his hand moving. Checking his pulse and finding—to his great shock—there was one, he notified the driver to immediately turn toward the nearest hospital. He was declared alive and savable, and was referred to the Rawal Hospital in the city of Karnal. “It is a miracle. Now we are hoping that my grandfather recovers soon,” said Balwan Singh, another of Mr. Brar’s grandsons. “Everyone who had gathered to mourn his death congratulated us, and we requested them to have the food we had arranged. It is God’s grace that he is now breathing and we are hoping he will get better.” Doctors at Rawal Hospital said that the grandfather is breathing without the aid of a ventilator and his heartbeat has normalized. They can’t say for certain why the other hospital declared him dead, but speculated it may have been a technical error. The next time you are planning to go to town hall or the council about the potholes on your street, consider the story of Darshan Singh Brar. Note: Explore more positive stories like this in our comprehensive inspiring news articles archive focused on solutions and bridging divides. Scientists invent dirt-fuelled power source that ‘lasts forever’ January 16, 2024, The Independent (One of theUK's Leading Newspapers) https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/battery-fuel-cell- forever-power... Scientists have developed a new type of fuel cell that can provide endless power through electricity harvested from dirt. A team from Northwestern University in the US say the book-sized unit could be used to power sensors used in farming, as well as remote devices in the Internet of Things (IoT). The technology works by generating electricity from naturally-occurring bacteria within the soil, offering a sustainable and renewable alternative to toxic and flammable batteries. “These microbes are ubiquitous; they already live in soil everywhere,” said George Wells ... at Northwestern University. “We can use very simple engineered systems to capture their electricity. We’re not going to power entire cities with this energy. But we can capture minute amounts of energy to fuel practical, low-power applications.” The soil-based microbial fuel cell (MFC) is based on a 113-year-old technology first developed by British botanist Michael Cressé Potter, who was the first person to successfully generate electricity from microorganisms. It took until the 21st century for the first commercial applications to be proposed, with Foster’s Brewing using a prototype to convert the yeast in brewery wastewater into electricity. The latest fuel cell was tested in wet and dry conditions to power sensors measuring soil moisture and detecting touch, outlasting the power of similar technologies by 120 per cent. Note: Explore more positive stories like this in our comprehensive inspiring news articles archive focused on solutions and bridging divides. For more inspiration: See our awesome collection of inspiring resources in our Inspiration Center. Watch some of the most inspiring short video clips on the Internet. Read concise summaries of highly inspiring major media reports. Explore free, dynamic online courses which powerfully expand your horizons. Share the inspiration with your friends and bookmark this page on key social networking websites using the "Share" icon on this page. 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