HomeMy Public PortalAbout20170807plCC701-32
DOCUMENTS IN THIS PACKET INCLUDE:
LETTERS FROM CITIZENS TO THE
MAYOR OR CITY COUNCIL
RESPONSES FROM STAFF TO LETTERS FROM CITIZENS
ITEMS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
ITEMS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES AND AGENCIES
ITEMS FROM CITY, COUNTY, STATE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES
Prepared for: 8/7/2017
Document dates: 7/19/2017 – 7/26/2017
Set 1
Note: Documents for every category may not have been received for packet
reproduction in a given week.
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:21 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:Neilson Buchanan <cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, July 25, 2017 3:41 PM
To:Planning Commission
Cc:Bill Johnson; Dave Price; Jon Mays; Council, City
Subject:Extension of Interim Ordinance 5357 Imposing an Annual Limit of 50,000 Net New
Square Feet of Office/R&D Uses in Designated Areas of City t
Attachments:Editorial A reclkless majority PA Online Feb 3 2017.pdf; Editorial Facebooks
proposed village PA Online July 14 2017.pdf; Editorial Facebooks big
expansion PA Online July 22 2017.pdf; Opinion Payroll tax vs. a transit tax San
Mateo Daily Jounal July 21 2017.pdf; Editorial Council needs to push Facebook
Daily News July 24 2017.pdf
I am unable to attend your Commission meeting tomorrow
evening.
I fully support the staff recommendation to extend the Interim
Ordinance.
I urge that Commissioners acknowledge and discuss the
extreme job and office growth in Palo Alto and in the region. In my
opinion the city staff, PTC and City Council are willfully avoiding the
profound imbalance between jobs and housing/traffic.
This region is fortunate to have responsible journalism documenting
the context of the number of offices and jobs being created;
however, it is clear to me that elected and appointed officials are
not addressing the negative social and economic impact from job
imbalance.
I urge Commissioners to recommend to City Council that city staff
during the next year specifically report on traffic, housing and
parking imbalances.
Simple metrics would be sufficient. How many housing units are
have been created each year? How many square feet of office
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:21 AM
2
have been created? How are the traffic conditions changing at the
top 10 intersections in Palo Alto? What does the business registry
indicate in terms of job growth? Elected and appointed city
officials have historically shown little interest in documenting and
managing the trends that are so visible throughout the
region. Keep it simple.
Finally I want to put the grade crossing and taxation issues into this
context. There is no greater issue illustrating difficult road ahead to
find consensus for massive, mid-term transportation engineering
and funding. Unmanaged job growth simply aggravates the ability
of city staff and Council to navigate though rough seas of taxation
and public consensus to resolve an issue as simple as "cross-town"
traffic.
Please approve the extension and recommend use of the next year
as a calibration year to document housing and transportation
deficits. These deficits are immediate and distinctly differ than the
unfunded pension and heathcare liabilities.
Attached are five recent editorials and opinions familiar to all of us.
Palo Alto can learn much from Menlo Park's massive job creation
and social insensitivity to the common good of viable transportation
and equitable housing policy.
Neilson Buchanan
155 Bryant Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650 329-0484
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:21 AM
3
650 537-9611 cell
cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com
Editorial A Reckless Majority Feb 3, 2017
Editorial Facebook's Proposed "Village" July 14, 2017
Opinion Payroll Tax vs A Transit Tax July 21, 2017
Editorial Facebook's Big Expansion July 22, 2017
Editorial Council needs to push Facebook July 24, 2017
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:11 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:Elizabeth Robinson Weingarten <elizrobin@comcast.net>
Sent:Friday, July 21, 2017 1:22 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:First Baptist Church
Palo Alto City Council,
There are so many fights to pick and for the city to tighten the noose around The First Baptist Church and kick out all the
people that sublet from them is criminal. This is where judgement and heart need to be considered not black and white
laws. That Church has vitality, and feels likes a community. Churches have been subletting to tenants like AA, Tai Chi, or
music programs, for years—all over this area. It is a way for them to survive and it creates community that thrives from
what is offered. What will happen if that church closes and another mega‐house is built in its place or some start‐up
builds another new modern glass building. Palo Alto has already sold itself to the developers—will this be added to the
list?
Elizabeth Weingarten
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:11 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:Elizabeth May <elizabethmay@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, July 22, 2017 1:44 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:First Baptist Rental Space - Code Enforcement
Dear City Council,
With the cost of commercial space far exceeding the resources of service providing non‐profits, it is difficult to
understand the efforts to remove the rental tenants from the First Baptist Church. To evict these organizations does no
good for our greater community. We all can, no doubt, be better neighbors and community members.
Raising children in Palo Alto comes with many challenges and joys. The music programs that rent space provide a
tremendous community resource. Please assess if this code enforcement is for the good of our entire community. If
the code an imperfect one that forces this decision, then rethink the policy so the future of our community is not void of
art, child care and mental health.
Thanks,
Elizabeth May
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:11 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:Dona Smith-Powers <donamaysp@sbcglobal.net>
Sent:Friday, July 21, 2017 3:08 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Fwd: Summer offering
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
Subject: Summer offering
I'm sad that we can't support artists and good art by voluntary donations. If any group deserves it
--- the SF Mime Troupe does! I'm ashamed of Palo Alto, my home for 45 years, for causing the
cancellation ! Please apologize - and reinstate their performance by allowing for volunteer
donations.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dona Smith-Powers
3448 Rambow Drive
269-6310
Sent from my iPhone
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:16 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Sent:Sunday, July 23, 2017 2:42 PM
To:Dan Richard; dennisbalakian; David Balakian; Mayor; CityManager; paul.caprioglio;
esmeralda.soria@fresno.gov; Mark Kreutzer; Mark Standriff; midge@thebarretts.com;
info@superide1.com; Doug Vagim; huidentalsanmateo; kfsndesk; newsdesk;
rosenheim@kpix.cbs.com; beachrides; bearwithme1016@att.net;
firstvp@fresnopoa.org; Raymond Rivas; fmerlo@wildelectric.net; Tranil Thomas; Leodies
Buchanan; Cathy Lewis; lxcastro93@yahoo.com; Joel Stiner; johnhutson580; jboren;
bmcewen; Paul Dictos; popoff; richard.wenzel; Council, City; robert.andersen; Steve
Wayte; steve.hogg; Daniel Zack
Subject:Fwd: Today's San Jose Merc: HSR San Jose to Fresno. Quotes Dan Richard
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org> Date: Sun, Jul 23, 2017 at 2:30 PM
Subject: Today's San Jose Merc: HSR San Jose to Fresno. Quotes Dan Richard
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Dan- Here is a SJ Merc article of today re HSR San Jose to Fresno, considering a lot of possibilities. They quote you. Some of the comments after it are interesting.
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/07/23/will-san-jose-to-fresno-bullet-train-become-the-silicon-valley-
express/
I take credit for this article since I've sent out emails in recent days about the impact that Diridon Google Village will have on Fresno. San Jose to Fresno via HSR and how Fresno can benefit hugely from that. I keep
saying that it is one hour max between the two. Maybe its a little bit less. I've sent you all of those mails.
I will read this more carefully and post a comment after it tonight. I wanted to get this to you today. There, I'll lambaste McCarthy, Valadao, Denim and Nunes for almost immolating themselves daily to stop HSR in California.
I'll get this out to the rich Republicans who own Fresno. They like money and being one hour from Diridon
will make money for them. Perhaps they will now stop fighting HSR and stop supporting the four numb-nut Congressmen I mention above. All four deserve to lose in 2018 and to return to the Central Valley to resume digging potatoes.
It looks like being one hour max from Diridon is going to put Fresno on the map.
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:16 AM
2
BTW, we don't hear much these days about the Fresno HSR station. Is it still on? The Greyhound Bus station
was leveled to make room for it.
L. William Harding
Fresno
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:12 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Sent:Saturday, July 22, 2017 2:56 PM
To:terry; Council, City; russ@topperjewelers.com
Subject:Fwd: Transit village planned around Berryessa BART station in NE San Jose
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org> Date: Fri, Jul 21, 2017 at 3:03 PM
Subject: Fwd: Transit village planned around Berryessa BART station in NE San Jose
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>, Dan Richard <danrichard@mac.com>,
boardmembers <boardmembers@hsr.ca.gov>, dennisbalakian <dennisbalakian@sbcglobal.net>, David
Balakian <davidbalakian@sbcglobal.net>, beachrides <beachrides@sbcglobal.net>, bballpod <bballpod@aol.com>, bmcewen <bmcewen@fresnobee.com>, jboren <jboren@fresnobee.com>,
johnhutson580 <johnhutson580@msn.com>, Joel Stiner <jastiner@gmail.com>, nick yovino
<npyovino@gmail.com>, Paul Dictos <paul@dictos.com>, popoff <popoff@pbworld.com>, "paul.caprioglio"
<paul.caprioglio@fresno.gov>, pavenjitdhillon@yahoo.com, esmeralda.soria@fresno.gov, Mark Kreutzer
<mlkreutzer@yahoo.com>, Mark Standriff <mark.standriff@fresno.gov>, midge@thebarretts.com, "scott.mozier" <scott.mozier@fresno.gov>, mthibodeaux@electriclaboratories.com, huidentalsanmateo
<huidentalsanmateo@gmail.com>, Daniel Zack <daniel.zack@fresno.gov>, Doug Vagim
<dvagim@gmail.com>, "robert.andersen" <robert.andersen@fresno.gov>, Leodies Buchanan
<leodiesbuchanan@yahoo.com>, Cathy Lewis <catllewis@gmail.com>, CityManager
<citymanager@fresno.gov>, Mayor <mayor@fresno.gov>, firstvp@fresnopoa.org, Raymond Rivas <financialadvisor007@gmail.com>, Gary Turgeon <garyt@michaelautomotive.com>, "steve.hogg"
<steve.hogg@fresno.gov>, info@superide1.com, jerry ruopoli <jrwiseguy7@gmail.com>, Jason Tarvin
<jasontarvin@gmail.com>, kfsndesk <kfsndesk@abc.com>, kclark <kclark@westlandswater.org>,
lxcastro93@yahoo.com, leager <leager@fresnoedc.com>, newsdesk <newsdesk@cbs47.tv>, "richard.wenzel"
<richard.wenzel@aecom.com>, rosenheim@kpix.cbs.com, Steve Wayte <steve4liberty@gmail.com>, Steven Feinstein <steven.feinstein@ionicmaterials.com>, Tranil Thomas <soulja92y@hotmail.com>,
thomas.esqueda@fresno.gov
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Fri, Jul 21, 2017 at 2:41 PM
Subject: Fwd: Transit village planned around Berryessa BART station in NE San Jose
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Fri, Jul 21, 2017 at 2:24 PM
Subject: Fwd: Transit village planned around Berryessa BART station in NE San Jose
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:12 AM
2
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Fri, Jul 21, 2017 at 2:01 PM
Subject: Fwd: Transit village planned around Berryessa BART station in NE San Jose
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Fri, Jul 21, 2017 at 2:07 AM Subject: Fwd: Transit village planned around Berryessa BART station in NE San Jose To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Fri, Jul 21, 2017 at 1:54 AM
Subject: Fwd: Transit village planned around Berryessa BART station in NE San Jose
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Fri, Jul 21, 2017 at 1:47 AM
Subject: Fwd: Transit village planned around Berryessa BART station in NE San Jose To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org> Date: Thu, Jul 20, 2017 at 5:03 PM
Subject: Fwd: Transit village planned around Berryessa BART station in NE San Jose
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Date: Thu, Jul 20, 2017 at 4:15 PM
Subject: Transit village planned around Berryessa BART station in NE San Jose
To: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:12 AM
3
Friday, July 21, 2017
To all-
The Berryessa BART station in NE San Jose will open later this year, and plans are afoot for a big transit
village there:
http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/07/17/bart-berryessa-sparks-transit-village-plans-flea-market-google/
This lies just east of where 101 and 880 cross in San Jose.
Then BART will be extended in a tunnel under Santa Clara St. out to Diridon Station in San Jose. Santa
Clara Co. Voters approved the billions that that will cost in Nov. 2016.
About a year ago I suggested a major transportation hub at the current Santa Clara Caltrain station, with HSR
pushing on the two or three miles over to it from Diridon. Now that Caltrain electrification has been approved, that is doable for HSR. BART will be extended from Diridon over to the Santa Clara Caltrain station. There is
land available on the San Jose Airport side of the Caltrain tracks at Santa Clara station for a combined BART
station, Caltrain, HSR and Capitol Corridor-ACE train station. The proposed Google transit village on the west
side of downtown San Jose does not make this less workable or desirable.
Note- BART to Diridon and to the Santa Clara Caltrain station was approved in Nov. 2016: See in this link
the map showing where BART will run across San Jose. It goes to Diridon and on NW to Santa Clara, ending at
the existing Santa Clara Caltrain station.
https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2017/01/23/are-you-ready-for-a-subway-digging-for-bart-begins.html
Here is the Wikipedia entry for the Santa Clara station:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Clara_station_(California)
Here we see: "It (the Santa Clara station) is the planned terminal for the Silicon Valley BART extension into
Santa Clara County".
We also see: "The station was considered for California High-Speed Rail, but was rejected on the grounds
that it was too close to the nearby, and much larger, Diridon Station in San Jose, and that the airport traffic that
it would receive would not be enough to justify maintaining a separate station. Two peninsula stations would be
sufficient, one in Palo
Alto or Redwood City, and the other serving the larger San Francisco International Airport (Millbrae station, with BART extension to the airport)".
A couple of months after I proposed this to California HSR Authority Board Chairman Dan Richard, the
U.S. Secretary of Transportation appeared one morning at the Santa Clara Caltrain Station to have a look. I
like think that my proposal had something to do with that.
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:12 AM
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Big plus factors for my suggested Santa Clara transit hub would be the close proximity of San Jose
International Airport, a 10 minute bus ride away to the airport terminals, and the short distance along De La
Cruz to the southern terminus of Central Expressway which runs right up through Silicon Valley.
One could say that "BART, Caltrain, Capitol Corridor-ACE and HSR will all meet at Diridon, so why
duplicate that a few miles north at the Santa Clara Caltrain station"? Two reasons:
1) The 10 minute bus ride around to terminals at San Jose Airport from the Santa Clara station and
2) The close proximity of Central Expressway going up through most of Silicon Valley. Thousands of SV
workers living in affordable homes in the Central Valley could take driverless Uber buses from this Santa Clara
hub to companies north of De La Cruz. BART riders from all over the BART system could do the same. And
everyone coming to this hub could easily access San Jose International Airport. The Santa Clara Station is MUCH better positioned for all of that than is Diridon Station.
So what I am suggesting is that a big enough transit hub be built on the airport side of the Caltrain tracks at
the Santa Clara station for Caltrain, HSR, BART and the Capitol Corridor-ACE trains, and for the driverless
Uber etc. buses which will transport the SV workers up through SV via the Central Expressway.
If thousands of SV workers are to arrive each morning on HSR, BART, Capitol Corridor-ACE and Caltrain
at this proposed Santa Clara hub, LOTS of Uber, or other, vans, buses and individual vehicles will have to have
space to move through while picking them up.
If BART and HSR bring lots of additional qualified workers to the Santa Clara hub, perhaps the companies
of Silicon Valley will want to expand their operations- more office space, manufacturing space, research space-
to utilize them. Where would the land to do so be found? Most of those companies have large parking lots now.
If a big influx of additional workers can be delivered to SV companies via Uber vans and buses, perhaps some
of that parking lot space could be used to build more facilities. As an alternative, Silicon Valley companies might consider establishing facilities around the HSR station in Fresno.
The Google Transit Village to be built around Diridon Station consists of 6 or 8 million sq. ft. of new office
space around existing transit. My plan for a transit hub at Santa Clara would be transit for existing office space in Silicon Valley.
"Transit villages" are what's happening". Fresno should start planning ours around our priceless Fresno HSR
station. I point out to Silicon Valley that the Fresno HSR station will be one hour at most from Diridon.
Diridon in San Jose, Gilroy, Merced and then Fresno are the HSR stations. There is good land just west of the
Fresno HSR station for office space, at nothing like $7 million per acre, land and buildings to the east of it in downtown Fresno, and lots of land on the west side of 99 south of North Ave. to build affordable homes which
SV workers will gladly ride one hour on luxurious HSR to reach. Something like Google Transit Village South
could be built around the Fresno HSR station. One hour max from Google T.V. North around Diridon to Google
T.V. South around the Fresno HSR station.
Or Hewlett-Packard Transit Village South or Intel T.V. South or Apple T.V. South in Fresno.
There is an educated workforce coming out of Cal State Fresno every year and loads of affordable land and
housing in Fresno. Did I mention that it is one hour max from Diridon to Fresno via HSR?
L. William Harding
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:17 AM
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Carnahan, David
From:Neilson Buchanan <cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, July 25, 2017 7:27 AM
To:Neilson Buchanan
Subject:in case you missed it
Payroll tax vs. a transit tax
Payroll tax vs. a transit tax
By Jon Mays
A recent poll to gauge voter sentiment on a new half-cent county tax for
transportation projects seems to indica...
Neilson Buchanan
155 Bryant Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650 329-0484
650 537-9611 cell
cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:24 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:Neilson Buchanan <cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com>
Sent:Wednesday, July 26, 2017 10:51 AM
To:Neilson Buchanan
Subject:making assumptions without facts
It seems to me that we have lots of experts in Palo Alto [and on the
Peninsula) making assumptions about traffic and parking trends.
Our fate awaits us if we dont regularly measure what is
happening. NYC could be a precursor for us. "Declining" Caltrain
and BART ridership is beginning to tell a regional story.
Bottom line: There are no plausible traffic solutions relative to the
rapid job growth.
Why Are Manhattan's Streets Getting Slower?
Why Are Manhattan's Streets Getting
Slower?
By Joe Cortright
The average speed of traffic has been falling for years, and it’s having a
ripple effect on the city’s transit n...
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:24 AM
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Neilson Buchanan
155 Bryant Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
650 329-0484
650 537-9611 cell
cnsbuchanan@yahoo.com
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
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Carnahan, David
From:Eric Nee <enee@yahoo.com>
Sent:Thursday, July 20, 2017 3:46 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:SF Mime Troupe
City Council Members -
I've lived in Palo Atlo for almost 20 years. During that time I have rarely contacted the City Council, but I was inspired to
do so after reading that the SF Miime Troupe was effectively prohibited from performing at Mitchell Park because the city
would not let them pass the hat for donations.
I have to admit that I don't know the full details of this, but on the face of it I have to say that it's a terrible outcome. Me, my
family, and my friends have attended numerous performances in the park by the mime troupe. They are one of the
highlights of the year. I can't understand why you would not let them ask for donations. There are many other events held
in city parks where money is collected in one form or another to support the event (e.g. the fourth of july chili cookoff).
There are also numerous people sitting on University Avenue with their "hat out" asking for money.
Why crack down on the SF Mime Troupe, and why now? They've been doing this for years. Has someone complained?
Did city policy/regulations change?
Over the years the city has cut the number of free summer concerts that were held at Mitchell and Rinconada parks (for
reasons that baffle me). And now it has stopped the mime troupe from performing.
I urge you to do whatever is necessary to allow the mime troupe to solicit donations at their event so that they can return.
Raising donations from the crowd is part of their business model. They do this in San Francisco and in other cities. It is
completely voluntary whether you pay or not. There is no coercion involved.
There are many other more important issues for the city and its enforcement agencies to focus on.
Thank you for your attention.
Eric Nee
567 Kingsley Ave.
Palo Alto, Ca. 94301
650-776-4450
enee@yahoo.com
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
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Carnahan, David
From:stevebisset73@gmail.com on behalf of Steve Bisset <steve@bisset.us>
Sent:Thursday, July 20, 2017 5:07 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:San Francisco Mime Troupe in Mitchell Park
To the Palo Alto City Council:
Today the Daily Post reported that the San Francisco Mime Troupe will not perform in Mitchell park this year for the first time in 13 years, because 'a city employee told them they cannot "solicit donations" after the
show'.
Indeed, Palo Alto is not on the Troupe's 2017 schedule:
http://www.sfmt.org/schedule/
None of the other fine cities on their schedule (e.g. Mill Valley) have a problem with their donation practice,
nor did Palo Alto for the last dozen years or so.
Perhaps there was a misunderstanding? It seems unlikely that Palo Alto wants to be at the forefront of limiting
free speech and free public performance.
In any case, I ask that the Council issue a positive invitation to the Troupe and ask them to honor Palo Alto by
adding us back into their 2017 schedule, making it clear that their traditional method of seeking donations is
OK, and clarifying any finer points as you deem necessary.
Regarding the general issue, my quick search of the Palo Alto City Code revealed nothing that would indicate a
necessity to curb the post-performance voluntary donation request by the Mime Troupe, however perhaps there
is ambiguity about the nature of a "solicitation for commercial purposes" in a public park. The Code seems to
be silent on the point of street (and park) performances. It appears several other cities have dealt with this issue explicitly and thoughtfully, recognizing the value to the city of such performers while dealing with such issues
as obstruction of thoroughfares, noise, and safety. There is often a clear and nuanced distinction made between
performances (including "busking") and panhandling, particularly aggressive panhandling. The SF Mime
Troupe would fall afoul of none of these.
Perhaps Palo Alto should adopt a similar ordinance to make sure that city employees have clear guidance and
do not, in their diligence and zeal, deprive us of cultural benefits (and the exercise of free speech). I include just
a few links to such city ordinances below.
Respectfully, Steve Bisset
Fife Avenue
http://burbank.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=6&clip_id=7093&meta_id=278809
http://records.huntingtonbeachca.gov/sirepub/cache/16/qx1nnrtur5jpkwjmmkqzfia4/2727420072020170330597
62.PDF
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
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http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=213909
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
4
Carnahan, David
From:Steve Rock <rock_js@sbcglobal.net>
Sent:Thursday, July 20, 2017 9:57 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Mime Troupe
Dear Folks,
I just read that the SF Mime Troupe will not be allowed to perform in
Palo Alto this year because they ask for donations.
I think this is wrong.
1) They provide a free cultural service to many people in Palo Alto.
2) They are a non profit organization who ask for donations to cover their
costs.
3) There are many political events I attend in Palo Alto in public places,
where contributions are asked for.
I thought the right of organizations to solicit funds in public places
was established 53 years ago at Berkeley.
4) Many of the musicians at the PA world music festival on University Ave
have donation boxes.
5) At the PA Art Faire on Univerisity Ave, many for profit artists are
selling their goods.
Palo Alto should encourage the arts, rather than be a dead, barren hole on
the peninsula. Most nearby cities have more extensive summer music in the
parks programs than Palo Alto.
-Steve
Stephen Rock
3872 Nathan Way Palo Alto CA 94303
ser84@columbia.edu
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
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Carnahan, David
From:Lenore Cymes <lenraven1@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, July 21, 2017 12:03 AM
To:Walter Goldberg
Cc:Council, City
Subject:Re: SF Mime Troop
Walter -
Thank you for the apology regarding my name.
It seems perfectly obvious people write letters to express their opinion…send emails, make phone calls. Another app or whatever is not proof of anything - many people laugh at the concept idea of a new “web
platform" to prove this issue one way or another. How will you know if the app you are testing is working
correctly - how much time will it take to promote, gather and tabulate the results? Who decides on what makes
this a successful platform? If Councilman Tanka thinks this app is “proof” that is also absurd. Should Councilman Tanka have issues with
this, he should have contacted me directly. Think about the issue - a 13 year tradition is suddenly unacceptable
because of an absurd technicality or error.. Why not look at the technicality and fix that instead of developing a
new app. For 13 years the Mime Troop has been asking for donations and selling shirts. This sounds more like a lesson in common sense. And to top it off there is a meeting scheduled for a Sat afternoon……, how many people will take the time to show up for this issue to validate an app? Will the entire City Council be there to
discuss the issue? Can this be discussed outside of regular Council meetings? I have no clue, only I won’t be
able to attend. That day is accounted for.
My intent is not to be rude, but realistic. This is trying to build a mountain were there isn’t even the necessity of a molehill. If you want a learning experience- work towards reversing a mistake or misguided rule, hope the
Mime Troop can still schedule their performances at Mitchell Park - show up and know you accomplished
something realistic and worth while (even if you don’t agree with the Mime Troop).
At this point, I have spent enough time on this simple, straight forward issue, with a 13 year precedent. Once again I wish you a successful internship.
Sincerely
Lenore Cymes
On Jul 20, 2017, at 10:48 PM, Walter Goldberg <walter.goldberg@gregtanaka.org> wrote:
Ms. Cymes, I am very sorry about the typo. It's been a long day, but that's no excuse. We are testing the web
platform because a lot of people have trouble attending in-person meetings, and it seems like a
good way for them to make their voices heard.
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
6
I believe Max sent to you when we will be having in-person meetings about this subject. I, like
Max, and am intern and work for free.
Sorry again,
On Thu, Jul 20, 2017 at 9:26 PM, Lenore Cymes <lenraven1@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Mr. Goldberg
First - I am Ms Cymes — how many men have you met named Lenore?
Second, unfortunately it is utterly ridiculous for Mr. Tanaka as a City Council person to set up
another web platform - we are drowning in apps and platforms and websites to do basic
anything as a response to an absurd policy about a theater group which performs for free in our
local park - entertains residents and creates a wonderful experience for 13 years to suddenly be stifled because they ask and get VOLUNTARY DONATIONS.
If is not my place to rewrite to neighbors to sign up for anything just because a councilman has
a problem with SOP. If Councilman Tanaka has a problem with the standard, respected method
of voicing concern about a situation in the city, he is welcome to contact me. As a Sr. Citizen I do not live my live on the computer . Thank you for passing on Councilman Tanaka’s newest
web platform, but I don’t participate in such activities. …heck I am barely functional with a
cell.
So far I have heard from two other council members who will do what they can to check into and alter a nonsense “whatever"
Sincerely
Lenore Cymes
P.S, Are you an intern or getting paid from tax dollars? I hope you are an intern and wish you good luck in your internship.
On Jul 20, 2017, at 9:10 PM, Walter Goldberg
<walter.goldberg@gregtanaka.org> wrote:
Hi Mr. Cymes,
I'm a legislative aide for Councilman Tanaka. Our office found that it is very
difficult to mobilize valid concerns like yours with just an email. Thus, today we launched a web platform for Palo Altans, called GovGo, where we are hoping to
allow people and politicians to discuss and vote on these issues. It would be
great if you and those who agree with you could join the site, so that the
councilman can have quantitive proof that this is of popular belief.
link: https://www.govgo.us
invite code (Palo Altans only): MzuJTc
Best,
On Thu, Jul 20, 2017 at 1:44 PM, Lenore Cymes <lenraven1@gmail.com>
wrote:
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
7
Dear Council Members
I sincerely hope that you alter the ruling which says the Mime Troop can not perform because they solicit donations after the free show. The troop has been
a tradition for 13 years without any problem. Usually there are 100 + people
each night - mostly Palo Alto locals, who attend their performances and donate.
This is a wonderful free event which people look forward to attending - picnic, relax and enjoy. No one has ever been made to feel donations are mandatory -
that is not the purpose of the Mime troop - the money helps them survive. No
one is getting rich or even middle class, off of this. But there is a lot of
enjoyment and fun.
After all these years I am sorry to not have them perform in our local park. It
seems absurd to have to drive my car (instead of my bike or scooter) and go to
another town close by that doesn’t have this silly ruling voluntary donations.
Please make a quick turn around on this decision and hopefully the SFMime will be able to perform this summer, as they have for the past 13 years.
Sincerely
Lenore Cymes
--
Walter T. Goldberg | Legislative Aide
Palo Alto City Council Member Tanaka’s Office
W: www.GregTanaka.org | D:650.485.3844 | E: walter.goldberg@gregtanaka.org
Please think of the environment before printing this email – Thank you.
This message contains information that may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are
the addressee, you may not use, copy or disclose the message or any information contained in
the message. If you received the message in error, please notify the sender and delete the
message. Views I state are my own and may not represent those of this Office or the full
Council.
--
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
8
Walter T. Goldberg | Legislative Aide
Palo Alto City Council Member Tanaka’s Office
W: www.GregTanaka.org | D:650.485.3844 | E:
walter.goldberg@gregtanaka.org
Please think of the environment before printing this email – Thank you.
This message contains information that may be confidential and privileged. Unless you are the addressee, you may not use, copy or disclose the message or any information contained in the message. If you received the message in error, please notify the sender and delete the message. Views I state are my own and may not represent those of this Office or the full Council.
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
9
Carnahan, David
From:Robert Moss <bmoss33@att.net>
Sent:Friday, July 21, 2017 10:45 AM
To:Council, City
Cc:Keene, James
San Francisco Mime Troop Rejection
Dear Mayor Scharff and Council members;
I understand staff has rejected an appearance by San Francisco Mime Troupe because they ask for
contributions at their free performances. Staff has gotten this policy wrong. There is no justification
for excluding organizations from city performances because they ask for donations, either at
performances or in general. As examples, the Art Center and libraries have donation boxes near
their entrances. It is very common and quite acceptable for such organizations to discretely ask for
donations when enjoying the programs and services that they provide. In the case of the San
Francisco Mime Troupe they have been performing in Palo Alto for more than a decade while asking
for purely voluntary donations without creating any problems or objections from the community.
Organizations such as the San Francisco Mime Troupe and similar performing groups offer the
community a range of entertainment and enjoyment at little cost to taxpayers. They should be
encouraged, not excluded. If staff is correct that there is an ordinance that limits or prohibits non-
profits and performing arts groups from asking for voluntary donations at public sites (even though
such requests for contributions have been made for years without prior objections), then that
ordinance should be repealed.
Please review the status of limits or restrictions on use of public facilities by performing arts groups
and other non-profits, and if they are prohibited from asking for voluntary contributions that restriction
would be a real hardship and should be removed. Of course the request for voluntary donations
should be low-key, such as a donation box, or a discreate notice, but a modest request for support
should not exclude an organization from performing at city property.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Moss
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
10
Carnahan, David
From:Sylvia Gartner <sgartner@ix.netcom.com>
Sent:Friday, July 21, 2017 11:53 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:San Francisco Mime Troupe
I have sent checks to the Mime Troupe over the years. I first saw them in SF in the 80's. They are a splendid group, and I
was delighted to be able to attend their performances at Mitchell Park without having to make a long drive.
I was disturbed to read in the Weekly that they would not be permitted to ask for donations after the shows. The Mime
Troupe felt that they'd lose money if they made the trip to Palo Alto and could not count on the VOLUNTARY donations.
As another commenter to the article in the online Weekly stated: Palo Alto has live music performers in the parks who
sell their CD's and t‐shirts openly and apparently have tip jars.
So why the animus against the Mime Troupe? I have attended dozens of their shows. No one is ever pushed to put
money in the little cans the performers walk around with after the show. If someone doesn't wish to donate, all they
have to do is pick up their blanket and leave.
So I have to drive to Santa Cruz, San Francisco, or Berkeley to see this year's show. How "green" is that?
Sylvia Gartner
824 Moreno Avenue
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
11
Carnahan, David
From:Meg Due in <mdurbin@well.com>
Sent:Friday, July 21, 2017 6:54 PM
To:Council, City; Clinton Lewis; Steve Rock
Subject:Mime Troupe in Palo Alto- Yes!
Dear City Council
Please allow ‐‐ indeed welcome ‐‐ the SF Troupe to offer their annual show in Palo Alto. Don't let a silly rule interfere
with this delightful, intrepid and stalwart group of artists who remind us to laugh as well as take action against various
social absurdities ‐ especially in the current political climate.
Do the right thing. It'll be beautiful, believe me.
Thank you,
Meg Durbin and Clinton Lewis
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
12
Carnahan, David
From:Juliet Chu <juliet_chu@usa.net>
Sent:Friday, July 21, 2017 8:30 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:No San Francisco Mime Troupe this year, WHY?
Hello Palo Alto City Council,
I am very disappointed that San Francisco Mime Troupe won't be performing at Mitchell Park
this year because they are not allow to collect donation. I enjoyed their performance over
the years and like to the idea that we can pop in, enjoy the show and donate according to
our ability. This also allows people would cannot afford regular theatre performances or
non-regular theatre goers to experience this. Great for kids and the whole family!
Quite unhappy with missing this year's performance. And more disappointed in how the
council takes issue with them rather than taking care of more important issues.
Juliet Chu
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
13
Carnahan, David
From:Joan Hancock <dagnyhancock@comcast.net>
Sent:Saturday, July 22, 2017 11:36 AM
To:Council, City
Subject:S.F. Mime Troupe...
Dear P.A. City Council,
I agree with Steve Rock and hope you can change this ordinance.
Thank you,
Joan Hancock
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:04 AM
14
Carnahan, David
From:David Page <dalpage5@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, July 22, 2017 4:43 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:mime troupe
dear council members
we appreciate the time and effort you put into helping our city. we apologize about sending in a complaint...however, is it really necessary to have rules that keep artists from asking for money?
at the same time, we have seen precious little action to lower our carbon footprint. we've heard of "plans", and
"goals". we've even heard about [phony] "carbon off-sets", but we've yet to see solar panels on every
government building, or electric cars for each [applicable] vehicle in the city fleet.
please direct the efforts of our well-paid city staff in that latter direction instead of the former.
thank you for your thoughtful work,
david page and stephanie troyan
3115 avalon court
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 9:57 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:Shantha Mohan <shantha.rm@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, July 19, 2017 4:09 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto citizen - on mass incarceration
I added my name to the petition below. What are we doing in Palo Alto?
“This weekend, District Attorneys from all over the country are coming together for a summit in the
same city where Philando Castile was killed. And Black organizers and activists in the Black Freedom
Cohort coalition are coming together for the Mobilization and Counter-Conference for Safety and
Liberation--to hold them accountable to seeking justice over convictions. Because fueling mass
incarceration doesn’t keep our communities safer.
The National District Attorney Association plays a major role in shaping the prosecutorial
practices that DA offices across the country adhere to--and this upcoming summit is a big
moment to influence the message that prosecutors in attendance are hearing. That’s why we’re
joining our friends to deliver 5 critical demands to them in person. “
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:16 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:NCCD/OD/PCD Editor (CDC) <nccdodpcdedit@cdc.gov>
Sent:Monday, July 24, 2017 5:58 AM
To:Michael Fleming; press@ed.gov; Superintendent@cde.ca.gov; Council, City
Subject:Re: CDC releases final youth suicide report
Hello,
Preventing Chronic Disease cannot offer medical advice or provide materials offering medical advice. PCD publishes
peer‐reviewed articles of interest to public health researchers and practitioners. If you would like more information on a
specific problem or condition, please visit the homepage for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at
www.cdc.gov, email the CDC at https://wwwn.cdc.gov/dcs/ContactUs/Form or call the CDC information number at 1‐
800‐CDC‐INFO (800‐232‐4636) 8am‐8pm ET/Monday‐Friday (Closed Holidays).
Best,
Zachary Beasley
Editorial Assistant
The Coleman Group Inc./CDC Contractor
Preventing Chronic Disease
Chamblee Campus, Bldg 107
4770 Buford Highway NE
Phone: 404-718-5449
The linked image cannot be displayed. The file may have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Verify that the link points to the correct file and location.
Note: I am not a government employee and have no legal authority to obligate any federal, state, or
local government to perform any action or payment.
From: Michael Fleming <sp37ud@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 23, 2017 1:38:44 PM
To: press@ed.gov; Superintendent@cde.ca.gov; NCCD/OD/PCD Editor (CDC); city.council@cityofpaloalto.org
Subject: Fw: CDC releases final youth suicide report
From: Michael Fleming <sp37ud@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2017 2:37 PM
To: mmcgee@pausd.org
Subject: CDC releases final youth suicide report
I hope this may help with the alarming CDC report:
https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2017/03/03/cdc‐releases‐final‐youth‐suicide‐report
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:16 AM
2
During my senior year of high school, I received academic credit as an assistant with my mother’s first grade
class at Ohlone Elementary School of Palo Alto, CA. What I learned during that year continues to guide my life
especially when communicating information. The most important component of successful human relations
concerns the ability to provide everyone the chance to feel comfortable about themselves since only then will
people perform at their best as each opportunity presents itself.
Like my mother, I believe that learning human relations through communication must begin at the soonest
possible time during early childhood development. Spending time in mom’s classroom provided me with the
pleasure of observing a teacher able to instruct 6 and 7 year olds about the importance of sharing their plus
and minus feelings. At the beginning of each school day, the entire class sat in a circle. Mom never forced any
of the children to release their plus and minus feelings, but as the year progressed all of the children became
comfortable with the idea. Human relation problems with children often result as a by‐product of something
else occurring with their lives. Teaching children to trust their ability to examine how they feel about
themselves everyday provides knowledge that each child retains then utilizes for the rest of their lives. This
technique also allows the teacher to discover that issues may exist at the home of a child leading to a meeting
with the parents, parent, or legal guardian that often produces beneficial results. Another concept about
children and the teacher forming a circle concerns the realization that a chain becomes only as strong as its
weakest link. If one child has a minus feeling, the other children may offer positive comments to that
child. The child feels support coupled with the knowledge that learning concern for how they feel along with
how others feel completes an important significant lesson during their critical period of early childhood
development. The sharing of feelings also allows children to learn that if one of them experiences a problem
then they all share that problem because one child possessing a problem more likely than not disturbs the
atmosphere of their harmonious learning environment. For both children and teachers, a classroom
environment of harmony constitutes an essential component for the success of children becoming responsible
adults because without harmonious feelings within the classroom the vital foundation of creating a proper
means of communication leading to attaining quality human relations holds no moment.
Respectfully,
Michael J. Fleming
Cubberley High School Class of 1973
Son of Raymond & Helen Fleming former PAUSD teachers.
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:08 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:Palo Alto Free Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, July 21, 2017 3:33 AM
To:Press strong
Cc:mlarson@scpr.org; amartinez@scpr.org; lduran@scpr.org;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; agilbertson@scpr.org; dmerina@scpr.org;
mbushman@scpr.org; across@scpr.org; shoffman@scpr.org; Council, City; Keene,
James; Scharff, Greg; Kniss, Liz (external); stephen.connolly@oirgroup.com
Subject:Re: Lying Police Auditors
Not a single Palo Alto city council member has ever questioned the legitimacy of Mr. Gennaco's
reports covering over a 10 year contractual period.
Our reviews of Mr. Gennaco's reports covering this same period have found Mr. Gennaco to be reckless and outright deceptive in presenting documented factual occurrences as something all together untrue.
Case in point:
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:08 AM
3
To the readers of this initial report, would have reach an altogether different conclusion had Mr. Gennaco
presented the facts.
As a seasoned trial lawyer Mr. Gennaco knowingly mislead the Palo Alto community and its leadership on
more then one occasion.
Unfortunately, city council past and present attitude is one of complacency and naive in trusting and or even questioning his testimony.
Much like a police officer testifying on the witness stand. Few question their truthfulness.
Their is much to be said of Mr. Gennaco's paid performance and the need for civilian oversight which Mr. Gennaco feels threatened to even discuss or debate.
In the final analysis, Mr. Gennaco in our opinion is the equivalent of consumer fraud.
Respectfully,
Mark Petersen-Perez
Editor: Palo Alto Free Press
Ticuantepe, Nicaragua Central America
Twitter: @PAFreePress
Sent from my iPhone
On Jul 21, 2017, at 1:21 AM, Press strong <pressstrong@gmail.com> wrote:
Should it be harder to prove a police officer lied?
http://www.scpr.org/programs/take-two/2017/04/20/56312/should-it-be-harder-to-prove-a-
police-officer-lied/
Michael Gennaco of OIR has conned you. I bet if you do some investigative journalism into other cities in which he has contracts you find more erroneous reports.
The 12 Lies of Michael Gennaco:
A case study in how Michael Gennaco's and his company covers up the unethical and illegal acts committed by the very police officers that he is supposed to hold accountable. http://michaelgennacooir.weebly.com/
Example:
<gennaco-deception-1_orig.png>
Tony Ciampi
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:23 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:Steve <kaloramadcyahoo@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, July 26, 2017 3:59 PM
To:Minor, Beth
Cc:Council, City; Keene, James; Shikada, Ed; Young, Jarrod
Subject:Re: reserve street parking for move out in RPP
Thanks very much for the quick reply.
I did reach someone by phone today after trying again. I was told that unlike the rest of Palo Alto, residents in
RPP areas aren't allowed to reserve parking for moving trucks. This seems in conflict with the RPP program. Isn't that program supposed to help residents (who have to pay for
permits) get better access to parking near their homes, not worse? By prohibiting this in RPP, residents who pay
actually get less access for a very legitimate need, a moving truck. Instead, I'll have to double park the truck.
Would be interested in a reply from someone who manages/administers the RPP program, explaining why this is the case and what the rationale is.
Thanks again for your reply.
Best, Steve
On Wed, Jul 26, 2017 at 9:52 AM, Minor, Beth <Beth.Minor@cityofpaloalto.org> wrote:
Hi Mr. Langdon,
The person you should speak to is Jarrod Young. You can either visit him on the first floor of City Hall in Revenue
Collections, or via phone at 650‐440‐8074. He also has email at jayoung@spplus.com. If you need further assistance
please let me know.
Thanks,
B‐
Beth D. Minor | City Clerk | City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue| Palo Alto, CA 94301
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:23 AM
2
T: 650‐ 329‐2379 E: beth.minor@cityofpaloalto.org
City Clerks Rock and Rule
From: Steve [mailto:kaloramadcyahoo@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2017 9:23 AM
To: Council, City
Subject: reserve street parking for move out in RPP
I am moving from my apartment near the intersection of Homer and Cowper on Aug 4 or 5.
I would like to reserve street parking for the moving truck. I was referred to the police department who told me
that because our address is in RPP they do not handle the moving parking.
So, they referred me to the Development Center (650-329-2496). I called and there are no options on the phone
menu related to this, it's all about building permits. I selected one of the options to see if I could get someone
there to point me in the right direction, but was on hold for 15 minutes.
Can you help me find the right phone number of someone who can explain if I can reserve parking and if so how?
Thank you.
Steve Langdon
811 Cowper
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:18 AM
2
, whose is severely affected is cc:d above and has known many Palo Alto
Mayors, and the heads of two top non-profit 501(c)3's in CA are also cc:d if you need any feedback
(SolveCFS.org; OMF.NGO)
Dr. Mark Camenzind, cell 925-202-1190
CITY OF PALO ALTO PROCLAMATION
SEVERE MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS UNDERSTANDING AND REMEMBRANCE DAY,
AUG 8TH 2017
Whereas, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, sometimes called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), is a
common, but poorly understood medical disease with profound fatigue, cognitive dysfunction (“brain
fog”), sleep abnormalities, autonomic manifestations, pain, metabolic and systemic dysfunctions,
often orthostatic intolerance and other symptoms that are made worse by exertion of any kind, with
approximately 25% severely affected, being bedbound or house bound at some point of this illness,
and most never recover fully: and
Whereas, these illnesses affect women, men, children of all backgrounds, with over 1 million ill in the
United States, including many in Palo Alto, Stanford and Northern California, including Stanford
graduates and students, yet most are not correctly diagnosed: and
Whereas, ME/CFS is perhaps most common major chronic disease to lead to long term absences
from school for both students and staff/teachers, and contributes to 7X higher suicide rates, and
Stanford graduates have died of this disease: and
Whereas the estimated disease burden for the US alone maybe be approx $20-50B per year, yet NIH
research funding has been only approximately $6M per year on average for decades
Whereas, Palo Alto, Stanford and CA have some of the top researchers, clinicians in this field that are
discovering the underlying biochemistry and pathophysiology, treatments for these diseases,
and top diagnostic, pharmaceutical companies, and major medical philanthropists are in Palo Alto
and nearby, a world-class conferences on this disease are held in Palo Alto or Stanford
Whereas, awareness will lead to more diagnoses, increased National Institute of Health and private
funding for research and development and necessary services to end the decades of suffering that
accompanies these medical diseases, allowing patients to get back to school, works, and reduce
healthcare costs and let them contribute more to their families and society,
Now, therefore, we the Mayor and City council of Palo Alto, CA do hereby proclaim August 8th, 2017
to be:
Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Understanding and Remembrance Day
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:21 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:aram james <abjpd1@icloud.com>
Sent:Tuesday, July 25, 2017 12:39 PM
To:citycouncil@menlopark.org; Council, City; chuckjagoda1@gmail.com;
cindy.chavez@bos.sccgov.org; joe.simitian@bos.sccgov.org;
mike.wasserman@bos.sccgov.org; supervisor.yeager@bos.sccgov.org;
price@padailypost.com; dave.cortesse@bos.sccgov.org; swagstaffe@smcgov.org
Subject:Silicon Valley De-Bug | Stop Tasers from Being Introduced to Our Jails
FYI:
https://siliconvalleydebug.org/stories/stop‐tasers‐from‐being‐introduced‐to‐our‐jails
Sent from my iPhone
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 9:58 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:Baker, John C. <John.Baker@cpuc.ca.gov>
Sent:Thursday, July 20, 2017 8:49 AM
To:Baker, John C.
Subject:Solar Eclipse: CPUC requests local governments join the State in drastically reducing
power consumption
Attachments:CPUC Eclipse 2017.pdf
Dear Community Leader(s),
On August 21, the first total solar eclipse visible in the contiguous United States since 1979 will temporarily
darken skies across the country. In California, the eclipse will impact energy supply by reducing solar energy
supplies for more than two hours, and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is asking for your help.
While the eclipse will not be total in California, the percentage of the Sun covered will vary from about 60
percent in the southernmost areas of the state to 76 percent in the north. As less sunlight falls onto the Golden
State, one of our greatest sources of “clean” power will see its output fall significantly. California’s commercial
solar plants are expected to drop from an estimated 8,754 megawatts as the Moon begins to pass in front of the sun to just 3,143 at maximum eclipse – a 5,611 megawatt drop. For reference, the average nuclear power station
worldwide generates about 846 MW.
When combined with similar drops in the output of “behind the meter” home and business solar panels, which
may mean even more power than usual is drawn by those buildings because they are not generating as much of their own power, the CPUC is anticipating there will be significant additional demands on the electric grid.
Government buildings and other facilities are significant users of electricity. With that in mind, the CPUC is
requesting local governments across California to join the State Government in drastically reducing its power consumption between 9 a.m. and 11: 30 a.m. on August 21. The less energy those facilities consume, the less additional unclean power needs to be generated.
In the next few weeks, expect CPUC local liaisons to contact your cities to share energy-saving tips, ask if
your community has a plan to reduce its energy use, and if we can share any such plan on the CPUC website as an inspiration to your municipal peers. The CPUC will also be sharing tips that local governments can use and pass on to their residents (examples and a sample resolution are attached).
Please feel free to contact the CPUC with any questions or help with your plan.
John C. Baker Executive Division, Local Government Liaison
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco CA 94102 (415) 703-1568 / john.baker@cpuc.ca.gov
ONE THING FOR THE SUN CAMPAIGN
‘Our Sun Works Hard for Us, so during the Eclipse on August 21, Join us and Pledge to do One Thing for
the Sun to Save Energy’
On August 21, 2017, a partial solar eclipse with travel across California from about 9:02am until about
11:54am. The sun will be obscured from 76% in Northern California to 62% in Southern California
border area, and this reduction in solar radiation will directly affect the output of California’s abundant
solar energy resources. While our utilities and grid operator have all the tools necessary to manage the
grid during the eclipse, what if millions of Californians stepped in to allow our hard-working sun to take
a break, rather than relying on expensive and inefficient natural gas peaking power plants? By plugging
into the power of California’s citizens and unplugging from the grid, we’ll have cleaner air, we’ll keep our
energy system reliable, and we’ll send a message to the rest of the country that we can do all of that
without being forced to rely on fossil fuels. So on Aug 21, let's all get together and pledge to do one
thing to reduce our energy consumption and give our hard-working sun a break.
Take the Pledge
The One Thing for the Sun campaign seeks to engage with people, businesses, organizations and
government across California to take one action during the solar eclipse on Aug 21 to reduce electricity
usage. This will allow California to burn fewer fossil fuels and emit fewer GHG emissions while
California's solar energy production dips during the eclipse. The One Thing for the Sun campaign is an
effort to engage Californians in our world-leading clean energy economy by demonstrating that, when
we come together to each do one small thing to reduce energy usage, we can have a major impact on
our environment. Go to www.CalEclipse.org to take the pledge!
One Thing for the Sun Partnership
In addition to individual pledges, the campaign is engaging with State and Local government, clean
energy industry, advocacy organizations and business to form the One Thing for the Sun Partnership.
Partners pledge to work with the California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission
and the California Independent System Operator to develop energy saving plans that that will be
deployed during the Eclipse. These plans range from smart thermostat companies designing air
conditioner cycling programs that will reduce the need to use natural gas to local governments
activating their energy efficiency and demand response capabilities across their buildings.
Why Become a ‘One Thing Partner’?
The One Thing for the Sun Partnership is a unique opportunity for institutions from across California to
come together to stand up for California’s clean energy future during this once in 50 year celestial event
to take to save energy and reduce GHG emissions. ‘One Thing Partners’ will benefit from a unique
branding and awareness-raising opportunity. Every Californian will witness the Eclipse, and the
Partnership will seek to leverage the significant media coverage of the Eclipse to raise awareness of
California’s clean energy leadership and the role that its citizens, companies, institutions and
governments are playing in driving this future forward.
Clean Energy in California
California has a goal of 50% renewable energy by 2030. At the end of 2016, California’s three large
investor-owned electric utilities collectively provided their customers with over 27% of their electricity
from renewable sources like the wind and sun. California is also a leader in energy efficiency and
demand response. In 2016, California’s energy efficiency programs saved Californians over 1,000 GWhs,
resulting in billions of dollars of bill savings. California’s clean energy economy has been an engine of
jobs creation, with over 500,000 Californians working to install solar panels, make electric vehicles and
upgrade buildings with more efficient equipment.
The Eclipse and the Grid
The California Independent System Operator (ISO) is planning for the Eclipse by ensuring that enough
natural gas fueled power plants and hydro-electric dams are standing by to replace the solar that will be
blocked by the Eclipse. The ISO’s long experience operating our grid, which at times is over half powered
by wind and solar, has given them all the tools they need to ensure grid reliability during the Eclipse.
One Thing for the Sun Campaign Objectives
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Energy Commission and the ISO are
pursuing a statewide campaign – Do One Thing for the Sun – in an effort to raise awareness of California
clean energy and the opportunity that the Eclipse presents to deploy clean and people-driven solutions
to meet the needs of the grid. We seek to engage with tens of thousands of Californians to reduce
electricity usage during the Eclipse and:
Help Californians understand the challenges of a fast changing and dynamic energy grid
Send a message to Secretary of Energy Rick Perry (formerly of Texas) that Californians can do
their own thing and meet their own electric power destiny through clean tools, rather than
relying on fossil fuels power.
Raise awareness that people’s individual energy decisions are a critical part of meeting
California’s clean energy goals
Join us!!!
Local Governments interested in becoming ‘One Thing Partners’ should email Stephanie Green
(stephanie.green@cpuc.ca.gov) at the California Public Utilities Commission to set up a call to discuss
the partnership, how to develop an Eclipse Energy Savings Action Plan and opportunities to share your
Clean Energy story with your community and all Californians. In the meantime, here are some actions to
take:
1. Inform Californians through news and social media about the solar eclipse – visit CalEclipse.org for
more information.
2. Ask your residents to take the pledge to do at least ONE thing for the sun such as turning air
conditioning thermostats up 2 to 4 degrees, shutting down three power strips, and avoid charging
electric vehicles during the period from 9:00 am to noon on August 21 – visit CalEclipse.org/Pledge
for more information.
3. Issue resolutions encouraging support and asking local agencies and employees to turn off
unnecessary lights and power strips – sample resolution attached
One Thing for the Sun Partnership – Eclipse Energy Savings Action Plan
Energy Savings Plan Target Participants Communications Plan
Below is an example of how One Thing for the Sun Partners may want to articulate their Eclipse Energy
Savings Action Plan.
City of XYZ
Energy Savings Plan Target Participants Communications Plan
Brief description of primary
energy savings actions planned,
including any planned
coordination with CPUC, CEC,
CAISO or Utilities
Overview of target audiences
and participants of Energy
Savings Action Plan
Overview of primary
communications and outreach
strategies to share Energy
Savings Action Opportunities
-Remotely program HVAC units
across city owned buildings to
reduce energy usage during
eclipse
-Send notice to all city workers
to Take the Pledge
-Work with CPUC, CAISO and
Utilities to validate HVAC control
strategy
-Planned outreach to 750 city
employees
-Planned outreach to building
managers with directions to
modify operations of HVAC
during Eclipse
-Email notice to all City workers
-City Council adopts Resolution
-Feature One Thing for the Sun
campaign in digital
communications (city facebook
page)
-Host Energy Savings Action Plan
on city sustainability website
SAMPLE RESOLUTION LANGUAGE
WHEREAS, On August 21, 2017, a partial solar eclipse will travel across California, obscuring between 60
– 76 percent of state from the sun. The reduction in solar radiation will directly affect the output of both
large scale photovoltaic (PV) electric power plants and rooftop solar.
WHEREAS, California has built a large amount of renewable energy electric power plants. Nearly
10,000 megawatts of commercially operational grid connected solar PV are currently operated by
California’s investor owned utilities, and more will soon be completed.
WHEREAS, Initial estimates show at the eclipse peak, for the California Independent System Operator’s
balancing authority area, commercial solar production will be reduced from an estimated 8,754
megawatts to megawatts at the maximum partial eclipse and then return to 9,046 megawatts.
WHEREAS , Over 5,800 megawatts of customer or third party-owned rooftop solar installed on homes
and businesses in the same areas will be affected.
WHEREAS, the California Independent System Operator (ISO) plans for events such as this, where loss of
power generation not only reduces the amount of electrical energy available to customers, but also
produces imbalances that can cause other critical problems. In order to avoid that type of failure, the
ISO will ensure that other power sources, like gas power plants or hydro facilities are held ready to step
in, or cut off power to some customers.
WHEREAS, Millions of Californians can step in to allow our hard working sun to take a break. Rather
than relying on primarily on expensive and inefficient natural gas peaking power plants, California
citizens can unplug from the grid so that we can have cleaner air, keep our system reliable, and send a
message to the rest of the country that we don’t have to rely on fossil fuels as the only foundation of
our electricity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I call on all Californians to step forward and to do at least one thing to stand
in for the solar power that we enjoy from our hard working sun, including turning air
conditioning thermostats up 2 to 4 degrees, shutting down three power strips not supplying
electricity to appliances in use, and avoid charging electric vehicles during the period from 9:00
am to noon on August 21. I further encourage local government agencies to be leaders in this
effort and assess actions that can be taken at government-owned facilities to reduce demand
for electricity for the duration of the eclipse.
NAME
TITLE
City of Palo Alto | City Clerk's Office | 8/1/2017 10:14 AM
1
Carnahan, David
From:Barry Katz <bkatz@ideo.com>
Sent:Sunday, July 23, 2017 12:06 PM
To:Police
Cc:Fine, Adrian; Kou, Lydia; Council, City
Subject:Vehicle dwellers in residential neighborhoods
Attachments:PastedGraphic-2.pdf
To the Palo Alto Police Department:
I am writing to commend the PAPD on efforts to restrict long-term parking by vehicle-dwellers along Park
Blvd., south of Page Mill Road, and in adjacent residential streets in the Ventura district. I observed that notices
were recently placed on a number of these vehicles, which temporarily addressed the problem. Unfortunately, it
is an issue that will require continued attention and, hopefully, permanent changes in parking regulations. I am particularly concerned about the more-or-less permanent parking of large camper vehicles on Birch St., between
Lambert and Chestnut, surely one of the narrowest streets in the city. Apart from issues of public health and
public safety, these vehicles constitute an extreme visibility hazard to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. I
attach a few recent photographs.
While I am by no means indifferent to the critical housing issues we are facing, long-term parking of large
vehicles on narrow residential streets is not an acceptable solution. I’m writing to urge that the PAPD monitor
this situation closely and act decisively to prevent an accident that is waiting to happen.
I am copying the Palo Alto City Council, two of whose members have been particularly responsive to these concerns. The simple, albeit short-term solution is to change the parking regulations along Park Blvd. and,
especially, adjacent residential streets while we grapple with the larger social issues involved.
(Dr.) Barry M. Katz
233 Margarita Avenue
Palo Alto, CA. 94306