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
10/18/10
Note: Documents for every category may not have been received for packet
reproduction in a given week.
CITY OF PALO ALTO. CA
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
10 OCT 12 PH 3: 03
Liz Kniss
county of Santa Clara Supervisor. District Five
Y·ou ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE 10TH ANNUAl.
ASIANH,EROAwARDS
8c
LUNCHEON
Join past and present honorees in celebration
Friday, October 22, 2010
11:30 doors open, 11:45 program, 1:15 end
DYNASTY CHINESE RESTAURANT
10125 NORTH WOLFE ROAD, CUPERTINO
(408) 996-1680
201 o ASIAN HERO HONOREES
Mr. Jindong Cai
Mr. Wesley Mukoyama
Mr. Patrick Ngo
Ms. Catherine Chen
Mr. Rafiq Dossani
Mr. Phil Quon
Ms. Victoria Taketa
Nakayoshi Gakko
Asian Law Alliance
Tzu Chi Foundation
For planning purposes, please respond by October 20,2010 to
Nicole Squires at 408-299-5059 or [email protected]
$15.00 per person, payable at the door
Please attend as our
guest at no charge to
you.
70 West Hedding Street, San Jose, California 951 10
(408) 299-5050 or (650) 965-8737
Page 1 of2
CITY Of PALP MJO~PA
Minor, Beth
CITY CLERK'S'OF,FlCE
""
".
,~,
_•..• ••• _.
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nlOClil Alf S: 51
From:
Green Foothills [[email protected]]
Sent:
Friday, October 08, 2010 3:53 PM
To:
Green Foothills
Subject:
Action Alert: Committee for Green Foothills presents Citizen Advocate Awards
Attachments: image001.jpg
To: All Palo Alto residents and all interested in HSR
"Citizen Advocate Awards" to be presented to CARRD founders Elizabeth Alexis, Sara Annstrong, Nadia
Naik, Rita Wespi and from Gilroy, Yvonne Sheets-Saucedo on October 15th at 7pm at Palo Alto Art Center
Auditorium, 1313 Newell Rd, PA following a talk by Anthony Flint about Jane Jacobs ,and her struggle with
Robert Moses in the late 1950s over a cross town freeway that would have destroyed much of Greenwich
Village and historical lower Manhattan
Anthony Flint, Director of Public Affairs at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy,
Cambridge MA and the author of "Wrestling with Moses: How Jane Jacobs took
on New York's Master Builder and Transformed the American City" (Random
House 2009) will explore the lessons that this David and Goliath story has for
today, on issues ranging from future growth to high speed rail.
In the spirit of Jane Jacobs, CGF will present "Citizen Advocate Awards" to the
founders of CARRD who stepped up to review, research and provide accurate
facts regarding the planning of High Speed Rail from Gilroy to San Francisco and
major HSR issues arising along the full route. Committee for Green Foothills
believes that it is important to recognize these local citizens for the willingness,
tenacity and fervor with which they have taken on this vitally important task as volunteers acting solely for the
good of the community. They have earned the praise and respect of the entire community and of the public
officials, local and State, responsible for this matter.
Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) is a continuing inspiration to all who care about the livability of their communities.
She is the author of "The Death and Life of Great American Cities", still a classic in the field of urban planning.
In the late 1950s she, as a volunteer citizen, opposed Robert Moses, the most powerful public official in New
York City, on some of his projects, particularly a cross town freeway that would wiped out much ofGTeenwich
Village and historical lower Manhattan, AND WON! Her story is comparable to the individuals that CGF will
be honoring.
Palo Alto Art Center
1313 Newell Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Starts at 7pm
$10 Suggested Donation.
Anthony Flint's book will be available for purchase and signature.
CGF invites all to come'and be part of this well deserved recognition!
- The folks at Committee for Green Foothills
10/12/2010
Untitled document
Minor, Beth
From:
Neal Sen [[email protected]]
Sent:
Friday, October 08, 2010 9:29 PM
To:
Council, City
Page 1 of2
. CITY OF PALO ALTO. CA
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
'0 OCTf2AH 8: 52
Subject: Final Election Strategy
Hello Peter,
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We can give you that final push your campaign needs with precise micro-targeting groups. Let your volunteers
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Thank you,
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Neal P. Sen, MBA
Vice President
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1-(210)-858-6844
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If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or simply click on the following link:
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10112/2010
Page 1 of6
Minor, Beth
From:
Penny Elison [[email protected]]
Sent:
Wednesday, October 06, 20104:17 PM
To:
Council, City
Subject: Fairmeadow Elementary School Walk & Rolls
Fairmeadow News
Walking and Rolling to School
Here's a posting on Tuesday's Walk a Roll School event
from Room 14's blog:
Today was Walk and Roll to School Day at Fairmeadow. Lots of
students walked and biked to school today. The bike racks were
super full, and in the morning kids colored paper shoes to put on
the wall for display. Room 14 took a school-wide poll on who
walked, biked or rode in a car or bus to school. We got into groups
of 5 (or 4) and we were assigned classrooms to go to take the poll.
Room 14 used iPads to record our data. It was fun to go around
school and ask the classrooms if they rode their bike, or walked.
After that, we came back to room 14 and took out our laptops and
used Microsoft Excel to make a graph of our data. It has been really
fun to use all of the latest technology, like iPads, MacBooks, and
iTouches.
by Tessa and Rachel
10/6/2010
Page 2 of6
To view more photos and Room 14's spreadsheet and graph of school
participation in the event, go to the Walk Roll to School image
gallery on the Fairmeadow website,
a:
[]
Steps to Respect Survey
The PTA had a very informative Parent Ed session Tuesday night,
Oct. 5, with Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet, "Launching Steps to Respect."
Please watch for more information coming from your teachers and
from the PTA in coming months.
At the end of the seSSion, a parent survey on Social Cruelty was
handed out. If you were unable to attend the meeting but would
like to participate in this survey, you may DOWNLOAD the Steps to
Respect Parent Survey, answer the questions and forward the form
to Sigrid Pinsky at [email protected], or drop it off in the office.
Please feel free to contact Sigrid with any questions or for further
information on the Steps to Respect program.
[]
Classroom Needs Microwave Oven
Have you recently upgraded your years-old small, white microwave
oven to a brand spanking new stainless-steel model and don't know
what to do with the older model?
Please consider donating it to Charmon Ashby's J-1 classroom! Their
oven recently conked out and they can really use a replacement.
Contact Charmon at [email protected].
[]
Harvest Carnival- The Countdown Begins
10/6/2010
000
Page 3 of6
THE HARVEST CARNIVAL NEEDS YOUR HELP!
BUILDING & PAINTING THIS WEEKEND
The Harvest Carnival crew can use some extra hands building and
putting the finishing touches on the carnival pieces for next
weekend's BIG EVENT. Adults and kids -- there's something for all
skill levels! Come by the MP Room this Saturday or Sunday, Oct. 2-3
afternoon and join in the fun! Contact Lynn Grant at
[email protected] for more information.
WANTED: BARBELL WEIGHTS
The Harvest Carnival committee is building a gravity-powered
water-balloon launcher similar to a medieval catapult. They need to
borrow some weights to power it and are looking for 4 to 8 barbell
(bench-press) weights, about 25 pounds each. Please contact
Stewart Cobb at 650-269-5594 if you have some you can spare until
the carnival. We promise to treat them gently and give them a good
workout!
ONE HOUR, THAT'S ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR!
With a little more than a week to go, we still have MANY volunteer
opportunities available. Please give an hour of your time to staff a
game, serve some food, or sell some tickets. We count on parent
support to make this event happen. Click on the JOONERS LINK or
sign-up when you buy tickets at one of our upcoming pre-sale days
on October 7, 13, 14 and 15.
PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION TO THE CAKE WALK
We need lots of delicious desserts for Fairmeadow's Annual Cake
Walk at the Carnival; it's a favorite for Fairmeadow families. Cakes,
pies, cupcakes and other deLicious desserts are welcome! Drop off
your goodies at the Cake Walk table between 11: 30am and 12pm on
the day of the event, Saturday, Oct. 16.
Questions: Contact Kirsten Missett at [email protected]
10/6/201 0
Page 4 of6
KidsArt Card Fundraising Program
Art Cards Order Forms to Go Home This Week
Help support Fairmeadow by participating in this year's KidsArt
Fundraising Program. Each student will be designing an art card in
class or at home. The completed art card and an order form will be
sent home in the Friday Folder on Oct. 7. Return the order form
with a check payable to Fairmeadow PTA, along with the child's art
card by FRIDAY, OCT. 15.
Th~
note cards, printed with your child's original design, will come
packaged in a star-studded cellophane bag, topped off with a
glittering ribbon. Expected delivery date is during the second week
of December, just in time for holiday gift-giving.
This year's theme for the children's artwork is "Respect" (respecting
the earth, other people, different cultures, etc.). Extra blank cards
and order forms are available in the office.
Contact Natalie Lucha (nlucha22®yahoo.com) or Teresa Cheng
(teresa.cheng®live.com) with questions. Thank you for your
participation!
[0
PAUSD News
Disaster Drill -- Are You Prepared for a Disaster?
All PAUSD schools will conduct a disaster drill on Tuesday, Oct. 12,
to remind staff and students what to do in the event of a disaster.
Experts recommend that you have a plan for your family and keep
at least a 3-day supply of water and food. Please go to
www.72hours.org to find information you need to know and a
checklist of supplies you should have on hand.
[0
Thank You, PiE Donors
We are deeply grateful to all of you who have already donated to
Partners in Education (PiE)! Your official thank you and tax receipt
will be on its way shortly, but is delayed by district-wide data
conversion issues. If you need your acknowledgment letter for tax
purposes in the next few weeks, please email Kathy Schroeder, PiE
Executive Director, kschroeder®papie.org. If you haven't donated
yet, please do so online at www.papie.org. Thank you again for
supporting our schools!
[0
ArtSpeak: 'Animation: Bringing Together Artistic
Talent and Storytelling'
1016/2010
Page 5 of6
The Palo Alto Council of PTAs' ArtSpeak! speaker series cosponsors
"Animation: Bringing Together Artistic Talent and Storytelling," a fun
and informative talk, featuring Patricia Hannaway, a veteran
animator with wonderful stories about her work on "Lord of the
Rings," "Shrek" and "Mulan," among others; and James Buckhouse, an
artist and animator who has exhibited at museums and galleries
around the world and lectured at UC Berkeley, Stanford, Harvard,
NYU and Parsons. Thursday, Oct. 14, 7-8:30pm, at the Palo Alto Art
Center, 1313 Newell Rd" Palo Alto,
o
Community News
CANS Enhanced Features -- SMS Messaging
Palo Alto's Community Alerting and Notification System (CANS) has
merged with the larger countywide AlertSCC system effective Sept,
1, 2010. The transition should be seamless for Palo Alto subscribers
and the new system will provide enhanced features for participants,
Tbose features include SMS messaging and password protection for
your account information, In addition, authorized public safety
personnel will have access to the 9-1-1 database to send emergency
messages, For more information or to sign up:
www,cityofpaloalto.org/info/news/details.asp?
NewsID=7978:TargetID=60,
o
News Archive
Fairmeadow News
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Principal's Message
Grab 8: Go Breakfast Thanks
Box Tops for Education
Partners in Education (PiE) - Did you know?
Spring Auction and Benefit - Save the Date
School Site Council Openings
Harvest Carnival Prize Donations
Join/Renew eScrip
New Recycling System
Volunteer Opportunities Update
Fairmeadow Now on Facebookl
PAUSD News
•
•
•
•
10/6/2010
'How to Talk to Your Teacher'
ADHD Parent Education and Support Group
Community Comments for 2011-2012 8: 2012-2013 Calendars
Special Ed Email Group and School Reps
Page 6 of6
Community News
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
YCS 20-Year Anniversary Golf Tournament
. Bike Palo Altol
El Carmelo's Time for an Oil Change: Green Activities'
Parent Ed: Assessment, Diagnosis and Schools
PACO's 45th Season Opening Concert
Square Dance Class
Mini Camp at the JCC
Japan Tsuchiura Sister City Festival
Children'S Theatre Saturday Playhouse
If you would like to submit an item for eNews; send it to me by
email at [email protected]. In the message,
please include a short description of the news, date, time, contact
and location of the event. Information submitted by Saturday 6pm
will be posted on Sunday and by Tuesday 6pm for the Wednesday
edition.
Best regards,
Patty Sakuma
10/6/2010
Page 1 of 1
Minor, Beth
From:
Penny Elison [[email protected]]
Sent:
Thursday, October 07,201010:01 AM
To:
Council, City; 'Camille Townsend'; [email protected]; [email protected]; 'Dana Tom';
[email protected]; 'Kevin Skelly'; 'Robert Golton'
Subject: GunnWalks & Rolls
I want to share with you a note I just got from the lead of the Pedaling for Prizes team, Kathryn LaTour, at Gunn HS. GO,
Titans!!! -Penny
From: Kathryn Latour [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2010 8:53 AM
To: 'Kathryn Latour'; 'Martha Elderon'; [email protected]; 'Gunn Connection'
Cc: 'renu virdi'; 'Penny Elison'
Subject: RE: last article for Connection and morning announcements - thanks for running this!
Thursday, October 7, Gunn High School students joined with thousands of other Palo Alto students to Walk and Roll to
school. As part of a city-wide attempt to focus on our commuting habits and their impact on our environment, the city
of Palo Alto sponsors this Walk and Roll event annually in the fall. We hope those students who took alternative
transportation to school on Thursday realize the positive change they are effecting by avoiding coming to school by car.
We do not have a good count of the pedestrians or skateboarders but 581 Titans came to school by bike this morning.
That is nearly X of the entire student body! And very few students were seen without helmets. Well done, Titans!
Thanks also go to our steady volunteers who distributed brownie bites and encouraged bikers to remember their
helmets: Ruth Harris, Carol Wentworth, Christine Fawcett, Steve Hubbell, Christine Wachs, Boris Foelsh, and Igor Malik.
We were also assisted by the PTA Traffic Safety Rep, Julie Schwardt. Look for our next P4P event in November.
Pedal4Prizes Team: Renu Virdi, Kathryn Latour
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.8621 Virus Database: 271.1.1/3181 - Release Date: 10106/1011 :34:00
10/7/2010
Minor. Beth
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Camille Townsend [[email protected]]
Thursday, October 07, 2010 1:16 PM
Penny Elison; Council, City; Kevin Skelly; Robert Golton
[email protected]
RE: Gunn Walks & Rolls
eli Y. Of PALO A.LTG. CA
CITY CLERK'S OFRCe
JCOcri' -8 AM 7:-Se
Hi Penny,
Thanks for sending along Kathryn's detailed biking data and just thinking about that
student horse power must make you smile. Everybody's daily experience was enhanced, I'm
sure, by this opportunity to be out in the fresh air.
Seeing all the publicity surrounding 'Walk & Roll,' yep, we too were inspired to jump on
our bikes.
Biked to Addison, Jordan, & Hays and got a chance to exercise with the kids,
chat with the crossing guards and parents, and feel good ....
Just terrific.
I admit, drove to Hoover & Gunn, but I swear I have a tiny car
Thanks for the inspiration and the news Penny (and Kathryn).
great education, service, and Physical Education to all.
You and the team provide a
Take care
Camille
Camille Townsend
Member of the Board of Education
Palo Alto Unified School District
25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94306
650.493-3410
[email protected]
From: Penny ElIson [[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2010 10:00 AM
To: [email protected]; Camille Townsend; Barbara Mitchell; Barbara Klausner;
Dana Tom; Melissa Caswell; Kevin Skelly; Robert Golton
Subject: Gunn Walks & Rolls
I want to share with you a note I just got from the lead of the Pedaling for Prizes team,
Kathryn LaTour, at Gunn HS. GO, Titans!!! --Penny
From: Kathryn Latour [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2010 8:53 AM
To: 'Kathryn Latour'; 'Martha Elderon'; [email protected]; 'Gunn Connection'
Cc: 'renu virdi'; 'Penny ElIson'
Subject: RE: last article for Connection and morning announcements - thanks for running
this!
Thursday, October 7, Gunn High School students joined with thousands of .other Palo Alto
students to Walk and Roll to school. As part of a city-wide attempt to focus on our
commuting habits and their impact on our environment, the city of Palo Alto sponsors this
Walk and Roll event annually in the fall. We hope those students who took alternative
transportation to school on Thursday realize the positive change they are effecting by
avoiding coming to school by car. We do not have a good count of the pedestrians or
skateboarders but 581 Titans came to school by bike this morning. That is nearly % of the
entire student body! And very few students were seen without helmets. Well done, Titans!
Thanks also go to our steady volunteers who distributed brownie bites and encouraged
bikers to remember their helmets: Ruth Harris, Carol Wentworth, Christine Fawcett, Steve
Hubbell, Christine Wachs, Boris Foelsh, and Igor Malik. We were also assisted by the PTA
1
Traffic Safety Rep, Julie Schwardt.
Look for our next P4P event in November.
Peda14Prizes Team: Renu Virdi, Kathryn Latour
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
version: 9.0.862 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3181 - Release Date: 10/06/10 11:34:00
2
Page 1 ofl
Minor. Beth
From:
Penny Elison [[email protected]]
Sent:
Thursday, October 07,20105:36 PM
To:
Council, City; 'Camille Townsend'; 'Dana Tom'; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]
Cc:
PTAC_ [email protected]
Subject: FW: Re: Quick take: Successful Walk and Roll at Walter Hays!
The reports are starting to come in. Bravo, Walter Hays! They really Walked & Rolled!!! Read on ....
On Thu, Oct 7,2010 at 11:41 AM, Melanie Norall <[email protected]>wrote:
> I'd estimate maybe 20 cars came into the lot at the most!
>
> Great day!! Thanks Deborah!
> Melanie
>
> Melanie Norall
>---------------------------
> From: Deborah Gronke Bennett <[email protected]>
> To: Melanie Norall <[email protected]>; Angie Cole
> <[email protected]>; Carmen Munoz <[email protected]>
> Cc: Boris Foelsch <[email protected]>
> Sent: Thu, October 7, 2010 9:57:39 AM
> Subject: Quick take: Successful Walk and Roll at Walter Hays!
>
> I am declaring Walk and Roll day at Walter Hays a big success!
>
> I did a bike count: 207 bikes and 22 scooters on campus today. That is 101
> more bikes and at least 10 more scooters than on a typical Thursday a few
> weeks ago. More than 113 of our school population rode their bikes, double
> the usual number. (And today is the last day before a 4-day weekend, when I
> know our school attendance is lower).
>
> There was noticably less traffic in the parking lot for dropoffs, and no
> lineup of cars ever formed on Middlefield Road today. It was obvious that
> some people who usually drive picked another way to get to school today.
>
> Our Foot Power collage has about 80 shoes on it. (I'm out of space!).
>
> -deborah bennett
> PTA Health and Safety
>
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.8621 Virus Database: 271.1.1/3181 - Release Date: 10/06/1023:34:00
10/8/2010
Page 1 of2
Minor, Beth
From:
Peter Drekmeier [[email protected]]
Sent:
Sunday, October 10, 2010 10:44 PM
To:
Council, City
to OCT f 2 AM 8:52
Subject: Fwd: League of Cities - climate votes Friday
Hey, this is great news!
Peter Drekmeier
[email protected]
(650) 223-3333
Begin forwarded message:
From: <[email protected]>
Date: September 20,2010 8:58:41 AM PDT
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: RE: League of Cities - climate votes Friday
Reply-To: <[email protected]>
City Leaders,
As you may have already heard, at its annual conference Friday, the League of California Cities voted in
favor of continued implementation of SB 375 and AB 32 ..,- by a two-to-one margin!
As reported by Carey Knecht at ClimatePlan:
The League of California 9ities' Desert Mountain division brought the resolution, which would have
ordered the Board of Directors to support efforts to suspend or delay the implementation of SB 375
and AB 32. After a long afternoon of impassioned debate and "call the question" votes, the League
soundly defeated this resolution, according to witnesses, by a vote of 143-80.
Early in the discussion, the League considered an amendment to remove AB 32 from the resolution
and allow separate consideration of SB 375 and AB 32, which was defeated. The League's
Resolution Committee had earlier made a recommendation to defer the Desert Mountain resolution
rather than take action, which easily passed.
The vote occurs less than a week before the California Air Resources Board takes action to set SB
375 greenhouse gas targets on September 23rd, and approximately six weeks before the
November election.
Thank you, all whose leadership brought this to a halt and who are advancing the clean energy economy so
vital to growing jobs, improving our national security and of course, protecting our atmosphere.
Best,
~
-Rafael
10112/2010
Page 2 of2
From: Rafael Reyes - Sierra Club [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 6:08 PM
To: 'Fergusson, Kelly'; 'David Lim'; Brandt Grotte ([email protected]); 'Anu Natarajan FCC'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; Sue Lempert
([email protected]); '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]
a.us'; 'Becker [email protected]';'[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; 'sdigre@tm
ail.com'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]';'[email protected]';
'[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; 'Janssen, Jeff'; '[email protected]'; 'Patrick
Burt'; 'Peter
Drekmeier'; '[email protected]'; '[email protected]'; 'kevin [email protected]'; 'mkasperza
[email protected]'
Subject: League of Cities - climate votes Friday
Importance: High
City Leaders:
You or your colleagues are partiCipating this week at the League of Cities annual conference in San
Diego. This Friday there is a resolution to be voted on to have the League request:
1)
The Governor to suspend AB32 the Global Warming Solutions Act, and
2)
The Legislature to suspend 5B 375, Sustainable Communities Strategy
These pieces of legislation are essential landmark strategies to grow the clean energy economy, create
jobs and sustainable communities - not to mention safeguarding our resources from climate change. Jobs
in clean energy have grown even during the recession and is a key bright spot in the California economy.
These actions will set us back.
If you are at the conference please make sure to oppose this effort and reach out to your colleagues to
inform them of this important action.
Thank you,
Rafael Reyes
Board of Directors
Sierra Club
10112/2010
Page 1 of 1
Minor, Beth
From:
Williams, Curtis
Sent:
Thursday, October 07,201010:43 AM
To:
[email protected]
Cc:
Council, City; Keene, James; Emslie, Steve; 'Asnwini Gillen'
Subject: RE: Cell tower for midtown?
Mr. Silverstein,
Thank you for your interest in improved cell phone coverage, a concern shared by many in the community. The City does
not initiate installation of cell phone towers or other wireless facilities, but staff has been engaged recently in helping to
facilitate the process for wireless communications carriers. We have been working with a group from Joint Venture Silicon
Valley to identify ways the City can help the carriers better identify feasible sites for facilities and to assure that the review
process is as expeditious as possible. The group is also trying to identify areas that need improved coverage, so your
input would be useful.
I believe that Ashwini Gillen, the project coordinator for the Joint Venture project, would be glad to help provide
your contact information to the group and can put you in touch with your specific carrier if you are interested (I am
providing her with a copy of this e-mail). She can be reached at (650) 274-9566 and her e-mail is: [email protected].
Please let me know if you have other questions.
Curtis Williams, Director
.
Department of Planning and Community Environment
City of Palo Alto
(650) 329-2321
From: Amnon <[email protected]>
Date: October 1,2010 8:46:23 PM PDT
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Subject: Cell tower for midtown?
Dear Council,
My Midtown neighbors and I would love to have better cellphone coverage. We are far from any
tower. Is this something that the council can facilitate?
Regards,
Amnon Silverstein
10/7/2010
Minor. Beth
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Loran Harding [loran.harding@stanfordalumnLorg]
Tuesday, October 12, 2010 2:14 PM
[email protected]
Stanford article on wastewater treatment
CITY cl£RkPs1l1R,h~A
10001 IS AM 8: '"
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Mr. Stephen Hogg
Assistant Director of Wastewater
City of Fresno, Ca.
Mr. Hogg- I sent you and others information about a big Stanford breakthrough on
wastewater treatment about three weeks ago. Also one about on a water filter using
electrified nanostructures. And a third about a big improvement in solar plant efficiency.
The route I provided to the articles written by the Stanford News Service was a little
convoluted, so here is how to easily access these three articles:
1) Search term: Stanford engineers use rocket science to make wastewater treatment
The search term: Stanford rocket science and wastewater, works too.
Click on banner that says news.stanford.edu.
2) Search term: Stanford filter and nano
Click on banner that says High-speed filter uses electrified nanostructures to purify
water.
Again, click on the banner that says news.stanford.edu
3) Search term: Stanford efficiency of solar
Click on the banner that says Stanford engineers' new solar energy conversion process
could ...
Again, click on the banner that says news.stanford.edu
These should all be of interest to you, especially the first two articles. Your
proposed capital budget calls for a $172 million expenditure over five years for a
separate distribution system in Fresno for recycled water. The Stanford filter should help
bring our current recycled water up to the drinkable standard. They are testing it now on
different species of bacteria. I have looked on the internet at recycled water and it
seems that it can almost be safely drunk now! There is a "yuck" factor in getting people
to accept it, but that is a PR problem, not a health issue.
With 66 million gallons of wastewater pouring in from Clovis every day, it is
exciting to think of what it would mean if we could make all of that water drinkable. I
get the impression on the internet that making wastewater drinkable is not a "moon-shot"
sort of endeavor.
Tomorrow night at the UAC your department will present "Wastewater II" to the
committee. I wish you could comment at that time to them about how difficult and expensive
it would be to make our current recycled water drinkable. If it can be made so, you would
not need the separate $172 million distribution system for recycled water. I think the
Mayor and City Council will be interested in your opinion, or that of consultants, on that
question too.
Note too that the Stanford filter uses a fifth the electricity and is 80,000 times
faster than current bacterial filtering systems that pump water through filters. That
would allow you to increase the volume of recycled water produced substantially, I would
1
think. I should think that the new filter could be used too at the surface water treatment
facility:
The article cited above re rocket science and wastewater treatment must be
fascinating to you too. Less energy required since more methane is produced to use as
fuel, lower cost by not oxygenating the sludge, less NO going out in the effluent, and the
NO broken into nitrogen and oxygen and put back in the atmosphere, restoring the nitrogen
cycle. I really notice where they say that current wastewater treatment systems use
technology from the 1970s and are due for an update. Because of that, perhaps we should
think in terms of having to spend substantial money up the road on installing this and
other new technology at our plant in Fresno. Further reason to try to sidestep the outlay
now of $172 million on a separate recycled water distribution system.
The two breakthroughs articulate with each other in that sense.
The third article on solar efficiency is of interest to everyone. You'd
no doubt like to see a big drop in your operation's
electric bill. I hope
that Mark Scott, with his Stanford MBA, will follow the progress of all three developments
with Stanford. One might have thought that all three would have made the Fresno Bee and
the TV stations, but none did. The parking situatlon at the Fresno Fair gets a lot of
coverage. Can you believe it? If money talks, all three will soon be commercialized and
available. The U.S. Department of Energy helped fund the research on solar. Secretary of
Energy Steven Chu was Chairman of the Department Physics at Stanford, won the Noble in
Physics while there, and apparently left impressed with the research prowess of his
fellows at Stanford.
You always make a good impression at the UAC meetings. A good communicator, it is
obvious that you know your field and your operations. It is worth attending the meetings
just to hear from a real expert.
BTW, before the last UAC meeting I sent information about the three developmenst
above to Christal Love, the facilitator. She said she submitted ~he information for
consideration but it seems it was denied to the UAC members sitting down the sides of the
table. Have you heard everything yet?
The information is highly relevant to their deliberations. I ask that the Mayor, City
Manager and City Council take note of that.
Mr. Loran W. Harding
Fresno, Ca.
[email protected]
2
Minor. Beth
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Jean McCown [email protected]]
Thursday, October 07,20106:01 PM
'Pria Graves'
Council, City; [email protected]; 'Jean McCown'
RE: Earthquake drill or toxic release?
cllv'etERKSif'Fltvi:
100&1-8'· ~",Jt-IO"
Hello Pria -- there were several weeks of advance notice of this (the day it was to
happen, although not the exact time, the desired participation on campus, etc. ). I know
the intent is when Stanford tests its sirens periodically, which will happen even where
there is no drill of this sort, there is a noticing procedure to neighboring communities
(e.g. Palo Alto and Menlo Park.)
I would have thought that procedure would have been
followed here.
I will check on if it did or if not, what happened in this case.
If the
notice procedure was followed, we can evaluate whether it should be adjusted in some way.
Regards,
Jean
-----Original Message--~-From: Pria Graves [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2010 5:00 PM
To: Jean McCown
Cc: City Council; [email protected]
Subject: Earthquake drill or toxic release?
Jean This morning's earthquake drill was more than a little alarming for some of us living
nearby!
I was unaware that Stanford was planning this and was alarmed to hear the sudden wailing
of sirens.
In fact, fearing that it might indicate a toxic leak in the nearby research
park, I actually started closing windows and then dialed 911 to find out what was going
on.
Perhaps you think my reaction extreme, but particularly in the wake of the recent
explosion and horrific fire in San Bruno, the possibility of a similar catastrophe
occurring in this area is something that we must consider.
So how I am supposed to determine whether a sound I'm hearing is Stanford conducting an
earthquake drill or the warning of a toxic leak from the research park? Similarly, how
does the sound of fireworks differ from the sound of a bomb or gas explosion?
I'm really disappointed that no effort was made to alert nearby residents to Stanford's
plans in advance and I hope that in future, the university will be more considerate.
Regards,
Pria
1
Arastadero Problems and Diane Diamonds artcie
Minor, Beth
Page 1 of3
CITY Of PALO ALTO.CA
Gfl¥· m
. ERt!/i OFfiCE .
From:
Rodriguez, Jaime
Sent:
Thursday, October 07,20106:53 AM
To:
'Mallory, Ingrid C'
Cc:
Council, City; [email protected]; Williams, Curtis; Keene, James; Emslie, Steve
18 OCT -1 AM 8: II
Subject: RE: Arastadero Problems and Diane Diamonds artcie
Hello Ms. Mallory,
Thank you for your email. I apologize if a return call to your previous inquiry was overlooked and for your
frustration with the Arastradero Road improvements.
This one-year trial project was developed through an extensive community outreach process over a two-year period with
the trial scheduled to end next summar. In October staff will begin to collect traffic data including volume, speed and travel
time data on Arastradero and adjacent streets to measure the effects of the project. Today's article did bring attention to
congestion pOints on the corridor including Charleston Road at EI Camino Real and Arastradero Road at Donald DriveTerman Road. These notes are consistent with our observations and other community feedback, and we will continue to
evaluate and, if feasible, implement changes to better address these concerns. If you or others have additional
input regarding congestion points or times, staff appreciates hearing about them so we can record and evaluate those
concerns.
Please note that some of the final roadway marking improvements are still pending including "Keep Clear" and bike lane
stencils. These improvements are scheduled for. installation this week, as there was a delay due to a nationwide roadway
plastiC material shortage. Two future phases of work include 1) a traffic signal modification at Arastradero Road and
Coulombe Drive to provide protect the left turn arrow phasing for southbound Arastradero Road traffic, and 2) a new
marked crosswalk/raised median island at Arastardero Road and Clemo Drive, both of which are scheduled for
implementation in November.
The traffic signal at EI Camino Real and Arastradero Road-Charleston Road is operated and maintained by the California
Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and staff is working with them to make observations and schedule signal timing
adjustments. The previous 4-lane configuration at the EI Camino RealfArastradero Road-Charleston Road intersection is
maintained though, so the current operations are the same as in previous years. At Arastradero Road and Donald DriveTerman Road there is an existing All Vehicle Red/Pedestrian Only interval to assist the adult crossing guard at that
location in moving school-aged pedestrian traffic across the intersection. The westbound morning queues on Arastradero
are simultaneous with the period that the pedestrian only interval is active, but the City feels that this is an important
safety element that should be maintained for the benefit of pedestrian traffic.
The City will be scheduling its first post-construction community meeting on October 21 8t at Terman Middle School. Once
the meeting time is confirmed I will be sure to email you so that you may attend to share your input.
Thanks.
Jaime O. Rodriguez
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Av
Palo Alto, CA 94303
0: (650) 329-2136
F: (650) 329-2154
[email protected]
From: Mallory, Ingrid C [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 9:52 AM
To: Rodriguez, Jaime
Cc: Council, City; [email protected]
10/7/2010
Arastadero Problems and Diane Diamonds artcie
Page 2 of3
Subject: Arastadero Problems and Diane Diamonds artcie
Dear Mr. Rodriguez:
As resident of Palo Alto for more than 20 years and married to a native who has seen many changes. I find this morning's
article by Diane Diamond spot on. The Traffic flow problems are immense and no one is listening to the residents of this
community, at least not the ones who ilve in South Palo Alto and have to deal with every day.. You certainly are not. I
made a phone call asking to be called back more than two weeks ago regarding these issues and you never called back.
So if you only have about two dozen complaints perhaps it is because no one is logging them in or you're pretending they
don't exist.
Traffic is a mess. Lights are not synchronized people are left in the middle of intersections and some one is going to get
serious hurt. You said the City set this up for the safety of bicyclist to make it easier for them to ride; well it has not done
this. It has made it more dangerous and caused a multitude of drivers and bicyclists to do dangerous things in order to
get through quicker because of all the delays it has caused.
The 88 bus is full, in fact it is packed every morning and afternoon and VTA has no intention of adding more buses in the
morning or the afternoon. And in the morning you sir should see the 88 bus trying to get through and deal with all the
traffic and bicyclists. The drivers deserve praise for doing there jobs well and for making sure those passengers get to
where they need to go in spite of what you have done to this street.
At this moment on a week day I would not let my daughter ride her bike given the situation and the danger of the traffic
problems.
You add the other features that you say will improve things in the article and it will become even more dangerous.
The people who live in those apartment buildings on Arastadero cannot get out in the morning, which was nice planning
on the City's part. I guess they don't want them to go to work.
Traffic is bumper to bumper. Cars are in the middle of intersections because traffic does not move forward. The most
dangerous intersection being EI Camino and Arastadero.
Your purpose was getting cars off Arastadero and put them where Page Mill, the firm I work for people are late everyday
because of the back up on Page Mill. And no one in Old Palo Alto would ever let you do this on Embarcadero because
lets face it the City always does this to South Palo Alto because we don't matter. So where do you plan on putting all this
traffic because no ones getting on a bike because it is too dangerous.
You want people on there bikes, why so we can get injured or hurt.
And lets talk about the bicyclists' that ride erratically, do not signal, ride on the wrong side of the rode and wear there
helmets on there bikes not on there heads.
Here is another question where are the police? No one is directing this traffic, no one is ticketing bicyclists who do
dangerous things, and no one is talking to drivers or ticketing them.
And yes, I had an impatient BMW tailgating me all the way down to Gunn High School, I'm luck he did not hit me. And
this is not the first time I have had a driver so impatient that he almost rear-end me.
So you have failed in making traffic better and you have failed in making it safer for bicyclists to ride on Arastadero. You
also get a failing grade for not returning my phone call two weeks ago.
I have copied my letter to the editor of Palo Alto daily news.
Sincerely,
10/7/2010
Page 1 of1
Minor, Beth
From:
Pat Marriott [[email protected]]
Sent:
Thursday, October 07,20105:33 PM
To:
Council, City
Cc:
Keene, James; Williams, Curtis; Rodriguez, Jaime
Subject: Arastradero
An article in the Daily Post (10-6) ended with a quote from Jaime Rodriuez which leads one to assume the
city doesn't care about drivers. Regardless of the traffic jams, the city is going ahead with plans to
permanently narrow Arastradero.
Car traffic is only going to get worse as the city builds more dense housing. No matter how much the city
would like people to get out of their cars, some have no alternative but to drive. Caltrain and VTAare
cutting services.
Arastradero is a major through-route to 280. A.nd when there's a traffic jam on Arastradero, it affects EI
Camino.
Clogging the arteries frustrates everyone -- commuters, parents dropping kids at school, people trying to
get in and out of their driveways. Frustrated people do stupid and dangerous things.
Blocking the arteries also\pushes people into neighborhood streets. There are already suggestions that
Gunn students & parents divert to Maybell to avoid Arastradero.
http://paloaltoonline.com/sguarelindex; php?i = 3&t= 13208&d = # add comments
Years ago, Joe Kott wanted to narrow Middlefield Road to two lanes. His experiment provoked the wrath of
commuters on this main artery and the plan was abandoned. Yet now the city is turning a deaf ear to
drivers on Arastradero.
Have you noticed how bad EI Camino traffic becomes through Menlo Park, where lanes have been reduced
in favor of planted center dividers?
At a time when we can only anticipate more traffic, reducing lanes does not have a "calming" effect.
Please do not go forward with the Arastradero plan.
Pat Marriott
10/8/2010
Page 1 of1
Minor,8eth
From:
Richard Placone [rcplacone@sbcglobal,net]
Sent:
Saturday, October 09, 2010 4:28 PM
To:
Rodriguez, Jaime
Cc:
Keene, James; Emslie, Steve; Council, City
C.'.TY OF PALO *i.LTQ..•.CA
CITY CLERK'S uFFltE
Subject: Arastadero Stripping
Mr Rodriguez,
In regards to the stripping on Arastadero Road, I am neutral as to its effectiveness. While I use the road all the
t4ne, I never use it during peak traffic hours. I have been told that the traffic backups at the Gunn HS entrance
are horrendous since the new stripping, and if this is so, the city must take measures to relieve this, since it
poses a serious hazard, if true.
However, from a remark in the paper, it was stated that the city will make the new stripping permanent, and will
plant medial trees and landscaping. As a taxpayer, of a city faced with ongoing serious financial deficits, and a
long list of crumbling infrastructure, and perhaps the worst paved roads in the area, the city has no business
spending money on unnecessary landscaping The lower end of this road, the Charleston Avenue section, is
also stripped to create single lanes and left turn lanes, but has no landscaping. It works fine, and I have used
this part of the road during peak times. When the city has caught up with its $500 million dollar backlog of
infrastructure repairs, and has nothing else to do with our money, and has given we utility users some relief,
then and only then, should it consider this kind of landscaping project. To go forward at this time borders on
the insane. Would you buy a Jaguar when you can barely afford a Ford? I think not. So please inform the city
managers that they need to use some common sense when it comes to this expenditure. I would like a reply
with your thoughts. Many thanks.
Richard C. Placone
Chimalus Drive
Palo Alto
10/12/2010
William D. Ross
Kypros G. liosteUer
Karin A. Briggs
Law Office of
William D. Ross
Lube! Birrueta
Matthew S. Schuman
520 South Grand Avenue, Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90071·2610
Telephone: (213) 892·1592
Facsimile: (213) 892-1519
Cl TY OF PALO ALTO CA.
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE"-'oAltoOffi«:
.. .
. 400 Lambert Street
10 OCT -7 AH'&Cl'f~:;::.i=
Facsimile: (650) 843-8093
File No: 1110
October 4,2010
ELECTRONIC & U.S. MAIL
city. council @paloalto.org
The Honorable Patrick Burt
and Members of the City Council
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto CA 94301
Re:
October 4,2010 City Council Meeting; Agenda Item No.3; Opposition to VTA
Grant for California Avenue Lane Reduction Project
Dear Mayor Burt and Members of the City Council:
This office represents several businesses located on California Avenue who have
opposed, and urge your Council to withdraw approval for Staff submittal of a Grant to the Valley
Transportation Authority ("VT A") last week for funding of streetscape improvements that may
be granted only if California Avenue is reconfigured to a two-lane street. CMR 367: 10, page 9.
Your Council should direct Staff to withdraw the VTA Grant as it is inconsistent with
prior City representations as to California A venue Phase II improvements, is inconsistent with
the Comprehensive Plan and does nothing to address the long-standing problem on California
Avenue of the lack of adequate parking.
Much of the information set forth in this communication' is the result of a City response
under the California Public Records Act concerning this latest Grant Application as well as
attendance at improperly noticed public meetings concerning the VT A Grant Application before
both the business community and the residential community of College Terrace.
The City Staff received notification that it could apply for the VT A Grant Application on
August 6,2010. Notwithstanding this notification and prior representations of City Staff, notice
of both business and residential meetings was not sent out until September 3, 2010, the Friday
before the Labor Day weekend for meetings that were to occur on Wednesday, September 8,
2010 (a major religious holiday) and ambiguously for Tuesday and Thursday September 9,2010.
The notices for these public meetings conflicted. One indicated that the Grant would involve
only re-striping of California Avenue while the other clearly referenced a permanent lane
reduction.
G:\OOJ.OlO\California Ave. Phase n Improvements P.A\Mayor Bun (100410 Agenda item 3].doc
The Horrorable Patrick Burt
and Members of the Gi~y Council
City: of Palo Alto ...;;
October 4,2010
Page 2
It should also be recalled that Staffrepresented to the businesses along California A venue
that before any modification to California Avenue was proposed that CalTrans would be
consulted concerning any improvements or alterations that would be needed at the intersection of
California Avenue and EI Camino Real including signal timing (April 16,2010). Staff concedes
that this contact has not occurred as does CalTrans, but will occur if the Grant is approved.
As in previous meetings, the principal reason for improvements on California Avenue is
to accommodate the acknowledged parking problem - a concern that now, according to Staff,
will have to wait. Addressing the parking issue would be consistent with the current
Comprehensive Plan Policy of preserving existing businesses.
When asked why Staff was not improving the long-standing parking issue, Staff s
response was that it was for another time and that the lane reduction was necessary to address the
"Grand Vision" of the City set forth in several of its planning documents for a pedestrian
oriented "destination" commercial area on California Avenue. Comparisons were made to Los
Gatos, Los Altos and Livermore without specific comparison as to how those examples would
apply to California Avenue. The majority of businesses on California Avenue are 110t pedestrian
oriented but rather accessed by motor vehicles.
Also, midway through the process it was revealed that the actual businesses would be
charged either a fee or would actually have to lease improvements that would be made on the
sidewalks in front of their business resulting from Grant funds as it is public property.
The Grant Application itself is based on a vehicle count taken during the third week in
August, a fact that was pointed out on numerous occasions by business owners as being the
lowest traffic volume of the year because of vacations and the lack of Stanford students. Also,
the vehicle count did nothing to account for the occupied homes on Stanford Avenue, part of the
Olmstead Development. Notwithstanding this criticism, Staff continued to advocate the pursuit
of the Grant.
Many residents and individuals expressed the concern that reducing the lanes would only
make California Avenue less accessible to business as has been the case for many businesses
located along University Avenue.
Also, it was acknowledged in one of the public meetings by the Planning Director that the
Grant Application has not been coordinated with other planning studies for California Avenue of
the ·City, for example, the Concept Plan for California Avenue in the Comprehensive Plan
Revision, the very matter that is before you tonight.
In summary, the Staff pursuit of the VT A Grant is based on a scenario in the future that
G:\OO 1.0 IO\Califomia Ave. Phase II Improvements P.A\Mayor Burt (l004 \0 Agenda item 3J.doc
The Honorable Patrick Burt
and Members of the City Council
City of Palo Alto
October 4, 2010
Page 3
may never occur of the build-out of high density residential development in conjunction with an
undisclosed source of parking for the area to make California Avenue a "destination"
commercial center as previously referenced. Staff time and grant applications would be better
expenditures of public funds if they addressed current problems and helped preserve current
jobs.
It is respectfully urged that your Council recall the Grant Application before VTA as a
questionable use of public funds at a time when other capital improvement projects. which have
been properly approved and have been found to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan are
not going forward.
Very truly yours,
~~~.~-William D. Ross
WDR:dns
G:\OOl.OIO\California Ave. Phase II Improvements P.A\Mayor Burt(lOO4lO Agenda item 3J.doc
· The Honorable Patrick Burt
and Members of the City Council
City of Palo Alto
October 4,2010
Page 4
cc:
Scott Chopin
[email protected]
Curtis Williams, Planning Director
City of Palo Alto
CUltis. [email protected]
G:\OOI.OIO\Califomia Ave. Phase II Improvements P.A\Mayor Burt (100410 Agenda item 3].doc
CIlY OF PI\lO ALTO. CA
William D. Ross
Kypros G. Hostetter
Karin A. Briggs
Isabel Birrueta
Matthew S. Schllman
Law OfficeoflTY
William D.
520 South Grand
CLERK'S OFFICE
~Q3S..
Avendl!.~j,i AM 8: 52
Los Angeles, CA 90071-2610
Telephone: (213) 892-1592
Facsimile: (213) 892-1519
Palo Alto Omce:
400 Lambert Street
Palo Alto, California 94306
Ttkphone: (650)843-8080
Facsimile: (650) 843-8093
FileNo: 1110
October 8, 2010
VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
[email protected]
Curtis Williams, Planning Director
Planning and Community Environment Department
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Re:
California Avenue Phase II; October 4,2010 City Council Meeting;
Agenda Item No.3; VTA Grant Application
Dear Mr. Williams:
This communication responds to your statement made at the October 4, 2010 City
Council Meeting under Agenda Item No.3 with respect to the City Staff proposed pursuit
of a Grant before the Valley Transportation Authority ("VTA") and the public meetings
that have been held concerning that matter that no City Staff representative has ever made
a statement that the businesses along California Avenue would be assessed or would have
to rent the improvements that would be! accomplished under the VTA Grant if it is
approved on the sidewalk area adjacent to those businesses.
,
As indicated in a telephonic message tg you, this statement is incorrect. At the
September 8, 2010 City meeting with some members of the business community with the
following City Staff present, Ms. Julie Caporgno, Ms. Gayle Likens and City Traffic
Engineer, Jaime Rodriguez, Mr. Rodriguez when questioned, how would the City
maintain the improvements that would be accomplished on the sidewalk with the VTA
Grand funds (principally tables and benches) as they would be located in the public rideof-way, Mr. Rodriguez responded that the City would either rent the equipment or assess
the neighboring businesses for maintenance for those facilities. This statement by Mr.
Rodriguez was made at least twice and one member of the business community
responded and indicated that an additional assessment or rental fee would be unfair on
top of the fee that the business is. already paying for improved parking. As other City
records may reflect, approximately 15 people were present at that meeting.
G:\OOI.OIO\California Ave. Phase II Improvements P.A\Williams lO0810.doc
Curtis Williams, Planning Director
Planning and C0Il1111UnityEnvironment Department
City of Palo Alto" ',' '
October 8, 2010
Page 2
As indicated during the October 4, 20 10 City Council Meeting, it is of concern
that during the so called "public meeting" process the City Staff was not forthcoming
with respect to the characteristics of the VTA Grant but only presented information-such
as that it would not include street resurfacing-after being questioned either by members
of the business com.munity or the public.
As indicated telephonically, a declaration concerning the matters set forth in this
communication can be furnished.
Very truly yours,
w~'6,L
William D. Ross
WDR:sr
cc:
city.council(a),cityofpaloalto.org
G:\OOI.OIO\Califomia Ave. Phase II Improvements P.A\Williams I00810.doc
?~
s
Page 1 of1
C-9YNeIL MEETING
CITY OF PALO ALTO.CA
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Minor, Beth
Otmblr 11.,tolO
(k'J
Placed Before Meeting
[ ] Received
10 OCT' 2 PH
From:
Morariu, Kelly
Sent:
Tuesday, October 12, 2010 1 :33 PM
To:
Council, City; Council Agenda Email
Cc:
Keene, James; Baum, Gary; Grider, Donna; Antil, Pamela
Subject:
Fwd: Oakland Core Services Op-Ed
Attachments: Core Services Op-Ed.pdf; ATT3797526.htm
Please see the article below from Councilmember Yeh as additional information for tonight's Policy & Services
Committee meeting.
Thank youKelly
Kelly McAdoo Morariu
Assistantto the City Manager
650-329-2452 office
Sent from my iPhone-pardon any typos!
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Yiaway Yeh" <[email protected]>
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Subject: Oakland Core Services Op-Ed
Kelly,
Could you distribute the attached op-ed to P+S members?
Thank you!
Yiaway
10/12/2010
.b
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Fdday I January 29. 2010
Serving Oakland for 185 years
GllY Of PALib1i\Ll'Ot'
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2 BAY AREA·NEWS GROUP
oaklan~ttribt1ne~com
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FRIDAY. JANUARY 29. 2010
510
David Rounds Publisher'
Kevin G. Kealle Vice President; News
Dan Hatfield Editorial p~ pirector
Pete Wevurski Managil~ Editor BANG-EB
Martin G. Reynolds Editor
Contacting us: Editorial director
925.977.8430 Fax: 925.943.8362 • [email protected]
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.
The.evidence is clear that the
fuilCtiOl1S of the auditor's office are
cost-recuperative with a $4-return on
every $1 spent, and yet funding any new
program during severe budget shortfalls is not a simple decision.
This is why I commend the City
C6tulCil for funding this new prevention initiative and appropriating two
years of funding at $250,000 annually. Only through greater oversight·
and collaboration can the leadership,
employees and the residellts of Oakland
.stop fraud, waste and abuse and rebuild
trust in the city's stewa.rdshipof public
resources.'
.
To dig our way oufofthis current
budgetary hole, Oaldand inust get back
to basics. Preventing fraud, waste and.
abuse is. squ~!=! one.
CourtlZey
Ruby is Oakland's elected city
__.-':1. __•
......- - -
Page 1 of2
CITY OF PALO ALlO. CA
Minor, Beth
.CIIY CtEBttS··O££IC£ ..
From:
Burt, Patrick
Sent:
Wednesday, October 06, 2010 9:44 PM
To:
'[email protected]'
Subject:
FW: Action Invite: Author Anthony Flint & CGF Citizen Advocacy Awards
Attachments: image001.emz; image002.emz; image001.emz; image004.gif
From: Green Foothills [mailto:[email protected]]
Wednesday, October 06,20105:17 PM
To: Green Foothills
Subject: Action Invite: Author Anthony Flint & CGF Citizen Advocacy Awards
Sent:
Dear Friend,
What's Happening
An evening author talk and COF's, "Citizen Advocate Awards".
Anthony Flint, a fellow at the Lincoln Institute of LandPolicy, a think tank in
Cambridge, Mass. (www.1incolninst.edu), and author of Wrestling with Moses:
How Jane Jacobs Took on New York's Master Builder and Transformed the
American City (Random House), will explore the lessons this David-and-Goliath
story has for today, on issues ranging from future growth to high-speed rail.
In the spirit of Jane Jacobs, COF will present "Citizen Advocacy Awards" to
individuals who have stepped up to follow the planning of the High Speed Rail
from Gilroy to San Francisco. Being recognized are: Elizabeth Alexis, Sara
Armstrong, Nadia Naik, Yvonne Sheets-Saucedo, and Rita Wespi.
Why this is Important
Civic engagement is one of the great legacies of Jane Jacobs, author of "The Death and Life of Great American
Cities." "Wrestling with Moses" is a tale of how Jacobs fought city planner Robert Moses in New York to save
neighborhoods. Her story is comparable to the citizens we are recognizing at the event. The issue of building
the infrastructure needed to move our cities into a low-carbon metropolitan future are complex and have
potential impact on our neighborhoods and quality of life.
Citizens' voices are a critical component in the discourse on urban planning, especially in today's discussions of
providing High Speed Rail for our region and our state.
COF feels it important to recognize these local citizens for their willingness, tenacity, and fervor with which
they have taken on this task.
What you can do
Join Us!
Friday October 15, 2010, 7pm
Author Anthony Flint & CGF Citizen Advocacy Awards
Palo Alto Art Center
10/7/2010
Page 2 of2
1313 Newell Road
Palo Alto, CA 94303
Suggested Donation: $10 - books will be on sale at the event.
- The Folks at Committee for Green Foothills
Committee for Green Foothills
Our mission is to protect the open space, farmlands, and natural resources of Santa Clara and San Mateo
counties through advocacy, education, and grassroots action.
You have received this action alert because you are subscribed to Committee for Green Foothills' email alert
list. To be removed from this list, please reply to this message with REMOVE in the subject line. To be added
to this list and receive alerts about local open space issues, just send your name, address, and email address to
[email protected].
10/7/2010
Page 1 of3
'. ,.~
"
,.".
Minor, Beth
From:
Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo [[email protected]]
S~nt:
Wednesday, October 06, 2010 5:22 PM
To:
Council, City
InOel -7 AM
8:2_
Subject: Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo Newsletter Oct 2010
The Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo
Newsletter
October 2010
It's been an exciting summer at the
Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo!
Bobcat Ridge Grand Opening
A big THANK YOU to all our generous donors and volunteers who supported the Friends of the Palo Alto
Junior Museum &: Zoo and Bobcat Ridge! The Friends completed the $450,000 capital campaign for the
10/7/2010
Page 2 of3
design and construction of Bobcat Ridge, the new home for bobcats Tule and Rufus. Devcon Construction,
Inc. was engaged to construct the new bobcat habitat, and the Kitten's Den, a sculpture garden where
children explore the world of the bobcat.
The Zoo was closed for 6 weeks, beginning in April, during demolition of the old asphalt paths and re~
grading and re':'paving of the Zoo. The new warm colored concrete with animal tracks and a rubber
safety surface at the foot of bridge are a delightful change. During the closure, staff and volunteers
constructed the new duck pond fence and installed new landscaping. A video aboutBobcat Ridgeproduced
by the Palo Alto Media Center's summer volunteers is now posted on YouTube. Take a look at this cool
new video produced by students! http://www.youtube.com!watch?v=C5Y5m 6bPGM
The Friends sponsored a private donor party and hosted the Bobcat Ridge public opening and celebration in
June. Costumed character "Luna the Moth" greeted donors at the evening donor event, which featured a
sneak peak of Bobcat Ridge, steel drum music, and a special visit by Palo Alto Mayor Pat Burt and other
Palo Alto officials.
The Zoo was reopened on June 18th and Bobcat Ridge was unveiled to the public, with a ribbon cutting
ceremony and special events at the Zoo. Hundreds of visitors came to see the new Bobcat Ridge and Kitten's
Den and were delighted with the Zoo's new paving, landscaping, signage, and fencing. Children enjoyed
face painting and close encounters with birds of prey, reptiles, and small mammals like hedgehogs, rats,
and ferrets. Members were treated to a special Sneak Peek Breakfast sponsored by Peet's Coffee, Hobee's,
House of Bagels, Lucky's and Clif Bar.
Micas Bat Habitat
The Bat House renovation is nearly complete and a new exhibit, Africa's Bats, will be opened. The JMZ
acquired 10 new Egyptian Fruit Bats to join the Straw~Colored Fruit Bats. Come see the newly renovated
Bat habitat with panoramic views of an African cave and tropical rain forest. See the bats fly in and out of
the cave and climb along the vines and rocks as they groom each other and feed.
JMZ loves our volunteers!
A special thank you to all of our JMZ Volunteers who have done a super job this summer. Look for them
most weekends in the Zoo and the Museum, facilitating animal encounters and presenting special
Kamishibai story times. The Museum welcomes volunteers of all ages, and is now working to fill
weekday shifts between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, please call Alex Hamilton,
Education Director, at (650) 329~2412.
* * * Upcoming Events ***
-
October 29th - JMZ Halloween Zoo Night 6:00 pm ~ 8:00 pm
This very popular Members~only event is for the whole family. Dress up the kids and adults in costumes
and spend a fun~packed evening at the JMZ. Enjoy close encounters with animals, delicious food from
our wonderful sponsors, and special appearances by costumed characters.
Not a member? Go to our website www.friendsjrnz.org to become a member today!
October 30th - Day of the Dead Community Celebration
The Palo Alto Junior Museum &: Zoo will team up with the Palo Alto Art Center, the Children's Library,
the Children's Theatre and Raices de Mexico to present the 2nd annual Day of the Dead Community
10/7/2010
Page 3 of3
Celebration! Families can enjoy special activities throughout the day including performances, and gallery
activities.
Event hours:
1 ~ 4 p.m. at The Palo Alto Junior Museum &: Zoo
1 ~ 5 p.m. at The Palo Alto Art Center, The Children's Library and Children's Theatre
November 14th - Super Family Sunday 10:00 am ~ 12:30 pm
This event is will be open exclusively to families who have children with disabilities. Children with all
disabilities are welcome, as well as siblings, parents, and grandparents. Coffee and food will be provided
by Peet's Coffee. Meet select Zoo animals up close! In order to maintain a non~crowded environment,
attendance is limited. Reservations are required. Please contact Tina Keegan to reserve your spot
and to request special accommodations, at HYPERLINK "mailto: [email protected]"
[email protected] (650) 329~2624.
Classes
Saturday Science Classes - New this Fall!
Starting September 25 th, the Jr. Museum and Zoo will offer Saturday science programming for children
ages 3 ~ 5 and accompanying adults.
September: Dinosaurs: A 3~week session about every little scientist's favorite animal~dinosaurs!
November: Bubble and Fizz A pre~school chemistry class, where things get explosive and exciting!
December: Animals on the Move: Explore critter locomotion and animals on the run.
Pre~registration required.!0
register for these and other science classes, please visit HYPERLINK .
''http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/enjoy''www.cityofpaloalto.orglenjoy or pick up an Enjoy catalog at the
Junior Museum &: Zoo front desk.
Check the Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum &: Zoo website
for other activities, events, and exhibit updates!
www.friendsjmz.org
Forward email
Email Marketing by
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TRY IT FREE
Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo
10/7/2010
1 1451 Middlefield Road I Palo Alto I CA I 94301
Page 1 of 1
Minor, Beth
From:
Nat Fisher [[email protected]]
Sent:
Thursday, October 07, 2010 1:08 PM
To:
[email protected]
Cc:
Jay Thorwaldson; Council, City; Keene, James; mario dianda
Subject: PG&E gas lines in Palo Alto
I finally got around to calling PG&E using the number in your article several weeks ago.
It turned out to be the utility's hotline and it also turns out that if you aren't a PG&E
customer, you cannot
get the information about how close gas transmission lines are to your home or business. The
employees who answer the phone and their supervisors do not have that information, and I was
told it isn't available on their online maps either. So this phone number is a customer service
line for their own customers.
I wonder if you tried the number 1-888-743-7431 and if so, what response you got.
Like San Jose, each city must pressure the PUC to order PG&E to give this information about
where the lines are to the emergency responders for their city. Each city seems to be on its
own. And even San Jose cannot give the info out to its citizens. Perhaps we need the State to
order the utility to release the information about gas lines and the maps to each city's fire and
police department.
Natalie Fisher
10/8/2010
Page 1 of2
Minor, Beth
CITY
··A
r;rTVOF
Cl .~.~LG
EBlfS ALT.~.··.~.··
or~ .
......
.
.
,~I. :~:
,~
.
.
C .
..
,& OCT ~8 AM 7: Sf)
From:
Wayne Martin [[email protected]]
Sent:
Thursday, October 07, 20102:17 PM
To:
Eyerly, Rene
Cc:
Dornell, Paul; Sartor, Mike; Grider, Donna; Council, City; Wong, Dale; Mitchell, Karen; Macway, Sharon;
Silver, Cara; Keene, James
Subject: Re: Information Request--Financial Statements For City's Refuse Fund?
Mr. Eyerly:
Thanks a lot. I am interested, as many Palo Alto residents are. It's not hard to look at the cost increases and
project them out 10 years or so, and see very big costs for the residents. It's not hard to see the trash removal
costs at $100/can/month one of these days. I don't know about you--but I think that that's a lot of money!
Will review these documents with interest.
wayne martin
palo alto, ca
From: "Eyerly, Rene" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
,
Cc: "Dornell, Paul" <[email protected]>; "Sartor, Mike" <[email protected]>; "Grider,
Donna" <[email protected]>; "Council, City" <[email protected]>; "Wong, Dale"
<[email protected]>; "Mitchell, Karen" <[email protected]>; "Macway, Sharon"
<[email protected]>; "Silver, Cara" <[email protected]>; "Keene, James"
<[email protected]>
Sent: Thu, October 7,2010 1:33:30 PM
Subject: Information Request--Financial Statements For City's Refuse Fund?
Dear Mr. Martin,
Thank you for your interest in the financial health of the Refuse Fund. The City of Palo Alto does keep a history of its
finances and proposed budgets. I have attached a spreadsheet which details the revenue and expenses for the Refuse
Fund since FY 2004. Included in this document is the budget adopted by Council on September 20, 2010, which closes
the $6.2 million shortfall mentioned in your email. As the City moves forward, we will continue to monitor the Refuse
Fund's budget closely. The City is also in the process of conducting a cost of service study for the Refuse Fund. The
results will be presented to Council in early 2011, and will be used to restructure rates and expenditures to stabilize the
fund.
For more information on the Refuse Fund, I've included the link to the FY 2011 Adopted Budget here:
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicalfilebanklblobdload .asp?Blobl D=23426
Page 230 of the budget document (which is page 258 of the pdf file) shows the Refuse Fund's deficit at $7.0 million for FY
2011. The deficit was later amended to the $6.2 million.
.
Finally, financial statements for the Refuse Fund may be found in the Comprehensive Financial Annual Reports (CAFR)
found here: http':lIwww.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/asd/financial reporting.asp
The CAFR for FY 2010 has not been completed yet. However, the Refuse Fund financial statement forFY 2009 may be
found by following the link above, and going to page 39 of the CAFR (which is page 57 of the pdf file).
I hope you find these documents useful. Please contact me if you have additiOnal questions.
10/8/2010
Page 2 ~f2
Sincerely,
Rene Eyerly
Solid Waste Manager
From: Wayne Martin [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2010 12:07 PM
To: Eyerly, Rene
Cc: Grider, Donna; Council, City
Subject: Information Request--Financial Statements For City's Refuse Fund?
Mr. Eyerly:
Was wondering if there were something akin to a "financial statement" for the City's Refuse Fund .. like one
might find for a private sector company, that would provide sufficient data and history to understand how there
is a $6.2M shortfall in this fund?
If so, could you provide this information in an e-form, such as a .xls spreadsheet, or a .pdf file?
Thanks.
wayne martin
palo alto, ca
Mr. Erely:
This is the second request for this information.
Wayne Martin
Palo Alto, CA
10/8/2010
Change in Net Assets [Total Revenues less Total Expe
($3,005,051) ($1,220,766) ($2,669,003)
Ending Reserve Balances and Liability
Rate Stabilization Reserve
Corrective Action Reserve (formerly W.
Landfill Closure/Post-Closure Liability
$6,134,961
$590,000
$6,555,145
$3,841,550
$590,000
$6,692,803
$3,099,679
$590,000
$6,880,202
$565,595
$4,414,448
$590,000
$7,079,728
($171,093) ($5,410,646) ($2,719,090)
($256,294)
$3,831,495 ($2,844,403) ($4,936,329) ($4,992,623)
$658,016
$658,016
$636,216
$650,213
$7,907,097 $10,999,497 $11,123,395
$6,700,000
Minor, Beth
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Ann Gila [[email protected]]
Thursday, September 23,201012:25 AM
Council, City
HSR decision
GI1l
gr P~L8, At:f8.
Cf", Y:CLERK'SOFF1C\",
UJOCT 12 AM 8:11
Hooray for the courage to challenge) the HSR! Wonderful that Menlo Park and Atherton have
joined in. HIgh speed rail as it is currently planned will severely impact this community.
Ann Gila
459 Hawthorne Ave.
Palo Alto
1
Minor, Beth
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Jeff Hoel [email protected]]
Friday, October 08,20104:14 PM
Council, City
Hoel, Jeff
10..:6-10 CHSRA Station Workshop
GdrT(/Cli~\Fs eltFle
10 oel' 2111 e: II
Council members,
I attended last night's CHSRA Station Workshop meeting at Council Chambers, which
considered the possibility of putting a HSR station in Palo Alto.
At one point, HSRA guy asked the audience for a show of
hands: how many thought a station would be compatible with Palo Alto if tracks were at
ground level? No hands went up.
Then: how many thought it would be incompatible? 11.
After some discussion about how to frame the next question, it
was: how many thought a station would be compatible with Palo Alto if tracks were in a
covered trench but the station was at ground level? No hands. How many thought it would
be incompatible? 10.
The HSRA guy seemed not to know what to say next, but Sara Armstrong suggested he ask how
many people hadn't voted either "yes" or "no" on the previous two questions. Answer: 7.
HSRA later characterized the 7 as "undecided," but Armstrong made it clear that she
thought that the questions hadn't provided enough information.
Next, Elizabeth Alexis wanted the HSRA guy to ask how the audience felt about putting a
sort of mini-station in Palo Alto.
But the HSRA guy couldn't figure out how to characterize such a
(hypothetical) mini-station, so the question wasn't asked.
I continue to agree with Council's "no confidence" resolution, and with Council Member
Klein's view that Palo Alto doesn't want a station.
(From this page
<http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/pln/transportation/high_speed_rail/default.asp>
I tried to access the resolution, but was told that "website cannot display the page."
Also, many other clickable links on this page didn't work.)
Jeff
. Jeff Hoel
731 Colorado Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94303
1
Minor, Beth
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
CIT lOP PALO AU O. tA
CITY CLERK'S OFFfCE
..
. .'·OUNCIL MEETING
Steve Bisset [[email protected]
Monday, October 04,20105:17 PM
Council, City
UlOCT
HSR Palo Alto station and a general suggestion
-5 AM I·· ..
.
Oetnbl( 1.10JO
.[Xl Placed Before Meeting
[ 1 Received at Meeting
To the Council,
1) I am in favor of the HSR station in Palo Alto.
IF designed well, the benefits will far
exceed the negative impacts. How annoying it would be to have the HSR pass through Palo
Alto without access to it.
2) I am in favor of HSR in the Cal train corridor, IF it is NOT on a raised wall.
wall is an abomination.
A solid
SUGGESTION:
Why not a DOUBLE DECK raised track - a two-level viaduct?
At two tracks width, instead of four (two tracks wide at each of two above-ground levels),
this would:
- Eliminate all eminent domain issues.
- Be cheaper than a tunnel (I think - subject to engineering verification) .
- Provide the opportunity for an architecturally attractive item of beauty, the opposite
of an eyesore. Think Hoover Tower and Golden Gate Bridge. Look at the classic viaducts
of Europe to visualize what is possible.
HSR on such a two-level raised track is the best solution, IF well designed.
"Well
designed" includes state-of-the-art noise mitigation, which can make for less noise than
we have now.
Raised track will improve the unity of our city, as an increased number of safe crossings
can be added, and the visual unity preserved.
Further, raised track will increase ridership, due to the VIEW.
Increased ridership is in everyone's interest. Riding in a dark tunnel is no fun.
This may address everyone's concerns except those who believe that the train should not be
seen.
I suspect that many who believe that trains must be eyesores would convert if
presented with a rendering of a tastefully designed two-level viaduct. The proportions
are much different than the single-level four-track viaduct that has been proposed.
The
visual impact is much lighter and more transparent.
That's my two bits,
Steve Bisset
1051 Fife Avenue
1
Page 1 of 1
>.':"
Minor, Beth
From:
Jeff Phillips [email protected]]
Sent:
Monday, October 04,20108:42 PM
To:
Council, City
Subject: HSR Rail station in Palo Alto
I strongly favor High Speed Rail and support the placement of a station in Palo Alto. That said, I have serious
concerns about what I understand to be the locallly-required "improvements" currently specified by the HSR
Authority (including requirements for parking).
Palo Alto needs to be a leader in encouraging High Speed Rail and needs to commit to working with the State to
develop a plan that supports a HSR station in our community but does not require ridiculous parking and other
infrastructure improvements.
To my thinking, an acceptable HSR compromise will replace parking and other car-based transit subsidy with
subsidy for public transit that will feed passengers to the HSR station.
Also, HSR service through Palo Alto (and the Peninsula) should be required to be underground. Elevated HSR
traffic through Palo Alto is not acceptable to me.
Thank you for incorporating my views into this process.
Jeff Phillips
538 Rhodes Dr.
650.815.9442
[email protected]
Page 1 of 1
Minor, Beth
From:
William A. Little [[email protected]]
Sent:
Monday, October 04,201010:41 PM
To:
Council, City
lO,OCT -5 AH 10: I,
Subject: Support for Palo Alto and High Speed Rail
As a long term resident of Palo Alto (52 years) I urge you to supp~~ the High Speed ~ail's proposal to have Palo Alto as a
stop on the route to Los Angeles. The pr~ximity o! Stanford,.t~e Silicon Valley, the ~elghborhood. of Google and Facebook
and the Stanford Hospital make it an obVIOUS chOice. In addition, th~ yalue to the City, the shoppl~g c~nter and the
downtown area are strong reasons for the city to support the proposItion. Anyone who has spent tlr~e In Europe or Japan
should understand why High speed Rail is essential for a modern state. We may not be on the MetriC system yet but we
have an opportunity to bring California into the 21st Century!
William A. Little Professor of Physics, Emeritus
Stanford University,
Home: 15 Crescent Drive, Palo Alto
1015/2010
Page 1 of 1
Minor, Beth
From:
Ira Dorf [[email protected]]
Sent:
Monday, October 04,20106:14 PM
To:
Council, City
CITY OF PALO ALTO CA
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE·
fa OCT -.5
Aft 10: I'
Subject: high speed rail
In my opinion, there should be no High Speed train station in the City of Palo Alto.
I believe that the high speed rail network should not run up the peninsula, due to density of population that would be
disturbed by it. It should either terminate in San Jose.or be routed through less dense areas of the East Bay if it must
serve the Sacramento area. People on the peninsula, including San Francisco, can access high speed rail via Caltrain in
San Jose.
No matter the route decided, however, given the current fiscal climate in the state, now certainly does not seem the
time to begin this project, given the likelihood that it will run over budget and require additional funding.
Ira Dorf
827 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, 94301
Page 1 of1
Minor, Beth
From:
Brian Lo [[email protected]]
Sent:
Monday, October 04, 2010 8:03 PM
To:
Council, City
, CITY OF PALO
arTy CLERK"S ~~r,P,CA
Subject: Regarding HSR Palo Alto station
I feel that Palo Alto should NOT have a HSR station. Access to a rail
station along Alma from 101 is time consuming, and the existing major
access routes are already at capacity. Downtown Palo Alto is not a
regional transit hub, thus most passengers will have to continue the
journey by cars.
Regards,
Brian Lo
611 Wildwood Ln
10/5/2010
Page 1 of 1
CITY OF PALO ALTO. CA
CITY CI ERK'S OfFICE
Minor, Beth
From:
Gordon Craig [email protected]]
Sent:
Tuesday, October 05, 2010 8:18 AM
To:
Council, City
16 OCT -5 AM to: 5'
Subject: HSR Rail Station
Hello,
I think Palo Alto should have a HSR station, but that the city should continue to push for having the HSR lines either
underground or in a trench.
Thanks for your work for the city,
Gordon Craig
1476 Dana
Minor, Beth
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
. D·
b
r;
. d . @ . d·
"ITY Of PALO ALTO. CA
J eanme
Ulsen erg ueanme UIS min spnng.comrCI·TY CL· ERK'S· OFFiCE.··
Monday, October 04, 2010 10:42 PM
. ...
.. ..
.
Council, City
OCT -5 AHIO:"
High Speed Rail station
Ie
I do not think Palo Alto needs to host a high speed rail station. The number of parking
places required is untenable and it is hard to see what Palo Alto would gain by being a
station hub.
Jeannie Duisenberg
10/512010
Minor"Beth
beverly brockway [[email protected]]
Monday, October 04, 2010 4:23 PM
Council, City
High Speed Rail
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
(iffY ·(!1~PAl84.Li C'A
fnTrCLERK'$ Q",
J'OCT ~SAH'O:I'
I oppose the high speed rail line. Studies have not been done to prove the cost
effectiveness of the trains, it would cost much more than the State can afford without
cutting already drastically cut programs and would be detrimental to the communities
involved due to the height, noise, and location of the train lines.
Sincerely,
Beverly Brockway
1140 Hamilton Ave,
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Page 1 of 1
Minor, Beth
From:
John Hanna [[email protected]]
Sent:
Monday, October 04,20105:14 PM
To:
Council, City
laotT -6 AM 102S.
Subject: High Speed Rail
Please use the political process to halt HSR. Please don't commit the City to the huge legal expense of a lawsuit by
joining in the suit. The political process will be more effective and far less expensive in achieving the goal to stop HSR
from coming through Palo Alto.
John Paul Hanna, Esq.
Hanna & Van Atta
525 University Avenue, Suite 600
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Telephone: (650) 321-5700
Facsimile: (650)321-5639
E-mail: [email protected]
[
II
~~
iIi
i
I
i
1
Page 1 of2
Minor, Beth
From:
Irvin Dawid [[email protected]]
Sent:
Monday, October 04,20108:35 AM
To:
Council, City
Cc:
LOMAP Transportation Forum; BATF; Courtney Lodato
Subject: Fwd: Parking at the terminal [parking at potential HSR Station in PAl
Palo Alto Mayor Burt, City Council:
Yesterday I emailed* you my thoughts regarding the upcoming Thursday, October 7 - Palo Alto High Speed Rail (HSR)
Station Workshop in Palo Alto, Palo Alto City Council Chambers. 1st floor
In that email, I asked:
I If the HSRA insists on providing (excessive) parking, please ask them how many parking stalls will
I accommodate the TransBay Terminal in SF.
I thought about that question and realized that I should not request you to ask something I should find out first thus, I emailed the Transbay Terminal Joint Powers Authority myself. Here is their response:
---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Courtney Lodato <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, Oct 4,2010 at 8:03 AM
Subject: RE: Parking at the terminal
To: Irvin Dawid <[email protected]>
Mr. Dawid,
Thank you for your interest in the project.
The new Transit Center will serve 11 transportation systems but there is no planned parking at the new Transit
Center for automobiles. Please let us know if you have additional questions.
Best,
Courtney
10/4/2010
Page 2 of2
Sun, Oct 3, 2010 at 4:18 PM
*1 will be out-of-town on Thursday, so 1 wanted to let you know of my thoughts about' a
'potential HSR station'.
I SUPPORT Palo Alto having an HSR stop at the University Av Caltrain Station!
My main concern has to do with the excessive parking requirements (3000 spaces?) that I have heard associated with such a station
- which I entirely reject as being necessary for a transitlHSR station, (especially one in an urban area).
Palo Alto must make it clear that it expects HSR patrons to access the station in ways that will not necessitate parking a vehicle at
the station, such as using existing public transit or what is commonly known as 'kiss-and-ride', or just being 'dropped off' by a motorist
who then leaves the station in his/her vehicle.
If the HSRA insists on providing parking, please ask them how many parking stalls will accommodate the TransBay
Terminal in SF. (see response above!)
In· short, a huge parking garage only ensures traffic congestion, while few spaces would require greater use of transit and other
alternatives.
I do not see myself using the HSR with any regularity like I do the Capitol Corridor to travel to Sacramento. However, others - from
Palo Alto and other nearby communities will have reason to use it - and why not provide easier access?
I think one of the problems of our community is that our thinking often doesn't extend beyond our borders. This attitude is reflected
predominantly in our jobs/housing imbalance and unwillingness to meet our Regional Housing Needs Allocation aSSigned by
the Association of Bay Area Governments. Providing a station for the greater community would be a welcomed change.
Thanks for considering my thoughts. I hope the meeting goes well.
Sincerely,
Irvin Dawid
753 Alma St., #126, Palo Alto, CA 94301
650-283-6534 (cell)
10/4/2010
Page 1 of2
Minor, Beth
''( Of' PALO ALl'O~CA
\1", . . , trO,Il, ·e. 'OC=C=\C,E,
C",CITY
CLL.l\n 'I ,.(" J:
.. ,
From:
Irvin Dawid [[email protected]]
Sent:
Sunday, October 03, 2010 4:18 PM
To:
Council, City
Cc:
LOMAP Transportation Forum
..
,
..,
",.
,oOel "'it ~" n: 1$
Subject: High Speed Rail Station Meeting, Oct. 7
Mayor Burt & Council Members:
In regards to the:
October 7 - Palo Alto High Speed Rail (HSR) Station Workshop in Palo Alto, Palo Alto City Council Chambers. 1st floor
[On Thursday, October 7 at 7 PM, HNTB (an infrastructure engineering/design firm in business over 100 years), on
behalf of the Peninsula Rail Program (PRP) and the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), will be hosting a
workshop to discuss issues related to a potential Palo Alto High Speed Rail (HSR) station.
This event will be fully staffed and run by representatives from HNTB, the PRP, and the
CHSRA............................................................]
I will be out-of-town on Thursday, so I wanted to let you know of my thoughts about a 'potential
HSR station'.
I SUPPORT Palo Alto have a HSR stop at the University Av Caltrain Station! .
My main concern has to do with the excessive parking requirements that I have heard associated
with such a station - which I entirely reject as being necessary. Palo Alto must make it clear that it
expects HSR patrons to access the station in ways that will not necessitate parking a vehicle at the
station, such as existing public transit and what is commonly known as 'kiss-and-ride', or just being
'dropped off by a motorist who then leaves the station in his/her vehicle.
If the HSRA insists on providing parking, please ask them how many parking stalls will accommodate
the TransBay Terminal in SF.
In short, a huge parking garage only ensures traffic congestion, while few spaces would require
greater use of transit and other alternatives.
I do not see myself using the HSR with any regularity like I do the Capitol Corridorto travel to
Sacramento. However, others - from Palo Alto and other nearby communities will have reason to use
it - and why not provide easier access?
I think one of the problems of our community is that our thinking often doesn't extend beyond our
borders. This attitude is reflected predominantly in our jobs/housing imbalance and unwillingness to
meet our Regional Housing Needs Allocation assigned by the Association of Bay Area
Governments. Providing a station for the greater community would be a welcomed change.
Thanks for considering my thoughts. I hope the meeting goes well.
10/4/2010
Minor. Beth
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
eIf lor PALO At;lM. CA
OL~RWSO~-'GE
Margaret Petitjean [[email protected]]
OfT,Y
Sunday, October 03,201010:46 PM
"
",
.
[email protected]; [email protected];If.tm'yI8~rpfIfll~lIatlQorg;
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Council, City;
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Council, City;
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; owner-qui~t­
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]
High SP7ed Rail/Council Meeting 10/5/10 -
Agenda Item #F3
To:
City Council, et al,
As I read through these ridiculous sample resolutions I wished that JKRowlens were in town
to collaborate on her next science fiction book.
It's all there. We might substitute Hogwash School of Witchcraft (HSR) and the School of
Wizardry (CARRD) as .the witches scurry off to stir their brew after Senator Simitian' s
talk last Saturday, telling them how to stop the high speed train without the need for a
new ballot measure.
There are the mysterious letters, (just like those going out from our city attorney and
council turning down grade separations) the vanishing petitions to stop the forces of evil
(lost by the city clerk) the curse of the pain of the white hot knives piercing the brain
from horn blasts and diesel fumes.
Oh, then there was the "dream" - the design workshop with magical solutions.
Then there are the Chambers of Secrets with the goblets of fire, red and green lights of
crossing swords as they battle for dominance by plotting lawsuits with the forces of evil
from the East Bay One of these is the fishbowl at City Hall. You know what they say
about people in glass houses ... !
Does Siemens who will be a bidder want
HSR across the Altamont Pass? Doesn't our councilwoman Ferguson work for that company?
Should she have joined with one other councilmember
to enter into a
lawsuit against the State? (two down, others to go!)
Isn't this city guilty of all of the evils of which they accuse HSRA in that they ignore
residents' needs, refuse to answer questions and have violated many rules. With their
phantom council, kitchen cabinets, closed sessions, choice of commissioners (one of whom
suggested officials park their cars on the rails) and waste of the taxpayer's money, are
they obeying all the rules? Consider salaries for a city of just over 30,000. A City
Manager, an assistant City Manager, an Interim City Manager, a Business Manager, an
assistant Business Manager. Perhaps we should get rid of all the managers and leave the
assistants to do the work.
In short, the citizens have not been represented, The treatment of those who have been
sent to explain the HSR process have been insulted repeatedly while they were doing their
best with limited resources for a monumental task and this city, with Atherton and the
Palo Alto wizards, have the audacity to contemplate signing these resolutions.
Perhaps the signers should suffer wormtail's fate in Harry Potter and ...
1
Please resolve not to continue this farce.
When you have dug yourselves into a hole, stop digging!
Of course, you might accept the invitation to hear the bombastic Gary Patton again in Palo
Alto this coming week while he strives to kill high speed rail .on the Cal train Corridor.
Please do not spend our money to realize their goals
As Senator Simitian pointed out last Saturday in the Palo Alto Council Chambers, over 60%
of his constituents voted for high speed rail.
The only city to not have a majority was Atherton whose residents will be least affected.
Let them sue and pay for their legal fees and costs
and offer to pay for their tunnel
Perhaps Charles Schwab and the
football greats living along the railroad are already donors. Meg Whitman, running for
governor of California could help.
In Palo Alto let's take Leland Stanford, Railroad Robber Baron or Philanthropist. Lots of
land there big enough for a high speed train station and parking. Would he give back?
One of the resolutions attached to your staff report is from the City of Orange in
so.California. That city did not have a majority vote so let them sue. Why are you
plagiarizing words from other cities.
Could it be that your convictions are not strong enough to justify a resolution of "no
confidence in HSRA" because you are traitors to the majority of your constituents who
voted Yeah!
57% of the voters in Menlo Park were for high speed rail. If any of them are now saying
that they thought it was going to be built over the Altamont Pass they did not read the
ballot measure. We all voted for the high speed rail to go from the Trans Bay Terminal in
San Francisco, along the Cal train Corridor and the Silicon Valley to Gilroy, across the
Pacheco Pass and thence to Los Angeles.
WHEREAS, the citizens of the peninsula presented a petition to stop horn blasting;
WHEREAS, we have letters written by our city attorney and then mayor Chuck Kinney refusing
grade separations;
WHEREAS, The Public Utilities Commission has warned in writing that grade separations
were necessary at the railroad crossings;
WHEREAS, the Federal Railroad Administration has stated that the protection of the
citizens was dependent upon the choices made by the cities at their railroad crossings;
WHEREAS, the 1979 Noise Element of our General Plan contained such recommendations by
Charles Salter, Acoustical Engineers which were ignored;
WHEREAS, there is a man with two faces in Menlo Park who is the keeper of the keys "Behind
the Gate' named
(you fill in);
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the majority of residents who voted for high speed rail (built in a
re~sonable and cost-effective way), ask that you honor our wishes to eliminate the public
health threat which exists along the Cal train Corridor by accepting the many benefits in
upgrading and modernizing this antiquated railroad, or close it down completely to lessen
the traumatic stress we have suffered for decades and stop the injustice caused by failure
to act by Menlo Park officials.
Margaret Petitjean, Menlo Park
H.A.L.T (Homeowners Against Loud Trains-established by Felton Gables resident in the 70s)
H.O.R.N . (Halt Outrageous Railroad Noise- a national organization) Citizens for Noise
Abatement - Peninsula Petitioners.
2
Page 1 of1
Minor, Beth
From:
Katherine Clark [[email protected]]
Sent:
Monday, October 04,20104:14 PM
To:
Council, City
CITY Of PALO A'
CITY ClERK"S·
Subject: High Speed Rail
My husband and I are residents of Crescent Park and have lived in Palo Alto for over 26 years. We must
preserve the beauty of Palo Alto. It is one of the few cities along the Peninsula (and in California) with a
preserved small town/village atmosphere ...
Palo Alto should OPPOSE the High Speed Rail and NO station should be built in Palo Alto UNLESS the tracks are
all placed underground. This is a highly populated area and NO train system should be built above ground. It
is simply inappropriate and would DESTROY the beauty of our town. We have a decent railway running from
San Jose to San Francisco. If the high speed rail wants to connect (by passenger transfer) to our existing rail
line at Diridon station in San Jose, we have no objection to that.
We have spent Millions of dollars to put ALL of our UGLY overhead electrical wires underground. Why would
we want to spoil all that and allow a new train with overhead wires to slice our city in half???
Many years ago, when a proposal was made to extend the 280 or 101 freeway across San Francisco, the
residents successfully thwarted that .. Just think how that would have ruined the neighborhoods and the
Park ...
We will be out of town on Thursday evening but I want our voice to be heard!
We OPPOSE HSR. We cannot afford it and it would ruin our environment and destroy our property values.
Katherine and Lawrence Clark
555 Center Drive
Palo Alto
Tel. 323-1540
10/4/2010
Page 1 of1
Minor,8eth
From:
Bruce Crocker [[email protected]]
Sent:
Monday, October 04,20104:14 PM
To:
Council, City
Cc:
[email protected]
Subject: High Speed Rail Hearing
To: Palo Alto City Council
I will not be able to attend the hearing Oct. 7 and would like to register my view. I favor HSR as long as it is underground
or below grade with at least as many auto and pedestrian crossing points as present rail service. I am opposed to ground
level or elevated because of the division to the city and the whole raft of unintended consequences I am sure would
result. I know this is a more costly solution but this is a "forever decision" and worth the investment now.
~
If an acceptable route/underground plan can be developed, I think it would be good for Palo Alto to have a station. Links
the city and Stanford to the rest of the state, sensible mid point on the Peninsula, etc. I am sure there are issues of
parking and facilities I cannot see, but in principle, I like the idea.
Thanks for your consideration (and for tackling this very tough job).
Cheers, Bruce
Bruce E. Crocker
1250 Hamilton Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
HSR Station in Palo Alto
Page 1 of1
Minor,8eth
From:
Carlin Otto [[email protected]]
Sent:
Monday, October 04, 2010 4:09 PM
To:
Council, City
Subject: HSR Station in Palo Alto
Dear City Council Members
I am against the placement of a High Speed Rail station anywhere in Palo Alto.
Such a station will inevitably cause LOTS of additional traffic (e.g., autos and buses), people, businesses (auto rentals,
hotels, tourism, etc.), noise, pollution/trash, and the concomitant crime, loitering, advertising, etc.
These changes do not describe any city that I want to live in.
Carlin Otto
231 Whilclem Court
Palo Alto
10/4/2010
Page 1 of1
Minor, Beth
From:
Remi Barbier [[email protected]]
Sent:
Monday, October 04, 2010 3:55 PM
To:
Council, City
~
Subject: FOR High Speed Rail
We've lived in PA for several years and we are 100% IN FAVOR of a high-speed rail & a station in PA.
Remi Barbier
Lincoln Ave.
Page 1 of1
Minor, Beth
From:
Kevin Xu [[email protected]]
Sent:
Monday, October 04,20104:07 PM
To:
Council, City
10 OCT -It PH ..:t.
Subject: NO HSR station in Palo Alto, PLEASE!
To whom it may concern,
I couldn't attend the public meeting for HSR station this week in person, but I wanted to write to you to express
my opinion regarding this issue: we, Palo Alto residents don't need a HSR station, and we don't want HSR in
this city at all. What we really need is this wonderful community and we want to continue to work together to
make this community even better. HSR would do nothing good to Palo Alto other than disturbing our
community. Please, let's do whatever we can to stop HSR.
Thank you,
-Liqiang
10/4/2010
Minor, Beth
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Preeti Chugha [[email protected]]
Monday, October 04, 2010 4:54 PM
Council, City
Please Represent the Peninsula Majority Who Supports High Speed Rail
Dear Palo_Alto City Council,
I live and in the Palo Alto and am also a California High-Speed Rail supporter. I am
alarmed that several Peninsula cities are considering officially opposing the High-Speed
Rail project. I am writing today to urge you, my local government, to collaborate
constructively with relevant entities to help get high-speed rail built.
Like the majority of Peninsula residents, I supported the passage of Proposition 1A and
believe that the planned high speed rail system is critical to the economic, environmental
and transportation future of all Californians. On the Peninsula, I believe that it will
enhance our quality of life, contribute to a safer high-speed rail/Caltrain corridor,
reduce traffic at grade crossings and reduce noise from train horns.
I am deeply concerned that even though I am part of the majority who supports high-speed
rail according to a recent poll taken on the Peninsula, our voices in support for highspeed rail are getting shouted down. Along with the signers of this letter, we urge you to
avoid taking any formal opposition of the High-Speed Rail project. Instead, we ask you to
represent the true economic and environmental concerns of your constituents by working
more constructively to ensure the project happens in a way that results in win-win
outcomes for California and for our local communities ..
Sincerely,
Peninsula Resident
Preeti Chugha
2841 Alma St
Minor, Beth
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Lenore [[email protected]]
Monday, October 04, 2010 3:58 PM
Council, City
HSR
~lryUllt~k9s~W
I'OOOT -4 ';PH3' :SI
City Council Members
I can not attend and want to add my voice to the great concern that the HSR will be a
disaster for our community and other communities along the corridor from SF to San Jose.
My objection can easily be stated by the fact I VOTED NO on the issue way back when.
I
wasn't sure why, just that something about the arguments, rebuttals and description didn't
add up in my mind. AND, I still vote NO for what the HSR advisory board wants to
construct.
I urge the City Council to keep up going in the direction it has started after
Larry Klein's letter.
Electricity or not - stand on the train station when the express train goes through.
Besides (and along with) cutting cities/towns in half (if at ground level and not
tunneled), at 200 mph multiple time/day/ week/mo there is going to be a huge, loud woosh
every single time.
Thank you for staying on the track towards sensible growth
Lenore Cymes
wildwood Lane
Page 1 of2
Minor, Beth
From:
John Hofer [johnkhofer@gmail,com]
Sent:
Monday, October 04, 2010 12:31 PM
To:
Council, City
Subject: City Council Decision to File Suit Against the HSRA
TO:
Palo Alto City Council
Mayor: Pat Burt
Vice Mayor: Sid Espinoza
Members:
Karen Holman .
Larry Klein
Gail Price
Gregory Scharf
Greg Schmid
Nancy Shepherd
Yiaweh Yeh
FROM:
Charleston Meadows Association Board of Directors
President: John Hofer, 4111 Park Ave, Palo Alto 94306
Secretary: Jean Olmsted
Treasurer: Eric Sietzel
Members:
Nancy Fox
Ellen Hartog
Roger Kohler
Keith Reckdahl
Hinda Sack
JeffWolfeld
The Charleston Meadows Association (CMA) Board wishes to commend the Palo Alto City Council for its
unanimous decision to file suit against the High Speed Rail Authority's Program EIR. We are in strong
agreement with the council that the EIR violates the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in that it
fails to address many of the comments from the city and members of the public, especially with regard to
ridership and revenue projections and the selection of a route through the Pacheco Pass and along the Caltrain
Corridor.
As a community group that includes numerous homes along the Caltrain tracks we have been following these
issues for more than a year and a half. Many of our members have devoted hours of their precious leisure time
to studying the massive documents in order to provide written responses and to attending meetings to offer
public comment. Our concerns about the project go far beyond the concerns of a neighborhood that will be
seriously impacted by the HSR project. It is clear to us that this project, as currently designed, will devastate
communities up aild down the Peninsula.
We also wish to support the council adoption of a "no confidence" resolution recommended by the High Speed
Rail Committee and we commend the committee and staff for their work on this document.
10/4/2010
Page 2 of2
The CMA Board stands ready to support the council's decision to litigate by providing volunteer hours, as
needed. Some members of our association may also be willing to contribute to a legal fund, if that is
appropriate.
Again, many thanks for the good work you are doing on this issue which is so important to the future of our
community and to all of the citizens of Palo Alto.
Sincerely,
John Hofer
President, Charleston Meadows Association
10/4/2010
Page 1 of 1
Minor, Beth
From:
Jim Jarrett [email protected]]
Sent:
Tuesday, October 05, 2010 11 :44 AM
To:
Council, City
18,oel -5 PH i2: II
Subject: Against a High Speed Rail Station in Palo Alto
As residents of Palo Alto, we are against having a high speed rail station in Palo Alto. We are also against the high speed
rail system itself. The business model seems unrealistic.
Jim and Laurie Jarrett
1844 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94303
1015/2010
Page 1 of 1
Minor. Beth
From:
neva yarkin [[email protected]]
Sent:
Tuesday, October 05,20102:14 PM
To:
Council, City
CITy OF PALO'Al:rO.CA
CITY CIERtt'SJ1FFtCi
,
,
rBGCT -5 PM 3; 85
Subject: from neva yarkin
Oct. 5,2010
To the City Council,
I am totally against Palo Alto having a train station. The cost of $55,000 for each parking lot
and where to put this parking garage would be a major problem for anyone living in Palo Alto.
Neva Yarkin
[email protected]
10/5/2010
HSRinput
Page I ofl
;.
.~.
:-:'
.. ....
"
Minor,8eth
~.
From:
Rohini Chakravarthy [[email protected]]
Sent:
Tuesday, October 05,201012:49 PM
To:
Council, City
Subject:
HSR input
~.,.
..
.
fOOC'"r' -5" PH' 3.-ftl''.
~.'
~"':
Attachments: [CPNA] HSR Update: City needs your input on whether PA should have an HSR station
«[CPNA] HSR Update: City needs your input on whether PA should have an HSR station»
Hello:
I cannot make this meeting, so thought I would add my input by email. I would love the HSR project to go away, because I don't
believe that there is enough traffic between SF and LA to make it worthwhile. A second fallback is that if it is indeed going to
happen and run on the Peninsula, that we have as much of the Palo Alto run trenched as possible.
That said, if we lose one or both of those arguments, I would like us to have a station in Palo Alto, because having the ugly
train run through and not stop here would be worse.
Additionally, if we are going to have to live with a compromise, I would like the City Council to negotiate aggressively for a
direct connection of CalTrain or HSR from Palo Alto to San Francisco and San Jose airports. I travel for work several times a
month and it would be great to not have to drive and park at the airport, but the current setup makes it very inconvenient. Some
data that might help: ittakes 1 hr 10 mins to get from University Ave station to SFO, only 15 mins of which is a train ride .. This
is vs. 29 mins by car (25 from my house). http://tripplanner.transit.511.org/mtc/XSLT TRIP REQUEST2?#tab1 Selected
Same analysis for SJC shows that bus connectivity is better than the train and it is still 1 and a 1/2 hours to get to the airport
(vs. 26 mins by car) http://tripplanner.transit.511.org/mtcIXSLT TRIP REQUEST2?#tab1 Selected
Could we please spend money on building on the existing infrastructure we have and connect regionally better rather than on
this HSR white elephant?
Thanks,
Rohini
This electronic mail message, including any attachments hereto, is intended
only for the
addressee and may contain privileged and/or confidential information. If you
are not the
addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the
message to such
person), you are hereby notified that you must not use, disseminate, copy it
in any form,
or take any action based upon it. If you have received this message by error,
please
immediately delete it and any copies of it, including any attachments hereto,
and notify
the sender at New Enterprise Associates by reply electronic mail message, fax
or phone.
Thank you.
10/5/2010
Page 1 of2
Minor, Beth
From:
Sent:
[email protected] on
Monday, October 04, 2010 3:49 PM
To:
[email protected]
b~half of Beamer" Normal1 H:" [nQrritart.beal)[email protected]]
~: .
".;
' . : .' .
,
Subject: [CPNA] HSR Update: City needs your input on whether PA should have an HSR station
Here is an informational email about High Speed Rail. No need to respond or debate this issue on this forum - there are
plenty of forums where you can do that if you want to.
Dear Neighbors,
This week there will be a VERY important meeting related to High Speed Rail on the issue of whether or not Palo Alto
should have a High Speed Rail station. We need your input! This may be the only public meeting held on this issue.
HNTB (engineering firm), on behalf of the Peninsula Rail Program (PRP) and the California High Speed Rail Authority
(CHSRA), will be hosting a workshop to discuss issues related to a potential Palo Alto High Speed Rail (HSR) station.
Palo Alto High Speed Train Station Workshop
Thursday, October 7, 2010
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Palo Alto City Council Chambers
250 Hamilton, Palo Alto
This event will be fully staffed and run by representatives from HNTB, the PRP, and the CHSRA.
. Please note, whether you are for or against a station, we need to hear from you.
We need significant participation to let City Council members know what residents prefer.
If you cannot make the meeting, please email the City Council your thoughts at: [email protected]
Please forward this email to anyone you feel would be interested.
Nadia Naik
Co-founder
CARRO - Californians Advocating Responsible Rail Design
www.calhsr.com
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "Palo Alto Neighborhoods" group.
10/5/2010
Minor.8eth
',"v ttftR~,~V"rcr;
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Margaret Petiljean [[email protected]]
•
Tuesday, October OS, 20105:09 PM
.'
.
[email protected]; [email protected];RI,"@lJ1erllgJ.la{k~~r~; .•..
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]'6:6~UJs; ORn' ItjU
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; Council, City; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; BoardSecretary@~amtrans.com;
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Fwd: California High Speed Rail Blog » SomeThoughts on the Simitian Town Hall
Attachments:
California High Speed Rail Blog» Some Thoughtson the Simitian Town Hall
california High
Speed Rail 810 ...
To:
City Council, et al
Quoted from Rafael's entry re grade separations at 12:23 pm:
"next tackle local resistance to affordable separations at the 43 remaining grade
crossings ...
"Cities that take too long to make up their minds or that keep insisting on below grade
solutions yet refuse to fund most if not all of the difference would end up with the
Default Solution at-grade tracks with retained grade crossings.
However, since it will have been offered multiple reasonable options for full grade
separations at state/federal expense and refused all of them, such a city would then be
held liable for all direct and opportunity costs incurred by the rail operators in the
event of a grade crossing accident involving a pedestrian, cyclist or motorist if the rail
operator involved can prove it complied with all the applicable FRA and CPUC regulations.
The city would be free to take secondary legal action against the individual(s)
responsible for the accident in an attempt to recoup its losses, which would be covered by
insurance (if available) or the city's budget (if not)."
This liability should apply whether or not there is high speed rail. I would remind the
City of Menlo Park that council after council has promised to consider accepting
separation of the tracks from traffic and then has been silenced by the
demagogue(s) who run this city behind the scenes.
None of the councilmernbers seem to understand that four quadrant gates require local
funding and are not compatible with the amount of traffic along the Cal train Corridor.
There is a legitimate lawsuit waiting to happen. Should we frame the letters from city
officials rejecting grade separation and put them up in the council chambers with the
memorials of all those who have been killed in Menlo Park and with affidavits of all the
near-misses?
Let us banish all the demons and free
the people by lessening the pollution, making safe and modernizing this railroad. The
Environmental Impact Study on the Horn Rule stated that there were over two million people
adversely affected by the train horns alone.
Margaret Petitjean, Menlo Park
1
Minor, Beth
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Richard Hlava [[email protected]]
Tuesday, October as, 2010 5:58 PM
Council, City
Palo Alto High Speed Train Station
CITY OFPALO AltO CA
CITY CLERK'S O"FIC£
,0 OCT -6 AM 7:21
I can not make the Oct 7th workshop; however, I want to state that I do not believe Palo
Alto needs a HSR station. When I want to go to LA via the HSR, I can easily ride Cal Train
to either San Jose or San Francisco to catch the HSR.
Respectfully, Richard Hlava, 1664 Channing Ave.
1
Page 1 of1
Minor. Beth
CllYCLERK'SOfFlC~~
From:
[email protected]
Sent:
Thursday, October 07, 201012:55 PM
To:
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];ja.rtlM1coA!M,:QJt;., Dennis; Nielepko, Max;
"
.
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]\iiI
. ' ,
,', ,.•
Subject: Is use of a helicopter in a residential community, to apprehend an alleged thief worth the risk?
X-UNTD-UBE:-l
FAA proposes new rules for helicopter safety
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National Transportation Safety Board
and Federal Aviation Administration • More
workers survey the damage left by the
•
crash of two medical helicopters in
Flagstaff, Ariz., on June 30, 2008. All
seven people on board the two
NEWARK (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration proposed stricter flight rules for helicopters
aircraft were killed.
Thursday, including many·to increase safety for medical helicopters after a recent spike in fatal
accidents.
'
RECENT SURGE IN DEATHS
Medevac helicopter fatalities:
Source: National Transportation
Safety Board
Among the proposed regulations is a requirement that all air ambulance helicopters be equipped with an
electronic system that warns of terrain or other obstacles.
John Allen, FAA director of flight standards, said operators had installed or were considering installing
the Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (HTAWS) in about 40% of the air ambulance
helicopters as oflast year.
ADVOCATES: Push on for safety rules after fatal medevac crash
MEDEVAC INDUSTRY: Opposing upgrades wanted by NTSB
''Now, with the regulations, they're going to have to do more than think about it," he said.
The FAA said helicopter crashes are on the rise. In 2008, six accidents involving medical helicopters killed 24 people, making it the deadliest year
on record. From the mid-1990s through last year, more than 200 people have died in accidents involving commercial helicopters or helicopter air
ambulances.
Since then, a crash in Arkansas in August killed a pilot, flight nurse and flight paramedic, and last September the three-member crew of a medical
helicopter perished in a crash on the South Carolina coast.
Another proposed FAA regulation would establish stricter weather limitations for medical helicopter pilots flying under visual flight rules, or
without the aid of navigational instruments. Currently, they are governed by those rules only when they are transporting a patient, Allen said.
Pilots commanding medical helicopters also would have to be certified to fly using instruments.
All commercial helicopter pilots would have to undergo periodic training on how to handle sudden changes in weather that could create conditions
normally requiring instrument flying.
.
"Pilots who aren't used to this will lose control of the aircraft in seconds," Allen said.
Medical helicopter operators also would be required to conduct a preflight risk analysis, train on-board medical persounel in safety measures and
adhere to rest requirements and flight time limitations for flight crews operating with medical personnel on board.
The FAA estimated the cost of the proposal at $136 million for air ambulance operators and $89 million for other commercial operators.
The public will have a 90-day period ending in early January to weigh in on the proposals.
10/8/2010
Page 1 of3
Minor, Beth
tHY OF PALO ALTO. CA
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
1000TI2 AM 8: 52
From:
abjpd1 @juno.com
Sent:
Sunday, October 10, 2010 9:17 AM
To:
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]
Cc:
Venable, Mark; Burt, Patrick; [email protected]; Burger, Kelly; [email protected]; Espinosa, Sid
(internal); Schmid, Greg; Scharff, Greg; [email protected]; Price, Gail (internal); Holman, Karen
(internal); [email protected]; Flohr, Dave; [email protected]; Council, City; Burns, Dennis;
Brown, Sandra; [email protected]; HRC; bhuang11 [email protected]; [email protected];
Wong, Scott; Martinez, Nicolas; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; Brown, Sandra; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Former Winnfield officer to go on trial in Taser deah case (Ban Tasers Now) !!
Former Winnfield officer to
go on trial in Taser death
case
By Billy Gunn • [email protected] • October
10,2010
Jury selection is set to begin Monday for the former
Winnfield police officer accused of shocking a man to
.
death with a Taser.
Scott Nugent faces charges of manslaughter and
malfeasance in office in the Jan. 17,2008, death of
Barron "Scooter" Pikes Jr., a 21-year-old man Who
reportedly resisted arrest and was shocked nine times
in 14 minutes. Nugent's trial is in state district court
in Winnfield.
If convicted of both charges, Nugent faces up to 45
. .
years In pnson.
Winn Parish Coroner Dr. Randy Williams ruled Pikes
died of a heart attack caused by repeated shocks from
the Taser, and that Pikes probably was dead when
Nugent shocked him the last two times.
A report from a forensic pathologist in Youngsville,
however, stated the doctor was unable to determine
what killed Pikes, and that the 6-foot, 247-pound
man had sickle cell traits, which Dr. Joel Carney ruled
10112/2010
Page 2 of3
was a contributing factor in Pikes' death.
Carney's report, dated March 10,2008, also contains
information that conflicts with the coroner's opinion
that Pikes was dead before Nugent administered the
last two shocks.
Carney's report includes a narrative, taken from
transcribed police accounts, that claims Pikes was alive a
nd talking after being shocked for the last time.
Police were trying to arrest Pikes because he was
wanted on a felony warrant.
The Town Talk was unable to obtain a copy of
Williams' autopsy report on Pikes and a copy of a
subsequent report on Pikes' death by Louisiana State
Police.
.
George Higgins, one of Nugent's attorneys, said
Nugent "looks forward to the inal.... He has always
maintained his innocence and looks forward to having
his side of the story finally told."
Winn Parish District Attorney R. Chris Nevils in 2008
presented the case to a grand jury, which decided to
indict Nugent on the two charges.
-
"The grand jury saw fit to indict Mr. Nugent for
manslaughter and malfeasance in office," Nevils said
last week. "Now he'll get his day in court, and the
prosecution will get its day, and ultimately the jury will
decide the issue. "
Higgins said Nevils and his prosecution team won't be
able to prove the state's case.
"Mr. Nugent had absolutely no intent whatsoever to
kill any person," Higgins said. "He was simply
following police procedure."
Higgins also said "it will be proven that a Taser, used
as it was in this case, cannot cause the death of a
human being."
Alleged death by police officers using Tasers is
nationally debated, and the federal court system is
chocked with lawsuits against police and Taser
International Inc.
10112/2010
Page 3 of3
In Duson on Oct. 4, a Lafayette Parish sheriffs deputy
used a Taser to subdue Javon Rakestrau, 28, while
trying to arrest him. Rakestrau, who since 2003 had
been charged five times on alleged drug, weapon and
other offenses, died hours after being hit with the
deputy's Taser stun gun.
Steve Tuttle, Arizona-based Taser International Inc.
vice president of communications, in an e-mail
defended using the electronic device that is employed
by police agencies around the world.
"Taser technology has proven to reduce exces,sive use
of force claims (against police), and these highly
publicized cases represent a small percentage of
arrests ... ," Tuttle said. "
"We continue to stand by the independent peer review medical studies that have shown that the Taser
electronic control devices are generally safe and effective."
In August 2008, the mother of Pikes' child filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Alexandria against the city of
Winnfield, its Police Department, four police officers including Nugent and the police chief, the mayor and City
Council, and Taser International Inc.
Latrina D. Thomas and her son are seeking unspecified damages. The case is scheduled for trial in 2011.
In another lawsuit filed in federal court in New Orleans in 2005, Taser International Inc. and other defendants,
including the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, settled out of court in 2007. The terms were not disclosed. The
case involved a man who died after being shot with a Taser by a Jefferson Parish sheriffs deputy.
10112/2010
Page 1 of3
Minor, Beth
~lrY Of PALQ AlJO, CA
'CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
From:
[email protected]
Sent:
Friday, October 08, 2010 7:36 AM
To:
Clerk, City; HRC; HRC; [email protected]; bhuang11 [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Cc:
[email protected]; [email protected]; Burger, Kelly; Keene, James; Burt, Patrick; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; Brown, Sandra; Burns, Dennis; Venable, Mark; Martinez, Nicolas; [email protected];
[email protected]; Wagner, April; [email protected]; Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Price, Gail; Scharff, Greg; Keith,
Doug; [email protected]; [email protected]; Flohr, Dave; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; Nielepko, Max; Schmid, Greg; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Holman,
Karen (internal); Espinosa, Sid (internal); Larkin, Donald; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
[email protected]
""Gael' 2
AM 8: S3
Subject: Philly teen dies after cops Taser him (514 taser deaths and counting) Ban Tasers Now!!
Posted on Fri, Oct. 8, 2010
Philly teen dies after cops Taser him
By DAVID GAMBACORTA & GLORIA CAMPISI
Philadelphia Daily News
[email protected]
Patrick Johnson was no stranger to police.
He wasn't a bad kid, mind you - not a drug dealer, or a gang member or anything like that.
But the cops had been called to Johnson's Northeast Philadelphia home 14 times this year for a variety of domestic
problems that all seemed to involve him.
Johnson's family said he was mentally challenged: police said he might have suffered from mental illness.
This much is known for sure: The 18-year-old died yesterday, police said, after cops zapped him twice with a stun gun during a lengthy
confrontation inside his house on Souder Street near Tyson Avenue.
The exact cause of his death was unknown, and the question of whether the twin zappings played a role isn't likely to be clear until an
autopsy is performed.
Police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore said the encounter started to unfold shortly before noon, when police received two calls - one from
Johnson - about a person with a weapon at 6925 Souder St. .
The cops were plenty familiar with the address. "We had been there numerous times in the past," Vanore said.
"He had mental-health issues, and had been violent toward police before," he said, adding that Johnson had not been previously arrested.
Two officers who had received crisis-intervention training handled the call this time out.
When they arrived, Vanore said, the cops found Johnson darting in and out of his house, breaking things and grabbing sticks or tree
branches, which he tried to set on fIre by using the kitchen stove.
10/12/2010
Page 2 of3
The cops ordered Johnson to stop. Instead, he lunged at them, Vanore said, and they fired a
stun gun at him. "It had no effect," V anore said.
Johnson continued to carry on, Vanore said, so police zapped him again, and he dropped to
the ground. He died at Nazareth Hospital at 1: 10 p.m.
When approached by a Daily News reporter last night, Johnson's
family declined to comment. Earlier in the day, Michelle
Rynkiewicz, his cousin, told CBS3 that Johnson was "severely
retarded" and that a stun gun should not have been used on him.
Neighbor Beverly Douglas said Souder Street residents were used to seeing cops marching into Johnson's house.
"He's not too right in the head," she said. "The cops always come and take him out. He goes to a hospital for a few days
and comes home. "
Douglas said Johnson often walked around the neighborhood carrying small sticks, and was playful with small children.
"He was nice. He used to ask me for a soda," she said, before adding: "I couldn't believe
that he died. It wasn't necessary to [zap] him twice. "
According to Cyril Wecht, a prominent forensic pathologist from Pittsburgh, multiple stungun shots can have a cumulative effect. Just because a suspect doesn't fall from one shot
doesn't mean his heart hasn't been affected, he said.
"When you bring in electricity - that's what you have with the Taser - you're directly
compromising two vital systems of the body - the nervous system and the heart," Wecht
said, "The ftrst Taser, while not immobilizing, may well make the heart more susceptible
to the effects of the second Taser" and make significant trauma more likely.
Wecht, who stressed that he didn't know all of the details of yesterday's incident, said that police must be carefully trained to use a stun
gun.
"It's not something you use lightly," he said. "[But] generally, and to an overwhelming degree, it's relatively safe."
Without a Taser, some police might feel they had to use a gun, Wecht said.
Using a taser is "better than shooting," said Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood, who famously tested a Taser once in
front of TV cameras. "[But] unfortunately people die. The electrical impulse is significant, but short term."
The important thing is using the taser correctly, Chitwood said.
"A lot of times you use these things and sometimes you can't take the people down because it's the wrong part [where the taser hit the
body] or clothing [interfered]," he said.
The Philadelphia Police Department began offering crisisintervention training to officers in 2007, after several mentally
10112/2010
Page 3 of3
unstable people were fatally shot during confrontations with police.
The training focused on techniques to relieve tense situations including the use of stun guns - and Was developed with help from
the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Mental
Retardation Services and other mental health agencies.
Read more:
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/loca1!20101008 Northeast Philly teen dies after cops forced to Taser him.html#ixzzllmEjXVzN
Watch sports videos you won't find anywhere else
10/12/2010
CITY OF PALO ALTO
PROCLAMATION
PALO AL10, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CENTENNIAL
WHEREAS, the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1910; and
WHEREAS, the mission of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce is to promote and maintain
our community's economic vitality and quality of life by creating and supporting a positive
environment for business, articulating business concerns and by encouraging cooperation among
Palo Alto businesses and between the business community and city government, residents and
other key constituencies; and
WHEREAS, the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce is proud of its long term relationships
with members that have been a vital part of Palo Alto's economy during the last century.
Businesses such as Dahl Plumbing; Roller, Hapgood & Tinney; Mills the Florist; Condon &
Crome and Stanford Electric Works have been members since the Chamber was founded; and
WHEREAS, Palo Alto has long been known as an international hub of technological
innovation and this is reflected in the many local technology business members of the Palo Alto
Chamber; and
WHEREAS, on October 14, 2010, the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its
Centennial with a Toast to 100 Years of Business, Innovation and Technology in Palo Alto;
and
WHEREAS, the Centennial Celebration will be hosted by Tesla Motors, sponsored by
Genencor, a Danisco Division; Kokka & Backus, PC; Space Systems/Loral; Stanford Federal
Credit Union; with support from Stanford University.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Patrick Burt, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, on behalf of the City
Council do hereby congratulate the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce for supporting Palo Alto's
economic vitality for 100 years.
Presented: October 2010
Mayor
CITY OF PALO ALTO
PROCLAMATION
END POLIO DAY
WHEREAS, on October 24, 2010 the City of Palo Alto wishes to
recognize End Polio Day in Palo Alto; and
WHEREAS, Polio eradication has been the Rotary's top priority
si"nce 1985 with more than $1.2 billion contributed to the effort; and
WHEREAS, through the efforts of Rotary International and its
partners, the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, UNICEF, volunteers, advocates and other
donors, the world has experienced a 99% decline in the number of
polio cases; and
WHEREAS, the Palo Alto Rotary initiative is one more community
effort to invite the citizens of Palo Alto to support this goal for a poliofree world.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Patrick Burt, Mayor of the City of Palo, on
behalf of the City Council do hereby declare October 24, 2010 as End
Polio Day within the City of Palo Alto and encourage residents to
support programs to promote awareness and treatment of the disease
worldwide ..
Presented: October 2010
~&:j
atrick Burt
Mayor
.