CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, January 09, 2023
Council Chambers & Hybrid
6:00 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in Red
Pursuant to AB 361 Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. To maximize public safety while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose to participate from home or attend in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. Masks are strongly encouraged if attending in person. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media Center https://midpenmedia.org.
VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238) Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900‐6833
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance to [email protected] and will be provided to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your subject line.
PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only by email to [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not accepted.
TIME ESTIMATES
Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the meeting is in progress. The Council reserves the right to use more or less time on any item, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items may be heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to best manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public.
CALL TO ORDER
AT THIS TIME THE CITY CLERK WILL SWEAR IN THE NEW CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ED LAUING, JULIE LYTHCOTT‐HAIMS, VICKI VEENKER
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
1. Election of the 2023 Mayor
2. Election of the 2023 Vice Mayor
3. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Alison Cormack as Council Member
4. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Eric Filseth as Mayor and Council Member
5. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Tom DuBois as Mayor and Council Member
6. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Pat Burt as 2022 Mayor
AA1. Discussion of the City's Response to Recent Storms PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURNMENT
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members of the Public may provide public comments to hybrid meetings via email, in person, teleconference, or by phone.
1. Written public comments may be submitted by email to [email protected].
2. In person public comments please complete a speaker request card located on the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers, and deliver it to the City Clerk prior to discussion of the item.
3. Spoken public comments using a computer or smart phone will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link below to access a Zoom‐based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully.
You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in‐ browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up‐to‐date browser: Chrome 30 , Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7 . Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. Or download the Zoom application onto your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Meeting ID below You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak.
When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak.
When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted.
A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
4. Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.
Click to Join Zoom Meeting ID: 362‐027‐238 Phone: 1(669)900‐6833 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT (ADA)
Persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids or services in using City facilities, services or programs or who would like information on the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact (650) 329‐2550 (Voice) 48 hours or more in advance.
1 Special Meeting January 09, 2023
Materials submitted to the Board after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, January 09, 2023
Council Chambers & Hybrid
6:00 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in Red
Pursuant to AB 361 Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. To maximize public safety while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose to participate from home or attend in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. Masks are strongly encouraged if attending in person. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media Center https://midpenmedia.org.
VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238) Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900‐6833
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance to [email protected] and will be provided to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your subject line.
PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only by email to [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not accepted.
TIME ESTIMATES
Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the meeting is in progress. The Council reserves the right to use more or less time on any item, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items may be heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to best manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public.
CALL TO ORDER
AT THIS TIME THE CITY CLERK WILL SWEAR IN THE NEW CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ED LAUING, JULIE LYTHCOTT‐HAIMS, VICKI VEENKER
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
1. Election of the 2023 Mayor
2. Election of the 2023 Vice Mayor
3. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Alison Cormack as Council Member
4. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Eric Filseth as Mayor and Council Member
5. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Tom DuBois as Mayor and Council Member
6. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Pat Burt as 2022 Mayor
AA1. Discussion of the City's Response to Recent Storms PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURNMENT
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members of the Public may provide public comments to hybrid meetings via email, in person, teleconference, or by phone.
1. Written public comments may be submitted by email to [email protected].
2. In person public comments please complete a speaker request card located on the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers, and deliver it to the City Clerk prior to discussion of the item.
3. Spoken public comments using a computer or smart phone will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link below to access a Zoom‐based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully.
You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in‐ browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up‐to‐date browser: Chrome 30 , Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7 . Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. Or download the Zoom application onto your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Meeting ID below You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak.
When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak.
When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted.
A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
4. Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.
Click to Join Zoom Meeting ID: 362‐027‐238 Phone: 1(669)900‐6833 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT (ADA)
Persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids or services in using City facilities, services or programs or who would like information on the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact (650) 329‐2550 (Voice) 48 hours or more in advance.
2 Special Meeting January 09, 2023
Materials submitted to the Board after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, January 09, 2023
Council Chambers & Hybrid
6:00 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in Red
Pursuant to AB 361 Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. To maximize public safety while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose to participate from home or attend in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. Masks are strongly encouraged if attending in person. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media Center https://midpenmedia.org.
VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238) Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900‐6833
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance to [email protected] and will be provided to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your subject line.
PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only by email to [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not accepted.
TIME ESTIMATES
Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the meeting is in progress. The Council reserves the right to use more or less time on any item, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items may be heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to best manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public.
CALL TO ORDER
AT THIS TIME THE CITY CLERK WILL SWEAR IN THE NEW CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ED LAUING, JULIE LYTHCOTT‐HAIMS, VICKI VEENKER
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
1. Election of the 2023 Mayor
2. Election of the 2023 Vice Mayor
3. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Alison Cormack as Council Member
4. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Eric Filseth as Mayor and Council Member
5. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Tom DuBois as Mayor and Council Member
6. Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Pat Burt as 2022 Mayor
AA1. Discussion of the City's Response to Recent Storms PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURNMENT
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members of the Public may provide public comments to hybrid meetings via email, in person, teleconference, or by phone.
1. Written public comments may be submitted by email to [email protected].
2. In person public comments please complete a speaker request card located on the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers, and deliver it to the City Clerk prior to discussion of the item.
3. Spoken public comments using a computer or smart phone will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link below to access a Zoom‐based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully.
You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in‐ browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up‐to‐date browser: Chrome 30 , Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7 . Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. Or download the Zoom application onto your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Meeting ID below You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak.
When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak.
When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted.
A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
4. Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.
Click to Join Zoom Meeting ID: 362‐027‐238 Phone: 1(669)900‐6833 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT (ADA)
Persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aids or services in using City facilities, services or programs or who would like information on the City’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, may contact (650) 329‐2550 (Voice) 48 hours or more in advance.
3 Special Meeting January 09, 2023
Materials submitted to the Board after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at
From: Aram James
To: Lydia Kou; Tanaka, Greg; Julie Lythcott-Haims; [email protected]; Greer Stone; Pat Burt; Ed Lauing; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Rebecca Eisenberg
Subject: Re: Who should be our next Vice Mayor?
Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 12:47:46 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Monday, January 9, 2023
Re: Who should be our next Vice Mayor?
Hi Council-member Lydia Kou:
I hope you and your family are doing well. I’m pulling for you to be our next mayor and look forward to supporting you in
that role in 2023. You have worked hard & tirelessly for the community members of Palo Alto for many years. I will
advocate for you this coming year even when we disagree or even strongly disagree on an issue as we did over the role of America’s greatest civil rights organization the NAACP during the issues surrounding Foothills Park.
I write you also on another critical issue the selection of our next vice mayor. There is no doubt that both Greg Tanaka & Greer Stone are worthy candidates for the position. But for now, one of these candidates stands head and shoulders
above the other. Both Greg and Greer have visited me at my home met my wife and been gracious to my family.
Greer has served in many high-profile positions including on our Human Relations Commission and a similar position on the county level. He is a fine lawyer and no doubt an excellent schoolteacher.
And he has served well during his first two years on the city council.
Greg served for four years as the president of the College Terrance Residents Association a community of very high-energy individuals.
When Karen Holman stepped down from
her position on the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) to take a seat on the city council Greg was unanimously selected by Item 1
Public Comment
Item 1:
Page
1 Packet Page 4 of 77
our then-city council to replace Karen Holman on the PTC. Greg served honorably on the PTC for six years including a year as the chair.
All along the path, Greg has honed his leadership skills. Next, Greg was twice elected to our city council and has now served six years on the council including a year as the chair of the critically important finance committee.
I admire Greg immensely. He is like you a tireless worker on behalf of all members of our community. Greg holds endless
office meetings with community members on a wide variety of issues inviting community members from all perspectives and all backgrounds.
I have discussed many issues with Greg at his Sunday office meetings. We have talked about Tasers, police canines, the hiring process for our police chief, and reparations for African Americans, all of which discussions Greg has made available by video and YouTube for the public at large to view.
Greg understands racism and he and his family have suffered the indignity and sting of hate and racism personally. His
father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all incarcerated in American concentration camps during World War 2. His
family’s property was confiscated by our government. The generational trauma to Greg and his family cannot be easily measured.
Despite the odds and obstacles faced by Greg, he has prevailed. He is a graduate of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and a successful businessman. He is a family man and father of two wonderful children both attending Palo Alto High School. As you know Greg has attended many rallies against despicable hate directed at Asian Americans and has organized a rally on the issue here in Palo Alto. Greg is a remarkably authentic, accountable, accessible, and accomplished individual.
I would like to ask you to please unambiguously and wholeheartedly support Greg Tanaka as our next vice mayor.
Item 1
Public Comment
Item 1:
Page
2 Packet Page 5 of 77
Greer Stone will no doubt have an opportunity to serve as Palo Alto’s vice mayor in the future. But now is Greg Tanaka’s time to serve as our vice mayor. He has more than earned the opportunity to serve in this capacity.
Best regards,
Aram B. James
Attorney & Community Activist
415-370-5056
Item 1
Public Comment
Item 1:
Page
3 Packet Page 6 of 77
From: Katherine Causey
To: Council, City
Subject: Selecting Mayor & Vice Mayor
Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023 10:10:56 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hello Palo Alto City Councilmembers,
I am writing in support of two issues -
First, I strongly believe that in the future how our city selects a mayor, should be decided in a separate election by the voters, I recognize that this would be a significant change - potentially to our city charter, but it's also far enough from the next election cycle that this should be considered being implemented for 2024 or 2026. I have worked for local campaigns 3 cycles now and I have overwhelmingly heard this from the community each election cycle.
Second, I do believe Councilmember Stone should be our next Vice Mayor. I may not always agree with Councilmember Stone, but I do believe he is a very effective councilmember - he thoroughly reviews the council packet and comes prepared to meetings. I think he has been very effective at bringing both sides to the table on a lot of divisive issues, finding common ground, and making progress. Most importantly he is our only renter on council, despite about half our population being renters - the pandemic has massively impacted renters in Palo Alto and as we go forward with working on the housing element and implementing our rental registry - I believe having Councilmember Stone's perspective will be critical.
Thank you!
Katie Causey
Item 1
Public Comment
Item 1:
Page
4 Packet Page 7 of 77
From: Mary Sylvester
To: Council, City
Subject: Lydia Kou for Mayor
Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023 4:48:34 PM
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CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
January 8, 2022
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to endorse City Council member Lydia Kou for Mayor. I got to know Lydia in her first term on Council and have worked with her since on a number of local political issues. During this time, I have been impressed with how much she contributes to any project, leadership skills, knowledge from her diverse work and volunteer experiences as well as her sense of personal and professional ethics.
Since Lydia’s election to City Council, she has been a strong and independent voice on behalf of Palo Alto’s residents, renters and homeowners alike. She has provided effective leadership on measures to: limit nonresidential growth; ensure renter protections and housing for low-income and unhoused residents: and, protect our natural environment from further harm (e.g. trees, groundwater, air).
Lydia has been a long-time Emergency Preparedness volunteer in Palo Alto and since being elected to Council has continued her advocacy on behalf of this critical community issue, no more so than right now. This last week’s storm system has seen her providing leadership as well as active involvement in ensuring residents receive needed services, including filling sandbags herself and helping to disseminate them throughout the community.
Since Lydia was first elected, I have been impressed with how hard she works in preparing for Council meetings, coming to sessions knowledgeable about the facts at hand as well as pertinent laws and policies that impact City decision-making. In all my interactions with her on local issues, I have found her to be well-informed, highly ethical and dedicated to the well-being of Palo Alto residents and our environment! I hope that you will consider casting your vote for Lydia Kou to be Palo Alto’s next Mayor!
Appreciatively,
Mary Sylvester
Item 1
Public Comment
Item 1:
Page
5 Packet Page 8 of 77
From: Terry Martin
To: Council, City
Subject: Public Comment for the 1/9/23 Palo Alto city council meeting Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023 11:24:56 AM
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CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
I wish to offer a public comment for the 1/9/23 Palo Alto city council meeting As I read the agenda, I see you are electing the mayor and vice mayor for "2022".
Assuming the agenda is incorrect, and you are electing a mayor and vice mayor for 2023, I would like to offer my strong recommendation for Greg Tanaka as mayor, or at least vice mayor.
I have been a Palo Alto resident for 54 years and home owner for 46 years, and thus have some perspective of the development of our city. Also, I have spent 19 years as a Stanford physicist, where technical excellence is the key to success, and then 15 years in the private sector where leadership and getting results were paramount.
City government was once efficient and effective, but after the installation of a former city manager years ago, I observed the decay of quality service and numerous technical blunders throughout city departments.
I found it disappointing to follow city government over the last few decades, but now I feel some urgency to pay more attention ... hence this comment.
I appreciate everyone who volunteers their time and energy to serve city government, but I believe the city urgently needs experienced leadership to correct the decay of technical performance of city services.
From personal experience, I could lecture for hours on the blunders and incompetence of city departments from utilities to the attorney's office. And these blunders cost the city an enormous amount of money.
I don't agree with Greg Tanaka on some issues, but given the experience of the current council, I strongly feel that Greg Tanaka is the best qualified to restore quality performance to the city.
Dr. Terry Martin
Item 1
Public Comment
Item 1:
Page
6 Packet Page 9 of 77
3616 Evergreen Dr.
Item 1
Public Comment
Item 1:
Page
7 Packet Page 10 of 77
From: Darlene Yaplee
To: Council, City
Cc: Darlene E. Yaplee
Subject: Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2023 6:55:44 AM
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CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Honorable Council Members,
I am writing to endorse the election of Vice Mayor Kou to Mayor and Council Member Stone to Vice Mayor.
Vice Mayor Kou to Mayor
Mayorship represents the diversity in the Palo Alto community.
Proven leadership: dedication, understanding, and problem solving for complex topics within and outside of Palo Alto.
Engaged with and respected by residents.
Council Member Stone to Vice Mayor
Vice Mayorship represents next generation Palo Alto leadership.
Demonstrated performance: agile learner, hard working, and engagement with residents.
Principled leadership on important issues.
Respectfully,
Darlene Yaplee
Item 1
Public Comment
Item 1:
Page
8 Packet Page 11 of 77
From: Aram James
To: Lydia Kou; Tanaka, Greg; Julie Lythcott-Haims; [email protected]; Greer Stone; Pat Burt; Ed Lauing; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Rebecca Eisenberg
Subject: Re: Who should be our next Vice Mayor?
Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 12:47:46 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Monday, January 9, 2023
Re: Who should be our next Vice Mayor?
Hi Council-member Lydia Kou:
I hope you and your family are doing well. I’m pulling for you to be our next mayor and look forward to supporting you in
that role in 2023. You have worked hard & tirelessly for the community members of Palo Alto for many years. I will
advocate for you this coming year even when we disagree or even strongly disagree on an issue as we did over the role of America’s greatest civil rights organization the NAACP during the issues surrounding Foothills Park.
I write you also on another critical issue the selection of our next vice mayor. There is no doubt that both Greg Tanaka & Greer Stone are worthy candidates for the position. But for now, one of these candidates stands head and shoulders
above the other. Both Greg and Greer have visited me at my home met my wife and been gracious to my family.
Greer has served in many high-profile positions including on our Human Relations Commission and a similar position on the county level. He is a fine lawyer and no doubt an excellent schoolteacher.
And he has served well during his first two years on the city council.
Greg served for four years as the president of the College Terrance Residents Association a community of very high-energy individuals.
When Karen Holman stepped down from
her position on the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) to take a seat on the city council Greg was unanimously selected by Item 2
Public Comment
Item 2:
Page
1 Packet Page 12 of 77
our then-city council to replace Karen Holman on the PTC. Greg served honorably on the PTC for six years including a year as the chair.
All along the path, Greg has honed his leadership skills. Next, Greg was twice elected to our city council and has now served six years on the council including a year as the chair of the critically important finance committee.
I admire Greg immensely. He is like you a tireless worker on behalf of all members of our community. Greg holds endless
office meetings with community members on a wide variety of issues inviting community members from all perspectives and all backgrounds.
I have discussed many issues with Greg at his Sunday office meetings. We have talked about Tasers, police canines, the hiring process for our police chief, and reparations for African Americans, all of which discussions Greg has made available by video and YouTube for the public at large to view.
Greg understands racism and he and his family have suffered the indignity and sting of hate and racism personally. His
father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all incarcerated in American concentration camps during World War 2. His
family’s property was confiscated by our government. The generational trauma to Greg and his family cannot be easily measured.
Despite the odds and obstacles faced by Greg, he has prevailed. He is a graduate of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and a successful businessman. He is a family man and father of two wonderful children both attending Palo Alto High School. As you know Greg has attended many rallies against despicable hate directed at Asian Americans and has organized a rally on the issue here in Palo Alto. Greg is a remarkably authentic, accountable, accessible, and accomplished individual.
I would like to ask you to please unambiguously and wholeheartedly support Greg Tanaka as our next vice mayor.
Item 2
Public Comment
Item 2:
Page
2 Packet Page 13 of 77
Greer Stone will no doubt have an opportunity to serve as Palo Alto’s vice mayor in the future. But now is Greg Tanaka’s time to serve as our vice mayor. He has more than earned the opportunity to serve in this capacity.
Best regards,
Aram B. James
Attorney & Community Activist
415-370-5056
Item 2
Public Comment
Item 2:
Page
3 Packet Page 14 of 77
From: John Mark Agosta
To: Council, City
Subject: Support for Tanaka as Vice-Mayor
Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 6:19:55 AM
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CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing in support for Councilmember Tanaka as the next vice mayor of Palo Alto. His service
to the community is exemplary, both as a member of the City Council, and previously, in various offices in the city that he has held. His current position chairing the Finance Committee evidences his ability to run fair and efficient meetings. I worked with him when he served as President of the College Terrace Residents Association and I respect his judgment and commitment to the needs of the community. His weekly outreach sessions are an example of his personal touch to service.
Greg has widespread support in the community as past election results show. He is involved raising a family, and running a local start-up. His roots run deep in the community, and his record of leadership is clear.
I urge you to vote for Greg and to support him in this role. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
John Mark Agosta
______________
John Mark Agosta
Palo Alto, CA
[email protected]
Item 2
Public Comment
Item 2:
Page
4 Packet Page 15 of 77
From: Katherine Causey
To: Council, City
Subject: Selecting Mayor & Vice Mayor
Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023 10:10:56 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hello Palo Alto City Councilmembers,
I am writing in support of two issues -
First, I strongly believe that in the future how our city selects a mayor, should be decided in a separate election by the voters, I recognize that this would be a significant change - potentially to our city charter, but it's also far enough from the next election cycle that this should be considered being implemented for 2024 or 2026. I have worked for local campaigns 3 cycles now and I have overwhelmingly heard this from the community each election cycle.
Second, I do believe Councilmember Stone should be our next Vice Mayor. I may not always agree with Councilmember Stone, but I do believe he is a very effective councilmember - he thoroughly reviews the council packet and comes prepared to meetings. I think he has been very effective at bringing both sides to the table on a lot of divisive issues, finding common ground, and making progress. Most importantly he is our only renter on council, despite about half our population being renters - the pandemic has massively impacted renters in Palo Alto and as we go forward with working on the housing element and implementing our rental registry - I believe having Councilmember Stone's perspective will be critical.
Thank you!
Katie Causey
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Public Comment
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5 Packet Page 16 of 77
From: [email protected]
To: Council, City
Subject: Tanaka as Vice Mayor
Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023 1:44:06 PM
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Dear Palo Alto City Council,
I am writing to express my strong endorsement of Councilman Greg Lin Tanaka for the position of vice mayor. As someone who has lived in Palo Alto for many years, I have been consistently impressed by Councilman Tanaka's leadership and dedication to our community.
One of the issues that I believe sets Councilman Tanaka apart is his commitment to combating anti-Asian violence and hate. In recent times, we have seen a disturbing increase in attacks against Asian Americans, and Councilman Tanaka has been a vocal advocate for addressing this issue. He has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the impact of hate crimes, and helped organize the community to demonstrate resolve and solidarity.
In addition to his leadership on this issue, Councilman Tanaka has also demonstrated a deep understanding of the many other challenges facing our city. He is a thoughtful and compassionate leader who is always willing to listen to the concerns of his constituents and work towards solutions. I believe he would be an excellent choice for vice mayor and would be a strong asset to our city council.
I urge you to consider Councilman Greg Tanaka for the vice mayor role and I have every confidence that he will serve our community with distinction.
Victor Shi
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Public Comment
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6 Packet Page 17 of 77
From: Lin Sun-Hoffman
To: Council, City
Subject: Vice Mayor
Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023 11:37:48 AM
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________________________________
Honorable City Council,
I am a resident of 15 years living in 739 De Soto Dr. and raised both kids, now grow up in Palo Alto. I used to be on PAUSD PTA executive committee (2015-2017).
I am here to endorse Greg Tanaka. Councilmember Tanaka should be the next vice mayor of Palo Alto. I appreciate the leadership he has shown in in Stopping Asian Hate.
In addition to his leadership on this issue, Councilman Tanaka has also demonstrated a deep understanding of the many other challenges facing our city. He is a thoughtful and compassionate leader who is always willing to listen to the concerns of his constituents and work towards solutions. I believe he would be an excellent choice for vice mayor and would be a strong asset to our city council.
I urge you to consider Councilman Greg Tanaka for this important role and I have every confidence that he will serve our community with distinction.
Thank you.
Regards,
Lin
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Public Comment
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7 Packet Page 18 of 77
From: Terry Martin
To: Council, City
Subject: Public Comment for the 1/9/23 Palo Alto city council meeting Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023 11:24:56 AM
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I wish to offer a public comment for the 1/9/23 Palo Alto city council meeting As I read the agenda, I see you are electing the mayor and vice mayor for "2022".
Assuming the agenda is incorrect, and you are electing a mayor and vice mayor for 2023, I would like to offer my strong recommendation for Greg Tanaka as mayor, or at least vice mayor.
I have been a Palo Alto resident for 54 years and home owner for 46 years, and thus have some perspective of the development of our city. Also, I have spent 19 years as a Stanford physicist, where technical excellence is the key to success, and then 15 years in the private sector where leadership and getting results were paramount.
City government was once efficient and effective, but after the installation of a former city manager years ago, I observed the decay of quality service and numerous technical blunders throughout city departments.
I found it disappointing to follow city government over the last few decades, but now I feel some urgency to pay more attention ... hence this comment.
I appreciate everyone who volunteers their time and energy to serve city government, but I believe the city urgently needs experienced leadership to correct the decay of technical performance of city services.
From personal experience, I could lecture for hours on the blunders and incompetence of city departments from utilities to the attorney's office. And these blunders cost the city an enormous amount of money.
I don't agree with Greg Tanaka on some issues, but given the experience of the current council, I strongly feel that Greg Tanaka is the best qualified to restore quality performance to the city.
Dr. Terry Martin
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Public Comment
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3616 Evergreen Dr.
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Public Comment
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From: Max Rayner
To: Council, City
Subject: Annual selection of city council leadership
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2023 10:58:53 PM
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Dear members of the Palo Alto city council,
As a Palo Alto homeowner and voter, I'm writing to express my strong encouragement for you to select councilman Greg Tanaka as vice mayor for this coming year.
I've been impressed by Mr. Tanaka's work as a member of the planning and transportation commission and as chair of the finance committee. In both roles, he's demonstrated a strong commitment to serving the needs of our community and making thoughtful, informed decisions.
I particularly appreciate councilman Tanaka's attention to fiscal responsibility and his efforts to ensure that our city's financial resources are used wisely and effectively. His leadership on the finance committee has been invaluable, and I have no doubt that he will continue to serve our city well in this new role.
His dedication to the community's welfare has also been evident in his involvement as President of the College Terrace Residents Association, and although only one of my children is still in the Palo Alto school system, I appreciate his perspective as a working parent in our community.
I believe that councilman Tanaka is an excellent choice for vice mayor, and I encourage you to give him your full support.
With many thanks for your attention,
Maximillian Rayner
+1-650-619-4787
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Public Comment
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10 Packet Page 21 of 77
From: Stephen Smith
To: Council, City
Subject: support for Greg Tanaka as Vice Mayor of Palo Alto Date: Saturday, January 7, 2023 4:59:39 PM
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As council is expected to select a Vice Mayor this coming session, I want to take the opportunity to support Greg Tanaka for that position.
From my perspective, Greg is a voice of reason. Greg understands that the complex problems of the twenty-first century require rational, evidence-based, and data-driven decisions that are made in the best interest of the constituents. Greg brings that mindset to his role as council member, and would be an excellent choice for Vice Mayor.
best regards, steve smith
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11 Packet Page 22 of 77
From: Maggie Maese
To: Council, City
Subject: Vice Mayor Vote
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2023 4:51:43 PM
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Please consider Greg Tanaka as Vice Mayor for the following reasons:
He has more experience (CEO vs teacher, was chair of the Planning and Transportation commission and finance committee) and more seniority.
Sincerely,
Maggie Maese
Sent from Mail
for Windows
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Public Comment
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12 Packet Page 23 of 77
From: Darlene Yaplee
To: Council, City
Cc: Darlene E. Yaplee
Subject: Election of Mayor and Vice Mayor
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2023 6:55:44 AM
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Honorable Council Members,
I am writing to endorse the election of Vice Mayor Kou to Mayor and Council Member Stone to Vice Mayor.
Vice Mayor Kou to Mayor
Mayorship represents the diversity in the Palo Alto community.
Proven leadership: dedication, understanding, and problem solving for complex topics within and outside of Palo Alto.
Engaged with and respected by residents.
Council Member Stone to Vice Mayor
Vice Mayorship represents next generation Palo Alto leadership.
Demonstrated performance: agile learner, hard working, and engagement with residents.
Principled leadership on important issues.
Respectfully,
Darlene Yaplee
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Public Comment
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13 Packet Page 24 of 77
Resolution
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO ALISON CORMACK FOR
OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AS COUNCIL MEMBER
WHEREAS, Alison Cormack served as Councilmember from January 2019 through December 2022, including chairing both the Finance and Policy and Services committees; and WHEREAS, Alison was always focused on improved communications with the community, including holding weekly open office hours, assisting the communications staff daily during the pandemic crisis, improving the clarity of Council mot ions, co-creating the new handbook for board members and commissioners, suggesting a welcome letter to new residents, and drafting the enduring values for Council; and
WHEREAS, Alison was not afraid to make tough financial decisions, including freezing rates and assessments during the financial crisis, then rebuilding reserves, and actively supported long delayed projects like the bike bridge and the public safety building as well as stable funding for the future; and WHEREAS, Alison represented the city on the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority, the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency, including the Board Policy Committee, and the Joint Recycled Water Committee, and served as a board member of the League of California Cities Women’s Caucus for two years; and
WHEREAS, Alison championed climate action in terms meaningful to every resident, by asking for a detailed plan in 2020, suggesting an adoption life cycle model, including and encouraging students, recommending a workshop for residents to learn how to get the gas out of their homes, and serving on the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan ad hoc over two years; and WHEREAS, Alison co-authored colleagues memos on prohibiting flavored tobacco, requiring safe gun storage, and creating a skate park, and ensured a welcoming environment as Foothills Nature Preserve was opened to all, personally helping park staff welcome visitors every weekend for six months in 2021, making our community safer and healthier; and
WHEREAS, Alison demonstrated professionalism and courtesy at all times, modeling her belief that how we do the work of the community is as important as the work itself.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby commends Alison’s outstanding p ublic service and gratefully records both its appreciation, and the appreciation of the citizens of this community, for her meritorious service as a City of Palo Alto Council Member.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: January 9, 2023
ATTEST: APPROVED:
___________________ _________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________ _________________
City Manager City Attorney
Item 3
Cormack Resolution
2022
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Resolution
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO ERIC FILSETH FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC
SERVICE AS COUNCIL MEMBER
WHEREAS, Eric Filseth was a persistent advocate for good government, and served Palo Altans on the Council Finance committee, including twice as chair, the Council Appointed Officers committee, the Policy and Services Committee, the Utility Advisory Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission, the City -School Advisory Committee, the Rail Committee, and as Mayor in 2019; and WHEREAS, Eric was a steady proponent of both short -term and long -term fiscal pragmatism, including both funding for programs that serve Palo Altans, and simultaneously applying data-driven analysis and sensible cost-management, including the use of public-private partnerships where appropriate; and WHEREAS, Eric was a consistent advocate for community services, including saving the Animal Shelter, the Boulware Park land acquisition, the expansion of Aquatics hours and programming through a public-private partnership, and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and adequate park impact fees; and WHEREAS, Eric initiated and helped lead a broad policy program to re -engineer the City’s pension accounting and financing, in order to halt the growth of the City’s $500M unfunded pension liability and establish a multi-decade path to pay it down; and
WHEREAS, Eric championed and helped lead the effort to establish Residential Parking Permit programs, in order to protect Palo Alto residential neighborhoods from large-scale commuter parking intrusion; and WHEREAS, Eric was a principal on the initiative to reengineer and staff the City Auditing function, in order to increase its efficiency, effectiveness, and core technical expertise; and WHEREAS, Eric was a consistent advocate for Af fordable Housing financing, including City funding for the Buena Vista rescue, the Wilton Court project, the 525 Charleston project, the 231 Grant teacher -housing project, and the forthcoming LifeMoves project; and for rebuilding the City’s Affordable Housing Fund through commercial development impact fees that more realistically align with their affordable -housing demand generation, and through the new voter-approved tax on large businesses; and WHEREAS, Eric supported, and co -wrote the ballot argument for , the Transient Occupancy Tax increase which made it possible to complete the Blue Ribbon Infrastructure Plan in the face of rapid construction -cost increases, including the new seismically-secure Public Safety Building; and WHEREAS, Eric was a vocal advoc ate that the City’s Climate Action initiative must explicitly transition from high level objectives to a quantitative, executable implementation plan; and WHEREAS, Eric contributed materially to the City Manager and City Clerk successions over the past eight years; and
WHEREAS, Eric has been an unstinting advocate that, subject to constitutionality, the local voters of Palo Alto are the most appropriate owners and determiners of our community’s values, preferences and evolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby commends Eric’s outstanding public service and gratefully records both its appreciation, and the appreciation of the citizens of this community, for his meritorious service and commitment as City of Palo Alto Council Member and Mayor.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: January 9, 2023
ATTEST: APPROVED:
___________________ _________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________ _________________
City Manager City Attorney
Item 4
Filseth Resolution
2022
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Resolution
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO TOM DUBOIS FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC
SERVICE AS COUNCIL MEMBER
Tom DuBois was elected to the Palo Alto City Council in 2014 , re-elected in 2018, and became Mayor in 2021. Tom accomplished much in his eight years focusing on community building, infrastructure, the social safety net, sustainability, and transparent local government; and COMMUNITY BUILDING From the moment he decided to run for Palo Alto City Council, Tom had the community’s quality of life in mind. He has helped strengthen the importance of neighborhood associations and town halls, improved neighborhood parking protections, and expanded Foothill Preserve and Boulware Park. He was instrumental in creating the first domestic Sibling City relations hip to bridge differences within the United States. He championed the use of the Roth Building for a Palo Alto History Museum. Tom worked to resume and expand community events including the May Fete, Asian American Pacific Islander Month, World Music Month, more than 20 events during Together Again Week, a Sustainability workshop with the Danish Consulate, and discussions on racial equity; and
INFRASTRUCTURE Tom prioritized funding, council alignment and staff focus to advance major projects including completion of a parking garage serving the California Avenue district, a fire station, the Children’s Museum & Zoo, a bike bridge connecting residents to the Baylands, and many other projects including the long- delayed $100M Public Safety building. He spent years working on purified recycled water, resulting in millions of dollars coming to Palo Alto for investment in our wastewater treatment plant . He helped establish a business tax and increased hotel tax to fund infrastructure . Tom was a tireless champion for fiber to the home to provide excellent Internet service to all Palo Altans; and
SOCIAL SAFETY NET Tom is passionate about improving the social safety net. He worked extensively on two housing elements. He introduced legislation to increase the minimum wage, to provide protections for renters and safe parking for the unhoused . His collaborative efforts also led to increasing impact fees for funding affordable housing, increasing the City of East Palo Alto’s access to water, and to evaluating the impacts of short term rentals on housing stock . As a leader, he focused on deeply affordable housing resulting in the saving of Buena Vista and multiple new housing projects; and
SUSTAINABILITY Tom advanced environmental and fiscal sustainability. He led a team that developed a financial model to fund an innovative heat pump water heater replacement program. He fought for office caps to balance jobs and housing . He passionately supported the city’s tree canopy and increased protection of mature trees. Throughout his tenure, he advocated for pension reform, key to the City’s fiscal sustainability; and TRANSPARENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT Tom believes strongly in local representation, done transparently with integrity. Along with several colleagues, he proposed and gained unanimous council support for transparency in labor agreements . He helped increase the effectiveness of the City audit function through outsourcing, increasing the quality and number of audits completed. Tom was often a voice of reason, improving ordinances and helping the Council move forward . He guided reform of the City’s Boards and Commissions to make them more effective in providing a public forum and supporting Council. He has fought for preserving local control and opposed state legislation detrimental to Palo Alto’s environment and quality of life; and Tom’s leadership as a public servant exemplified his integrity, passion and commitment toward the betterment of this community . His involvement in regional and global issues offer contributions that will be of lasting value.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby commends Tom’s outstanding public service and gratefully records both its appreciation, and the appreciation of the citizens of this community, for his meritorious service and commitment as City of Palo Alto Council Member and Mayor.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: January 9, 2023
ATTEST: APPROVED:
___________________ _________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________ _________________
City Manager City Attorney
Item 5
DuBois Resolution
2022
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Resolution
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO PAT BURT AS 2022 MAYOR
WHEREAS, Pat Burt was first elected to the Palo Alto City Council in 2007, was reelected in 2012 and 2020, and served as Mayor in 2010, 2016, and 2022; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, Pat led a year of economic and social recovery from the pandemic, restoring city services, and initiating a plan for revitalization of the City’s downtowns; and WHEREAS, the City Council worked to restore its services and sustainable finances from th e pandemic impacts in large part through the voter approval of Measure L and Measure K, the City’s first business tax, which increases funding for affordable housing, provides a necessary local cost share for railroad grade separations, and funds restored public safety staffing; and
WHEREAS, the Council advanced renter protections and multiple affordable housing projects including the opening of the 59-unit Wilton Ct project, obtaining state funding and approvals for the 88-unit transitional housing project, final approvals of the 110 -unit teacher affordable housing project, approving the 50 -unit county -led affordable housing project for adults with disabilities, advancing a 129-unit very-low income affordable housing project, and agreement in principle on 1.1 acres for affordable housing along with two acres toward new parkland; and
WHEREAS, the Council approved and submitted to the state the City’s Housing Element for over 6,000 housing units at all income levels over the next eight years; and WHEREAS, the Council approved major land-use projects including the North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan and the Castilleja School reconstruction and expansion; and WHEREAS, the Council oversaw major infrastructure projects including the ongoing construction of the Public Safety Building, expansion of the Charleston Rd bike corridor project, improvements to city parks, and approval of the rebuilding of the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control plant; and WHEREAS, as a member of the Board member of the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (VTA) Pat was instrumental in securing over $800 Million in Measure B funds for the north county cities toward Caltrain grade separations with over $400 Million dedicated to the Palo Alto grade crossings; and WHEREAS, Pat served on th e Board of the San Francisquito Creek Joint Power Authority (SFCJPA), advancing the environmental analysis, design, and funding of flood control and sea level rise projects; and WHEREAS, Pat served on the Board of the Bay Conservation and Development Commi ssion (BCDC) including the state agency’s adoption of the Bay Adapt plan in response to sea level rise; and WHEREAS, Pat led the Council Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (SCAP) initiatives to accelerate progress toward its 8030 Goal of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 including the adoption of a first -of-its-kind residential electrification program, passing a next Reach Code for electrification of transportation and buildings, approving an extensive 3 -year set of Climate Goals and Key Actions, adopting a goal of Carbon -Neutrality by 2030, and the 250 person Climate Collaboration Summit in partnership with the Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition; and
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby commends Pat’s outstanding public service and gratefully records both its appreciation, and the appreciation of the citizens of this community, for his meritorious service and commitment as a City of Palo Alto Mayor.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: January 9, 2023
ATTEST: APPROVED:
___________________ _________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________ _________________
City Manager City Attorney
Item 6
Burt Resolution 2022
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JANUARY 9, 2023 www.cityofpaloalto.org
STORM RESPONSE
BRIEFING
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FORECAST VS. ACTUAL –DECEMBER 31
• NOAA predicted rainfall for
NYE Friday, December 30
storm: 2 inches
• Actual observed rainfall in NYE
storm: 6
inches
• The tripled rainfall caused a
peak flowrate of about 6,300
cfs (more than 10 times the
predicted 600 cfs peak)
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www.cityofpaloalto.org/floodalert
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
• Street closures due to
flooding
• Traffic accidents & rescue
• Trees down in roadways
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www.cityofpaloalto.org/floodalert
STORM PREPARATION & RESPONSE
Storm Preparation examples included:
• Delivered materials for 100,000 sandbags
• Clearing fallen trees/debris/mud from roadways
• Removing debris from creeks and storm drains
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www.cityofpaloalto.org/floodalert
STORM PREP & RESPONSE
Storm Response:
• Removing debris
• Checking trail systems
for mudslides, other
hazardous conditions
due to the storms
• Several trails will be
closed through June
due to mudslides so
that repairs can be
made.
5 Foothills
Nature
Preserve is
closed
tomorrow
(January 10)
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www.cityofpaloalto.org/floodalert
EMERGENCY RESPONSE: POWER OUTAGES
Power outage response:
• One power outage continues
with restoration time
estimated for 8 p.m. this
evening, impacting 21
customers
• 20 outages since Dec. 31
• Customers impacted total:
5,800
• Most outages due to
downed trees.
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www.cityofpaloalto.org/reportflooddamage
STORM IMPACT SUPPORT FOR RESIDENTS
• Community Resource Center
opened Jan. 4 – 5 with 15 visitors
(7 stayed overnight). Center also
open today (1/9) during the day.
• 13 reports of damaged homes.
• City building officials have begun
assessing home damage caused
by flooding.
• Local hotels provided emergency
rates
• Staff established a webform to
share damage, at
www.cityofpaloalto.org/reportfl
ooddamage
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www.cityofpaloalto.org/floodalert
DEPARTMENTS ENGAGED IN STORM PREP &
RESPONSE
• City Manager’s Office – Overall direction, communication, resource coordination • Public Works – Logistics, creek monitoring, storm drain clearing, tree and street/traffic response
• Emergency Services – Preparation and response facilitation, after-action review • Administrative Services – Supplies procurement, financial tracking, lodging • Community Services – Human support services
• Fire – Preparation and emergency rescue response
• Planning & Development Services – Building and site inspections • Police – Preparation communication, incident response • Transportation – Parking resources
• Utilities – Emergency response and service restoration, outage communication 8 Item AA1
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www.cityofpaloalto.org/floodalert
NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS
Numerous examples of volunteerism demonstrated:
• Emergency Service Volunteers helped reach residents to ensure they are informed of possible storm-related
impacts, by going door to door.
• Thank you to Youth Community Services (YCS) for their support, especially with helping community members fill sandbags.
• Resident sharing expert storm forecasts and creek effects and interpreting them for neighbors
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www.cityofpaloalto.org/floodalert
REAL-TIME COMMUNICATIONS
• Real-time communications continues, daily updates, FAQs • Door-to-door outreach, printed
flyers
• Emergency
Alerts
• Nixle Alerts
• Special storm
edition
Uplift Local
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www.cityofpaloalto.org/floodalert
WHAT’S CHANGED SINCE 1998
Downstream improvements and Stormwater (measure) improvements. • 2018 remove flood risk at Highway 101 and downstream, JPAHighway 101 to Bay and Caltrans Highway 101 projects increased capacity to flows that exceed 9,600 cfs • New Pump stations completed: allows water to be pumped back into creeks • San Francisquito Creek pump station (2009)
• Matadero Creek pump station (2019)
• Channing and Lincoln Avenue upgrades (2012-2018), fiber optics system upgrades (2018), and Guinda flap gate improve efficiency of the system (2015)
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www.cityofpaloalto.org/floodalert
LOOKING AHEAD
12 Looking Ahead:
• Continue coordinated storm and emergency response to storm series • Address funding gap to complete Newell Road Bridge renovations • Complete Pope/Chaucer Bridge replacement, other SFC JPA projects • Complete City of Palo Alto storm water CIP
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STAY INFORMED
Daily Updates through the Storm Events at:
CityofPaloAlto.org/FloodAlert
Gain Real-Time Storm Information:
CityofPaloAlto.org/Connect
*Follow the City of Palo Alto on Nextdoor, Twitter,
Facebook
*Sign up for SCCAlert, the City’s emergency alert
system
*Follow Palo Alto Police on Nixle
www.cityofpaloalto.org/floodalert13
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STAY INFORMED
Quick Online Resources:
CityofPaloAlto.org/FloodAlert
• Read daily updates
• Print informational flyer for neighbors
• Gain important phone numbers to report an issue
• Monitor creek levels online
• Gain answers to questions about flood risk
• Learn about storm forecasts, power outages, other impacts • View video on flood stages
www.cityofpaloalto.org/floodalert14
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Attachment available until Feb 8, 2023
From: Anne Taylor
To: Tom C. Rindfleisch
Cc: CPNA; Shikada, Ed; Eggleston, Brad; Rebecca Eisenberg; Margaret Bruce; Murray, Kevin; Council, City Subject: Re: [CPNA] SFC Status -- One Down, One to Go - IMPORTANT UPDATE #4 Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 10:18:32 AM
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This was Pope/Chaucer Bridge at 9:33am today. It was not getting worse in the next 15 minutes we were there.
Anne Taylor
Click to Download
IMG_3886.MOV
39.8 MB
On Jan 9, 2023, at 9:54 AM, Thomas Rindfleisch <[email protected]> wrote:
Friends, one more positive sign is from the NOAA GOES-West CONUS satellite video (this link
). It looks like we are nearing the end of the main storm system passing over the bay area. Remember though, it takes on the order of an hour for the last vestiges of rainfall in the watershed to get down to the USGS gauge and another 45 minutes for what the USGS SFC gauge shows to reach the Pope- Chaucer bridge. The latest gauge readings are 3560 cfs and 9.6 ft stage (see plot below) so I'm more hopeful that we can squeak by...
Tom R.
<5cLhXvTdlGlfwO9I.png>
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From: Maurice L Druzin
To: Thomas C Rindfleisch; CPNA
Cc: Shikada, Ed; Eggleston, Brad; Rebecca Eisenberg; Margaret Bruce; Murray, Kevin; Council, City Subject: Re: [CPNA] SFC Status -- One Down, One to Go - IMPORTANT UPDATE #4 Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 10:01:09 AM
Attachments: 5cLhXvTdlGlfwO9I.png
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Thank you Tom, Master of the Stream gage Universe!
We are all so grateful for your flow of information!
Maurice
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Thomas Rindfleisch <[email protected]>
Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 at 9:55 AM
To: CPNA <[email protected]>
Cc: Ed Shikada <[email protected]>, Brad Eggleston <[email protected]>, Rebecca Eisenberg <[email protected]>, Margaret Bruce <[email protected]>, Kevin Murray <[email protected]>, Palo Alto City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: [CPNA] SFC Status -- One Down, One to Go - IMPORTANT UPDATE #4 Friends, one more positive sign is from the NOAA GOES-West CONUS satellite video (this link ). It looks like we are
nearing the end of the main storm system passing over the bay area. Remember though, it takes on the order of an hour for the last vestiges of rainfall in the watershed to get down to the USGS gauge and another 45 minutes for what the USGS SFC gauge shows to reach the Pope-Chaucer bridge. The latest gauge readings are 3560 cfs and 9.6 ft stage (see plot below) so I'm more hopeful that we can squeak by...
Tom R.
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From: Thomas Rindfleisch
To: CPNA
Cc: Shikada, Ed; Eggleston, Brad; Rebecca Eisenberg; Margaret Bruce; Murray, Kevin; Council, City Subject: SFC Status -- One Down, One to Go - IMPORTANT UPDATE #4 Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 9:55:05 AM
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Friends, one more positive sign is from the NOAA GOES-West CONUS satellite video (this link). It looks like we are nearing the end of the main storm system passing over the bay area. Remember though, it takes on the order of an hour for the last vestiges of rainfall in the watershed to get down to the USGS gauge and another 45 minutes for what the USGS SFC gauge shows to reach the Pope-Chaucer bridge. The latest gauge readings are 3560 cfs and 9.6 ft stage (see plot below) so I'm more hopeful that we can squeak by...
Tom R.
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From: [email protected]
To: Council, City; Transportation
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Suspend Parking Restrictions for Monday and Tuesday"s storm impact Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 9:35:10 AM
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Today's creek situation cries for another suspension of timed parking restrictions to give residents a chance to move vehicles from areas likely to be affected.
Please issue another proclamation, thank you.
Eileen Skrabutenas
650-224-6402
1044 Hamilton Avenue
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From: JORDAN BAJOR
To: Thomas Rindfleisch
Cc: CPNA; Shikada, Ed; Eggleston, Brad; Rebecca Eisenberg; Margaret Bruce; Murray, Kevin; Council, City Subject: Re: [CPNA] SFC Status -- One Down, One to Go - IMPORTANT UPDATE #3 Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 9:34:09 AM
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Tom,
as always, your exceptional data analysis is so appreciated. That said, we stand at the ready! Cheers!
Jordan
On Jan 9, 2023, at 9:30 AM, Thomas Rindfleisch <[email protected]> wrote:
Friends, CNRFC computers have finally caught up with the real-time data -- they are trying to compute predictions for dozens of rivers and streams and are swamped! Their latest plot below gives some hope that we can squeak by, but I would not trust its predictions very strongly at this point given the precarious situation we are in. Focus on what is actually happening in the creek from the USGS and Palo Alto Creek monitors. On the bright side, the latest USGS plot (9:15 AM, see second plot below) shows some lessening of the rate of increase (currently 3650 cfs and stage of 9.7 ft). This is beguiling but look at the New Years Even peaks and don't let down your guard...
Tom R.
<pRrJXs0Zx0NPwU8c.png>
<GwPpmm921sDQ6hYl.png>
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From: Thomas Rindfleisch
To: CPNA
Cc: Shikada, Ed; Eggleston, Brad; Rebecca Eisenberg; Margaret Bruce; Murray, Kevin; Council, City Subject: SFC Status -- One Down, One to Go - IMPORTANT UPDATE #3 Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 9:30:34 AM
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Friends, CNRFC computers have finally caught up with the real-time data -- they are trying to compute predictions for dozens of rivers and streams and are swamped! Their latest plot below gives some hope that we can squeak by, but I would not trust its predictions very strongly at this point given the precarious situation we are in. Focus on what is actually happening in the creek from the USGS and Palo Alto Creek monitors. On the bright side, the latest USGS plot (9:15 AM, see second plot below) shows some lessening of the rate of increase (currently 3650 cfs and stage of 9.7 ft). This is beguiling but look at the New Years Even peaks and don't let down your guard...
Tom R.
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From: Thomas Rindfleisch
To: CPNA
Cc: Shikada, Ed; Eggleston, Brad; Rebecca Eisenberg; Margaret Bruce; Murray, Kevin; Council, City Subject: SFC Status -- One Down, One to Go - IMPORTANT UPDATE #2 Date: Monday, January 9, 2023 9:03:02 AM
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Friends, the SFC surge for Monday (9th) continues to be of concern. Unfortunately the prediction by the CNRFC appears to be well short of the mark and I am afraid it cannot be trusted. Their current prediction plot (see below) shows badly inconsistent results -- a real-time river stage of 9 feet and a prediction of 6.8 ft. This means we will have to focus on the Palo Alto Creek Monitor and the USGS SFC stream gauge that have only limited prediction value -- the trend and slope of the flow record. The USGS gauge updates every 15 minutes and currently (8:45 AM, see second plot below) shows a water surface height of 9.5 ft corresponding to a flow of 3510 cfs. The point where Pope-Chaucer will overflow is a stage of about 12.5 ft which corresponds to its capacity of 5500 cfs. There is some indication that the rate of increase of the flow is moderating slightly but, as you can see from the New Years Eve event peaks, it is very hard to predict how the rain will come and go. The NOAA GOES-West CONUS satellite video (see this link ) shows the storm coming squarely over our
area with hours to go before it passes.
This is going to be very close and I cannot predict at this point what the likelihood of P-C overflow is. I think residents should be ready for something similar to New Years Eve at this point. The web locations you might want to visit include:
Palo Alto creek monitor: this link
USGS creek gauge: this link
NOAA CNRFC hydrograph forecast: this link
NOAA GOES-West CONUS satellite video: this link
I will continue to check the objective data and update this message as appropriate.
Very best wishes and stay safe, Tom R.
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From: Thomas Rindfleisch
To: CPNA
Cc: Shikada, Ed; Eggleston, Brad; Rebecca Eisenberg; Margaret Bruce; Murray, Kevin; Council, City Subject: SFC Status -- One Down, One to Go - IMPORTANT UPDATE Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023 11:40:56 PM
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Friends, the SFC surge prediction for Monday (9th) has changed significantly:
The most likely deterministic forecast is that the peak stage has increased back to 9.6 ft from the earlier 7.5 ft. This new stage corresponds to a flow of 4320 cfs under the old USGS rating curve or 3550 cfs under the new rating curve The 95th percentile range for the forecast uncertainty runs from a lower stage of 4.7 ft to an upper stage of 12.5 ft.
This upper stage corresponds to a possible high flow of 6477 cfs under the old USGS rating curve or 5470 cfs under the new rating curve
The time of the expected surge maximum is earlier, 12:00 PM instead of 5:00 PM The NOAA GOES-West CONUS satellite video (see this link) now shows the storm body reconcentrating with a path headed directly over the bay area. Recall that the maximum capacity of the Pope-Chaucer bridge is ~5500 cfs. These new data indicate that the Pope-Chaucer bridge will hold under the deterministic forecast, but may overtop again if the surge estimate is off by as much as the upper error bound.
The projected peak surge time is now ~12 hours away and things may change significantly over time. It is all the more important to check the indicator web sites often and to note that should the storm stall to any degree over the peninsula, the possibility of a P-C overflow increases. Take this uncertainty into account as you decide what precautions to take -- deploying strategic sand bags, moving important objects to higher locations, having a go kit ready.
The web locations you might want to visit include:
Palo Alto creek monitor: this link
USGS creek gauge: this link
NOAA CNRFC hydrograph forecast: this link
NOAA GOES-West CONUS satellite video: this link
I will check the objective data in the morning and update this message as appropriate before the storm hits.
Very best wishes and stay safe, Tom R.
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From: Thomas Rindfleisch
To: CPNA
Cc: Shikada, Ed; Eggleston, Brad; Rebecca Eisenberg; Margaret Bruce; Murray, Kevin; Council, City Subject: SFC Status -- One Down, One to Go
Date: Sunday, January 8, 2023 4:17:50 PM
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Friends, the creek surge this morning (Sun, 1/8, ~6:45 AM) peaked at 211 cfs on the USGS San Francisquito Creek gauge -- pretty much a non-event. The next storm is bigger and trickier though.
As of this writing, the CA/NV River Forecast Center is predicting a surge Monday (1/9) at about 5:00 PM with a peak water level at the USGS gauge of 7.5 ft or a flow of ~2870 cfs (recall the Pope-Chaucer maximum capacity is ~5500 cfs).
The CNRFC prediction chart is shown below with the Monday peak circled in red and the 95th percentile uncertainties noted in magenta. Also recall that the CNRFC peak water surface elevation prediction for Monday has been decreasing from ~9.4 ft yesterday to 7.5 ft today. That may be supported by the NOAA GOES-West CONUS satellite video (see this link) showing the storm body splitting with a large mass moving south. The actual landfall is a day away though so much can happen between now and then. Also it is possible that the storm could stall over the peninsula watershed and increase the total precipitation as happened in the New Years Eve event.
Now there is a complication that I want you to be aware of so you can exercise your judgement about what to believe.
Recall that on New Years Eve we had a stalled storm and an unexpectedly large surge in the creek -- USGS reported a peak water surface level of ~13.9 ft at their gauge. This was initially reported by USGS as corresponding to a 7400 cfs flow. This was corrected within hours down to ~6340 cfs. The USGS was taken by surprise and was initially using an old rating curve for the SFC gauge -- the function that relates water level (stage) to flow level. The reduction in estimated flow came from a recalibration of the gauge rating curve by noon on the 31st. This recalibration has been incorporated into USGS gauge measurements since then, but it is still in the process of being incorporated into the CNRFC site predictions.
The 2870 cfs estimate above for Monday's peak is based on the old USGS SFC rating curve. Using the new USGS rating curve, the 7.5 ft stage would correspond to a (smaller) peak flow of 2360 cfs. Both are within the flow capacity of the Pope-Chaucer bridge (43% and 52% respectively) and would nominally not cause an overflow. (Note these rating curve issues do not affect the CNRFC tools to predict precipitation levels from storm data, just how that precipitation is converted into stream stage and flow levels.)
You should take this uncertainty into account as you decide what precautions to take. Also remember that nature may bring unpredictable changes to the coming event that could affect outcomes. I will continue to watch the objective data available in the next day and update this message as appropriate before the storm hits.
Very best wishes and stay safe, Tom R.
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From: Rosalinda Quintanar
To: Katherine Pompili; marni barnes
Cc: TC Rindfleisch; [email protected]; Margaret Bruce; Murray, Kevin; Rebecca Eisenberg; Council, City
Subject: Re: [CPNA] SFC: What"s Coming Down the Pipe
Date: Saturday, January 7, 2023 5:34:49 PM
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Thanks for the update and all your recommendations.
Rosalinda Quintanar, Ph. D.
Professor, Teacher Education & Masters Programs
On Friday, January 6, 2023 at 04:54:38 PM PST, marni barnes <[email protected]> wrote:
Ditto Kathy’s remarks below
Marni
On Jan 6, 2023, at 1:03 PM, Katherine Pompili <[email protected]> wrote:
Tom,
You are a scholar and a gentleman. Thank you for continuing to provide our community with this important, updated information with honesty and clarity. We appreciate you so very much! Happy New Year,
Kathy
On Jan 6, 2023, at 12:43 PM, Thomas Rindfleisch <[email protected]> wrote:
Friends, we dodged a bullet Thursday morning (5th) when the main part of the storm system was pulled north of us. The USGS gauge for San Francisquito Creek peaked at about 909 cfs around 1:30 AM and there was a secondary peak somewhat smaller (~825 cfs) at around 3:15 PM (see gauge plot below).
The difference between what the NOAA River Forecast folks predicted and what the USGS measured was within +/- 100 cfs. They are not always this accurate though, given the vagaries of precipitation forecasting.
Anyway, I'm glad we have a few days to clean up, let things settle, and dry out. However, we have another couple of storms coming early next week that will swell SFC again. The first is a weak one (~900 cfs) on Sunday (8th) ~7:00 AM and the second is a considerably stronger one (~3400 cfs -- 62% of P-C overflow capacity) on Monday (9th) at about 5:00 PM. The precipitation forecasters' models do not agree yet on the strength of these events and there are significant uncertainties. In the second CNRFC plot below, I show the current hydrograph forecast with red bars at the upcoming peaks illustrating the uncertainties (95th percentile) in the estimates. In the next days the models should converge better on the precipitation predictions and thus the SFC stream flow estimates. Stay tuned (and safe!).
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Regards, Tom R.
USGS SFC Gauge Record to 1/6/23
<Tv5DhAwlh5HKNJIO.png>
CA/NV River Forecast Center Flow Estimates for SFC
<bjx0oOb4oddovCAR.png>
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From: Jennifer Landesmann
To: Sherry Scott
Cc: Deborah Wexler; amy kacher; [email protected]; Council, City; [email protected] Subject: Re: [CPNA] for those who have a clean up day on Monday Jan 9 Date: Saturday, January 7, 2023 3:08:23 PM
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I'm afraid it's still on for those with the January 9 date because there was no notice that it has changed, and when I check my address it still has January 9.
Am keeping things away from the curb until just before the pick up Jennifer
On Sat, Jan 7, 2023 at 2:59 PM Sherry Scott <[email protected] > wrote:
That’s strange. I’m on your same block but closer to Lincoln and my date is the 16th. I wonder if they have different days for different sides of the street?
Probably best to check for specific addresses.
Sent from my iPhone
On Jan 7, 2023, at 2:50 PM, Deborah Wexler <[email protected] > wrote:
Looks like the 1000 block of Forest still scheduled for 1/9/23. I agree, ti should be rescheduled.
Deborah Wexler
On Jan 7, 2023, at 1:26 PM, amy kacher <[email protected]> wrote:
I just checked and I think my clean up date for Dana Ave was supposed to be 1/9 also, but I looked at the site and its now 2/6 so glad I double checked...maybe I was mistaken in the first place but maybe they've changed some dates because of the storm.
https://www.greenwasteofpaloalto.com/?
account=30025850&s=1324+dana+ave+palo+alto+&post_type=cleaning_day&go=Search Amy
On Fri, Jan 6, 2023 at 5:12 PM egas1044 via Crescent Park PA <crescent-park- [email protected]> wrote:
City Clean up date with Greenwaste occurs on Monday January 9 for areas in Crescent Park likely to impacted if the creek again overflows.
Can this be suspended so that we don't have streets littered with junk that is likely to exacerbate flooding/overflow problems?
Respectfully,
Eileen Skrabutenas
1044 Hamilton Avenue
-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Landesmann <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
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Sent: Fri, Jan 6, 2023 5:04 pm
Subject: [CPNA] for those who have a clean up day on Monday Jan 9 Hi neighbors,
One of the two annual prized City clean up days is on January 9 for my block. My two most anticipated days of the year - I'm on Fife Ave, you can check your day on the site.
I called Greenwaste to see if there are any changes due to the storm, there are no changes.
Also - if possible use clear or labeled bags for recycling as well as labels for donations, so that they are not confused with garbage. Any hazardous materials should go to the household hazardous waste program
.
Jennifer
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From: Aram James
To: Pat Burt; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Tanaka, Greg; Lydia Kou; [email protected]; Shikada, Ed; Ed Lauing; Greer Stone; Jason Green; Diana Diamond; Gennady Sheyner; Rebecca Eisenberg; Human Relations Commission; Binder, Andrew; Josh Becker; [email protected]; Braden Cartwright; Council, City; Joe Simitian; Lewis. james
Subject: Why two troublesome bridges haven’t been replaced 25 years after the last flood Date: Saturday, January 7, 2023 8:51:55 AM
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NewsBreak
Used by over 45 million people
Open APP
Why two troublesome bridges haven’t been replaced 25
years after the last flood
padailypost.com
I found this on NewsBreak: Why two troublesome bridges haven’t been replaced 25 years after the last flood
Click to read the full story
Sent from my iPhone
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From: Thomas Rindfleisch
To: CPNA
Cc: Margaret Bruce; Murray, Kevin; Rebecca Eisenberg; Council, City Subject: SFC: What"s Coming Down the Pipe
Date: Friday, January 6, 2023 12:43:41 PM
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bjx0oOb4oddovCAR.png
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Friends, we dodged a bullet Thursday morning (5th) when the main part of the storm system was pulled north of us. The USGS gauge for San Francisquito Creek peaked at about 909 cfs around 1:30 AM and there was a secondary peak somewhat smaller (~825 cfs) at around 3:15 PM (see gauge plot below). The difference between what the NOAA River Forecast folks predicted and what the USGS measured was within +/- 100 cfs. They are not always this accurate though, given the vagaries of precipitation forecasting.
Anyway, I'm glad we have a few days to clean up, let things settle, and dry out. However, we have another couple of storms coming early next week that will swell SFC again. The first is a weak one (~900 cfs) on Sunday (8th) ~7:00 AM and the second is a considerably stronger one (~3400 cfs -- 62% of P-C overflow capacity) on Monday (9th) at about 5:00 PM. The precipitation forecasters' models do not agree yet on the strength of these events and there are significant uncertainties. In the second CNRFC plot below, I show the current hydrograph forecast with red bars at the upcoming peaks illustrating the uncertainties (95th percentile) in the estimates. In the next days the models should converge better on the precipitation predictions and thus the SFC stream flow estimates. Stay tuned (and safe!).
Regards, Tom R.
USGS SFC Gauge Record to 1/6/23
CA/NV River Forecast Center Flow Estimates for SFC
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From: Aram James
To: Council, City; Human Relations Commission; Rebecca Eisenberg; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Kou, Lydia; Greg Tanaka; Vicki Veenker; Greer Stone; Shikada, Ed; Ed Lauing; Lait, Jonathan; Josh Becker; [email protected]
Subject: Heavy storms, flood risks renew sense of urgency over delayed San Francisquito Creek projects | News | Palo Alto Online |
Date: Thursday, January 5, 2023 3:01:59 PM
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________________________________
https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/01/04/flood-anxieties-renew-sense-of-urgency-for-delayed-san- francisquito-creek-projects?utm_source=express-2023-01-05&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=express Sent from my iPhone
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From: [email protected]
To: Council, City
Subject: City Storm Response
Date: Thursday, January 5, 2023 10:13:08 AM
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Dear Mayor Burt, and fellow Council Members -
I want to thank the city council and city work crews who have been working to keep us safe during the recent batch of storms. We're not out of the woods, but it is reassuring to this resident that you have been diligent and understanding of what needs to be done and doing it quickly.
I also want to offer a shout-out to the many residents who have been assisting others to prepare, from the YCS teams filling sandbags to neighbors looking after each other. This is the true measure of a community.
Gratefully,
Eileen Skrabutenas
1044 Hamilton Avenue
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From: Loran Harding
To: Loran Harding; [email protected]; [email protected]; David Balakian; boardmembers; bballpod; beachrides; [email protected]; fred beyerlein; Cathy Lewis; Council, City; Chris Field; Doug Vagim; [email protected]; Daniel Zack; Scott Wilkinson; [email protected]; [email protected]; huidentalsanmateo; hennessy; Irv Weissman; Sally Thiessen; Joel Stiner; jerry ruopoli; kfsndesk; [email protected]; Leodies Buchanan; [email protected]; Mark Standriff; Mayor; [email protected]; [email protected]; newsdesk; [email protected]; nick yovino; david pomaville; [email protected]; Steve Wayte; tsheehan; terry; [email protected] Subject: Fwd: Flooding in B.A. Sat into Sunday 1-1-23
Date: Thursday, January 5, 2023 2:27:00 AM
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---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Loran Harding <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, Jan 5, 2023 at 1:24 AM
Subject: Flooding in B.A. Sat into Sunday 1-1-23
To: Loran Harding <[email protected]
>
Late on Wed. 1-4-23
This was extremely hard to find. It is usually people standing at maps. SF, Woodside, Palo Alto, Oakland, Castro Valley. Worth seeing. ~8 minutes. The storm on Sat. into Sunday, 1- 1-23:
San Francisco TODAY! Crazy Flash Flooding in Bay Area, California, US - YouTube Sure glad I went from Fresno to my dentista in San Mateo on Friday, Dec. 2 and Dec. 16, 2022! The issue there was fog east of Los Banos. So I got those trips in about 15 days ahead of real trouble. I always tell them when they schedule apptments "I want to try to avoid the rainy season".
One time going over there was a Chevy SUV sitting on its roof on 152 right at the summit of Pacheco Pass and another overturned SUV that day on 280 near Page Mill Rd. in Palo Alto.
Both had wheels facing straight up. Rescuers were down on the ground talking to the occupants who were hanging upside down on 280.
Now late Wed. night in 1-4-23. I think Fresno has escaped most of it up to now. Some rain tonight in NW Fresno. Hope our luck holds. 1:54 AM- Now we have real rain, heavy, in NW Fresno. Steady, heavy.
BTW, now trillions
of gallons of precious water will flow down the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers to the Delta and out to the sea from these storms. Researchers at Stanford 10 years ago proposed building berms on farmland, maybe marginal farmland, around maybe 100 acres at a time and impounding water in those in heavy rain years. Canals would bring the water from the two rivers, so build these near the rivers. That way, the water could recharge our aquifer instead of going straight to the Pacific. It has not been done to my knowledge. We Item AA1
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have a crisis with our vast aquifer under the San Joaquin Valley with over pumping and resulting ground subsidence. Even with some of that, many crops are being cancelled here for lack of water! This fiscal year the US will spend $856 billion to defend the whole world. $1 billion would probably build a lot of these berms to recharge our aquifer. But the rest of the world comes first, and the American people can go hang.
L. William Harding
Fresno, Ca.
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From: Dhruv Khanna
To: Board of Directors; Council, City
Subject: Re: Newell bridge debris
Date: Wednesday, January 4, 2023 1:31:40 PM
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Sorry for the typos: Efforts at keeping our creeks clear of debris are woefully inadequate.
Dhruv
On Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 01:28:45 PM PST, Dhruv Khanna <[email protected]> wrote:
Efforts are keeping our creeks clear of debris and woefully inadequate.
Dhruv Khanna
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Dhruv Khanna <[email protected]>
To: San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 10:27:21 AM PST
Subject: Newell bridge debris
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Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
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From: Dhruv Khanna
To: Board of Directors; Council, City
Subject: Fw: Tree at Chaucer
Date: Wednesday, January 4, 2023 1:30:02 PM
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Yesterday's fallen tree at the mouth of the Chaucer Bridge remain unremoved as of 10 a.m. this morning.
Dhruv Khanna
----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Dhruv Khanna <[email protected]>
To: Dhruv Khanna <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at 08:12:23 AM PST
Subject: Tree at Chaucer
Sent from my iPhone
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