Upfront
Caltrain
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Friends of Caltrain maintains that the Peninsula would become more congested and polluted, with more than 12 million riders anually getting back in their cars and onto Bay Area freeways. U.S. Highway 101 would need the equivalent of three more lanes of traffic in each direction, said former Palo Alto mayor Yoriko Kishimoto, who is spearheading the group. “There is no room to expand 101. Caltrain is essential to the Peninsula’s quality of life, our commute alternatives, avoiding freeway gridlock and our economic vitality. The three counties must come together to work on solutions,� she said. Friends members say a dedicated, permanent source of operating funds for Caltrain is needed whether or not a statewide high-speed rail line is built on the Peninsula. Caltrain should be supported because it is one of the best-performing of the Peninsula’s public-transportation alternatives, supporters say. Ridership is up — currently serving
40,000 passengers daily — and 43 percent of its funding comes from fares, according to a report by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), which oversees regional transportation. Caltrain operations bring in three times the fare revenue per dollar of operating cost of SamTrans and four times that of VTA, according to Friends of Caltrain. But SamTrans has announced a $10 million reduction to its Caltrain subsidy, citing falling revenues and reduced state funding. Caltrain officials said they expect the other agencies will follow with reduced allocations. Speakers at the Jan. 21 Silicon Valley Leadership Group summit suggested various ways funding could be established for Caltrain and the agency could be modernized. Ideas included reorganizing and merging the three transit agencies into a regional organization to redistribute funds, creating a dedicated high-occupancy/ toll lane on Highway 101, adding local traffic-impact fees on new construction, approving new taxes and extending bridge-toll congestion pricing to all Bay Area bridges. Burlingame Mayor Terry Nagel has
Public Agenda A preview of Palo Alto government meetings next week COUNCIL-APPOINTED OFFICERS COMMITTEE ... The council committee plans to hold a closed session to discuss the recruitment of the next city attorney and performance evaluations for the four council-appointed officers. The meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). CITY COUNCIL ... The council plans to make a proclamation expressing appreciation for Jay Thorwaldson and discuss the Stanford University Medical Center expansion and renovation project. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). CITY COUNCIL ... The council plans to interview candidates for the Library Advisory Commission. The meeting is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). FINANCE COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to discuss the city’s Long Range Financial Forecast and goals for implementing the Refuse Fund Cost of Service Study. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD ... The board plans to discuss 285 Quarry Road, a proposal by Stanford University Medical Center for external renovations to the Hoover Pavilion. The meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). UTILITIES ADVISORY COMMISSION ... The commission plans to discuss feed-in tariffs for solar photovoltaic systems, the 2011 Utilities Strategic Plan, a pilot program for large electric commercial customers, and long-term financial projections and proposed rate adjustments for water and wastewater. The meeting is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).
joined the effort to support Caltrain. “Caltrain is a vital link in our communities that should not have to beg each year for funding from the three counties it serves. Our rescue plan for Caltrain should be part of a larger transportation vision for the Peninsula based on strong community input and projected future needs,� she said. Other supporting organizations include the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, Rail Passenger Association of California, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Menlo Park Green Ribbon Citizens’ Committee, Palo Alto Community Environmental Action Partnership (CEAP), BayRail Alliance, Sustainable San Mateo County and Californians Advocating Responsible Rail Design. The Save Our Caltrain meeting will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at SamTrans Headquarters Auditorium, 1250 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos. It will feature U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) and Michael Brune, Sierra Club executive director, as keynote speakers. Panel discussions include how Caltrain’s current economic model was established; the history and evolution of the rail line; and possible sustainable-funding models. Public input and brainstorming sessions will be part of the day’s agenda. Registration is free but organizers request an RSVP at friendsofcaltrain. com/summit. N Staff Writer Sue Dremann can be e-mailed at sdremann@paweekly. com.
CityView A round-up of
Public Art Commission (Jan. 20)
California Avenue fountain: The commission selected Michael Szabo’s fountain design for the California Avenue fountain project out of three finalists. Szabo design: Acebo Davis, Brown, Collins, Richter, Usich Reed/Madden design: Smit Absent: Coleman
City Council (Jan. 22)
Retreat: The council held its annual retreat to discuss its 2011 priorities. City Manager James Keene gave a presentation about current staffing levels. Action: None
City Council (Jan. 24)
State of the City: Mayor Sid Espinosa presented the 23rd annual State of the City address. Action: None
Board of Education (Jan. 25)
Elementary mathematics: The board heard a staff presentation and discussed ways to improve elementary math instruction and assessment. Action: None High school plans: The board heard presentations from high school principals about developments on their campuses. Action: None
Parks and Recreation Commission (Jan. 25) Election: The commission re-elected Daria Walsh to serve as its chair and Deirdre Crommie to serve as vice chair in 2011. Yes: Unanimous Highway 101: The commission discussed the Highway 101 Pedestrian/Bicycle Overpass/Underpass Feasibility Study and voted to recommend the overpass design option, if sufficient funding could be acquired for the project. Yes: Crommie, Dykwel, Losch, Walsh No: Hetterly, Lauing Absent: Markevitch El Camino Reservoir: The commission discussed the status of the El Camino Park Reservoir Project. Action: None
Planning and Transportation Commission (Jan. 26)
Palo Alto Commons: The commission adopted staff recommendations, with four minor conditions, and forwarded the project to the City Council. Yes: Unanimous
LET’S DISCUSS: Read the latest local news headlines and talk about the issues at Town Square at PaloAltoOnline.com
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HIGH-SPEED RAIL COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to discuss the status of Caltrain and the committee’s meeting frequency. The meeting is scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).
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ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD ... The board plans to discuss 211 Quarry Road, a proposal by Stanford Hospital and Clinics to renovate Hoover Pavilion and construct a new 60,000-square-foot medical office building and parking structure. The meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).
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RAIL CORRIDOR STUDY TASK FORCE ... The task force is working to formulate the city’s vision for land use along the Caltrain Corridor. Its meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, in the Lucie Stern Community Room (1305 Middlefield Road).
Palo Alto government action this week
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