CITY COUNCIL ... The council plans to hold a joint session with the Public Art Commission; consider a colleagues memo from Greg Scharff, Karen Holman and Greg Schmid about downtown ground-floor retail protection; consider a $5.8 million loan to the Palo Alto Housing Corporation for acquisition of 567-95 Maybell Ave. and a $1 million loan for rehabilitation of Stevenson House; and hear an update on the city's parking program and the direction of parking-policy strategies. The meeting with the Public Arts Commission will begin at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.). Regular meeting will follow in the Council Chambers.

UTILITIES ADVISORY COMMISSION ... The commission plans to hear a presentation on standby electric rates for the city's proposed energy/compost facility; discuss Propositions 218 and 26; consider the 2012 Utilities Legislation Policy Guidelines; and consider a proposed reduction in gas rates effective Jan. 2. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

COUNCIL REGIONAL HOUSING MANDATE COMMITTEE ... The committee plans to review the recent letter of response from the state Department of Housing and Community Development concerning the city's Housing Element. The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, in the Council Conference Room at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION ... The commission plans to hear a presentation on the Palo Alto Police Department's Crisis Intervention Team training; hear another presentation about the merger between InnVision and Shelter Network; and get an update on the Human Services Needs Assessment. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 8, in the Council Chambers at City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave.).

— Palo Alto Online staff

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