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City View
A round-up of Palo Alto government action this week

Finance Committee (June 14)

2011 budget: The committee voted to approve the proposed budget for the Fire Department, reduce Monday hours at Main, Mitchell Park and Children's libraries, keep the College Terrace library closed on Mondays, and to reinstate the two-officer fraud-investigation unit in the Police Department. Yes: Unanimous

City Council (June 14)

San Francisquito Creek: The council heard a presentation from Len Materman, executive director of the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority, on the status of capital improvements along the San Francisquito Creek. Action: None

Stanford Hospital: The council reviewed the Visual Quality chapter of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Stanford University Medical Center expansion project. The council also concluded its discussion on the Land Use Chapter of the DEIR. Action: None

Finance Committee (June 15)

2011 budget: The committee wrapped up its discussion of the fiscal year 2011 budget, discussed the Public Works refuse fund, and adopted the municipal fee scheduled for the next fiscal year. The committee also voted to remove the proposed fees for park use from the fee schedule. Yes: Scharff, Schmid, Klein No: Espinosa

City Council/Board of Education/Foothill-De Anza Community College Trustees (June 16)

Cubberley: The three boards discussed their interests regarding a Foothill-De Anza request to purchase eight acres of the 35-acre Cubberley Community Center. Action None

Planning and Transportation Commission (June 16)

Stanford Hospital: The commission discussed the Traffic Impacts chapter of the Draft Environmental Impact Report for Stanford University's proposed expansion of its hospital facilities, including Stanford's proposed traffic-demand management measures. The discussion was one of the city's 11 public hearings on the DEIR. Action: None

Architectural Review Board (June 17)

Stanford Hospital: The board held a preliminary review for the proposed design for Stanford Hospital and Clinics. Board members voiced concerns about some of the details in the exterior of the main hospital building. Action: None

San Antonio Road: The board discussed the proposed improvements at medians on San Antonio Road, which include tree replacements and new landscaping along medians between Middlefield Road and Highway 101. Board members recommended new signage and some changes in tree species, but said they strongly support the project, which includes removing the existing 101 trees and planting between 100 and 120 new trees. Yes: Unanimous

High-Speed Rail Committee (June 17)

High-speed rail: The committee discussed meetings with Caltrain representatives regarding the agency's electrification project, an update on legislation relating to high-speed rail and the city's draft comments on the Alternatives Analysis for the San Francisco-to-San Jose segment of the high-speed-rail line. Action: None