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

City Council (Sept. 27)

High-speed rail: The council voted to send a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration asking the agency not to fund the high-speed rail project. Yes: Unanimous

Propositions: The council voted to support state Proposition 22 and to oppose Propositions 23 and 26. They also voted to support the Santa Clara County Measures A, B, C and E. Yes: Unanimous

Proposition 19: The council voted not to recommend a stance on Proposition 19, which would legalize and tax marijuana in California. Yes: Burt, Espinosa, Klein, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd No: Holman, Price Abstained: Yeh

Agendas: The council voted to retain the city's policy of publishing agendas in a local newspaper of general circulation, but decided to shorten these agendas and to include links to the city's website. Yes: Burt, Espinosa, Holman, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd, Yeh No: Klein, Price

Board of Education (Sept. 28)

Construction at JLS: The board approved "exterior site schematic designs" for major construction at JLS, including a new, two-story classroom building and outdoor stage, pending resolution of issues surrounding bicycle parking and landscaping. Yes: Unanimous

Calendar: The board heard a staff recommendation to switch school calendars to have first semester end prior to December's winter break, beginning next year. The district is soliciting public comment at calendar@pausd.org and a final decision is scheduled for Nov. 9 Action: None

Parks and Recreation Commission (Sept. 28)

Recreation updates: The commission received an update on the city's effort to contract out maintenance at the Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course and heard a presentation on the city's 2010 Summer Camps and Aquatics programs. Action: None

El Camino Park: The commission discussed proposed park improvements for El Camino Park in conjunction with the installation of a new water-storage tank in the park. Action: None

Human Relations Commission (Sept. 28)

Police: The commission heard an update on the city's Fair and Impartial Policing Policy. Action: None

Youth well-being: The commission discussed Project Safety Net, the community's ongoing effort to promote youth well-being. Action: None

Planning and Transportation Commission (Sept. 29)

Housing Element: The commission discussed the city's ongoing update to its Housing Element and potential sites in Palo Alto that could accommodate new housing. The effort is part of the city's update of its Comprehensive Plan. Action: None