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

City Council (Nov. 8)

Building code: The council approved changes to the city's building code to make it more consistent with California's green-building standards. Yes: Unanimous

Smoke alarms: The council approved changes to the fire code to set new requirements for photoelectric smoke alarms and dual-sensor alarms at new houses, rental houses and houses undergoing renovations and ownership transfers. Yes: Unanimous

Board of Education (Nov. 9)

School calendars for 2011-12 and 2012-13: The board postponed a scheduled vote on proposed calendars, pending a new superintendent's recommendation expected Dec. 7. Action None

Mandarin Immersion: The board heard a presentation on the status of the district's three-year-old pilot Mandarin Immersion Program, including a recommendation that the program's status be boosted from "pilot" to "ongoing." Action None

Policy and Services Committee (Nov. 9)

Partnerships: The committee discussed the city's public-private partnerships, the committee's role and annual schedule and topics for discussion at the upcoming committee meetings. Action: None

Planning and Transportation Commission (Nov. 10)

Housing Element: The commission discussed proposed revisions to the Housing Element chapter of the city's Comprehensive Plan. Action: None

Communication: The commission directed staff to draft revisions to its policy on ex parte communications. The current policy "strongly discourages" commissioners from holding private discussions with project applicants. Yes: Garber, Keller, Lippert, Tanaka, Tuma No: Fineberg, Martinez