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

Public Art Commission (Sept. 15)

Elections: The commission elected Ali Richter chair and Larissa Usich vice chair. Yes: Unanimous

Main Library: The commission approved the selection of Joe O'Connell and Blessing Hancock as artists for the Main Library and Art Center renovation project. Yes: Unanimous

Other business: The commission saw a video presentation on upcoming Art Center "On the Road Program" artists and heard a presentation from Susan Wildeboer on a potential collaboration with Talenthouse for a mural at 542 High St. Action: None

City Council (Sept. 19)

Utility rates: The council approved increases to the city's water and refuse rates. Yes: Unanimous

Housing: The council discussed the latest regional housing projections and directed staff to work with legislators and other cities to outline the need for independent analysis of housing projections. Yes: Unanimous

Other business: The council also voted to start a new committee next year focused on Regional Housing Needs Assessment. Yes: Burt, Espinosa, Klein, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd No: Holman, Price, Yeh

Council Finance Committee (Sept. 20)

Calaveras Reserve: The committee voted to change the purpose of the Calaveras Reserve and to use funds in the reserve for major new projects that would benefit electric ratepayers. Yes: Unanimous

Historic Resources Board (Sept. 21)

935 Ramona St.: The board voted to keep 935 Ramona St. on the city's Historical Inventory. Yes: Bernstein, Bunnenberg, Bower, Kohler, Makinen, Smithwick Absent: Di Cicco

Council Rail Committee (Sept. 22)

Lobbyists: The committee voted to issue requests for proposal for lobbying services for high-speed rail. Yes: Unanimous