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

City Council (May 7)

Sewage plant: The council discussed the long-range plan for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant. Action: None

Finances: The council accepted staff's Long Range Financial Forecast and requested that staff include a scenario in the forecast with less drastic pension increases and no salary increases for employees. Yes: Burt, Espinosa, Holman, Klein, Scharff, Shepherd, Schmid, Yeh No Klein

Board of Education (May 8)

Graduation requirements: The board discussed a proposal by Superintendent Kevin Skelly to stiffen high school graduation requirements to match entrance criteria for California's four-year, public universities, with a provision for negotiated "alternative requirements" for students unable or unwilling to complete the four-year college-prep curriculum. Action: None

Cubberley: The board approved a list of "principles" to guide its upcoming discussions with the City Council on the future of Cubberley Community Center, as well as membership of a 25-member Community Advisory Committee on Cubberley. Yes: Caswell, Klausner, Mitchell, Tom Absent: Townsend

Council Finance Committee (May 8)

Budget: The committee approved the budgets for the City Auditor and City Attorney offices and for the Library Department. Yes: Burt, Price, Shepherd Absent: Scharff

Services: The committee discussed the Community Services Department budget and directed staff to return on May 15 with a proposal that includes less steep increases in fees for lawn bowling, community gardens and artist studios at Cubberley Community Center. Yes: Burt, Price, Shepherd Absent: Scharff

Council Policy and Services Committee (May 8)

Infrastructure: The committee voted to recommend that the city not place a revenue-generating measure on the November 2012 ballot. Yes: Unanimous

Human Relations Commission (May 8)

Grants: The commission discussed the Human Services Needs Assessment. Action: None

Planning and Transportation Commission (May 9)

Housing Element: The committee voted to recommend approval of the Housing Element in the Comprehensive Plan. Yes: Fineberg, Keller, Martinez, Tanaka, Tuma Abstained: Michael

Council Rail Committee (May 10)

Litigation: The committee discussed the partnership between the California High-Speed Rail Authority and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and considered whether the city should pursue litigation challenging the latest plans for a blended system of Caltrain and high-speed rail. Action: None