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

City Council (Dec. 17)

Yangpu: The council voted to direct staff to pursue partnership opportunities with Yangpu District in Shanghai, including student exchange programs with internships and collaboration between high-tech companies in the two municipalities. The council also agreed to hold a broader discussion about sister-city partnerships next year. Yes: Burt, Espinosa, Holman, Klein, Scharff, Schmid, Shepherd, Yeh No: Price

2012: The council heard a "Year in Review" presentation from City Manager James Keene. Action: None

Board of Education (Dec. 18)

Employee compensation: The board discussed a recommendation for awarding a bonus to teachers and staff equivalent to 1 percent of 2011-12 salary. The measure will be taken up again in January, pending union ratification. Action: None

Budget: The board approved an interim report on the school district's finances. Yes: Unanimous

Construction: The board discussed various construction projects under the "Strong Schools" bond measure, and approved some change orders. Yes: Unanimous

pstyle:13head>Council Finance Committee (Dec. 18)

Budget: The committee discussed the city's long-term financial forecast for 2013-23 and recommended that staff revise the report and consider the revenue trends for the past 20 years in its new projections. Yes: Burt, Scharff, Shepherd Absent: Price

Electric: The committee recommended creating an advisory body to engage the community in a conversation about conversion of electric lines from overhead to underground. Yes: Scharff, Shepherd No: Burt Absent: Price

Historic Resources Board (Dec. 19)

345 Forest Ave.: The board voted to approve a request by Cody Anderson Wasney Architects on behalf of Stephen Reller for a historical rehabilitation of Laning Chateau, a Category 2 building on the City's Historic Inventory. Yes: Bernstein, Bower, Bunnenberg, DiCicco, Makinen No: Smithwick Absent: Kohler

Architectural Review Board (Dec. 20)

Golf course: The board discussed proposed changes to the Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course, which is part of a regional effort to improve flood control near the San Francisquito Creek. Action: None

260 California Ave.: The board recommended approval of a new three-story building at 260 California Ave. Yes: Lew, Lippert, Malone Prichard Absent: Alizadeh, Popp