12,478 / 91.84% Yes votes ...... 1,109 / 8.16% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

     NO

Measure N asks the voters to approve of using an area under El Camino Park for an underground water storage reservoir and well, and to approve replacing the existing pump station. The reservoir, well and pump station would be used to supply the City of Palo Alto with water during an emergency.

Background

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission aqueduct system, commonly known as the Hetch Hetchy system, is the City's primary water source. According to the California Department of Public Health ("DPH"), the City lacks water storage capacity sufficient to meet local demand if the Hetch Hetchy system shuts down. The water supply could be interrupted due to an emergency such as an earthquake or other natural disaster. In order to address this problem the City plans to construct a reservoir and well beneath El Camino Park, and replace the existing pump station already located in the park. This construction and upgrade project, along with other well and pump station upgrades throughout the City, constitute the Emergency Water Supply and Storage Project (the Project).

The City Council authorized preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Project in January 2006. The EIR evaluated four potential reservoir, well and pump station site locations. After evaluating the four sites, Council determined that EI Camino Park was the appropriate location based on several factors, including its proximity to the existing pump station, location in an area known for high¬producing wells, and ability to accommodate an underground reservoir without impacting future park uses. The City Council certified the EIR as complete and in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in March 2007.

During construction at El Camino Park, alternative facilities will be provided within the City for similar recreational uses. After the conclusion of construction all existing park facilities will be fully restored. The rebuilt pump station will remain within the same footprint as the existing pump station. Thus, virtually no park space will be lost once construction and restoration of El Camino Park is complete.

El Camino Park is a dedicated park. The City Charter requires that Council adopt a Park Improvement Ordinance before any substantial building, construction, reconstruction or development begins in a dedicated park. Council adopted a Park Improvement Ordinance approving the placement of the reservoir, well and pump station at El Camino Park in May 2007. At that time, Council made passage of the ordinance contingent upon the Measure N vote.

Operation of Measure N

Measure N is a non-binding advisory measure. It gives voters the opportunity to approve or disapprove of the City's intention to construct an underground reservoir and well beneath El Camino Park and replace the existing pump station at the park. If Measure N is approved by the voters, the El Camino Park Park Improvement Ordinance will remain in effect and the City will construct an underground reservoir, well and pump station at El Camino Park.

Dated: August 15, 2007

/s/ Gary M. Baum
    City Attorney

City of Palo Alto Municipal Code

The League of Women Voters of Palo Alto presents Pros and Cons on Measure N in its Voters Guide

The Midpeninsula Media Center is broadcasting Pros and Cons of Measure N presented by the League. For a schedule of rebroadcasts, click the Media Center schedule of broadcasts

You may also view the Pros and Cons on line on the Media Center Web site

Palo Alto Daily News

Palo Alto Weekly

The City of Palo Alto does not meet State standards for emergency water supply. The City must construct a 2.5 million gallon underground water reservoir to preserve Palo Alto's ability to fight fires and to provide drinking water in the event of a major natural or manmade disaster.

The Environmental Impact Report concludes that El Camino Park is the environmentally superior choice for this project, a conclusion supported by the City Council, the Utilities Advisory Commission and several community focus groups.

The Hetch-Hetchy supply line+Palo Alto's main water source+enters Palo Alto from the north, between El Camino Real and the railroad tracks. This major supply line and our primary water pump station already lie directly beneath El Camino Park. Continuing to use this site for water supply facilities avoids digging pipelines across major transportation corridors and through important business and residential areas. Placing the reservoir under the El Camino Park will have no permanent impact on the park. All park facilities will be fully restored upon completion.

Placing the reservoir directly alongside the existing Hetch Hetchy supply line and pump station is the least-cost solution. Project costs will be amortized over 30 years and will be paid for by commercial and residential water users and not by our general fund.

To ensure that the City has sufficient water to fight fires and provide drinking water in the event of a major natural or man-made disaster, we urge you to vote yes.

For more information http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/emergencywater

/s/ John Barton
    Palo Alto City Council

/s/ Bern Beecham
    Palo Alto City Council

/s/ Jack Morton
    Palo Alto City Council

/s/ Dena Mossar
    Palo Alto City Council

RESOLUTION NO. 8733 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PALO ALTO CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR NOVEMBER 6, 2007, FOR SUBMITTAL TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY AN ADVISORY MEASURE RELATED TO THE USE OF EL CAMINO PARK FOR THE PLACEMENT OF AN UNDERGROUND EMERGENCY WATER STORAGE RESERVOIR AND WELL AND THE REPLACEMENT OF THE EXISTING ABOVE-GROUND PUMP STATION AND ORDERING CONSOLIDATION

WHEREAS, the City depends on the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) aqueduct system as the primary source of the City's drinking water; and

WHEREAS, the City's water system must meet a variety of demands, including supplying water for normal daily use, fire suppression and emergencies; and

WHEREAS, according to California Department of Health Services (DHS) standards, the City lacks water supply and storage capacity sufficient to meet emergency demands; and

WHEREAS, the City's deficiency in emergency water supply and storage capacity presents a threat to public safety if an emergency, earthquake, or other natural disaster disrupts the SFPUC aqueduct system; and

WHEREAS, in an effort to minimize this danger and meet the minimum recommended level of service standards set by DHS, the City commissioned three studies and held six meetings with community members to identify various options available for correcting deficiencies in its existing emergency water storage system; and

WHEREAS, these studies evaluated eight potential reservoir sites, and concluded that the proposed emergency water storage reservoir, pump station and well, when combined with other well and pump station enhancements, will meet the City's emergency demands in the event of a water supply disruption; and

WHEREAS, the City Council, after holding an emergency preparedness study session which included discussion on the need for improvements to the City's emergency water supply and storage capacity, authorized the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the Emergency Water Supply and Storage Project (the Project) to evaluate four potential reservoir, well and pump station site locations; and

WHEREAS, the Project's Environmental Impact Report also included construction of up to two new wells and upgrades to five existing wells and the Mayfield Pump Station; and

WHEREAS, the City Council reviewed the final EIR for the Project and on March 5, 2007 certified the EIR as complete, adequate and in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and

WHEREAS, placing the underground reservoir and well beneath El Camino Park has several advantages compared to the other three potential sites: it will not displace or disrupt existing residences and businesses; it will cause minimal environmental impacts on existing residences and businesses; it will eliminate the need to construct a new pump station, thereby limiting environmental disruption, requiring fewer construction sites, and reducing costs; and it is ideally located to efficiently serve the areas in need of additional emergency water supply; and

WHEREAS, after reviewing the studies, the EIR, public comments and the recommendation of the Planning and Transportation Commission, the City Council selected El Camino Park as the preferred reservoir, well and pump station site; and

WHEREAS, on May 21, 2007 the City Council adopted a Park Improvement Ordinance approving the placement of an emergency reservoir, well and pump station at El Camino Park, a dedicated park; and

WHEREAS, by its Resolution No. 8715, the City Council called a general municipal election for November 6, 2007 ("Election") and;

WHEREAS, as part of that election, the City Council desires to submit to the voters of the City as a non-binding advisory measure the question of whether an area under El Camino Park should be used for the placement of an emergency water storage reservoir and well and the replacement of the existing pump station.

NOW THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER as follows:

SECTION 1. Findings. The City Council finds and determines that each of the findings set forth above are true and correct.

SECTION 2. Advisory Measure. Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9603, the City Council hereby orders the following question to be submitted to the voters at the Election:

ADVISORY VOTE ONLY

Should an area under El Camino Park be used for an underground water storage reservoir and well to supply the City of Palo Alto with water during an emergency, the existing pump station replaced with modern equipment in its same location, and all existing park facilities fully restored upon completion of construction?
YES

NO

SECTION 3. Notice of Election. Notice of the time and place of holding the election is hereby given, and the City Clerk is authorized, instructed and directed to give further or additional notice of the election, in time, form and manner as required by law.

SECTION 4. Impartial Analysis. Pursuant to California Elections Code Section 9280, the City Council hereby directs the City Clerk to transmit a copy of the measure to the City Attorney. The City Attorney shall prepare an impartial analysis of the measure, not to exceed 500 words in length, showing the operation of the measure and its effect on existing law, and transmit such impartial analysis to the city Clerk by August 22, 2007.

SECTION 5. Consolidation Request. The Council of the City of Palo Alto requests the governing body of any other political subdivision, or any officers otherwise authorized by law, to partially or completely consolidate such elections and the City Council consents to such consolidation.

SECTION 6. Request for County Services. Pursuant to Section 10002 of the California Elections Code, the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby requests the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County to permit the Registrar of Voters to render services to the City of Palo Alto relating to the conduct of Palo Alto's General Municipal and Special Elections which are called to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2007. The services shall be of the type normally performed by the Registrar of Voters in assisting the clerks of municipalities in the conduct of elections including, but not limited to, checking registrations, mailing ballots, hiring election officers and arranging for polling places, receiving absentee voter ballot applications, mailing and receiving absent voter ballots and opening and counting same, providing and distributing election supplies, and furnishing voting machines.

SECTION 7. Transmittal of Resolution. The City Clerk is hereby directed to submit forthwith a certified copy of this resolution to the Board of Supervisors, to the Registrar of Voters, and to the County Clerk of the County of Santa Clara.

INTRODUCED AND PASSED: July 09, 2007

AYES: BARTON, BEECHAM, DREKMEIER, KISHIMOTO, KLEINBERG, MORTON

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTENTIONS: CORDELL, KLEIN, MOSSAR

ATTEST:                       APPROVED:
/s/ Donna J. Rogers           /s/ Yoriko Kishimoto
City Clerk                             Mayor

APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/s/ Frank Benest    
City Manager

/s/ Grant Kolling                 /s/ Valerie Fong
Deputy City Attorney              Director of Utilities

/s/ Carl Yeats
    Director of Administrative Services