Meeting
CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting

Monday, September 18, 2023
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
 
Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference or in person. To maximize public safety while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose to participate from home or attend in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. Masks are strongly encouraged if attending in person. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media Center https://midpenmedia.org.

VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION  CLICK HERE TO JOIN   (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238)   
Meeting ID: 362 027 238    Phone:1(669)900-6833

 
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance to [email protected] and will be provided to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your subject line.

PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only by email to [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the  Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not accepted.

TIME ESTIMATES
Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the meeting is in progress. The Council reserves the right to use more or less time on any item, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items may be heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to best manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public.
 
CALL TO ORDER
 
This meeting will be called to order in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, California Native American Day, and National Preparedness Month.
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY (5:30 - 5:40 PM)
 
1.
Appointment of Candidates for the Architectural Review Board
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
 
PUBLIC COMMENT (5:40 - 5:55 PM)
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. Council reserves the right to limit the duration of Oral Communications period to 30 minutes.

 
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (5:55 - 6:00 PM)
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).

 
CONSENT CALENDAR (6:00 - 6:05 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.

 
2.
Approval of Minutes from September 5, 2023 Meeting
3.
Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Lease Agreement Between the City of Palo Alto and the County of Santa Clara (Contract No. 1557819) at 2000 Geng Road for Safe Parking to Extend the Term for Three Years; Prioritize Local Populations; and Clarify City’s Landscaping Duties; CEQA Status – categorically exempt. Public Comment
4.
Approval of Construction Contract C24187742 with OBS Engineering Inc., in the Amount Not-to-Exceed $383,400 for Cameron Park Improvements, Capital Improvement Project PG-14002; Authorization of Contract Contingency in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $38,340 for Related, Additional but Unforeseen Work Which May Develop During the Project; and Approval of a Budget Amendment in the Capital Improvement Fund; CEQA status - Categorically exempt per regulation 15301 (existing facilities).
5.
Approve the Appointment of Caio A. Arellano to the Position of Chief Assistant City Attorney; CEQA Status- not a project.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (6:05 - 6:20 PM)
 
BREAK (5-10 MINUTES)
 
ACTION ITEMS (Item 6: 6:20 - 7:20 PM, Item 7: 7:20 - 8:20 PM, Item 8: 8:20 - 9:20 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.

 
6.
PUBLIC HEARING: Adoption of Resolution to Establish a New Priority Development Area (PDA) in South Palo Alto and Support for the Nomination of one Parcel as a Priority Site. Environmental Assessment: Not a ‘Project’ and Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Review. Presentation
8.
Public Hearing: Adoption of a Resolution Approving Capped-Price Winter Natural Gas Purchases for Winter 2023-24 and Amending the FY 2024 Gas Fund Budget to Fund These Purchases; Amending the Gas Utility Long-term Plan Objectives, Strategies and Implementation Plan; and Amending Rate Schedules G-1 (Residential Gas Service), G-2 (Residential Master-Metered and Commercial Gas Service), G-3 (Large Commercial Gas Service), and G-10 (Compressed Natural Gas Service); CEQA status: not a project under Public Resources Code 15378(b)(5) and exempt under Public Resources Code 15273(a) Presentation
ADJOURNMENT
 
INFORMATION REPORTS
Information reports are provided for informational purposes only to the Council and the public but are not listed for action during this meeting’s agenda.

 
9.
Informational Report on the Annual Review of the City’s Renewable Procurement Plan, Renewable Portfolio Standard Compliance, and Carbon Neutral Electric Supplies for 2022
OTHER INFORMATION
 
OTHER INFORMATION

Standing Committee Meetings this week
       
    Rail Committee September 19, 2023

    Finance Committee September 19, 2023
    City Schools Liaison Committee September 21, 2023


Public Comment Letters

Schedule of Meetings


 
 
 
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone.
  1. Written public comments may be submitted by email to [email protected].
  2. For in person public comments please complete a speaker request card located on the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers and deliver it to the Clerk prior to discussion of the item.
  3. Spoken public comments using a computer or smart phone will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully.
    • You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in- browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30 , Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7 . Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. Or download the Zoom application onto your smart phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter in the Meeting ID below.
    • You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak.
    • When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak.
    • When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
  4. Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN    Meeting ID: 362-027-238   Phone: 1-669-900-6833

Americans with Disability Act (ADA) It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with disabilities who require materials in an appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary aids to access City meetings, programs, or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at (650) 329-2550 (voice) or by emailing [email protected]. Requests for assistance or accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or service.