Meeting
CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting

Monday, January 22, 2024
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM

Amended Agenda

Amended agenda items appear below in RED
 
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
 
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
 
PUBLIC COMMENT (5:30 - 5:45 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 (5:45 - 5:50 PM)
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).

 
CONSENT CALENDAR (5:50 - 5:55 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.

 
1.
Approval of Minutes from January 8, 2024 Meeting
2.
Approval of Purchase Order With Siemens Inc. in the Amount of $489,527 for FY 2024 to Purchase Sixteen (16) 12KV Circuit Breakers for Hanover and Hansen Way Substations. CEQA Status: Exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15302 (Replacement of Existing Structures) Consent Questions 
3.
Adopt a Park Dedication Ordinance for the Tower Well site, 0.19 acres of land (8,437 square feet) at 201 Alma Street and approve the proposed name “Tower Well Park” as Recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission. CEQA status - not a project. Public Comment
4.
Adoption of an Urgency Ordinance and an Ordinance Amending Palo Alto Municipal Code Title 18 (Zoning) Chapters 18.14 (Housing Incentives), 18.76 (Permits and Approvals), and 18.77 (Processing of Permits and Approvals) to Implement Housing Element Program 1.3 Creating By-Right Zoning Approval for Specific Housing Element Inventory Sites. CEQA Status: An Addendum to the City’s Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Report was Prepared for the 2023-2031 Housing Element.
5.
Adoption of an Ordinance Authorizing the Improvements to the Palo Alto Baylands as Part of the Horizontal Levee Pilot Project and Approval of a Cooperative Agreement with the Association of Bay Area Governments to Construct the Horizontal Levee Pilot Project (WQ-22001); CEQA – exempt under Section 15133 Consent Questions
6.
QUASI-JUDICIAL. 949 Scott Street [22PLN-00410]: Request for City Council Hearing on the Director's Decision to Approve a Variance application to Allow a New Single-Story, Single-Family Home with a Basement to Encroach into the Front, Side, and Rear Setbacks and Deviate from Standards for Below Grade Patio Side and Rear Setbacks, and Number of Parking Spaces. Zoning District: R-2. Environmental Assessment: Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act per Section 15303. Public Comment
7.
QUASI-JUDICIAL. 420 Acacia [23PLN-00059]: Request for Approval of a Vesting Tentative Map to Allow for a Condominium Subdivision to Create 16 Units on a Single 35,573 Square Foot Parcel. The Subdivision map Would Facilitate Construction of the Previously Approved 33,833 Square Foot Mixed-use Development Project (23PLN-00058). Environmental Assessment: Exempt from the Provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act in Accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 (In-fill Development) and 15315 (Minor land Divisions). Zoning District: Split Zoning Designation of RM-30 and R-1 (Multi-Family and Single-Family Residential).
8.
Approval of the Office of the City Auditor's Wastewater Treatment Plant Agreement Audit Report as Recommended by Policy & Services Committee (CEQA Status - Not a Project)
9.
Approval of Office of City Auditor Risk Assessment and Audit Plan (CEQA Status - Not a Project)
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (5:55 - 6:10 PM)
 
BREAK (5-10 MINUTES)
 
ACTION ITEMS (Item 10: 6:20 - 6:25 PM, Item 11: 6:25 - 6:55 PM, Item 12: 6:55 - 7:55 PM, Item 13: 7:55 - 8:55 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.

 
10.
Approval of an Employment Agreement and Approval of Resolution to Appoint Mahealani Ah Yun to the Position of City Clerk at an Annual Salary of $165,000. CEQA Status – Not a Project
11.
Adoption of a Resolution and Approving an Easement Relocation Agreement Relocating and Vacating a 25 Foot Public Service Easement at the Castilleja School at 1263 Emerson Street and 220 Embarcadero Road (also commonly known as 1310 Bryant Street), Assessor Parcel Numbers 124-12-033 & 124-12-034; CEQA status – categorically exempt. Presentation
12.
Review and Accept the FY 2025 - FY 2034 Long Range Financial Forecast (LRFF) and FY 2025 Budget Development Guidelines as Recommended by the Finance Committee, CEQA Status – Not a Project Presentation
13.
Update regarding State and Federal Legislation and Approval of the Annual Legislative Guidelines and Legislative Platform as Recommended by the Policy & Service Committee. CEQA Status – Not a Project Supplemental Report added 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.

 
14.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) Update: an active transportation plan--Introduction & Overview, Community Engagement, Context & Baseline Conditions, and Next Steps
OTHER INFORMATION

Standing Committee Meetings this week
       
    Rail Committee January 23, 2024

    
Public Comment Letters

Schedule of Meetings


 
AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
 
13.
Item 13 Supplemental Report: Update, Discussion, and Potential Direction regarding State and Federal Legislation
 
 
 
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.