Meeting
CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting

Monday, February 26, 2024
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 city.council@CityofPaloAlto.org 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 city.clerk@CityofPaloAlto.org 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.

Signs and symbolic materials less than 2 feet by 3 feet are permitted provided that: (1) sticks, posts, poles or similar/other type of handle objects are strictly prohibited; (2) the items do not create a facility, fire, or safety hazard; and (3) persons with such items remain seated when displaying them and must not raise the items above shoulder level, obstruct the view or passage of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting.

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
 
CLOSED SESSION (5:30 - 6:30 PM)
 
1.
CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY- EXISTING LITIGATION Subject: Reinert v. City of Palo Alto Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No. 21-CV-391286 (One Case, as Defendant) Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
 
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
 
PUBLIC COMMENT (6:30 - 6:45 PM)
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on # of speakers. Council reserves the right to limit the duration of Oral Communications period to 30 minutes.

 
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (6:45 - 6:50 PM)
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).

 
CONSENT CALENDAR (6:50 - 6:55 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.

 
3.
Appointment of 2024 Emergency Standby Council
4.
City Councilmember Appointment to the Santa Clara County Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee (HCDAC)
5.
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute a Third Phase Agreement with Northern California Power Agency for the Purchase of up to 2,800 Megawatt-Hours per Year of Biogas Energy from Zero Waste Energy Development Company, LLC over a Term of up to 10 Years for a Total Not to Exceed Amount of $5.7 Million; CEQA Status: Not a Project under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5)
6.
Approval of Amendment No. 6 to Contract No. C16163034A with Nova Partners, Inc. to Add $766,919, Increasing the Not to Exceed Amount to $9,647,825, for Additional Construction Management Services for the New Public Safety Building Capital Improvement Program Project (PE- 15001) and Extend the Contract Term; and Approval of Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. S20177452 with Schaaf & Wheeler Consulting Civil Engineers to Add $9,600, Increasing the Not to Exceed Amount to $20,200, for Additional Professional Services and Extend the Contract Term for the New Public Safety Building Capital Improvement Program project (PE- 15001); CEQA: Environmental Impact Report for the New Public Safety Building and New California Avenue Area Parking Garage (Resolution No. 9772)
7.
Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Professional Services Agreement S21180224 with Matrix Consulting Group for a Planning and Development Services Fee Study in the Amount of $56,500 for a total Not to Exceed of $138,000 and Extension of the Contract Term through January 31, 2026. Environmental Assessment: Exempt in Accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(3)(b).
8.
Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Funding Agreement with the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to Accept a $250,000 Grant as part of the 2010 Measure B Vehicle Registration Fee (VRF) Countywide Program Cycle Four; CEQA status – Statutorily Exempt.
9.
Approve Two Contracts for Consultant Services for the Downtown Housing Plan: Contract Number C24187236 with Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC (WRT) for a Not-to Exceed Amount of $1,508,254 to Provide Planning and Consulting Services to Develop the City’s Downtown Housing Plan for a Term of Two-years with an Optional One-year Extension; and Contract Number C24187237 with Good City Company (Good City) for a Not-to Exceed Amount of $375,522 to Provide Project Management and Consulting Services for the City’s Downtown Housing Plan for a Term of Two-years with an Optional One-year Extension. CEQA Action: Agreements are not subject to CEQA Public Comment
10.
Approval of Professional Services Contract with Ecology Action for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $139,968 for City of Palo Alto Safe Routes to School Spring/Fall Programming; CEQA status – categorically exempt (educational program).
11.
SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter 8.04 (Street, Trees, Shrubs, and Plants) and Chapter 8.10 (Tree Preservation and Management Regulations) (FIRST READING: January 16, 2024 PASSED 5-2, Lythcott-Haims, Tanaka no)
12.
Approval of the Appointment of Lauren Lai as the Administrative Services Director/ Chief Financial Officer
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (6:55 - 7:10 PM)
 
BREAK (5-10 MINUTES)
 
ACTION ITEMS (Item 13: 7:20 - 7:35 PM, Item 14: 7:35 - 9:05 PM, Item 15: 9:05 - 10:05 PM, Item 16: 10:05 - 10:35 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.

 
13.
PUBLIC HEARING: Objections to Weed Abatement at Affected Properties and Approval of Affected Property List for Commencing Weed Abatement in 2024; CEQA status – exempt
14.
Adoption of a Resolution Suspending Enforcement of Municipal Code Sections 16.14.090, 16.14.110 and 16.14.300 Requiring All-electric Construction and Direction to Staff to Commence Work on Local Amendments to the California Energy Code Establishing a One Margin Standard. CEQA Status – Not a Project. Presentation, Public Comments
15.
Policy and Services Committee Recommendations for Changes to the City Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook based on Prior City Council Referrals (Review of Censure Language). CEQA Status - Not a Project.
16.
Discussion on the 2024 Boards and Commissions Recruitment. CEQA Status - Not a Project. Presentation
ADJOURNMENT
 
 
 
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 city.council@cityofpaloalto.org.
  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 ada@cityofpaloalto.org. Requests for assistance or accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or service.