Meeting
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting

Monday, April 22, 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 [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.

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
 
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY (5:30 - 5:45 PM)
 
1.
Recognizing Youth Living in Palo Alto or Enrolled at PAUSD Who Have Received The President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) As Certified by Youth Community Service (YCS) This Academic Year Between July 1, 2023 – Feb 15, 2024. Public Comment, Presentation
CLOSED SESSION (5:45 - 6:45 PM)
 
2.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his Designees
Pursuant to Merit System Rules and Regulations (Ed Shikada, Kiely Nose, Sandra Blanch, Nick Raisch, Tori
Post, Molly Stump, and Jennifer Fine) Employee Organization: Service Employees International Union,
(SEIU) Local 521, Utilities Management and Professional Association of Palo Alto (UMPAPA), Palo Alto Peace
Officers’ Association (PAPOA), Palo Alto Police Management Association (PMA), International Association of
Fire Fighters (IAFF) local 1319, Palo Alto Fire Chiefs’ Association (FCA); Authority: Government Code Section
54957.6 (a)

 
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
 
PUBLIC COMMENT (6:45 - 7:15 PM)
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of speakers. Council reserves the right to limit the duration of Oral Communications period to 30 minutes.

 
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (7:15 - 7:20 PM)
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).

 
STUDY SESSION (7:20 - 8:20 PM)
 
3.
Race and Equity Update: Assessment Report from Ivy Planning Group on City Workplace Culture and 2024-2025 (Calendar Years) Equity Action Plan Presentation
 
CONSENT CALENDAR (8:20 - 8:25 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.

 
5.
CONSENT: 261 Hamilton Ave: Upgrade Historic Inventory from Category 3 to Category 1 Public Comment
6.
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute an Amendment to the Power Purchase Agreement with Ameresco Half Moon Bay LLC for the Purchase of up to 60,000 Megawatt-Hours per Year of Biogas Energy Over a Term of up to 20 Years for a Total Not to Exceed Amount of $147.2 Million; CEQA Status: Not a Project under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(a) Consent Questions
7.
Approval of Construction Contract Number C24190641A with Valhalla Builders, Inc. in the Amount of $460,900 and Authorization for the City Manager or Their Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders for Related Additional but Unforeseen Work that may Develop During the Project up to a Not-to- Exceed Amount of $46,090 for the Performing Arts Venues Seat Replacement Project at Lucie Stern Community Theatre, Capital Improvement Program Project AC-18000; CEQA Status – Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301
8.
Approval of Professional Services Contract No. C24190042 With BKF Engineers in a Total Not-to-Exceed Amount for $283,250 for Land Surveying Services for One Year; CEQA – Not a Project. Consent Questions
9.
Approval of a Five-Year Technical Assistance Agreement with the United States Geological Survey in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $924,745 for Scientific Monitoring Services at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant Outfall and Horizontal Levee Pilot Project Site (WQ-22001); CEQA Status- Categorically Exempt Section 15306 Consent Questions
10.
QUASI-JUDICIAL. 739 Sutter Avenue [22PLN-00201 and 24PLN-00005]: Appeal of the Director's Decision to Approve a Streamlined Housing Development Review Application to Allow Deconstruction of An Existing 8 Unit Residential Rental Development and Construction of 12 Three-Bedroom Condominium Units. The Project Also Includes a Request for Approval of a Vesting Tentative Map for a Condominium Subdivision. Zoning District: RM-20. Environmental Assessment: Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act per CEQA Guidelines Section 15332. For more information contact the Project Planner at HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" \h [email protected]. Supplemental Report, Public Comment
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (8:25 - 8:40 PM)
 
BREAK (5-10 MINUTES)
 
ACTION ITEMS (Item 11: 8:50 - 9:50 PM, Item 12: 9:50 - 10:35 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.

 
11.
Review and provide input on Concept Plans for Quarry Road Transit Connection to the Palo Alto Transit Center and Adoption of a Resolution of Intention to Undedicate a portion of El Camino Park; CEQA status - statutorily exempt per Pub. Res. Code § 21080(b)(12). Public Comments, Presentation
12.
Addition of 16 properties to the City’s Historic Resources Inventory based on Owner interest. CEQA Status: Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21065, the Historic Designation of Properties is not a Project Subject to Environmental Review. Public Comments, 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.

 
13.
Semiannual Update on the Status of Capital Improvement Program Projects; CEQA Status – Not a Project
14.
Independent Police Auditor's (IPA) Report of Review of Investigations Between July and December 2023 and Police Department Use of Force Report for July - December 2023
OTHER INFORMATION

Standing Committee Meetings this week
       
    Finance Committee April 23, 2024

    
Public Comment Letters

Schedule of Meetings


 
AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
 
Item 12: Two Additional "Opt-In" Owners of Properties for April 22, 2024 Council Action on Nominations to Local Historic Resources Inventory (HRI)
 
 
 
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.