Meeting
CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting

Monday, May 05, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM

Budget Books Are Available At:
https://www.paloalto.gov/budget
 
Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference or in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. 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
General Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted in person for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. General public comment will be heard for 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda. Public comments for agendized items will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. Requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation or as determined by the Chair. 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 - 5:50 PM)
 
1.
City Employee Years of Service Awards and Proclamation acknowledging Public Service Recognition Week: May 4-10, 2025
2.
Proclamation Honoring Russ Reich for his Service to the City of Palo Alto
3.
Proclamation of May 2025 as Affordable Housing Month
CLOSED SESSION (5:50 - 7:50 PM)
 
4.
CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY - EXISTING LITIGATION
Subject: McGavock v. City of Palo Alto, et al.
Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No.23-CV-413813
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
One Case, as Defendant

 
5.
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 2470 Embarcadero Way, Assessor’s Parcel Number 008-03-072
Negotiating Parties: Bioscience Properties, Inc. City Negotiators: Karin North, Sunny Tong, Caio Arellano
Subject of Potential Negotiations: Lease Price and Terms of Payment Public Comment

 
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
 
PUBLIC COMMENT (7:50 - 8:20 PM)
Members of the public may speak in-person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (8:20 - 8:30 PM)
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).

 
STUDY SESSION (8:30 - 9:30 PM)
 
6.
City Manager Transmittal of the Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets Staff Presentation, Public Comment

Budget Books are Available athttps://www.paloalto.gov/budget

 
CONSENT CALENDAR (9:30 - 9:35 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.

 
9.
Approval of Contract Change Order No. 1 in the Amount of $1,500,000 to Contract C23186274 with Monterey Mechanical Company, for On-Call Emergency and Critical Construction Services at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant, for a Total Compensation Not-to-Exceed Amount of $3,000,000, funded by Wastewater Treatment Fund Capital Improvement Plant Repair, Retrofit, and Equipment Replacement Capital Project (WQ-19002); CEQA Status – Not a Project
10.
Approval of Amendment and Extension of Supplement Agreement No.1 to the Master Funding Agreement Between the City of Palo Alto and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, to Prepare a Downtown Housing Plan for the City of Palo Alto. CEQA Status: Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15262.
11.
Approval of Boards, Commissions, and Committees Interview Process as recommended by Policy and Services Committee Supplemental Report added
12.
SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending PAMC Sections 2.04.190 and 2.04.200 to Set the Regular Meeting Time of the Finance Committee and the Policy and Services Committee by Resolution or Ordinance
13.
SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Section 18.08.040 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code (The Zoning Map) to Change the Classification of Property Located at 70 Encina Avenue from Service Commercial (CS) Zone to Planned Community Zone (PC)
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (9:35 - 9:50 PM)
 
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
 
ACTION ITEMS (Item 14: 10:05 - 11:00 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.

 
14.
PUBLIC HEARING / QUASI-JUDICIAL. 4075 El Camino Way [23PLN-00202]: Adoption of an Amendment to a Planned Community Ordinance (PC-5116) to Allow for Modifications to an Existing 121-Unit Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility. Environmental Assessment: Exempt from the Provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in Accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Modifications to Existing Facilities). Staff Presentation, Applicant Presentation, Public Comment
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.

 
15.
Palo Alto Transportation Management Association 2024 Annual Report, 2026-28 Strategic Plan, and 2024 Commute Survey
OTHER INFORMATION

Standing Committee Meetings this week
    Finance Committee May 6, 2025

    City Schools Liaison Committee May 6, 2025 CANCELED
    Finance Committee May 7, 2025    
Public Comment Letters

Schedule of Meetings

 
SUPPLEMENTAL / AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
 
11.
Approval of Boards, Commissions, and Committees Interview Process as recommended by Policy and Services Committee Supplemental Report added
 
 
 
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 for agendized items 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 for agendized items 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.
 
California Government Code §84308, commonly referred to as the "Levine Act," prohibits an elected official of a local government agency from participating in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use if the official received a campaign contribution exceeding $500 from a party or participant, including their agents, to the proceeding within the last 12 months. A “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” includes most land use and planning approvals and the approval of contracts that are not subject to lowest responsible bid procedures and have a value over $50,000. A “party” is a person who files an application for, or is the subject of, a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use. A “participant” is a person who actively supports or opposes a particular decision in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use, and has a financial interest in the decision. The Levine Act incorporates the definition of “financial interest” in the Political Reform Act, which encompasses interests in business entities, real property, sources of income, sources of gifts, and personal finances that may be affected by the Council’s actions. If you qualify as a “party” or “participant” to a proceeding, and you have made a campaign contribution to a Council Member exceeding $500 made within the last 12 months, you must disclose the campaign contribution before making your comments.