HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-30 City Council Agenda PacketCity Council Retreat
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Saturday, January 30, 2021
Special Meeting
9:00 AM
Agenda posted according to PAMC Section 2.04.070. Supporting materials are available on
the city’s website on the Thursday 11 days preceding the meeting.
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9:00 AM Roll Call and Welcome From Mayor DuBois - Review Agenda
9:15 AM Council Introductions – “Why We Serve”
9:45 AM Governing in a Disruptive Environment – John Nalbandian,
PhD
10:30 AM 15-minute Break
10:45 AM Continue Discussion - Governing in a Disruptive Environment
REVISED
Presentation
2 January 30, 2021
MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER DISTRIBUTION OF
THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE.
11:45 AM Lunch Break
12:15 PM 1.Consideration and Selection of 2021 Council
Priorities
2:00 PM 15-minute Break
2:15 PM 2.Discussion and Possible Revision to Council Procedures
and Protocols Handbook and 2021 Standing
Committee Topics
3:30 PM Retreat Debrief, Take Away, and Next Steps
Adjournment
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12:00 PM Public Comment for Agenda Item Number 1
At Places
Memo
Public
Comment
3 January 30, 2021
MATERIALS RELATED TO AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA SUBMITTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER DISTRIBUTION OF
THE AGENDA PACKET ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE.
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CLICK HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900-6833
City of Palo Alto (ID # 11957)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 1/30/2021
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: 2021 Council Retreat Discussion on Council Priorities
Title: Consideration and Selection of 2021 Council Priorities
From: City Manager
Lead Department: City Manager
Recommendation
Policy and Services Committee recommends that Council consider and select the 2021 Council
Priorities.
Background
In October 2012, Council approved Priority Setting Guidelines (CMR #3156) and outlined the
role for the Policy and Services Committee in this activity. Per the Guidelines (included with
CMR #11820), a priority is defined as a topic that will receive particular, unusual and significant
attention during the year. Additionally, there is a goal of no more than three priorities per year,
generally with a three-year time limit.
Policy and Services Committee discussed potential City Council priority topics at the December
8, 2020 meeting (CMR #11820; action minutes) and moved to refer the At-Places Memo to
Council for consideration in the 2021 Priority Setting process. Public communications from
Councilmembers received for Policy and Services are linked here.
The original report (CMR #11820) and its attachments are found in Attachments A to this
report. The At-Places memo from the December 8, 2020, Policy and Services Com mittee
meeting is Attachment B.
Additional information will be gathered as part of two community surveys and will be provided
At-Places for the retreat.
Discussion
Staff e-mailed Council members prior to the Policy and Services Committee meeting, requesting
their suggestions for priority topics to be included, to be received by November 30, 2020.
These suggestions were included in an At Places Memo for the Policy and Services Committee’s
December 8, 2020, meeting. As recommended by Policy and Services, the priorities for
CITY OF
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discussion are as follows, alphabetically:
• Affordable Housing
• Affordable Housing - How to Fund
• Climate Change
• Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
• COVID-19 Recovery
• Economic Recovery
• Housing
• Housing for Social and Economic Balance
• Social Justice
• Transportation
The department directors were solicited by the retreat facilitator for input to this list and were
encouraged to rank them. Based on on-going staff work regarding Community & Economic
Recovery, as well as on-going daily operations, the following list was determined to be the
recommendations, in rank order based on responses:
• Community & Economic Recovery
o Businesses and Community
o Fiber
• COVID-19 Recovery
o City Staff/Facilities
• Economic Recovery – City efforts
• Affordable Housing
• Social Justice
Because staff have been working on the Community & Economic Recovery workplan, to be
discussed at the January 25, 2021, Council meeting (CMR #11877), it is understandable that this
information would rise as a priority for all City departments.
Finally, the National Community Survey, formerly known as the National Citizens Survey, is
currently underway and it is planned that the City’s survey vendor will debrief Council on the
results as well as the open-ended responses in the spring, though raw data will be presented
At-Places for the retreat. This data is not completely analyzed for accuracy, though the vendor
confirms that the ratings are unlikely to change dramatically. A first wave of randomly selected
participants has nearly been completed. The City’s Community Survey went a large size of
randomly selected Palo Alto households and this random sample will provide results that are
representative of the entire community within a known margin of error. The City is now making
the survey available to every resident, through the community survey provider Polco online.
The public can go here to take the survey: http://bit.ly/paloalto2021. The survey will be open
until February 10, 2021.
Timeline, Resource Impact, Policy Implications
No additional resource impact is expected at this time, though future budget allocations and
policy recommendations could result from applying the priorities to community and staff work.
City of Palo Alto Page 3
The National Community Survey is currently underway and expected to close February 11,
2021. A vendor-led presentation of results will be scheduled for an upcoming Council meeting,
to be determined.
Stakeholder Engagement
The community, Council, and staff have been solicited for their input and suggestions regarding
the priorities. Council will discuss Community & Economic Recovery at the January 25, 2021
Council Meeting (CMR #11877), building on earlier discussions with a panel of experts and
additional presentations that focus on this as an urgent community priority to ensure support
through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The community responses received via the Open City Hall survey (closes January 28, 2021) will
be provided as an At-Places Memo the day of the retreat.
Environmental Review
This is not considered a project as defined by CEQA.
Attachments:
• Attachment A: P&S CMR #11820 Council Priority Setting Process
• Attachment B: 12-8-2020 P&S Item #2 At-Place Memo
City of Palo Alto (ID # 11820)
Policy and Services Committee Staff Report
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 12/8/2020
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: 2021 Council Priority Setting Process
Title: Policy and Services Committee Discussion and Recommendations for
the 2021 City Council Priority Setting Process
From: City Manager
Lead Department: City Manager
Recommendation
Policy and Services Committee should discuss and consider making recommendations to the
City Council regarding 2020 priorities and, potentially, format and facilitation for the Council’s
annual retreat in January or February.
Background
In October 2012, Council approved Priority Setting Guidelines (CMR #3156) and outlined the
role for the Policy & Services Committee in this activity. Per the Guidelines (Attachment A), a
priority is defined as a topic that will receive particular, unusual and significant attention during
the year. Additionally, there is a goal of no more than three priorities per year, generally with a
three-year time limit.
The 2020 Priorities, as selected at the City Council’s Annual Retreat on February 1, 2020 (CMR
#11034, Minutes) are as follows:
A. Housing, with special emphasis on affordability;
B. Sustainability, in the context of the changing climate; and
C. Improving mobility for all.
Previous years’ priorities are found in Attachment B.
Discussion
Staff e-mailed current Council members and Council members-elect, requesting their
suggestions for priority topics to be included, to be received by November 30 20 20. These
suggestions will be available At Places for the Policy and Services Committee’s December 8,
2020, meeting. The community has been solicited for suggestions via Open City Hall. This will
remain open and available to the community through mid-January 2021, for inclusion at the
Council retreat, date TBD. Any responses that have been received prior to the Policy and
CITY OF
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Services meeting in December will also be included in the At Places memo.
At the retreat itself we also invite citizens to attend and express their views in person. The
purpose of this solicitation is to help inform the Council on priorities for the upcoming year. The
Council preliminary priority suggestions will help organize ideas into groupings in advance of
the retreat so staff and Council can prepare for a productive retreat. Council members are free
to modify choices at the Committee meeting, Council meeting or retreat.
The National Community Survey, formerly known as the National Citizens Survey, is currently
underway and it is planned that the vendor will debrief Council on the results as well as the
open-ended responses either prior to or at the annual Council Retreat, to inform the priority
setting process.
The Committee may make recommendations regarding the priorities as well as regarding the
retreat format and process for selecting a facilitator.
Timeline, Resource Impact, Policy Implications (If Applicable)
No additional resource impact is expected at this time.
This discussion will inform the annual Council retreat, currently TBA, pending appointment of a
new Mayor, but usually held in late January or early February of each year.
Stakeholder Engagement
Council members and the community have been solicited for their thoughts and topic
suggestions. At the retreat itself we also invite citizens to attend and express their views in
person.
Environmental Review
This is not considered a project as defined by CEQA and no review is required.
Attachments:
• Attachment A: Priority Setting 2012
• Attachment B: Past Palo Alto City Council Priorities, By Year
City of Palo Alto
City Council Priority Setting Guidelines
Approved by City Council: October 1, 2012
Last revised: October 1, 2012
Background
The City Council adopted its first Council priorities in 1986. Each year the City Council reviews
it’s priorities at its Annual Council Retreat. On October 1, 2012 the City Council formally
adopted the definition of a council priority, and the Council’s process and guidelines for
selection of priorities.
Definition
A Council priority is defined as a topic that will receive particular, unusual and significant
attention during the year.
Purpose
The establishment of Council priorities will assist the Council and staff to better allot and utilize
time for discussion and decision making.
Process
1. Three months in advance of the annual Council Retreat, staff will solicit input from the City
Council on the priorities to be reviewed and considered for the following year.
a. Council members may submit up to three priorities.
b. Priorities should be submitted no later than December 1.
c. As applicable, the City Manager will contact newly elected officials for their input by
December 1.
d. The City Clerk will provide timely notice to the public to submit proposed priorities by
December 1. The Policy and Services Committee shall recommend to the Council
which suggestions if any shall be considered at the City Council retreat.
2. Staff will collect and organize the recommended priorities into a list for Council
consideration, and provide to Council no less than two weeks in advance of the retreat.
3. The Policy and Services Committee, each year at its December meeting, shall make
recommendations about the process that will be used at the Annual Retreat paying
particular attention to the number of priorities suggested by Council members. The
recommended process is to be forwarded to Council for adoption in advance of the Council
retreat.
Guidelines for Selection of Priorities
1. There is a goal of no more than three priorities per year.
2. Priorities generally have a three year time limit.
Attachment A
City of Palo Alto
City Council Priority Setting Schedule
Last Updated: 8/17/2012
Attachment A
Nov
Staff Solicits Input
from Council
P&S Committee
Meeting to Discuss
Recommended Process
Council Deadline to
Submit Priorities
Dec.1
Council Meeting to Consider
Recommended Process
Council Holds Annual
Council Retreat
• • • •
Dec Jan
Feb
ATTACHMENT B
Past Palo Alto City Council Priorities, By Year
A list of past Council priorities by year, for the last five years:
2020
• Housing, with special emphasis on affordability
• Sustainability, in the context of the changing climate
• Improving mobility for all
2019
• Climate Change
• Grade Separation (choose preferred alternative by end of the year)
• Traffic and Transportation
• Fiscal Sustainability
2018
• Transportation
• Housing
• Budget and Finance (create an infrastructure funding plan)
• Grade Separation (choose preferred alternative by end of year)
2017
• Transportation
• Housing
• Infrastructure
• Healthy City, Healthy Community
• Budget and Finance
2016
• The Built Environment: Housing, Parking, Livability, and Mobility
• Infrastructure
• Healthy City, Healthy Community
• Completion of the Comprehensive Plan 2015-2030 Update
CITY OF
PALO
ALTO
TO: HONORABLE COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: MONIQUE LE CONGE ZIESENHENNE
DATE: POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING- DECEMBER 8, 2020
2
SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 2- Additional Items on the Policy and Services
Committee Discussion and Recommendations for the 2021 City Council Priority
Setting Process
This memorandum transmits additional information related to Item #€2: Discussion and
Recommendations for the 2021 City Council Priority Setting Process to be heard at Policy and
Services Committee on December 8, 2020.
Following solicitation of City Council members and members -elect for their topics, what follows
are the topic suggestions that were received, alphabetically:
• Affordable Housing
• Affordable Housing — How to Fund
• Climate Change
+ Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
• CoVID-19 Recovery
• Economic Recovery
• Housing
+ Housing for Social and Economic Balance
• Social Justice
• Transportation
1 of 2
CITY OF
PALO
ALTO
Attached are the written
report, other information
communications provided
any additional suggestions
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
CITY MANAGER:
comments received from Council members -elect. As stated in the
will be available at the Council retreat, including any additional
regarding the priority recommendations, community feedback, and
from Council members themselves.
�ia�►1.�+.� Ce ('iuege Zienenf1enne
Monique le Conge Ziesenhenne
Assistant City Manager
Ed Shikada
City Manager
2 eft
CITY OF PALO ALTO
AT-PLACES MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ED SHIKADA, City Manager
DATE: JANUARY 29, 2021
SUBJECT: 2021 CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
The purpose of this At-Places memorandum is to transmit 2021 City Council Priorities online
survey responses received and share preliminary results from the City’s Community Survey to
help inform the City Council’s retreat discussion on annual priority setting.
2021 City Council Priorities Ranking Survey Responses
Each year, Palo Alto City Council reviews its priorities for the year ahead at its annual Council
Retreat. A Council priority is defined as a topic that will receive significant attention during the
year. Typically, priorities have a three-year time limit, although some may continue beyond that
time period.
At the December 2020 Policy and Services Committee meeting, the Committee voted to
transmit a list of priority suggestions to the Council for consideration. The same list was
presented to the community for their feedback through an online survey. The survey asked
residents to rank or select the list of priorities they felt the City Council should consider as they
discuss the annual priorities for the year ahead. In addition, the survey asked residents to
provide additional feedback on other priorities the City Council should consider as they discuss
the annual priorities for the year ahead.
The online survey was open from January 13, 2021 through January 28, 2021. The survey forum
had 825 visitors to the webpage and gained 706 specific community responses.
1
Summary of responses to ranking of the list of priorities is provided below:
Attachment A transmits the full OpenGov report including individual responses and feedback
from all participants in the survey. Of the 706 participants of the survey, 365 provided
individual responses to question 2, which asked for other priorities to consider.
Attachment B transmits emails received from the public on 2021 City Council priorities received
by the City Council to date.
Preliminary Community Survey Responses
In November and December, the City’s Community Survey was sent to a large size of randomly
selected Palo Alto households. This random sample will provide results that are representative
of the entire community within a known margin of error. On January 21, 2021, the City made
the survey available to every resident, through our community survey provider Polco online.
Feedback provided through these surveys will help the city and City Council prioritize initiatives,
services, and programs. The Community Survey, formerly known as the National Community
Survey, allows residents to rate their overall quality of life and provide specific feedback about
municipal services, public safety, customer service, and their level of participation in
community events and activities. The online survey will close on February 10, 2021. At that
time, the survey provider will review the results and develop a report that will be presented to
the City Council at a regular meeting in March 2021. Residents interested in taking the survey,
can go to http://bit.ly./paloalto2021 for additional details.
Preliminary results from the survey question focused on what residents would like changed and
what they think is working well are provided below to share results on this topic as it could
assist the City Council as it considers setting their priorities for the year ahead.
2
So far to date, there have been 523 responses to the Community Survey from those that were
randomly selected. The Community Survey open to all residents closes on Febraury 10, 2021,
and there have been 119 responses to date.
Specific to the randomly selected households that provided responses, the following four issues
ranked highest as “essential” and “very important” for the City to focus on in the coming two
years:
3
4
The following word cloud provides a summary of responses to date from the 523 survey
responses who were randomly selected:
5
The following word cloud provides a summary of responses to date from the 119 open to all
residents survey:
6
ATTACHMENT A: Survey Responses
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2021 City Council Priorities
January 29, 2021, 10:29 AM
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Summary Of Responses
As of January 29, 2021, 10:29 AM, this forum had: Topic Start
Attendees:825 January 13, 2021, 3:51 PM
Responses:706
Hours of Public Comment:35.3
QUESTION 1
Select Priorities from List Forwarded for Council Consideration: Below is a list of priorities that were
recommended by the Policy and Services Committee at their meeting in December, please RANK OR SELECT
your top priorities the Council should consider as their Council priorities for 2021.
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change
4. Economic Recovery
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Affordable Housing
7. Social Justice
8. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
9. Housing
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
QUESTION 2
Are there priorities missing from the list? What are we missing? We want to hear those topics too. Please write
your ideas in the free space below.
Answered 365
Skipped 341
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2021 City Council Priorities
Opportunity to Rank 2021 Council Priorities and Share Input
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Survey Questions
QUESTION 1
Select Priorities from List Forwarded for Council Consideration:
Below is a list of priorities that were recommended by the Policy and
Services Committee at their meeting in December, please RANK OR
SELECT your top priorities the Council should consider as their
Council priorities for 2021.
• Affordable Housing
• Affordable Housing - How to Fund
• Climate Change
• Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
• COVID-19 Recovery
• Economic Recovery
• Housing
• Housing for Social and Economic Balance
• Social Justice
• Transportation
QUESTION 2
Are there priorities missing from the list? What are we missing? We
want to hear those topics too. Please write your ideas in the free
space below.
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2021 City Council Priorities
Opportunity to Rank 2021 Council Priorities and Share Input
10
Individual Responses
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 1:05 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Students return to in person school
Andrew Witte
in University Park
January 14, 2021, 1:32 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Affordable Housing
4. Transportation
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Social Justice
8. Economic Recovery
9. Climate Change
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 1:33 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Economic Recovery
4. Housing
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Affordable Housing
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Climate Change
10. Social Justice
Question 2
Unfortunately Foothills Park has to be a priority due to the mess made by
not following agreed pilot.
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 1:35 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Housing
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Climate Change
5. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 1:38 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Transportation
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Affordable Housing
8. Housing
9. Economic Recovery
10. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
I hope the category of Social justice includes Police reform.
I hope the category of Transportation includes improving bike and
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2021 City Council Priorities
Opportunity to Rank 2021 Council Priorities and Share Input
11
pedestrian improvements.
I am not clear how the category of Climate Change differs from Climate
Change - Protection and Adaptation. Does the former address reducing
emissions and the later include flood and wildfire control?
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 1:46 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Affordable Housing
5. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Downtown North
January 14, 2021, 2:24 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in University South
January 14, 2021, 2:30 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Transportation
4. Housing
Question 2
airplane noise
fiber
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 2:39 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. Social Justice
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. COVID-19 Recovery
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Housing
10. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 3:21 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing
4. Transportation
5. Affordable Housing
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Financial and economic risk planning to mitigate the cost of companies,
startups, wealthy, and workers leaving the city due to unsustainable high
cost of living and doing business along with flexibility of remote work or
company location.
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 3:22 PM
Question 1
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2021 City Council Priorities
Opportunity to Rank 2021 Council Priorities and Share Input
12
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change
4. Affordable Housing
Question 2
Vaccine distribution.
Support for Medical and Frontline Staff, including hazard pay.
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 3:53 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Social Justice
4. Affordable Housing
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Transportation
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
9. Housing
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 4:39 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Transportation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Regional representation of City of Palo Alto
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 5:32 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in University Park
January 14, 2021, 6:03 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Economic Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Climate Change
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Housing
7. Affordable Housing
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in University Park
January 14, 2021, 6:03 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Community Enrichment
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:04 PM
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2021 City Council Priorities
Opportunity to Rank 2021 Council Priorities and Share Input
13
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Economic Recovery
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Council needs to shift priorities to focusing on improving the quality of life
of those who are currently residents. Way too much focus in the past has
been on housing and needs of businesses (which have typically negatively
impacted those of us who live here and pay taxes etc.)
Name not shown
in Green Acres
January 14, 2021, 6:05 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Stopping all further office/business development until our jobs to housing
ratio is significantly reduced. We do not need more space for business, or
more jobs for folks commuting into Palo Alto.
Name not shown
in Old Palo Alto
January 14, 2021, 6:05 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Economic Recovery
5. Climate Change
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Transportation
9. Affordable Housing
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:06 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Quality of life - re-fund and adequately fund city services cut last year
(libraries, parks and rec, children’s programs)
Name not shown
in Barron Park
January 14, 2021, 6:07 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Transportation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Stop Development! We do not need more offices with cars clogging our
streets.
Stop Development! We do not need more housing with cars clogging our
streets.
Name not shown
in University Park
January 14, 2021, 6:08 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change
4. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Policing Policies and Accountability - Dispatching social workers instead
of police to mental health crises. Re-evaluating the role of police in the
community. Emphasizing de-escalation techniques. Strict accountability
for use of force against members of the public. Analysis of racial bias in
types and severity of police responses.
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Name not shown
in Old Palo Alto
January 14, 2021, 6:08 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:12 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Climate Change
5. Social Justice
Question 2
School closures and learning loss
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:14 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Fiscal responsibility. Get rid of the costly and stupid bollards that impede
through traffic.
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:14 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:16 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Climate Change
3. Social Justice
Question 2
Focusing on democracy and civic engagement and
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:17 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing
4. Climate Change
5. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:19 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:20 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Affordable Housing
4. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Providing more local parks, green spaces and community gardens,
Providing services for residents (classes on learning technology, soil
testing for home and community gardens, etc).
Promoting arts and culture.
Preserving local history.
Name not shown
in Community Center
January 14, 2021, 6:28 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Climate Change
6. Transportation
Question 2
coordinating housing and housing with our neighboring towns.
Hamilton Hitchings
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 14, 2021, 6:36 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Social Justice
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Transportation
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Affordable Housing
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Does the Caltrain undergrounding really give us enough bang for the buck
and can we afford it? Also, we need to secure Federal funding assistance
while the democrats control Congress & the presidency (which means we
have 2 years from now to secure it).
Locking in our public safety infrastructure projects while construction
costs are cheaper should also be a priority.
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 14, 2021, 6:37 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Return FootHills Park to Palo Alto residents only.
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:40 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 14, 2021, 6:41 PM
Question 1
No response
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Question 2
Toxic human exposure to chronic airplane noise and fuel combustion.
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:41 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Climate Change
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Social Justice
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Education-Meeting each student's needs intellectually and emotionally as
Covid restrictions reduced
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:43 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:55 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Affordable Housing
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Housing
5. Social Justice
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. COVID-19 Recovery
9. Economic Recovery
10. Transportation
Question 2
No response
John Guislin
in Downtown North
January 14, 2021, 6:57 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change
Question 2
Missing from the list is a sustained effort to preserve our natural
environment. This is related to but not the same as climate action.
We have amazing parks and preserves but we threaten their existence by
overuse. We must set aside natural areas so that they remain just that -
natural, supporting wildlife and renewal of earth's resources.
I think Palo ALto can survive with fewer than 5 libraries, but we cannot
survive if we destroy the natural environment for all life forms except our
own.
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:57 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 6:59 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
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Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 14, 2021, 7:00 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Affordable Housing
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Climate Change
6. Social Justice
7. Transportation
8. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Palo Verde
January 14, 2021, 7:04 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Climate Change
8. Affordable Housing
9. Social Justice
10. Housing
Question 2
Within transportation, what I'm concerned about is working on making the
area livable for Palo Altans, with particular attention paid to
Caltrain/grade separation, making sure problematic intersections and
safety problems are improved (e.g., Midtown by Walgreens, area around
Town and Country and Embarcadero, all of Midtown along Middlefield,
Embarcadero and Middlefield), and making sure there is adequate local
input and buy in with respect to the implementation of bike boulevards
(avoiding things like the Ross Road debacle).
I also think we really need to think about Foothills park. The decision was
made quickly, without thinking carefully about how to make sure the park
did not get inundated with visitors the way it has. I'm concerned about
the environmental impact (the poor animals!), the quality of the park
experience, and the tax dollars required to manage the increased
vistation. I'm extremely unhappy about the way it was handled. Going
forward, let's make sure we really protect prized resources like Towle
Campground and really give priority to residents. I frankly think one
should not be allowed to reserve a campground unless you are a resident
with such a limited resource that is in high demand during certain
seasons. Guests could of course continue to be non-residents.
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 7:05 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 7:08 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 14, 2021, 7:16 PM
Question 1
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1. Housing
2. Social Justice
3. Transportation
Question 2
Policing
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 14, 2021, 7:27 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 7:30 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing
Question 2
Increasing retail that is useful to the needs of everyday life instead of
luxury spending. For example opportunities to purchase groceries and
household goods at a reasonable price. I essentially do all my everyday
shopping in adjoining cities (Mtn View, East Palo Alto) or online, because
there is no place to purchase these items in Palo Alto. Palo Alto 'retail' is
essentially food courts and high end luxury shopping. If the city is truly
committed to reducing local traffic and building housing with no parking it
will need to expand retail in a way that people can do their shopping
without a car. At this point in time, that is not possible, and I have not
heard any discussion around addressing this.
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 14, 2021, 7:32 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
Question 2
RV problem along El Camino and surrounding areas
Pedestrian and Bike safety- addition of more watch your speed signs
especially on Newell in Crescent Park from Channing to Dana which has a
lot of sporting but is a highly used route to Duveneck elementary, Greer,
and PALY
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 7:35 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Reopening and building community and a sense of place
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 7:35 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Affordable Housing
5. Social Justice
Question 2
Continued support for the art scene/museums
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 7:35 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
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2. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 7:36 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Climate Change
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Support animal services
Undo the opening of Foothills Part to everyone. This was a big mistake
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 7:39 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Traffic - traffic lights stopping cross streets with no traffic flowing on main
street; minimizing all the new various markings for bikes, pedestrians, etc;
trimming trees to ensure signs are visible.
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 7:45 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Climate Change
5. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 7:55 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Quality of life of Palo Alto residents
Name not shown
in Old Palo Alto
January 14, 2021, 7:56 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Transportation
5. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 7:58 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Social Justice
Question 2
Bring revenue into the city
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 7:59 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
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3. Transportation
4. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Charleston Terrace
January 14, 2021, 7:59 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Housing
3. Social Justice
4. Climate Change
5. Transportation
Question 2
Fiscal status of the city—we can’t recover if the city has no money.
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 8:17 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Economic Recovery
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Social Justice
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
6. Affordable Housing
7. Transportation
8. Housing
9. Climate Change
10. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 14, 2021, 8:20 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Affordable Housing
Question 2
Reduce jobs/housing imbalance by preventing any further development
of commercial space and finding existing commercial space that can be
redeveloped to housing.
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 14, 2021, 8:32 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Affordable Housing
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Social Justice
7. Housing
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Climate Change
10. Transportation
Question 2
CAlTrain issues
Name not shown
in Leland Manor/ Garland
January 14, 2021, 8:47 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Affordable Housing
4. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 14, 2021, 8:51 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Social Justice
5. Housing
6. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Greenmeadow
January 14, 2021, 9:02 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Economic Recovery
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
6. Affordable Housing
7. Housing
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Climate Change
10. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 9:03 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Social Justice
5. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 9:14 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Affordable Housing
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 9:37 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Affordable Housing
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Climate Change
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Transportation
8. Economic Recovery
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 9:40 PM
Question 1
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1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Economic Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 9:56 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Transportation
Question 2
Working with the schools to support our youth- get schools opened and
opportunities for involvement and connection re-established. Covid 19
has been not only a healthcare and economic crisis, it has been
devastating for youth.
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 10:00 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Economic Recovery
Question 2
All types of housing. Duh.
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 10:36 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Climate Change
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Effective community engagement strategies
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 10:37 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Social Justice
6. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 10:37 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
lets protect our citizens from theft and enforce neighborhood friendly
rules like no gas leafblowers and neighborhood parties during covid.
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 10:45 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Climate Change
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 14, 2021, 10:55 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
2. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 14, 2021, 10:58 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change
4. Affordable Housing
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Economic Recovery
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Housing
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Community Center
January 14, 2021, 11:49 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Limit traffic. Resist densification that will overwhelm our schools and
community and quality of life. Thanks.
Albert Henning
in Community Center
January 15, 2021, 12:07 AM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Climate Change
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
1. Social Justice: transparency, sustainability in police and policing.
Transforming PD in terms of technology, tactics, and training. Increase
role of external auditor. Retire officers unable to change. Renegotiate
union contracts to reduce corrosive, anti-transparent power of union.
2. Budget shortfalls: dare to submit three-year, $1000/parcel tax, to fund
pensions transparently, to overcome Covid-related deficits, and stop the
hidden shell game of shedding costs by transferring staff from City to
CPAU, and by clawing back 10% of CPAU revenues for the City General
Fund.
3. Council must rein in staff, including the City Manager and City
Attorney. Too much power and oversight has been delegated, leading to
e.g. the 14-day arbitrary curfew last summer by the CM.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 6:21 AM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Ben Galbraith
in Community Center
January 15, 2021, 6:51 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Affordable Housing
Question 2
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No response
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 15, 2021, 7:53 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Affordable Housing
5. Transportation
6. Economic Recovery
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
This survey creates false choices. Many are overlapping and will cause
confusion among respondents and the council discussion. Additionally,
you are not collecting data on renters versus owners. We have failed to
appoint a representative number of commissioners who are renters in
Palo Alto and we need to do a better job making sure renters voices are
included in decisions. This would have been a great opportunity to see if
renters were submitting the survey - and do targeted outreach if they
weren't.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 8:46 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 8:50 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
January 15, 2021, 9:07 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Social Justice
6. COVID-19 Recovery
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Transportation
Question 2
Expansion of bicycle trails
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 9:09 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Repair/resurface roads in Palo Alto especially El Camino Real
Develop a policy to remove garbage and liter from people living in vans
and campers around Palo Alto especially on El Camino Real near Stanford
University.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 9:09 AM
Question 1
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1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Social Justice
7. Transportation
8. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Palo Verde
January 15, 2021, 9:10 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 9:23 AM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 9:25 AM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Transportation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Utilities prices are too high
Kathleen Early
in Palo Verde
January 15, 2021, 9:26 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Economic Recovery
5. Affordable Housing
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Transportation
9. Housing
10. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Environmental Emergency
This priority encompasses more than climate change. It refers as well to
the accumulation of toxic materials, plastics, etc. that are fouling our
water, as well as the starvation of native insect populations (bees,
caterpillars, butterflies, and others) that are necessary for human
survival, inadequate habitat for birds and other wildlife, etc.
Robert Neff
in Palo Verde
January 15, 2021, 9:26 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change
Question 2
Accessibility - the ability to connect efficiently to destinations, for all
transportation modes. This encompases land use, including housing
availability near jobs, and vibrant shopping near housing. It is NOT
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Mobility, which is just the ability to move, but does embrace our
transportation networks. Should include residents and workers in
metrics. Hard to solve, but if we do, we can make progress on
sustainability of Palo Alto as a great place to live and work, and our
climate change goals.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 9:26 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Health Safety net.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 9:26 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Affordable Housing
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Barron Park
January 15, 2021, 9:31 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Quality of life for residents- it's an umbrella concept for prioritizing
enhancements for all residents to enjoy. It includes infrastructure
improvements, parks and public facilities, maintenance and
beautification. Better traffic management, more walkable commercial
zones (e.g., maintain street closures), city-sponsored outdoor cultural
events. Look at what other cities around the world are doing for their
residents, use the creativity that exists here.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 9:33 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
James Pflasterer
in Green Acres
January 15, 2021, 9:35 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Climate Change
Question 2
Community Safety. Reducing overall criminal activity in the city with
enforcement and digilence.
Bill Gargiulo
in Old Palo Alto
January 15, 2021, 9:49 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Social Justice
Question 2
Air Traffic
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 9:51 AM
Question 1
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1. Social Justice
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Economic Recovery
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Streets/roads maintenance
Malcolm Slaney
in College Terrace
January 15, 2021, 9:54 AM
Question 1
1. Transportation
Question 2
Please make sure that the railroad tracks are separated from cars and
pedestrians. We have lost too many people already.
Name not shown
in Greenmeadow
January 15, 2021, 10:05 AM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Judy Rock
in Charleston Terrace
January 15, 2021, 10:13 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Transportation
4. Economic Recovery
5. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 10:14 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 15, 2021, 10:16 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Not sure where it fits but homelessness/car dwelling is a growing
problem in the city. We should not allow car dwelling in residential
neighborhoods.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 10:25 AM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Climate Change
3. Affordable Housing
4. Transportation
5. Housing
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
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8. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 10:27 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Social Justice
4. Transportation
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Affordable Housing
8. Housing
9. Economic Recovery
10. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 15, 2021, 10:30 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Transportation
3. Social Justice
4. Economic Recovery
Question 2
This is a strange, overlapping list. Why does the list include four separate
housing-related subjects, and two climate change-related subjects? Why
is the list ordered non-alphabetically? I would imagine residents might
pick "Affordable Housing - How to Fund" without realizing that the list also
includes "Affordable Housing", and without understanding the difference
between the two.
I hope the council recognizes that it will be receiving faulty data - the
results should be regarded as a weak signal at best.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 10:33 AM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Judith Wasserman
in Leland Manor/ Garland
January 15, 2021, 10:38 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Social Justice
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 15, 2021, 10:39 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Affordable Housing
5. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Covid Protection priorities are needed for the City Public Utility Staff to
protect the employees who are the operators of the City of Palo Alto's
publicly owned 7 Utilities.
At this time employees at the Municipal Service Center and Elwell Court
staff are able to be not wearing masks when at their desks with office
doors open and in cubicles not wearing masks. These offices and cubicles
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are open to the shared general office space.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 10:39 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Economic Recovery
5. Affordable Housing
6. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 10:44 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Affordable Housing
5. Economic Recovery
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 10:45 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Return to school
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 10:46 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Economic Recovery
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 10:47 AM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Affordable Housing
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Climate Change
8. Housing
9. Economic Recovery
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 10:51 AM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 15, 2021, 10:52 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Affordable Housing
5. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Phil Burton
in Palo Verde
January 15, 2021, 10:52 AM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Economic Recovery
6. Housing
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Affordable Housing
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Ventura
January 15, 2021, 10:52 AM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Economic Recovery
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Climate Change
6. COVID-19 Recovery
7. Affordable Housing
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Housing
10. Transportation
Question 2
Youth of Color
Explore Partnerships with East Palo Alto
Name not shown
in Palo Verde
January 15, 2021, 10:57 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Social Justice
Question 2
Cultural enrichment
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 10:59 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Social Justice
4. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Charu Gupta
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 15, 2021, 11:05 AM
Question 1
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No response
Question 2
Safe school reopening for any student who wants it.
Youth mental health and wellness
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 11:08 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
No response
Jens Jensen
in College Terrace
January 15, 2021, 11:11 AM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Housing
3. Economic Recovery
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Affordable Housing
6. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 11:57 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Affordable Housing
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Transportation
8. Economic Recovery
9. Housing
10. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Parks and open space, racial justice, being a sanctuary city
Name not shown
in College Terrace
January 15, 2021, 11:59 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 11:59 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
Police reform
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 12:07 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Climate Change
3. Social Justice
4. Transportation
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Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 12:18 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 12:20 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Social Justice
4. Economic Recovery
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Transportation
8. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 12:29 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Affordable Housing
4. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Charleston Meadows
January 15, 2021, 12:29 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Housing
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Climate Change
6. Transportation
7. Social Justice
8. Economic Recovery
9. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
10. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 15, 2021, 12:40 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Social Justice
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 12:48 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
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2. Housing
3. Transportation
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Affordable Housing
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Social Justice
8. COVID-19 Recovery
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Sandra Slater
in Professorville
January 15, 2021, 12:48 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Housing
3. Transportation
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Affordable Housing
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Social Justice
8. COVID-19 Recovery
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 12:57 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Climate Change
3. Social Justice
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Housing
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Transportation
9. COVID-19 Recovery
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Affordable housing for low income service workers, ie restaurant workers
who need a safe place to live and park their cars.
Re-zoning to allow for denser housing and taller buildings.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 1:05 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Transportation
4. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 1:07 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Housing
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Transportation
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Economic Recovery
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Climate Change
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 15, 2021, 1:11 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
Traffic
Traffic
Traffic
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 1:11 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Education. Each child deserves a quality public education. If PAUSD is
unable to provide then we need to look seriously at school choice options.
Jamie Beckett
in Evergreen Park
January 15, 2021, 1:20 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Transportation
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
I ranked my priorities as I did because if we do not recover from COVID-19
(health-wise and economically) we really can't do anything else. As part of
economic recovery, I urge the council to consider retail businesses. I
know there has been talk of allowing medical and other uses for ground-
floor retail. THIS IS THE WRONG WAY to build a community.
Street life on California and University avenues is a key benefit to living in
Palo Alto -- or any city. If we lack street life, we are not a city. Our two
main retail streets once boasted one of the best bookstores in the Bay
Area, two wonderful art stores, gift and card shops, and other unique
businesses. Now California Avenue is a collection of high-priced
restaurants and workout facilities. Don't make the street even more dull
than it already is by allowing more gyms, medical offices or other service
business. And don't ruin University Avenue.
The whole city is becoming more office park than city. Consider the
multiple office complexes built in the past few years, adding thousands of
square feet of office space that is likely to remain vacant as businesses
reassess the need for offices during and after the pandemic. PLEASE DO
NOT APPROVE ANY MORE OFFICE BUILDINGS. Palo Alto used to be the
best place to live on the mid-Peninsula. Now Menlo Park, Mountain View
and Redwood City are livelier and more livable.
I realize it's difficult to persuade developers to build housing at all, let
alone housing that will address the social and economic imbalance in our
city. Well, now we have thousands of square feet of empty office space.
We should convert these offices to housing. How will we pay for it?
Mountain View has a corporate tax -- why don't we? Other ways to pay --
the city could charge use fees, sell bonds or charge developers higher
fees for anything but housing. I think most residents of Palo Alto realize
how lucky they are to be so financially comfortable and would be willing to
pay to correct the inequities in our city. We could also reallocate some of
the millions of dollars we spend on consultants to office-to-housing
conversion. We also might ask for help from non-profits, philanthropists,
the federal government or the state.
I wonder if some of the developers who built these vacant office buildings
would welcome a way to turn them into revenue-generating properties. I
may be ridiculously naïve in assuming good will on the part of developers,
but perhaps they'd even contribute to building conversions in the interest
of generating revenue. In any case, converting office buildings into
housing -- while certainly not easy -- is a way to add housing without
making the city yet more crowded or encountering the kind of resistance
large-scale housing construction is likely to generate.
The reason I ranked Transportation as my fourth priority is because it's
something the city completely ignores when adding new buildings, and
consequently, our streets become more crowded and dangerous and
traffic gets worse. The corner of Embarcadero and El Camino is a
disaster, as is the corner of Oregon Expressway and El Camino. San
Antonio Road is clogged. Streets like Alma and Middlefield where traffic
still moves are plagued with speeders. Why is there no traffic
enforcement in our city?
Thank you for considering my feedback.
Name not available
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January 15, 2021, 1:45 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Affordable Housing
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
outside Palo Alto
January 15, 2021, 1:51 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Affordable Housing
3. Housing
4. Transportation
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Climate Change
9. Economic Recovery
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Police accountability and reform
Andrew Sharpe
in Downtown North
January 15, 2021, 1:53 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
Making University Avenue a permanent pedestrian mall.
RV caravan on El Camino (it may not be related to affordable housing)
Homeless on the streets (oddly, may not be related to affordable
housing)
Crime and lack of enforcement of existing laws
Fiber to the home
Bicycle safety
Misuse of funds (massive salaries to some city employees, pension
problem, etc.)
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 15, 2021, 2:03 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 2:11 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing
3. Social Justice
4. Transportation
5. Climate Change
Question 2
1. More housing! Look at "opportunity housing" allowing duplexes and
triplexes. More housing translates to a more equitable community and
reduces our community carbon foot print by reducing commuting by
workers. "Affordable housing" doesn't increase the housing stock enough
to make a real impact on the current inequities in our community.
2. Rethinking and restructuring the scope of the police department. Look
at best practices nationally and internationally. Increase mental health
and other support services for the community. The police department
should not be asked to be our public mental health department as well.
Raise the profile of the vast majority of police officers who are role
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models. Ensure the contract with the police union doesn't protect the
police officers who should be removed for serious offenses.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 2:14 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Social Justice
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Economic Recovery
7. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 2:22 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Transportation
3. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Greenmeadow
January 15, 2021, 2:27 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Social Justice
4. Affordable Housing
5. Economic Recovery
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Housing
8. Transportation
9. Climate Change
10. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
How about increasing diversity?
Leannah Hunt
in Old Palo Alto
January 15, 2021, 2:37 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing
Question 2
Undergrounding the utilities
Name not shown
in Charleston Terrace
January 15, 2021, 3:34 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Barron Park
January 15, 2021, 3:56 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
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Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 15, 2021, 3:57 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Transportation
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
6. Housing
7. Affordable Housing
8. Social Justice
9. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
10. Climate Change
Question 2
Traffic patterns from Stanford and Increased Traffic from Mobile Apps in
Neighborhoods
James Taylor
in Greenmeadow
January 15, 2021, 4:01 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Transportation
Question 2
No so much missing as unclear - the only solution to the housing
challenges of Palo Alto is to build a lot more housing. Trying to prioritize
housing for specific groups or to force below-market rates will never work
as well as just allowing and encouraging enough development to bring
down market rates. Add housing above stores and offices, allow lot
splitting, rezone to allow mixed or residential use. Do it all.
Name not shown
in College Terrace
January 15, 2021, 4:03 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Under transportation, my highest priority is funding and construction of
safe rail crossings (level crossing, hybrid, etc.)
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 15, 2021, 4:07 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Less Office Development
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 4:15 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Economic Recovery
4. Climate Change
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Housing
7. Affordable Housing
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Carol Blitzer
in Crescent Park
January 15, 2021, 4:39 PM
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Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Mel Kronick
in Crescent Park
January 15, 2021, 5:22 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 5:38 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Social Justice
3. Affordable Housing
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Housing
9. Economic Recovery
10. Transportation
Question 2
Income inequality
Mark Hopper
in Downtown North
January 15, 2021, 5:46 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Economic Recovery
5. Transportation
Question 2
I think the decision to open up completely Foothills Park access should be
revisited. Points for consideration should include 1) reservation system
for Palo Alto residents so families do not drive up there only to find the
park full; 2) fee system for non-Palo Alto residents should be
reviewed/implemented, 3) 50% of capacity should be prioritized for Palo
Alto residents only; 4) consideration towards safety for cyclists on Page
Mill road should be reviewed in light of the higher level of traffic
(especially those not familiar with the road and those not as typically
aware of cyclists; The decision to just open it up completely and "see
what happens" without staffing the entry to the park immediately upon
the opening was not IMO well thought out and was a mistake that
threaten the exceptional (pre-existing) balance of nature/animals/users
of the park.
Joyce Beattie
in Charleston Terrace
January 15, 2021, 5:48 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Social Justice
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Affordable Housing
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Economic Recovery
9. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 5:54 PM
Question 1
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1. Affordable Housing
2. Climate Change
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Housing
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 6:42 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Education
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 7:10 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Climate Change
6. Affordable Housing
7. Economic Recovery
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Transportation
10. Housing
Question 2
No response
Brigitte Gassee
in Downtown North
January 15, 2021, 7:21 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
HOMELESSNESS
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 7:29 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Affordable Housing
3. Transportation
4. Economic Recovery
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Climate Change
10. Social Justice
Question 2
Achievable rail crossing plan (eliminate most expensive options)
Change zoning laws to allow taller buildings for housing and to change
more areas of commercial zoning to allow housing
Jeffrey Greger
in University South
January 15, 2021, 8:01 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 15, 2021, 8:02 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Housing
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Social Justice
6. Climate Change
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Transportation
9. COVID-19 Recovery
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 8:09 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Housing
Question 2
City Council should take on an action item and date goal to have all city
residents and workers vaccinated against COVID-19. Please run mass
vaccination programs within the city if needed and share messaging
encouraging everyone to take a vaccine. Please complete by March
before the UK variant spreads widely within the US. *URGENT*
Fire prevention - the fires cakes closer to Palo Alto than ever. Can city
utilities lead on putting long distance power lines underground in order to
prevent future fires?
Flood protection - recovery from 1998 flood is yet to be done!
Steven Baker
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 15, 2021, 8:14 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Downtown North
January 15, 2021, 8:18 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Climate Change
Question 2
Building more housing. Restoring pedestrian-centered streets. Bike
infrastructure. Reducing reliance on cars.
Bill Fitch
in Evergreen Park
January 15, 2021, 8:24 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Economic Recovery
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Affordable Housing
7. Social Justice
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
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Marisa Bauer
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 15, 2021, 8:25 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Affordable Housing
3. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 8:32 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Economic Recovery
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Transportation
5. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 8:33 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 9:04 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change
4. Social Justice
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Affordable Housing
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Economic Recovery
10. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 9:12 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
The city needs more housing. That's a problem that you can't just ignore.
You can complain about developers all day, but in the end, the easier it is
to live near your workplace & amenities, and the stronger the public
transportation infrastructure, the fewer cars will be on our roads. Very
few of you have experienced how great it is to live in an area like that, and
it really shows. But we know it's not really about traffic, you all are
concerned about your property values. Lydia Kou said as much during a
recent city council meeting. You don't care about equity, you just want to
get what's yours, regardless of who it hurts.
Sheri Furman
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 15, 2021, 9:36 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Economic Recovery
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Transportation
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 15, 2021, 9:39 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Community Center
January 15, 2021, 10:15 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing
3. Affordable Housing
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Housing: we need more. Get rid of the height limit. Reduce unreasonable
parking requirements. Build more housing.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 10:50 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Climate Change
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Housing
6. Transportation
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Economic Recovery
9. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 11:12 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Affordable Housing
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Transportation
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Economic Recovery
7. Social Justice
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 11:12 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
Question 2
Getting housing built is all that matters.
I don't want to need plane tickets to see my grandkids -like so many
grandparents in this town currently need to do- which means building
housing that my kids will be able to afford when they're young and
forming new households. Even if they don't go into software.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 11:13 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change
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4. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in College Terrace
January 15, 2021, 11:13 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Social Justice
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Climate Change
5. Transportation
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Affordable Housing
8. Economic Recovery
9. Housing
10. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Privacy (cameras watching public spaces and encrypted police
communications for starters.)
City owned Fiber-To-The-Home utility.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 11:30 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
Question 2
As always, no clear issues of police accountability or ways to catalyze
economic development for the African American and Latinx populations
of our community. Very disappointing. If I am going to pay taxes, I would
consider moving to a town that is more progressive and values my being a
member of the tax base.
Name not available
January 15, 2021, 11:39 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Allow Palo Alto residents to vote for or against opening Foothill Park to
non-residents.
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 12:16 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 12:28 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Climate Change
3. Social Justice
4. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Airplane noise
Marianna Zhang
in Evergreen Park
January 16, 2021, 12:35 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Social Justice
4. Transportation
5. COVID-19 Recovery
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6. Climate Change
7. Economic Recovery
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Housing
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 12:55 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 6:19 AM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Transportation
5. Social Justice
6. COVID-19 Recovery
7. Affordable Housing
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Housing
10. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 7:23 AM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Affordable Housing
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Cynthia Tham
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 16, 2021, 7:54 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
I think when Climate Change is the leading concern, it will result in more
efficient and greener public transportation, or ride share solutions. Palo
Alto is a very walkable and bikable city. Can we survive with just one car
per household with a mix of walking, biking, public transportation and ride
sharing? Can we look into gray water for gardening? I think climate
change brings in a different economy and changes are always good for
jobs. I think many good things will happen and probably a few bad.
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 16, 2021, 7:57 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Transparent governance - particularly the role of the city manager
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 9:13 AM
Question 1
1. Transportation
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2. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
4 out of 10 priorities are focused on housing. I don't want more housing.
Add the following priorities.
1. Traffic safety for pedestrians and bike riders
2. Bring back the charm of living in Palo Alto
3. Slow the real estate development so it doesn't impact the charm of
Palo Alto
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 9:14 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Climate Change
5. Transportation
6. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 9:17 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Transportation
Question 2
An anti- racist review of all existing policy, procedure and practice!
Name not shown
in Research Park
January 16, 2021, 9:54 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Leland Manor/ Garland
January 16, 2021, 10:32 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Affordable Housing
4. Social Justice
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 11:00 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Affordable Housing
4. Climate Change
5. Transportation
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Social Justice
9. Economic Recovery
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
No response
Name not available
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January 16, 2021, 11:02 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Social Justice
Question 2
Climate change has been listed as a top priority in recent years, but little
progress has been made with reducing pollution. Instead of repeating the
same pattern, how about publicizing what a carbon footprint is? The
utility bill inserts are consistently well done - good graphics, clear
explanations. Why not use the same process to help spread the word
about HOW Palo Altans create GHG pollution? The C A R B has a great
calculator: https://coolcalifornia.arb.ca.gov/calculator-households-
individuals.
Ask citizens to report their results, including city staff and council-
members, contractors, etc. Sherry Listgarten (A New Shade of Green)
has an excellent blog on this topic at paloalotonline, if you'd like further
info. This wouldn't cost too much, and would give residents a much
better understanding of the problem, as well as potential solutions.
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 11:07 AM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in University Park
January 16, 2021, 11:36 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Affordable Housing
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Economic Recovery
7. Social Justice
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Climate Change
10. Transportation
Question 2
Strengthening our public offices - lowering the voting age to 16 in local
elections, allowing non-citizens to vote in local elections, ranked choice
voting, paying elected officials a living wage, strengthening candidate and
council training and onboarding, districted elections, establishing
contribution limits.
Addressing hate crimes and independently investigating the white
supremacist incidents of the last year. Resources for our children, teens,
and families to help assist with mental health during the pandemic.
Teacher housing. Changing zoning/building up housing public
transportation. Funding more accessible approaches to safety
(alternatives to policing) and strengthening funding to our fire
department as well as providing housing for our firefighters. Preparing for
wild fire season, providing free N95 masks to community members,
canceling rent or assisting renters during the pandemic, rent control,
funding more diverse art, funding more diverse cultural celebrations as
community events. Expanding access to hazardous waste drop off.
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 11:40 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Affordable Housing
3. Social Justice
Question 2
What is missing from this is that all of it is interrelated. We want more
housing at affordable rates for people built in a sustainable way. This will
help all people in the community.
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 16, 2021, 12:42 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
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2. Climate Change
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Transportation
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in University South
January 16, 2021, 12:44 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Social Justice
5. Affordable Housing
Question 2
I picked priorities for the City Council to deal with. Some of the remaining
priorities are best addressed at the county, state, or Federal levels.
Jonathan Brown
in Ventura
January 16, 2021, 12:49 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Transportation
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Affordable Housing
8. Housing
9. Climate Change
10. Social Justice
Question 2
Park maintenance, upgrades, and rules enforcement with an emphasis on
balance across parks. Right now we have a lot of staff at Foothills Park
and no staff ever at my local park, Boulware Park, where there is
frequently illicit smoking and drinking in the afternoon and evening
hours.
Code enforcement. We have many buildings zoned for retail that are
being used for storage and other purposes.
Redevelopment along El Camino. Abandoned lots, under-utilized space,
narrow, difficult to navigate sidewalks, and run-down buildings represent
a huge opportunity for housing and community enhancement.
Name not shown
in Old Palo Alto
January 16, 2021, 12:58 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 1:14 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Transportation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Social Justice
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 1:14 PM
Question 1
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1. Climate Change
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Transportation
6. COVID-19 Recovery
7. Social Justice
8. Housing
9. Economic Recovery
10. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 1:19 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Affordable Housing
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Transportation
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
ok
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 1:41 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Climate Change
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
6. Housing
7. Social Justice
8. Transportation
9. COVID-19 Recovery
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Policing. Abolition.
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 2:24 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 2:42 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Economic Recovery
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 16, 2021, 2:50 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Several good priorities, but I feel because of the coronavirus and stores
closing, the city's eve will continue to drop, making our economy the top
priority.
Keri Wagner
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in Charleston Meadows
January 16, 2021, 2:55 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Social Justice
3. Transportation
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Economic Recovery
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Climate Change
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 3:06 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in University South
January 16, 2021, 3:53 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
Question 2
Aviation impacts - noise and emissions.
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 4:02 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Climate Change
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Housing
8. Affordable Housing
9. Transportation
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Downtown North
January 16, 2021, 4:11 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Affordable Housing
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
No response
Nancy Ross
in Palo Verde
January 16, 2021, 4:13 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 16, 2021, 4:17 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Social Justice
4. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 4:38 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 4:45 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Arnout Boelens
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 16, 2021, 5:09 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Transportation
Question 2
Getting the pandemic under control and helping those most affected
should of course be the highest priority for this year.
In addition, I would like Council to think ahead about Palo Alto returning to
normalcy and people traveling again. The largest share of CO2 emissions
in Palo Alto comes from transportation. Considering the cost of upgrading
the electricity grid so everyone can drive an e-car and the congestion
problem in Palo Alto, I think walking and bicycling should be an integral
part of climate emergency policy. Three suggestions I have are:
* Adopt a Vision Zero policy so people feel safe walking and bicycling in
Palo Alto
* Make EV subsidies available for e-bikes
* Start a Safe Routes for Adults pilot program to promote walking and
cycling among adults
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 5:35 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Affordable Housing
3. Transportation
4. Social Justice
5. Climate Change
6. COVID-19 Recovery
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Economic Recovery
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Under housing, but expanding development opportunities for multi family
structures.
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 5:36 PM
Question 1
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1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Getting population vaccinated is so important !
Name not shown
in Downtown North
January 16, 2021, 5:46 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Affordable Housing
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Social Justice
9. Economic Recovery
10. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Under transportation, I really mean transportation for modes OTHER
THAN CARS. Cars should have the lowest priority on our public spaces
(roads) in order to even think about meeting any sort of a climate goal.
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 6:02 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
If you can help us get vaccines, please do ... especially for people working
in schools. Please find out why PAMF doesn't even report their vaccine
statistics. They are NOT serving the community well.
Please fix the Foothills park situation. Traffic is backed up. It is dangerous.
Signs are confusing. If we can't offer public access on first come first
served basis, maybe advanced ticketing over the internet would work.
Maybe give some priority to residents. The city overpromised and created
a mess. Minorities who are city residents were doubly cheated. People
coming in from elsewhere, and being turned away, probably feel a bit
tricked. Residents won't say it but think the city has gotten us into a
situation that is expensive at a time when money is tight. We don't even
both to try to use the park. Can't even ride a bicycle through it. Basically,
we are paying for something that we can't use .....
Joanna Gardisa
in Community Center
January 16, 2021, 6:19 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Housing
3. Social Justice
4. Climate Change
5. Affordable Housing
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. COVID-19 Recovery
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Outreach to minorities underrepresented in City activities (i.e.
representation on boards & commissions, participation in council
meetings, etc.)
Policing reform
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 16, 2021, 6:25 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
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January 16, 2021, 6:43 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Please consider doing a mass vaccination drive in Palo Alto
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 16, 2021, 6:50 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Transportation
4. Social Justice
5. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in University South
January 16, 2021, 7:00 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Homelessness- find solutions & come up with an actionable plan.
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 7:09 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Downtown North
January 16, 2021, 7:30 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Transportation
5. Economic Recovery
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
1 - Establishing a funding mechanism to buy large amounts of park land
and open space for the city. The city is woefully deficient in following the
comprehensive plan and establishing new park space for residents that it
is suppose to provide. And the current pandemic has shown how there is
not enough useable space for people to get out into nature without too
much crowding.
2 - Fight the takeover of local zoning by the state. Join forces with other
cities to protect the ability of cities to establish zoning and population
limits by law suit if necessary. Make sure that cities can provide services
(roads, infrastructure, parks, schools) that are not overburdened by too
many unfunded mandates from Sacramento.
3. Better enforcement of environmental regulations and working to limit
plastics use and other harmful substances.
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 8:33 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Economic Recovery
5. Climate Change
6. Social Justice
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
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9. Affordable Housing
10. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 8:43 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Climate Change
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 9:20 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 9:21 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 9:46 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 16, 2021, 9:53 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 12:49 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Build Fiber-Optic Internet through out Palo Alto, not just some area.
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 1:02 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
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Build a citywide municipal fiber-to-the-premises utility
Name not shown
in Ventura
January 17, 2021, 1:59 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Housing
3. Affordable Housing
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Social Justice
6. Climate Change
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. COVID-19 Recovery
9. Economic Recovery
10. Transportation
Question 2
Government Openness, Accountability, Community Trust, Outreach to
the Underrepresented
Daniel Mendez
in Greenmeadow
January 17, 2021, 5:12 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Social Justice
Question 2
Affordable teacher housing buying options. Many teachers that have
homes are retiring and more teachers will be coming but without any
opportunity to have a stable home. This is going to impact the stability
and longterm teachers in palo alto.
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 6:21 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Please work with the county to distribute covid vaccines
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 8:18 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Limiting tall buildings in residual neighborhoods. No taller than 2 stories
and must have off street parking.
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 9:01 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 17, 2021, 10:15 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Climate Change
Question 2
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Our family’s top priority and hope is for the city to accelerate local
vaccinations and reopen schools.
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 17, 2021, 11:16 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Less Restricted Zoning - Palo Alto needs to open-up zoning and allow
builders to build taller and more dense housing.
stephen levy
in University Park
January 17, 2021, 11:42 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Economic Recovery
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 12:03 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Economic Recovery
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Affordable Housing
8. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
9. Housing
10. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 12:41 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Housing
Question 2
When housing is dense enough, public transit becomes much more
feasible. That reduces the amount of cars on the road and reduces the
amount of roadway needed, improving climate. It reduces city costs
(taking a water main out to dozens of houses is more expensive than
taking it to one multiplex) and makes it easier to implement other things
we care about.
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 12:43 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Housing
Question 2
When housing is dense enough, public transit becomes much more
feasible. That reduces the amount of cars on the road and reduces the
amount of roadway needed, improving climate. It reduces city costs
(taking utilities out to dozens of houses is more expensive than taking it
to one multiplex) and makes it easier to implement other things we care
about.
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 1:22 PM
Question 1
No response
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Question 2
I would like to see City Council start to grapple with what to do with the
aging Cubberley facility. It needs to be redeveloped to better meet the
needs of the City.
Elizabeth Beheler
in Charleston Meadows
January 17, 2021, 1:41 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Economic Recovery
Question 2
I would love to see gains made in the Cubberley re-development. It could
be such a great resource for the community and help with the recovery
from these pandemic times.
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 1:53 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Affordable Housing
4. Climate Change
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Economic Recovery
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Transportation
9. Housing
10. Social Justice
Question 2
Cubberley redevelopment. We need to get the committee formed with
both city council and school board and figure out how to move forward.
Nancy Cohen
in Green Acres
January 17, 2021, 3:04 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
Question 2
Future of Cubberley. Whether a redevelopment is jointly through the City
and the School Board, or just by the City, the City needs to focus on this
need for all the residents of Palo Alto.
Name not shown
in Evergreen Park
January 17, 2021, 4:22 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
I want to make Foothills Park much less crowded than over the holidays. I
would like a 500 person limit and a reasonable yearly pass, to pay for
maintenance upkeep and salaries. I would like large signs (and a visitor’s
pamphlet given out at the front gate) emphasizing don’t harrass wildlife,
stay on trails, don’t go the wrong way on one-way trails, wear masks,
don’t litter, and no bikes on park trails. I worry about this precious nature
preserve and its wildlife. Thank you!
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 4:50 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Climate Change
3. Housing
4. Social Justice
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 6:33 PM
Question 1
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1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
Main thing: create a citywide vaccination campaign - this will lead to
economic recovery
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 7:06 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Transportation
4. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 7:13 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Transportation
5. Economic Recovery
6. Social Justice
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Housing
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Affordable Housing
Question 2
COVID - safely opening schools with instruction 5 days / week (even if a
mix of in person and remote - unlike now where elements kids only have a
teacher half the time)
Michelle Richmond
in Charleston Terrace
January 17, 2021, 7:18 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Transportation
4. Economic Recovery
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 7:35 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Getting schools pack to in person school (including high school).
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 8:54 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Economic Recovery
4. Social Justice
Question 2
Mass drive thru vaccinations!!
Sam Jackson
in Evergreen Park
January 17, 2021, 9:15 PM
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Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Climate Change
5. Affordable Housing
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Social Justice
9. Economic Recovery
10. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
These issues are all interlinked, but start with housing and transportation.
It's a moral issue, a social issue, a climate issue -- until we change the
nature of how we live, and who we allow to live here with us, we can't
seriously tackle the rest of the issues.
It's something we can change today, if only we have the will and the
commitment, and it will pay real dividends not just in a more livable and
inclusive community, but also in economic, climate, and social benefits.
Name not shown
in Evergreen Park
January 17, 2021, 9:54 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Climate Change
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Debbie Mytels
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 17, 2021, 10:11 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Affordable Housing
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Social Justice
8. Economic Recovery
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 17, 2021, 10:57 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Enhanced public safety
New housing is being/has recently been built in multiuse developments.
Not sure more is needed, especially since Palo Alto is losing jobs.
Mathew Signorello-Katz
in University South
January 17, 2021, 11:06 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Transportation
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Economic Recovery
6. Climate Change
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Affordable Housing
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Housing
Question 2
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No response
Name not shown
in Palo Verde
January 18, 2021, 5:47 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Social Justice
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
This sort of fits in the climate change categories, but I’d like to see
rezoning that creates pedestrian/bike-only spaces. Additionally, city
council should collaborate on affordable housing with neighboring cities.
Name not available
January 18, 2021, 7:26 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Traffic
ron hall
in Community Center
January 18, 2021, 7:47 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Housing
5. Economic Recovery
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Social Justice
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Climate Change
10. Transportation
Question 2
Affordable housing on public parking lots
Name not shown
in Charleston Terrace
January 18, 2021, 8:44 AM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Transportation
4. Housing
Question 2
No response
Jonathan Lewis
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 18, 2021, 9:39 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Climate Change
3. Social Justice
4. Transportation
5. Affordable Housing
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. COVID-19 Recovery
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Re-zone anything within two miles of public transit hubs to allow for
greater housing density. Create heavy incentives for developers to build
housing by taxing corporate real estate.
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Name not shown
in Greenmeadow
January 18, 2021, 10:18 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Transportation
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Social Justice
Question 2
Police use of force changes: currently only 3 of 8 use of force changes
have been made by Palo Alto police. 8cantwait.org
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 18, 2021, 11:19 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Housing
5. Affordable Housing
6. COVID-19 Recovery
7. Transportation
8. Economic Recovery
9. Climate Change
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Redeveloping cubberley and NVCAP in thoughtful ways. We need taller,
denser housing and the infrastructure to support it (i.e. grocery stores
and whatnot)
Name not available
January 18, 2021, 2:58 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
1. Aviation impacts (noise, pollution);
2. Mitigating impact of opening Foothill Park (implement lower cap on
visitors, fees, clear signage, enforcement of rules)
Megan Fogarty
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 18, 2021, 5:42 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Housing
3. Affordable Housing
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
6. Economic Recovery
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 18, 2021, 6:33 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Warren Wagner
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 18, 2021, 6:42 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
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2. Social Justice
3. Housing
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Climate Change
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
When I say social justice, I do NOT mean any more police committees or
oversight boards or trainings or body cameras or diverse recruitment
initiatives or whatever reform that costs tens of thousands of dollars
you'll propose next. An astonishingly tiny portion of a cop's time is spent
responding to violent crimes, and when they are doing that they aren't
actually *preventing* anything, they're showing up afterwards to take
notes and potentially further traumatize the person who has been
harmed.
If you want to talk about SOCIAL JUSTICE, then you need to put MONEY
in the hands of oppressed people. Police are awful at responding to
intimate partner violence calls, and victims say that financial reasons
related to housing is the #1 reason they get trapped in abusive
relationships! So why not take some of the money from our bloated police
budget and build affordable housing so they can actually create a safe
environment for themselves? Police are terrible at helping people
undergoing a mental break, so take some of that money and make mental
health care free for lower income people and hire some unarmed mental
health professionals to respond to crises! Police generally don't even
arrest 10% of sexual assault perpetrators, and fewer than half of
survivors ever call the cops. So lets fund survivor-led restorative justice/
support groups and lead some peer-to-peer anti-patriarchy / consent
education programs. You can go down the whole list of social harms this
way, and it makes a lot of sense why police and prisons have been going
full steam for the past century and a half and deep, deep harms still occur
in our society all the time. It's not about 'good' or 'bad' cops; Chicago
organizer Damon Williams says it best - "a police officer is 10,000 jobs
smashed together and given a gun." We can do better! Read abolitionists
and anti-sexual-violence organizers like Mariame Kaba, Ruthie Wilson
Gilmore, to begin seeing the possibilities in our society. Palo Alto of all
places has the money. But do we, (and especially you people in power)
have the care or the courage?
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 18, 2021, 7:02 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 18, 2021, 7:29 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Palo Alto Unified School District reopening plan. Middle Schools and High
schools have been closed too long. It is unnecessary. There are many
ways to open and still maintain safety for students, teachers, and staff.
Look all over the country for examples.
Name not shown
in Community Center
January 18, 2021, 8:08 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
These two items fit under Priority #2
-- Aircraft, particularly SFO arrivals: Too loud, too much pollution, too
many planes overhead
-- Foothills park: If the council hasn't already, lower the visitor limit to 500
and institute a fee and possibly a reservation system.
Phebe Cox
in Charleston Meadows
January 18, 2021, 8:54 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Climate Change
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
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6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
mental health care!!
Name not shown
in Charleston Terrace
January 18, 2021, 9:22 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Economic Recovery
5. Housing
6. Affordable Housing
7. Transportation
8. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Andrew Liu
in Charleston Terrace
January 18, 2021, 10:21 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 18, 2021, 11:12 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Economic Recovery
5. Climate Change
6. Transportation
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Housing
9. Affordable Housing
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 6:02 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
outside Palo Alto
January 19, 2021, 6:31 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Affordable Housing
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Transportation
6. Economic Recovery
7. Social Justice
8. COVID-19 Recovery
9. Climate Change
10. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
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Question 2
Zoning reform to BUILD more housing
Andrea Gara
in Community Center
January 19, 2021, 9:40 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Affordable Housing
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Economic Recovery
6. Transportation
7. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
We are at a critical junction on climate change, made more obvious here
in California every year with our hotter weather and longer fire season. We
all love Palo Alto just as it is, but we all bear a responsibility to do what we
can to avert more catastrophic effects of climate change. That means we
have to make changes. Building the housing to make it possible for people
to live where they work is going to be a big part of it. Let's start
cooperating with the state mandate. We need to do our share. Working on
mass transportation solutions is another thing we can do. And we should
continue our wonderful zero waste programs. Thanks for stepping up to
this global challenge. Palo Alto Resident, Andrea Gara--Community
Center
Hilary Glann
in Barron Park
January 19, 2021, 10:31 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing
4. Social Justice
5. Economic Recovery
6. COVID-19 Recovery
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Affordable Housing
Question 2
As we build back our economy and our community to recover from the
pandemic, we need to be looking forward to the looming crisis of climate
change. We need to have all City departments consider expenditures in
light of how they will positively, negatively or neutrally impact our fight
against climate change. We need to act now -- in concert with actions at
the State and Federal level -- to make changes away from fossil fuels for
both transportation and home heating/water heating. We are already
seeing the impacts of climate change, and if we don't act soon, we may
experience irreversible impacts.
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 10:43 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Social Justice
4. Affordable Housing
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Housing
7. Transportation
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Economic Recovery
10. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Police accountability
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 10:48 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Affordable Housing
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 19, 2021, 10:53 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Old Palo Alto
January 19, 2021, 10:58 AM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Economic Recovery
5. Climate Change
Question 2
Provide basic services better - road improvements, underground utilities,
stop focusing on garages when they will be white elephants in just a few
years, more bike lanes and fewer car lanes, prioritize electrification of
everything (cars, bikes, homes); parks (Foothills is no longer usable given
all of the traffic, by the way, so that is no longer a benefit to Palo Alto
residents). Stop alienating businesses. They provide jobs and revenues.
At the moment, companies are having Palo Alto and California due to high
taxes and the anti-business sentiment. That makes no sense for the long
term. We need tax revenues from those companies and their employees
to provide the services that everyone wants.
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 11:11 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Climate Change
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Housing
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Economic Recovery
8. Social Justice
9. COVID-19 Recovery
10. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Downtown North
January 19, 2021, 11:16 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 11:20 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Affordable Housing
3. Transportation
4. Economic Recovery
5. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Tess Byler
in Evergreen Park
January 19, 2021, 12:33 PM
Question 1
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1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. Transportation
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
All the rest are housing- why is that? They are essentially the same thing!
Is that to make it more important? Same for two categories for climate
change.
Please plan for unfunded public pension debt. This is an albatross around
our neck and one that does not serve future generations.
Climate change and transportation are also linked but can see keeping
these separate.
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 12:49 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Social Justice
6. Economic Recovery
7. Climate Change
8. Transportation
9. COVID-19 Recovery
10. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 1:07 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Getting schools to open. Our kids have lost 1.5 years and they are isolated
and depressed. The seniors have lost out on the most precious part of
their school life. Please get the schools to open in person for those who
want it.
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 1:08 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Economic Recovery
7. Affordable Housing
8. COVID-19 Recovery
9. Climate Change
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Joel Davidson
in Barron Park
January 19, 2021, 1:22 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Social Justice
5. Affordable Housing
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Transportation
9. Economic Recovery
10. Housing
Question 2
Family Caretakers of disabled family members.
Senior caretakers and facilities
Police reform and delegation of police responsibilities to non-profits in
Mental Health and the Social Services employees. Vetting of police
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officers who maybe connected to white supremacy groups or other
groups wanting to attack our democracy.
Upgrading Parks and Recreational facilities.
Keeping Foothill Park (Reserve) open to all.
Encouraging Environmental groups to get involved with caring and
upkeep of parks
Mark Michael
in Community Center
January 19, 2021, 2:05 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Affordable Housing
4. Climate Change
5. Social Justice
6. Transportation
Question 2
The economic downturn is driven by the public health crisis: these two
challenges are linked and vaccination will precede economic recovery.
The next four priorities are persistent challenges and carry over from
prior years. There should be metrics for goals in the next 12-month
period. 2021 will be another year of crisis management and the City
budget may face pressures and inability to conduct operations at
expected levels of service. Cutbacks should be managed to bridge to a
post-crisis period. We won't return to the old normal; rather, there will be
a next normal. This needs study.
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 3:23 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
I believe we need to rethink previous plans regarding housing. Many tech
companies have moved or planned to move out of state. Many workers
are now working at home and are planning to move away from this area.
This tremendous change is slowly working its way through the economy.
Before we invest in any more pre-Covid ideas, we should see where we
end up once recovery is underway. It may be a new world with completely
different needs.
Shani Kleinhaus
in Charleston Terrace
January 19, 2021, 4:00 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Please prioritize Urban Ecology, Nature and Biodiversity. Earth has
witnessed five, mass extinction events. The latest occurred 66 million
years ago, when 76% of all species went extinct. Biologists believe that
we are now living through the 6th extinction event, associated with
climate change and with land use choices and other anthropogenic
impacts.
Three primary key ecological principles determine the degree to which
urban ecosystems function effectively and, by extension, support the
health, wellbeing and related benefits for people:
• Degree of connectivity – the extent to which large and small green-blue
spaces and freshwater systems are joined up, physically and functionally
• Degree of naturalness – how close the flora, fauna, soils and freshwater
systems are to what was there before the city was built
• Degree of structural diversity – the structural complexity and variety of
the flora, fauna, soils and freshwater systems present
Palo Alto is fortunate to have "good genes" - location, parks and open
space, and an engaged community. Prioritizing nature and biodiversity is
important at this time, and important to our community.
Eric Byler
in Evergreen Park
January 19, 2021, 5:12 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 19, 2021, 5:52 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 6:22 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. Transportation
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Social Justice
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Housing
10. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 6:23 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Affordable Housing
Question 2
In person education
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 6:24 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change
4. Economic Recovery
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 19, 2021, 6:25 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 6:29 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Social Justice
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Economic Recovery
7. Housing
8. Affordable Housing
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Transportation
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 19, 2021, 6:39 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Economic Recovery
5. Transportation
6. Social Justice
7. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Old Palo Alto
January 19, 2021, 6:39 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Economic Recovery
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Housing
6. Affordable Housing
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Climate Change
9. Transportation
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Old Palo Alto
January 19, 2021, 6:40 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
I don't understand why we are not more alarmed about climate change.
Building permits have been issued for the construction of large homes,
and in recent years, permits have been issued for the proliferation of
commercial buildings - as if we can continue to live the way we always
have.
I realize that some of these issues may be beyond the the purview of the
City Council, but shouldn't the City Council sound the alarm more
vociferously? Everything else on the list of priorities is of no consequence
if we don't act decisively on climate change. Adapting to climate change is
not enough.
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 6:40 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 6:40 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Climate Change
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 6:41 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Social Justice
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4. Affordable Housing
5. Transportation
6. COVID-19 Recovery
7. Economic Recovery
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Housing
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Safety for cyclists - education and enforcement for drivers who ignore or
intentionally obstruct cyclists, both commuter and recreational-
enforcing the 3 feet minimum distance rule, safe passing, more bike lanes
especially divided from traffic, etc. Changing the default accident fault
from 50/50 motorist/ cyclist, to more on motorist (almost always the
case and very hard to have sufficient evidence in most accidents
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 6:43 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 6:46 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 6:49 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Social Justice
4. Affordable Housing
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Housing
9. Transportation
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Encouraging public city planning and private home/neighborhood
development that is eco-friendly, includes common neighborhood
gathering spaces, and is easily able to accommodate multi-generational
families. I think better house construction and neighborhood planning can
help with both climate change and social justice issues. It would be better
for our city if we had more green, walkable common spaces and fewer
giant, isolated luxury homes.
Name not shown
in Palo Verde
January 19, 2021, 6:56 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Social Justice
5. Transportation
6. COVID-19 Recovery
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Affordable Housing
9. Housing
10. Climate Change
Question 2
Small business support
Ken Horowitz
in University Park
January 19, 2021, 6:56 PM
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Question 1
No response
Question 2
What to do about Cubberley? I suggest the City redevelop the eight acres
it owns into a vibrant community center for artists and non-profits. You
can do a lot with eight acres! And finding funding is easier to achieve with
a smaller project.
Finally, let the PAUSD decide what it wants to do with its property and
with its remaining dilapidated buildings.
Cancel the five year contract it recently approved with PAUSD for $2+M
annually (saving the City $10+M plus maintenance costs)
Name not shown
in University South
January 19, 2021, 7:00 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Paving city streets!!! Slowing traffic driving to Stanford.
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 7:02 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Transportation
5. Climate Change
6. Affordable Housing
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Housing
9. Social Justice
10. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
We have huge issues to address but why, in the 30+ years I have lived in
Palo Alto has there been no progress in moving wires underground? The
streets are routinely torn up for sewer, etc., reasons, yet while the street
is open for repairs, there is no effort to get the wires underground and
now our trees look as though a butcher has run amok. Supposedly we
love our trees yet we treat them cruelly and it shows. When my neighbor
built a new house and install underground wires no one asked me if I
would like to take advantage of the situation and move my wires
underground. Why not?
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 7:02 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 19, 2021, 7:06 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 7:08 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
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2021 City Council Priorities
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January 19, 2021, 7:12 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Community resources.
It is not clear to me why there are multiple housing and climate issues
listed. Should only be one of each and those seem like a less worthy area
of focus.
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 7:14 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Social Justice
5. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 7:16 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Affordable Housing
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
6. Transportation
7. Economic Recovery
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Climate Change
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 7:17 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Greenmeadow
January 19, 2021, 7:20 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Economic Recovery
4. Affordable Housing
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Social Justice
Question 2
City finances
Children's mental and emotional health
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 7:21 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Affordable Housing
5. Housing
6. Transportation
7. Climate Change
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8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
outside Palo Alto
January 19, 2021, 7:21 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Social Justice
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Economic Recovery
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Transportation
8. Climate Change
9. Housing
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 7:23 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Affordable Housing
5. Housing
6. Transportation
7. Climate Change
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Palo Verde
January 19, 2021, 7:25 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Social Justice
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 7:34 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Climate Change
3. Transportation
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. COVID-19 Recovery
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Affordable Housing
9. Economic Recovery
10. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
outside Palo Alto
January 19, 2021, 7:40 PM
Question 1
No response
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Question 2
Continue action to reduce noise pollution from airplanes overhead.
Because of reduced air travel in 2020, we have had a merciful break for
awhile this year. This only reinforces the urgent need to address this
issue as travel returns to normal levels in 2021.
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 7:42 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
I am very concerned about the issue of Castillaja and it's expansion. I am
a teacher (36 years) and agree with the importance of education!!
However, I do not think making this school larger is the solution. I feel
there needs to be a second site...off campus.....utilizing some of the
offices/space at the end of Embarcadero. Maybe using a shuttle to get
students to and from each of the campuses could be possible
compromise. I feel very strongly NO MORE building/traffic on
Embarcadero!!
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 7:45 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 7:54 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Transportation
4. Social Justice
5. Climate Change
Question 2
Helping our RV dwellers secure housing.
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 19, 2021, 7:57 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
decrease the jobs/housing imbalance (increase housing and decrease
office space);
decrease noise impact of SFO bound commercial aviation;
improve parking and increase safety (especially at intersections) for
pedestrians and bicyclists
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 8:02 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Southgate
January 19, 2021, 8:04 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Caltrain grade separation
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Aviation Noise
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 8:04 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Climate Change
Question 2
I put transportation as a top priority because we need to make our streets
safer for bikers and pedestrians, since we cannot safely ride busses and
trains right now. We need more monitoring of stop signs, and we need to
install "no right turn on red" on ALL busy intersections. We also need to
make the red lights brighter on streets facing the evening sun so they are
visible to drivers. Thank you.
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 8:08 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 8:09 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Climate Change
4. Social Justice
Question 2
Public schools and learning for kids should get more attention.
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 8:11 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Transportation
Question 2
Public Safety
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 8:12 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Aviation noise and air pollution. This is a very big issue for those of us in
the "sacrificial corridor" with 100 planes a day going over our houses at
low altitude. Thank you.
Name not shown
in Ventura
January 19, 2021, 8:16 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 8:22 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
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2. Transportation
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 8:23 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in College Terrace
January 19, 2021, 8:27 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Affordable Housing
8. Economic Recovery
9. Housing
10. Transportation
Question 2
Regional education funding disparities, significant increases in support
for first gen college-bound students and children from lower income
families.
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 8:28 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Climate Change
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 8:39 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 8:40 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Social Justice
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Foothills Park capacity limits, adjusted entrance fees for Palo Alto
residents
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 8:53 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 19, 2021, 9:05 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Housing
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Transportation
7. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 9:08 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Affordable Housing
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Climate Change
7. Housing
8. Transportation
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
John Cromwell
in Crescent Park
January 19, 2021, 9:10 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Addressing aircraft noise has to be on the list. During the pandemic over-
flight activity (both to and from SFO and SJC) is temporarily diminished
but it will recover and the noise pollution, which has grown so
substantially over the past decade will only become worse unless we
address this now. This is a major quality of life issue for many Palo Alto
residents.
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 9:10 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Housing
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Transportation
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Economic Recovery
9. Climate Change
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 9:11 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Affordable Housing
Question 2
Education, the district does not prioritize come in school alternatives
Name not shown
in Community Center
January 19, 2021, 9:12 PM
Question 1
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1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Maintenance of roads, bike lanes, traffic signals
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 9:12 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Affordable Housing
5. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 9:14 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 9:19 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 9:36 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Old Palo Alto
January 19, 2021, 9:45 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
2. Climate Change
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Social activities for teens as palo alto high schools won't open this
academic year
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 9:51 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. Affordable Housing
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 19, 2021, 10:06 PM
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Question 1
1. Housing
2. Climate Change
3. Transportation
Question 2
Housing must include more market rate *and* deed-restricted affordable
housing. Transportation must include walking/bike/bus/train
infrastructure so we can solve both climate change and traffic issues.
Linda Henigin
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 19, 2021, 10:07 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Transportation
Question 2
Gender equality - adopt a CEDAW ordinance
Name not shown
in Professorville
January 19, 2021, 10:19 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Social Justice
3. Transportation
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
outside Palo Alto
January 19, 2021, 11:49 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
YES! AVIATION NOISE AND POLLUTION These should be number one! If
this doesn't change, we will be moving, so none of the other topics will
matter to us. The rerouting of the Jets into SFO over Palo Alto instead of
coming in from the ocean (as it has always been before 2015 and
NextGen) has absolutely destroyed our quality of life here. Please reverse
your decision not to fight the FAA on this, it's critical.
And then we have the private jets flying in and out of the Palo Alto Airport!
They double the problem. They use LEADED AVgas and spew toxic leaded
micro-emissions over our homes, schools, parks and the protected
wetlands.Lead. The same stuff they have proved is detrimental to
children's growing brains. The FAA promised to find an alternative for
leaded AV gasoline by 2018, but that came and went. No one has come up
with an alternative and even if they did, the engines would most likely
have to be modified so they would just keep delaying it. Prop planes can
only run on leaded gas, they have to have the extra power the lead
produces (and emits).
These small planes are not for an essential service, they are toys for
people who have extra money and want to fly for fun. I'm all for fun, but
not at the expense of tens of thousands of people's health and tranquility.
It's impossible to relax when you have one after another of these buzzing
over your house on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. We live right under
this now well worn flight path. I used to love being outdoors on the
weekends but now I dread the "nice sunny days" because that's when the
private pilots decide it's a good day to fly somewhere....regardless of the
impact they have on the lives of others. We are too densely populated for
this kind of hobby any longer.
After tracking their paths on the flightradar24 app, we have found 90
percent of them fly to destinations that can easily be driven to by car
within a couple hours, including Monterey, Watsonville, Lake Tahoe, Napa
and Livermore. They take off in the morning and disturb our peace and
then return again during dinnertime or often late at night. They're loud
and fly as low as 500 ft over our homes. They have no place flying over
residential areas and especially over the protected wetlands right next to
the airstrip. I'm sure the golfers find it very annoying as well.
This airport was built in 1936! Palo Alto was rural and the airplanes were
few and far between. Now they have as many as 500 operations ( a take
off or landing) a day! Yes, 500 and there is no limit on how many
operations they can have. Some pilots spend hours practicing, circling
around and around over the wetlands.
The city has taken over the airport as of 2015, so I vote that we shut it
down and use the land for something wonderful, like a recreation area or
open space. Please stop the Aviation noise and pollution that's keeping us
from enjoying the quality of life we used to have in Palo Alto, you can do
this and we really want you to. Thank you!
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Name not available
January 19, 2021, 11:50 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Affordable Housing
4. Social Justice
5. Economic Recovery
6. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 20, 2021, 1:25 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Economic Recovery
4. Climate Change
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Affordable Housing
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Transportation
Question 2
Make Foothills Park officially a nature preserve, put in a cap per day for
vehicles that will return Foothills to the previous number of average
visitors per day prior to opening Foothills to non-residents, create an
online reservations system, and require visitors to sign an online
agreement which requires them to wear masks at all times, and requires
them to agree to certain rules such as how wildlife are treated.
Name not available
January 20, 2021, 5:49 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Economic Recovery
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Community Center
January 20, 2021, 6:30 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Enforce the ban on gasoline leaf blowers in residential areas.
Get Rinconada Pool back to normal pre-Covid operations
Name not available
January 20, 2021, 6:46 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Affordable Housing
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Social Justice
7. Climate Change
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Transportation
10. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Research Park
January 20, 2021, 7:24 AM
Question 1
No response
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Question 2
Abate jet aircraft noise over Palo Alto into SFO.
Name not available
January 20, 2021, 7:28 AM
Question 1
1. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 20, 2021, 8:51 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Housing
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 20, 2021, 9:04 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Social Justice
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Housing
6. COVID-19 Recovery
7. Economic Recovery
8. Transportation
9. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
10. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Lauren Weston
outside Palo Alto
January 20, 2021, 10:34 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 20, 2021, 10:42 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Transportation
4. Affordable Housing
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Economic Recovery
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Social Justice
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Housing
Question 2
Related to transportation and climate change, biking infrastructure
improvements need to be a top priority
Name not shown
in Old Palo Alto
January 20, 2021, 10:48 AM
Question 1
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1. Transportation
2. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Aviation Noise
Air Pollution from Aviation
Improve infrastructure by undergrounding all utilities, exposed by
pandemic and WFH
Maintain character and quality of life in downtown and Cal Ave cores
Improve traffic safety and flow by removing dangerous barriers that have
been placed in roadways
Reduce unfunded pension liabilities
Focus on goals council can actually do something about, not just virtue
signal
Underground Caltrain through ENTIRE town, do it right!
Name not shown
in University South
January 20, 2021, 11:03 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Transportation
Question 2
There needs to be policies in place to address bullies who try to create
fear to get their way. I think there needs to be a priority on how to
address bullies who try to use their clout and the latest issue to get their
way (like what was done with community partially funded places like
Foothills park). There needs to be courage and perseverance to stand up
against law suits otherwise our community will be run by whomever
decides to pursue a lawsuit.
Rebecca Eisenberg
in Old Palo Alto
January 20, 2021, 11:04 AM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Affordable Housing
5. Transportation
6. Housing
7. Economic Recovery
8. COVID-19 Recovery
9. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
10. Climate Change
Question 2
All of these priorities are interrelated and cannot be ranked or achieved
without reference and success of each other.
For example, City Council cannot deliver *social justice* without also
delivering:
- low- and lowest-income housing, transportation - affordable, convenient
public transit),
- medical care (including covid-19)
- education (in particular, providing equal access to high quality public
education for all children)
- Child care - essential for economic recovery, social justice, housing, and
education
- funding of housing and of all community services - given that 80% of our
land is owned by corporate interests, yet they pay the lowest property tax
rate and contribute *zero* to the general fund
- climate change - as communities of color are the hardest hit by
environmental casteism.
- Also missing: accountability, transparency, and clean-up of corruption.
There is no justice with lies and concealment.
- And: Brown Act compliance. Every meeting, the City Council hides its
faces from view and fails to allow the public to show ours.
- Parliamentarian. Since Palo Alto City Council does not fight wealthy
interests on behalf of the community, we deserve a public servant whose
job is to stand up against exploitative private interests to protect our
community - all of our community.
Name not shown
in University Park
January 20, 2021, 11:09 AM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Housing
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Affordable Housing
6. Transportation
Question 2
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No response
Name not available
January 20, 2021, 11:41 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Social Justice
6. Transportation
7. Affordable Housing
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Housing
Question 2
Foothill Park PRESERVATION. It should now be clear to all that preserving
the pristine space of our beloved parks - especially Foothill Park - is
necessary to mental health. I believe it was a mistake to open FP without
better strategic planning.
Name not available
January 20, 2021, 11:55 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
2. Affordable Housing
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 20, 2021, 1:40 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Economic Recovery
4. Climate Change
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Social Justice
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
9. Transportation
10. Housing
Question 2
Access to public spaces - leave Foothill Park open the same way the
Baylands and all city parks are open to all
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 20, 2021, 2:11 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Airplane Noise
Name not available
January 20, 2021, 3:13 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Affordable Housing
5. Social Justice
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Transportation
9. Climate Change
10. Housing
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 20, 2021, 3:40 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Transportation
4. Affordable Housing
5. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Eric Nordman
in Old Palo Alto
January 20, 2021, 5:50 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Climate Change
5. Social Justice
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Economic Recovery
8. Housing
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 20, 2021, 5:58 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change
Question 2
Protecting taxpayers' money by reducing wasteful city spending and
eliminating inefficiencies primarily in the alarmingly high rate of city
employee / retiree entitlements. Create an independent body beholden to
taxpayers, not city employees, to determine salaries and benefits
packages. No more fox guarding the hen house. Why is Palo Alto so run
down and inefficient compared to Sunnyvale, Mountain View , Menlo Park
and Redwood City? Digitalize more city processes, use our taxes and fees
to invest in solutions for citizens. Tax all businesses, not just retailers and
hotels.
Name not shown
in Ventura
January 20, 2021, 7:22 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 20, 2021, 7:48 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 20, 2021, 8:08 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Transportation
Question 2
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Change rules on much of a lot a house can cover. There is no room for
nature.
Susan Thomsen
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 20, 2021, 9:44 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Transportation
Question 2
Aviation noise and air pollution
Carl Thomsen
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 20, 2021, 10:50 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Airplane/aviation noise and related pollution. While the noise has
dropped during the Covid travel restrictions, it will resume and
significantly impact residents and also impact kids ability to concentrate
when they are back to in-person schooling. This has been discussed by
the Council over the past 5+ years and needs to continue to be a key
priority.
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 1:24 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Public discussion and participation on police reform and retraining issues
to maintain public safety but put in place measures to effectively ensures
that excessive use of force by any officer results in termination.
City sponsored education series on race and experiences of
microagression by nonwhite PA residents.
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 21, 2021, 7:57 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 9:30 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Economic Recovery
4. Social Justice
5. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
outside Palo Alto
January 21, 2021, 9:31 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Economic Recovery
4. Social Justice
5. Climate Change
Question 2
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No response
Name not shown
in Southgate
January 21, 2021, 12:02 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Housing
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Transportation: Please proceed thoughtfully on grade separation. Above
all, do not close any current east-west routes, as that will balkanize Palo
Alto, increase traffic on currently quiet neighborhood streets, and further
increase car traffic on heavily used corridors. Especially do not close
Churchill Avenue, which would negatively impact many, many residents
and workers beyond the handful of folks in Southgate who are worried
about the viaduct and the partial underpass. Instead, deeply explore the
Partial Underpass with an eye to making it work, as it represents a
compromise addressing many competing concerns. Engage architects to
consider aesthetics and user experience, re-think the bike tunnel (use
Seal/Peers Park), and carefully consider visibility for vehicles. If this
option seems infeasible, reconsider elevating the train (at all crossings if
trenching and tunneling are not feasible), and give serious attention to
aesthetics and cultivating community/neighborhood acceptance. With
the train out of the way, comprehensively address bike safety at street
level in the following ways:
1) widen the bike lanes on roads that carry student traffic;
2) install peak-hour traffic lights that enable a bike/ped-only crossing
cycle at the times of day when bike traffic is heavy;
3) improve lane markings, especially where bike through-traffic and
vehicle right-turn lanes intersect, so that all travelers understand what
they are supposed to do;
4) *re-invest in traffic rule enforcement, particularly during the heaviest
hours of the day.*
If the elevation alternative to closure at Churchill (the narrowest part of
the rail ROW) is precluded by Caltrain holdbacks for 4 tracks throughout
Palo Alto, lobby hard to restrict 4-track options to parts of Palo Alto
where the ROW is almost twice as wide.
These grade separation alternatives have to last for a very long time.
Limiting traffic movement further on the basis of a flawed traffic study
that looks less than a decade ahead is not sound policy. There is still time
to make the investments of time and money to arrive at the right
solutions.
Name not shown
in Barron Park
January 21, 2021, 12:06 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 12:50 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
outside Palo Alto
January 21, 2021, 1:00 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Affordable Housing
3. Transportation
4. Housing
5. Social Justice
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 1:07 PM
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Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Climate Change
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Economic Recovery
5. Affordable Housing
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Housing
8. Transportation
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Social Justice
Question 2
ENVIRONMENT , ANIMALS , SMALL BUSINESSES!!!!!! are my TOP 3
Concerns!
Name not shown
in Evergreen Park
January 21, 2021, 1:14 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Social Justice
5. Affordable Housing
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Transportation
Question 2
Instead of "climate change", I would have the three priorities: 1. ecological
flourishing. 2. transition to sustainability. 3. preparation for and mitigation
against coming impacts such as sea level rise and future wildfires and
their smoke
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 1:19 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
I don’t see a place for 2nd place or third place. Climate change 1st,
transportation 2nd, housing for social and economic balance 3rd.
Name not shown
in Oak Creek
January 21, 2021, 1:23 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Transportation
5. Economic Recovery
6. Affordable Housing
7. Housing
8. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
9. Social Justice
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
outside Palo Alto
January 21, 2021, 1:31 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Affordable Housing
4. Housing
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Transportation
8. Social Justice
9. Economic Recovery
10. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Prioritize Nature and Biodiversity in the City with a focus on Bird-Friendly
design, Dark Sky, native plantings in parks and the urban forest, restoring
habitat, and management of open space in ways that take care of birds
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and wildlife.
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 1:36 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Affordable Housing
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Social Justice
7. Transportation
8. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
9. Housing
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Aviation noise and air pollution
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 2:09 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 2:15 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Affordable Housing
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Transportation
7. Housing
8. Social Justice
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Please prioritizing acting now to meet our 80 X 30 goal (80% reduction in
Greenhouse Gases by 2030) to prevent the worst effects of the climate
crisis.
Patricia Jordan
outside Palo Alto
January 21, 2021, 2:17 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Climate Change
4. Social Justice
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Nicole Buckley Biggs
outside Palo Alto
January 21, 2021, 2:17 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Transportation
Question 2
Please prioritize Nature & Biodiversity as a critical value for our
community. We live in a globally-recognized biodiversity hotspot and are
currently living through the Sixth Extinction, including losing 30% of
North American birds since 1970 (Rosenberg et al. 2019) largely due to
habitat loss. Our community can be a leader in modelling nature-friendly
urban design and preventing further biodiversity losses.
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 2:24 PM
Question 1
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1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Transportation
4. Housing
5. Social Justice
Question 2
It is urgent that we act now to meet our 80 X 30 goal (80% reduction in
Greenhouse Gases by 2030) to prevent the worst effects of the climate
crisis.
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 2:28 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Social Justice
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Economic Recovery
6. Affordable Housing
7. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 2:30 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Social Justice
Question 2
Habitat
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 2:31 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Open space, parks.
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 2:37 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
David Greene
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 21, 2021, 2:45 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing
Question 2
Urgency of acting now, the sooner the better, on all climate related policy!
Samson Tu
in Leland Manor/ Garland
January 21, 2021, 2:46 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Natural environment: preservation and enhancements of preserves &
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urban forest, use of native plants in landscaping
Casey Cameron
in Professorville
January 21, 2021, 2:55 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Transportation
4. Housing
5. Social Justice
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Economic Recovery
8. Affordable Housing
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
I am most concerned with meeting the 80% reduction in Greenhouse
Gases by 2030!
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 3:12 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
We are missing preservation of natural/open spaces and and protection
of native species and biodiversity.
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 3:15 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Climate Change
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 3:34 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Nature and Biodiversity in the City with focus on Bird-Friendly design,
Dark Sky, native plantings in parks and the urban forest, restoring habitat,
and management of open space in ways that take care of birds and
wildlife.
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 3:35 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
In person classes
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 3:36 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Economic Recovery
4. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 3:44 PM
Question 1
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1. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Stable power supply
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 3:44 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Transportation
3. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 3:49 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Stable power supply
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 3:51 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 4:13 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Economic Recovery
5. Transportation
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Fiber to the home
Name not shown
in Barron Park
January 21, 2021, 4:19 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Housing
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
outside Palo Alto
January 21, 2021, 4:45 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Climate Change
Question 2
I work in the Palo Alto Baylands preserve and I ask that you please
prioritize Nature and Biodiversity in the City with focus on Bird-Friendly
design, Dark Sky, native plantings in parks and the urban forest, restoring
habitat, and management of open space in ways that take care of birds
and wildlife.
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 4:47 PM
Question 1
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1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Affordable Housing
5. Economic Recovery
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Housing
8. Transportation
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 5:04 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Climate Change
3. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Palo Verde
January 21, 2021, 6:04 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Make Palo Alto more walkable and bikable. This would include making
driving less of a priority by charging for parking.
June Cancell
outside Palo Alto
January 21, 2021, 6:04 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Climate Change
3. Social Justice
Question 2
Nature and Biodiversity
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 6:07 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Affordable Housing
6. Social Justice
7. COVID-19 Recovery
8. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
It is urgent to act NOW regarding the issues posed by climate change and
in order to meet our goal of an 80% reduction in Greenhouse Gases by
2030.
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 6:14 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
It is imperative that we act now to reach the goal of reducing climate
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emissions by 80% by 2030 in order to save the planet, protect future
generations, and prevent the worst effects of the climate crisis.
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 6:19 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Transportation
4. Housing
5. Affordable Housing
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. COVID-19 Recovery
9. Social Justice
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 6:28 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Transportation
5. Social Justice
6. Housing
Question 2
No response
Mark Grossman
in Old Palo Alto
January 21, 2021, 7:19 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 7:34 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Social Justice
Question 2
Nature and Biodiversity
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 8:44 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Nature and Biodiversity
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 8:48 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Social Justice
Question 2
Mental health support
Name not shown
in University South
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January 21, 2021, 9:39 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Affordable Housing
4. Housing
5. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 9:55 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Climate Change
3. Affordable Housing
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Transportation
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Economic Recovery
Question 2
protecting biodiversity - wildlife is key to maintaining equilibrium and
alerts us to dangers.
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 10:10 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Climate Change
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
There is urgency to act now and meet our 80 X 30 goal (80% reduction in
Greenhouse Gases by 2030) to prevent the worst effects of the climate
crisis.
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 10:20 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Social Justice
Question 2
Enhance conditions for wildlife (and also for public health). Wildlife need
habitat, clean water in the streams and bay, less light pollution, bird safe
design, etc.
Sven Thesen
in Evergreen Park
January 21, 2021, 10:28 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Affordable Housing
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 21, 2021, 11:07 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 8:44 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
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2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 8:54 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Affordable Housing
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 9:11 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
One of the things that the pandemic has taught us is how important it is to
be able to spend time outside, in nature, and enjoying the wonders we can
see. Palo Alto should prioritize nature and biodiversity.
Name not shown
in Palo Verde
January 22, 2021, 9:18 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 10:24 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Climate Change
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Palo Alto has always been proud of and protected the Bay Lands at the
end of Embarcadero Road. Please, make sure that opportunities for
enjoying nature and protecting biodiversity continue to be a high priority
for the City Council. Now more than ever, Palo Alto needs to be a leader in
protecting the bay's wetlands and open spaces. Thank you for your
thoughtful consideration of my message.
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 12:14 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
More green space - native vegetation plantings (particularly live oaks).
Good building design - aesthetic architecture, bird friendly windows, and if
building high, then more green plantings near building.
Discourage home owner street parking, ie encourage “green” driveway,
garage.
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 12:23 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
saving Cubberly as a community space
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 1:23 PM
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Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Affordable Housing
Question 2
Create a housing commission and create a housing development
department. That The City identify and be key to distributing COVID relief
to resident families. Make public meetings reachable to all. If it means
opening the CityCouncil room with masking & distance rules. These
meetings would be broadcast in the Council Chambers on their big
screen. At this time these meetings are not public based on online
platforms which denies all , available to everyone to participate.
Name not shown
in Palo Verde
January 22, 2021, 1:40 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Affordable Housing
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 2:19 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Holly Pearson
outside Palo Alto
January 22, 2021, 2:28 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Palo Alto's urban forests are the city's greatest natural resource and an
important part of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Preserving,
maintaining, and expanding Palo Alto’s remarkable tree canopy--which
includes many trees hundreds of years old--is relatively inexpensive and
should be high priority.
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 2:51 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Open space
Native plants instead of ornamental and lawn.
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 2:53 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
1. Encouragement and education to the community to plant native plants
to support a diverse bird and insect population and other small wildlife.
2. Flight path over Palo Alto, reduce noise and pollution.
Jeffrey Hook
in Evergreen Park
January 22, 2021, 3:51 PM
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Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Pushback on expanding residential population and businesses. Humans
are facing ecological calamity as a result of overshoot due to increasing
numbers of humans and increased resource consumption per capita. We
want to live within our means surrounded by nature, not crowded into
high-rises like in San Francisco. Please work with Bob Wenzlau to fund
family planning in our sister cities and their countries (Mexico,
Philippines). Please place ecological education at the top of your list.
Understanding ecological principles is essential for prosperity and
success in any other human endeavor. Human economy is a subset of
ecology, just the way humans are a subset of life. When we set economic
policy that breaks down natural capital faster than it is replenished we
impoverish the future. Conversely, when we work with nature to rebuild
natural capital, we feel better and provide for the future.
Name not shown
in Community Center
January 22, 2021, 3:52 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Economic Recovery
4. Social Justice
5. Climate Change
6. Transportation
Question 2
Nature and Biodiversity meaning bird-Friendly design, dark sky, native
plantings in parks and the urban forest, restoring habitat, and
management of open space in ways that take care of birds and wildlife
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 4:02 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Social Justice
4. Affordable Housing
5. Economic Recovery
6. Transportation
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Housing
10. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
biodiversity and CA/Palo Alto area nature
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 22, 2021, 4:03 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Biodiversity in planting in parkways, traffic islands and other unused
areas. Tree planting is great but there needs to be a commitment to the
Pollinator corridors mandated in the master plans for parks and open
space.
Mary Lou Meeks
in Palo Verde
January 22, 2021, 4:20 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Transportation
3. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Midtown/ Midtown West
January 22, 2021, 4:58 PM
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Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Aircraft Noise and Air Pollution. Assess alternative way points, reduce
concentration of flights and require airplanes to fly at higher altitudes.
Eliminate low altitude night flights. Provide the pubic with adequate
information to understand the challenges to reducing airplane noise.
Name not shown
in Leland Manor/ Garland
January 22, 2021, 5:00 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
My top priority is a decrease airplane noise and the amount of air traffic
they flies over Palo Alto.
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 6:35 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
Question 2
School reopening - curriculum completion and resume testing
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 10:28 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing
4. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 22, 2021, 10:48 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Economic Recovery
4. Transportation
5. Affordable Housing
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Housing
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Climate Change
10. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Reforming City Management, specifically the City Manager's Office, to
reduce bloat.
Name not available
January 23, 2021, 7:27 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Transportation
6. Social Justice
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Affordable Housing
9. Housing
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Biodiversity, dark sky
Name not available
January 23, 2021, 8:41 AM
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Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 23, 2021, 8:47 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
Question 2
Please prioritize Nature and Biodiversity in the City with focus on Bird-
Friendly design, Dark Sky, native plantings in parks and the urban forest,
restoring habitat, and management of open space in ways that take care
of birds and wildlife.
Name not shown
in University South
January 23, 2021, 9:12 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Aviation noise and air pollution are overlooked in our community. It's not
popular for some reason, while Castilleja school signs proliferate. The
flight path is incredibly loud and too close and is closer and louder than
anywhere I have ever lived (Texas, Hawaii). It diminishes the real estate
investment due to the constant noise, and the peace and quiet we enjoy is
constantly interrupted because the FAA can't seem to be bothered to
adjust their data/curve/flight path rules that were created in a time of
much less air travel (rules which are antiquated and hopefully revised
soon)
Name not available
January 23, 2021, 10:26 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Housing
3. Transportation
4. Social Justice
5. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
-- Train noise at motor vehicle/pedestrian track crossings. Do quiet
zones in other parts of California lead to more accidents?
-- Fiber optics throughout Palo Alto.
-- Traffic lights should be coordinated with speed limits and traffic density
(as they have been in other parts of the country for decades.)
Nancy Neff
in Palo Verde
January 23, 2021, 10:42 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Housing
3. Transportation
4. Social Justice
Question 2
Nature and Biodiversity
Name not shown
outside Palo Alto
January 23, 2021, 10:44 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Social Justice
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Healthy Environment- nature and biodiversity; this should be a part of
Climate Change- Protection and Adaptation; it affects all the others
Name not available
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January 23, 2021, 1:04 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Housing
3. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Green Acres
January 23, 2021, 1:18 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Economic Recovery
5. Transportation
6. Social Justice
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Nature and biodiversity
Name not shown
in Old Palo Alto
January 23, 2021, 5:57 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Affordable Housing
3. Social Justice
4. Economic Recovery
5. Transportation
Question 2
Pre K public education and public day care from infancy
Name not available
January 23, 2021, 9:29 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
4. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Community safety. There are so many burglary around the city even at
day time.
Name not available
January 23, 2021, 10:11 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Nature and Biodiversity: focus on Bird-Friendly design, Dark Sky, native
plantings in parks and the urban forest, restoring habitat, and
management of open space in ways that take care of birds and wildlife.
Name not shown
in College Terrace
January 23, 2021, 10:55 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Affordable Housing
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Transportation
8. Economic Recovery
9. Social Justice
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10. Housing
Question 2
Arts Funding and support
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 1:16 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Noise noise noise loud constant jet noise right over our neighborhoods
Name not shown
in Oak Creek
January 24, 2021, 2:04 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Affordable Housing
4. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Reduce noise from sirens and train horns.
Train all employees in their ethical obligation to serve the public interest
and to uphold the public trust.
Scott Marshall
outside Palo Alto
January 24, 2021, 2:38 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
My Third priority is increasing Palo Alto's urban canopy. By planting and
protecting more trees, Palo Alto will help sequester carbon, reduce the
causes of Urban Heat Island Effect, and help recharge ground water
storage. A reduced urban canopy will limit the trees' positive effects for
our environment. One project that will affect Palo Alto and Menlo Park's
urban forest is the proposed rebuilding of the Pope/Chaucer bridge. This
project as currently proposed, could remove close to seventy trees that
are both upstream and down stream from this bridge. I would like the
council to work with the Joint Powers Authority to come up with a flood
control design that can move the storm waters through San Francisquito
Creek to the bay without building flood walls at this site that would in turn
require the removal of this area's trees.
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 3:19 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 3:27 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Ventura
January 24, 2021, 4:33 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Transportation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Climate Change
5. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 24, 2021, 4:44 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Too much office space adding to our traffic and jobs - housing
imbalance.
Electric service robustness and safety - prevent power outages as we
increasingly electrify our homes and vehicles.
Modernize our electric plan and meters - time of use plans and net
metering, to incentivize local production (i.e. solar), storage (batteries),
and shifting demand.
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 5:12 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Social Justice
Question 2
Honesty from our government officials and employees. We've seen
corporations and developers trample our laws year after year, abetted by
a do-nothing City Attorney and asleep-at-the-wheel City
Councilmembers. Without an honest government, no other priorities will
get accomplished. Vital issues are decided in closed sessions and not
even reported to the public. We've eliminated any true independent
auditor. Code enforcement has been AWOL for years. Millions of dollars
of penalties are waived, with no accountability. Honestly, our top priority
needs to be honesty.
Tim Flagg
in Crescent Park
January 24, 2021, 5:38 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
AVIATION NOISE AND AIR POLLUTION
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 6:09 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 6:11 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Affordable Housing
3. Transportation
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 24, 2021, 6:11 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Social Justice
4. Climate Change
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Transportation
Question 2
No response
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Name not available
January 24, 2021, 6:29 PM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Alice Smith
in University South
January 24, 2021, 6:36 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Protecting Our baylands and Foothill Park
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 7:27 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Public Health: City wide COVID vaccination
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 24, 2021, 7:34 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 7:36 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 7:42 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
There is a huge shortage of communal housing options for elderly
citizens.
Steve Bisset
in Crescent Park
January 24, 2021, 7:54 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
City staff excess headcount and excess layers of management, as
compared to similar well-managed cities. A top-down reduction in
headcount and management layers is the only way to avoid eventual
bankruptcy, given the arithmetic of the accumulating pension and
healthcare burden. If well-executed, a substantial headcount reduction,
primarily at managements levels, will maintain or improve service levels
due to more efficient processes, and will immediately free up funds to
deliver services and capital improvements that benefit residents.
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 7:55 PM
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Question 1
No response
Question 2
Quality of life enhancements
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 7:56 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Climate Change
5. Transportation
6. Housing
7. Social Justice
8. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 7:56 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Quality of life
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 7:56 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
January 24, 2021, 8:01 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Maintaining retail and not losing it to office use
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 24, 2021, 8:13 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Transportation
Question 2
Safety
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 8:21 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Public Safety - Build the new public safety building; stop cutting the fire
and police budgets and reopen Station 2 and bring staffing up to previous
levels at all stations.
Infrastructure - Continue to maintain and upgrade roadways and physical
infrastructure, i.e., utilities delivery, storm drains, public buildings.
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 8:31 PM
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Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Housing
5. Climate Change
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Affordable Housing
8. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 24, 2021, 8:56 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Transportation
Question 2
I think the priority should be economic recovery with an emphasis on
incorporating social justice, transportation and climate change in the
solution.
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 9:04 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Housing
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Affordable Housing
Question 2
Library Services
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 24, 2021, 9:17 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 9:30 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
No response
Bob Moss
in Barron Park
January 24, 2021, 9:43 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 9:53 PM
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Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 10:04 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 10:10 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
zoning, traffic, public safety
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 24, 2021, 10:13 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Climate Change
Question 2
Community safety, crime, and traffic
Name not shown
in Palo Verde
January 24, 2021, 10:29 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
We need to address affordable housing, sustainable housing and create
shelter fir the homeless. Programs to help the homeless become housed
access to service they need to stay safely housed.
Transportation— create a system that works together with the goal of
getting cars off the road and encourages use of bikes, walking and after
CoVid mass transit that is easy to use. Seems like creekways would be
much safer and nicer bike and walking trails. Create creeks with natural
plants not concrete and other natural ways to prevent flooding.
Understand the science of global warming and start planning and creating
solutions to prevent flooding as sea level rises.
Airplane noise is unacceptable. Change the traffic to over the bay away
from neighborhoods. Higher altitude the noise impact is too high.
Name not available
January 24, 2021, 10:46 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Housing
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 5:53 AM
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Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 6:56 AM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 7:38 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Climate Change
5. Social Justice
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Housing
9. Affordable Housing
10. Transportation
Question 2
Vaccine distribution
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 7:48 AM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 8:12 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
Cleaner parks sidewalks and streets
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 25, 2021, 8:43 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Grade Separation
Name not shown
in Ventura
January 25, 2021, 8:46 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Affordable Housing
4. Climate Change
5. Transportation
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. COVID-19 Recovery
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Question 2
Park Space and Quality of Life — All residents, especially children,
deserve easy access (not across busy streets) to wildness and green
space. Currently, Palo Alto residents have less PARK SPACE than
residents of San Francisco and Mountain View. A plaza is not a park. A
parklet is not a park.
Noise: Airplane noise and traffic noise both need to be addressed.
Pedestrianize business areas: This is good for businesses, for fostering
community, for quality of life
Prioritize bicycles as a way to address climate change.
Support small businesses: Many citizens prefer entering a business that
is locally owned and operated — not a corporate entity. Rents are so high
here that small businesses need the help of government to survive.
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 25, 2021, 8:49 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Transportation
5. Climate Change
6. Economic Recovery
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 25, 2021, 8:52 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Social Justice
6. Transportation
7. Housing
8. Climate Change
9. Affordable Housing
Question 2
Attracting Businesses to Palo Alto. Many office buildings are now local
vacant and many hotels are struggling.
Mental Health and resources
Increase in Crime. I no longer feel safe living here.
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 8:53 AM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Affordable Housing
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Housing
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 8:58 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Right now this is the most important problem we have until we all get
back on our feet. Then joblessness!
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 9:33 AM
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108
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Affordable Housing
5. Climate Change
6. Transportation
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Housing
9. Social Justice
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Yes, Commercial Development is too much a priority in Palo Alto. Not
enough emphasis on serving the people that live here, community
amenities and services are slashed. Developing a more cooperative
framework between staff and council.
Patrick Devine
in Barron Park
January 25, 2021, 9:40 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Social Justice
Question 2
A good land use policy plan is the cornerstone of dealing with all of the top
priorities. You can not have a good transportation plan without a good
land use policy plan, and you can not tackle climate change and long term
economic vitality without a good transportation and land use policy plan.
It starts by densification in our three core areas (Downtown, Cal Ave, and
MidTown) and mixed use developments to get people out of cars and
using other modes of transportation.
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 9:43 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 9:43 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
CRIME!!!
AIRCRAFT NOISE
HOMELESS EVERYWHERE
RV PARKING-EL CAMINO, ETC
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 9:55 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 10:30 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Nature and Biodiversity in the City with focus on Bird-Friendly design
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 25, 2021, 10:41 AM
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Question 1
1. Housing
Question 2
In choosing "Housing" I want the council to protect the single family
housing that exists in Palo Alto and not seek to destroy it by eliminating
the zoning and enabling large units to "pollute" an existing and
appreciated way of life.
Name not shown
in Community Center
January 25, 2021, 10:58 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Transportation
6. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 10:59 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Transportation
4. Climate Change
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Social Justice
7. Economic Recovery
8. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
9. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
10. Housing
Question 2
transparent governing
encourage citizen participation
civility
Name not shown
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 25, 2021, 11:16 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Affordable Housing
5. Climate Change
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Economic Recovery
8. Transportation
9. Social Justice
10. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 11:23 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Charleston Terrace
January 25, 2021, 11:26 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Climate Change
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4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Affordable Housing
6. Housing
7. Social Justice
8. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
9. Economic Recovery
10. Transportation
Question 2
Making Foothills Park only open to Palo Alto residence once again. The
outcome of opening it to everyone was not worth the “good” it may have
been.
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 11:29 AM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Transportation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Paving the roads.
Addressing the homeless issue
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 11:30 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Please bring back enforcement of the ban on gas-powered leaf blowers.
They are a huge polluter, and the noise is crazy-making. While sheltering
at home I'd like to be able to enjoy my garden, but almost every time I do,
a leaf blower fires up some where and the whole experience is ruined. I've
made reports on the website but nothing changes and I read that the
reports are not followed up on. I've had homeowners who hire gardeners
who use them be rude and confrontational toward me, so I don't want to
talk to them. Please prioritize addressing climate change by addressing
this issue that greatly contributes to it, and improve our quality of life.
Thank you.
Name not shown
in University South
January 25, 2021, 11:37 AM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Climate Change
Question 2
Municipal Fiber/Broadband Internet to the Home
Aircraft Noise
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 25, 2021, 11:42 AM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Police support: Additional funding and positive messaging
Minimum wage: eliminate this, to create opportunities for minorities,
teens, and other disadvantaged people.
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 12:15 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 12:49 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
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3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 1:11 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Preserving PA's community services in the next budget-----those are the
things that will re-build our community post-pandemic.
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 1:18 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Airplane noise
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 1:21 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Climate Change
3. Affordable Housing
4. Social Justice
5. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Jason Oliger
in Crescent Park
January 25, 2021, 1:25 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Transportation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
1) Once we finally begin recovery from COVID-19, I am certain traffic
congestion in Palo Alto will become an issue again (particularly the 101
corridors). I'm hoping this is included under the "transportation"
umbrella, but if not, then I believe a concerted focus on solving the traffic
issue should be a top priority for city-level government
2) construction -- I believe construction is currently out of control. There's
a construction project on just about every block, and many of these job
sites are a mess and do not appear to be following code. It's great for jobs
obviously, but it also impacts resident quality of life in terms of noise,
garbage/refuse spilling onto sidewalks and streets, traffic implications,
etc. I would suggest a priority for city-level government should be to take
a hard look at current construction codes/policy, determine if some
changes/updates are warranted, and ensure that the codes/policy are
being properly enforced.
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 25, 2021, 1:26 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Housing
5. Affordable Housing
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Social Justice
10. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
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Louise Beattie
in Crescent Park
January 25, 2021, 1:30 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Affordable Housing
3. Transportation
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
1. The Council should investigate the problem of the numerous lawsuits
caused by a few police and some PAUSD teachers that are resulting in
expensive awards to the victims. Those found guilty and their supervisors
should face penalties and should not be shielded by the unions. The public
should be allowed know what is going on.
Name not shown
in Palo Alto Hills
January 25, 2021, 2:31 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Transportation
5. Economic Recovery
6. Housing
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Climate Change
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Ventura
January 25, 2021, 2:50 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Social Justice
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Transportation
6. Economic Recovery
Question 2
I would like to see civility at the dais restored at all levels of government -
starting with the council, and going right down to the commissions,
boards and committees. I was very disappointed to hear and see some of
the personal disparagements and attacks by the mayor and others on
council members, among commission members, etc., in the last term.
Council members, commission, board and committee members should all
remember who they are, who they represent and what their roles are, and
refrain from uncivil behavior while conducting their elected and appointed
roles so that matters can be attended to in an open and respectful
manner.
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 2:56 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Nature and Biodiversity
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 3:02 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Affordable Housing
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Social Justice
6. Climate Change
7. Economic Recovery
8. Housing
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
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10. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 25, 2021, 4:02 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Transportation
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Green Acres
January 25, 2021, 4:17 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Transportation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Climate Change
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Housing
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. Social Justice
9. Affordable Housing
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Oversight and reform in police hiring, practices and training, including
regarding handling persons with mental illness. Also, housing is
important, but we should take a breather to assess impact of recent
events like COVID and WFH, plus relocation of businesses, and transit
needs attention before we can increase density. Finally, there are many
things within the term Social Justice that I find important, but the term
itself is like an inkblot test, and could mean just about anything to anyone.
Name not available
January 25, 2021, 4:22 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
1. climate change - adaptation
2. affordable housing - how to fund
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 25, 2021, 4:51 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Social Justice
4. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in College Terrace
January 25, 2021, 6:24 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Climate Change
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
6. Economic Recovery
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Housing
Question 2
No response
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Shannon McEntee
in Evergreen Park
January 25, 2021, 9:37 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Transportation
4. Social Justice
Question 2
1. Airplane Noise and Air Pollution
2. Noise pollution in Palo Alto e.g. the street cleaning truck that goes by
at 1 a.m. several times a week. Science tells us how important sleep is yet
we have to endure this abuse. It's unbelievable.
3. Cars continually race through our narrow neighborhood streets and
roll through stop signs. I never see our police giving citations. We need to
slow down traffic and make our streets safer for children, pedestrians and
bicyclists.
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 3:50 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 8:30 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Please consider a plan to address the growing homeless population in our
City. Also, some positive action to relocate and support the needs of
those living in RV's and other vehicles. Basic human needs are not being
met and we are not taking the steps to solve this serious situation. It
takes a reording of priorities for allocation of resources. Move funds from
fluff to essential human support.
Hilary Vance
in Greenmeadow
January 26, 2021, 8:56 AM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Climate Change
3. Affordable Housing
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Transportation
Question 2
How were these line items determined? The separate lines for "Housing,"
"Affordable Housing," "Affordable Housing - How to Fund", and "Housing
for Social and Economic Balance" feels like a trap. How are you going to
evaluate the rankings across these given that readers will interpret them
in different ways? Will you effectively decrease the priority of any one
housing focus because respondents split across the confusing options?
Will you pool all the housing options into one category? Is this a bait and
switch where you say "people voted for 'housing' over 'affordable
housing,' so we can keep focusing on high-end development?" I would
appreciate clarity - even if it's as simple as saying there was a description
somewhere that isn't obviously linked!
Also, wanted to note my thinking in these rankings. Social justice and
climate change are not simply independent categories — they are *how*
we design and manage COVID-19 recovery, housing, transportation, etc.
They are the lenses we must prioritize for viewing all of our processes.
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 9:41 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Social Justice
4. Climate Change
Question 2
Would be nice to finish the effort of burying electric lines. I know budget
won’t be there but would be nice to have a long term plan in place. It’s
such an inequity that is visually obvious to all. It’d also a great
beautification project.
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I think we should consider permanently closing portions of cal Ave and
university. It has been so nice during covid having those be pedestrian
areas and having more outdoor dining available.
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 10:05 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 10:08 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Social Justice
Question 2
Palo Alto has changed dramatically in the 60 years I have lived here.
Growing up Palo Alto was a safe and friendly environment and it remained
so as my children grew. Now that I have a grandchild I am appalled at the
indifference and rudeness of people. We are no longer a welcoming
community but one divided by the entitled!
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 10:28 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Housing
3. Social Justice
4. Economic Recovery
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Affordable Housing
8. Transportation
9. Climate Change
10. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 1:02 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Economic Recovery
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 2:34 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change
3. Affordable Housing
4. Economic Recovery
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 2:44 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Climate Change
5. Transportation
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6. Social Justice
7. Housing
8. Affordable Housing
9. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 2:45 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Social Justice
Question 2
Systemic racism
Name not shown
in Palo Verde
January 26, 2021, 2:48 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Housing
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Economic Recovery
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Climate Change
9. Social Justice
10. Transportation
Question 2
Mental Health Services
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 2:59 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. Climate Change
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 3:03 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Glaring omission: Neighborhood crime and safety
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 3:49 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
steve schmidt
outside Palo Alto
January 26, 2021, 4:03 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Affordable Housing
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Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 4:27 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 4:37 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Economic Recovery
4. Climate Change
5. Transportation
6. Social Justice
7. Housing
Question 2
Fighting discrimination. There is a great deal of racism in Palo Alto, much
of it unchallenged. In 2020, anti-Asian-American hate speech and hate
crimes increased by enormous amounts, here as well as elsewhere in the
US. Anti-Black racism continues to be a national as well as a local
disgrace, and other non-white groups, especially Hispanic/Latinx, are also
disadvantaged.
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 5:18 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Transportation
Question 2
Transparency in city government and fiscal management
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 5:41 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Economic Recovery
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Foothill Park Disaster - opening the park to all in the midst of the worst
surge of the pandemic on Dec 17th contributing to the Santa Clara County
Covid-19 virus surge and ruining the park. Falsifying the issues and by not
fighting back contributing to the notion that Palo Altans are racist..
Utility charges - misuse of the gas and other charges being funneled to
the general fund illegally. Revist utility charges.
Parking limits - need to be enforced during this time for our increased
safety.
Libraries should all be open to support the older citizens who rely on it
heavily esp. during this very difficult time.
Stay safe.
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 6:04 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 6:35 PM
Question 1
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1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Charleston Terrace
January 26, 2021, 7:07 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Economic Recovery
4. Social Justice
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Transportation
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Affordable Housing
10. Housing
Question 2
Water conservation. Add more self generated electricity on each home
(solar and battery backup or wind).
Consider tiny home cooperatives to help meet housing needs.
Name not shown
in Palo Verde
January 26, 2021, 7:56 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
School district educational and social quality degrades
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 8:25 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Economic Recovery
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
improve community activities, entertainment, trails, bike paths
Name not shown
in University South
January 26, 2021, 8:25 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. Transportation
Question 2
Make it easier for small businesses to survive in Palo Alto. Keep streets
clean and safe. Find alternative to motor homes parked on El Camino.
Reduce or eliminate residential parking programs. Reject Castilleja's
expansion plans. Turn the drinking fountains back on in the parks!!!
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 8:28 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
2. Affordable Housing
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 26, 2021, 8:31 PM
Question 1
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1. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Public Safety
Open Space
Quality of Life
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 8:48 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Transportation
6. Climate Change
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 9:10 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Affordable Housing
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Barron Park
January 26, 2021, 9:42 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 9:43 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Shrinkage of population, enclosed space, and paving.
Name not shown
in College Terrace
January 26, 2021, 9:53 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Climate Change
Question 2
The label for "Transportation" should be "Mobility". Streets are for all
users, not just those driving cars. This means providing for safety for
street users not encased in steel by designing safe crossings at busy
intersections, and by actively discouraging drivers exceeding the speed
limit through street design, which leads to them claiming that they
couldn't see the person using foot-power to get around our fair city.
Promote sharing the road safely and making safe choices for all.
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 10:18 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Climate Change
3. Social Justice
4. Economic Recovery
5. Transportation
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Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 26, 2021, 11:00 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. Housing
5. Affordable Housing
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 1:05 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 1:06 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Professorville
January 27, 2021, 5:48 AM
Question 1
1. Social Justice
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Climate Change
4. Affordable Housing
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
7. Housing
8. COVID-19 Recovery
9. Economic Recovery
10. Transportation
Question 2
Racial justice. Defund police.
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 8:07 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
Question 2
EVERYTHING in Palo Alto is TOO expensive! Gas, food and especially
housing! A hamburger dinner with fries and ONE drink costs a couple
$60+! ALL the new housing and creating more traffic is not the answer!
Increased bus and bike lanes not the answer! Why are there only
restaurants in downtown areas where you have to drive to? Why so much
housing along El Camino and not name brand restaurants like
Cheesecake Factory, Elephant bar? Enough of pizza and Asian
food.....what's happened to American cuisine?
Markus Fromherz
in Barron Park
January 27, 2021, 8:33 AM
Question 1
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1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Transportation
4. Climate Change
5. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Jay Whaley
in Crescent Park
January 27, 2021, 8:40 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
City Council discussion and decisions are significant in all of the issues,
though affordable housing and transportation decisions can most directly
impact our local impact to bring improvement. We urge that the City
Council continue to address and support our continuing transportation
issue of the impact of airplane noise of low flying aircraft landing at SFO.
That significantly negative impact continues, even as there are
temporarily fewer flights due to the pandemic impact.
Thank you for your leadership!
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 8:58 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Affordable Housing
3. Social Justice
4. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 9:01 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Eric Nee
in University South
January 27, 2021, 9:04 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
4. Housing
5. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 9:07 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Affordable Housing
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Palo Alto needs housing so that more people can have access to our
quality of life and jobs. We also need housing so people can stay in Palo
Alto as they have kids, get older, etc. It is the right thing to do morally and
economically.
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 9:21 AM
Question 1
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1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Housing
4. Affordable Housing
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
6. Climate Change
7. Social Justice
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Transportation
10. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 9:21 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Transportation
5. Affordable Housing
6. Climate Change
7. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Good governance! The city can improve areas like housing and climate
change by focusing on providing city services like permits more
efficiently. Simple projects like solar panels or a solar roof along with a
battery backup system help 1) prevent climate change 2) help residents
adapt to problems created by climate change, like potential public safety
power shut offs; 3) help residents with disabilities who require 24/7
electricity live with problems created by climate change. However, when it
commonly takes nearly a year to get approvals for these simple projects
that have so much benefit, as has been my experience and the experience
of neighbors, it really discourages homeowners and landlords who want
to do the right thing (and adds costs to the project).
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 9:22 AM
Question 1
1. Transportation
2. Housing
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 9:28 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Make sure police feel empowered to do their job, while making sure to
combat racism/bias within the police department.
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 9:39 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Transportation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Fix the Foothills Park mess that the City Council created without input
from Palo Alto citizens. It has resulted in a bad reputation for the city. By
caving to the ACLU lawsuit, you have made the citizens seem like they are
racist, while this is a fiscal issue all along. Do better in 2021!
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 9:40 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Transportation
6. Housing
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7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Affordable Housing
9. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
10. Social Justice
Question 2
Social Justice is a personal responsibility and should not be a priority.
Name not shown
in Fairmeadow
January 27, 2021, 9:41 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Shifting infrastructure to allow safer walking and especially safer biking.
Palo Alto is a city where bikes, electric and otherwise, can replace a lot of
cars, and eliminating the need for tons of parking places can leave room
for walkable business districts and more housing.
Terry Trumbull
in Crescent Park
January 27, 2021, 9:47 AM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 9:50 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Social Justice
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Climate Change
6. COVID-19 Recovery
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Economic Recovery
9. Housing
10. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 9:51 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 10:00 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 10:25 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
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Name not shown
outside Palo Alto
January 27, 2021, 10:45 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Climate Change
3. Affordable Housing
Question 2
Police and criminal justice reform
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 11:01 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Climate Change
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Affordable Housing
7. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
8. Social Justice
9. Economic Recovery
10. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in University South
January 27, 2021, 11:09 AM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Bicycle Safety
Name not shown
in Downtown North
January 27, 2021, 11:58 AM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Affordable Housing
3. Climate Change
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Economic Recovery
6. Social Justice
Question 2
There are too many duplicate items in the priorities list, which risks
diluting support for some of them by spreading across several closely
related/duplicate choices.
Name not shown
outside Palo Alto
January 27, 2021, 12:11 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Affordable Housing
3. Transportation
4. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Increasing supply of all incomes allows our workers, families, and
residents thrive. The key here is zoning. We can't build affordable homes
if the zoning won't allow for higher density than single family. Important to
recognize the historical inequity of redlining and restrictive zoning as we
ensure our community is open to all.
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 12:20 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Economic Recovery
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Question 2
Development Priorities and Limits (as in we are firmly committed to the
height limit, no more construction in traffic impacted areas, etc.). How do
we want Palo Alto to look and function?
Edward Berkowitz
in Fairmeadow
January 27, 2021, 12:21 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Old Palo Alto
January 27, 2021, 12:35 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Affordable Housing
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Transportation
5. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
6. Economic Recovery
7. Climate Change
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Social Justice
10. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
Early Childhood Education that is universal, free and high quality.
Name not shown
in University South
January 27, 2021, 12:39 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Social Justice
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 12:47 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Affordable Housing
4. Climate Change
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Social Justice
7. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
8. COVID-19 Recovery
9. Economic Recovery
10. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Housing is the most important issue to me, and it glues together several
of the other prompts here. For example, changes to housing policy need
to be paired with improvements in transportation planning (like improved
bike and pedestrian resources, and *reduced* automobile privileges or
subsidy) to maximize their impact and to minimize some potential
externalities.
Similarly, the best way that Palo Alto can help mitigate Climate Change is
by (1) letting more live here, more densely; (2) letting people who are
here, do more without cars -- in CA, transportation is 40% of GHG
emissions.
This is a moral issue, and a social justice one (given historic and current
patterns of exclusion and access), and it's also related to economic
recovery both here and as part of the region. Allowing people who work
jobs in Palo Alto to live here and not spend 2+ hrs a day commuting from
lower-cost places to live, for example, saves them quite a lot of money
(and a lot of GHG). Or, more people being able to be here and to get
around helps local businesses to have more connection with customers,
etc.
It's all interconnected but it starts with the "placemaking" project of
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making this a more inclusive and liveable community, through changes to
the built environment and transportation fabric that underpin our area.
This is not to say that there aren't issues *unrelated* to housing and
transportation, nor does it mean that there won't be new challenges
related to these issues. But, we're in such a deep hole now, it's certainly
the first place we should start... and at the very least, we should stop
digging. (Inactivity, by the way, counts as digging the hole deeper!)
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 1:36 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Education & schools
gary fine
in College Terrace
January 27, 2021, 1:59 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Housing
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Geoff Ball
in Downtown North
January 27, 2021, 2:10 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Social Justice
4. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
5. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Collaborative Governance - ways to improve and make use of the new
tools created for CoVid Community Conversations. The City needs to
support the use of these tools at the neighborhood level and at the level
for regional and sub-regional collaboration.
The tools may also be vital to enabling community members to move thru
the coming transitions and transformations.
submitted by Geoff Ball, geoffhball@gmail.com
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 2:11 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Economic Recovery
5. Affordable Housing
6. Climate Change
7. Transportation
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
9. Social Justice
10. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Roberta Ahlquist
in University Park
January 27, 2021, 2:22 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Social Justice
Question 2
Extremely low income housing to be built on public lands, Cubberley
property, all available spots in the city BEFORE ANY other kind of housing
is
approved. STOP allowing luxury condos, houses, and expensive
apartments until we have a more balanced, more ethnically diverse
community.
What is your accountability for the requests for 2020 housing?! Provide
incentives for apartments for essential workers. ACTION is
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needed.RESCIND FOOTHILL PARK FEES.
Dena Mossar
in University South
January 27, 2021, 2:26 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Affordable Housing
5. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Walter Bliss
in University Park
January 27, 2021, 2:33 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
2. Affordable Housing
3. Social Justice
Question 2
I want this city to build WAY MORE EXTREMELY LOW INCOME HOUSING.
STOP THE TALK, START GETTING BUDGET.
CONTROL POLICE: SHIFT MONEY TO SOCAL SERVICES, MENTAL
ASSISTANCE, NOT WEAPONS AS FIRST CHOICE. FIRE RACIST POLICE.
MONITOR
ACTIONS. REMAND FEES FOR FOOTHILL PARK! OTHER CITIES DON'T
CHARGE. WE CAN PAY FOR CLEANUP.
Name not shown
in College Terrace
January 27, 2021, 3:07 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Social Justice
5. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Housing does need to be addressed, but not at the expense of wonderful
already-dense neighborhoods like College Terrace. Certainly add
housing, but do it by replacing aging buildings in the Research Park
instead.
Carol Lamont
in University South
January 27, 2021, 3:11 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Affordable Housing
3. Social Justice
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Change Policing to Address Racial Injustice
Elaine Hahn
in Professorville
January 27, 2021, 3:29 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Economic Recovery
5. Affordable Housing
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Transportation
Question 2
No response
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Name not shown
in Charleston Terrace
January 27, 2021, 4:41 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Climate Change
Question 2
Making sure residential single family zoning is not changed and
strengthened if anything.
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 4:47 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Remove restrictions on improving housing. Please remove the IRB
process and the poorly worded neighborhood compatibility guidelines
which simply enhance NIMBYism and pit neighbor against neighbor
without solving the root problems of housing. Right now, the IRB and the
neighborhood compatibility guidelines are simply used by older residents
to discriminate against newer residents unfairly. Please get rid of these
silly rules and abolish that department and use the money to help our
schools and reduce crime. Just like Foothills Park, discriminatory rules
like the IRB simply expose the city to ACLU and NAACP lawsuits.
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 5:39 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change
4. Economic Recovery
5. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Leland Manor/ Garland
January 27, 2021, 6:23 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Airplane noise. Good news: Covid19 meant less noise because of fewer
planes. Bad news: sheltering in place under noisy planes is still too many
planes. And traffic is coming back, slowly but surely.
Fiber to the home. Covid19 just proved that this is critical infrastructure.
sallie whaley
in Crescent Park
January 27, 2021, 6:49 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change
Question 2
Under transportation issues, I'd like to see included the airplane noise
(and pollution) over Palo Alto. It's been 5 years with no relief until the
pandemic !! Still, of the planes that are landing at SFO, MANY are still
roaring over our heads !!! PLEASE be sure you include this in your
priorities.
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 8:21 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
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3. COVID-19 Recovery
4. Social Justice
Question 2
sustainability
Name not shown
in Fairmeadow
January 27, 2021, 8:42 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
5. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Fairmeadow
January 27, 2021, 8:47 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Transportation
4. Affordable Housing
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Grade separation
Alfred Sugarman
in Fairmeadow
January 27, 2021, 9:23 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Social Justice
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Fairmeadow
January 27, 2021, 9:46 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
2. Climate Change
Question 2
1. School Opening, 2. Can we do more about integrating with East Palo
Alto students?
Ozzie Fallick
in Evergreen Park
January 27, 2021, 9:52 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Social Justice
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 9:58 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
Question 2
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No response
Name not available
January 27, 2021, 10:18 PM
Question 1
1. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 5:03 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Economic Recovery
4. Social Justice
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 28, 2021, 6:18 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 6:43 AM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 7:21 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Airplane noise - we need stronger support from the Council, the County
Supervisors and from our Congresswoman on fighting this problem. It's
been going on for YEARS without progress. The FAA (and the interests
that support it) are having our lunch. This problem decreases quality of
life and, eventually, property values.
Can we have city-provided internet access?
Name not shown
in Fairmeadow
January 28, 2021, 8:47 AM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
2. Social Justice
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Economic Recovery
6. Transportation
Question 2
At Grade Crossings (Connecting Palo Alto)
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 10:50 AM
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131
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Transportation
5. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
6. Economic Recovery
7. Social Justice
8. Housing
9. Climate Change
Question 2
No response
Angelo De Giuli
outside Palo Alto
January 28, 2021, 11:06 AM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Affordable Housing
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Social Justice
5. Transportation
6. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Once that Covid19 will be under control implement a ban on single-use
plastics in restaurants. Although more expansive, wood or paper
foodware cost is a very small fraction of a meal cost and can be easily
added to the price with no harm to restaurant margin!!
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 11:38 AM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Economic Recovery
4. Transportation
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Social Justice
7. Climate Change
8. Housing
9. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
10. Affordable Housing
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Leland Manor/ Garland
January 28, 2021, 12:56 PM
Question 1
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
outside Palo Alto
January 28, 2021, 12:56 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Social Justice
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Transportation
6. Economic Recovery
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Affordable Housing
9. Housing
10. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Question 2
No response
Alex Woo
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in Fairmeadow
January 28, 2021, 1:25 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in College Terrace
January 28, 2021, 1:56 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Affordable Housing
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Economic Recovery
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Moratorium on office development. Rezone commercial areas to
residential.
Name not shown
in Crescent Park
January 28, 2021, 2:23 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
3. Climate Change
4. Transportation
5. Social Justice
Question 2
The National Environmental Policy Act, NEPA. Airplane noise, and aviation
particulates pollution from SFO, SJC, OAK who have been particularly
masterful at hiding behind FAA's outdated noise policies - undermining
complaints from Palo Alto and neighbors - spending more time quieting
the public than addressing serious concerns.
David Coale
in Barron Park
January 28, 2021, 2:51 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. COVID-19 Recovery
5. Economic Recovery
6. Affordable Housing
7. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
8. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
9. Housing
10. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 3:46 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in Palo Verde
January 28, 2021, 3:47 PM
Question 1
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1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Transportation
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 4:21 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
Greater council scrutiny of million-dollar Staff proposals. Frequent
absence of competing bids.
Stronger enforcement by City Attorney of Conflict of Interest laws.
Especially on Planning Commission and onstaff.
Laurie Ostacher
outside Palo Alto
January 28, 2021, 7:05 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing
3. Economic Recovery
Question 2
No response
Helen Young
in Palo Verde
January 28, 2021, 7:24 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
3. Transportation
4. Social Justice
5. Economic Recovery
6. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Gender equity should be considered within each of the priorities
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 7:46 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Affordable Housing
3. Social Justice
4. Transportation
5. Climate Change
Question 2
The essential role of the arts in our community - in civil discourse, social
justice, and counteracting media and social media driven polarization. We
cannot be a community that focuses on just tech and business.
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 7:58 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Community Resources - library, childcare, activities, bike lanes...the
elements that make Palo Alto great have been underfunded - lets refocus
on this.
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 8:15 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
3. Transportation
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4. Social Justice
Question 2
No response
Name not shown
in University Park
January 28, 2021, 8:48 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
4. Housing
5. Climate Change
6. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
Question 2
Mental Health of homeless
Anna Jaklitsch
in Duveneck/ St Francis
January 28, 2021, 9:03 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Economic Recovery
3. Social Justice
4. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
No response
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 9:31 PM
Question 1
1. COVID-19 Recovery
2. Transportation
Question 2
Remove criminals from our streets.
Remove vehicle dwelling from neighborhoods,
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 10:01 PM
Question 1
No response
Question 2
No response
Cherrill Spencer
in Barron Park
January 28, 2021, 10:32 PM
Question 1
1. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
2. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
3. Affordable Housing
4. Housing
5. COVID-19 Recovery
6. Economic Recovery
7. Social Justice
8. Transportation
9. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
10. Climate Change
Question 2
Please pay attention to how the issue of truly affordable housing for low
income workers is a more difficult problem for women than men. In fact
please look at all these issues through the lens of gender equality-
consider how women may be affected differently from men in these
topics.
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 10:37 PM
Question 1
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1. Social Justice
2. COVID-19 Recovery
3. Climate Change - Protection and Adaptation
4. Climate Change
5. Housing for Social and Economic Balance
6. Transportation
7. Affordable Housing
8. Affordable Housing - How to Fund
Question 2
Biodiversity, becoming a Biophilic city
Julia Zeitlin
in Community Center
January 28, 2021, 11:05 PM
Question 1
1. Climate Change
2. Transportation
3. Housing
4. COVID-19 Recovery
Question 2
Climate change is the most urgent issue of our time and in order to meet
our 80x30 sustainability goals, we must prioritize action on climate.
Name not shown
in Ventura
January 28, 2021, 11:24 PM
Question 1
1. Affordable Housing
2. Transportation
3. Climate Change
Question 2
Traffic can come under transportation, but is connected with too many
jobs and not enough housing, attracting too many cars to the city. Also,
we cannot solve the traffic problems by carving up important arterial
roadways (like Charleston and Ross Road, for example), with lane
closures and lane narrowings. Everybody wants to be there yesterday -
that is the culture! We can't create barriers to smooth traffic flow to
control traffic. Just creates more frustration, longer time spent on the
road. PA just cannot host too many jobs if it wants to maintain the quality
of life for the residents. Also, not everyone who wants to live in Palo Alto
can live here. Being ploitically correct does not change this fact. Just like,
everybody who wants to live in Atherton or Menlo Park or Los Altos Hills
can live in these places, either !
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 11:29 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Restore the previous status of Foothills Park as a private park for Palo
Alto residents and guests of residents only until such time as the citizens
of Palo Alto can VOTE on whether to open it to non-residents or not. The
citizens of Palo Alto are the owners of Foothills Park; the council may not
unilaterally decide what to do with it without a mandate of the citizens.
Name not available
January 28, 2021, 11:56 PM
Question 1
1. Economic Recovery
Question 2
Restore Foothills Park to Palo Alto residents’ and their guests’ use only.
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ATTACHMENT B: Email Responses
137
From:susan chamberlain
To:Council, City; leConge Ziesenhenne, Monique
Cc:Sandra Slater; Mytels Debbie; Hilary Glann
Subject:City Priorities, Policy and Services meeting 12/8/20
Date:Friday, December 4, 2020 10:16:33 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
2021 City Council Members:
As you begin setting City priorities for 2021, we understand that the economic,
social, health and safety impacts of Covid-19 will continue to command a great
deal of your time and energy.
However, we want the encourage the Council to continue your focus on the
critical priorities you set in 2020, namely:
Housing
Sustainability in the context of climate change
Mobility for all
Climate change will have even greater and much longer economic, social,
health and safety impacts on Palo Alto residents, so ensuring that we formulate
a specific and actionable plan in 2021 to meet our 80 x 30 sustainability goals
must be a top priority.
From our ongoing conversations with residents, we hear that this summer’s
firestorms, heat waves and air quality problems have heightened anxieties
about current and future impacts of climate change. Residents tell us that they
want to take actions to address climate change, but need education and
assistance to transition away from fossil fuels in a thoughtful and cost
effective manner. Palo Alto Youth are also willing to dedicate their energy to
support these actions. Working together we can “build back” our economy, our
infrastructure and our community in a cleaner, greener, more resilient and
more equitable manner.
We believe that having a public utility -- as well as anticipated Federal climate
actions -- provides Palo Alto with mechanisms and opportunities in 2021 to
bend the curve on carbon emissions. Additionally, if the Council evaluates
expenditures and investments through the lens of climate change, you can
make decisions that support the long term health and safety of all Palo Alto
residents.
As the City continues to respond to Covid-19 through much of 2021, we must
138
begin to apply what we’ve learned from the pandemic to the climate crisis. We
urge you to develop communications that will help Palo Alto residents
understand the nexus of these overlapping crises, particularly in the areas of
safety, emergency preparation and health. Here are some of our ideas:
Develop CPAU education and incentive programs to support residential
and commercial electrification. For example, programs that encourage
solar and solar batteries can provide both sustainable and disaster-
resilient solutions for residents and businesses.
Continue to educate residents on the value of electric vehicles and provide
incentives for multi-family housing EV charging infrastructure. Electric
vehicles address not only transportation emissions and pollutants, but can
also provide backup home batteries during a power outage.
Enable housing to be built close to transit, supported by VTA and/or
shuttle bus services; continue to build safe bike routes in the City to
provide options for more residents to commute safely without their cars.
Ensure that the incentives and objectives of CPAU, the development
department, public works and other relevant teams are fully aligned with
the S/CAP to ensure all City entities are prioritizing a safe and cost
effective transition from fossil fuels. Reducing natural gas usage will not
only reduce carbon emissions but will also reduce health risks from poorly
ventilated gas appliances, as well as earthquake safety risks from gas
pipelines underlying all our streets.
Recognizing the implications of sea level rise, particularly east of
Middlefield in South Palo Alto — including problems from salt water
intrusion into the water table — collaborate with other Bayside
jurisdictions to develop a comprehensive plan to protect property values
within these neighborhoods.
Sincerely,
350 Silicon Valley Palo Alto Climate Team
139
From:Jeffrey Lu
To:Council, City
Subject:feedback on city council priorities for 2021
Date:Tuesday, January 26, 2021 5:43:59 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi,
I'm writing to submit public comment on the city council's priorities for 2021, which will be
selected during this Saturday's retreat meeting.
I hope the city council will continue working hard on last year's priorities: Housing,
Sustainability, and Mobility for all.
All three priorities are closely intertwined, and making headways in one area complements the
other areas too. In particular, I urge greater focus on mobility for all, with an eye toward non-
car transport. Transportation is Palo Alto's (and California's!) leading source of both climate-
harming carbon emissions, as well as air-polluting NOx and particulate matter. Transport
emissions have been trending upward statewide since 2012, even as many of us have switched
to zero emission vehicles. Additionally, speeding car traffic is more prevalent than ever; in
2020 our roads were noisier, less safe, and less pleasant. There is much work to be done to
improve mobility for all.
While Palo Alto has a commendable existing biking network, many gaps remain. I still can't
get to Happy Donuts on El Camino on a bike without riding on the sidewalk or mixing with
high speed vehicular traffic. Access to shops on Middlefield in Midtown remains difficult on a
bike, and vehicles rarely abide by the 25MPH speed limit in that area. Palo Alto's encouraging
bike boulevard plan appears to be on hold, and many of us are still waiting for previously
cleared road safety improvements to materialize. Further, demand for recreational pedestrian
and bike trails is at unprecedented levels, as evidenced by overflowing lots at the Baylands,
Pearson-Arastradero, and Foothills park.
Palo Alto is where I learned to bike and love biking. I hope you will continue making strides
to ensure that our streets are safe for all road users.
Thanks,
--
Jeffrey Lu
Midtown
140
From:John Guislin
To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed
Cc:editor@paweekly.com
Subject:Goals for 2021
Date:Saturday, January 16, 2021 2:07:33 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Council:
As you ask residents to offer their views on priorities for 2021, you owe us a detailed
explanation of what was accomplished in line last year's priorities. What did you accomplish
with regard to housing, sustainability and mobility? How are we better off in those domains?
While I agree that goal setting is necessary for a community to align and allocate our
resources, I again advocate for more than just broad, lofty goals. Council needs to agree on
specific and measurable objectives and must report back on these efforts. Without this
measurement and accountability, the annual goal setting is reduced to a feel-good exercise that
far too often fails to deliver meaningful results.
Like the US, our city faces difficult challenges. Now is the time to offer clear direction and
deliverables in order to maintain the confidence of residents.
For 2021, you need to be more specific, set targets, establish metrics and be
prepared to hold us all accountable for making progress.
Sincerely,
John Guislin
141
City of Palo Alto (ID # 11964)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Action Items Meeting Date: 1/30/2021
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Council Retreat Review of Procedures and Protocols,
Standing Committees
Title: Discussion and Possible Revision to Council Procedures and Protocols
and 2021 Standing Committee Topics
From: City Manager
Lead Department: City Manager
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council discuss and possibly revise the Council Procedures and
Protocols Handbook and the 2021 Standing Committee Topics.
Background
Policy and Services Committee considered review of the City Council Procedures and Protocols
Handbook (also Attachment A) at their December 8, 2020 meeting (CMR #11814; action
minutes). No changes were suggested at that time; no action was taken by the Committee.
The two Standing Committees are Policy and Services and Finance. Attachments B and C
include the tentative topics and regularly scheduled work that these committees expect for
2021, knowing that there will be referrals and other topics that arise. These calendars were
established in consultation with the newly assigned Chairs for 2021.
Discussion
Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook
The Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook (CPP) describes the way the Palo Alto City
Council does its business and is a directional guide. It is intended to accomplish two goals: F irst,
the CPP is an informational guide for anyone doing business or appearing before the City
Council. Second, the CPP is a compilation of procedures and protocols that have been formally
adopted by Council. Municipal Code 2.04.100 states the following re lated to the handbook:
Municipal Code 2.04.100 - Handbook of procedural rules
The council shall adopt by resolution a handbook of procedural rules governing
any aspect of the conduct of meetings and hearings for the council and its
standing committees, including but not limited to agenda requirements, the
CITY OF
PALO
ALTO
City of Palo Alto Page 2
order of business, rules of order, rules of evidence, closed session procedures
and rules for public participation in meetings. The handbook of procedural rules
shall be deemed guidelines and failure to comply with any procedural rule shall
not be the basis for challenge to or invalidation of any action of the council, nor
shall they be construed to create any independent remedy or right of action of
any kind.
In addition, the CPP includes two provisions for the Policy and Services Committee to annually
review the CPP as stated below from Section 3 – Other Procedural Issues (p. 34):
Section 3.1 – Commit to Annual Review of Important Procedural Issues
At the beginning of each legislative year, the Council will hold a special meeting
to review the Council protocols, adopted procedures for meetings, the Brown
Act, conflict of interest, and other important procedural issues.
And from Section 5 – Enforcement (p. 36):
Section 5 – Enforcement
Council Members have the primary responsibility to assure that these protocols
are understood and followed, so that the public can continue to have full
confidence in the integrity of government. As an expression of the standards of
conduct expected by the City for Council Members, the protocols are intended to
be self-enforcing. They therefore become most effective when members are
thoroughly familiar with them and embrace their provisions. For this reason,
Council Members entering office shall sign a statement affirming th ey have read
and understood the Council protocols. In addition, the protocols shall be
annually reviewed by the Policy and Services Committee and updated as
necessary.
Policy and Services reviewed the CPP and no action was taken. Staff do not currently have any
recommended changes.
Standing Committees
Per the CPP, Section 2 – Council Meeting & Agenda Guidelines, Subsection 2.4, Letter Y (p. 23):
The purpose and intent of committee meetings is to provide for more thorough
and detailed discussion and study of prospective or current Council agenda items
with a full and complete airing of all sentiments and expressions of opinion on
city problems by both the Council and the public, to the end that Council action
will be expedited. Actions of the committee shall be advisory recommendations
only.
Referrals for discussion and action at the committee level are referred to Standing Committees
City of Palo Alto Page 3
by Council action or City Manager (staff) and are made to only one committee at a time (CPP, p.
24). The tentative schedules include regularly scheduled work, such as audit updates and
budget-related reports, as well as any items that have been previously referred, with the date
of the referral. These schedules were made in consultation with the new Chairs, as appointed
by the Mayor for 2021.
Timeline, Resource Impact, Policy Implications
There is no resource impact identified at this time. Depending on the nature and extent of
revisions sought, direction to revise the CPP or add standing committee topics could involve
substantial staff resources.
Stakeholder Engagement
Policy and Services Committee discussed the CPP at their regular meeting of December 8, 2020.
The 2021 Chairs for Finance Committee (Councilmember Alison Cormack) and Policy and
Services Committee (Councilmember Lydia Kou) reviewed the schedules and referrals with
staff.
Environmental Review
This is not considered a project and no environmental review is required.
Attachments:
• Attachment A: 2020 ADOPTED Council Protocols and Procedures Manual_revised
Council retreat Feb 1 2020
• Attachment B: Finance Committee Annual Calendar
• Attachment C: Policy and Services Committee Annual Calendar 2021
CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL PROCEDURES
AND PROTOCOLS HANDBOOK
Procedures and Protocols Approved 02/01/2020
If you have any questions about this handbook, please feel free to contact the City Clerk
by phone at (650) 329-2571 and e-mail at city.clerk@cityofpaloalto.org or the City
Attorney by phone at (650) 329-2171 and e-mail at city.attorney@cityofpaloalto.org.
Attachment A
CITY COUNCIL PROCEDURES __________________________________________ 1
INTRODUCTION & CONTENTS 1
SECTION 1 - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN COUNCIL MEETINGS 2
1.1 - Policy______________________________________________________________________ 2
1.2 – Purpose ____________________________________________________________________ 2
1.3 - Summary of Rules ____________________________________________________________ 2
1.4 - General Requirements _________________________________________________________ 2
A. Accessibility _____________________________________________________________ 2
B. Presiding Officer's Permission Required ________________________________________ 3
C. Recording _______________________________________________________________ 3
D. Specific Requirements and Time Limits ________________________________________ 3
SECTION 2 – COUNCIL MEETING & AGENDA GUIDELINES 5
2.1 - Policy ______________________________________________________________________ 5
2.2 – Purpose ____________________________________________________________________ 5
2.3 - Summary of Guidelines ________________________________________________________ 5
A. Regular Meetings __________________________________________________________ 5
B. Special Meetings __________________________________________________________ 5
2.4 - General Requirements _________________________________________________________ 6
A. Regular Meetings- Attendance Required ________________________________________ 6
B. Telephonic Attendance Of Council Members At Council Meetings ___________________ 6
C. Items Considered After 10:30 p.m. ____________________________________________ 7
D. Late Submittal of Correspondence or Other Information Related to Planning Applications_ 7
E. Agenda Order ____________________________________________________________ 8
F. Study Sessions ____________________________________________________________ 8
G. Closed Sessions ___________________________________________________________ 8
H. Consent Calendar __________________________________________________________ 9
I. Public Comment __________________________________________________________ 9
J. Council Requests to Remove Item _____________________________________________ 9
K. Hearing of Removed Items __________________________________________________ 9
L. Consent Calendar Categories _________________________________________________ 9
M. Colleagues Memos________________________________________________________ 11
N. Council Member Questions, Comments and Announcements ______________________ 12
O. Adjornment _____________________________________________________________ 12
P. Rescheduling Agenda Items ________________________________________________ 12
Q. Adding New Items to Agenda _______________________________________________ 12
R. Study Meetings __________________________________________________________ 12
S. Study Sessions ___________________________________________________________ 13
T. Closed Sessions __________________________________________________________ 14
U. Motions, Debate & Voting _________________________________________________ 14
V. Motions ________________________________________________________________ 15
W. Debate and Voting ________________________________________________________ 19
X. Quasi- Judicial Hearings ___________________________________________________ 21
Y. Standing Committees ______________________________________________________ 23
Z. Ad Hoc Committees and Committee as a Whole 25
2.5 - Election of Mayor ___________________________________________________________ 26
CITY COUNCIL PROTOCOLS __________________________________________ 27
SECTION 1 - CORE RESPONSIBILITIES 28
SECTION 2 - COUNCIL CONDUCT 29
2.1 – Public Meetings ____________________________________________________________ 29
2.2 - Private Encounters ___________________________________________________________ 29
2.3 – Council Conduct with City Staff ________________________________________________ 30
A. Treat All Staff as Professionals____________________________________________ 30
B. Channel Communications through the Appropriate Senior City Staff______________ 30
C. In Order to Facilitate Open Government, All Council Members Should Make
Decisions with the Same Information from Staff on Agendized or Soon- to be-
Agendized Items (Items on the Tentative Agenda or in a Council Committee)_______ 30
D. Never Publicly Criticize an Individual Employee, Including Council- Appointed
Officers. Criticism is Differentiated from Questioning Facts or the Opinion of Staff__ 30
E. Do Not Get Involved in Administrative Functions_____________________________ 31
F. Be Cautious in Representing City Positions on Issues__________________________ 31
G. Do Not Attend Staff Meetings Unless Requested by Staff_______________________ 31
H. Respect the "One Hour" Rule for Staff Work_________________________________ 31
I. Depend upon the Staff to Respond to Citizen Concerns and Complaints____________ 31
J. Do Not Solicit Political Support from Staff__________________________________ 31
2.4 - Conduct with Palo Alto Boards and Commissions__________________________________ 31 A. If Attending a Board or Commission Meeting, Identify Your Comments as Personal
Views or Opinions_____________________________________________________ 32
B. Refrain from Lobbying Board and Commission Members______________________ 32
C. Remember that Boards and Commissions are Advisory to the Council as a Whole,
not as Individual Council Members_________________________________________ 32
D. Concerns about an Individual Board or Commission Member Should be Pursued with
Tact_________________________________________________________________ 32
E. Be Respectful of Diverse Opinions________________________________________ 32
F. Keep Political Support Away from Public Forums____________________________ 33
G. Maintain an Active Liaison Relationship____________________________________ 33
2.5 - Staff Conduct with City Council ________________________________________________ 33
A. Respond to Council Questions as Fully and as Expeditiously as is Practical_________ 33
B. Respect the Role of Council Members as Policy Makers for the City______________ 33
C. Demonstrate Professionalism and Non-Partisanship in all Interactions with the
Community and in Public Meetings ________________________________________ 33
D. It is Important for the Staff to Demonstrate Respect for the Council at all Times. All
Council Members Should be Treated Equally.________________________________ 33
SECTION 3 - OTHER PROCEDURAL ISSUES 34
3.1 – Commit to Annual Review of Important Procedural Issues ___________________________ 34
3.2 – Don’t Politicize Procedural Issues (e.g. Minutes Approval or Agenda ___________________ 34
Order) for Strategic Purposes _______________________________________________________ 34
3.3 – Submit Questions on Council Agenda Items Ahead of the Meeting _____________________ 34
3.4 - Submittal of Materials Directly to Council ________________________________________ 34
3.5 - Late Submittal of Correspondence or Other Information Related to _____________________ 34
Planning Applications ____________________________________________________________ 34
3.6 – Respect the Work of the Council Standing Committees ______________________________ 35
3.7 – The Mayor and Vice Mayor Should Work With Staff to Plan the Council
Meetings_______________________________________________________________________ 35
SECTION 4 - POLICY & SERVICES COMMITTEE – ROLE, PURPOSE, & WORK
PLANNING 36
SECTION 5 - ENFORCEMENT 36
SECTION 6 - CITY COUNCIL E-MAILS FOR AGENDA-RELATED ITEMS 37
6.1 - Policy _____________________________________________________________________ 37
6.2 - Procedure __________________________________________________________________ 37
SECTION 7 - CITY COUNCIL AND BOARDS AND COMMISSSIONS POLICY FOR
TRAVEL AND MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT,
THIS SECTION UNDER REVIEW 39
7.1 - Eligible Activities ___________________________________________________________ 39
7.2 - Out-of-Town Conferences or Meetings ___________________________________________ 39
A. Reimbursement __________________________________________________________ 39
B. Meals __________________________________________________________________ 40
C. Lodging Expense _________________________________________________________ 41
D. Transportation ___________________________________________________________ 41
7.3 - Local or Bay Area Activities ___________________________________________________ 42
7.4 - Other Expenses _____________________________________________________________ 43
7.5 - Activities Not Considered Reimbursable __________________________________________ 43
7.6 - Reports to Council ___________________________________________________________ 43
7.7 - Violation of This Policy _______________________________________________________ 43
7.8 - Mayor and Vice Mayor Additional Compensation __________________________________ 43
7.10 - Support Services ___________________________________________________________ 44
CITY OF PALO ALTO COUNCIL PROTOCOLS ETHICS ADDENDUM 45
A. Comply with Law ________________________________________________________ 45
B. Conduct of Members ______________________________________________________ 45
C. Respect for Process _______________________________________________________ 45
D. Decisions Based on Merit __________________________________________________ 45
E. Conflict of Interest ________________________________________________________ 45
F. Gifts and Favors__________________________________________________________ 45
G. Confidential Information ___________________________________________________ 47
H. Use of Public Resources ___________________________________________________ 47
I. Representation of Private Interests ___________________________________________ 47
J. Advocacy _______________________________________________________________ 47
K. Positive Work Place Environment ____________________________________________ 47
1
CITY COUNCIL PROCEDURES
INTRODUCTION & CONTENTS
This handbook describes the way the Palo Alto City Council does its business and is a
directional guide. It is intended to accomplish two goals. First, the handbook is an
informational guide for anyone doing business or appearing before the City Council.
Second, the handbook is a compilation of Procedures and Protocols that have been
formally adopted by Council Resolution.
The handbook is organized into two sections:
1) Public Participation in Council Meetings
This section explains the basic rules for speaking to the City Council. It
covers things like when to speak, time limits, and how groups of speakers are
handled.
2) Council Meeting & Agenda Guidelines
This section explains the different kinds of meetings the City Council holds,
what they are for, and how the meeting agenda is prepared.
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SECTION 1 - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN COUNCIL MEETINGS
1.1 - Policy
It is the policy of the City Council to assure that members of the public have the opportunity
to speak to any regular or special meeting agenda item before final action. These rules
establish the rights and obligations of persons who wish to speak during City Council
meetings.
1.2 – Purpose
These rules are intended to enhance public participation and Council debate so that the best
possible decisions can be made for Palo Alto. Palo Alto has a long and proud tradition of
open government and civil, intelligent public discourse. Open government meetings must
allow everyone to be heard without fear of cheers or jeers. For these reasons, the City
Council takes these rules seriously. Disruptive or unruly behavior in violation of the law can
result in removal from the Council meeting and/or arrest and prosecution.
1.3 - Summary of Rules
Every regular City Council agenda has two different kinds of opportunities for the public to
speak. The first is during Oral Communications. This part of the meeting is provided so
that the public can speak to anything that is in the City’s jurisdiction, when there is no item
listed on the agenda. The Council allows up to three minutes per speaker but limits the total
time to 30 minutes per meeting. State law does not permit the Council to act on or discuss
an item raised in oral communications, but Council Members may ask brief clarifying
questions and may ask City staff to follow up on any concerns that are raised.
The second opportunity to speak is during the public comment or public hearing portion of
Each Agenda Item. Public comments or testimony must be related to the matter under
consideration. The Council allows up to three minutes per speaker for most matters. During
“quasi-judicial” hearings (where the City Council is legally required to take evidence and
make impartial decisions based upon that evidence), the applicant 1 or appellant may have
up to ten minutes at the outset and three minutes for rebuttal at the end. These hearings are
specially marked on the Council agenda.
A person who wants to speak to the Council should fill out a speaker card and hand it in to
the City Clerk. Speakers are not required to provide a name or address. The Clerk will give
the cards to the Mayor or Vice Mayor so that the speakers can be identified and organized
in an orderly way.
1.4 - General Requirements
A. Accessibility
Palo Alto makes every reasonable effort to accommodate the needs of the
disabled consistent with law. Any provision of these rules may be modified if
needed to provide reasonable accommodation. Persons needing assistance
should contact: ADA Director, City of Palo Alto, 650/329-2496 (voice) or 650/328-
1199 (TDD).
1 For all purposes, applicant also refers to applicant agent.
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B. Presiding Officer's Permission Required
The presiding officer at Council meetings (usually the Mayor or Vice-Mayor) is
authorized and required to “preserve strict order and decorum.” (PAMC section
2.04.080(b).) This is important in order to assure a fair opportunity for everyone to
participate in an open and civil setting.
• Any person desiring to address the Council must first get the permission of
the Presiding Officer by completing a speaker card and handing the card to
the City Clerk.
• The Presiding Officer shall recognize any person who has given a completed
card to the City Clerk, subject to limitations on the time for public participation
described in these Procedures.
• No person, other than a Council Member and the person having the floor,
shall be permitted to enter into any discussion without the permission of the
Presiding Officer.
• No person shall enter the staff area of the Council dais without the permission
of the Presiding Officer or appropriate Council Appointed Officer.
C. Recording
Persons wishing to address the Council shall:
• Use the microphone provided for the public and speak in a recordable tone,
either personally or with assistance, if necessary.
• Speakers are requested to state their name but cannot be compelled to do
so as a condition of addressing the Council.
D. Specific Requirements and Time Limits
1) Oral Communications
Oral communications shall be up to three minutes per speaker and, at the
discretion of the Presiding Officer, will be limited to a total of thirty minutes for
all speakers combined.
• Oral communications may be used only to address items that are
within the Council’s subject matter jurisdiction but not listed on the
agenda.
• Oral communications may not be used to address matters where
the receipt of new information would threaten the due process rights
of any person.
• All remarks shall be addressed to the Council as a body and not to
any individual member.
• Council members shall not enter into debate or discussion with
speakers during oral communications.
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• The Presiding Officer may direct that the City Manager will respond
to the person speaking and/or the Council at a later date.
2) Other Agenda Items
Public comments or testimony on agenda items other than Oral
Communications shall be limited to a maximum of three minutes per speaker
unless additional time is granted by the Presiding Officer. The Presiding
Officer may reduce the allowed time to less than two minutes if necessary to
accommodate a larger number of speakers.
3) Spokesperson for a Group
When a group of people wishes to address the Council on the same subject
matter, they may designate a spokesperson to address the Council.
Spokespersons are subject to the same time limits as other speakers, except
that spokespersons who are representing a group of five or more people who
are present in the Council chambers will be allowed ten minutes and will to
the extent practical be called upon ahead of individual speakers.
4) Quasi-Judicial Hearings
In the case of a quasi-judicial hearing, single applicants and appellants shall
be given ten minutes for their opening presentation and three minutes for
rebuttal before the hearing is closed. In the case of a quasi-judicial hearing
for which there are two or more appellants, the time allowed for presentation
and rebuttal shall be divided among all appellants, and the total time allowed
for all appellants shall be a total of twenty minutes for the opening
presentation and six minutes for rebuttal before the hearing is closed;
however, under no circumstances shall an individual appellant be given less
than five minutes for presentation and three minutes for rebuttal. In the event
a request is made and the need for additional time is clearly established, the
Presiding Officer shall independently, or may upon advice of the City
Attorney, grant sufficient additional time to allow an adequate presentation by
the applicant or appellant.
5) Addressing the Council after a Motion
Following the time for public input and once the matter is returned to the
Council no person shall address the Council without first securing the
permission of the Presiding Officer to do so, subject to approval of the City
Attorney with respect to any hearing required by law.
6) Decorum
The Palo Alto Municipal Code makes it unlawful for any person to:
• Disrupt the conduct of a meeting
• Make threats against any person or against public order and
security while in the Council chamber.
• Use the Council Chambers during meetings for any purpose other
than participation in or observation of City Council Meetings.
Any Council Member may appeal the Presiding Officer’s decision on a
decorum violation to the full Council. Decorum violations are a
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misdemeanor and may lead to a person being removed from the Council
meeting. (PAMC sections 2.04.120, 2.04.150.)
SECTION 2 – COUNCIL MEETING & AGENDA GUIDELINES
2.1 - Policy
It is the policy of the Council to establish and follow a regular format for meeting agendas.
2.2 – Purpose
The purpose of these guidelines is to facilitate the orderly and efficient conduct of Council
business. This purpose recognizes the value of establishing a community understanding of
meeting procedures so that broad public participation is encouraged. This purpose also
recognizes that Council Members must have a common approach to the discussion and
debate of City business so that meetings are both streamlined and thorough.
2.3 - Summary of Guidelines
The City Council generally conducts two different kinds of meetings. These are Regular
Meetings and Special Meetings.
A. Regular Meetings
Regular meetings are conducted at City Hall on the first three Monday nights of each
month, except during the Council’s annual summer and winter recesses. The
meetings are scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.
1) Posting of Agendas
Under the Brown Act, regular meeting agendas must be posted no later than the
Friday immediately preceding the meeting. It is City policy to make every effort
to post the agenda on Thursday, eleven days prior to the meeting.
Agendas are posted in King Plaza by the elevators and are uploaded to the City
Council web page.
2) Supporting Reports and Materials
It is City policy to make every effort to provide supporting reports and materials
at the time the agenda is posted. Typically, this will occur eleven days before the
meeting. Materials that are not available at the time of agenda posting will be
distributed as soon as feasible before the meeting. Materials that are distributed
to a majority of Council will be made available to the public at the same time, as
required by law. Some materials, such as presentation materials or “at places”
memoranda may be distributed to Council Members and the public at the
meeting.
B. Special Meetings
Special meetings are “special” because the Mayor or Council can call them on a
minimum of 24 hours’ notice, or because they are held on a different day of the week,
at a different time, or in a different location. Special meetings need not be held at City
Hall, as long as the alternate location is within the City. The Council makes every
effort to provide notice well in advance of 24 hours, especially when the special
meeting is for the purpose of conducting a Study Session.
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These are guidelines, not rules. The Council intends that City staff and Council
Members will follow these guidelines. However, these guidelines should not be used
in a way that leads to inefficiency, unfairness, or the promotion of form over
substance. State law establishes a variety of mandatory meeting rules the City must
follow in order to assure open and public government, regardless of unusual
situations and consequences. (See Cal. Govt Code section 54950.)
2.4 - General Requirements
A. Regular Meetings – Attendance Required
Council Members, the City Clerk, City Attorney, and City Manager, along with any
other city officers and department heads that have been requested to be present,
shall take their regular stations in the Council chamber at 6:00 p.m. on the first,
second and third Mondays of each month, except during the established Council
vacation. (PAMC section 2.04.010.) The Presiding Officer will ensure that during each
regular meeting there will be one 10 minute break. The Council expects its members
to attend regularly and notify the City Clerk of any planned absences. The Council
may levy fines of up to $250.00 against Council members who willfully or negligently
fail to attend meetings. (PAMC section 2.04.050.)
B. Telephonic Attendance of Council Members at Council Meetings
The City Council Procedures provisions concerning Telephonic Attendance shall
apply to City Council members. Requests by Council Members to attend a Council
meeting via telephonic appearance are actively discouraged. Telephonic
attendance shall be permitted not more than 3 times a year. In addition, at least a
quorum of the Council must participate from a location within the City (Government
Code Section 54953(b)(3)).
If these two threshold requirements are met, the Council Member who will be
appearing telephonically must ensure that:
• The meeting agenda identifies the teleconference location and is
posted at that location in an area that is accessible and visible 24 hours
a day for at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.
• The teleconference location is open and fully accessible to the public,
and fully accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act,
throughout the entire meeting. These requirements apply to private
residences, hotel rooms, and similar facilities, all of which must remain
fully open and accessible throughout the meeting, without requiring
identification or registration.
• The teleconference technology used is open and fully accessible to all
members of the public, including those with disabilities.
• Members of the public who attend the meeting at the teleconference
location have the same opportunity to address the Council from the
remote location that they would if they were present in Council
Chambers.
• The teleconference location must not require an admission fee or any
payment for attendance.
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• If the meeting will include a closed session, the Council Member must
also ensure that there is a private location available for that portion of
the meeting.
If the Council Member determines that any or all of these requirements cannot be
met, he or she shall not participate in the meeting via teleconference.
Approved Teleconference Guidelines for Council Members:
• Five days written notice in advance of the publication of the agenda
must be given by the Council Member to the City Clerk’s office; the
notice must include the address at which the teleconferenced meeting
will occur, the address the Council packet should be mailed to, who is
to initiate the phone call to establish the teleconference connection, and
the phone number of the teleconference location. If cellular telephones
are used to participate in teleconferenced meetings, Council members
need to ensure the speaker phone option is functioning.
• The Council Member is responsible for posting the Council agenda in
the remote location, or having the agenda posted by somebody at the
location and confirming that posting has occurred. The City Clerk will
assist, if necessary, by emailing, faxing or mailing the agenda to
whatever address or fax number the Council Member requests;
however, it is the Council Member’s responsibility to ensure that the
agenda arrives and is posted. If the Council Member will need the
assistance of the City Clerk in delivery of the agenda, the fax number
or address must be included in the five-day advance written notice
above.
• The Council Member must ensure that the location will be publicly
accessible while the meeting is in progress.
• The Council Member must state at the beginning of the Council meeting
that the posting requirement was met at the location and that the
location is publicly accessible and must describe the location.
C. Items Considered After 10:30 p.m.
The City Council makes every effort to end its meetings before 11:00 p.m. The
Council also generally does not take up new matters after 10:30 p.m. Before 10:00
p.m. the Council will decide and announce whether it will begin consideration of any
agenda items after 10:30 and, if so, which specific items will be taken up.
D. Late Submittal of Correspondence or Other Information Related to Planning
Applications
In order to allow for adequate staff review and analysis, and to ensure public access
to information, all plans, correspondence, and other documents supporting planning
applications being heard by the City Council must be submitted to staff not later than
noon five working days prior to the release of the Council Agenda Packet. If any
correspondence or other information is submitted after this deadline to Council
Members or staff, and Staff determines additional review is needed Staff will
reschedule the item for a future Council meeting. If a Council member receives
planning application materials from a project applicant he or she shall notify the City
8
Clerk and the City Manager as soon as possible. There are no restrictions on the
rights of applicants or others to comment or respond to information contained within
the Staff Report. At the meeting the City Council may determine whether to continue
or refer the item to the appropriate Board and/or Commission if significant changes
to a project or significant new information become known. Nothing in this statement
is intended to restrict the rights of applicants or other interested parties to respond to
information contained in or attached to a Staff Report.
E. Agenda Order
City Council agendas will be prepared by the City Clerk and presented to the City
Council in the order described below. It is the Council’s policy to hear the major items
of business first at each meeting, to the extent possible. The City Manager, with prior
approval of the Mayor, is authorized to designate upon the agenda of the Council,
and the City Clerk shall publish in the agenda digest, items that shall be taken up first
or at a specific time during the course of the meeting. (PAMC section 2.04.070.) The
City Council may take matters up out of order upon approval by a majority vote of
those present:
1) Roll Call
2) Study Session and/or Closed Session
3) Special orders of the day
4) Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions
5) Oral communications
6) Approval of minutes
7) Consent calendar
Items may be placed upon the consent calendar by any council-appointed
officer whenever, in such officer's judgment, such items are expected to be
routinely approved without discussion or debate. The consent calendar shall
be voted upon as one item.
8) City Manager Comments
9) Action Items
10) Inter-Governmental Legislative Affairs
11) Council Member Questions, Comments and Announcements
12) Adjournment
F. Study Sessions
Study Sessions are meetings during which the Council receives information about
City business in an informal setting. The informal study session setting is intended to
encourage in-depth discussion and detailed questioning and brainstorming by
Council on issues of significant interest, including City policy matters, zoning
applications, and major public works projects. The Council may discuss the material
freely without following formal rules of parliamentary procedure. Staff may be directed
to bring matters back for future Council consideration as no action can be taken at a
study session. The Decorum rules still apply to the behavior of the Council and public.
G. Closed Sessions
Closed Sessions can be part of regular or special meetings. Closed sessions are
the only part of a Council meeting that the public cannot attend. State law allows
closed sessions to discuss pending litigation, employment issues, real estate
negotiations and certain other matters. Members of the public are permitted to make
public comments on closed session matters prior to the start of the closed session.
9
The Council must make a public report after the session when certain kinds of actions
are taken.
H. Consent Calendar
No discussion or debate shall be permitted upon items upon the consent calendar;
however, any Council Member may request that his or her vote be recorded as a "no"
or "not participating" due to a specified conflict of interest on any individual item.
Council Members may also explain their "no" votes at the end of the Consent
Calendar, with a 3 minute time limit for non-appeal items and 5 minutes for appeal
items for each Council Member. Council Members may also submit statements in
writing to the City Clerk before action is taken. The City Clerk shall preserve and
make available such written statements in a manner consistent with the Brown Act
and shall assure that the minutes of the meeting make reference to the existence and
location of such written statements.
I. Public Comment
Members of the public wishing to speak to items on the Consent Calendar shall be
permitted to speak prior to Council Member requests to remove an item or the vote
to adopt the Consent Calendar.
J. Council Requests to Remove Item
Three Council Members may request that an item be removed from the consent
calendar following public comment on the consent agenda. The City Manager’s
office should be advised whenever possible, in writing, of a request for removal no
later than noon the Sunday before the meeting.
K. Hearing of Removed Items
Removed items will be heard either later in the meeting or agendized for a
subsequent meeting, depending upon the number of speakers, the anticipated
length of the items that have been officially scheduled for discussion on a particular
evening, the availability of staff required to support the discussion, and legally-
required noticing procedures. The Mayor, in consultation with the City Manager,
will decide when any removed items will be heard.
L. Consent Calendar Categories
The consent calendar portion is the section where administrative and non-
controversial items shall be presented. The Mayor and City Manager should be
sensitive to high dollar value items and consider placing those items in the action
agenda section. The consent section may include:
1) Ordinances and Resolutions
The following ordinances and resolutions may appear on a consent
calendar:
• Second Reading (passage and adoption) of Ordinances.
• Resolutions that are ceremonial in nature.
• Ordinances or resolutions that implement a prior Council policy
direction in the manner contemplated by the Council's previous
actions, in the Adopted Budget (including the Capital Improvement
Program and especially in the department key plans); the Council
Priorities, and other similar sources.
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• Budget amendments that accept funding such as grants or gifts,
provided Council has previously approved the activity or program.
• Resolutions approving funding applications, such as grants or loans,
provided that the program or activity has been previously approved
by Council.
2) Administrative Matters Including Contracts, Appointments, Approval of
Applications, and Any Other Matter
An administrative matter may be placed on the consent calendar if it is:
• An action that is merely the administrative execution of previous
Council direction. The Council direction and vote will be quoted in
the staff report accompanying the item.
• Contracts for which the subject or scope of work has been
previously reviewed by the City Council.
• A contract for goods, general services, professional services, public
works projects, dark fiber licensing contracts or wholesale
commodities, purchases, as outlined in the Purchasing Ordinance,
provided such contracts represent the customary and usual
business of the department as included in the Adopted Budget.
Examples include: routine maintenance contracts, annual audit
agreement; software and hardware support agreements, janitorial
services, copier agreements or postage machine agreements.
• Rejection of bids.
• Designation of heritage trees.
• Designation of historic building at the request of the property owner
if there are no unusual policy ramifications.
• Approval of funding applications, such as grants or loans, provided
that Council has previously approved the general program or
activity.
• Formal initiation, for consideration at a later date, of a zoning code
amendment or review process, such as preliminary review.
• Status report required by law for fee administration.
• Cancellation of meetings or scheduling of special meeting.
• Other similar matters as determined by the City Manager, in
consultation with the Mayor.
3) Request to Refer Items to Any Council Standing Committee, Committee,
Board, Commission or Council Appointed Officer
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The consent calendar includes matters for which staff is merely seeking
Council approval of a referral to a Council standing committee or other City
official, advisory board or commission. This does not preclude staff from
making referrals to the standing committees. Staff uses such referrals in
order to expedite the business of the full Council, since its agenda is so full.
Discussion of a complex issue by another body, provides an opportunity
for public input and extended discussion by the members of the body. The
full Council is then able to benefit from the minutes of that discussion when
the item comes back to the Council for final approval. This practice also
allows the City/School Liaison Committee to consider items of interest to
both agencies without having to go through the formality of a Council
agenda referral.
4) Items Unanimously Recommended for Approval by a Council Committee
Unless Otherwise Recommended by the Committee, Mayor, City Attorney
or City Manager
5) Items Recommended for Approval by any Council-Appointed Boards and
Commissions, Provided that Other Public Hearing Requirements are Not
in Effect or As Otherwise Recommended by the Board or Commission,
Mayor, City Manager or City Attorney
M. Colleagues Memos
Any two Council Members may bring forward a colleague memo on any topic to
be considered by the entire Council. Two Council Members are required to place
such a memo on the agenda, reflective of the Council procedure requiring a motion
and a second for consideration of a motion by the Council. Up to three Council
Members may sign a colleague memo. Prior to preparing a colleague memo,
Council Members will consult with the City Manager to determine whether the City
Manager is or is not able to address the issues as part of his/her operational
authority and within current budgeted resources. Colleagues Memos should have
a section that identifies any potential staffing or fiscal impacts of the contemplated
action. This section will be drafted by the City Manager. Council Members shall
provide a copy of the proposed memo to the City Manager and City Attorney prior
to finalization. Completed Council Colleagues Memos shall be provided to the City
Clerk’s staff by noon on the Tuesday 11 days prior to the Council meeting that the
memo is intended to be agendized, to provide time for the City Clerk to process for
the Council packet.
The City Council will not take action on the night that a Colleagues Memo is
introduced if it has any implications for staff resources or current work priorities
which are not addressed in the memo. The Council will discuss the Colleagues
Memo and refer it to a committee or direct the City Manager to agendize the matter
for Council action, allowing City staff time to prepare a summary of staffing and
resource impacts. Action may be taken immediately by the Council on Colleagues
Memos where there are no resource or staffing implications or where these are
fully outlined in the Colleagues Memo. The Brown Act requires that the public be
fully informed of the potential action by the Council when the Agenda is published,
and in no event less than 72 hours before a scheduled regular Council meeting.
In order to satisfy the Brown Act requirements, the Council should consult with the
City Attorney to ensure that the proposed title to the Colleagues Memo contains
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all actions that the Council Members want completed on the night of the Council
review.
N. Council Member Questions, Comments and Announcements
The purpose of this agenda item is to allow Council to question staff briefly on
matters upon which Council has taken action or given direction, make general
comments as a reference to staff on factual matters of community concern, or
make brief announcements in a manner consistent with Government Code section
54952.2. New assignments will not be given nor will major policy issues be
discussed or considered. To the extent possible, Council will confer with staff
before raising matters under this agenda item. This agenda item will generally be
limited to 15 minutes in length and the public may not speak to matters discussed;
O. Adjournment
P. Rescheduling Agenda Items
When the Council is unable to complete its agenda the remaining business will
generally be rescheduled as follows. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to
supersede or conflict with state law.
1) Items Rescheduled to a Date Uncertain
When Council reschedules an item to a date uncertain, the City Manager,
Clerk and Mayor shall confer on an appropriate date to reschedule the item.
2) Items Rescheduled to a Date Certain
Council may reschedule an item to a specific future Council meeting.
Q. Adding New Items to the Agenda
No matters other than those on the agenda shall be finally acted upon by the Council.
However, emergency actions (as defined in Government Code section 54956.5) and
matters upon which there is a lawful need to take immediate action (as defined in
Government Code section 54954.2) may, with the consent of two-thirds, or all
members present if less than two-thirds are present, be considered and acted upon
by the Council.
R. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the Mayor or City Council by providing a minimum
of 24-hours posted notice in the manner required by state law. To the greatest extent
possible, special meetings called for other than regular meeting days should be
scheduled by a majority of the Council present and voting at a regular meeting.
(PAMC section 2.04.020.) Unlike regular meetings, there are no circumstances that
permit the City Council to add new items to a special meeting agenda or notice.
S. Study Sessions
Study sessions are meetings or agenda items during which the Council receives
information about City business in an informal setting.
1) Time
Special study sessions will be held as needed.
2) No Formal Rules
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Study sessions are intended to be conducive to in-depth factual presentations
by City staff and detailed questioning and brainstorming by Council. The
Council may discuss the material freely without following formal rules of
parliamentary procedure, and the Mayor shall have discretion to determine
the appropriate process for conducting the study session, including when
public comment and oral communications will be heard.
3) Public Participation
The general rules of decorum apply.
4) No Final Action
Staff may be directed to bring matters back for Council consideration at future
meetings, as no action can be taken.
T. Closed Sessions
Closed sessions are the only kind of agenda item that the public cannot observe.
State law allows closed sessions to discuss pending litigation, employment issues,
real estate negotiations and certain other matters. To the greatest extent possible,
the City Attorney and City Clerk shall use standardized agenda descriptions that are
consistent with Government Code section 54954.5. Closed sessions will be
scheduled at the beginning or end of Council meetings to the extent possible and
appropriate. Closed sessions may be scheduled in the middle of a regular or special
Council meeting, but this is discouraged by Council; The City Council will take a vote
to go into Closed Session prior to a Closed Session beginning.
1) Announcements Before Closed Sessions
The Mayor/City Clerk shall announce the item or items to be considered in
closed session by reference to the appropriate agenda number or letter, or in
an alternate form that shall be provided by the City Attorney.
2) Public Comments
Members of the public are permitted to make public comments on closed
session matters. The City Clerk shall be present in the open session to record
Council attendance and any statements made during oral communications or
by the Council.
3) Vote to Go Into Closed Session
The Council shall vote to go into closed session.
4) Attendance
The City Manager and City Attorney, or their designees, shall attend closed
sessions unless it is necessary to excuse them. Only such additional staff
shall attend as are necessary and then only if the legal privileges of
confidentiality obtained in an executive session are not waived.
5) Public Reports
State Law and a Palo Alto initiative require the Council to make a public report
after a closed session when certain kinds of actions are taken. (PAMC section
2.04.030.) Reports from closed sessions shall be made by the Mayor, the
Vice Mayor in the Mayor's absence, or such other City representative as
designated by the Council. Such designated person is the only individual
authorized to make public statements concerning the closed session.
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It is the policy of the City Council to inform the public of action taken in closed
session to the greatest extent possible. It is recognized, however, that the
need for confidentiality is inherent in closed sessions and that certain matters
if revealed may be a detriment to the results desired. The Council shall
publicly report: (a) any decision to appoint, employ, or dismiss a public
employee and the roll call vote thereon at its next public meeting, (b) actions
related to litigation and the roll call vote on such actions, unless the report
would, in the written opinion of the City Attorney for specifically stated
reasons, clearly jeopardize the city’s ability to effectuate service of process
on one or more unserved parties or impair the city’s ability to resolve the
matter through negotiation, mediation or other form of settlement.
Notwithstanding the City Attorney's written opinion, the Council may under
any circumstance, by majority vote, determine that it is in the City's best
interests to disclose actions taken in closed session related to litigation. The
public report shall be given as soon as possible, but no later than the next
regular meeting, and shall include the vote or abstention of every member
present. The City Attorney’s written opinion shall be made public, along with
any action taken and any vote thereon, as soon as any litigation is concluded.
The City Attorney shall record any action and vote upon such forms as the
City Attorney may deem desirable.
6) No Minutes
No minutes of closed sessions shall be kept. The City Attorney shall record
the information necessary to comply with state law and the Palo Alto initiative.
7) Confidentiality
No person in attendance at a closed session may disclose the substance or
effect of any matter discussed during the session. (PAMC section 2.04.040.)
U. Motions, Debate & Voting
1) Policy
It is the policy of the Council to follow simplified rules of parliamentary
procedure for motions, debate and voting. These rules focus on the types of
motions the Council can debate and when those motions are properly used.
2) Purpose
The purpose of these rules to facilitate orderly and thorough discussion and
debate of Council business. These rules shall not be applied or used to
create strategic advantage or unjust results.
3) Summary of Rules
Palo Alto does not follow Roberts Rules of Order. See the Summary Table
below.
V. Motions
A motion is a formal proposal by a Council Member asking that the Council take a
specified action. A motion must receive a second before the Council can consider a
matter. Matters returning to the Council with unanimous approval from a standing
committee will be introduced without a motion if directed by the committee. Motions
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may be provided to the City Clerk in advance of the City Council meeting so that the
Clerk can efficiently post the motion on the screen for the convenience of the
community and Council Members.
1) Types of Motions
There are two kinds of motions. These are the “main” motion and any
secondary motions. Only one main motion can be considered at a time.
2) Procedure:
• Get the Floor
A Council Member must receive the permission of the Mayor (or other
presiding officer) before making a motion.
• State the Motion
A motion is made by a Council Member (the “maker”) stating his or
her proposal. Longer proposals can be written and may be in the form
of a resolution.
• Second Required
Any other Council Member (including the presiding officer) who
supports the proposal (or who simply wishes it to be considered) may
“second” the motion without first being recognized. A motion to raise
a question of personal privilege does not require a second.
• Motion Restated
The Mayor should restate the motion for the record, particularly if it is
long or complex.
• Lack of a Second
If there is no second stated immediately, the Mayor should ask
whether there is a second. If no Council Member seconds the motion
the matter will not be considered.
• Discussion
The maker shall be the first Council Member recognized to speak on
the motion if it receives a second. Generally Council Members will
speak only once with respect to a motion. If the Mayor or Council
permits any Council Member to speak more than once on a motion,
all Council Members shall receive the same privilege.
• Secondary Motions
Secondary motions may be made by a Council Member upon getting
the floor.
• Action
After discussion is complete the Council will vote on the motion under
consideration.
3) Precedence of Motions
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When a motion is before the Council, no new main motion shall be
entertained. The Council recognizes the following secondary motions which
may be considered while a main motion is pending. These motions shall have
precedence in the order listed below. This means that a secondary motion
that is higher on the list will be considered ahead of a pending secondary
motion that is lower on the list:
• Fix the time to which to adjourn;
• Adjourn;
• Take a recess;
• Raise a question of privilege;
• Lay on the table;
• Previous question (close debate);
• Limit or extend limits of debate;
• Motion to continue to a certain time;
• Refer to committee;
• Amend or substitute;
4) Secondary Motions Defined
The purpose of the allowed secondary motions is summarized in the
following text and table.
• Fix the time to which to adjourn
This motion sets a time for continuation of the meeting. It requires a
second, is amendable and is debatable only as to the time to which
the meeting is adjourned.
• Adjourn
This motion ends the meeting or adjourns it to another time. It
requires a second and is not debatable except to set the time to which
the meeting is adjourned, if applicable. A motion to adjourn shall be
in order at any time, except as follows: (a) when repeated without
intervening business or discussion; (b) when made as an interruption
of a member while speaking; (c) when the previous question has been
ordered; and (d) while a vote is being taken.
• Take a recess
This motion interrupts the meeting temporarily. It is amendable but is
not debatable.
• Raise a question of personal privilege
This motion allows a Council Member to address the Council on a
question of personal privilege and shall be limited to cases in which
the Council Member's integrity, character or motives are questioned
or when the welfare of the Council is concerned. The maker of the
motion may interrupt another speaker if the presiding officer
recognizes the "privilege." The motion does not require a second, is
not amendable and is not debatable.
• Lay on the table
This motion is used to interrupt business for more urgent business. A
motion to lay on the table requires a second, is not amendable and is
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not debatable. It shall preclude all amendments or debate of the
subject under consideration. If the motion prevails, and the subject is
tabled, the matter must be reagendized in the future if further
consideration is to be given to the matter.
• Previous question
This motion “calls the question” by closing debate on the pending
motion. A motion for previous question requires a second, is not
debatable and is not amendable. It applies to all previous motions on
the subject unless otherwise specified by the maker of the motion. If
motion for previous question fails, debate is reopened; if motion for
previous question passes, then vote on the pending motion. A motion
for previous question requires a two-thirds vote of those Council
Members present and voting.
• Limit or extend debate
This motion limits or extends the time for the Council or any Council
Member to debate a motion. It requires a second, is amendable and
is not debatable. The motion requires a two-thirds vote of those
Council Members present and voting.
• Continue to a certain time
This motion continues a matter to another, specified time. It requires
a second, is amendable and is debatable as to propriety of
postponement and time set.
• Refer to a city agency, body, committee, board, commission or officer
This motion sends a subject to another city agency, body, committee,
board, commission or officer for further study and report back to
Council, at which time subject is fully debated. It requires a second,
is amendable, and is debatable only as to the propriety of referring.
The substance of the subject being referred shall not be discussed at
the time the motion to refer is made.
• Amend or substitute
This motion changes or reverses the main motion. It requires a
second, is amendable, and is debatable only when the motion to
which it applies is debatable. A motion to amend an amendment is in
order, but one to amend an amendment to an amendment is not. An
amendment modifying a motion is in order but an amendment raising
an independent question or one that is not germane to the main
motion shall not be in order. Amendments take precedence over the
main motion and the motion to postpone indefinitely.
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Motion Description 2nd
Required Debatable Amendable 2/3 Vote
Fix the time to which to
adjourn Sets a next date and time for continuation of the meeting X Only as to time to which
the meeting is adjourned X
Adjourn
Sets time to adjourn. Not in order if (a) repeated without
intervening business (b) made as an interruption of a
member while speaking; (c) the previous question has
been ordered; and (d) while a vote is being taken
X
Only to set the time to
which the meeting is
adjourned
Take a recess Purpose is to interrupt the meeting X X
Raise a question of privilege
Lay on the table Interrupts business for more urgent business X
Previous question (close
debate or “call the question”) Closes debate on pending motion X X
Limit or extend limits of
debate Purpose is to limit or extend debate X X X
Motion to continue to a
certain time Continues the matter to another, specified time X X X
Refer to committee
Sends subject to another city agency, body, committee,
board, commission or officer for further study and report
back to council, at which time subject is fully debated
X
Only as to propriety of
referring, not substance
of referral
X
Amend or substitute
Modifies (or reverses course of) proposed action. Cannot
raise independent question. Can amend an amendment,
but no further
X Only if underlying motion
is debatable X
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W. Debate and Voting
1) Presiding officer to state motion
The presiding officer shall assure that all motions are clearly stated before allowing
debate to begin. The presiding officer may restate the motion or may direct the City
Clerk to restate the motion before allowing debate to begin. The presiding officer shall
restate the motion or direct the City Clerk to restate the motion prior to voting.
2) Presiding officer may debate and vote
The presiding officer may move, second and debate from the chair, subject only to such
limitations of debate as are by these rules imposed on all Council Members. The
presiding officer shall not be deprived of any of the rights and privileges of a Council
Member.
3) Division of question
If the question contains two or more divisible propositions, each of which is capable of
standing as a complete proposition if the others are removed, the presiding officer may,
and upon request of a member shall, divide the same. The presiding officer's
determination shall be appealable by any Council Member.
4) Withdrawal of motion
A motion may not be withdrawn by the maker without the consent of the Council
Member seconding it.
5) Change of vote
Council Members may change their votes before the next item on the agenda is called.
6) Voting
On the passage of every motion, the vote shall be taken by voice or roll call or electronic
voting device and entered in full upon the record.
7) Silence constitutes affirmative vote
Council Members who are silent during a voice vote shall have their vote recorded as
an affirmative vote, except when individual Council Members have stated in advance
that they will not be voting.
8) Failure to vote
It is the responsibility of every Council Member to vote unless disqualified for cause
accepted by the Council or by opinion of the City Attorney. No Council Member can be
compelled to vote.
9) Abstaining from vote
Council Members should only abstain if they are not sufficiently informed about an item,
e.g. when there was a prior hearing and they were unable to view the prior meeting
before the current meeting. In the event of an abstention the abstainer in effect,
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"consents" that a majority of the quorum of the Council Members present may act for
him or her.
10) Not participating
A Council Member who disqualifies him or herself pursuant to the Political Reform Act
of 1974 because of any financial interest shall disclose the nature of the conflict and
may not participate in the discussion or the vote. A Council Member may otherwise
disqualify him or herself due to personal bias or the appearance of impropriety.
11) Tie votes
Tie votes may be reconsidered during the time permitted by these rules on motion by
any member of the Council voting aye or nay during the original vote. Before a motion
is made on the next item on the agenda, any member of the Council may make a
motion to continue the matter to another date. Any continuance hereunder shall
suspend the running of any time in which action of the City Council is required by law.
Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent any Council Member from agendizing a
matter that resulted in a tie vote for a subsequent meeting.
12) Motion to reconsider
A motion to reconsider any action taken by the Council may be made only during the
meeting or adjourned meeting thereof when the action was taken. A motion to
reconsider requires a second, is debatable and is not amendable. The motion must be
made by one of the prevailing side but may be seconded by any Council Member. A
motion to reconsider may be made at any time and shall have precedence over all
other motions, or while a Council Member has the floor, providing that no vested rights
are impaired. The purpose of reconsideration is to bring back the matter for review. If
a motion to reconsider fails, it may not itself be reconsidered. Reconsideration may not
be moved more than once on the same motion. Nothing herein shall be construed to
prevent any Council Member from making a motion to rescind such action at a
subsequent meeting of the Council.
13) Appeal from the decision of presiding officer
When the rules are silent, the presiding officer shall decide all questions of order,
subject to appeal by a Council Member. When in doubt, the presiding officer may
submit the question to the Council, in which case a majority vote shall prevail. Any
decision or ruling of the presiding officer may be appealed by request of any member.
The presiding officer shall call for a roll call or electronic voting device vote to determine
if the presiding officer's ruling shall be upheld. If said vote passes or results in a tie
vote, the presiding officer's ruling shall stand. If said vote fails, the decision or ruling of
the presiding officer is reversed.
14) Getting the floor; improper references to be avoided
Every Council Member desiring to speak shall address the chair and, upon recognition
by the presiding officer, every Council Member shall be confined to the question under
debate, avoiding all indecorous language and personal attacks.
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15) Interruptions
Except for being called to order, a Council Member once recognized, shall not be
interrupted when speaking, except as otherwise provided for in these rules. A Council
Member called to order while speaking shall cease speaking until the question or order
is determined, and, if in order, said Council Member shall be permitted to proceed.
X. Quasi-Judicial Hearings
Policy
It is the policy of the Council to assure that the due process rights of all persons are protected
during City hearings. A “quasi-judicial” hearing is a hearing that requires a higher level of
procedural due process because of the potential impact on life, liberty or property. Usually,
quasi-judicial hearings involve a single parcel of land and apply facts and evidence in the
context of existing law. Findings must be stated to explain the evidentiary basis for the
Council’s decision.
Purpose
These rules are intended to assure that City Council decision making on quasi-judicial
matters is based upon facts and evidence known to all parties and to support the role of
Boards and Commissions in making independent recommendations to Council.
General Requirements
For purposes of this Section IV, a Quasi-Judicial Project subject to these rules is a formulated
plan to go forward with a particular project or development.
1) Quasi-Judicial Proceedings Defined
Quasi-judicial proceedings subject to these procedural rules include hearings involving
the following matters:
• Conditional Use Permits
• Variances
• Home Improvement Exceptions
• Design Enhancement Exceptions
• Subdivisions, other than final map approvals
• Architectural Review
• Assessment protest hearings
• Other matters as determined by the City Attorney
• Appeals related to any of the above
• Environmental Review relating to any of the above
2) Restrictions on Council Communications Outside of Quasi-Judicial Hearings
It is the policy of the Council to discourage the gathering and submission of information
by Council Members outside of any noticed public meeting, prior to final
recommendations by the Architectural Review Board or Planning & Transportation
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Commission. The following procedural guidelines are intended to implement this policy
but shall not be construed to create any remedy or right of action.
3) Identification of Quasi-Judicial Matters
The City Attorney, in conjunction with the City Clerk and City Manager, will identify
agenda items involving quasi-judicial decisions on both the tentative and regular
Council agendas. This identification is intended to inform the Council, interested
parties, and the public that this policy will apply to the item.
4) Council to Track Contacts
Council Members will use their best efforts to track contacts pertaining to such identified
quasi-judicial/planned community decision items. Contacts include conversations,
meetings, site visits, mailings, or presentations during which substantial factual
information about the item is gathered by or submitted to the Council Member.
5) Disclosure
When the item is presented to the Council for hearing, Council Members will disclose
any contacts which have significantly influenced their preliminary views or opinions
about the item. The disclosure may be oral or written and should explain the substance
of the contact so that other Council Members, interested parties, and the public will
have an opportunity to become apprised of the factors influencing the Council's
decision and to attempt to controvert or rebut any such factor during the hearing.
Disclosure alone will not be deemed sufficient basis for a request to continue the item.
A contact or the disclosure of a contact shall not be deemed grounds for disqualification
of a Council Member from participation in a quasi-judicial/planned community decision
unless the Council Member determines that the nature of the contact is such that it is
not possible for the Council Member to reach an impartial decision on the item.
6) No Contacts after Hearings
Following closure of the hearing, and prior to a final decision, Council Members will
refrain from any contacts pertaining to the item, other than clarifying questions directed
to City staff.
7) Written Findings Required
On any matter for which state law or City ordinance requires the preparation of written
findings, the staff report and other materials submitted on the matter will contain
findings proposed for adoption by the Council. Any motion directly or impliedly rejecting
the proposed findings must include a statement of alternative or modified findings or a
direction that the matter under consideration be continued for a reasonable period of
time in order for staff to prepare a new set of proposed findings consistent with the
evidence which has been presented and the decision which is anticipated.
8) Rules of Evidence
Council hearings need not be conducted according to formal rules of evidence. Any
relevant evidence may be considered if it is the sort of evidence upon which responsible
persons rely in the conduct of serious affairs. The presiding officer may exclude
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irrelevant or redundant testimony and may make such other rulings as may be
necessary for the orderly conduct of the proceedings while ensuring basic fairness and
full consideration of the issues involved. Evidentiary objections shall be deemed
waived unless made in a timely fashion before the Council.
9) Burden of Proof
The applicant and appellant shall bear the burden of proof on all aspects of the action
or relief they seek. The person with the burden of proof must offer evidence to the
Council to support his or her position.
10) Council Members Who are Absent During Part of a Hearing
A Council Member who is absent from any portion of a hearing conducted by the
Council may vote on the matter provided that he or she has watched or listened to a
video or radio broadcast, or video or audio recording, of the entire portion of the hearing
from which he or she was absent and if she or he has examined all of the exhibits
presented during the portion of the hearing from which he or she was absent and states
for the record before voting that the Council Member deems himself or herself to be as
familiar with the record and with the evidence presented at the hearing as he or she
would have been had he or she personally attended the entire hearing.
11) Appeals
Appeals to the Council shall be conducted de novo, meaning that new evidence and
arguments may be presented and considered. All matters in the record before any
other City board, commission or official shall be part of the record before the Council.
Y. Standing Committees
Policy
It is the policy of the Council to use standing committees in open and public meetings to study
City business in greater depth than what is possible in the time allotted for Council meetings.
Purpose
These rules are intended to enhance public participation and committee meetings so that the
best possible decisions can be made for Palo Alto.
General Requirements
Council standing committees shall be subject to the following procedural rules:
1) Quorum
A majority of the committee membership shall constitute a quorum.
2) Referrals
Only the Council or City Manager shall make referrals to the standing committees.
Referrals will generally be directed to only one of the standing committees. Items may
be withdrawn from the committee and taken up for consideration by the Council at any
Council meeting with the consent of a majority of the Council, and subject to any
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applicable noticing or agenda posting requirements. Council members who submit
matters to the Council which are referred to a standing committee may appear before
the standing committee to which the referral has been made in order to speak as
proponents of the matter. Standing committee meetings during which such referrals
may be considered shall be noticed as Council meetings for the purpose of enabling
the standing committee to discuss and consider the matter with a quorum of the Council
present.
3) Function of committees
The purpose and intent of committee meetings is to provide for more thorough and
detailed discussion and study of prospective or current Council agenda items with a full
and complete airing of all sentiments and expressions of opinion on city problems by
both the Council and the public, to the end that Council action will be expedited.
Actions of the committee shall be advisory recommendations only.
4) Minutes
The City Clerk shall be responsible for the preparation and distribution to the Council
of the minutes of standing committee meetings. The minutes for these meetings shall
be action minutes which reflect the motions made during these meetings. The minutes
shall be delivered to all Council Members before the Council meeting at which the
committee's recommendations are to be discussed.
5) Report of committee
The minutes of each committee meeting shall serve as the report to the Council. Any
member may write a separate report.
6) Agenda
The chairperson of each standing committee shall work with staff to prepare the agenda
for committee meetings, the sequence of study being, within reasonable limits of
practicality, the same as the sequence of referral.
7) Public Participation
Public comment on agenda items will be limited to a maximum of five minutes per
speaker, or any alternate time limit specified by the presiding officer.
8) Conduct of standing committee meetings
The chairperson of each committee may conduct meetings with as much informality as
is consistent with Council procedural rules, which shall also be in effect during
committee meetings. The views of interested private citizens may be heard in
committee meetings, but in no case shall a committee meeting be used as a substitute
for public hearings required by law.
9) Oral Communications
Opportunities for oral communications shall be provided in the same manner as
Council meetings.
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Z. Ad Hoc Committees and Committee as a Whole
Policy
The Council may use Ad Hoc Committees or the Committee as a Whole on a limited basis
where necessary to study City business in greater depth than what is possible in the time
allotted for Council and Standing Committee meetings.
Purpose
These rules are intended to clarify the distinctions between Standing, Ad Hoc Committees,
and the Committee as a Whole and to set up guidelines for creation of Ad Hoc Committees
and the Committee as a Whole.
General Requirements
Council Ad Hoc Committees and the Committee as a Whole shall be subject to the following
procedural rules:
1) Definition of Ad Hoc Committee
An Ad Hoc Committee is an advisory committee composed solely of less than a quorum
of members of the Council. The work of an Ad Hoc Committee is limited to a single
finite purpose. By contrast, a Standing Committee has continuing subject matter
jurisdiction extending for a lengthy time period and/or a meeting schedule fixed by
charter, ordinance, resolution, or formal action of the Council.
2) Definition of Committee as a Whole
A Committee as a Whole is a committee composed of the entire City Council. The work
of the Committee as a Whole is limited to a single finite purpose.
3) Brown Act
Ad Hoc Committees do not constitute legislative bodies and are not subject to the
requirements of the Brown Act. The Committee as a Whole is subject to the Brown Act.
4) Appointment
The Mayor or the City Council may appoint three or fewer members of the Council to
serve on an Ad Hoc Committee. In contrast, only the Council and not the Mayor alone
can create a Standing Committee. The Mayor will publicly announce any Ad Hoc
Committee created by him or her, its membership and stated purpose and post this
information on the City Council website. The City Manager shall prepare a report to
Council about the anticipated time commitment required for staff to assist the Ad Hoc
Committee.
5) Duration
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Ad Hoc Committees are created for a finite period of time. If an Ad Hoc Committee
does not complete its task by the end of the calendar year, it shall not continue unless
reappointed by the new Mayor in the following year.
6) Members
Ad Hoc Committees shall consist of less than a quorum of Council members only and
shall not include any other persons such as members of other legislative bodies.
7) Reporting
Ad Hoc Committees shall report their recommendations to the Council no less than
once per quarter in writing or orally. Any Council Member may during the COUNCIL
MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS request that an
updated Ad Hoc Committee report be placed on the next meeting’s agenda.
8) Termination of Ad Hoc Committee by Majority of Council
A majority of the Council may vote to terminate any Ad Hoc Committee following
placement of the issue on an agenda.
9) Conclusion
A public announcement shall be made any time the Ad Hoc Committee has concluded
its work and/or upon dissolution.
2.5 - Election of Mayor
Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.04.060 governs the election of the Mayor. Nominations for
Mayor may be made by any individual Council Member and do not require a second.
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CITY COUNCIL PROTOCOLS
The handbook is organized into eight sections to serve as guidelines:
1) Core Responsibilities
2) Council Conduct
3) Other Procedural Issues
4) Policy & Services Committee – Role, Purpose & Work Planning
5) Enforcement
6) City Council Emails for Agenda-Related Items
7) City Council and Board and Commissions Policy for Travel and
Miscellaneous Expense Reimbursement, 2020
8) City of Palo Alto Council Protocols Ethics Addendum
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SECTION 1 - CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
All members of the City Council, including those serving as Mayor and Vice Mayor, have equal
votes. No Council Member has more power than any other Council Member, and all should be
treated with equal respect.
All Council Members:
A. Demonstrate honesty and integrity in every action and statement
B. Comply with both the letter and spirit of the laws and policies affecting the operation
operations of government.
C. Serve as a model of leadership and civility to the community
D. Inspire public confidence in Palo Alto government
E. Work for the common good, not personal interest
F. Prepare in advance of Council meetings and be familiar with issues on the agenda
G. Fully participate in City Council meetings and other public forums while demonstrating
respect, kindness, consideration, and courtesy to others
H. Participate in scheduled activities to increase Council effectiveness
I. Review Council procedures, such as these Council Protocols, at least annually
J. Represent the City at ceremonial functions at the request of the Mayor
K. Be responsible for the highest standards of respect, civility and honesty in ensuring the
effective maintenance of intergovernmental relations
L. Respect the proper roles of elected officials and City staff in ensuring open and effective
government
M. Provide contact information to the City Clerk in case an emergency or urgent situation
arises while the Council Member is out of town
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SECTION 2 - COUNCIL CONDUCT
Councils are composed of individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds, personalities, values,
opinions, and goals. Despite this diversity, all have chosen to serve in public office in order to
improve the quality of life in the community. In all cases, this common goal should be
acknowledged even as Council may "agree to disagree" on contentious issues.
2.1 – Public Meetings
A. Use Formal Titles
The Council should refer to one another formally during Council meetings as Mayor,
Vice Mayor or Council Member followed by the individual’s last name.
B. Practice Civility and Decorum in Discussions and Debate.
Difficult questions, tough challenges to a particular point of view, and criticism of ideas
and information are legitimate elements of a free democracy in action. Be respectful
of diverse opinions.
C. Honor the Role of the Presiding Officer in Maintaining Order and Equity.
Respect the Chair's efforts to focus discussion on current agenda items. Objections to
the Chair's actions should be voiced politely and with reason, following the
parliamentary procedures outlined in the City Council Procedural Rules.
D. Demonstrate Effective Problem-Solving Approaches.
Council Members have a public stage to show how individuals with disparate points of
view can find common ground and seek a compromise that benefits the community as
a whole. Council Members are role models for residents, business people and other
stakeholders involved in public debate.
E. Be Respectful of Other People's Time.
Stay focused and act efficiently during public meetings.
2.2 - Private Encounters
A. Treat Others as You Would Like to be Treated.
Ask yourself how you would like to be treated in similar circumstances, and then treat
the other person that way.
2.3 – Council Conduct with City Staff
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The key provisions on Council-staff relations found in section 2.04.170 of the Palo Alto Municipal
Code:
“Neither the council nor any of its committees or members shall direct, request or attempt to
influence, either directly or indirectly, the appointment of any person to office or employment by
the city manager or in any manner interfere with the city manager or prevent the city manager
from exercising individual judgment in the appointment of officers and employees in the
administrative service. Except for the purpose of inquiry, the council and its members shall deal
with the administrative service solely through the city manager, and neither the council nor any
member thereof shall give orders to any of the subordinates of the city manager, either publicly
or privately.”
Governance of a City relies on the cooperative efforts of elected officials, who set policy, and City
Staff, which analyze problems and issues, make recommendations, and implement and
administer the Council’s policies. Therefore, every effort should be made to be cooperative and
show mutual respect for the contributions made by each individual for the good of the community.
A. Treat All Staff as Professionals.
Clear, honest communication that respects the abilities, experience, and dignity of
each individual is expected. As with your Council colleagues, practice civility and
decorum in all interactions with City staff.
B. Channel Communications through the Appropriate Senior City Staff.
Questions of City staff should be directed only to the City Manager, Assistant City
Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, Assistant City Clerk, City Auditor, Senior Assistant
City Attorneys, or Department Heads. The Office of the City Manager should be copied
on any request to Department Heads. Council Members should not set up meetings
with department staff directly, but work through Department Heads, who will attend
any meetings with Council Members. When in doubt about what staff contact is
appropriate, Council Members should ask the City Manager for direction. However,
nothing in these protocols is intended to hinder the access Council-appointed liaisons
(e.g. to the San Francisquito JPA or NCPA) may require in order to fulfill their unique
responsibilities.
C. In Order to Facilitate Open Government, All Council Members Should Make Decisions
with the Same Information from Staff On Agendized or Soon-To-Be Agendized Items
(i.e. Items on The Tentative Agenda or in a Council Committee).
D. Never Publicly Criticize an Individual Employee, Including Council-Appointed Officers.
Criticism is Differentiated From Questioning Facts or the Opinion of Staff.
All critical comments about staff performance should only be made to the City Manager
through private correspondence or conversation. Comments about staff in the office
of the City Attorney, City Auditor or City Clerk should be made directly to these CAOs
through private correspondence or conversation.
E. Do Not Get Involved in Administrative Functions.
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Avoid any staff interactions that may be construed as trying to shape staff
recommendations. Council Members shall refrain from coercing staff in making
recommendations to the Council as a whole.
F. Be Cautious in Representing City Positions on Issues.
Before sending correspondence related to a legislative position, check with City staff
to see if a position has already been determined. When corresponding with
representatives of other governments or constituents remember to indicate if
appropriate that the views you state are your own and may not represent those of the
full Council.
G. Do Not Attend Staff Meetings Unless Requested by Staff.
Even if the Council Member does not say anything, the Council Member’s presence
may imply support, show partiality, intimidate staff, or hampers staff’s ability to do its
job objectively.
H. Respect the “One Hour” Rule for Staff Work.
Requests for staff support should be made to the appropriate senior staff member,
according to the protocol for channeling communications. Any request, which would
require more than one hour of staff time to research a problem or prepare a response,
will need to be approved by the full council to ensure that staff resources are allocated
in accordance with overall council priorities. Once notified that a request for information
or staff support would require more than one hour, the Council Member may request
that the City Manager place the request on an upcoming Council agenda.
I. Depend upon the Staff to Respond to Citizen Concerns and Complaints.
It is the role of Council Members to pass on concerns and complaints on behalf of their
constituents. It is not, however, appropriate to pressure staff to solve a problem in a
particular way. Refer citizen complaints to the appropriate senior staff member,
according to the protocol on channeling communications. The senior staff member
should respond according to the Policy and Procedure for Responding to Customer
Complaints. Senior staff is responsible for making sure the Council Member knows
how the complaint was resolved.
J. Do Not Solicit Political Support from Staff.
The City Charter states that “Neither the city manager or any other person in the
employ of the city shall take part in securing or shall contribute any money toward the
nomination or election of any candidate for a municipal office.” In addition, some
professionals (e.g., City Manager and the Assistant City Manager) have professional
codes of ethics, which preclude politically partisan activities or activities that give the
appearance of political partisanship.
2.4 - Conduct with Palo Alto Boards and Commissions
The City has established several Boards and Commissions as a means of gathering more
community input. Citizens who serve on Boards and Commissions become more involved in
government and serve as advisors to the City Council. They are a valuable resource to the City’s
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leadership and should be treated with appreciation and respect. Council Members serve as
liaisons to Boards and Commissions, according to appointments made by the Mayor, and in this
role are expected to represent the full Council in providing guidance on Council processes or
actions to the Board or Commission. Refrain from speaking for the full Council on matters for
which the full council has not yet taken a policy position. In other instances, Council Members
may attend Board or Commission meetings as individuals, and should follow these protocols:
A. If Attending a Board or Commission Meeting, Identify Your Comments as Personal
Views or Opinions.
Council Members may attend any Board or Commission meeting, which are always
open to any member of the public. Any public comments by a Council Member at a
Board or Commission meeting, when that Council Member is not the liaison to the
Board or Commission should make a point to clearly state it is an individual opinion
and not a representation of the feelings of the entire City Council.
B. Refrain from Lobbying Board and Commission Members.
It is inappropriate for a Council Member to contact a Board or Commission member to
lobby on behalf of an individual, business, or developer, or to advocate a particular
policy perspective. It is acceptable for Council Members to contact Board or
Commission members in order to clarify a position taken by the Board or Commission.
C. Remember that Boards and Commissions are Advisory to the Council as a Whole, not
as Individual Council Members.
The City Council appoints individuals to serve on Boards and Commissions, and it is
the responsibility of Boards and Commissions to follow policy established by the
Council. Council Members should not feel they have the power or right to unduly
influence Board and Commission members. A Board and Commission appointment
should not be used as a political reward.
D. Concerns about an Individual Board or Commission Member Should be Pursued with
Tact.
If a Council Member has concerns with a particular Board or Commission member
fulfilling his or her roles and responsibilities and is comfortable in talking with that
individual privately, the Council Member should do so. Alternatively, or if the problem
is not resolved, the Council Member should consult with the Mayor, who may address
the issue to the Council as appropriate.
E. Be Respectful of Diverse Opinions.
A primary role of Boards and Commissions is to represent many points of view in the
community and to provide the Council with advice based on a full spectrum of concerns
and perspectives. Council Members may have a closer working relationship with some
individuals serving on Boards and Commissions but must be fair to and respectful of
all citizens serving on Boards and Commissions.
F. Keep Political Support Away from Public Forums.
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Board and Commission members may offer political support to a Council Member, but
not in a public forum while conducting official duties. Conversely, Council Members
may support Board and Commission members who are running for office, but not in
an official forum in their capacity as a Council Member.
G. Maintain an Active Liaison Relationship.
Appointed Council liaisons or alternates are encouraged to attend all regularly
scheduled meetings of their assigned Board or Commission.
2.5 - Staff Conduct with City Council
A. Respond to Council Questions as Fully and as Expeditiously as is Practical.
The protocol for staff time devoted to research and response is in application here. If
a Council Member forwards a complaint or service request to a department head or a
Council Appointed Officer, there will be follow-through with the Council Member as to
the outcome.
B. Respect the Role of Council Members as Policy Makers for the City.
Staff is expected to provide its best professional recommendations on issues. Staff
should not try to determine Council support for particular positions or
recommendations in order to craft recommendations. The Council must be able to
depend upon the staff to make independent recommendations. Staff should provide
information about alternatives to staff recommendations as appropriate, as well as
pros and cons for staff recommendations and alternatives
C. Demonstrate Professionalism and Non-Partisanship in all Interactions with the
Community and in Public Meetings.
D. It is Important for the Staff to Demonstrate Respect for the Council at all Times. All
Council Members Should be Treated Equally.
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SECTION 3 - OTHER PROCEDURAL ISSUES
3.1 – Commit to Annual Review of Important Procedural Issues
At the beginning of each legislative year, the Council will hold a special meeting to review the
Council protocols, adopted procedures for meetings, the Brown Act, conflict of interest, and other
important procedural issues.
3.2 – Don’t Politicize Procedural Issues (e.g. Minutes Approval or Agenda
Order) for Strategic Purposes
3.3 – Submit Questions on Council Agenda Items Ahead of the Meeting
In order to focus the Council meetings on consideration of policy issues and to maintain an open
forum for public discussion, questions which focus on the policy aspects of agenda items should
be discussed at the Council meeting rather than in one-on-one communications with staff prior to
the meetings. Any clarifications or technical questions that can be readily answered can be
handled before the meeting. Council Members are encouraged to submit their questions on
agenda items to the appropriate Council Appointed Officer or City Manager by 5:00 p.m. the
Wednesday prior to the meeting so staff can be prepared to respond before or at the Council
meeting. More detailed procedures relating to agenda questions can be found in the addendum
to these protocols titled “Policy and Procedures for Council E-mails for Agenda Related Items.”
3.4 - Submittal of Materials Directly to Council
If Council receives planning application materials related to agenda item matters they will notify
the City Clerk and the City Manager as soon as possible.
3.5 - Late Submittal of Correspondence or Other Information Related to
Planning Applications
In order to allow for adequate Staff review and analysis, and to ensure public access to information,
all plans, correspondence, and other documents supporting planning applications being heard by
the City Council must be submitted to staff not later than noon five working days prior to the release
of the Council Agenda Packet. If any correspondence or other information is submitted after this
deadline to Council Members or staff, and Staff determines additional review is needed Staff will
reschedule the item for a future Council meeting. If a Council member receives planning application
materials from a project applicant he or she shall notify the City Clerk and the City Manager as soon
as possible. There are no restrictions on the rights of applicants or others to comment or respond to
information contained within the Staff Report. At the meeting the City Council may determine
whether to continue or refer the item to the appropriate Board and/or Commission if significant
changes to a project or significant new information become known. Nothing in this statement is
intended to restrict the rights of applicants or other interested parties to respond to information
contained in or attached to a Staff Report.
*For all purposes, applicant also refers to applicant agent.
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3.6 – Respect the Work of the Council Standing Committees
The purpose of the Council standing committees is to provide focused, in-depth discussion of
issues. Council should respect the work of the committees. If a matter is taken forward to the full
Council for approval and it receives a unanimous vote at Committee, the item will be placed on
the Consent Calendar unless otherwise recommended by the Committee, Mayor, City Attorney
or City Manager if any of these entities believe the item is of significant public interest.
3.7 – The Mayor and Vice Mayor Should Work With Staff to Plan the Council
Meetings
There are three purposes to the pre-Council planning meeting: 1) to plan how the meeting will be
conducted, including review of approximate time allocation of staff report presentations and to
ensure adequate time for large complex items; 2) to identify any issues or questions that may
need greater staff preparation for the meeting; and 3) to discuss future meetings. Consideration
in building the agenda should be given to the potential length of the meeting and at what point
items of significant public concern may be heard.
The purpose of the meeting is not to work on policy issues. Normally, only the Mayor and Vice
Mayor are expected to attend the pre-Council meetings with the City Manager and other CAOs,
and Department Managers. The Mayor and Vice Mayor’s role is to represent the interest of the
entire Council.
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SECTION 4 - POLICY & SERVICES COMMITTEE – ROLE, PURPOSE, &
WORK PLANNING
The Municipal Code states that the role of the Council Policy & Services Committee is to:
…consider and make recommendations on matters referred to it by the council relating to
parliamentary and administrative procedures and policy matters pertaining to
intergovernmental relations, personnel policies, planning and zoning, traffic and parking,
public work, and community and human services. (§2.04.220)
In 2009 and 2010, the Council reviewed the purpose and structure of the Committee and adopted
recommendations on several items related to this. This section documents these agreements
related to the Committee.
Purpose Statement: The purpose of the Policy & Services Committee is to review and identify
important community issues and City policies and practices to ensure good public policy.
The Committee shall consider and make recommendations to Council on matters relating to
parliamentary protocols, procedures and policy matters.
SECTION 5 - ENFORCEMENT
Council Members have the primary responsibility to assure that these protocols are understood
and followed, so that the public can continue to have full confidence in the integrity of government.
As an expression of the standards of conduct expected by the City for Council Members, the
protocols are intended to be self-enforcing. They therefore become most effective when members
are thoroughly familiar with them and embrace their provisions. For this reason, Council Members
entering office shall sign a statement affirming they have read and understood the Council
protocols. In addition, the protocols shall be annually reviewed by the Policy and Services
Committee and updated as necessary.
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SECTION 6 - CITY COUNCIL E-MAILS FOR AGENDA-RELATED ITEMS
6.1 - Policy
The Council adopted protocols provide a framework for the policy on e-mail communications
between Council Members and Staff on agenda-related items, including the following:
A. In order to facilitate open government, all Council Members should make decisions
with the same information from Staff on agendized or soon-to-be agendized items (i.e.
items on the tentative agenda or in a Council Committee)
B. Submit questions on Council agenda items ahead of the meeting, In order to focus the
Council meetings on consideration of policy issues and to maintain an open forum for
public discussion, questions which focus on the policy aspects of agenda items should
be discussed at the Council meeting rather than in one-on-one communications with
Staff prior to the meetings. Any clarifications or technical questions that can be readily
answered can be handled before the meeting. Council Members are encouraged to
submit their questions on agenda items to the appropriate Council Appointed Officer
or City Manager as far in advance of the meeting as possible so that Staff can be
prepared to respond at the Council meeting.
In its settlement agreement with the San Jose Mercury News of February 2003, the City Council
agreed to consider a policy under which the Council would waive any deliberative or other
privilege, other than attorney-client privilege, that it might assert with regards to e-mails on
agendized items. This policy and procedure implements that agreement. The Council, in
adopting this policy, does not waive attorney-client-privilege or any other privilege associated with
a closed session authorized under the Brown Act.
6.2 - Procedure
A. Council Members should direct any questions on staff reports to the City Manager or
designee. Questions on reports from the City Auditor, City Attorney, or City Clerk
should be directed to the appropriate Council Appointed Officer. Council Members
should not direct any questions on agenda items to other members of the City
Manager’s Staff or the Staff of the other Council Appointed Officers.
B. Council Members should submit questions on agenda items no later than 5:00 p.m.
on the Wednesday prior to the Council meeting at which the item will be discussed.
Staff will make best reasonable efforts to post written responses to timely-submitted
questions by Thursday 5:00 p.m. Any questions received after 5:00 p.m. on the
Wednesday before the meeting may be responded to via e-mail, or alternatively, will
be responded to at the Council meeting.
C. Staff will not engage in “dialogues” with individual Council Members regarding
questions, i.e. follow-up questions to initial questions will be responded to at the
Council Meeting.
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D. Staff will give highest priority to responding prior to the Council meeting via e-mail only
on items on the Consent Calendar. Questions which address the policy aspects of the
item on the Council agenda will not be responded to prior to the meeting, although
Staff welcomes such questions in advance of the meeting in order to prepare for the
Council and public discussion. Technical and clarifying questions on non-Consent
Calendar items will be responded to as time permits.
E. If the Staff will be responding to a Council Members Consent Calendar question at the
meeting rather responding to the question via e-mail, Staff will inform the Council
Member as early as possible after receipt of the question(s).
F. Questions and all Staff-prepared responses will be forwarded to all Council Members
as well as put up on the special web page created for public review of Council agenda
questions and Staff responses. Staff will include the name of the Council Member
posing the questions in the “subject” field of the e-mail response.
G. Written copies of all Council Member agenda questions and Staff responses will be at
Council places at the meeting; additionally copies will be made available in the Council
Chambers for members of the public.
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SECTION 7 - CITY COUNCIL AND BOARDS AND COMMISSSIONS
POLICY FOR TRAVEL AND MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSE
REIMBURSEMENT, 2020
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
This policy is set by the City Council and applies to Council Members and to Board and
Commissions members, who will be referred to as “Officials” in the policy. In reimbursing travel
and miscellaneous expenses, a municipal purpose requiring the expenditure of public funds must
be in evidence; also, in accord with the Charter and Municipal Code, such expenditures must be
from authorized appropriations.
7.1 - Eligible Activities
The following activities (“Eligible Activities”) are recognized by the Council as advancing municipal
purposes and are eligible for expense reimbursement, subject to limitations on activities and
specific and total expenditures described elsewhere in this policy:
A. Communicating with representatives of regional, state and national government on
adopted city policy positions;
B. Attending educational seminars designed to improve officials’ skill and information
levels;
C. Participating in regional, state and national organizations whose activities affect the
City’s interest;
D. In collaboration with City staff, implementing a city-approved strategy for attracting or
retaining businesses to the City.
All other expenditures require prior approval by the City Council at a regular or special meeting.
7.2 - Out-of-Town Conferences or Meetings
A. Reimbursement
All payments for travel and meetings shall be on the basis of either reimbursement of
expenses advanced by the Council Member/Official or payments made directly to travel
agencies/websites, hotels, airlines or the organization sponsoring the meeting. All
requests for payments or reimbursements must be accompanied by invoices or paid
detailed receipts and a copy of descriptive literature about the conference or meeting. The
City Clerk, Mayor or Chair for Officials must approve, in advance, individual travel requests
for out-of-town meetings and conferences, e.g., Annual League of California Cities
Conference, National League of Cities Conference, etc., including Eligible Activates.
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Allowable expenses for local or Bay Area Eligible Activates do not require prior approval
by the Mayor or Chair.
The total reimbursement shall not exceed the budget adopted by the Council for this
purpose.
All reimbursements shall comply with the limits of Policy and Procedures 1-02 (Citywide
Travel Policy).
Expense reports should be submitted within 30 days of end of trip. Inability to provide
such documentation in a timely fashion may result in expense being borne by the Council
Member or Official.
B. Meals and Incidentals
Notwithstanding the preceding general policy regarding reimbursement, a Council
Member or Official may submit a payment request (supported by conference literature) for
advance payment of meals and incidentals allowance according to the Internal Revenue
Service authorized mileage reimbursement rate and payment for meals and incidentals
consistent with City Policy and Procedures 1-02. If the amount advanced is exceeded,
additional reimbursement may be requested upon return from the meeting. Requests for
additional reimbursement must be supported by a detailed report and receipts for all meals
and incidentals. The Mayor shall pre-approve additional reimbursements, and if the
expenses are determined to be excessive, they may not be approved.
The City will provide a per diem (“per day”) allowance for meals and incidentals to Council
Members or Officials who are approved to travel overnight for official City business.
Council Members or Officials will receive a flat rate for meals and will not be required to
submit receipts.
The per diem rate varies and is dependent on the destination of travel. The rates for the
various travel destinations are available on the U.S. General Services Administration
website (http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104877). When meals are provided at an
event, the value of that meal will be deducted from the daily per diem rate. Travelers will
receive 75% of the daily per diem amount on days requiring transportation to and from the
location (i.e., departure day and return day) regardless of departure and arrival times.
Meals provided on days of travel shall be deducted at full-value.
Incidental Expenses
Incidental expenses related to City business shall be reimbursed at cost as supported by
submitted receipts. Incidental expenses may include hotel parking charges, Internet
connection services, and telephone charges.
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The actual costs for parking will be reimbursed when approval to use a personal vehicle
or rental car is obtained in advance. Council Members or Officials should use the lowest
cost alternative for parking within a reasonable area from the destination. Internet
connection services purchased to conduct City business are reimbursable. Other charges
on the hotel bill, such as pay-TV movies, cleaning, laundry, room service charges or
charges for additional guests are not reimbursable.
C. Lodging Expense
Council Members or Officials shall select single occupancy, standard, non-deluxe
accommodations and should stay at hotels offering economical lodging rates. When
possible, travelers attending a conference or seminar should stay at conference hotels,
which offer a negotiated rate.
The City will not reimburse any cost related to the extension of a hotel stay beyond the
time necessary to complete the event. An out-of-state trip involving cross-county travel
may require hotel accommodations both before and after the conference or training.
Within California and adjoining states, an extra night’s hotel stay should not be
necessary if flight arrangements can be made the same day.
The use of hotels is restricted to cities located beyond 50 miles (one-way) from the City
of Palo alto or the traveler’s residence (whichever is shortest). For example, if the
destination is Sacramento and you live in Palo Alto (118 miles) or Oakland (81 miles),
you would qualify for a hotel (and per diem for meals). However, if you live in Vacaville
(35 miles) or Lodi (36 miles) you would not qualify for a hotel.
Reimbursements or payment of hotel bills will be limited to the highest group or
governmental rate available and will cover room charges, applicable taxes and any other
item listed in this policy for the Council Member or Official. Telephone calls to Palo Alto
City Hall may be made collect. Other charges on the bill such as Expenses incurred for
extra guests of the traveler and the like are not reimbursable.
D. Transportation
• Air Transportation
Reimbursement or payment will be limited to economy class commercial air carrier,
or an available group travel rate if lower.
Council Members or Officials shall fly economy class on the lowest flight available
for the most direct route to the final destination, which could reasonably include
scheduled layovers. Council Members or Officials are encouraged to make air
reservations as early as feasible to obtain the greatest discount and to consider
the use of alternate but nearby airports to take advantage of the lowest fares.
Extension of the trip to cover a weekend stay to obtain a lower airfare does not
entitle the Council Member or Official to be reimbursed for the extra day’s hotel
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costs or meal expenses. Council Members or Officials may use City travel to qualify
for frequent flyer credits, but the selection of an airline for a given trip shall not be
made for the purpose of accumulating such credits. Council Members or Officials
that choose to use their personal frequent flyer miles for City business shall not be
reimbursed for the value of the tickets. If the airline charges for all checked
baggage, the City will cover the cost for one checked bag only. Excess baggage
charges are not reimbursable.
• Rental Cars
Rental cars shall be approved if other ground transportation, such as shuttles or
taxis, is more expensive during the stay at the destination. Only economy or
compact car models may be rented unless an upgrade is provided by the rental
agency at no additional cost. Because the City is self-insured, Council Members
or Officials should decline any additional insurance offered by the rental company.
Council Members or Officials must also decline the Fuel Purchase Options (which
allows for prepayment of a gas tank refill) and shall refuel prior to returning the
rental car. Rental car options such as GPS devices and any other extra optional
charges are not reimbursable.
The use of a rental car, in lieu of a private auto, to travel to and from an out of town
event will be reimbursed either at the current IRS mileage rate or the car rental
cost apportioned for the number of days used for City business, whichever is less.
• Private Automobiles
Private automobiles may be used for personal or group transportation on extended
trips. Reimbursement shall be made at the current IRS mileage rate. The distance
to be reimbursed shall be measured from the place of work and from the
employee’s home, and the calculated mileage reimbursement shall be based upon
which of the two distances is shorter. established by the Internal Revenue Service
authorized mileage reimbursement rate consistent with the City Policy and
Procedures 1-02. Mileage reimbursement for private automobiles shall not exceed
the cost of round trip air transportation (economy class) for a reservation made at
least seven days in advance of the trip. and rental car, if applicable, or an available
group travel rate if lower.
• Rental Car
Economy level only when Council Member or Official has traveled by airplane out
of the Bay Area.
• Shuttle/Taxi
When traveling out of the area.
7.3 - Local or Bay Area Activities
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Council Members or Officials who have been requested or designated to represent the City may
receive the actual cost of:
A. Meals, if they are a scheduled feature of the activity, e.g., SCCCA dinner meetings.
B. Registration fees where applicable.
C. Mileage if activity is outside the City (mileage claims should be submitted monthly, with
details: date and type of meeting, number of miles traveled to be indicated), consistent
with City Policy and Procedures 1-02.
D. Council Members and Officials may be reimbursed by the City for use of a private bicycle
to attend local or Bay Area activities outside the City of Palo Alto consistent with City Policy
and Procedures 2-9.
7.4 - Other Expenses
A. Ethics Training Expenses – AB1234 requires ethics training every two years and such
fee and related expenses are eligible for reimbursement.
7.5 - Activities Not Considered Reimbursable
A. Voluntary attendance at any conference or meeting, not representing the City.
B. Meetings of social or service organizations.
C. Meetings of voter groups or with individual citizens concerned with agenda items.
D. Election campaign activities.
E. Alcohol and entertainment expenses.
F. Personal portion of the trip and other non-mileage automobile expenses.
7.6 - Reports to Council
Council Members and Officials shall provide brief verbal reports on meetings attended at the City’s
expense at the next regular Council/Board/Commission meeting. If multiple Officials attended, a
joint report may be made. All related documents are subject to the Public Records Act and can
be periodically reviewed by auditors.
7.7 - Violation of This Policy
Use of public resources or falsifying expense reports is in violation of this policy and may result in
any or all of the following:
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THIS SECTION UNDER REVIEW
A. Loss of reimbursement privileges
B. A demand for restitution to the City
C. The City reporting the expenses as income to the elected or appointed Official to state
and federal tax authorities
D. Civil penalties of up to $1000 per day and three times the value of the resources used
E. Prosecution for misuse of public resources
7.8 - Mayor and Vice Mayor Additional Compensation
The Mayor shall receive $150 monthly and the Vice Mayor $100 monthly to defray additional
expenses of these offices.
7.10 - Support Services
The City Clerk’s Office makes travel arrangements for Council Members. This service includes
conference registration, hotel reservations, per diem advances and reimbursement of unforeseen
expenses. The department liaison for each board and commission will be responsible for
arrangements for Officials.
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CITY OF PALO ALTO COUNCIL PROTOCOLS ETHICS ADDENDUM
The citizens, businesses and organizations of the city are entitled to have fair, ethical and
accountable local government, which has earned the public’s full confidence for integrity.
To this end, the City Council has adopted Council Protocols and this Code of Ethics for
members of the City Council to assure public confidence in the integrity of local
government and its effective and fair operation.
A. Comply with Law
Members shall comply with the laws of the nation, the State of California and the City in
the performance of their public duties. These laws include but are not limited to: the
United States and California constitutions, the city Charter, laws pertaining to conflicts of
interest, election campaigns, financial disclosures, employer responsibilities and open
processes of governments and City ordinances and policies.
B. Conduct of Members
The professional and personal conduct of members must be above reproach and avoid
even the appearance of impropriety. Members shall refrain from abusive conduct,
personal charges or verbal attacks upon the character or motives of other members of the
Council, boards and commissions, the staff or the public.
C. Respect for Process
Members shall perform their duties in accordance with the processes and rules of order
established by the City Council governing the deliberation of public policy issues,
meaningful involvement of the public and implementation of policy decisions of the City
Council by City staff.
D. Decisions Based on Merit
Members shall base their decisions on the merits and substance of the matter at hand,
rather than on unrelated considerations.
E. Conflict of Interest
In order to assure their independence and impartiality on behalf of the common good,
members shall not use their official positions to influence decisions in which they have a
material financial interest or where they have an organizational responsibility or personal
relationship, which may give the appearance of a conflict of interest.
F. Gifts and Favors
It is contrary to the city of Palo Alto’s ethical standards for any council member to accept
gifts or gratuities from an individual, business, or organization doing business, or seeking
to do business, with the City or who is seeking permits or other entitlements from the City.
The acceptance of gifts can convey an appearance of favoritism and conflict of interest.
Gifts can be perceived as attempts to influence City operations or as compensation for
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services rendered and can erode the public confidence in the impartiality of decisions
made by Council Members.
Council Members exercise good faith in carrying out this Protocol. It is impossible to list
every situation and fact pattern, so it anticipates that Council Members will exercise their
good judgment in determining whether the item is a gift or not.
This policy is supplemental to the gift limitations of the Fair Political Practices
Commission’s Limitations and Restrictions on Gifts, Honoraria, Travel and Loans.
The following are not considered gifts under this Protocol:
• Gifts which the Council member returns (unused) to the donor, or for which the
Council Member reimburses the donor, within 30 days of receipt.
• Gifts from a Council Member’s spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild,
brother, sister, parent-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece,
nephew, or first cousin or the spouse of any such person, unless he or she is acting
as an agent or intermediary for another person who is the true source of the gift.
• Minor gifts of hospitality involving food or drink, that the Council Member receives
in an individual’s home or at another location of business.
• Gifts approximately equal in value exchanged between the Council Member and
another individual on holidays, birthdays, or similar occasions.
• Informational material provided to assist the Council member in the performance
of their official duties, including books, reports, pamphlets, calendars, periodicals,
videotapes, or free or discounted admission to informational conferences or
seminars.
• A bequest or inheritance.
• Campaign contributions.
• Personalized plaques and trophies with an individual value of less than $250.
• Tickets to attend fundraisers for campaign committees or other candidates, and
tickets to fundraisers for organizations exempt from taxation under Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Free admission, refreshments, and similar non-cash nominal benefits provided to
the Council Member at an event at which the Council Member gives a speech,
participates in a panel or seminar, or provides a similar service. Transportation
within California, and any necessary lodging and subsistence provided directly in
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connection with the speech, panel, seminar, or similar service, are also not
considered gifts.
• Passes or Tickets which provide admission or access to facilities, goods, services,
or other benefits (either on onetime or repeat basis) that the Council Member does
not use and does not give to another person.
• Wedding gifts
• A prize or award received in a bona fide competition not related to official status.
(These exceptions are paraphrased from FPPC publications.)
• Gifts from Sister Cities or other entities, other municipalities, if forwarded to the
City.
G. Confidential Information
Members shall respect the confidentiality of information concerning the property,
personnel or affairs of the City. They shall neither disclose confidential information without
proper legal authorization, nor use such information to advance their personal, financial
or other private interests.
H. Use of Public Resources
Members shall not use public resources, such as City staff time, equipment, supplies or
facilities, for private gain or personal purposes.
I. Representation of Private Interests
In keeping with their role as stewards of the public interest, members of Council shall not
appear on behalf of the private interests of third parties before the Council or any other
board, commission or proceeding of the City, nor shall members of boards and
commissions appear before their own bodies or before the Council on behalf of the private
interests of third parties on matters related to the areas of service of their bodies.
J. Advocacy
Members shall represent the official policies or positions of the City Council, board or
commission to the best of their ability when designated as delegates for this purpose.
When presenting their individual opinions and positions, members shall explicitly state
they do not represent their body or the City, nor will they allow the inference that they do.
K. Positive Work Place Environment
Members shall support the maintenance of a positive and constructive work place environment
for City employees and for citizens and businesses dealing with the City. Members shall
recognize their special role in dealings with City employees to in no way create the perception of
inappropriate direction to staff.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE TENTATIVE TASK
CALENDAR
January
• Mayor appoints Committee and designates Chair; usually no FC meeting
February
March
• Utilities Advisory Commission Rate Forecast and Financial Plan: Water
• Utilities Advisory Commission Rate Forecasts and Financial Plan: Wastewater
April
• Grant Funding Allocations (CDBG) and the Draft Fiscal Year XXXX Annual Plan
• Rate Schedule Storm Water Management Fee
May
• Annual Budget Review: Operating + Capital Five Year Plan (typically three all day meetings)
• Fiscal Year XXX Municipal Fee Schedule
• Retiree Healthcare Plan and Annual Actuarially Determined Contributions (ADC)- Biannual
report, last done May 2020 for FY2021 and 2022
• Utilities Advisory Commission Rate Forecasts and Financial Plan: Gas
• Utilities Advisory Commission Rate Forecasts and Financial Plan: Electric
June
• Third Quarter Fiscal Year XXXX Financial Report
• Adoption of Fiscal Year XXXX Investment Policy (to be done by June 30 per code)
July - Council Break
August
September/October
• Accept California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Pension Annual Valuation
Reports as of June 30, 20XX – every 3-year review/decision on pension funding policy
assumptions next review scheduled for 2024.
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November
• Discussion and Recommendation to the City Council to Accept the Macias Gini & O'Connell's
Audit of the City of Palo Alto's Financial Statements as of June 30, XXXX and Management
Letter
• Discussion and Recommendation to Approve the Fiscal Year (FY) XXXX Comprehensive
Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and Approve Budget Amendments in Various Funds
December
• Review and Forward the FY 20XX - FY 20XX Long Range Financial Forecast
• First Quarter Fiscal Year XXXX Financial Report
REFERRED TOPICS:
1. Explore changing delivery of services from a dominant fire-oriented model to a dominant
medical-oriented model. Referred June 2020.
Latest Update: Was deferred on 12/15/20 until a date uncertain, tentatively February 2021
2. Direct the Finance Committee to come up with proposed thresholds for Council to consider
related to Section 2.4.L, Consent Calendar Categories, which determines the eligibility for
items to be placed on the Consent Calendar. Referred February 2020.
Latest Update: Was deferred on 12/15/20 until a date uncertain, tentatively February 2021
3. Refer to the Finance Committee, a proposal to consider an affordable housing tax. Referred
February 2020.
Latest Update: Work expected to begin in first half of 2021.
4. Colleagues' Memo on Fiscal Transparency in Labor Negotiations: Workplan and Suggested
Terms Requires Informed Conversations w/ Labor Groups. Referred September 2018
Latest Update: Closed, referred to Human Resources for including in labor discussions.
5. Refer to the Finance Committee a report or item on the JMZ six months after it opens and
what it would look like to eliminate the General Fund Subsidy through a fully cost
recoverable program. Referred June 2020.
Latest Update: On hold, pending JMZ opening
6. Resume work on a potential business tax or local tax ballot measure. Referred March 2020
Latest Update: On hold, this work was placed on hold in March 2020 as part of CMR #11161
due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
7. Fiscal Sustainability Workplan CY 2019: Improvement of code enforcement, 311 system, and
customer relationship management activities. Referred April 2019.
Last update: In progress, delayed due to vacancies and resources. Code enforcement
reductions made in FY 2021 Adopted Budget.
City of Palo Alto I 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA. I www.cityofpaloalto.org
8. Evaluation of Printing & Mailing Services levels and service delivery. Referred May 2019.
Last update: In progress, delayed due to staffing vacancies and resources. Development of
an RFP is in progress.
Aged referrals and recommended clean-up are agendized in February 2021 for Finance
Committee final action.
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DRAFT POLICY & SERVICES TENTATIVE TOPICS
CALENDAR
January
• Mayor appoints Committee and designates Chair; usually no P&S meeting
• Beginning in 2022: Quarterly Audit Status Report? (Oct-Dec)
February
• Quarterly Audit Status Report
• Approval of Audit Risk Assessment Report
• Approval of Audit Plan and 3-4 Task Orders
• Update on Progress Related to the Gender Equity Summit
March
• Update: Summary of Recent Race and Equity Work since November including update on RMS
Contract for Police Data Collection
• Tentative: Update on Santa Clara County PERT, MCRT, and Mobile Community Response programs
April
• Quarterly Audit Status Report (Jan-March)
• City Council Referral: Refer to P&S consideration of IPA oversight of internal complaints regarding
misconduct related to harassment, discrimination, or retaliation resulting in city investigation of
uniformed officers
May
• If needed: Update on Santa Clara County PERT, MCRT, and Mobile Community Response programs
June
• Audit Report – TBD
• Update: Summary of Recent Race and Equity Work including update on RMS Contract for Police
Data Collection
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July
• Quarterly Audit Status Report (April-June)
• Council Break?
August
September
• Update: Summary of Recent Race and Equity Work since including update on RMS Contract for
Police Data Collection
October
• Quarterly Audit Status Report (July-Sept)
• Audit Report - TBD
November
• Priority Setting for Annual Council Retreat
• Protocols and Procedures Review
December
• Legislative Agenda
• Update: Summary of Recent Race and Equity Work since including update on RMS Contract for
Police Data Collection
Referred Topics (date of referral):
1. COMPLETED: Police reform legislative priority thoughts and input to the Policy and Services
Committee who will be discussing the City’s legislative priorities in December 2020 (Nov. 16,
2020):
2. COMPLETED: Refer all race and equity work to the Policy and Services Committee for citywide
diversity and inclusion practice areas and policing practice areas (Nov. 16, 2020)
3. Policy and Services CEDAW recommendation: Direct Staff to proceed with a community summit
on gender equity issues and next steps in Palo Alto (Nov. 16, 2020)
4. If the County does not assign a resource to Palo Alto in the next six months, refer to Policy and
Services Committee the exploration of the feasibility of a CAHOOTS-type program (Nov. 16,
2020; no action needed unless County does not assign a resource by May 16, 2021)
5. SCHEDULED: Refer to the Policy and Services Committee consideration of the Independent
Police Auditor (IPA) oversight of internal complaints regarding misconduct related to
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harassment, discrimination, or retaliation resulting in city investigation of uniformed officers
(Nov. 16, 2020)
6. Audit reviews will continue as needed, per Kyle