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Home My WebLink About2025-06-16 City Council AgendaCITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting Monday, June 16, 2025 Council Chambers & Hybrid 5:30 PM Amended Agenda Amended agenda items appear below in RED Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference or in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media Center https://midpenmedia.org. VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238) Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900-6833 PUBLIC COMMENTS General Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted in person for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. General public comment will be heard for 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda. Public comments for agendized items will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. Requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation or as determined by the Chair. Written public comments can be submitted in advance to city.council@PaloAlto.gov and will be provided to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your subject line. PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only by email to city.clerk@PaloAlto.gov at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not accepted. Signs and symbolic materials less than 2 feet by 3 feet are permitted provided that: (1) sticks, posts, poles or similar/other type of handle objects are strictly prohibited; (2) the items do not create a facility, fire, or safety hazard; and (3) persons with such items remain seated when displaying them and must not raise the items above shoulder level, obstruct the view or passage of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting. TIME ESTIMATES Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the meeting is in progress. The Council reserves the right to use more or less time on any item, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items may be heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to best manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public. 1 June 16, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. CALL TO ORDER AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS PUBLIC COMMENT (5:35 - 6:05 PM) Members of the public may speak in-person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda. COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (6:05 - 6:15 PM) Members of the public may not speak to the item(s). CONSENT CALENDAR (6:15 - 6:20 PM) Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members. 1.Approval of Minutes from June 2, 2025 Meeting 2.Adoption of a Resolution Revising the Citywide Records Retention Schedule and Repealing Resolution No. 9565 3.Approval of Office of the City Auditor Emergency Preparedness: Wildfire Audit Report as Recommended by the Policy & Services Committee 4.Recommendation that the City Council to Refer to the Policy and Services Committee an Update to the City of Palo Alto Advocacy Process Manual to Address Sponsorship of Legislation; CEQA – Not a Project 5.Policy & Services Committee Recommends Approval to Amend the City Auditor Bakertilly FY2024 and FY2025 Budgets for Task Orders to Realign the Authorized Budgets with a Net Zero Impact; CEQA - Not a Project 6.Approval of the Council Appointed Officers (CAO) Committee‘s Recommendation to Approve the CAO Annual Evaluation Process, Timeline, and Questions; and Approval of Professional Services Contract Number C25193915 with the Municipal Resources Group, LLC (MRG) in an Amount Not to Exceed $208,500 for Council Appointed Officer Performance Evaluation Services for a Period of Three Years. CEQA Status - Not A Project 7.Recommend the City Council Adopt the Fiscal Year 2026 Investment Policy as Recommended by the Finance Committee: CEQA Status – Not a Project 8.Adoption of Memoranda of Agreement with International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1319, Fire Chiefs Association (FCA), and Utilities Managers and Professionals Association of Palo Alto (UMPAPA) for Terms Ending June 30, 2028, and Adoption of the 2 June 16, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. Updated Management and Professional Compensation Plan and Corresponding Salary Schedules; CEQA Status – Not a Project Supplemental Report added, Public Comment 9.Approval of a Surveillance Use Policy for Security Cameras at Ada's Café at Mitchell Park Community Center and Library; CEQA Status - Not a Project Updated Consent Questions 10.City Council Appointment of the Castilleja Neighborhood Committee in Accordance with Condition Number 33 Contained in Record of Land Use Action 2022-22 Authorizing Redevelopment of Private School at 1310 Bryant Street (Castilleja School). Environmental Assessment: Exempt from CEQA Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). 11.Accept Electric System Reliability Key Performance Indices; CEQA – Not a Project 12.Approval of a Director’s Interpretation Pursuant to PAMC Section 18.01.025 Concluding That Noncomplying Residential Gross Floor Area may not be Relocated Within a Structure; Denial of the Associated Appeal; Direction to Prepare a Future Code Amendment for Administrative De Minimis Exceptions to the Zoning Code; CEQA: Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) Consent Questions 13.Approve and Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Execute Purchase Orders as Needed with the Okonite Company, Extending the Term for the Blanket Purchase Order for Purchase and Standardization of Underground Cable Through December 31, 2025, and to Increase the Not-to-Exceed Amount by $100,000, for the Extension Period. CEQA Status: Not a Project. 14.Approval of Construction Contract No. C25194279 with Estate Design and Construction, Inc. in the Amount Not-to-Exceed $283,770 and Authorization for the City Manager or Their Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders up to a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $28,377 for the University Underpass Refurbishment Project; Capital Improvement Program University Avenue Parking Improvements (PF-14003) and Street Lights Improvements (PO-05054) projects; CEQA Status – Exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) 3 June 16, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. 15.Approval of Change Order No. 3 to Contract C22183580 with MP Nexlevel of California, Inc., to reallocate funding from Change Order No. 2 to the Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) Project and to incorporate FTTP into the Scope of Work extending through August 31, 2025; CEQA Status - For FTTP, Council action on this item is within the scope of the Final Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for the Fiber-to-the-Premises Project, adopted on June 17, 2024; otherwise exempt. Public Comment 16.Approval of Two Professional Services Contracts for a Term of Two Years: C25193536 with 4Leaf, Inc. in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $291,253 and C25194267 with Interface Engineering, Inc. in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $101,585 for Fire Station 4 Replacement Capital Improvement Program Project (PE-18004); CEQA Status - Exempt under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15302 and 15303 Public Comment 17.Approval of Contract Amendment No. 4 to Contract Number C19171363 with Professional Account Management LLC, dba Duncan Solutions, to Extend the Contract for one year to June 30, 2026, and to Adjust Billing Rates, Without an Increase to Compensation, for a Not -to-Exceed Amount of $767,000 for Parking Permitting and Citation Management Services; CEQA Status -- Not a Project. Updated Consent Questions 18.Approval of Amendment No. 3 to Contract Number C23184827 with Nomad Transit, LLC (Via) in the Amount of $1,100,000 for a total not to exceed $4,901,550 over a Four-Year Term to Continue the City of Palo Alto On-Demand Transit Service through June 30, 2026; CEQA status - not a project. Item Deferred to June 17, 2025 City Council Meeting 19.QUASI-JUDICIAL. 1033 Amarillo Avenue [25PLN-00015]: Request for a Parcel Map with Conditional Exceptions to Subdivide a 20,774-Square-Foot R-1 Property into Two Lots (10,661 and 10,113 Square Feet). Exceptions include Minimum Lot Width, Maximum Lot Size, and Residential Density. Zoning District: R-1 Single Family Residential. CEQA: Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). 20.SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending: Chapter 18.14 (Housing Incentives) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Implement Program 3.4E of the 2023-2031 Housing Element to Expand and Revise Regulations for the El Camino Real Focus Area; Making Conforming Amendments to Chapter 16.58 (Development Impact Fees) (FIRST READING: May 27, 2025; PASSED: 5-0-2, Lu, Veenker recused) Public Comment 21.SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Title 16 (Building Regulations) and Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Amend 4 June 16, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. Requirements Relating to Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (FIRST READING: May 12, 2025; PASSED 7-0) CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (6:20 - 6:35 PM) BREAK (15 MINUTES) ACTION ITEMS (Item 22: 6:50 - 7:50 PM, Item 23: 7:50 - 9:20 PM, Item 24: 9:20 - 10:00 PM) Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters. 22.PUBLIC HEARING & PROPOSITION 218 HEARING: Finance Committee Recommends Adoption of Six Resolutions: 1) Approving the Fiscal Year 2026 Wastewater Collection Utility Financial Forecast and Reserve Management Practices, Amending Wastewater Collection Rate Schedules S-1, S-2, S-6 and S-7, and Repealing Wastewater Collection Rate Schedules S-3 and S-4; 2) Approving the Fiscal Year 2026 Water Utility Financial Forecast, Reserve Management Practices and Reserve Transfers, and Amending Water Rate Schedules W-1, W-2, W-3, W-4, and W-7; 3) Approving the Fiscal Year 2026 Gas Utility Financial Forecast and Reserve Management Practices, Reserve Transfer, and General Fund Transfer, Approving the Distribution of a Climate Credit to Small and Medium Capacity G-2 Customers in December 2025, and Amending Gas Rate Schedules G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-10; 4) Approving the Fiscal Year 2026 Electric Utility Financial Forecast, Reserve Management Practices and Reserve Transfers, and Amending Electric Rate Schedules E-1, E-2, E-2-G, E-4, E-4-G, E-4 TOU, E-7, E-7-G, E-7 TOU, E-14, E-16, E- EEC-1, and E-NSE-1; 5) Amending Utility Rate Schedules EDF-1 and EDF-2, and Approving the Palo Alto Fiber Broadband Internet Services Rate Schedule F-1; and 6) Amending Storm Water Utility Rate Schedule D-1; CEQA Status: Not a project under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15378(b)(4) and (5) and Exempt Under Section 15273(a) Staff Presentation, Public Comment 23.PUBLIC HEARING: Presentation on Status of Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts and Adoption of Budget Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2026, Including the Operating and Capital Budgets and Municipal Fee Schedule; Adoption of a Resolution determining the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2026; Vacancies and Recruitment Update (AB2561 Compliance); and Approval of FY 2026 Non-Profit Workplan Phase I Awards as Recommended by the Policy & Services Committee; and Adoption of a Resolution to Extend and Amend the Development Services Reserve Fund Policy; CEQA Status – Not a Project Title Updated, Supplemental Report added, Staff Presentation, SEIU Presentation, Public Comment 24.Approval of Five Items to Support the Newell Road/San Francisquito Creek Bridge 5 June 16, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. Replacement Project PE-12011: 1) Construction Contract No. C25194068 with Granite Construction Company in the Amount Not-to-Exceed $9,399,787 and Authorization for the City Manager or Their Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders to the Contract up to a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $939,979; 2) Approval of Professional Services Contract No. C25190454 with Zoon Engineering, Inc, in the Amount of $2,559,915 for Construction Management Services through December 31, 2026; 3) Approval of Amendment No. 7 to Contract No. C12142825 with NV5, Inc. to extend the contract term through December 31, 2026 for Construction Support; 4) Approval of Amendment No. 3 to a Cost Share Agreement with Santa Clara Valley Water District Providing Local Matching Funds in the Amount $155,458 for Design, Right of Way Appraisal and Acquisition and Construction Support for the Newell Road/San Francisquito Creek Bridge Replacement Project; and 5) Adoption of a FY 2025 Budget Amendment in the Capital Improvement Fund; CEQA Status - Environmental Impact Report for Newell Road/San Francisquito Creek Bridge (Resolution No. 9889) Staff Presentation, Public Comment ADJOURNMENT INFORMATION REPORTS Information reports are provided for informational purposes only to the Council and the public but are not listed for action or discussion during this meeting’s agenda. A.Boards, Commissions, and Committees Mid-Year Attendance Report; CEQA Status - Not a Project B.Summary of Downtown Housing Plan Community Assessment Report and Next Steps. CEQA Status: Exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15262. C.Rental Residential Vacancy Rate Determination for Properties Containing Three or More Dwelling Units for the First Half of 2025. CEQA: Not a Project, Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b). OTHER INFORMATION Standing Committee Meetings this week Finance Committee June 17, 2025 CANCELED Retail Committee June 18, 2025 Public Comment Letters Schedule of Meetings 6 June 16, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS 8.Adoption of Memoranda of Agreement with International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 1319, Fire Chiefs Association (FCA), and Utilities Managers and Professionals Association of Palo Alto (UMPAPA) for Terms Ending June 30, 2028, and Adoption of the Updated Management and Professional Compensation Plan and Corresponding Salary Schedules; CEQA Status – Not a Project Supplemental Report added 18.Approval of Amendment No. 3 to Contract Number C23184827 with Nomad Transit, LLC (Via) in the Amount of $1,100,000 for a total not to exceed $4,901,550 over a Four-Year Term to Continue the City of Palo Alto On-Demand Transit Service through June 30, 2026; CEQA status - not a project. Item Deferred to June 17, 2025 City Council Meeting 23.PUBLIC HEARING: Presentation on Status of Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts and Adoption of Budget Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2026, Including the Operating and Capital Budgets and Municipal Fee Schedule; Adoption of a Resolution determining the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2026; Vacancies and Recruitment Update (AB2561 Compliance); and Approval of FY 2026 Non-Profit Workplan Phase I Awards as Recommended by the Policy & Services Committee; and Adoption of a Resolution to Extend and Amend the Development Services Reserve Fund Policy; CEQA Status – Not a Project Title Updated, Supplemental Report added PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone. 1.Written public comments may be submitted by email to city.council@PaloAlto.gov. 2.For in person public comments please complete a speaker request card located on the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers and deliver it to the Clerk prior to discussion of the item. 3.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a computer or smart phone will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully. ◦You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in- browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30 , Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7 . Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. Or download the Zoom application onto your smart phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter in the Meeting ID below. 7 June 16, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. ◦You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak. ◦When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak. ◦When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments. 4.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted. CLICK HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 362-027-238 Phone: 1-669-900-6833 Americans with Disability Act (ADA) It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with disabilities who require materials in an appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary aids to access City meetings, programs, or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at (650) 329-2550 (voice) or by emailing ada@PaloAlto.gov. Requests for assistance or accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or service. California Government Code §84308, commonly referred to as the "Levine Act," prohibits an elected official of a local government agency from participating in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use if the official received a campaign contribution exceeding $500 from a party or participant, including their agents, to the proceeding within the last 12 months. A “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” includes most land use and planning approvals and the approval of contracts that are not subject to lowest responsible bid procedures and have a value over $50,000. A “party” is a person who files an application for, or is the subject of, a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use. A “participant” is a person who actively supports or opposes a particular decision in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use, and has a financial interest in the decision. The Levine Act incorporates the definition of “financial interest” in the Political Reform Act, which encompasses interests in business entities, real property, sources of income, sources of gifts, and personal finances that may be affected by the Council’s actions. If you qualify as a “party” or “participant” to a proceeding, and you have made a campaign contribution to a Council Member exceeding $500 made within the last 12 months, you must disclose the campaign contribution before making your comments. 8 June 16, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.