HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-18 City Council AgendaCITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Monday, August 18, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items will appear below in RED (Time Estimates
Updated)
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@CityofPaloAlto.org and will be provided
to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which
agenda item you are referencing in your subject line.
PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only
by email to city.clerk@CityofPaloAlto.org at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received,
the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong
cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not
accepted.
Signs and symbolic materials less than 2 feet by 3 feet are permitted provided that: (1) sticks,
posts, poles or similar/other type of handle objects are strictly prohibited; (2) the items do not
create a facility, fire, or safety hazard; and (3) persons with such items remain seated when
displaying them and must not raise the items above shoulder level, obstruct the view or passage
of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting.
TIME ESTIMATES
Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the
meeting is in progress. The Council reserves the right to use more or less time on any item, to
change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items may be
heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to best
manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public.
1 August 18, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
CALL TO ORDER
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY (5:30 - 6:10 PM)
1.Remarks from Congressman Sam Liccardo, United States Representative of California’s
16th Congressional District
2.Proclamation Honoring Young Tran for his Service to the City of Palo Alto
3.Celebrating the Palo Alto Tsuchiura Marathon Runner and Receiving the Neighbors
Abroad Annual Report Title Updated, No Late Packet Report Issued
CLOSED SESSION (6:10 - 7:40 PM)
4.CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY--ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Authority: Gov Code 54956.9(d)(4), initiation of litigation. Number of matters: one.
AA1.CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Subject: Potential litigation regarding 156 North California Avenue, as set forth in
letter(s)
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2); One case, as Defendant.
New Item Added
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT (7:40 - 8:10 PM)
Members of the public may speak in-person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of
speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (8:10 - 8:20 PM)
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
2 August 18, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
STUDY SESSION (8:20 - 9:05 PM)
5.Productivity of Council Meetings for Second Half of 2025
CONSENT CALENDAR (9:05 - 9:10 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
6.Staff and the Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Recommendation to Accept
the E-Mobility Strategic Roadmap; CEQA Status - Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15183,
Projects Consistent with an Existing General or Comprehensive Plan do not Require
Additional CEQA Review
7.Approval of Retail Committee Recommendations for Streetscape Improvements and
Outdoor Activation Standards for Pedestrian Only Ramona Street; CEQA Status -
categorically exempt.
8.Approval to Dedicate a Seat at Lucie Stern Community Theatre to Eugenie Watson; CEQA
status – not a project.
9.Approval of Contract No. C26195197 with Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council for on-call
services related to fuel reduction maintenance for wildfire hazard mitigation and public
education, for a five-year term and not-to-exceed amount of $2,500,000. CEQA status:
Exempt (CEQA Guidelines Section 15304)
10.Approval of General Service Contract No. C26194766 with Securitas Technology
Corporation, Utilizing Sourcewell Cooperative Agreement No. 121024-SCS, to Procure
Fire Alarm Systems Monitoring, Inspection, Testing, Repair, and Related Services for a
Period of Four Years in the Not-To-Exceed Amount of $404,646; CEQA Status – Not a
Project
11.Approval of Purchase Order C26195602 with Carahsoft Technology Corporation to
Procure DocuSign eSignature Software for a One-Year Term Not-To-Exceed Amount of
$145,180; CEQA status - Not a project
12.Approval of Professional Service Contract C26194516 with Interweave Production
Group with Not-To-Exceed Amount of $280,170, for a Term of Three Years, CEQA Status
– Not a Project.
3 August 18, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
13.Approval of Six (6) On-Call Consulting Contracts to Provide Specialized Technical
Expertise for the Planning and Development Services Department over a Five-Year Term,
as needed: 1) David J. Powers & Associates, Inc., 2) Economic and Planning Systems,
Inc., 3) Keyser Marston Associates, Inc., 4) Page and Turnbull Inc., 5) Rincon Consultants,
Inc., 6) Strategic Economics, in the Amount not to exceed $2,000,000 ; CEQA Status: Not
a Project.
14.Approval to Extend the Lease Between 285 Hamilton LLC, and the City of Palo Alto for
the Premises Located at 285 Hamilton Avenue (Development Center) for 36 months, at
a Starting Base Rent of $49,420.45 per Month and Increasing 3 Percent Annually; CEQA
Status – Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)
15.PUBLIC HEARING: Adoption of Resolution Correcting Clerical Errors in Three Electric
Rate Schedules: E-16 (Unmetered Electric Service), E-EEC-1 (Export Electricity
Compensation), and E-NSE-1 (Net Surplus Electricity Compensation); CEQA Status: Not a
project under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15378(b)(4) and (5) and Exempt Under Section
15273(a).
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (9:10 - 9:25 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
ACTION ITEMS (9:40 - 10:45 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished
Business and Council Matters.
16.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)
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.
4 August 18, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
A.2025 City Council Priorities and Objectives Q2 Update
B.Palo Alto Fire Department Annual Performance Report for Calendar Year 2024; CEQA
status: not a Project
C.Inaugural Youth Climate Advisory Board Annual Report; CEQA Status – Not a Project
D.Investment Activity Report for the Fourth Quarter, Fiscal Year 2025. CEQA Status – Not a
Project.
E.City of Palo Alto Monthly Investment Activity Report July 2025 (Unaudited)
F.Sales Tax Digest Q1 (Jan-Mar) 2025
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Finance Committee August 19, 2025
Retail Committee August 20, 2025
Climate Action & Sustainability Committee August 22, 2025
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
3.Celebrating the Palo Alto Tsuchiura Marathon Runner and Receiving the Neighbors
Abroad Annual Report Title Updated, No Late Packet Report Issued
AA1.CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Subject: Potential litigation regarding 156 North California Avenue, as set forth in
letter(s)
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2); One case, as Defendant.
New Item Added
5 August 18, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email,
teleconference, or by phone.
1.Written public comments may be submitted by email to city.council@cityofpaloalto.org.
2.For in person public comments please complete a speaker request card located on the
table at the entrance to the Council Chambers and deliver it to the Clerk prior to
discussion of the item.
3.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a computer or smart phone will be
accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link
below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully.
◦You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in- browser. If using
your browser, make sure you are using a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30 ,
Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7 . Certain functionality may be disabled in
older browsers including Internet Explorer. Or download the Zoom application onto
your smart phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter in the
Meeting ID below.
◦You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you
identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you
that it is your turn to speak.
◦When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will
activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they
are called to speak.
◦When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be
shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
4.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a phone use the telephone number
listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we
know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before
addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called
please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 362-027-238 Phone: 1-669-900-6833
Americans with Disability Act (ADA) It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public
programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with
disabilities who require materials in an appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary
aids to access City meetings, programs, or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at
(650) 329-2550 (voice) or by emailing ada@cityofpaloalto.org. Requests for assistance or
accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or
service.
6 August 18, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
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.
7 August 18, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.