HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-08 City Council AgendaCITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Monday, September 08, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items 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@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 September 08, 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 (5:30 - 6:00 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 (6:00 - 6:15 PM)
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
STUDY SESSION (6:15 - 7:15 PM)
1.414 California Avenue [25PLN-00140]. Request for Council Prescreening to Rezone the
Subject Property from Community Commercial (2) (CC[2]) to Planned
Community/Planned Home Zoning and to Allow Construction of a Mixed-Use Building
with 37 Units in a Six-Story Structure on a 16,231-Square-Foot (0.37 Acre) Site. CEQA
Status: Not a Project. Item Removed Off Agenda (Rescheduled for September 15, 2025
City Council Meeting)
2.San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority Update on Reach 2 Flood Control
Project
CONSENT CALENDAR (7:15 - 7:20 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
3.Approval of Minutes from August 11 and August 18, 2025 Meetings
4.Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Fiscal Year 2026 Municipal Fee Schedule to
Reflect Council-Directed Changes to Existing Fees and Add a New Subsidized Fee for
Stand-Alone Residential Gas, Water and Space Heating Equipment Permits. CEQA Status:
Not a Project
5.Approval of Construction Contract No. C26195620 with Public Restroom Company in the
Amount Not-to-Exceed $412,940 and Authorization for the City Manager or Their
Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders Up to a Not-to-Exceed Amount of
$41,294 to Provide and Install a Modular Restroom Building at Mitchell Park for the Park
Restroom Installation Capital Improvement Program Project (PG-19000); CEQA status –
exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15303
2 September 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
6.Approve Amendment #1 of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the California
Alternate Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA), to Extend
the Term of the Agreement from Two Years to Five Years, to Continue to Enable the
Residents of Palo Alto to Participate in the GoGreen Home Energy Financing
Program. Supplemental Report added
7.Authorization to Execute Amendment to Legal Services Contract S26195198 with
Colantuono Highsmith & Whatley PC to Increase Amount by $205,000 for Total Not-to-
Exceed Amount of $255,000; CEQA Status – Not a Project.
8.Adoption of an Emergency Ordinance Amending Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapters
16.04 (California Building Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2, Volumes
1 & 2), 16.05 (California Mechanical Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part
4), and 16.14 (California Green Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations,
Title 24, Part 11) to Make Non-Substantive Changes Addressing Comments from the
California Building Standards Commission. CEQA Status: Exempt Pursuant to CEQA
Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15308.
9.Approval of the Purchasing Card Audit and Extension Deadline for Two FY2024 Audit
Project Task Orders and Amendment of the FY2024 and FY2025 Task Order Budgets to
Realign the Authorized Budgets with a Net Zero Impact, as Recommended by the Policy
& Services Committee; CEQA – Not a Project
10.Approve Purchase Order S26195255 with Dasher Technologies, Utilizing a State of
California Blanket Purchase Agreement, to Procure Rubrik Data Backup and Security
Solution for a 3-Year Term for a Not-To-Exceed Amount of $106,933; CEQA Status - Not a
Project.
11.Approval of Professional Service Contract Number C26195633 with H.T. Harvey &
Associates in an Amount Not to Exceed $195,004 for Services to Manage a Wetland
Remedial Mitigation Plan for a Period of 2 Years. CEQA Status – Categorically Exempt.
12.FIRST READ: Adopt an Ordinance Amending PAMC Chapter 10.56 (Special Speed Zones)
to Update Speed Limit Studies for 22 Streets and Decrease the Speed Limit for a Portion
of Deer Creek Road; and Approve the 2024 Traffic Survey; CEQA status – categorically
exempt.
13.FIRST READING: Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 16.64 (Development Fee
and In-Lieu Payment Administration) of Title 16 (Building Regulations) of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code to Reflect Changes in Law. CEQA Status – Exempt under CEQA
3 September 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
14.SECOND READING: Ordinance Adopting the 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map Issued
by the State Fire Marshal (FIRST READING: August 11, 2025 PASSED 6-0-1, Lythcott-
Haims Absent)
15.SECOND READING: Ordinance Adding Use of Council Chambers Fees to the FY 2026
Municipal Fee Schedule (FIRST READING: August 11, 2025 PASSED 6-0-1, Lythcott-Haims
absent)
16.SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter
2.21 (Architectural Review Board) and Chapter 2.25 (Parks and Recreation Commission)
of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Amend Procedures for Electing a Chair and Vice
Chair (FIRST READING: August 11, 2025, PASSED 6-0-1, Lythcott-Haims Absent)
17.SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Restating
Procedures for Expedited Permitting Processing for Electric Vehicle Charging Systems
(FIRST READING: August 11, 2025 PASSED 6-0-1, Lythcott-Haims Absent)
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (7:20 - 7:35 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
ACTION ITEMS (Item 18: 7:50 - 9:05 PM, Item 19: 9:05 - 10:20 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished
Business and Council Matters.
18.Discuss the FY 2026 budget amendments to reduce General Fund appropriations by
approximately $6.2 million as Recommended by the Finance Committee and Approve
the FY 2026 Budget Amendments in Various Funds. CEQA Status - Not a Project.
19.Adoption of an Emergency Ordinance Amending Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC)
Chapter 16.04 to Add Local Administrative Amendments Related to Certificates of
Occupancy and Definitions to the 2022 California Building Code, and an Emergency
Ordinance Amending PAMC Chapter 16.17 to Adopt the 2025 California Energy Code
and Local Amendments Thereto. CEQA Status – Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Section
15061(b)(3) and 15308.
ADJOURNMENT
4 September 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
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.Community Engagement Plan for Rail Grade Separation Project at Churchill Avenue,
Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road Crossings
B.Fiscal Year 2025 Significant Gifts and Donations to the City of Palo Alto
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Council Appointed Officers Committee September 9, 2025
Policy & Services Committee September 9, 2025
City Schools Liaison Committee September 11, 2025
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
1.414 California Avenue [25PLN-00140]. Request for Council Prescreening to Rezone the
Subject Property from Community Commercial (2) (CC[2]) to Planned
Community/Planned Home Zoning and to Allow Construction of a Mixed-Use Building
with 37 Units in a Six-Story Structure on a 16,231-Square-Foot (0.37 Acre) Site. CEQA
Status: Not a Project. Item Removed Off Agenda (Rescheduled for September 15, 2025
City Council Meeting)
6.Approve Amendment #1 of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the California
Alternate Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA), to Extend
the Term of the Agreement from Two Years to Five Years, to Continue to Enable the
Residents of Palo Alto to Participate in the GoGreen Home Energy Financing
Program. Supplemental Report added
5 September 08, 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@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.
◦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.
6 September 08, 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 September 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.