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Home My WebLink About2025-09-15 City Council AgendaCITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting Monday, September 15, 2025 Council Chambers & Hybrid 5:30 PM 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 15, 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 - 6:10 PM) Members of the public may not speak to the item(s). STUDY SESSION (6:10 - 7:10 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. CONSENT CALENDAR (7:10 - 7:15 PM) Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members. 2.PUBLIC HEARING: Adoption of Voluntary Residential Electric Service Time-of-Use Rates (E-1 TOU) as Recommended by the Finance Committee; CEQA Status: Not a Project 3.Finance Committee Recommendation for City Council to Direct Staff to Follow the Reasonable-Cost Analysis Required by Proposition 26 for the Gas Cost of Service Analysis and Collaborate with the Utilities Advisory Commission to Develop Revised Gas Rate Schedules Effective January 2026, Based on Five Design Principles; CEQA – Not a Project 4.Authorization to Execute Amendment to Legal Services Agreement S25193131 with Diepenbrock Elkin Dauer McCandless to Increase Amount by $1,086,000 for Total Not-to- Exceed Amount of $1,171,000; CEQA Status – Not a Project. 5.Approval of Contract Amendment Number 1 to Contract C21177635B with Ingram Library Services in the amount of $255,000 for Print Materials and Services for a new not-to-exceed (NTE) of $455,000; and Contract Amendment Number 1 to Contract C21177635C with Midwest Tape in the amount of $53,000 for Media and Digital Materials and Services for a new not-to-exceed (NTE) of $753,000; CEQA Status – Not a Project. 2 September 15, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. 6.Approval of 1) Amendment No. 8 to Contract No. C16163034A with Cumming Management Group, Inc. to Add $208,528, Increasing the Not-to-Exceed Amount to $10,683,771, for Additional Construction Management Services; 2) Professional Services Contract No. S26195542 with 4Leaf, Inc. in the Amount of $150,579 to Provide Inspector of Record Services; and 3) Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Appropriation for the Capital Improvement Fund to Support the New Public Safety Building Capital Improvement Program Project (PE-15001); CEQA Status - Environmental Impact Report for the New Public Safety Building and New California Avenue Area Parking Garage (Resolution No. 9772) 7.Approval of the Third Amended and Restated Purchase Order Number 4521000199 with Altec Industries, Inc., to Increase the Purchase Order Amount by $365,983 to a New Not- to-Exceed Amount of $1,073,075, including a Contingency Amount of $51,099, for the Purchase of Two 2025 Peterbilt 548 Hydraulic Digger Derricks; and Amend the FY 2026 Budget in the Vehicle Replacement and Maintenance Fund and the Electric Fund; CEQA Status – Exempt, Not a Project 8.FIRST READING: Adoption of Four Ordinances, as Recommended by the Retail Committee, to Amend and Reorganize Stormwater and Wastewater Management Requirements by Amending PAMC Chapter 16.09 (Sewer Use Ordinance), Amending Chapter 16.11 (Stormwater Pollution Prevention), Adding New Chapter 16.13 (Requirements for Food Facilities Related to Water Pollution Prevention and Management of Fats, Oils, and Grease), and Adding New Chapter 16.66 (Hauled Liquid Waste); Adoption of Two Resolutions Establishing Regulations to Implement PAMC Chapters 16.11 and 16.13; Adoption of a Resolution Amending and Restating the Administrative Penalty Schedule and Civil Penalty Schedules for Certain Violations of the PAMC; CEQA Status – Exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 9.QUASI-JUDICIAL. 400 Mitchell Lane [25PLN-00006]: Recommendation From the Planning and Transportation Commission to Uphold the Director’s Decision to Approve a Conditional Use Permit Allowing a Private University Educational Use Within an Existing Building. CEQA Status: Exempt in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). Zone District: PF. CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (7:15 - 7:30 PM) BREAK (15 MINUTES) 3 September 15, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. ACTION ITEMS (Item 10: 7:45 - 9:00 PM, Item 11: 9:00 - 10:00 PM, Item 12: 10:00 - 10:15) Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters. 10.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) 11.Approval of a Third Phase Agreement with Northern California Power Agency for the Purchase of Battery Energy Storage Capacity from Trolley Pass Project LLC, over a Term of up to 20 Years for a Total Not to Exceed Amount of $161.7 Million; CEQA status: not a project under CEQA Guidelines sections 15378(a), (b)(5) 12.Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate for the League of California Cities Annual 2025 Conference, to be held October 8-10, 2025, in Long Beach, California 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.Semi-annual Reports of Contracts Awarded by the City Manager, Procurement Officer or Other Designated Employees for the period of January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2025; CEQA Status- Not a Project. B.Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) – 2025 Quarter 2 (April– June 2025) Report 4 September 15, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. OTHER INFORMATION Standing Committee Meetings this week Rail Committee September 16, 2025 Finance Committee September 16, 2025 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee September 19, 2025 Public Comment Letters Schedule of Meetings 5 September 15, 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 15, 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 15, 2025 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.