HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-15 City Council Agenda PacketCITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
4:00 PM 4:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear 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 October 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
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY: BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES INTERVIEWS
1.Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Parks
and Recreation Commission (PRC), and Public Art Commission (PAC); CEQA Status - Not a
Project Supplemental Report added
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
CLOSED SESSION (8:40 - 9:40 PM)
2.CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Subject: Potential litigation regarding 156 North California Avenue, as set forth in letter(s)
from Holland & Knight LLP dated September 3, 2025
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2); One case, as Defendant.
ADJOURNMENT
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Policy & Services Committee October 14, 2025 CANCELED
Retail Committee October 15, 2025 CANCELED
Climate Action & Sustainability Committee October 17, 2025
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
SUPPLEMENTAL / AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
1.Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Parks
and Recreation Commission (PRC), and Public Art Commission (PAC); CEQA Status - Not a
Project Supplemental Report added
2 October 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.
3 October 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.
4 October 15, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
INTERVIEWS
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: October 15, 2025
Report #:2510-5273
TITLE
Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Parks and
Recreation Commission (PRC), and Public Art Commission (PAC); CEQA Status - Not a Project
BACKGROUND
The Fall 2025 Boards and Commissions recruitment opened on August 22, 2025, and closed on
September 24, 2025. HRC, PAC, and PRC each have three full-term vacancies.
Membership requirements for HRC, PRC, and PAC are listed below. Additionally, no
commissioners can be Councilmembers, officers, or employees of the City.
Human Relations Commission – Palo Alto residency1.
Parks and Recreation Commission – Palo Alto residency and demonstrated interest in
parks, open space and recreation matters2.
Public Art Commission - shall be either members of the architectural review board or
professional visual artists, professional visual arts educators, professional visual arts
scholars, or visual arts collectors whose authorities and skills are known and respected in
the community and, whenever feasible, who have demonstrated an interest in, and have
participated in, the arts program of the city3.
Each candidate interview will be scheduled for 10 minutes. Candidates will have an opportunity
to summarize their experiences, and the remaining time will be allocated to Councilmember
questions.
1 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 1.22.010 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-
0-0-61320
2 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.25.020 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-
0-0-61402
3 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.18.020 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-
0-0-61257
Item 1
Item 1 Staff Report
Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 5 of 8
Appointments are tentatively scheduled for the October 22, 2025 City Council Special Meeting.
Councilmembers will appoint candidates through live voting conducted during the meeting. The
City Clerk will announce the results of the vote.
The City Council is expected to select candidates for interview at the October 6, 2025 City Council
meeting. The interview schedule will be published as a supplemental report on October 9, 2025.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
None.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
City staff publicized the recruitment through the City’s Uplift Local community newsletter, City
Clerk’s Office newsletters, the City’s website, and the City’s social media channels. The
recruitment was also advertised in both print and online in the Palo Alto Daily Post and Palo Alto
Weekly. Recruitment information was also posted at Palo Alto libraries and City Hall and emailed
to previous applicants, community-based organizations and businesses related to the
commissions’ issue areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Council action on this item is not a project as defined by CEQA because it is an organizational or
administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the
environment. CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5).
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
Item 1
Item 1 Staff Report
Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 2 Packet Pg. 6 of 8
City Council
Supplemental Report
From: Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
Meeting Date: October 15, 2025
Item Number: 1
Report #:2510-5291
TITLE
Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Human Relations Commission, Parks and Recreation
Commission, and Public Art Commission; CEQA Status - Not a Project
BACKGROUND
This supplemental report provides the applicant interview schedule. There will be a 15 minute
break from 5:55 PM – 6:10 PM. Two candidates for the Parks and Recreation Commission
withdrew their applications, so there is an additional break from 7:10 PM – 7:30 PM (Candidates
have been asked to arrive 15 minutes early, Council may be able to move to the next interview if
candidate is present).
Candidates have been informed that:
1. Each interview is scheduled for 10 minutes. Candidate may begin with 1-2 minutes of
their experience and/or desire to serve. The remaining time will be Q+A with the City
Council;
2. Interviews are located in Council Chambers on the ground floor of City Hall (250
Hamilton Ave)
3. Please arrive or join zoom 15 minutes before the scheduled time and check in with the
clerk;
4. If joining via Zoom, make sure to use your name so the clerk can identify the candidate.
Please use this link to join https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238. The clerk will
allow you to unmute/turn on your video when it’s your turn.
Item 1
Item 1 Supplemental Report
Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 7 of 8
Human Relations Commission
4:35 PM – 4:45 PM Michelle Kraus (In Person)
4:45 PM – 4:55 PM Bridget Algee (In Person)
4:55 PM – 5:05 PM Sridhar Karnam (In Person)
5:05 PM – 5:15 PM Sunny Dykwel (In Person)
5:15 PM – 5:25 PM Allyson C. Rosen (In Person)
5:25 PM – 5:35 PM Mare Lucas (In Person)
5:35 PM – 5:45 PM Salwa Ansari (In Person)
5:45 PM – 5:55 PM Raizel Rosenberg (In Person)
Parks and Recreation Commission
6:10 PM – 6:20 PM Bobi Adle (In Person)
6:20 PM – 6:30 PM Brenton Hanlon (In Person)
6:30 PM – 6:40 PM Marc Schoenen (In Person)
6:40 PM – 6:50 PM Roger Smith (In Person)
6:50 PM – 7:00 PM Vadim Axelrod (Zoom)
7:00 PM – 7:10 PM Nellis Freeman, Jr. (In Person)
Public Art Commission
7:30 PM – 7:40 PM Eedit Bareket (In Person)
7:40 PM – 7:50 PM Simon Tran (In Person)
7:50 PM – 8:00 PM Anjana Joshi (Zoom)
8:00 PM – 8:10 PM Claude Ezran (In Person)
8:10 PM – 8:20 PM Robin Mullery (In Person)
8:20 PM – 8:30 PM Donny Foley (In Person)
8:30 PM – 8:40 PM Marilyn Gottlieb Roberts (In Person)
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
Item 1
Item 1 Supplemental Report
Item 1: Staff Report Pg. 2 Packet Pg. 8 of 8