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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-15 City Council Summary MinutesCITY COUNCIL SUMMARY MINUTES Page 1 of 21 Special Meeting October 15, 2025 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers and by virtual teleconference at 4:30 P.M. Present In Person: Burt, Lauing, Lu, Lythcott-Haims, Reckdahl, Stone, Veenker Veenker Arrived at 4:32 p.m. Present Remotely: None Absent: None Call to Order Mayor Lauing called the meeting to order and stated that Vice Mayor Veenker will join the meeting as soon as possible. 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 Vice Mayor Veenker joined the meeting. City Clerk Mahealani Ah Yun stated the recruitment for HRC, PRC, and PAC had opened on August 22, 2025, and closed on September 24, 2025. There were 3 full-term vacancies on each commission. City Clerk Yun outlined the membership requirements, which were listed in the Council’s packet and had been provided to the public and the applicants. Each candidate would have a 10-minute interview. Human Relations Commission Michelle Kraus (in person) had served on the HRC for the last 2 cycles, had been vice chair for the last 2 years, and had taken leadership in the area of the HSRAP funding to the NGOs (Non- Government Organizations) of the City of Palo Alto as well as all aspects of public safety, including the eradication of hate in the City. Ms. Kraus had worked with fellow commissioners SUMMARY MINUTES Page 2 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 and others on listening sessions for the community, which included a workshop on hate crimes. Ms. Kraus had worked on homelessness and RV dwelling. Councilmember Stone asked how Ms. Kraus approached disagreement or conflicts amongst commissioners to keep conversations constructive and respectful. Ms. Kraus answered it was challenging but she had been a bridge between different communities. Communication and listening were the solutions to all disagreements. Councilmember Reckdahl inquired if Ms. Kraus had any regrets, would have done anything differently, or changed any of her positions or votes in her career with the HRC. Ms. Kraus replied that everyone has regrets. Ms. Kraus had said the wrong thing and been silent at the wrong time. Ms. Kraus wished she had been less vocal at some of the hearings but does not regret what she had said. Ms. Kraus was aware that she sometimes needed to listen more and talk less. Ms. Kraus would not change any of her positions or her votes. Ms. Kraus voted with her mind and heart, often to her detriment. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims queried if the City or Council could make better, more effective use of the HRC. Ms. Kraus wished there was more instrumental ability to effect policy, that the HRC be used more as a listening room, and that there be better communication across areas, such as with those who were not present in meetings. Vice Mayor Veenker questioned how the relationship and communication between the HRC and Council can be achieved. Vice Mayor Veenker asked if there was an RV dwellers subcommittee. Ms. Kraus answered there was somewhat of an RV dwellers subcommittee. Ms. Kraus attended RV dwellers meetings. To strengthen the relationship with Council, Ms. Kraus wanted to see listening sessions with the HRC and Council. Knowing what Council and the HRC cares about was instrumental. Regarding the agenda, Ms. Kraus desired that all (not just the chair and vice chair) have a chance to convene, which can maybe be formalized and occur quarterly. Bridget Algee (in person) expressed that human rights begin at home. Ms. Algee wished to serve Palo Alto in continuing to build a just, inclusive community. Ms. Algee was motivated to serve on the HRC because of its mission to safeguard the human rights of all. Ms. Algee’s strength was her approach to human rights work and how she viewed the initiatives of the HRC through a holistic lens. Social justice was an interconnected cycle, which relied on community engagement and data driven strategies for advocacy and policymaking. Ms. Algee would bring academic knowledge and experience. As an anthropologist, Ms. Algee had studied how identities, statuses, etc., intersect with systems of law, healthcare, and technology. As a geneticist and forensic scientist, Ms. Algee had experience working in conflict zones. Systemic violence and marginalization impacts individuals and communities. Ms. Algee worked with SUMMARY MINUTES Page 3 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 victims of violence, displacement, and human rights violations. Ms. Algee’s work in technology focused on creating inclusive, accessible, and responsible solutions. Ms. Algee had served on national standards boards in developing best practices for responsible science as it relates to identity, race, etc. Policies and programs can be designed to empower communities and reach those in need. Mayor Lauing requested that Ms. Algee speak to her reflection on getting town halls together. Ms. Algee is a senior director at Stanford in the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity and runs the Research Institute. There was open dialogue for all during the periods of George Floyd, the pandemic, and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Ms. Algee hoped to come to a sense of resolution during challenging times, which may be another town hall or a pathway for the center to take actions to provide support. It pained Ms. Algee the most when there were town halls with no outcomes. Follow-through was important. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims requested examples of town hall outcomes. Ms. Algee provided an example of the disbandment of White Plaza and the solutions offered. Councilmember Reckdahl inquired what steps Ms. Algee would take to approach her goal to address disparities and promote systemic change. Ms. Algee responded that battling disparity starts with conversations and using that information to build inclusive solutions. Sridhar Karnam (in person) was appointed as an HRC commissioner about 5 months ago and has worked on 2 subcommittees. Mr. Karnam’s term will end in October. Mr. Karnam was onboarding and focusing on supporting Council members, the community, and fellow commissioners. Mr. Karnam explained that progress and prioritization sit side by side. Mr. Karnam spoke of issues with protests. Mr. Karnam wanted to focus on public health and safety in terms of rail crossing safety, partnership with the Jed Foundation, etc. Mr. Karnam hoped to foster spaces where Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, etc., community members could be heard with respect to bring diverse perspectives together to strengthen the sense of community. Councilmember Stone questioned if Mr. Karnam would have done anything differently in his first few months of service to strengthen his participation or impact on the Commission. Mr. Karnam responded that he would have taken on a small project on his own to look for small wins. When on the subcommittee, Mr. Karnam would have reached out to Councilmember Stone sooner to understand the priorities and what could have been done to achieve the goal as it relates to youth mental health. Councilmember Burt asked what ideas Mr. Karnam has to address youth mental health, interfaith community building, and community healing during tensions. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 4 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 Mr. Karnam stated there had been interfaith listening sessions, which resulted in some City employees being trained on islamophobia and antisemitism. Community leaders checking in regularly with the HRC will be helpful. There needs to be an always-on program for projects in public health and safety. In closing, Mr. Karnam highlighted that he has always represented those without voices. The HRC was the place to focus on helping and giving back to society and achieving outcomes. Sunny Dykwel (in person) was applying because she wanted to continue the work she had done before and touch more lives. Ms. Dykwel had served on the board of a nonprofit that provided homes for neglected and abused children. Ms. Dykwel’s passion was youth mental health and preventing suicide. If appointed to the HRC, Ms. Dykwel wanted to revive Project Safety Net, support the City/School Liaison Committee, and advocate for a partnership with the Jed Foundation. Ms. Dykwel helped form the Friends of Lytton Plaza. Ms. Dykwel was an experienced event planner, advocate, and community builder who was involved in bringing back the Palo Alto Black and White Ball to Lucie Stern and making it a community-owned event. Ms. Dykwel served on the PRC for many years. Ms. Dykwel was part of creating Partners in Education. Ms. Dykwel was passionate about housing for the unhoused and middle- and low- income families and would help identify funding resources and partners to provide more BMR units. Thirty years in the real estate industry has equipped her with skills to address risk management, mediation, and arbitration. Diversity, equity, and inclusion make the country beautiful and prosperous. Ms. Dykwel is on the Board of the League of Women Voters. Ms. Dykwel spoke of her work with the homeless. Councilmember Reckdahl inquired how Ms. Dykwel would foster awareness and understanding of human relations. Ms. Dykwel stated there should be outreach to those needing programs. Allyson C. Rosen (in person) loved the people of Palo Alto and respected the HRC members. It would be an honor to serve the most vulnerable of the community. Ms. Rosen is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist with strong listening skills and expertise that prepares her to listen to the needs of the marginalized. As a director of dementia education, Ms. Rosen worked with social workers and health professionals as an educator of those serving veterans. Ms. Rosen had worked for years with organizations serving older adults. Ms. Rosen is ethics editor of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Ms. Rosen could assist with grants review as she served on NIH and VA grant study sections. Ms. Rosen extramural funding focuses on veterans with depression and PTSD. Ms. Rosen had a small grant on a psychotherapy program she developed for the pandemic as it related to stress. Ms. Rosen had worked with a student to prevent a suicide and engaged with the community to understand the two recent suicides. Ms. Rosen is a clinical professor affiliated with the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Ms. Rosen discussed the Jed Foundation possibly reunifying the community if the City works with them. Ms. Rosen felt that she could find solutions to the cuts in County funding resulting from H.R. 1. One of the best parts of being a psychologist was SUMMARY MINUTES Page 5 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 listening to those from diverse perspectives in their darkest hour and helping them find solutions and connections. Councilmember Stone inquired how Ms. Rosen would be proactive as it related to advising Council on the anticipated cuts resulting from H.R. 1. Ms. Rosen replied that the most important approach in helping the community stay healthy was early intervention. Ms. Rosen discussed ways to be more efficient in intervening. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims read a statement Ms. Rosen had posted in a chat group concerning Israel and Palestine and queried if Ms. Rosen was comfortable expressing such a view from the dais. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims requested that Ms. Rosen speak to how those two things were more compatible than they may seem. Ms. Rosen explained it was important to have correct and truthful information on the Israel- Hamas war. Ms. Rosen was concerned about radical hate. Ms. Lucas (in person) is a communications and marketing professional, had business experience, had run companies, had a software startup, and spent a decade on Capitol Hill and passed bipartisan legislation. The defining moment in Ms. Lucas’ life was losing her son to suicide 8 years ago. Ms. Lucas had been active over a decade in the Palo Alto community through the PTA, founded Sparkiverse, formed a mental health action group in response to recent suicides, going to every School Board meeting, focusing on mental health, and going to events. Ms. Lucas believed in building strong communities. The best ideas come from collaboration. If chosen, Ms. Lucas looked forward to helping Council achieve the City’s goals and bringing her experience and passion toward that. Councilmember Stone questioned if there was anything missing in the HRC’s 2025 Work Plan or if anything should be changed or modified. Ms. Lucas did not think the youth felt connected to the community, and she wanted to bring them into more, which would build a mental health fabric in the community. Ms. Lucas wanted folks to feel the same urgency as she did as it related to mental health. Vice Mayor Veenker asked how it might be achieved that festival attendees be more integrated and diverse. Ms. Lucas responded that simply inviting a friend was a way to do that. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims inquired what can be done for the LGBTQ+ community to increase a sense of belonging. Mare Lucas explained that it was action and awareness. It was important that Palo Alto have a Pride Parade, which Ms. Lucas felt she needed to singlehandedly do. Displaying flags was important. The community needed to make all feel welcome, and enough was not being done SUMMARY MINUTES Page 6 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 to do that. Coloring City Hall, etc., could be a start. There could be a Pride Month to invite folks in to learn and share. Salwa Ansari (in person) is a mother and wife, went to Berkeley, and is in finance. Previously, Ms. Ansari worked in nonprofit leadership. Ms. Ansari contracted with 2 DEI-focused organizations building and advising on strategic plans and evaluating grantees. Ms. Ansari was drawn to the HRC because it focuses on inclusion and listens to youth voices, faith leaders, residents, and those who have been marginalized. The focus on mental health resonates with her. In reviewing the HRC Work Plan, Ms. Ansari saw deep alignment with her tactical and personal skillsets. Ms. Ansari builds relationships, solves problems, and gets things done. Ms. Ansari had served on the PTA and has hosted School Board and Council members at her home to connect them to her community. Service begins at home. Folks need to feel seen so they will feel empowered and get involved. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims inquired, with the benefit of hindsight, if Ms. Ansari had recommendations or thoughts as to what the City might have done differently to build bridges and overcome some of the divisiveness as it relates to the situation in Gaza. Ms. Ansari believed in strategic engagement and staying in one’s lane. Ms. Ansari did not believe the City should be involved in global issues that were trying to be figured out on a national level. A lot of what was seen was reaction to the City or the School Board getting involved before thinking through everything. Ms. Ansari did not think anything was done with malintent but that things were done in good faith. Negative feelings come from a place of fear and lack of understanding and communication. There seemed to be times when Council or the School Board made statements or got involved in things that did not represent the entire situation or population, so the minority felt unseen. Folks need to be strategic civil citizens and engage and advocate in a healthy and effective way. Ms. Ansari wanted the City to do a youth program to teach them what to address and how to say it in a way that fosters understanding and not reactions. Councilmember Stone queried what was not in the HRC’s Work Plan that Ms. Ansari would advocate for being included. Ms. Ansari was familiar with and had reviewed the HRC’s Work Plan. Ms. Ansari does not want to come in with one item but would prefer to ask questions and learn. Youth mental health was important. The smaller communities should be brought into the broader fabric. Getting everyone involved would be healing. Mayor Lauing requested that Ms. Ansari speak to her comment about community members often navigating the existing system without strategic interaction and many in leadership being emotion driven. Mayor Lauing asked if Ms. Ansari was referring to Council as leadership and what the community signifies. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 7 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 Ms. Ansari answered that she was probably talking about her Muslim community and what has been happing the past 2 years. Regarding strategic interaction, it was important to validate emotions, though coming to the table emotional was not always effective. Vice Mayor Veenker was pleased to see Ms. Ansari’s comment concerning the power of collaboration to achieve a positive future. Raizel Rosenberg (in person) is a new product engineer at a prefabricated housing manufacturer, a resident, and a renter. Serving on the HRC has been a long-time goal. Over the past year, Ms. Rosenberg had reviewed the HRC’s meetings closely to understand its priorities. Ms. Rosenberg was applying to build upon its efforts around youth mental health, inclusion, and economic inequality. If appointed, Ms. Rosenberg will strive to accomplish a joint listening session on the role of technology in mental health with a focus on AI safety. If on the HRC’s Inclusion and Belonging Subcommittee, Ms. Rosenberg would support the goal to work with the City’s new event staff on an LGBTQ+ Pride event. Ms. Rosenberg desired to connect with County partners on how resources, specifically for transgender youth, can be expanded to North County. Ms. Rosenberg wanted a joint learning session with the PTC to explore ADUs being a sustainable home ownership model in Palo Alto. Ms. Rosenberg was of Mexican- American-Jewish heritage, a bilingual Spanish speaker, had lived in a mobile home park, and had friends who reside in RVs, which drove her desire to help the HRC liaison with Buena Vista and the RV residents. Ms. Rosenberg had a deep commitment to empathy, equity, and belonging. Councilmember Stone asked if anything was missing in the HRC’s Work Plan or if Ms. Rosenberg wanted to see a greater focus on anything they have been discussing over the past year. Ms. Rosenberg wanted a joint listening session with the libraries on the role of AI safety and mental health and an LGBTQ+ Pride event, whether working with the new event City staff or taking advantage of microgrant funding. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims inquired why Ms. Rosenberg thought ADUs had a connection with the HRC. Ms. Rosenberg replied that a big part of the HRC was to focus on needs of the public the ability to shape policy. ADUs were a great way to explore alternative home ownership pathways and address economic inequality. Vice Mayor Veenker asked her to expand on the idea of exploring childcare spaces, such as at Cubberley. Ms. Rosenberg responded that exploring childcare spaces was part of the hope that there could be more conversation about income inequality and economic imbalance. Having such a space would be beneficial to mental health. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 8 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 Councilmember Reckdahl queried what was the most enjoyable and fulfilling of her volunteer work. Ms. Rosenberg answered the most rewarding was working individually with folks on a personal level. Mayor Lauing questioned why folks, who dwell in vehicles for example, want to reside in Palo Alto. Ms. Rosenberg answered that part of it has to do with workplace travel and Palo Alto gives folks a feeling of belonging. Councilmember Stone asked what Ms. Rosenberg wanted to see the HRC focus on as it relates to renters’ rights and issues. Ms. Rosenberg replied that the HRC’s role was listening to the community, making sure folks feel heard, and maintaining its occupation as a body to shape policy. If there was a flag from a renter, the HRC could help in the reporting process and directing folks to the right resources. In conclusion, Ms. Rosenberg voiced it had been a goal to serve on the HRC. Ms. Rosenberg wished to help with the Youth Mental Health Taskforce goals and with bilingual communication and to be of service to the community. [Council took a 14-minute break] Parks and Recreation Commission City Clerk Yun announced that Drew Pearson and Hurjane Vongsachang withdrew their applications. Marc Schoenen was not in attendance due to illness. Council could direct the Clerk’s office to reschedule the interview at a future meeting. Mayor Lauing declared that possibly rescheduling Mr. Schoenen’s interview will be discussed after completing the interviews. Bobi Adle (in person) is a multigenerational Palo Altan. Mr. Adle desired to be part of the PRC because PRC programs made a huge impact to his life as a youth. Mr. Adle had been an employee of the Parks and Recreation Department for 10 years. Mr. Adle wanted to help create the Cubberley program. Councilmember Reckdahl asked what Mr. Adle’s thoughts were on Cubberley and what features were essential and what would be nice to have. Mr. Adle liked the program currently being set forth and that it will be done piecemeal. Mr. Adle understands the difficulty in working with the School District. Removing housing from the area made a huge impact in a good way. It should be for arts, recreation, etc., and was a good move forward. Theater, art studios, and athletic fields were essential. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 9 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 Councilmember Burt inquired what areas were most under-met in terms of parks and recreation in the community. Mr. Adle answered that afterschool programs were the most under-met. Many more afterschool sports programs were needed. Councilmember Stone queried what the PRC’s role was in being good environmental stewards and balancing environmentalism with some of the goals Mr. Adle discussed. Mr. Adle replied that Palo Alto needs to lead the way in environmentalism and lead the way in researching AstroTurf and regular turf. Mayor Lauing questioned how Mr. Adle will parse out the various sports competing for space, money, resources, staff, etc., and if Mr. Adle has an example of an issue that was not correctly decided by the PRC. Mr. Adle answered that it was a long-term project and adjustments needed to be made. The greater good needs to be taken care of and there should be conversations and all points heard before making decisions. Mr. Adle has no example of an issue that was not correctly decided by the PRC. In closing, Mr. Adle wanted to make sure voices were heard and that those who care about the program provide input. Mr. Adle has a vested interest in making sure Palo Alto was the roadmap for those in the Bay Area to follow. Mr. Hanlon (in person) recently retired after serving as CEO of several companies and serving on several boards of directors and now becoming active as a volunteer. Mr. Hanlon volunteers at Gamble Garden, Half Moon State Park, Cactus Garden, and San Jose Rose Garden. Mr. Hanlon mentors high school students in resume writing, etc., and 4th grade reading. Mr. Hanlon’s experience in business and planning and his interest in gardening might be helpful. Parks were an opportunity in Palo Alto and there were not enough of them or facilities. Mayor Lauing asked if Mr. Hanlon made a distinction between parks and open space. Mr. Hanlon replied that open space requirements were much different than a park. There were not enough community parks but where to put them was a problem. Councilmember Reckdahl inquired how Mr. Hanlon would balance preserving open space and having public access to it and also what Mr. Hanlon thought about Palo Alto’s recreation programs. Brenton Hanlon thought it was a constant challenge to manage public access, wildlife, and true open space. Mr. Hanlon wanted more recreation programs. More sports were always needed but it required much space. Mr. Hanlon desires that the Cubberley campus have a lot of recreation but it will cost a lot. In summary, Mr. Hanlon noted he was not familiar with the specific issues but will learn. Over the years, Mr. Hanlon has learned a lot about planting, organizing, and working with people. Mr. Hanlon will provide the clerk with an updated resume. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 10 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 Roger Smith (in person) was retired from Silicon Valley Bank, which formed Friends of the Palo Alto Parks, understanding that the City will never have enough money to do all it wanted to do. If on the PRC, Mr. Smith wanted to find money in the City to do public-private partnerships and ask folks with deep pockets for money. Mr. Smith is 84 years old and felt he could help represent the older population. Councilmember Burt queried, besides funding, what needs were under-met in parks and recreation. Mr. Smith responded that Foothill Preserve needs money and love, and had been trying to determine how Los Altos Hills could participate. Bathrooms were important. All parks could be made better in some way. Councilmember Lu requested that Mr. Smith speak to his vision for Cubberley. Mr. Smith answered that he had not studied Cubberley as much as he should have. Mr. Smith had been on the board for the gym, which was needed. It will be a tough battle for a number of reasons. It was good to get seniors and youth out of the house and in the community. Councilmember Reckdahl questioned what Mr. Smith has learned from his work in Palo Alto parks and if there could be additions to the Recreation Program for seniors. Mr. Smith answered that it was very rewarding. Mr. Smith discussed Lytton Plaza and the young people needing to get involved with it. Mr. Smith learned how to do things, and thought they helped staff learn. Mr. Smith suggested that the Junior Center at Mitchell Park be open on weekends and that there be a sign indicating where the bathrooms were at Ada’s Café. There can be a better job done on little things like that. There should be input from the citizens. Mr. Smith envisions there being a person to watch each of the parks. Mayor Lauing asked if Mr. Smith needed to be on a commission to raise funds. Mr. Smith wanted to be on the PRC to get a better picture of how things could be done faster and to identify opportunities. As for funding, small amounts could be raised by asking the right people. Vice Mayor Veenker inquired how Mr. Smith would go about balancing decisions on parking, bicycling, etc., and the ecosystem at Byxbee Park. Mr. Smith believed there was a lot at Byxbee that folks do not use much. Mr. Smith suggested folks ride bikes and carpool and that there be carpool parking space. Vadim Axelrod (in person) is a software startup person and an avid user of various parks and recreation facilities. Mr. Axelrod attended grad school at Stanford and understands how facilities were blending. Mr. Axelrod was a member of the museum, zoo, Gamble gardens, etc. Mr. Axelrod had a background in local government, was on Parks and Recreation in SUMMARY MINUTES Page 11 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 Westchester, New York, for about 3 years, and served a couple terms with the Economic Development Council in San Carlos. Mr. Axelrod suggested doing a survey with staff on parks, playgrounds, and facilities to make sure everything was balanced and accessible. Mr. Axelrod discussed integrating AI in ranger-led walks, which would take little work and not cost much. Councilmember Burt queried if there were any interesting contrasts been parks and recreation in Rye Brook and Palo Alto and if Mr. Axelrod has anything to share on the need for safe and convenient access to facilities by pedestrians and bicyclists. Mr. Axelrod replied that Rye Brook’s population was about 8,000 with 2 major parks and a few smaller ones, so it was much more contained in the issues to tackle, and there were budget and staffing issues. It was exciting to get community feedback regarding key aspects to focus on. It was important to consider constituents early on to streamline the process. Rye Brook had sponsorships for playground remodel, etc. Palo Alto’s Bike Plan was a great step forward to ensure that everything will be accessible. There seemed to be delay on street crossings and other projects that have been in the works for a long time. There should be a balance of parking and easy bike and walk access. Councilmember Stone requested Mr. Axelrod’s thoughts on the PRC being environmental stewards. Mr. Axelrod responded there should be a good balance between access and preservation for folks to understand the value of nature. Mr. Axelrod suggested limiting paths, rotating accessibility seasonally, and ensuring that folks have a way to see the spaces and appreciate nature. There should be a balance of access and preservation of space. Consideration should be given to community feedback, valued aspects, access, and access times and balancing it with the eco-preservation needs. Councilmember Reckdahl requested Mr. Axelrod speak about the sports field reservation system and improvements that could be made in youth and adult sports. Mr. Axelrod was in San Carlos when his kids accessed the sports fields, so he could not speak to the system in Palo Alto. Rotating fields and balancing artificial turf and grass needed to be considered. There was not a winning solution that all fields be a particular kind because each surface had its advantage. There had been friction issues with reservation systems not being publicly available at facilities, which could be addressed with signage at the field or with digital access. Vice Mayor Veenker inquired if Mr. Axelrod learned anything about grass versus turf in Rye Brook. Mr. Axelrod replied there were strong beliefs on both sides of the table. The winning strategy was making sure everyone was heard, determining the number of users and their preference by sport, and ensuring that balance was equivalent to availability. There were cost considerations. San Carlos has field types that were a little more expensive but they paid for themselves. Fields SUMMARY MINUTES Page 12 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 consisting of coconut shavings has lasted over 15 years, and they were not associated with hard impacts. Mr. Freeman Jr. (in person) commented it has been a privilege to be on the PRC for the last 3 years. Mr. Freeman wanted to be involved in the exciting projects in the queue. During his time on the Commission, Mr. Freeman had focused on balancing the needs of the diverse community, whether it was tennis, soccer, etc., and preserving the natural spaces. Mr. Freeman had worked collaboratively with City staff, community groups, and fellow commissioners to ensure decisions were thoughtful, inclusive, and grounded in the City’s goals. The Commission plays an important role in shaping how Palo Alto invests in facilities, programs, and spaces. A commissioner’s role was to listen, build consensus, and make sure all perspectives were considered. Some challenges were forthcoming with turnovers on the Commission and historical background being lost. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims requested that Mr. Freeman speak to the temperament it takes to be a successful PRC commissioner and what he wanted to tweak in himself. Mr. Freeman Jr. responded a commissioner has to listen, be open-minded, and work with City staff. Mr. Freeman tried to be proactive instead of reactive, do as much as he could to relieve staff pressures, and communicate with the public. There were folks who want to take advantage of open space and those to want to protect it, which was challenging but could be done through education. Vice Mayor Veenker queried if there were areas where the PRC needs stronger skillsets or attributes. Mr. Freeman Jr. answered that the commissioners do a good job balancing each other by listening to and respecting each other. It was important to understand different perspectives. Mr. Freeman spoke of pickleball and tennis as an example. Mayor Lauing asked if it was possible to interview Mr. Schoenen on October 20. City Clerk Yun will check with Mr. Schoenen to see if he will be available. Council was scheduled to make the appointments on October 22. If Mr. Schoenen was not available on the 20th, the appointments could be moved to a later date. Mayor Lauing instructed the clerk to get Mr. Schoenen’s response. City Clerk Yun will keep Mr. Schoenen and the Council posted. [Council took a 20-minute break] Public Art Commission Eedit Bareket (in person) spoke about her lifelong commitment to cultural engagement, community, and volunteering. Ms. Bareket saw public art as a vital way to connect, represent, SUMMARY MINUTES Page 13 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 and inspire communities. Ms. Bareket’s parents attended the New York City School of Photography, her aunt and uncle were a printmaker and a silversmith. Ms. Bareket’s father was the chief photographer of The Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Ms. Bareket accompanied her father on archeological digs. Ms. Bareket grew up around artists and curators. Ms. Bareket recalled meeting artist Robert Rauschenberg. Seeing how audiences reacted to exhibitions gave Ms. Bareket an understanding of how art shaped identity, preserved history, and sparked conversation. Ms. Bareket studied Art History for her undergraduate in Toronto and at Tel Aviv for graduate school. Ms. Bareket arrived in Palo Alto over 20 years ago when her kids were in elementary school. Through her children, Ms. Bareket volunteered to bring art into the classroom. Ms. Bareket had been a docent of the Palo Alto Art Center. Ms. Bareket had worked in San Francisco for social impact companies doing volunteer coordinating, foreign student liaison work, and event planning. Ms. Bareket volunteered at 826 Valencia and Mission High School, which gave her an opportunity to hear from kids living in different circumstances. Ms. Bareket created a home gallery to curate and exhibit works by family, friends, and emerging artists to support creativity, foster dialogue, and bring art into the daily life of those around her. Councilmember Burt asked Ms. Bareket if there were areas that the Public Art Commission should emphasize more. Ms. Bareket enjoyed the murals and utility boxes and wanted to see more. Ms. Bareket suggested having docent-led tours of artwork, maybe by students. Mayor Lauing requested an example of Ms. Bareket’s answer to Question 3 in her application about wanting the Public Art Commission to achieve a more transparent, inclusive, and youthful approach to bringing art to the community with new voices and ideas. Ms. Bareket wanted to see more murals and art along with explanations about the artist; and younger people can create art that is relevant to their lives. Councilmember Reckdahl wondered if Ms. Bareket had ideas on how to get younger voices for the art community. Ms. Bareket suggested turning vacant storefronts into popup galleries and local kids could apply for exhibiting their art, particularly University Avenue could benefit from added color. Maybe some of the art could be sold and have the money go back into the community or to the artist. Councilmember Stone asked Ms. Bareket what were the opportunities to incorporate public art in the redevelopment of the Cubberley Community Center and what was the Commission’s role in the reimagining of Cubberley. Ms. Bareket was not familiar with the revitalization of Cubberley. Ms. Bareket had spent time at Cubberley for book sales and her children’s dance class, and she loved the café by the library. Ms. Bareket noted the area was important to the community, so she thought something like that in a different way would be great. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 14 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 Vice Mayor Veenker missed the earlier part of Ms. Bareket’s interview but will watch the video before casting her vote. In closing, Ms. Bareket felt that being on the Public Art Commission was a wonderful way to give back to the community she loved. Simon Tran (in person) is a father, artist, and educator. Mr. Tran managed the education programming at Southern Exposure, an artist nonprofit in San Francisco, where teenagers created and curated art exhibits for a 1200-square-foot gallery. Mr. Tran had worked in special education at Berkeley High School and as a gallery manager at the Berkeley Art Center. Mr. Tran was a recipient of Palo Alto’s utility box art program and did an installation in front of the Cubberley Art Center. Mr. Tran was part of the King summer residency program and shared a studio with Alma Landeta, which had an amazing installation out front and Mr. Tran wanted to advocate for more of that work to include folks who were considered marginalized. Mr. Tran volunteered at NIAD, Creative Growth, and Creativity Explored, helping adults with developmental disabilities. Mr. Tran wanted to continue helping others within the arts through the Public Art Commission. Councilmember Reckdahl asked Mr. Tran what he liked about being an artist versus a curator, what was the difference, and if being a curator made him a better artist. Mr. Tran explained that a curator expressed something about themselves through the collective works but there was a sense of separation between the exhibition and the person putting the exhibition together. A curator highlighted others, demonstrated empathy, and cared about other people and their work by putting it on display. A practicing artist had the opportunity to narrate through material, intent, and composition. Mr. Tran believed that curating helped him be a better artist. Councilmember Burt requested Mr. Tran to expand on his thoughts about murals having a greater role in our community. Mr. Tran pointed out that Palo Alto had a lot of walls. With tension happening everywhere, murals provided an opportunity to rest, contemplate, meditate, and, depending on the subject matter of the art composition, created a space of belongingness. Mr. Tran thought murals helped with community, potentially created a safe space, and gave kids a trajectory in their life. If on the Commission, Vice Mayor Veenker wondered what Mr. Tran would say to his fellow commissioners about how and why to involve artists with disabilities. Mr. Tran stated that when working with any artist, especially artists with disabilities, you had to consider how to connect with the artist, be patient, make accommodations, and meet with them virtually on Zoom or in person wherever they are, such as at a day center or group home. The case managers and creative directors at Creative Growth and NIAD connected with those folks. Mr. Tran highly recommended having mediated pathways to reach out to artists with SUMMARY MINUTES Page 15 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 disabilities. You do not know every artist’s background, so empathy was important. Empathy should especially be emphasized when working with adults with disabilities. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims asked Mr. Tran to give the Council a sense of the public art world he wanted to help the City create, how he practiced as an artist, and his favorite piece of public art in Palo Alto as well as one that did not stand the test of time. Mr. Tran was mostly a painter but also did drawings and was commissioned for Montage Health Center (a children’s hospital in Monterey). Mr. Tran did murals for Facebook, Meta, and Chapter 510. Mr. Tran’s colorful paintings referenced personal and cultural history through abstraction and floral organic compositions. The cart without legs was very distinctive; Mr. Tran did not know whether he liked it or hated it but it left a lasting impression, so it was effective at making you contemplate it and therefore was a good piece of public artwork. Anjana Joshi (Zoom) has lived in Palo Alto for over 30 years and is a design educator who has taught at Cañada College in Redwood City for the last 27 years and at Chabot College in Hayward for the last 5 years. Ms. Joshi taught classes in California architecture, urban design, the history of art and architecture, among many others. Ms. Joshi viewed herself as a lifelong student of art and design, and looked constantly for how our environment could keep updated. Ms. Joshi opined that art in public places fostered connections, place-making, and provided an opportunity for all to come together in a non-transactional setting. Ms. Joshi utilized the medium of oil painting in her art. Many of Ms. Joshi’s students were young people who felt dislocated with what was going on in the world around them and had a general sense of despondency and loneliness, which Ms. Joshi felt was partly due to Palo Alto being an expensive place for a young person. Through art, Ms. Joshi hoped more people could be brought into experiences that do not cost much. Recently, San Francisco launched a week focusing on loneliness and isolation. Ms. Joshi firmly believed that art, architecture, and urban design could alleviate some of the feelings of isolation and loneliness by creating spaces for people to come together and make those locations their own community. Ms. Joshi looked forward to being on the Commission to take part in decision making that greatly enriched urban space through art. Councilmember Lu read in Ms. Joshi’s application about her goal of getting more young adults involved in the public art process. Councilmember Lu inquired how Ms. Joshi could get more voices involved in the Commission’s process. Ms. Joshi thought one of the first steps toward getting more young people involved was to draw them to the art on display. Ms. Joshi sensed that feeling left out was a huge issue among young people. It was a problem that everything cost a lot to go to in this area but creating a place where people could sit and hang out or interact with the great public art in Palo Alto would provide a free and enriching experience. Ms. Joshi’s favorite piece of art in town was the Donut at the intersection of Page Mill and El Camino, which she had only driven by but never stopped. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 16 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 Councilmember Stone asked Ms. Joshi where she saw great opportunities for expansion of the City’s art programs and mediums of art. Ms. Joshi suggested displaying artwork in safe, well-lit piazzas or plazas where new developments were being created, as part of a pedestrian or bike corridor, or someplace where young people could congregate or walk such as a promenade, similar to cities in old Asia or Europe where people go out for walks in the evening. Mayor Lauing was intrigued by Ms. Joshi’s possible approach to loneliness with art. Seniors and youth have feelings of loneliness. Mayor Lauing wondered how Ms. Joshi would attract the attention of seniors and youth to be involved in art, and if she would help them make art or look at and appreciate art. Ms. Joshi grew up with her grandparents and believed that having people from different generations coexist in the same space was sometimes of great comfort to people, a great way to bridge loneliness, and each generation had much to learn from the other generation. When spaces were created intentionally to make all age groups comfortable, Ms. Joshi thought it would attract the older generation to sit and watch the younger generation go about their lives. Ms. Joshi did not anticipate having people make art, rather she envisioned people coming together to enjoy the art that had been created for them by artists. Claude Ezran (in person) applied last year for the Public Art Commission. For 5 years, Mr. Ezran has been Joint Chair of the United Nations Association Film Festival (UNAFF). UNAFF evaluated, discussed, and collectively made decisions on documentaries, which was a similar process to the Public Art Commission. Mr. Ezran had a strong interest in art, had been to many museums and art shows around the world, met many artists, and had been to Art Basel Miami. Mr. Ezran attended Burning Man every year because of the fantastic art. If selected to be on the Commission, one of Mr. Ezran’s objectives was to make public art in Palo Alto more exciting, creative, and noticeable. Mr. Ezran loved the owl bollards at the Mitchell Park Library, which made him smile every time he saw them. Mr. Ezran was excited for Code:ART tomorrow. Mr. Ezran’s goal was to help make Palo Alto more of an art destination as he did for music when he organized Palo Alto World Music Day for 11 years. Mr. Ezran could help bring some of the Burning Man sculptures to Palo Alto as had been done in the past or other exciting art projects. Vice Mayor Veenker noted Mr. Ezran was a collector and had taken art classes but was not an artist. Vice Mayor Veenker wondered to what extent not being an artist affected the role of a Public Art Commission Member. Mr. Ezran appreciated art, attended a lot of art events, met artists and appreciated what they do. Mr. Ezran pointed out he would be part of a team on the Commission and would bring the perspective of somebody who appreciated art, more of a user instead of an artist. Mr. Ezran would try to motivate his fellow commissioners to see things in a different way. Mr. Ezran wanted to explore having more art shows in Palo Alto. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 17 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 Councilmember Reckdahl queried if Mr. Ezran thought the Public Art Commission should broaden its scope to include more performance art such as music and film. Mr. Ezran was not sure but was open-minded about the Public Art Commission including music and film. Art had many forms, so public art could take many forms. If the Commission, City Council, and City Administration wanted to include music, performances, and films, Mr. Ezran thought it was great to have more art opportunities in Palo Alto because art was uplifting. Councilmember Burt asked Mr. Ezran to talk about any additional areas where the City should expand public art or the form of public art in our community. Mr. Ezran thought a lot of the public art displays could be improved. Mr. Ezran often goes to Rinconada Library and what he saw was relatively bland. Depending on the budget, Mr. Ezran had an interest in renovating or rotating some of the art pieces that had been in place for a long time and were no longer noticeable. Councilmember Stone wondered how Mr. Ezran could make Palo Alto an art destination through the Art Commission. Mr. Ezran noted art events were exciting. The Code:ART event attracted people and generated publicity. Having art expos and broadening the scope of the Commission would attract people. Mr. Ezran had been to other cities in the Bay Area and sometimes saw interesting and creative art. Palo Alto was known for great restaurants but could also be known for providing a great opportunity to see art. You want people to tell other people to come to Palo Alto because I saw this great art and have it spread by word of mouth. In closing, Mr. Ezran stated he would bring a different perspective to the Commission because he was not an artist. The City trusted Mr. Ezran for 11 years to produce Palo Alto World Music Day, attended by up to 20,000 people from throughout the Bay Area. Mr. Ezran hoped the City would trust him to do similar great things for Palo Alto on the Public Art Commission. Robin Mullery (in person) was a working artist in the disciplines of sculpture, installation, and mixed media art. Ms. Mullery had a passion for public art as a means to activate spaces, to create place, to create a feeling of connection and community, and was a unique opportunity for people to engage with themselves and the art in place. Ms. Mullery appreciated the accessibility of public art and the surprise when you turn a corner while walking down the street in Palo Alto and see the whimsical art of someone climbing out a window. Ms. Mullery had visitors from out of town comment on the public art they saw in Palo Alto when walking down the street. Ms. Mullery was born and raised in the Bay Area, lived and worked in Palo Alto for 25 years, and her kids were in Palo Alto schools. Ms. Mullery and her family engaged in the arts and education and felt deeply enriched. Ms. Mullery had experience in fundraising for art. For 10 years, Ms. Mullery started and ran an annual benefit for the Masters of Fine Arts program she graduated from; the money raised went to support a scholarship fund for emerging writers. Ms. Mullery worked as a psychotherapist in Palo Alto in addition to her art practice as a Cubberley Artist in Residence. Ms. Mullery volunteered as a docent with Project SUMMARY MINUTES Page 18 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 Look at the Palo Alto Art Center. Ms. Mullery wanted to be on the Commission to advocate for public art. Code:ART exhibits come and go quickly. Councilmember Burt was interested in any thoughts Ms. Mullery had on how to offer semi-permanent or more prolonged exhibits for some of those pieces. Ms. Mullery understood the Public Art Commission supported the Public Art Department and worked toward meeting the goals of a plan that included long-term artwork, festivals, and temporary artwork. Code:ART was an example of temporary artwork and it drew people to Palo Alto. Many other things were happening in Palo Alto that made it feel alive at this time of year, including the Moonlight Run & Walk and glass pumpkins. Ms. Mullery knew the Public Art Department worked with new media but she was unsure how to make some of the Code:ART experience last longer because it depended on the exhibit. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims met Ms. Mullery at her installation on an empty lot in Palo Alto. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims asked if Ms. Mullery, as a Cubberley artist, had any thoughts about what could be done in the interim to enhance the look, feel, and overall experience people have at Cubberley, how to better activate the space and spruce up or draw more attention to existing assets. Ms. Mullery attended the last Cubberley planning meeting and was excited to see the proposed phases. The community programming at Cubberley mostly took place outside because only a limited number of people could come in and engage in the artist studios. Cubberley artists have access to a slightly bigger space at U7. Ms. Mullery led a couple workshops. For the FrankenStuffie workshop around Halloween where kids took apart stuffed animals and sewed them back together into different shapes, space outside the artist studio was used to set up picnic tables and benches. Murals enliven a space. Artists do a lot of community service as part of their tenure in the Cubberley Artist-in-Residence program, so Ms. Mullery wanted to make sure that whatever was requested from the artist fit within the community service program because many of them were working artists and had a lot to do between shows and installations. Councilmember Stone wondered how Ms. Mullery envisioned the City using public art more intentionally to address the needs of mental health issues and the loneliness epidemic. Ms. Mullery acknowledged that art could bring people together and created a sense of connection but art was not going to answer the mental health need. Ms. Mullery viewed art as an adjunct and something that could spark hope when it was encountered. Maybe about 10 years ago, a whisper wall was outside as a temporary public artwork. You could go to a website and type what you wanted to send out into the world on the whisper wall. Ms. Mullery recalled writing a message to her dad who had died recently, which gave her a sense of connection to her dad and she felt good knowing other people would see the message she wrote. Art had the SUMMARY MINUTES Page 19 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 potential to bring a feeling of connection and hope; how we do it depended on access and what the Public Art Department was bringing forward. Donny Foley (in person) is the education exhibition director at Pacific Art League where he has worked for about 7 years; before then, he worked for about 7 years at a gallery in San Jose. Mr. Foley ran a website called My Art Resources, which was a hub of resource information for emerging and established artists. Councilmember Reckdahl noted Mr. Foley’s application talked about strengthening the bond or connection with artists and Councilmember Reckdahl wondered how that was done. Councilmember Reckdahl asked if the City was aggressive in having new programs would it attract artists or if there were plenty of artists in Palo Alto would it cause the City to develop programs around the artists. Mr. Foley believed communication was the core of everything. Mr. Foley suggested finding out what the community wanted, talk to and establish a relationship with the artists, find out what people needed and fill those needs. Mr. Foley thought it worked both ways, a balance between the City having a lot of programs that needed filling and finding the right artists to fill those programs. Vice Mayor Veenker inquired how Mr. Foley’s perspective as a gallery manager allowed him to understand the creative and practical sides of presenting art. Vice Mayor Veenker wondered if there were things Mr. Foley wanted to do on a larger scale; and how might Mr. Foley’s combination of artistry, practical, and operational experience and skills help the City make decisions about what and where to place public art. Mr. Foley thought Palo Alto did a good job with public art and was interested in learning how it was done on this scale. The previous gallery Mr. Foley worked at had 2 people who did a lot of the murals in San Jose. When doing an installation, Mr. Foley needed to know what was seen from every angle; what was the first piece you see when walking in the front door, what you see when walking down the street, what will draw you in from where you are standing, what you see if you are driving in from Embarcadero, and what you see from an office building across the street. Mr. Foley controlled what people see where and could draw them to a certain place to see more of what he wanted them to see. If Mr. Foley wanted people to read a placard, he could angle a sculpture so that a placard is in their path as they walk toward the sculpture and were more likely to read it. Marilyn Gottlieb Roberts (in person) is a classically trained artist who was interested in teaching and communication communitywide. Ms. Roberts had worked with communities since 1980, and had 30 years of experience as a college teacher who taught drawing, painting, and art history in studio classes and lectures, so she would bring that experience to the Public Art Commission. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 20 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 Mayor Lauing noted Ms. Roberts’ application mentioned appreciation of evolving history of public art and to workshop imagine design, and Mayor Lauing wondered if that would happen in the creation of a building. Ms. Roberts believed that studio teaching happened best in an atmosphere of play. Ms. Roberts noticed interesting work with utility boxes and thought it would be fun to play with that if the Cubberley folks were interested. Besides Cubberley, Councilmember Stone inquired what other opportunities could the City engage in to enhance public art across the city for everybody. Ms. Roberts watched videos of some of the Council meetings and saw discussion on a project on Stanford property and a condo project. Ms. Roberts noted how widely separated the community’s interests were, and she was interested in working with a dynamic community with a diversity of views. Vice Mayor Veenker asked Ms. Roberts to compare and contrast the public art community in Palo Alto versus Miami, and what had been learned or done with public art in Florida that might be of interest or enhance our community in Palo Alto. Ms. Roberts had a temporary commission for the Miami Zoo where she did a constellation walk by using markers to designate spots for people to stop and think about what had happened with the animals and the history of some events, and the spots were mapped as dots on pieces of paper for visitors to connect the dots to make a picture. Ms. Roberts was commissioned throughout 10 communities in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida where she made a planetarium. Ms. Roberts created a 14-foot inflatable moon where people could go inside and make shadows. People started bringing props and Ms. Roberts worked with some folks to make stories for a shadow puppet play. Ms. Roberts viewed her artwork as child’s play, something you would see at a birthday party for a 6 year old. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims noted Ms. Roberts’ application mentioned West Africa. When arriving in Palo Alto after having been in many other places, Councilmember Lythcott-Haims wanted to know what Ms. Roberts felt and came to know about this community in reference to other places she had been, what defined Palo Alto, and what kind of public art might provide what we want people to experience in Palo Alto. Ms. Roberts did not know the Cubberley folks but wanted to work with the Cubberley art people to do playful things. The first and most enduring image Ms. Roberts had of Palo Alto was of a little town in a valley and the mountains. Ms. Roberts suggested playing with the many fascinating visual contrasts in Palo Alto and see what comes out of it. NO ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES Page 21 of 21 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 10/15/2025 Closed Session 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. Public Comment: 1. Herb B. noted the 2 issues with this project was whether it should be made subject to or exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and what was the size of the project. Herb B. believed it was possible to address this in public without having a closed session of the Council. Herb B. thought both sides of the negotiation were pretending there was a dispute in order to go to closed session to evade the public hearing process. Herb B. suspected the main reason for the difference of opinion between the City and the applicant about whether a public hearing was required was so negotiation could happen with the Council in closed session, and claiming that part of the closed session was about CEQA was a way of evading the Brown Act prohibition of making decisions in private. Herb B. thought it was wrong to have a closed session. MOTION: Councilmember Stone moved, seconded by Councilmember Lu, to go into Closed Session. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Council went into Closed Session at 8:40 P.M. Council returned from Closed Session at 9:24 P.M. Mayor Lauing announced no reportable action. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 P.M.