HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-10-29 Policy & Services Committee Action MinutesPOLICY & SERVICES COMMITTEE
ACTION MINUTES
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Special Meeting
October 29, 2025
The Policy & Services Committee of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Community Meeting Room
and by virtual teleconference at 6:30 P.M.
Present In-Person: Veenker (Chair), Lu, Stone
Absent:
Call to Order
Public Comments
Agenda Items
1. Recommend City Council approval of the proposed Massage and Hot Tub/Sauna Ordinance; CEQA
Status – not a project.
MOTION: Councilmember Veenker moved, seconded by Councilmember Stone, to recommend the City
Council adopt an ordinance (Attachment A) amending the Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 4.54 on
massage establishments and Chapter 4.56 on hot tub/sauna establishments to update the method and
manner of regulating such practices.
MOTION PASSED: 3-0
2. Office of the City Auditor Presentation of the Community Services Department Equipment and
Materials Inventory Management Audit
MOTION: Councilmember Stone moved, seconded by Councilmember Lu, to recommend the City Council
accept the results of the Community Services Department Equipment and Materials Inventory
Management Audit Report.
MOTION PASSED: 3-0
3. Office of the City Auditor Presentation of the Building Permit & Inspection Fees Audit Item Removed
Off Agenda
ACTION MINUTES
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Sp. Policy & Services Committee Meeting
Action Minutes: 10/29/2025
4. City Council Referral to the Policy & Services Committee to Consider Updates to the Advocacy Process
Manual and for Committee Recommendation of Changes, if any, to the City Council for Adoption; CEQA
Status – Not a Project
MOTION: Councilmember Stone moved, seconded by Councilmember Veenker, to recommend the City
Council adopt the discussed changes Advocacy Process Manual.
• Update #2 in the Purpose section to read: “Ensure potentially impactful state and federal
legislation is identified, analyzed, tracked, and possibly, the subject of city advocacy.”
• Update the Legislative Guidelines section to reflect that the Guidelines should not be placed on
the consent calendar
• Incorporate strategic weighing in language
• Add language in the Role of the City Council section regarding coordinating with the City
Manager’s Office when advocating on behalf of the City
• Incorporate role of the City Clerk’s Office
• Clarify language in City Advisory Commissions and Committees section regarding speaking in
personal capacity vs. speaking on behalf of the City
• Specify that advocacy letters on bills the City Council has voted to take a position on should note
if/when the vote is not unanimous
• Specify that advocacy letters will be shared with the Mayor and Chair of the Policy & Services
Committee for review and input
• Set the threshold for the City to consider bill sponsorship at least two Councilmembers
• If the general ideal timeline for City-sponsored state legislation is not followed, the reason why
will be shared with the City Council
MOTION PASSED/FAILED: 3-0
Future Meetings and Agendas
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 P.M.