HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2505-4672CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Monday, November 03, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
4:30 PM
Agenda Item
A.Information Report on Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Implementation;
CEQA Status - Not a Project
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: INFORMATION REPORTS
Lead Department: Public Works
Meeting Date: November 3, 2025
Report #:2505-4672
TITLE
Information Report on Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Implementation; CEQA
Status - Not a Project
RECOMMENDATION
No Council action is required. This is an update on Sustainability and Climate Action Plan
workplan implementation progress in quarters one and two of calendar year 2025. It is
provided to give the City Council and public an overview of workplan items status since adopted
by Council in June 2023.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City is implementing the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) to help meet its
sustainability goals, including its goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80% below
1990 levels by 2030 (the “80 x 30” goal) and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. Since the
S/CAP was adopted in June 2023, staff has provided implementation updates covering progress
from Q3 2023 through Q4 2024. This update covers progress through the first two quarters of
2025. Highlights of Q1 and Q2 2025 progress include:
Climate Action
As of Q2, five multi-family properties representing 168 housing units have installed EV
charging ports through City programs. Of all multi-family housing units in Palo Alto, 9.2%
(982 units) now have access to charging ports at 22 properties.
13 residents utilized the Residential Energy Assistance Program (REAP) to receive energy
and water efficiency upgrades in the first half of 2025.
Filling two vacant positions enabled accelerated progress on the Safe Routes to Schools
program and facility electrification.
In fiscal year 2025, the City’s commercial and industrial partnerships for emissions
reduction have resulted in saving 2,000,000 kWh and reducing GHG emissions by 155
Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (MTCO2e).
Sustainability
The Local Advanced Water Purification System Project at the Regional Water Quality
Control Plant began construction.
The City, with assistance from external experts, developed a tool that enables City
engineers and project managers to consider future sea level rise conditions as they
design projects.
The City awarded a contract for Newell Road Bridge Project construction, with pre-
construction activities commencing in summer 2025.
As part of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant-funded project, 20 staff
received National Green Infrastructure Program training for Green Stormwater
Infrastructure (GSI) maintenance, and the City released a request for proposals for a
proposed GSI project in a City park.
BACKGROUND
In April 2016, the City Council adopted the goal of reducing GHG emissions 80% below 1990
levels by 2030 (the “80 x 30” goal),5 and in October 2022 the City Council adopted the
ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.6 Staff, with community and City Council
input, referred to the 2016 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Framework and 2018-
2020 Sustainability Implementation Plan to create a comprehensive S/CAP and Three-Year
S/CAP workplan. In June 2023, Council adopted the 2022 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan,
certified the Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Report Addendum: Update to the
Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, and accepted the 2023-2025 S/CAP Workplan.7 The
S/CAP is an ambitious plan to reduce the City and community’s GHG emissions, while also
guiding how Palo Alto uses land and natural resources in ways that ensure quality of life for
future generations. The S/CAP aligns with several goals of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan
Implementation Plan. All previous S/CAP Implementation updates can be found in the
Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Program Reports section of the Sustainability
Actions and Accomplishments page of the City website.8 The 2022 S/CAP and 2023-2025 S/CAP
Work Plan align closely with one of the four Council Priorities for CY 2025: “Climate Action and
Adaptation, and Natural Environment Protection”. In addition, there are several overlapping
Council Priority Objectives, the status of which can be found in the 2025 Council Priority
Objectives Q2 Report. This report references the Council Priority Objectives in parentheses
where applicable.
ANALYSIS
The City is committed to a sustainable future. The City owns, operates, and maintains a full-
service utilities portfolio that provides electric, natural gas, fiber, water, refuse, and wastewater
services to residents and businesses in Palo Alto. Palo Alto’s continued leadership in advancing
sustainability commitments has succeeded mainly because of the continued collaboration of
community stakeholders, City departments, and the leadership of the City Council.
The S/CAP Goals and Key Actions are divided into eight areas, four of which are climate-focused
and include actions to achieve the City’s 80 x 30 and carbon neutrality by 2030 goals (Climate
Action, Energy, Electric Vehicles, and Mobility) and four of which are focused on actions that
create a sustainable natural environment and adapting to a warming climate (Water, Climate
Adaptation and Sea Level Rise, Natural Environment, and Zero Waste). The Work Plan is
similarly divided between climate-focused and sustainability-focused priorities.
5 City Council, April 18, 2016; Agenda Item #10; SR #6754,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=79086
6 City Council, October 3, 2022; Agenda Item #9; SR #14720,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=82036
7 City Council, June 5, 2023; Agenda Item #14; SR #2303-1133,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=82334
8 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Progress Reports; https://www.paloalto.gov/City-
Hall/Sustainability/Emissions-Reduction-Goals-and-Progress/Sustainability-Actions-and-Accomplishments
There are 23 Council Priority Objectives in the 2025 Council Priority Area Climate Action and
Adaptation, & Natural Environment Protection (CA).9 This report addresses 18 of those Council
Priority Objectives, as well as one in Council Priority Area Economic Development & Retail
Vibrancy (ED), three in Implementing Housing Strategies for Social & Economic Balance (IHS),
and one in Public Safety, Wellness & Belonging (PS), as shown in Table 1. One CA Council
Priority, "Implement plan for phaseout of leaded fuel at Palo Alto Airport,” was not addressed
in the 2023-2025 S/CAP Implementation Work Plan.
Table 1: 2025 Council Priority Objectives Addressed in the S/CAP Informational Report
Number Council Priority Objective
Climate Action and Adaptation, & Natural Environment Protection (CA)
9 City Council, August 18, 2025; Agenda Item #A; SR #2508-5034,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=83560&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
CA 5 Complete deployment of 65,000 residential Advanced Metering Infrastructure
(AMI) meters by end of FY 2025 and begin deployment of commercial AMI
meters.
CA 6 Council approval for Phase 2 (full service program) of the Advanced Whole Home
Electrification Pilot Program and begin implementation.
CA 8 Begin development of a Regional Shoreline Adaptation Plan meeting new
standards approved by BCDC.
CA 11 Advocate for the San Francisquito Creek Flood Protection capital project (Reach 2)
through Council’s JPA representation and any Council approvals involved.
CA 12 Initiate Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Clearance Work for Quarry
Road Extension in Partnership with Stanford University, Caltrans, & VTA.
CA 14 Council Adoption of the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan.
CA 15 Council Adoption of the 2025 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP).
CA 16 Refine Grade Separation Design Alternatives per Council Direction and Conduct
Outreach to Support Rail Committee Review of Locally Preferred Alternatives.
CA 17 Identify locations and design concepts for additional east-west bicycle and
pedestrian crossings of the Caltrain railroad tracks in the southern part of the city.
CA 18 Complete E-Mobility Strategic Plan for Council acceptance.
CA 19 Propose an updated multi-family EV charger program (EV 2.0) for Council
approval.
CA 20 Develop and begin implementing a City Facility Electrification Plan.
CA 22 Share preliminary analysis of strategies for a physical and financial transition of
the gas utility to relevant policymakers and stakeholders.
CA 24 Develop an Advanced Commercial Rooftop HVAC Pilot Program proposal and
review with the Climate Action and Sustainability Ad Hoc Committee for
Economic Development & Retail Vibrancy (ED)
ED 31 Council approval of funding to continue Downtown cleanliness enhancements
and other medium-term investments such as a Mobility Hub.
Implementing Housing Strategies for Social & Economic Balance (IHS)
IHS 40 Initiate the San Antonio Road Area Plan.
IHS 44 Advance affordable housing project on Downtown surface parking lot (Lot T).
IHS 53 Present to Council the Downtown Housing Plan Community Assessment report
and receive Council direction on draft housing plan scenarios.
Public Safety, Wellness & Belonging (PS)
PS 58 Council to adopt the updated Foothills Fire Management Plan and Community
Wildfire Protection Plan.
Climate Action
Covering the S/CAP Areas of Climate Action, Energy, Electric Vehicles, and Mobility, this section
reports on progress based on the Work Plan Climate Action Priority areas. This includes five
priorities with various work items under each priority. This report notes where these work
items have been designated as Council Priority Objectives.
P1. Grid Modernization
P2. Launch Programs
P2.1 Residential Emissions Reduction
P2.2 Non-Residential Emissions Reduction
P2.3 Citywide Mobility
P2.4 Municipal Electrification
P2.5 Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategic Plan
P3. Build Awareness and Confidence
P4. Additional Emissions Reductions
P5. Funding Needs and Sources
P1. Grid Modernization
Electric grid reliability and resilience will be important to inspire confidence in electrified homes
and vehicles. The focus of Priority 1 is to preserve and enhance reliability, modernize the
electric grid and replace aging infrastructure, increase electric grid capacity to accommodate
electrification, and explore ways to enhance resiliency.
Grid Modernization (Work Plan Item 1A; Council Priority Objective CA 1): The grid modernization
capital program will replace aging infrastructure and install a modern network infrastructure to
meet future home electrification needs. Changes to the equipment on the network will include
replacing/installing transformers, installing new protective devices to improve reliability, and
the installation of system controls to allow for the import and export of energy from homes on
the network. A pilot project to replace and upgrade aging infrastructure serving approximately
1000 residents was completed in May 2025. The City is evaluating results from this pilot before
moving to the rest of Phase 1 of the project.
Reliability & Resiliency Strategic Plan (Work Plan Items 1B, 1C; Council Priority Objective CA 4):
In April 2024, the City Council accepted the Reliability and Resiliency Strategic Plan (RRSP).11 In
September 2024 the Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) reviewed the scope for a consultant
study to implement Strategy 4 (Evaluate the benefits of flexible energy and resiliency
technologies and efficient electrification strategies to the utility and community) and Strategy 5
(Evaluate the resource needs to promote the adoption of various flexible demand reduction
and resiliency solutions and efficient electrification strategies) of the RRSP.12 In February 2025
11 City Council, April 15, 2024; Agenda Item #4; SR #2401--2496,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=82776
12 Utilities Advisory Commission, September 4, 2024; Agenda Item #4; SR #2405-2984,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=11680
the UAC provided feedback on some preliminary insights and results from the study.15 After
further work on the studies incorporating UAC feedback, on July 9, 2025, the UAC discussed
more developed preliminary study results and provided additional policy feedback to support
development of a final report.16
Few technologies analyzed showed a positive cost-benefit result that would merit incentives,
but the City and the UAC identified some potential areas for further follow-up and discussed
regular updates to the analysis in case the costs and benefits changed. The same topics will be
discussed by the Climate Action and Sustainability Committee (CASC) on August 22, 2025. After
that meeting, a final report with the results of the cost-benefit analyses and potential reliability
and resiliency programs, incorporating feedback from both bodies, will be developed for UAC,
CASC, and Council consideration by the end of the year. The July 13, 2025 UAC report also
included a status update summarizing progress on various other RRSP strategies, including City
efforts to improve reliability and resiliency, including utility workforce planning, tree trimming,
undergrounding in the Foothills, and grid modernization.
Utility Rates and Fees (Work Plan Item 1D; Council Priority Objective CA 5): The City is on track
to complete the advanced metering infrastructure project by the end of 2025. On June 4, 2025
the UAC recommended approval of time of use rates that customers could use to achieve
savings by moving electric consumption to times of lower cost electricity.17 A staff report will be
presented to Council in the fall with modifications to its transformer upgrade fees to avoid
situations where the resident who triggers a transformer upgrade would pay the entire cost of
that upgrade.
P2. Launch Programs
The focus of Priority 2 is to launch effective programs for emissions reductions with the highest
impact and lowest cost such as single-family electrification, strategic promotion of EVs,
commercial rooftop HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and expanded
transportation alternatives.
P2.1. Residential Emissions Reduction: The goals for residential emissions reduction embodied
in the Work Plan include encouraging electric vehicle (EV) adoption for all residents, helping
multi-family residents access EV charging, and facilitating building electrification of single-family
homes and multi-family affordable housing.
15 Utilities Advisory Commission, February 5, 2025; Agenda Item #2, SR #2501-4058,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=61746
16 Utilities Advisory Commission, July 9, 2025; Agenda Item #5; SR #2505-4687,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=61774
17 Utilities Advisory Commission, June 4, 2025; Agenda Item #4; SR #2503-4361;
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=61770
Advanced Heat Pump Water Heater Pilot (Work Plan Items 2.1D, 2.1E): The City launched the
Advanced Heat Pump Water Heater Pilot Program in March 2023. The goal is to install 1,000
heat pump water heaters (HPWH) through the pilot program. The program includes both a full-
service option (where residents can use the City’s prescreened contractor to complete the
install at a discount) and a rebate option (where residents can hire their own contractor and
receive a rebate). The City launched a new Emergency Water Heater Replacement program in
September 2024. As of June 30, 2025, 609 residents had either completed installations or
signed contracts to get a heat pump water heater installed through the City’s programs, with 91
of these projects applying for on-bill financing. Based on participation in the first six months of
2025, the City is on a pace to complete around 200 water heater conversions per year through
the Advanced HPWH Pilot Program, equivalent to about 17% of the water heaters estimated to
be replaced each year. In addition, the City and State Energy Reach Codes encourage new
construction and major renovations to be built all-electric, which adds another 100-200 new
heat pump water heaters each year.21 The rate of HPWH retrofits has slowed in the first half of
2025 compared to the previous year. The pilot has moved past the early adopters after the first
18 months. Because the next wave of customers tends to be more cost-conscious and/or have
more complex projects, they will need additional incentives or support to make the switch.
The City is continuing to pursue various efforts to promote HPWH adoption among single-family
households. In the first half of 2025, the City worked on the following initiatives:
Innovative marketing: launched a HPWH Giveaway campaign with the prize of a free
HPWH installation to encourage residents to install a HPWH.
Facilitate rebate applications: launched a Rebate Hub that allows customers to get
quotes from contractors and apply for the HPWH rebate. Contractors that are
onboarded to the Rebate Hub can submit the HPWH rebate on behalf of customers.
Expert consultation: launched free expert consultation to help residents with complex
installations.
Customer outreach: the City attended community events to promote HPWHs and
hosted a public webinar on Home Electrification. Ongoing outreach includes promotions
through City’s social media channels as well as Google ad campaigns.
Whole Home Electrification (Work Plan Items 2.1G, 2.1H; Council Priority Objective CA 34): The
City is launching its whole home electrification program in two phases. The first phase,
launched in January 2025, offers new rebates and a contractor directory through the Rebate
Hub, an online home electrification assessment tool, free phone consultation with an
electrification expert, and financing through the state’s GoGreen program.22 As of June 30,
2025, the City had processed rebates for 15 heat pump HVAC projects, six electric panel
21 City Council, June 3, 2024: Agenda Item #17; SR #2405-3073,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=82875
22 California GoGreen Home Energy Financing; https://www.treasurer.ca.gov/caeatfa/cheef/reel/index.asp
upgrades, and two gas meter removal incentives. Additionally, 42 customers have completed
the online home electrification assessment. For phase two, the City has contracted with
Franklin Energy to provide a full-service, turnkey program to help people with home
electrification upgrades.25 Rebates will continue to be available for customers who choose to
work with their own contractor. The City expects to soft launch phase two in fall 2025, with a
full launch planned in January 2026.
Electric Vehicles and Charging (Work Plan Items 2.1A, 2.1C, 2.1J; Council Priority Objective CA
19): The City’s promotion of EV adoption and expansion of multi-family EV infrastructure
continued. To promote the benefits of clean driving, the City offered six free EV activities to the
public. In Q1 2025 over 275 people attended two online webinars about EVs and incentives,
and an in-person EV and e-bike showcase at Mitchell Park. In Q2 approximately 150 people
joined two additional webinars, a special pre-owned EV savings campaign, and another in-
person EV workshop and showcase. The City plans to continue offering additional EV
showcases, free workshops, webinars, and discount programs throughout the remainder of
2025.
In Q2 2025, the City modified the EV Rebate Program to focus exclusively on multi-family EV
charging due to changing state regulations, eliminating the non-profit nonresidential category
from rebate program eligibility. In the first half of 2025, five multi-family properties
representing 168 housing units installed EV chargers through City programs. These installations
resulted in a total of 22 multi-family properties representing 982 housing units (about 9.2% of
all multi-family units in Palo Alto) that have installed a total of 259 EV charging ports and 48 EV-
ready spaces (i.e. infrastructure to support additional charger installation at a later date)
facilitated through the City's EV programs. Another 11 multi-family projects are in the
permitting and installation phases and an additional 24 are in the project design phase
(representing an additional 3,165 residential units). The City is continuing to evaluate designs
for an expanded version of the City’s multi-family EV program, aiming for Climate Action and
Sustainability Committee review in Q3 2025 and City Council review tentatively in Q4 2025.
Affordable Housing Electrification (Work Plan Item 2.1I; Council Priority Objective CA 19): The
City continues to engage with multi-family affordable housing providers in Palo Alto on building
electrification and EV charging. On June 17, 2025, the City Council directed staff to develop a
program to provide incentives for electrification of dedicated affordable multi-family housing
central and in-unit gas equipment.26 The City is working to design the program for launch later
this year. As part of this effort, the City is coordinating with the State’s Low-Income
Weatherization Program (LIWP) to align program enrollment processes and eligibility
25 City Council, May 27, 2025; Agenda Item #3; SR #2501-4040;
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83416
26 City Council, June 17, 2025; Agenda Item #3; SR #2506-4785;
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83507
requirements and allow projects to leverage program technical assistance and LIWP incentives
for energy efficiency and electrification alongside the City’s incentives planned to the greatest
extent possible.
P2.2. Non-Residential Emissions Reduction: The goals for non-residential emissions reduction
embodied in the Work Plan include encouraging electrification of rooftop packaged HVAC units
in commercial buildings, developing custom partnerships with major employers, and
developing strategies to promote lower emissions commuting.
Rooftop Packaged HVAC (Work Plan Items 2.2A, 2.2B; Council Priority Objective CA 24): In
September 2024 the City launched an update to the commercial heat pump HVAC pilot with the
goal of collecting additional data to inform the design of an advanced pilot program. To achieve
this goal, the City is offering enhanced incentives to a limited group of 10 customers. In return,
these customers are required to gather and provide detailed cost and project information to
the City. Businesses that prefer not to share this data can still participate in the program at the
original incentive level.
Major Employer Partnerships (Work Plan Item 2.2C): This work plan item involves developing
customer partnerships for emissions reduction with major employers, including assistance for
City facility projects and the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD). The recent set of
electrification and energy efficiency projects demonstrates the significant impact the CIEEP
(Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Program) program has had across schools,
healthcare facilities, and key commercial sites over the last year. The Fletcher and Greene
Middle Schools' Heat Pump HVAC projects stood out for their impressive energy savings, with
over 253,000 and 165,000 kWh-equivalent (kWh-e) saved. Staff is also working closely with
PAUSD to complete construction on Hoover Elementary School – which will become the City’s
first all-electric school. Stanford Health Care’s LED upgrade project also delivered strong results,
with nearly 188,000 kWh saved. At the Westin Hotel, installation of an ozone laundry system
reduced the need for hot water and shortened wash cycles, resulting in annual electricity
savings of 7,400 kWh, gas savings of 16,400 therms (87 MTCO2e - metric tons of carbon dioxide
equivalent) and water savings of 1.6 million gallons which translates to a 55% reduction in
water use.
Altogether, in the past year commercial and industrial projects have demonstrated a reduction
of over 2,000,000 kWh and 68,000 therms as well as a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
by about 155 MTCO2e (600,000 kWh-e) due to electrification. Projects that increased electricity
use but transitioned away from gas still received incentives due to the value of electrification.
For the past three years, CPAU has supported small and medium-sized businesses with energy
efficiency, water conservation services, and electrification technical assistance through the
Business Energy Advisor and Business Electrification Technical Assistance programs. In Q1 and
Q2 of 2025, program staff visited over 200 small businesses in-person, conducted 10 on-site
assessments, and provided tailored energy efficiency education and project support, including
access to rebates. One electrification project was completed in Q2 this year, and there are over
10 projects in the pipeline expected to be completed by the end of this calendar year.
Commuter/Visitor Emissions Reduction (Work Plan Items 2.2D, 2.2E): These work plan items
have been lower priority pending completion of the Electric Vehicle Strategic Plan (renamed “E-
Mobility Strategic Roadmap” - see Priority 2.5, below).
P2.3. Citywide Mobility: The goals for citywide mobility embodied in the Work Plan include both
transportation-focused and land-use focused actions.
Transportation and Land Use Policies and Programs (Work Plan Item 2.3A; Council Priority
Objectives IHS 40, IHS 53): The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program continues to grow, with
the Spring 2025 addition of a youth-focused coordinator for programs at middle and high
schools. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the SRTS program, which was acknowledged at
the Park to Park Ride on May 10, 2025 and via the concurrent endorsements by the City, Board
of Education, and PTA Council of the National SRTS Consensus Statement and City/School
Transportation Safety Committee Bylaws.29
The City made significant progress on two plans that are expected to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions while also implementing the Housing Element. In Q1 2025, staff initiated the San
Antonio Road Area Plan, which would guide redevelopment of a portion of the Bayshore Alma
29 Resolution No. 10224, April 29, 2025; https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=62118
San Antonio Priority Development Area (BASA PDA). The San Antonio Road Area Plan envisions
creating cohesive mixed-use neighborhoods with improved mobility and interconnectivity when
compared with existing conditions. The resulting integrated transportation network in the plan
area is anticipated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the use of single-occupancy motor
vehicles.
In Q2 the City Council reviewed the completed Downtown Housing Plan Community
Assessment Report.31 The Downtown Housing Plan implements Housing Element programs by
establishing policies, development standards, and a plan for the public infrastructure necessary
to support increased housing in the area. The report advances the objectives of the City’s S/CAP
by analyzing components such as climate change and resilience, as well as land use, housing,
and transportation by focusing on housing production near the downtown Palo Alto Caltrain
station. Community engagement in Q1 and Q2 of 2025 included a community workshop, pop
up events, service and essential worker outreach, and a community advisory group meeting to
gather feedback on important topics that shape the plan.
Housing Element Adoption and Implementation (Work Plan Items 2.3B, 2.3C; Council Priority
Objective IHS 44): Following August 20, 2024 California Department of Housing and Community
Development (HCD) certification of the City’s Housing Element, the City has made considerable
progress in implementing the 110 program objectives in the 2023-2031 Housing Element.32
Implementation activities in Q1 2025 and Q2 2025 include:
In Q1 the City Council adopted an ordinance amending the City’s Housing Incentive
Program (HIP) and Affordable Housing Incentive Program (AHIP) to increase housing
development potential and expand provisions to multi-family zoning and other
commercial districts.33 The modifications are intended to address the jobs/housing
imbalance and may also increase transit-oriented development; the changes were in
effect as of Q2.
In Q2 the City Council adopted an ordinance expanding the housing focus area along El
Camino Real to increase development potential; the changes are effective as of July
2025.34 This project promotes increased housing development on a key transit corridor
and is also intended address the jobs/housing imbalance.
31 City Council, June 16, 2025; Agenda Item #B; SR #2505-4725,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83474
32 City of Palo Alto, 6th Cycle 2023-2030 Housing Element, 2024; https://paloaltohousingelement.com/wp-
content/uploads/2024/08/Palo-Alto-Housing-Element.pdf
33 City Council, March 3, 2025; Agenda Item #9; SR #2412-3948,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83277
34 City Council, May 27, 2025; Agenda Item #7; SR #2503-4305,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83418
The City Council selected Alta Housing as the development partner for the Lot T
affordable housing project on January 21, 2025.39 The City Council approved an
exclusive negotiation agreement with Alta Housing on June 17, 2025.40 The proposed
fully affordable housing project would develop a surface parking lot within one-half mile
of the downtown Palo Alto Caltrain station.
Last Mile Solutions (Work Plan Items 2.3D, 2.3E; Council Priority Objectives CA 15, CA 18): The
Office of Transportation continues to conduct the Shared Micromobility Feasibility study to
understand local demand for micromobility and to identify if a micromobility program would be
financially sustainable for the City. The City recruited an on-call transportation planning firm to
conduct data analysis, and City staff conducted research and met with established programs to
learn best practices for micromobility.41 The study is scheduled to be completed in fall of 2025,
after which staff recommends initiating a year-long pilot program based on the study’s
findings.42 Council has previously approved a one-year micromobility pilot program, but the
program was not implemented at the time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing
limitations.43
Bicycling Improvements (Work Plan Items 2.3A, 2.3F, 2.3G; Council Priority Objectives CA 13, CA
15, CA 16, CA 17): The Policy and Services Committee reviewed the final draft of the Palo Alto
Safety Action Plan in May 2025 and recommended that Council approve it. On June 2, Council
approved the Plan.44 This comprehensive roadway safety plan is critical to reaching S/CAP goals
because improving safety for vulnerable road users will reduce vehicle miles traveled and
encourage walking and cycling.
For the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update, the project team developed a
strategy for public engagement to present and get feedback on system development and
network priorities. This includes the project's draft recommendations for the updated bicycle
network and draft list of projects, as well as the draft project prioritization framework and
performance measures. Public engagement activities occurred in winter and spring 2025 and
included meetings with the City's Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee, Planning and
Transportation Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, focus groups, a joint
39 City Council, January 21, 2025; Agenda Item #4; SR #2409-3517,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83209
40 City Council, June 17, 2025; Agenda Item #10; SR #2504-4489,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83495
41 City Council, February 3, 2025; Agenda Item #6; SR #2409-3440,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83225
42 Planning and Transportation Commission, October 30, 2024; Agenda Item #3; SR #2410-3586,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=7610
43 City Council, March 2, 2020; Agenda Item #5; SR #11075;
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=80712
44 City Council, June 2, 2025; Agenda Item 6; SR #2503-4455,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83431
community workshop with the South Palo Alto Bike/Ped Connectivity project, pop-up events,
tabling, and online engagement that collected over 1,000 individual comments. At their June 2,
2025 meeting, the City Council reviewed the draft recommendations and a revised project
prioritization framework informed by the recent public engagement activities. In the same
meeting, the City Council provided feedback on the draft ranked prioritized project lists.51 The
feedback will help shape the draft and final plan. The City anticipates releasing the draft plan in
fall 2025.
On December 16, 2024, the City Council approved the grant agreement with the Federal
Highway Administration for the South Palo Alto Bikeways Demonstration Project.52 The
$888,000 federal funds and $222,000 matching City funds will use quick-build infrastructure to
improve bikeways and crossings on East Meadow Drive and Fabian Way. The City will begin
procurement for a transportation planning firm to finalize the street design when a project
manager is available, tentatively by the end of calendar year 2025.
The City began the South Palo Alto Bike/Ped Connectivity project in September 2024. The City is
currently engaging with the community to select two preferred bike/pedestrian rail crossing
locations in south Palo Alto, develop conceptual plans (15% designs), and identify
bike/pedestrian network improvements in surrounding neighborhoods. Creating a path above
or below the tracks will improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity in support of the mobility
and sustainability goals of the City. Phase 1 of engagement in spring 2025 introduced the
project to the community and gained input on goals and priorities for grade-separated
bike/pedestrian rail crossings. The City considered input and feedback from the community
while establishing design priorities and evaluation criteria for rail crossing alternatives.
Transportation Demand Management (Work Plan Item 2.3H): The Palo Alto Transportation
Management Association (PATMA) is conducting essential outreach to businesses on El Camino
Real regarding available transit, bike, and parking programs to support businesses following the
parking changes to the corridor as part of the Caltrans repaving project, as funded by a $25,000
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Transit Oriented Communities Grant. The
PATMA administered a commute survey for 2024 and received 885 completed responses. The
PATMA distributed 22 free transit passes to workers at businesses along El Camino Real and to
38 at the Stanford Mall in Q1 and Q2, encouraging sustainable commutes. Work on the City’s
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Ordinance is on hold until staff capacity is
available.
51 City Council, June 2, 2025; Agenda Item #3; SR #2503-4341,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83426
52 City Council, December 16, 2024; Agenda Item #9; SR #2411-3763,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83162
Parking (Work Plan Items 2.3I, 2.3J): The City and contractors continued installing Automated
Parking Guidance Systems in downtown garages, which seek to limit the time that drivers spend
circulating to find parking. Installation in the Civic Center Garage began in January 2025. The
City is planning to continue community engagement efforts and develop options for proposed
enhancements to parking facilities. The Planning and Transportation Commission reviewed a
report on downtown parking trends on May 28, 2025.55
Traffic Signals (Work Plan Item 2.3K): The City continually monitors, maintains, and optimizes
traffic signal operations, and addresses concerns from the community daily. As funding and
staffing allow, the City also works on a variety of capital improvement program projects to
update and upgrade the current traffic signal network and keep up with changing standards,
modernization, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies. These improvements
are a key component to optimizing operations to reduce delays and GHG emissions from idling.
In Q1 and Q2 of 2025, the City has made substantial progress on several projects and is nearing
completion of modifications at the intersection of Alma Road/Churchill Avenue. The City also
made significant updates to its centralized traffic signal management systems and is currently in
progress of a capital project to upgrade systems at four intersections along Quarry Road.
Included with the traffic signal program, the City programmed and plans to add or upgrade
several pedestrian-activated beacon crossings, completing installation of the newest crossing at
University Avenue and East Crescent Drive in early 2025 and a major update to an existing
crossing on Hillview Avenue. These pedestrian crossing improvements are essential in
encouraging walking and alternative modes of transportation.
Mobility Hub (Work Plan Item 2.3D; Council Priority Objectives CA 12, ED 31): The City is working
with Stanford University to initiate the design phase of the Quarry Road Transit Connection
project that would reduce travel time to access the Palo Alto Transit Center. A cost-sharing
agreement between Stanford and the City, grant funding from the Metropolitan Transportation
Commission, and coordination with Caltrans are being pursued to enable project design kick-off
of the extension of Quarry Road between El Camino Real and the Transit Center. Separately,
VTA has convened the Palo Alto University Avenue Mobility Hub Ad Hoc Committee to explore
short- and long-term active transportation and other improvements to the Palo Alto Transit
Center to activate the space.
In Q2 staff submitted a funding application for $126,000 to the Bay Area Air District’s Charge!
Program. If funded, the project would support the installation of EV charging infrastructure in
the City-owned Midtown parking lot in advance of a potential future small-scale neighborhood
55 Planning and Transportation Commission, May 28, 2025; Agenda Item #2; SR #2408-3394,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=7653
mobility hub. This site is envisioned to support EV charging and future micromobility services
for adjacent multi-family housing and commercial uses.
P2.4. Municipal Electrification: The City’s municipal electrification efforts include both facility
and fleet electrification and are intended to show the community that the City will participate
in the same electrification efforts it is encouraging the community to undertake.
Facility Electrification (Work Plan Items 2.4A, 2.4B, 2.4C; Council Priority Objective CA 20): The
City is evaluating the feasibility of electrifying equipment at City facilities each time aging
equipment requires replacement. The City has also filled the vacant staff position dedicated to
this effort, allowing this task to move forward. The City is currently analyzing the Facility
Electrification Assessment report and associated data to confirm priority facilities for initial
electrification efforts. This evaluation will guide the upcoming design phase and ensure
alignment with the City’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan goals. Meanwhile, preparations
are underway to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to select a design consultant.
Fleet Electrification (Work Plan Items 2.4D, 2.4E): In Q2 the City replaced one internal
combustion engine fleet vehicle with one electric vehicle (a Ford e-transit van). There are now
36 electric vehicles (EVs) in the City fleet, or about 15% of the passenger vehicles and light duty
trucks and vans.
Publicly Owned Charger Planning (Work Plan Item 2.4F): There are currently 119 City-owned EV
chargers, with a total of 154 charging ports, an increase of eight EV chargers and eight charging
ports from Q4 of 2024. Twenty-nine of those chargers are dedicated to City vehicles, while the
rest are primarily for public use. The City will develop a plan for additional publicly owned
charging following completion of the E-Mobility Strategic Roadmap (see Priority 2.5, below).
P2.5. E-Mobility Strategic Plan (CA 18): The Climate Action and Sustainability Committee
recommended the E-Mobility Strategic Roadmap, formerly the EV Strategic Plan, for Council
approval on June 13, 2025.57 Staff will take the Roadmap for Council acceptance in Q3 2025.
This roadmap will guide the promotion of e-mobility citywide and the integration of e-mobility
into other City efforts, such as active transportation efforts. It was informed by the EV Charger
Needs Assessment. A review of e-mobility electric grid impacts, EV charging benefits, mitigation
strategies, and opportunities has been incorporated into the Reliability and Resiliency Strategic
Plan (see Priority 1, Work Plan Items 1B/1C, above).
P3. Build Awareness and Confidence
57 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee, June 13, 2025; Agenda Item #3; Staff Report #2505-4670,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=46237
The focus of Priority 3 is to build community awareness and confidence in electrification
through engagement, addressing concerns, and program results.
Building Awareness of the Need for and Benefits of Climate Action (Work Plan Item 3.1A): The
City continues to publish a monthly Climate Action Blog and Quarterly Sustainability
Newsletter. In Q1 and Q2 2025, the City published Climate Blogs in February, March, April, May,
and June, and Sustainability Newsletters in February and April. Historically, the Sustainability
Newsletters have an average 52% open rate, which is the percentage of readers that open the
e-mail you send them. The average open rate for government e-newsletters is 19.4%.59
S/CAP Reporting and Surveys (Work Plan Items 3.1C, 3.1D): The City continues to calculate an
annual GHG emissions inventory and reports on sustainability and climate action progress to
the CDP, an international non-profit that helps companies, cities, states, regions, and public
authorities disclose their environmental impact. In June, the City was recognized on the CDP’s A
List for Climate Leadership. Earning a spot on CDP’s A List is a significant achievement that
reflects the highest standard of local climate leadership and is indicative of many of the City’s
sustainability and climate action accomplishments last year, including launching an emergency
59 Campaign Monitor, 2022; https://www.campaignmonitor.com/resources/guides/email-marketing-benchmarks/
water heater replacement program, the Canopy Tree Plotter, and the Youth Climate Advisory
Board. Only 112 cities worldwide, or 15% of scored cities, earned CDP’s top status.61
P4. Additional Emissions Reductions
The focus of Priority 4 is to identify an additional 9% in emissions reduction opportunities to
achieve 80 x 30, primarily through a focus on studying multi-family and commercial building
equipment. The City is finalizing studies of the multi-family and commercial sectors in
conjunction with the S/CAP Funding Study but is already making use of the insights delivered by
the consultant in S/CAP strategic planning and program design. These studies include review of
publicly available data sources and on-site surveys of building equipment at multi-family and
commercial buildings.
P5. Funding Needs and Sources (CA 22)
The focus of Priority 5 is to identify, by 2024, funding needed and potential funding sources for
full scale implementation of the highest impact emissions reductions. The City Council
approved a contract with E3/Willdan in January 2024 to complete a study of funding needs and
sources.62 This S/CAP Funding Study is being finalized as are its companion studies (an EV
Charger Needs Assessment, Building Sector Study, and Funding Source Survey). All studies are
being completed by the same group of consultants. Staff and consultants presented preliminary
results from the S/CAP Funding Study to the CASC in April 2025.63 Staff intend to present the
study results and potential strategies for future adoption in Q3 and Q4, aiming for City Council
acceptance in late 2025.
Sustainability
Water: Further Water Conservation
Maximize Water Conservation and Efficiency (Work Plan Item 8.A): The City has offered an
online water management tool, WaterSmart, to customers since 2022. The tool provides
information on water consumption and personalized water conservation recommendations. As
of June 9, 2025, 33% of all single-family customers have accessed the portal – an increase from
29% as of December 2024. On a monthly basis, all single-family customers receive home water
reports via email or regular mail if an email is not on file. The average open rate of home water
report emails is 70%. Home water reports result in water savings of approximately 26.2 MG (3%
savings).
61 CDP Scores and A Lists, https://www.cdp.net/en/data/scores
62 City Council, January 16, 2024; Agenda Item 4; SR #2308-1939,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=82633
63 Climate Action and Sustainability Committee, April 4, 2025; Agenda Item #1; SR #2503-4409,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=90
Design and build a salt removal facility for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (Work Plan
Item 8.B): As of June 2025, the City has completed planning and funding agreements for the
Local Advanced Water Purification System Project at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant
(RWQCP). The City Council approved the construction contract in May, and the Project is
starting construction.67 Once construction is complete, the Project will improve recycled water
quality by blending reverse osmosis permeate to encourage expanded use of recycled water for
non-potable uses such as irrigation.
Develop a “One Water” Portfolio for Palo Alto (Work Plan Item 8.C) and develop a tool for
dynamic water planning in the future (Work Plan Item 8.D): The City has completed both of
these items. Staff developed an Excel-based tool for water planning as part of One Water Plan
development. The Utilities Advisory Commission reviewed the One Water Plan during their
January 7, 2025 meeting.68 The results of these efforts, including feedback from the Utilities
Advisory Commission will be presented to CASC in late summer 2025.
Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise: Prepare for Climate Change
Foothills Fire Management Plan and Collaboration on Reducing Wildfire Hazards (Work Plan
Items 8.K, 8.L, 8.M, 8.N; Council Priority Objective PS 58): The City launched a series of public
engagement and public meetings to raise awareness of local wildfire risks and the importance
of wildfire preparedness in April 2025. Engagement efforts included a public comment period
for the State Fire Hazard Maps. Additionally, staff presented the City of Palo Alto Utilities 2025
Wildfire Mitigation Plan to the Utilities Advisory Commission on June 4, 2025.69 The City
continues to refine the Foothills Fire Management Plan and participate in Santa Clara County
Community Wildfire Protection planning efforts and anticipates those documents will be
finalized in summer 2025. The City worked with Woodside Fire Protection District, Stanford
University, Department of Homeland Security, and Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council to
install 50 N5 Wildfire sensors in the three jurisdictions.70 This program is a trial for the sensors
and parties meet monthly to discuss alerts and ongoing maintenance.
Develop a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan (Work Plan Item 8.F; Council Priority Objective 8):
The City has been working on sea level rise adaptation efforts for several years as discussed in
previous Council updates. Accomplishments to date include a completed Sea Level Rise
Vulnerability Assessment, online mapping tools that help City engineers design to future sea
67 City Council, May 19, 2025; Agenda Item #10; SR #2503-4327,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83405
68 Utilities Advisory Commission, January 7, 2025; Agenda Item #4; SR #2407-3234,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=61727
69 Utilities Advisory Commission, June 4, 2025; Agenda Item #2; SR #2501-4077,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=61768
70 County of Santa Clara Press Release, May 20, 2025; https://d3.santaclaracounty.gov/pr-AI-Wildfire-Sensors-
052025
level rise conditions, and the inclusion of sea level rise in Long Range Facility Plan update drafts
for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant.75
76 The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC)
administers these requirements for local governments in the Bay Area.77 The City is
collaborating with Santa Clara County Office of Sustainability and other cities in Santa Clara
County to submit a grant proposal for the development of a vulnerability assessment for
shoreline communities in Santa Clara County, and to then develop a regional shoreline
adaptation plan that aligns with State requirements. The regional vulnerability assessment
would complement Palo Alto’s similar assessment by determining the cost of inaction if Palo
Alto does not pursue additional sea level rise adaptations and would ensure social equity
considerations have been properly vetted. Grant approval will be determined by fall 2025.
Begin Design Process for Levee Projects (Work Plan Item 8.G): Construction of the Palo Alto
Horizontal Levee Pilot Project (PAHLPP) is slated to begin in summer of 2025 and conclude in
early 2026. Horizontal levees are nature-based sea level rise adaptations with multiple benefits
over traditional flood- control levees such as habitat enhancement, sea level rise adaptation,
and additional wastewater treatment. The PAHLPP will be the first horizontal levee to be built
in the Bay Area to be both irrigated with treated wastewater and hydrologically connected to
San Francisco Bay. The project will provide much-needed data to inform the design of future
horizontal levees around the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The City is also developing
interpretive signage in partnership with the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone and securing
required monitoring services and permit requirements for the levee project.
Identify Protection Strategies from Significant Flood Events at Newell Road Bridge (Work Plan
Item 8.H; Council Priority Objective CA 2): Caltrans approved the Authorization to Proceed for
construction phase with Advance Construction on April 14, 2025, after which the City solicited
construction bids. The City received five bids from responsible bidders, and Council approved
75 Palo Alto Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment, 2022;
76 California Senate Bill 272, 2023-2024;
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billHistoryClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB272
77 San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission Bay Adapt Initiative,
https://www.bayadapt.org/regional-shoreline-adaptation-plan/
awarding the contract on June 16.81 The Newell Road Bridge Replacement Project pre-
construction activities are expected to begin in summer 2025, with construction taking 1.5
years to complete.
Identify Protection Strategies from Significant Flood Events (Work Plan Item 8.I, 8.J; Council
Priority Objective CA 3, CA 11): The San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (SFCJPA) is
the project lead. The City, along with the four other partner agencies, provides
recommendations and financial contributions to SFCJPA. Following the December 31, 2022
(NYE) storm event, Valley Water and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) concluded that the
model that was used to predict flows with the San Francisquito Creek had over-estimated creek
capacity.
The SFCJPA and their consultants are developing an alternatives report with recommendations
to achieve the flood protection that was previously associated with Pope Chaucer Bridge
Replacement and San Francisquito Creek widening improvements, considering the updated
creek capacity estimate. The aim of the recommendations is to propose improvements that,
when constructed, would manage up to a 70-year storm event between an area from upstream
of Middlefield Road to upstream of West Bayshore Road. SFCJPA published the Alternatives
Evaluation Technical Report draft for public review and comment on May 22, 2025.82 SFCJPA
intends to take comments to shape the alternatives to advance in fall 2025. The City will
continue to provide assistance through review and Councilmember participation in Board
discussions.
Hamilton Avenue Storm Drain Capacity Upgrades (CA 16): While the S/CAP work plan focuses
on Pope Chaucer Bridge and San Francisquito Creek through the partnership with SFJPA, a
storm drain improvement project that also serves to mitigate Creek flooding is underway at
Hamilton Avenue. Following surveys and additional data collection in 2024 to prevent utility
conflicts, staff began developing plans and specifications for Hamilton Avenue Storm Drain
Capacity Upgrades. The plans and specifications are 95% complete. The City will solicit bids
during the summer with the intent to award the construction contract in the fall 2025. The
project is expected to be completed within approximately one year. This project also includes
pipe upgrades along Alester Avenue between Hamilton Avenue and Dana Avenue to reduce the
flooding that was observed after the December 31, 2022 storm event.
Natural Environment: Enhance Biodiversity
81 City Council, June 16, 2025; Agenda Item #24; SR #2504-4491,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83464
82 San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority Urban Reach 2 - Upstream Project: Alternatives Evaluation
Technical Report; https://www.sfcjpa.org/reach-2-upstream-project
Increase Palo Alto’s Tree Canopy and Ensure No Net Tree Canopy Loss (Work Plan Items 8.O,
8.P): The City is working on an update of the Tree and Landscape Technical Manual. In addition,
the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance process is currently under review and should
be completed soon.
Coordinate Implementation of City Natural Environment-Related Plans (Work Plan Item 8.R):
S/CAP has the goal of restoring and enhancing resilience and biodiversity of our natural
environment throughout the City. Coordinating implementation and updates of City plans
allows for achieving multiple benefits. Recent examples of this coordination include:
Incorporation of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) concepts into the draft Bicycle
and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update and the Safe Streets for All Safety Action
Plan, which Council approved on June 2, 2025.85
Plans to use recent analyses like the City’s S/CAP, 2022 Sea Level Rise Vulnerability
Assessment,86 and South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Phase II Feasibility Study in
anticipated reports regarding the San Antonio Road Area Plan.87
The City also worked to refine the draft Ordinance containing Stream/Creek Corridor Setback
requirements, draft Bird-Friendly Design Ordinance, and draft Lighting Ordinance with direction
from the City Council and Planning and Transportation Commission.88, 89, 90 While these
ordinances are not directly referenced in the S/CAP work plan, they relate to Council Priority
Objectives 17 and 18, may result in benefits for sustainability and adaptation to climate change,
and may interact with other environment-related plans.
Support the Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Plan and incorporate GSI in Municipal
Projects (Work Plan Item 8.S): Twenty staff in the Public Works and Community Services
Departments attended trainings through the National GSI Maintenance Certification Program.
85 City Council, June 2, 2025; Agenda Item 6; SR #2503-4455,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83431
86 Palo Alto Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment, 2022;
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/public-works/environmental-compliance/sea-level-
rise/palo-alto-sea-level-rise-vulnerability-assessment-june-2022-062822-linked-final.pdf
87 South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Phase II Feasibility Study Area, 2024;
https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/sustainability/2024-05-13_south-san-francisco-bay-shoreline-
project-phase-two_ls_v10.pdf
88 City Council, June 2, 2025; Agenda Item 6; SR #2503-4455,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83431
89 Planning & Transportation Commission, October 30, 2024; Agenda Item #2; SR #2409-3472,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=7610
90 City Council, April 7, 2025; Agenda Item #18; SR #2411-3741,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=83323
The trainings, which were funded by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant,97
strengthen the City’s ability to design highly effective and easy to maintain GSI features, and to
continue to maintain GSI sites for optimal benefits. Additionally, on June 3, 2025 the City
released a request for proposals for a proposed GSI project in a City park.
Zero Waste: Support Waste Reduction
Encourage Commercial Food Waste Prevention and Provide Technical Assistance (Work Plan
Items 8.T, 8.W): In Q1 and Q2 2025 the City continued outreach on food waste prevention and
the requirements for edible food recovery from commercial food generators through
collaboration with Santa Clara County, other jurisdictions and Joint Venture Silicon Valley. The
technical assistance, outreach, assessments of compliance with Senate Bill 1383, the State’s
Short-Lived Climate Pollutant legislation, and inspections are on-going and continue to be
provided by Joint Venture Silicon Valley through the City’s memorandum of understanding with
the County.98
Promote Residential Food Waste Reduction (Work Plan Item 8.U): The Zero Waste outreach
community campaigned to promote food waste reduction and connect it to GHGs and climate
change with a call to action launched in late 2024 and continued in Q1 and Q2 of 2025. The
messaging themes - Strategize, Organize, Prioritize - were effectively integrated across multiple
outreach channels, including the utility bill inserts and announcements, advertisements
featured in local newspapers, newsletters, and content distributed through the various City
social media platforms. The outreach approach was designed to ensure broad community
awareness and encourage proactive participation.
Champion Waste Prevention, Reduction, Reusables, and the Sharing Economy (Work Plan Item
8.V): As part of the new Zero Waste Living outreach campaign, the City published 25 Zero
Waste Minute weekly e-newsletters in Q1 and Q2 2025, providing the community with reduce,
reuse, repair tips, and essential tools to tackle the complex waste challenges our community is
dedicated to solving. The weekly e-newsletter open rate averages 52 to 54%. Staff also updated
the Zero Waste webpage with a new design and restructure of resources to enhance user
experience for outreach, comprehensive waste prevention information, and other valuable
resources specific to the type of webpage visitor (i.e., a resident or a business) instead of
general outreach. The update also included adding a search tool with a link to StopWaste’s
search engine called RE:Source. The tool enables the Palo Alto community to search for repair,
reuse, and recycle alternatives to their household items. Additionally, the City continued to
make compost available at the Compost Giveaway Station located at Eleanor Pardee
97 City Council, October 17, 2022; Agenda Item #5; SR #14463,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=81947
98 City Council June 18, 2024; Agenda Item #8; SR #2404-2911,
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=82938
Community Garden and to hold compost workshops for residents to learn how easy it is to
make their own compost at home.
Prioritize Domestic Processing of Recyclable Materials (Work Plan Item 8.X): Domestic
processing for mixed paper and mixed rigid plastics began in April 2022. The City continues to
review processing efforts.
Eliminate Single-Use Disposable Containers (Work Plan Item 8.Y): The City is reviewing the
strategy and timeline for expanding the Disposable Foodware Ordinance and preparing to
evaluate the compliance of food services establishments with existing requirements.
Expand the Deconstruction and Construction Materials Management Ordinance (Work Plan
Item 8.Z): The City continues to conduct outreach and educate homeowners, general
contractors, and architects on the deconstruction ordinance requirements when building
permit applications are submitted and when permits are issued. During deconstruction, the City
inspects each project site multiple times to document progress, reiterates requirements for
source separation and hauling of single stream materials, and addresses any concerns
observed. In Fiscal Year 2024, 58 projects completed required documentation and had the
whole structures removed. The salvaged materials recovered for reuse (lumber, cabinets, doors
and windows) accounted for about 4% of the materials from the 58 complete projects, 31% of
material was recycled (clean wood debris, dry wall and concrete), and only 7% of the materials
were landfilled. Examples of materials landfilled included insulation and painted wood.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This report is for informational purposes only with no action required by the Council and
therefore it is not a project subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA).
APPROVED BY:
Brad Eggleston, Director Public Works/City Engineer