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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-11-17 City Council Summary MinutesCITY COUNCIL SUMMARY MINUTES Page 1 of 22 Regular Meeting November 17, 2025 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers and by virtual teleconference at 5:30 p.m. Present In Person: Burt, Lauing, Lu, Lythcott-Haims, Reckdahl, Stone, Veenker Lythcott-Haims arrived at 5:32 p.m. Present Remotely: None Absent: None Call to Order Mayor Lauing called the meeting to order. City Clerk Mahealani Ah Yun called roll and declared 6 were present. Closed Session 1. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY - EXISTING LITIGATION Swinerton v. City of Palo Alto (JAMS Reference #:5100003409) Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) ITEM REMOVED OFF AGENDA – NOT HEARD Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions City Manager Ed Shikada announced the closed session had been eliminated. Public Comment 1. Sven T. spoke of the negative health impacts related to the use of natural gas stoves and requested that folks open their windows when operating one. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 2 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 2. Avroh S., PASCC member, asked that the Dark Skies Ordinance return to Council soon. Avroh S. agreed with Sven T’s comments related to natural gas stoves and urged the City to expand outreach to include the benefits of induction over natural gas. 3. Mark S. supported the use of induction stoves. Mark S. opined that the Palo Alto Airport Weather System Upgrade Program and FAA grant terms associated with it needed more transparency and review to understand scope and cost. Copies of the Federal Registry announcement listing the 2025 changes to FAA grant terms had been provided to the City clerks. 4. Steve L. thanked Council for approving 660 University. Steve L. urged Council and Planning staff to reform and shorten the PHC process. 5. Carol G., founder and producer of Third Thursday, announced that the festival would not take place this month as the team was restructuring and working to secure a new fiscal sponsor. The goal was to resume the event in early 2026. Seventy percent of ground-level businesses on Cal Ave had signed a petition urging that Carol G. continue as the event producer. Carol G. would be on Cal Ave at Ash on November 20 to meet with Third Thursday fans and all were invited to attend. 6. Fred B. opposed a 4-way stop at California Avenue and Columbia Street and suggested lowering the speed limit or adding a second speed table to California Avenue. 7. Ceci K. supported Carol G. managing Third Thursday and noted that 70 percent of businesses on Cal Ave had signed a petition supporting Carol G. Council Member Questions, Comments and Announcements Vice Mayor Veenker had traveled to Brazil in her capacity as Vice Chair of the Bay Area Air District and she shared some details of the meeting and more could be provided at the Climate Action Committee meeting on November 20. Local entities were allowed to move ahead with implementation. Video interviews related to Palo Alto’s leadership in carbon neutrality should be available. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims reported that the Council Ad Hoc working on the situation with oversized vehicles was considering recruiting safe parking spots. To be part of the conversation, contact Councilmember Lythcott-Haims at julieforpaloalto.com. The potluck dinner Councilmember Lythcott-Haims hosted on November 14 had been successful and she planned to do it again and encouraged others to do the same. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims had attended the Palo Alto Youth Council event on November 15 and the Magical Bridge Friendsgiving on November 16, which was remarkable. The ribbon cutting for the Public Safety Building opening took place on November 16. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 3 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 Mayor Lauing commented that the event on November 16 had been terrific and a great milestone and was covered by NBC. The Ad Hoc Committee on OSVs continued to meet weekly and there would be a meeting this week and possibly Thanksgiving week. On December 8, Council would address approving a couple urgency ordinances. Mayor Lauing had been active with the Stanford community the last couple weeks. On November 11, Mayor Lauing had represented Palo Alto at the Annual Veterans Day Partnership with Stanford and attended a reception for area elected officials on November 12. The StanfordNext Advisory Council (SNAC) would meet on November 19 with a focus on housing, which would be open to the public. Information could be found at next.stanford.edu. Councilmember Reckdahl attended a PAPD outreach meeting on November 16. Palo Alto had a low crime rate compared to neighbors. If suspicious behavior was observed, 911 should be called. Consent Calendar 2. Approval of Minutes from November 3, 2025 Meeting. 3. Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Recommendation to Approve Program Design Guidelines for Successor to Multi-family Electric Vehicle Charger Program; CEQA Status - Not a Project. 4. Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Recommendation to Approve Program Design Guidelines for the Advanced Packaged HVAC Pilot Program; CEQA Status – Categorically Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15302 (Replacement of Existing Facilities). 5. Review and Approve the Williamson Act Contract Renewals Within Palo Alto City Limits (2025). 6. QUASI-JUDICIAL. 3200 Park/340 Portage: Final Map and Street Naming [25PLN-00104]: Request for a Final Map to Merge and Subdivide 11 Existing Parcels Totaling Approximately 14.65 Acres To Create Five Resulting Parcels, Consistent with the Approved Development Agreement and to Name the New Private Streets and Rename Portage Avenue. Authorization for the City Manager to Take All Actions Necessary to Acquire a 3.25 Acre Parcel by Grant Deed. Zone District: The Site Has a Split Zoning Designation of Five Planned Community Zone Districts Where Each Zone District Aligns with the Resulting Parcels (PC 5596, PC 5597, PC 5598, PC 5599, PC 5600). CEQA Status: Council adopted resolution 10123 certifying the EIR for the project on September 12, 2023 (SCH # 2021120444). SUMMARY MINUTES Page 4 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 7. Approval of Funding Agreements with Stanford University to Receive up to $600,000 and VTA for up to $456,000 to Partially Fund Palo Alto Link through June 2026, and Related Budget Amendments in the General Fund; CEQA status – not a project. 8. Approval of Contract No. C26196096 with Soudi Consultants, Inc. in an Amount Not-to- Exceed of $1,500,000 over a Period of Three Years to Provide As-Needed Electric Engineering Consulting Services for System Protection Related to Palo Alto’s Electric Sub-Transmission, Substations, and Distribution Systems, and Technical Training and Peer Review Services; CEQA Status: Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15302, 15303, and 15183. Public Comment: Herb B. (Item 7) indicated that Vice Mayor Veenker and Councilmember Lu should be recused from Item 7. Mayor Lauing asked for disclosures related to Item 6. Councilmember Lu and Vice Mayor Veenker recused from Agenda Items 5 and 7. Mayor Lauing, Vice Mayor Veenker and Councilmembers Reckdahl and Stone had no disclosures related to Item 6. MOTION: Councilmember Reckdahl moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Veenker, to approve Agenda Item Numbers 2-8. MOTION PASSED ITEMS 2-4, 6, 8: 7-0 MOTION PASSED ITEMS 5, 7: 5-0-2. Councilmember Lu and Vice Mayor Veenker recused. City Manager Comments City Manager Ed Shikada congratulated all for their work related the opening of the new Public Safety Building. In-person Police Department services were provided at 275 Forest and the phone number was 650-329-2406. The City was committed to supporting events on California Avenue. With the withdraw of the Third Thursday sponsor, there was a need to review what events might be needed. Staff had met with California Avenue merchants and it was expected that events would occur more than on a monthly basis. There had been a discussion about starting a working group to address the 2026 calendar of events. Plans were being made for the upcoming holiday celebration on December 6. Businesses were invited to submit holiday promotions and discounts and information was available at upliftlocal.org/holiday. The Lytton Plaza tree lighting would take place on December 5. There would be tree lighting and various performances on California Avenue on December 6. City Manager Shikada stated that Project Safety Net would hold a community gathering on the topic of youth mental health on November 19. The Rail Committee would meet on November SUMMARY MINUTES Page 5 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 18. On December 10, Council would hold a special meeting on rail grade separations and the item would continue on December 15 and Council would consider next steps in selecting grade separation alternatives. It was expected that there would be no addition public comment on the topic on December 15. There would be no Council or formal committee meetings on November 24. Council would meet on December 1 with study sessions on the neighborhood town halls and the BPTP and there would be action items related to South Palo Alto bike ped crossings and the Council appointed officer agreements. On December 8, Council would discuss Dark Skies. On December 15, there would be a study session on the Cubberley Project and action items related to 4075 El Camino Way and rail grade separations. Action Items 9. Approval of the Study and Assessment of Turf Systems: Findings and Recommendation for El Camino Park Synthetic Turf Replacement as Recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission; CEQA status – categorically and statutorily exempt. Loyd Consulting Group Anthony Stevenson introduced himself and the firm. Division Manager Sarah Robustelli provided a background and spoke to study objectives and the goal. Folks could sign up on the project webpage for updates. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson furnished an overview of the study, which included field system types, playability, cost, health and environmental considerations, comments received for the draft study and final recommendations. Natural grass, synthetic turf and hybrid systems had been considered. It was explained that playability related to carrying capacity and a chart was presented showing thresholds for different surface types. A slide was displayed showing the 20-year lifecycle cost model for each surface type. The consultant outlined the ways microplastics from synthetic turf entered the environment, although there were ways to mitigate it and using nonplastic infills, such as sand and cork, would reduce it. Some manufacturers claimed to have PFAS-reduced or PFAS-free products, which relied on manufacturers’ qualifications as there was not an industry standard for PFAS thresholds but independent testing could be done to verify that the products met the stated limits. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson voiced that natural grass and synthetic turf had their own benefits and drawbacks. Much feedback on the draft studies had been received from the community, City staff, etc., and the comments could be found in the study. Health and environmental concerns focused on PFAS, microplastics, surface heat and end-of-life recycling and there was an interest in optimizing the current natural grass fields. There had been concerns about how the City reservation data had been converted to use hours. Recreational user groups supported synthetic turf. There had been no significant changes to the report but there were clarifications. The consultant recommended resurfacing El Camino with synthetic turf and implementing a pilot program for natural grass options for other fields. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 6 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 Manager Robustelli stated that staff and the PRC recommended receiving and accepting the findings of the recommendations of the study and assessment and directing staff to proceed with replacement of the synthetic field at El Camino in the manner consistent with the study’s findings and recommendations. Community Services Director Kristen O’Kane felt the report reflected a fair and unbiased assessment of Palo Alto’s fields and that the recommendations were appropriate. Staff would continue to monitor and research the latest advancements in products to inform future decisions. Councilmember Reckdahl requested that the consultant speak about the RMM. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson stated the RMMs came out of Europe and were advanced as it related to the environmental impacts of synthetic turf. The main goal was to reduce microplastics in the environment, which could be done by many different means. The City could continue to expand on filtration in the stormwater catch basins, grooming and sweeping procedures and setting up physical barriers as needed. The City had moved to natural infill, which somewhat eliminated microplastics entering the environment. Councilmember Reckdahl asked if such measures would be difficult or costly, if the El Camino fields included those measures, if the fibers shed more at end of life and how blades could be tested to verify they were PFAS-free. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson answered that such measures were generally not difficult or costly. The consultant understood that a lot of those measures were included at El Camino. Updating grooming and sweeping procedures would address fibers in the environment. Fibers shedding at end of life depended on the quality of the product. Manager Robustelli replied, regarding testing for PFAS-free blades, an independent lab was doing testing for the Mayfield field and 2 peers would review the lab results. There were no standard regulations for testing. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson added there was no testing protocol to confirm a comprehensive sample but the City was trying to provide a precedent for comprehensive testing until regulations were imposed. Vice Mayor Veenker questioned what the timeline would be to replace the field with synthetic, what stability meant in the context of carrying capacity for hybrid fields and if hybrid systems would increase carrying capacity. There were concerns with plastics regardless of being recycled or being in a landfill. Manager Robustelli replied that it would take 6 or 7 months to replace the field with synthetic. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson responded that stability related to foot traction, hardness, grading and drainage. There were different types of hybrid systems but in general they were SUMMARY MINUTES Page 7 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 similar to the performance sand-based natural grass fields. Hybrids increased stability, traction, etc., especially for soccer. It had not been determined if hybrid provided a larger carrying capacity. Vice Mayor Veenker did not understand the cost comparisons of hybrid and natural grass fields. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson explained the cost comparisons of hybrid and native soil fields. Vice Mayor Veenker noted that the report indicated that playing hours for hybrids could handle similar, a little more and 2 to 3 times more playing hours of natural grass, which altered the analysis of the options. Councilmember Stone stated the City used the integrated pest management system (IPM), not pesticides, for playing fields and questioned if pesticides was a key factor in the consultant’s analysis, as pesticides were reference 16 times in the study. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson answered that some form of pesticide or synthetic fertilizer or herbicide was used for most natural grass, which should be considered because they would impact the environment. The IPM systems removed a lot of that. The study touched all facets of the debate between synthetic and natural grass but it came down to playability and carrying capacity and the City needed to understand and accept the environmental concerns with synthetic turf and the growing demand for fields. Councilmember Stone understood that playability and cost were key pieces of the analysis. Cost savings and playability were important but the health and safety of the community were more important, which seemed to be put at risk with synthetic turf. Councilmember Stone wanted to see more about health impacts and risks in the report. Councilmember Stone asked how the City disposed on the synthetic turf fields and the cost of it. Manager Robustelli replied that the synthetic turf at Mayfield had a chain of custody and it was repurposed. Staff had checked on potentially recycling the new Mayfield field. City policy was being followed for Zero Waste and reductions for recycling. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson added that recycling synthetic turf usually cost about $1 a square foot. Councilmember Burt expressed that environmental and health concerns were the basis for instigating for the study, not a secondary consideration to playability and cost. Health and environmental impacts needed to be weighed against playability and cost. Councilmember Burt inquired what the cost would be for synthetic turf at El Camino and if an independent lab would test for PFAS at Mayfield before installation. Manager Robustelli believed the estimate for synthetic turf at El Camino was $1M to $1.4M. Testing for PFAS would not be done before the installation at Mayfield. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 8 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 Councilmember Burt queried if the contract contained provisions for the manufacturer bearing the cost of removal if the material failed the test results. Manager Robustelli replied that the contract did not contain provisions for the manufacturer bearing the cost of removal if the material failed the test results. City Manager Ed Shikada added that if the PFAS testing should reveal an issue the City could enter into a dispute or a claim situation. The absence in standards could lead to a difference in the conclusion of the test results. There was specific language in the contract associated with a PFAS-free characterization and staff would seek to enforce that language. Discussion ensued concerning the 500 hours of play referenced on Page 59 of the Turf Study, natural turf fields with 1,000 hours of play, computation of the comparative cost being based on 500 hours, use hours of a specific field type, increasing carrying capacity by rotating fields, downtime with rotating fields, moving fields within greater grass areas, minimal time to do maintenance activities versus grass fields being taken out for recovery and playability. Mayor Lauing noted that Page 178 indicated a 20-year lifecycle and asked how 20 years could be believed if El Camino needed replacement at 11 years, if PFAS-reduced/PFAS-free was verifiable, if the approach to PFAS testing would be changed for the next synthetic turf installation, if thought had been given to where a grass pilot might be and the types of turf to test, how success criteria was defined and if more land would need to be acquired to replace the playable hours on grass fields. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson responded that the cost analysis was usually done for a 20- year period. Synthetic turf fields would likely need to be resurfaced about every 10 years. The 20-year lifecycle included 2 synthetic turf resurfaces and on the natural grass side, it would include a minor renovation. All resurfacings were included in the replacement time and total 20-year cost. A turf company could indicate they would meet a certain PFAS threshold and the City could do testing to ensure that the product met the stated threshold. The consultant believed Greer and Cubberley would be good candidates for grass pilots because they were high-use fields. Consideration could be given to 2 different turf cultivars and field systems. As for success criteria, data-driven playability standards needed to be established. It would be very difficult for grass fields to meet demand. Manager Robustelli answered there was not a standard to check PFAS-reduced and PFAS-free against but PFAS could be verified by a third party. Manager Robustelli thought more would be learned upon obtaining the PFAS testing results. The work of the lab could be checked via a peer review. As for a grass pilot, staff had discussed scalability and considered Greer Park but there were opportunities for other areas and different microclimates. Twelve percent of the City’s field inventory was synthetic. Mayor Lauing noted the City would need more land for grass fields in order to meet demand, which appeared to be a constraint. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 9 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 Councilmember Reckdahl asked what other cities had done and if others had high-use grass fields. Manager Robustelli answered that the County opted not to move forward with the turf ban. Sunnyvale was doing a study. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson did not know of other cities or universities with high-use grass fields. High-use fields were normally replaced with synthetic turf. Vice Mayor Veenker commented that a city in New York State had replaced high-use fields with hybrid fields. City Manager Shikada noted that the County indicated they would want to participate with Palo Alto if a grass pilot should be undertaken. Public Comment: 1. Leanne M. requested that Palo Alto set and enforce its own requirements for PFAS and lead levels and that a grass pilot be considered. Leanne M. was at the El Camino field on a 64- degree morning and the artificial grass was 129 degrees and the odor nauseating. 2. Andrea W. opposed the use of synthetic turf and opined there was no such thing as PFAS- free turf and that organic infill was not certified organic. Andrea W. suggested using sod to return El Camino to grass. Health should be more important than installing artificial turf. 3. Pam B. requested that Council keep abreast of the latest science on plastic, artificial turf and new turf grass varieties and advancements and that there be an organic grass pilot. Pam B. spoke of plastic grass being a problem regardless of the infill, the grooming required, new fields shedding and it being possible that the turnaround time for a natural grass field could be less than 18 months. Recommendations for testing could be found at testtheturf.org. 4. Angela D. found the consultant’s report to be biased as it did not address all the toxic and carcinogenic compounds found in artificial turf, the shedding of new artificial turf, the cost of recycling or the cost of environmental and health impacts. Angela D. encouraged Council to implement a natural grass field pilot. Angela D. preferred that her grandchildren play fewer hours of soccer instead of ingesting microplastics. 5. Claire E. considered natural grass fields to be a more ecological and sustainable choice. It was explained why PFAS was difficult to analyze. The shedding of plastic blades was concerning. Claire E. asked that a pilot program be implemented ASAP. 6. Magdalena C. opposed synthetic ground coverings, which had negative health consequences, and urged Council to direct the PRC to add a grass field pilot study to their 2026 Work Plan. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 10 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 7. Cynthia F. requested that a pilot be part of the motion and that the consultant’s findings be rejected. Cynthia F. did not find that the Staff Report addressed the goals of the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, green stormwater infrastructure or Zero Waste. 8. Laarni R. opposed artificial grass, which was unhealthy to water and soil, and requested that Council implement a pilot program to sustainably enhance and actively manage the City’s natural grass fields. Health and the environment should be primary goals. 9. Susan H., Chair of the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter Plastic Pollution Prevention Committee, presented the City with a 2025 Sustainability Scholar Project prepared for Vancouver, Canada. Susan H. urged the City to add a natural grass pilot program for organically compatible management of the City’s grass fields and to forego plastic outdoor surfacing. A hybrid field would require plastic in root cells, which was problematic, and Susan H., could provide references to any interested parties. 10. Herb B. opposed spending more funds on studies and implementation. Herb B. indicated that the majority of users were not Palo Alto residents and it was suggested that nonresidents contribute financially. 11. Rodrigo B., Executive Director for Palo Alto Soccer Club and Silicon Valley Soccer Academy, supported synthetic turf fields, which were needed to meet the needs of the Palo Alto community, and a pilot program for a field at Cubberley or Greer. It was requested that Council approve the PRC recommendation. 12. Jim M., Palo Alto Soccer Club coach, spoke of the benefits of turf fields as it related to grass field closures and demand. 13. Bryan H. discussed the harmful proprietary chemicals contained in tires used on playing fields. 14. Winter D. (Zoom) opposed using nonpermeable materials or plastic over large areas, which was an environmental and health concern. Winter D. suggested artificial turf be white, not green, due to the heat. 15. Jeff G. (Zoom), PRC member, supported the staff recommendation to accept the report with the condition that risk measures be included as a priority. Jeff G. supported the pilot study but requested that building and maintaining grass fields not be underestimated. Jeff G. asked that the field be renovated with synthetic turf in 6 to 7 months. All steps should be taken to be as environmentally responsible as possible with synthetic turf, including using organic cork infill, striving for a PFAS-free product, recycling old turf, etc. The playability field cost numbers appeared reasonable. 16. Carrie L. (Zoom) did not find the surface temperatures listed on Page 40 to be accurate. Manufacturing and disposal cost of artificial turf and the types of natural grass should be considered. Carrie L. suggested that PFAS be tested for total chlorine. Carrie L. noted that SUMMARY MINUTES Page 11 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 filters would not filter out micro nor nanoplastics. Carrie L. supported natural grass and the pilot project but not artificial turf. 17. Sue (Zoom) urged Council to support the organically managed natural grass fields pilot project as there were many benefits. There were many successfully managed organic grass fields in the area. Sue discussed the negative health effects associated with artificial turf. 18. Cedric B. (Zoom) spoke of environmental concerns and negative health impacts associated with synthetic fields and requested using natural fields and surfaces. 19. Nicole L. (Zoom) discussed artificial turf being toxic and a major contributor to water pollution. Nicole L. requested that Council implement a pilot program to sustainably and actively manage the City’s natural grass fields to any action taken. [Council took a 20-minute break] City Manager Shikada remarked that health was the primary concern and priority. The County had done a health assessment, so the study focused on playability and operational issues as that information was needed. Mayor Lauing clarified that the pilot was recommended. Councilmember Burt voiced that the decision would not be overwhelmingly based on the turf study alone but it would be weighed against environmental and health factors. Councilmember Burt had concerns about environmental and health factors related to synthetic turf and did not believe there were means to capture blade runoff at El Camino. Councilmember Burt was interested in pursuing the pilot study at El Camino Park but the number of play hours would need to be calculated. The cost comparison might not be correct as it was based on 500 hours of use. Vice Mayor Veenker was concerned about plastics but also the loss of playing time with grass. There had not been a great briefing on hybrid, which was about 92-95% grass. A small percent of the substrates were plastic but the industry was pushing for trials and biodegradable polymers. Council should discuss the cost. Vice Mayor Veenker wanted to look into grass and hybrid pilots. The fields in general should be part of the City’s sustainability goals and turf fields should be phased out. Councilmember Stone did not support the recommendation. The health and environmental impacts of artificial turf was concerning. Even if there were no issues with PFAS, etc., synthetic turf was plastic and harmful to public health and the environment. The Staff Report acknowledged the microplastic problem and uncertainty around PFAS but it did not address the uncertainties to public health and the conclusions were driven by use hours, etc. Prioritizing play hours over health and environmental risks was not true stewardship. Councilmember Stone supported a natural grass pilot program but it was concerning that El Camino might have synthetic turf for another decade. The pilot should be completed before making a decision. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 12 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 Synthetic turf was not the only path to reliable fields, equitable access and year-round playability. Public health should be protected when credible risks existed. Councilmember Stone was open to a pilot at El Camino Park. Mayor Lauing inquired how many teams would be cut if turf was not used. Director O’Kane responded that Palo Alto youth leagues were prioritized and it would have to be determined how the teams would be impacted if synthetic turf was reduced. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson recalled that multiple youth and adult organizations used El Camino, which equated to about 2,700 hours and it would be significantly cut down depending on the natural grass profile installed and wintertime use would be significantly reduced. Some percentage of teams would have to be cut in the winter. Mayor Lauing understood that play would have to be scaled back and teams cut, so the 10½ acres by the Baylands would have to be considered soon. Mayor Lauing asked what the plan and timeline would be for El Camino if it were converted to natural grass. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson responded that there would have to be some level of planning for a natural grass pilot program at El Camino, such as the type of grass to use. The consultant recommended a performance grass field, which would cost more than native soil. Manager Robustelli answered that El Camino was at risk of closing for safety reasons. The field could potentially be unusable while in the natural grass planning phase. Vice Mayor Veenker inquired why completion was estimated to be 18 months. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson replied that the estimate of 18 months took into account procuring an architect/engineer, permitting, procuring a builder, construction and a period for the grass to grow. It could potentially be done quicker if there were different procurement methods to expedite the process. It could also take longer than 18 months. Councilmember Burt voiced that using sod could trim off some time and starting the project at a certain time of year might be favorable. Councilmember Burt asked staff to speak to the field usage policy. Director O’Kane replied that the field usage policy dictated how fields were distributed and there was a scheduling process. Youth nonprofit organizations serving Palo Alto were prioritized. If there should be a constraint on field hours, the lowest priority would be the first to not have use of the fields. Councilmember Burt commented there might be an immediate opportunity to use one of the fields at Geng and an opportunity to use the 10½ acres at the Baylands for fields. Councilmember Reckdahl had concerns with using artificial turf but playing fields were needed. It needed to be determined how there could be higher use on grass fields. In the short term, SUMMARY MINUTES Page 13 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 synthetic turf with organic infill and PFAS-free/low-PFAS blades should be installed and there should be an RMM to try to keep microplastics from escaping into the environment. This should be viewed as the last artificial turf field installation and there should be plans for future fields to be grass. Converting Cubberley to a grass field was a good option and would give the City 2 years to plan for hybrid or organic fields. Councilmember Lu supported a natural grass pilot program and wanted to eliminate and minimize turf in the medium term pending technology or sustainability changes to turf. Cubberley seemed to be a good fit for natural grass. Other than the 10½ acres at the Baylands, a sand-capped field at Greer or Cubberley was a compelling option. Interpreting the precautionary principle was tricky. Youth mental health and budget limitations needed to be considered. Councilmember Lu questioned what cost recovery would look like for a sand- capped or organically managed natural grass field at the El Camino soccer field as it related to rental fees. Councilmember Lu supported a grass pilot at El Camino or Cubberley with turf in the meanwhile. Director O’Kane would have to research the cost recovery as it related to rental fees. Staff could consider increasing the hourly rental rate. Mayor Lauing spoke of the importance of youth sports. By delaying the El Camino field, teams and playing times might be lost, which some would not be happy about, so there was an equity balance. Councilmember Stone was concerned about the connection between youth mental health and microplastics and the impact of decreased field time. Options for additional playing fields needed to be determined. The health impacts of synthetic turf would affect players and community members in general. Councilmember Stone supported taking the science into account, rejecting synthetic turf and moving toward natural grass. Vice Mayor Veenker asked how old the El Camino field was and how to discern which of the natural/hybrid options might move forward for El Camino. Manager Robustelli responded that the El Camino field had been in use for 9 years and 11 months. City Manager Shikada answered that it should be determined which of the natural/hybrid options would be used and the staff would move forward with design and return with the cost and next steps. If the form of natural/hybrid was not decided, staff would need to return with a scope to study to inform a decision, which would take additional time. City Manager Shikada asked for guidance on the product if the priority was to proceed with a natural grass alternative that would maximize playtime. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson recommended a full sand profile with drainage as it would provide the best long-term value, although a sand-based field would take more maintenance. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 14 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 Municipalities that had done performance sand-based fields usually had full-time sports managers and fairly large field maintenance budgets. City Manager Shikada mentioned that the City was expected to enter into a very constrained budget year, which would likely result in difficult investment choices, particularly for operating budgets. Vice Mayor Veenker was not convinced that a full sand profile with drainage would provide the best long-term value. Vice Mayor Veenker requested that Council Members comment on going forward with a natural/hybrid option at El Camino as opposed to Cubberley. Mayor Lauing remarked that the motion could be tabled and an Ad Hoc and staff could discuss more specific options offline. Councilmember Burt questioned if natural turf at El Camino would mean that Palo Alto youth would not have the field access they currently had or if they would be in jeopardy of losing access to the field. Councilmember Burt did not believe there would be an impact on Palo Alto youth. Director O’Kane remarked that access would first be reduced for for-profit groups and those with a low residency rate but Palo Alto youth might still have reduced access. The highest priority was City recreation programs followed by Palo Alto youth organizations. Director O’Kane did not know if Palo Alto youth organizations would be in jeopardy of losing access to the field. Director O’Kane would have to return with that information. Councilmember Reckdahl voiced the fields were used mostly by Palo Alto residents, not nonresidents. Manager Robustelli echoed Councilmember Reckdahl’s comments. The El Camino fields were used mainly by Palo Altans. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson stated it appeared that the El Camino fields were used mainly by Palo Altans but the data could be examined in finer detail. Vice Mayor Veenker questioned where the elite teams from other cities would play. Mayor Lauing commented that the turf lifecycle was 10 years but it could be removed in 5 years. Mayor Lauing queried if the field might be closed if a decision was not reached. Manager Robustelli confirmed that the field might be closed if a decision was not reached but there was no exact timing on if and when a closure might have to occur. MOTION: Mayor Lauing moved, seconded by Councilmember Burt, to defer item to a date uncertain and create an Ad Hoc Committee to further discuss with staff and bring back to Council. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 15 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Councilmember Lythcott-Haims moved, seconded by Councilmember Reckdahl, to: 1. Direct staff to proceed with replacement of the synthetic turf at El Camino Park in a manner consistent with the Study’s findings and recommendations; and a. Risk Mitigation Measures (RMM) be included as part of the design for El Camino 2. Set Cubberley Synthetic Field as the target for the pilot natural option. Councilmember Reckdahl wanted to proceed with synthetic turf at El Camino. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims commented that adding turf was not great but it was the most expedient solution given the timetable and the other constraints. Councilmember Lu felt the motion should include this being the last synthetic turf field barring a revolution in synthetic turf technology. Vice Mayor Veenker wanted an Ad Hoc to return with some options for Council discussion. Vice Mayor Veenker supported the motion, not the substitute motion. Councilmember Burt supported the original motion because an Ad Hoc could provide information that would inform a decision on moving forward with natural or synthetic turf at El Camino. Councilmember Stone inquired if the plan would be to do independent testing of the synthetic turf prior to installation at El Camino, what the City’s PFAS threshold would be and what would occur if an established PFAS threshold could not be met by a manufacturer. Councilmember Stone suggested the Ad Hoc Committee discuss the PFAS threshold and that turf material be rejected if it did not meet the threshold. Loyd Consulting Group Stevenson replied that if a manufacturer claimed they could meet the City’s PFAS threshold, the City should test it for confirmation. Councilmember Stone worried that the PFAS threshold discussion would not take place if the substitute motion passed. City Manager Shikada responded that the PFAS threshold issue would be addressed by Council upon staff returning with specifications for the procurement. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims expressed that it might be attractive to the Cubberley Project if the Master Plan indicated it would be the site of a pilot natural turf option. SUBSTITUTE MOTION FAILED: 3-4. Council Members Burt and Stone, Mayor Lauing and Vice Mayor Veenker voted no. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 16 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 Mayor Lauing noted that the Ad Hoc would return to Council in 2025. Councilmember Stone wanted the Ad Hoc to discuss a PFAS threshold. Vice Mayor Veenker thought setting a PFAS threshold might take longer than what was being contemplated for this item. Mayor Lauing mentioned that the Ad Hoc could return with a suggested motion for future study of a PFAS threshold. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims inquired what impact this motion passing might have on the Work Plan and if it was practical for an Ad Hoc to contemplate decisions before the end of the calendar year. City Manager Shikada answered the impact on the Work Plan would depend on the Ad Hoc’s recommendation. It was estimated that the Ad Hoc would return for Council’s last December meeting. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 City Manager Ed Shikada requested that Council address Item 11 before Item 10. 11. Adopt a Resolution Establishing the City Council Annual Calendar of Meetings, Recesses, and City Council Events for the Calendar Year 2026; CEQA status – not a project ITEM HEARD OUT OF ORDER BEFORE AGENDA ITEM 10. City Clerk Mahealani Ah Yun hoped to gain clarity on special meeting preferences being on the third Wednesdays (Option 1) or the fourth Mondays (Option 2). There were an unusual amount of holidays falling on the first 3 Mondays of the month in 2026. Staff requested clarity on the Annual Retreat Priority Setting meeting being on January 24 or 31, which were Saturdays. Mayor Lauing preferred that special meetings be held on Mondays and that the Annual Retreat Priority Setting meeting be on January 24. Councilmember Lu had a soft preference for special meetings being held on Mondays. Councilmember Stone supported special meetings being on Mondays. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims preferred holding special meetings on Mondays and holding the Annual Retreat Priority Setting meeting on January 24. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 17 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 Vice Mayor Veenker supported Monday special meetings and having the Annual Retreat Priority Setting meeting on January 24. Councilmember Burt preferred that special meetings be on Mondays and that the Annual Retreat Priority Setting meeting be on January 24. Councilmember Reckdahl supported the Annual Retreat Priority Setting meeting being on January 24. City Clerk Ah Yun requested a motion to adopt the proposed resolution establishing the 2026 Council meeting schedule, which included the summer and winter recess dates. Councilmember Reckdahl commented that Jewish, Muslim and Lunar holidays started at sundown, so meetings should not occur the evenings before those holidays. The Finance Committee and the City/School Liaison Committee were scheduled to have meetings on Muslim and Lunar New Year holidays. Assistant City Clerk Christine Prior clarified that the list of holidays addressed only Council meetings. Staff could include committee meetings when scheduling for holidays. City Clerk Ah Yun added that there was a focus on Council meetings specifically when the HRC addressed the item. Councilmember Reckdahl queried if all committee meetings should avoid those holidays or only Council. Mayor Lauing responded that would block out many days. A possible solution was provided, which included skipping a committee meeting. City Clerk Ah Yun added that agenda items were often presented to committees before going to Council, so members of the public not able to participate at committee meetings would have an opportunity to comment at Council meetings. Councilmember Burt stated the issue could not be resolved at this meeting. There was generally latitude in scheduling committee meetings, so those dates could potentially be accommodated on an ad hoc basis. City Clerk Ah Yun noted that significant dates were listed in Attachment B. Staff was committed to Wellness and Inclusion as part of the Equity and Action Plan but it was an iterative process. City Clerk Yun believed the City Manager’s office and the Clerk’s office were in consultation with Council and the committees to further look into the dates of significance. Councilmember Stone agreed with Councilmember Reckdahl and suggested moving forward on an ad hoc basis for 2026 with the expectation that committees should not meet on such holidays. It was also suggested that the Clerk’s office incorporate the holidays into the committee meetings for 2027. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 18 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 Assistant City Clerk Prior pointed out that the Priority Setting meeting being on January 24 and the special meetings being on the fourth Monday would equate to meetings on Saturday, January 24 and Monday, January 26. City Manager Shikada proposed there be no meeting on January 26. Discussion ensued regarding Martin Luther King Jr. Day and it was decided that there would be a meeting on January 20 or 21, not January 19. MOTION: Councilmember Lythcott-Haims moved, seconded by Councilmember Reckdahl, to: 1. Set Annual Retreat/Priority Setting Meeting date as January 24th (for meetings that fall on a holiday, schedule Special Meeting on next subsequent business day(s)); and 2. Option 2 (4th Monday of the Month) for special City Council meetings as needed; and 3. Adopt a resolution establishing its calendar of meetings, recesses, and City Council events for calendar year 2026; and 4. Direct staff to explore also avoiding Council Committee Meetings on holidays. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Public Comment: There were no requests to speak. 10. Review and Provide Feedback on an Analysis of a Conceptual Affordable Housing Project on Land to be Conveyed to the City and Associated With the Sobrato Development Agreement (340 Portage Avenue); Consideration and Possible Direction to Staff to Prepare a Future Request for Proposal for a Future Affordable Housing Project. CEQA Status: Not a Project. Planning and Development Services Director Jonathan Lait declared there would not be a presentation but if Council had questions, staff could access and display it. Planning Manager Claire Raybould stated the work was being prepared under a Metropolitan Transportation Commission grant. To inform the proposal, massing diagrams and a pro forma analysis had been prepared for Council’s review. Staff requested feedback to inform preparation the Draft RFP, which needed to be completed by the end of the year. Particular feedback being requested related to parameters of the key development standards that might inform the RFP. Staff requested direction to prepare and release an RFP for future partnership to build an Affordable Housing project or otherwise defer release of the RFP to a future date. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 19 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 Mayor Lauing asked if staff intended to take all 3 proposals or if there should be discussion about that being the right approach. Regarding Packet Page 191 and proceeding with the RFP or deferring issuance, the latter addressed only the park as that was the only missing item. Planning Manager Raybould stated 3 possible scenarios had been presented to provide examples. Staff was requesting feedback on preferences related to heights, parking spaces, etc. Staff would finish preparing a Draft RFP but there was no obligation to immediately release it. Council should decide if this was the right timing for the release of the RFP or if there should be more information related to the park component. Mayor Lauing understood that it was the mesh with the park component. Director Lait added it also involved funding availability. Public Comment: Cedric B. referenced Scenario 3 and encouraged the City to pursue the highest height and density and requested that housing be more than 50 feet from the center line of the creek and that Affordable Housing have green roofs or other biophilic features. Cedric B. supported community uses on the ground floor and a stepped terrace option. Councilmember Stone queried if there was an anticipated date when the townhomes would be occupied, if the money from Sobrato could go toward the project, if Lot 3 across from Portage would be office spaces and if deferment should occur, what the timeline would be for the full site planning development. Manager Raybould anticipated that the townhomes would be occupied in the spring of 2027. Based on the timeline, money from Sobrato could go toward the project. Lot 3 was the office development, although there was a small retail space at the corner. Lot 1 was residential. Director Lait answered that full site planning development was not currently a planning effort, so the development would be years away. Councilmember Stone elected to move forward and not defer. Councilmember Stone stated Scenario 3 made the most sense and he was generally comfortable with those development standards. Scenario 2 was not bad. Scenario 1 would not provide enough density and growth. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims expected a State Affordable Housing Bond of $10B and understood that projects with entitlements in hand would be the first in line for the money. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims was generally aligned with the development standards in the table. The larger unit count was preferred but mostly Councilmember Lythcott-Haims preferred the most affordable. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims supported any of the 3 scenarios. The public comment about setback from the creek was appreciated. As for target populations, Councilmember Lythcott-Haims was not in favor of articulating eligibly by types of people, etc. However, there was a preference for those working in the city or for taking an age-related approach. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims queried if Affordable Housing might include a shelter for the unhoused and a safe parking lot. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 20 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 Director Lait stated Council could decide how to use the site. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims stated that Move Mountain View had contemplated building a tiny home/RV dweller community in the Affordable Housing context and maybe outreach could be done to see if a proposal could be put together. Whomever the City worked with should be able to move folks from application to being leaseholders. Councilmember Burt concurred with Cedric B’s comments concerning drawing parcel lines. It was important that the park be a significant buffer along the creek and that the Affordable Housing overlook the park and creek. Councilmember Burt questioned what heights the NVCAP program set. It was important to not have one building be inconsistent with the balance of the buildings. Tiny homes would not provide much affordable housing. Transit use should be encouraged and parking demand reduced. It was important to provide these residents with transit passes. Councilmember Burt supported Scenario 2. Manager Raybould answered that the NVCAP program set a height of 65 feet. Councilmember Lu agreed with the public commenter as it related to size, site layout and community uses. Councilmember Lu asked if there was a way to think about the funding risk of each of the scenarios and what kind of targeting could be offered for essential workers, etc. Street Level Advisors Rick Jacobus replied that there was not a clear cutoff point related to funding risk. The larger the gap, the longer it would take a developer to find and line up the needed resources. It was recommended that the City include $5M in funding because a number lower than that might result in an uncompetitive project. The gap was a timing and a risk factor. There could be delays if all funding sources did not come together. City Attorney Molly Stump replied that targeting was an area of uncertainty. It should be addressed when finalizing a project and a regulatory agreement. Director Lait added that staff was not looking at the project at a targeting level but more in line with senior housing, veterans, etc. Councilmember Lu voiced that essential workers were a compelling group, which would also address traffic issues. It was surprising that adding stories would result in more square-foot cost. VMWP Karen Murray explained why adding stories increased the square-foot cost. Mayor Lauing agreed with Councilmember Burt’s comments. The parking ratio was concerning because not everyone would be on a bus or train route and some might have 2 vehicles. There might need to be a decrease in 3-bedroom units and more consideration given to parking lifts. Mayor Lauing inquired if there was anything over 3 or 4 stories in the development plan from Sobrato. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 21 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 Manager Raybould answered the development plan from Sobrato had nothing over 3 or 4 stories. The 3001 El Camino project was 5 stories. Mayor Lauing noted that surrounding buildings were significantly shorter than what this project proposed and having a 7-story building next to a park was questionable, although he was not opposed to it. The project needed to be put in the context of what would be there in the future. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims asked if the El Camino focus area included this side of the street. Director Lait answered that the housing focus area had been extended to include the El Camino side. It was an area in transition and there could be taller buildings there. Mayor Lauing commented that things needed to be put in the context of what it would be, not what it currently was. Mayor Lauing was zeroing in on Option 3 and was concerned about the taller building. The $5M commitment proposed in the pro forma appeared to be right for now but it could be addressed further in the future. An 80-percent AMI was not listed, so maybe some 3 bedrooms could be dropped and 80 percent units added. Creek setbacks needed to be planned for. Director Lait replied that 80-percent AMI usually had to do with funding sources geared toward lower income. VMWP Murray added that the 2 and 3 bedrooms could be reduced to 25 percent each, which was the minimum for the typical funding sources. Councilmember Reckdahl was concerned about running out of Affordable Housing space and wanted to get the most possible out of this project. Buildings being as tall as possible would not be out of character for the neighborhood. The funding gap of $50M was concerning. Councilmember Reckdahl asked if receiving $50M of external funding was feasible. The parking might work with an aggressive TDM program and the use of rideshare. Councilmember Reckdahl would support Scenario 3 if the funding gap could be met, otherwise he would choose Scenario 2. Street Level Advisors Jacobus opined that receiving $50M of external funding was feasible. Vice Mayor Veenker preferred Options 2 and 3, although there was a concern about the $50M funding gap related to Option 3. The option to naturalize the creek should be preserved. As for parking, Vice Mayor Veenker preferred rideshare, etc. Vice Mayor Veenker wanted to continue to explore senior housing for this project. Manager Raybould asked if Council was interested in senior housing or if the Draft RFP should be along the lines of a typical Affordable Housing project. Councilmember Reckdahl queried if senior housing was being considered for Lot C downtown. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 22 of 22 City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 11/17/2025 Director Lait replied that senior housing was not being considered for Lot C. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims provided an example of residents being seniors plus youth but was not in favor of seniors only. It was too early to direct it toward specific populations. Director Lait would plan for a range of options for Scenarios 2 and 3. The creek setback needed to be worked out, which could have implications on building design and orientation. Staff had enough information to form an RFP, which would return for Council’s review and changes could be made if desired. NO ACTION Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:57 p.m.