HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2511-5588CITY OF PALO ALTO
Policy & Services Committee
Special Meeting
Tuesday, December 09, 2025
6:00 PM
Agenda Item
3.Discussion and Recommendation to City Council Regarding the 2026 City Council Priority
Setting Process Late Packet Report Added
Policy & Services Committee
Staff Report
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: December 9, 2025
Report #:2511-5588
TITLE
Discussion and Recommendation to City Council Regarding the 2026 City Council Priority Setting
Process
This report will be a late packet report published on December 4, 2025.
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Policy & Services Committee
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: December 9, 2025
Report #:2511-5580
TITLE
Discussion and Recommendation to City Council Regarding the 2026 City Council Priority Setting
Process
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Policy and Services Committee make recommendations to the City
Council regarding the 2026 priority-setting process and annual retreat on January 24, 2026; and
recommend the City Council keep the 2025 approved City Council Priorities as 2026 would be
the second year in the two-year cycle.
BACKGROUND
The City Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook states that each year, the Council reviews
its priorities at its Annual Council Retreat. On December 12, 2023, the Policy & Services
Committee recommended that priorities be considered in a two-year cycle and set in years in
which new City Council Members are elected.1 On January 16, 2024, the City Council approved
the Committee’s recommendation to extend priorities and its strategies to a two-year cycle to
allow more time to achieve Council goals.2 The 2025 adopted City Council Priorities are:
Climate Action and Adaptation, & Natural Environment Protection
Economic Development & Retail Vibrancy
Implementing Housing Strategies for Social and Economic Balance
Public Safety, Wellness & Belonging
The Handbook also states that “If needed, the Policy and Services Committee, each year at its
December meeting, shall make recommendations about the process that will be used at the
Annual Retreat paying particular attention to the number of priorities suggested by
1 Policy & Services Committee Meeting 12/12/2023:
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=52592
2 City Council Meeting 1/16/2024: https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=82640
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Councilmembers. The recommended process is to be forwarded to Council for adoption in
advance of the Council retreat.”5 On November 19, 2025, the Policy & Services Committee
discussed the 2026 annual retreat process and provided feedback. This report captures their
recommendations and presents a suggested retreat outline.
ANALYSIS
What does the City Council want to get out of its prioritization process?
What does the Council want to walk away with at the end of the retreat?
Are Objectives appropriately focused? Are there any changes to the Objectives?
Should Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) be added?
How can we bridge Priorities and Objectives through mid-level goals?
Welcome by Mayor and City Manager
5 City Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook: https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/6/city-
clerk/city-charterprocedures/2024-adopted-council-protocols-and-procedures-manual-10.2024.pdf
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Overview and orientation to retreat focus
Discussion of suggested mid-level goals
Selection and prioritization of mid-level goals
Discussion of Council ad hoc committees and other strategies to achieve goals
Next steps
Staff welcomes additional feedback should the Committee recommend additional refinements.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
No resource impact is expected at this time. This discussion will inform the Annual Council
Retreat scheduled for January 24, 2026.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Staff will be seeking community engagement on 2026 Council priorities and areas of focus via
Open Town Hall survey in December. Additional opportunities for feedback will be available
during the Council retreat, as well as through direct email correspondence to City Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is not considered a project as defined by CEQA and no review is required.
APPROVED BY:
Ed Shikada, City Manager