HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-08 City Council AgendaCITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Monday, December 08, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in RED
Councilmember Keith Reckdahl Remote Call In Teleconference
Location:
Huntsville Marriott NASA Space Center
5 Tranquility Base
Huntsville, Alabama 35805
Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by
teleconference or in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the
meeting is located at the end of the agenda. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel
26, live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media
Center https://midpenmedia.org.
VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238)
Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900-6833
PUBLIC COMMENTS
General Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted in person for up to three
minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. General public comment will be heard
for 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
Public comments for agendized items will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to
three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. Requests to speak will be taken
until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation or as determined by the Chair. Written public
comments can be submitted in advance to city.council@PaloAlto.gov and will be provided to
the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which
agenda item you are referencing in your subject line.
PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only
by email to city.clerk@PaloAlto.gov at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the
Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong
cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not
accepted.
Signs and symbolic materials less than 2 feet by 3 feet are permitted provided that: (1) sticks,
posts, poles or similar/other type of handle objects are strictly prohibited; (2) the items do not
create a facility, fire, or safety hazard; and (3) persons with such items remain seated when
displaying them and must not raise the items above shoulder level, obstruct the view or passage
of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting.
1 December 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
TIME ESTIMATES
Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the
meeting is in progress. The Council reserves the right to use more or less time on any item, to
change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items may be
heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to best
manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public.
CALL TO ORDER
CLOSED SESSION (5:35 - 7:20 PM)
1.CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Subject: Initiation of litigation in one case
Authority: Potential Exposure to Litigation Under Government Code Section 54956.9(d)
(4)
Number of potential cases: 1, as Plaintiff.
2.CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY - EXISTING LITIGATION
Swinerton v. City of Palo Alto (JAMS Reference #:5100003409)
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
3.CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Subject: Potential litigation regarding 156 North California Avenue, as set forth in letter(s)
from
Holland & Knight LLP dated September 3, 2025
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Number of potential cases: 1, as Defendant.
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT (7:20 - 7:50 PM)
Members of the public may speak in-person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of
speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (7:50 - 8:05 PM)
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
2 December 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
CONSENT CALENDAR (8:05 - 8:10 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
4.Adoption of Emergency and Regular Ordinances Prohibiting Unattached Trailer Parking
and Vanlording and a Resolution Amending the Administrative Penalty Schedule
Imposing Penalties; CEQA status – not a project.
5.QUASI-JUDICIAL. 2451 Cowper Street [25PLN-00102]: Appeal of Director's Decision to
Approve an Individual Review Application to Allow Deconstruction of an Existing Single-
Family Residence and Detached Garage and to Construct a 2,380-Square-Foot Two-Story
Residence. Zoning District: R-1 (Single-family Residential). CEQA Status: Exempt in
Accordance with CEQA Guidelines 15303.
6.Adopt a resolution authorizing execution of the Professional Services Agreement
between the Northern California Power Agency and the Cities of Palo Alto and Santa
Clara for Electric Transmission, Generation and Regulatory Consulting Services in a Not to
Exceed Amount of $657,500 over a five-year contract term ending December 31, 2030;
CEQA Status: Not a Project.
7.Approval of Contract Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. C25192924 with Concordia, LLC
in the amount of $65,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $696,966 for
additional services associated with development of the Cubberley Master Plan; CEQA
Status – CEQA will be completed as part of this project.
8.Approval of Contract Amendment Number 5 to Contract Number C14151181 with SAP
Public Services in the Amount of $334,355 for SAP Maintenance and Support for One
Year, ending December 2026; CEQA Status – Not a Project.
9.FIRST READ: Adoption of an Ordinance Renewing the Police Department's Military
Equipment Use Policy Under AB 481; CEQA status – not a project.
10.FIRST READING: Adoption of an Interim Ordinance to Extend Interim Ordinance 5645 of
the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Various Chapters of Title 16 (Building
Regulations) and Title 18 (Zoning) and Title 21 (subdivisions and other Divisions of Land)
of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Implement SB 9 and Other State Housing Laws. CEQA
Status: Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
11.Acceptance of Annual Report on Development Impact Fees for Fiscal Year 2025 and
Adoption of a Resolution Making Statutory Findings for all Development Impact and In-
Lieu Fee Funds; CEQA status - Not a Project.
3 December 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
12.Adoption of a Resolution Declaring Weeds to be a Public Nuisance and Setting February
9, 2026 for a Public Hearing for Objections to the Proposed Weed Abatement; CEQA
status: exempt, CEQA Guidelines Section 15308.
13.Approval of General Services Contract Number C26195709 with Corodata Records
Management, Inc in an Amount Not to Exceed $120,000 for Off-Site Records Storage
and Management Services for a Period of Five Years, CEQA Status- Not a Project.
14.Recommend City Council Approval of the CSD Equipment & Materials Inventory
Management and Building Permit & Inspection Fees Audits as recommended by the
Policy & Services Committee and Extension of the Deadline for several FY2025 Task
Orders
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (8:10 - 8:25 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
ACTION ITEMS (8:40 - 9:40 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished
Business and Council Matters.
15.REINTRODUCED FIRST READING: Adoption of an Ordinance Updating Palo Alto
Municipal Code (PAMC) Section 18.40.250 (Lighting) of Chapter 18.40 (General
Standards and Exceptions) and Amending Chapters 18.10, 18.12, 18.28, and Section
18.40.230 of Title 18 (Zoning) to Adopt New Outdoor Lighting Regulations; CEQA Status
— Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Actions for Protection of the
Environment)
ADJOURNMENT
INFORMATION REPORTS
Information reports are provided for informational purposes only to the Council and the public but are not listed for action or
discussion during this meeting’s agenda.
A.City of Palo Alto Organizational Values Refresh
OTHER INFORMATION
4 December 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Policy & Services Committee December 9, 2025
Council Appointed Officers Committee December 10, 2025
City Schools Liaison Committee December 11, 2025
Climate Action & Sustainability Committee December 12, 2025
Climate Action & Sustainability Committee December 13, 2025
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
5 December 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email,
teleconference, or by phone.
1.Written public comments may be submitted by email to city.council@PaloAlto.gov.
2.For in person public comments please complete a speaker request card located on the
table at the entrance to the Council Chambers and deliver it to the Clerk prior to
discussion of the item.
3.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a computer or smart phone will be
accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link
below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully.
◦You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in- browser. If using
your browser, make sure you are using a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30 ,
Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7 . Certain functionality may be disabled in
older browsers including Internet Explorer. Or download the Zoom application onto
your smart phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter in the
Meeting ID below.
◦You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you
identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you
that it is your turn to speak.
◦When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will
activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they
are called to speak.
◦When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be
shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
4.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a phone use the telephone number
listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we
know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before
addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called
please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 362-027-238 Phone: 1-669-900-6833
Americans with Disability Act (ADA) It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public
programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with
disabilities who require materials in an appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary
aids to access City meetings, programs, or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at
(650) 329-2550 (voice) or by emailing ada@PaloAlto.gov. Requests for assistance or
accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or
service.
6 December 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
California Government Code §84308, commonly referred to as the "Levine Act," prohibits an
elected official of a local government agency from participating in a proceeding involving a
license, permit, or other entitlement for use if the official received a campaign contribution
exceeding $500 from a party or participant, including their agents, to the proceeding within the
last 12 months. A “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” includes most land use and
planning approvals and the approval of contracts that are not subject to lowest responsible bid
procedures and have a value over $50,000. A “party” is a person who files an application for, or
is the subject of, a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use. A
“participant” is a person who actively supports or opposes a particular decision in a proceeding
involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use, and has a financial interest in the
decision. The Levine Act incorporates the definition of “financial interest” in the Political Reform
Act, which encompasses interests in business entities, real property, sources of income, sources
of gifts, and personal finances that may be affected by the Council’s actions. If you qualify as a
“party” or “participant” to a proceeding, and you have made a campaign contribution to a
Council Member exceeding $500 made within the last 12 months, you must disclose the
campaign contribution before making your comments.
7 December 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.