HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2511-5472CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Monday, December 01, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
12.Approval of Seven Items to Support the Automated Weather Observation System
Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport: 1) Approval of Construction Contract No.
C26194026 with Vellutini Corporation DBA Royal Electric Company, in an Amount Not to
Exceed $1,699,810; 2) Authorization for the City Manager or Designee to Negotiate
Change Orders Up to a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $254,971; 3) Approval and
Authorization for the City Manager or Designee to Execute Contract Amendment 3 to
Contract No. C21178372C with C&S Engineers, Inc. for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of
$464,613 and a Contract Extension Through December 31, 2026; 4) Authorization and
Approval for the City Manager or Designee to Execute Contract Amendment 1 to
Contract No. C21178372B with Burns & McDonnell for a Contract Extension Through
December 31, 2026; 5) Approval and Authorization for the City Manager or Designee to
Execute Contract Amendment 1 to Contract No. C211783782A with Centurion Planning
& Design LLC to extend the contract term through December 31, 2027; 6) Adoption of a
Resolution Authorizing the Submittal of Applications and Execution of Grant Agreements
with the California Department of Transportation for Airport Improvement Program
Matching Grants; and 7) Approval of a Budget Amendment in the Airport Enterprise
Fund; CEQA Status - Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15302 Consent Questions,
Public Comment
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City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Public Works
Meeting Date: December 1, 2025
Report #:2511-5472
TITLE
Approval of Seven Items to Support the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-
19000, at Palo Alto Airport: 1) Approval of Construction Contract No. C26194026 with Vellutini
Corporation DBA Royal Electric Company, in an Amount Not to Exceed $1,699,810; 2)
Authorization for the City Manager or Designee to Negotiate Change Orders Up to a Not-to-
Exceed Amount of $254,971; 3) Approval and Authorization for the City Manager or Designee to
Execute Contract Amendment 3 to Contract No. C21178372C with C&S Engineers, Inc. for a
Not-to-Exceed Amount of $464,613 and a Contract Extension Through December 31, 2026; 4)
Authorization and Approval for the City Manager or Designee to Execute Contract Amendment
1 to Contract No. C21178372B with Burns & McDonnell for a Contract Extension Through
December 31, 2026; 5) Approval and Authorization for the City Manager or Designee to Execute
Contract Amendment 1 to Contract No. C211783782A with Centurion Planning & Design LLC to
extend the contract term through December 31, 2027; 6) Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing
the Submittal of Applications and Execution of Grant Agreements with the California
Department of Transportation for Airport Improvement Program Matching Grants; and 7)
Approval of a Budget Amendment in the Airport Enterprise Fund; CEQA Status - Exempt Under
CEQA Guidelines Section 15302
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute construction
contract No. C26194026 with Vellutini Corporation DBA Royal Electric Company, in the
amount not to exceed $1,699,810 for the Airport Automated Weather Observation
Project (AP-19000);
2. Approve and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute one or more
change orders to the contract with Vellutini Corporation DBA Royal Electric Company for
related, additional but unforeseen work that may develop during the project, the total
value of which shall not exceed $254,971;
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3. Approve and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute Amendment 2 to
Contract No. C21178372C with C&S Engineers Inc. to increase compensation by
$464,613 and extend the contract term through December 31, 2027 to provide
construction administration and management services related to the Airport Automated
Weather Observation Project;
4. Approve and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute Amendment 1 to
Contract No. C21178372B with Burns & McDonnell to extend the contract term through
December 31, 2027 to provide construction engineering services;
5. Approve and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute Amendment 1 to
Contract No. C211783782A with Centurion Planning & Design LLC to extend the contract
term through December 31, 2027 to provide construction environmental services;
6. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the submittal of an application and execution of grant
agreements with the California Department of Transportation, for Airport Improvement
Program matching grants; and
7. Amend the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Appropriation for the Airport Fund by (requires a
2/3 vote):
a. Increasing the estimate for revenue from the Federal Government by
$1,140,739;
b. Increasing the estimate for revenue from the State of California by $70,239;
c. Increasing the Advanced Weather Observation System Project (AP-19000)
expenditure appropriation by $1,164,157; and
d. Increasing the fund balance in the Airport Fund by $46,821 (reimbursement of
expenses already incurred).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report was initially agendized on the consent agenda for the November 3, 2025 City
Council meeting. Following concerns raised by community members, the City Manager
removed the item from the agenda to allow time for more stakeholder outreach, including a
community meeting about the project that was held on November 13.
The Palo Alto Airport Automated Weather Observation System Project will install new weather
monitoring equipment and replace aging navigational aids to enhance flight safety and
operational reliability. The project includes constructing a 24/7 AWOS to provide continuous
real-time weather data, as well as replacing the Precision Approach Path Indicators and Runway
End Identifier Lights, both of which have reached the end of their useful life. The City has
received three grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) totaling $2,431,789 for
the project.
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Staff recommends the City Council approve multiple contracts totaling $2,504,394, including
the construction contract with Vellutini Corporation DBA Royal Electric Company1, consultant
contract extensions, and a resolution allowing the City Manager to apply for California
Department of Transportation (CalTrans) matching grants in the amount of $70,239. With the
FAA and CalTrans funding, the Airport Fund’s contribution to the project is $104,460.
BACKGROUND
ANALYSIS
1 Vellutini Corporation DBA Royal Electric Company Construction Contract Contract for AWOS C26194026;
https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/public-works/palo-alto-airport/c26194026-awos-final-contract-
revised-10.21.25.pdf
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addition, the project will replace aging Precision Approach Path Indicators and Runway End
Identifier Lights by demolishing outdated equipment, installing new systems, upgrading control
relays, and improving power connections and conduits. These upgrades will provide
continuous, real-time weather information, improve navigational aids, and support the safe and
efficient operation of the airport.
Table 1: Summary of invitation for Bids
Project Bid Name/Number Automated Weather Observation System
Installation IFB #194026
Proposed Length of Project 296 days
Number of Bid Packages Downloaded by Contractors 21
Total Day to Respond to Bid 31
Pre-Bid Meeting (Non-mandatory) Yes
Number of Company Attendees at Pre-Bid Meeting 1
Number of Bids Received 2
Public Link to Solicitation https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/palo-
alto-ca/projects/154303
Bid Range $1,699,810.00 - $1,979,900.00
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Corporation DBA Royal Electric Company in the amount of $1,699,810, and that Vellutini
Corporation DBA Royal Electric Company be declared the responsible lowest bidder. The
construction contingency amount of $254,971, which equals 15% of the contract value, is
requested for related, additional, but unforeseen work which may develop during the project,
implemented via City-approved Change Order. A contingency amount of 15% is the maximum
allowed contingency by the FAA, and is requested for this project to maximize eligible funding
beyond the City’s standard 10% contingency.
The project is broken down into 3 portions with the base bid including infrastructure for all
portions of the project and the PAPIs, while Bid Alternative 1 includes the REILs, and Bid
Alternative 2 includes the AWOS. The breakdown of the costs can be seen below:
Base Bid – $1,151,200
Alternative 1 - $79,810
Alternative 2 - $468,800
The above costs are for construction only.
Consultant Services
Consultant services are critical to the successful delivery of Airport Capital Improvement
Program (ACIP) projects, providing on-call design services, construction administration,
environmental studies, and planning support. On December 7, 2020, the City executed3 the
original contracts with C&S Engineers, Burns & McDonnell, and Centurion Planning and Design.
All of the contracts are set to expire on December 31, 2025 and require extensions to allow for
the completion and closeout of the project with the FAA. The FAA permits contract extension
beyond five years if the project was included in the ACIP at the time of the original Request for
Qualifications; these projects were included.
C&S Engineers, who have been closely involved in the project, will provide construction
management and grant administration services. Contract Amendment 2 (Attachment B) to
Contract No #C21178372C will add additional funds to cover the costs and extend the contract
to December 31, 2027 to allow time for closeout of the grant.
As the design engineer, Burns & McDonnell will continue to provide construction
administration services as needed. Contract Amendment 1 (Attachment C) to Contract No
#C21178372B will extend the contract to December 31, 2027 to allow for time to close out the
grant.
3 City Council, December 7, 2020, Agenda Item #10; SR#11654;
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/Weblink/DocView.aspx?id=80946
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Centurion Planning & Design performed the environmental review for the project, and will
provide environmental services during construction. Contract Amendment 1 (Attachment D) to
Contract No #C21178372A will extend the contract to December 31, 2027 to allow for time to
closeout the grant.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Contracts and Awarded
Grants
Recommended
Total Amount
Included in FY 2026
Adopted Budget
Recommended
Budget Adjustment
Federal Grants $2,431,789 $1,291,050 $1,140,739
State Grants $70,239 $ - $70,239
Total Revenue $2,502,028 $1,291,050 $1,210,978
Recommended Contracts $2,504,394 $1,340,237 $1,164,157
Total Expenditure $2,504,394 $1,340,237 $1,164,157
Net Impact ($2,366)($49,187) $46,821
Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG): $1,027,000
Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grant #1: $677,822
Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Grant #2: $726,967
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Additionally, staff requests Council adopt a Resolution (Attachment E) authorizing the City
Manager to execute matching grant agreements with the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) for the two AIP grants. Caltrans does not match the AIG grant;
therefore, no funding is requested for that grant. The matching funds from Caltrans contribute
the following:
Caltrans Match Agreement for AIP Grant #1: $33,891
CalTrans Match Agreement for AIP Grant #2 $36,348
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
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facilities, that the required environmental review processes were completed, and that the
project was designed to minimize environmental impact. Since the project involves
replacement of existing equipment, no public outreach was required under NEPA or CEQA for
the environmental review.
5. Those documents were provided after the meeting.
An additional request to separate the cost of the REIL and PAPI portion from the AWOS
portion of the project is reflected in this report.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
ATTACHMENTS
5 https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/grant_assurances/assurances-airport-sponsors-2025
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Attachment C: BM C21178372B Amendment 1
Attachment D: Centurion C21178372A Amendment 1
Attachment E: RESO DOT Grant Agreement
APPROVED BY:
Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) Project IFB 194026
IFB Post Date: 3/10/2025
IFB Due Date: 4/21/2025
UNIT PRICE TOTAL ITEM PRICE UNIT PRICE TOTAL ITEM PRICE UNIT PRICE TOTAL ITEM PRICE
115-1 1-2”C or 1-4”C PVC CONDUIT, CONCRETE ENCASED IN DIRT OR NON-PAVED EARTH
DESCRIPTION, WITH UNIT PRICE IN WORDS (EACH BID ITEM SHALL INCLUDE ALL
APPLICABLE TAXES, PROFIT, INSURANCE, BONDS, AND OTHER OVERHEAD)
ENGINEERS ESTIMATE
Vellutini Corporation DBA Royal
Electric Company
BID
ITEM
APPRO
X.QTY.UNIT
LOWEST BIDDER
Engineers Estimate Estate Design and Construction
Vellutini Coorporation DBA Royal
Electric Company
Estate Design and Construction
% above Engineers Estimate 40%20%
1 Revision July 20, 2016
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AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO CONTRACT NO. C21178372C
This Amendment No. Two to Contract No. C21178372C (“Contract”) is entered
into [Date] by and between the CITY OF PALO ALTO, a California chartered municipal corporation
(“CITY”), and C & S ENGINEEERS, INC., a New York corporation, located at 499 Col.
Eileen Collins Boulevard, Syracuse, New York 13212 (“CONSULTANT”).
A. The Contract was entered into between the parties for the provision of
On-call engineering services including planning, design engineering,
environmental analyses, grant management and construction management.
B. The parties wish to amend the Contract to extend the term.
C. The parties wish to amend the Contract to increase the compensation to
cover additional anticipated task order for Phase III of the Airport Apron Reconstruction Capital
Improvement Project; to increase the total not-to-exceed amount of the Contract by an amount
not to exceed Four Hundred Sixty Four Thousand Six Hundred Thirteen Dollars ($464,613.00)
from One Million Seven Hundred Fifteen Thousand Twenty Three Dollars ($1,715,023.00)to a
new total not-to-exceed amount of Two Million One Hundred Seventy Nine Thousand Six
Hundred Thirty Six Dollars (2,179,636.00); as detailed herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, terms, conditions, and
provisions of this Amendment, the parties agree:
SECTION 1. Section 2. TERM is hereby amended to read as follows:
“The term of this Agreement shall be from the date of its full execution through
December 31, 2027.”
SECTION 2. Section 4. NOT TO EXCEED COMPENSATION is hereby amended to read
as follows:
“The compensation to be paid to CONSULTANT for performance of services
described in Exhibit “A” (“Basic Services”), and reimbursable expenses, shall not
exceed Two Million One Hundred Seventy Nine Thousand Six Hundred Thirty Six
Dollars (2,179,636.00)
SECTION 2. Except as herein modified, all other provisions of the Contract,
including any exhibits and subsequent amendments thereto, shall remain in full force and effect.
2 Revision July 20, 2016
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SIGNATURES OF THE PARTIES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have by their duly authorized representatives executed this
Amendment effective as of the date first above written.
_________________________
City Manager or Designee
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
City Attorney or Designee
_________________________
Director of Public Works
:
By:
Name:
Title:
By:
Name:
Title:
1 Revision July 20, 2016
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AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CONTRACT NO. C21178372B
This Amendment No. One to Contract No. C21178372A (“Contract”) is entered
into [Date] by and between the CITY OF PALO ALTO, a California chartered municipal corporation
(“CITY”), and BURNS & MCDONNELL ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC, a Missouri corporation,
located at 9400 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64114 (“CONSULTANT”).
A. The Contract was entered into between the parties for the provision of
On-call engineering services including planning, and design engineering.
B. The parties wish to amend the Contract to extend the term.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, terms, conditions, and
provisions of this Amendment, the parties agree:
SECTION 1. Section 2. TERM is hereby amended to read as follows:
“The term of this Agreement shall be from the date of its full execution through
December 31, 2027.”
SECTION 2. Except as herein modified, all other provisions of the Contract,
including any exhibits and subsequent amendments thereto, shall remain in full
force and effect.
2 Revision July 20, 2016
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SIGNATURES OF THE PARTIES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have by their duly authorized representatives executed this
Amendment effective as of the date first above written.
_________________________
City Manager or Designee
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
City Attorney or Designee
_________________________
Director of Public Works
:
By:
Name:
Title:
By:
Name:
Title:
1 Revision July 20, 2016
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AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CONTRACT NO. C21178372A
This Amendment No. One to Contract No. C21178372A (“Contract”) is entered
into [Date] by and between the CITY OF PALO ALTO, a California chartered municipal corporation
(“CITY”), and CENTURION PLANNING & DESIGN, LLC, a Texas Limited Liability Company, located
at 69 N. Chadbourne St, San Angelo, TX 76903 (“CONSULTANT”).
A. The Contract was entered into between the parties for the provision of
On-call engineering services including planning, and design engineering.
B. The parties wish to amend the Contract to extend the term.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, terms, conditions, and
provisions of this Amendment, the parties agree:
SECTION 1. Section 2. TERM is hereby amended to read as follows:
“The term of this Agreement shall be from the date of its full execution through
December 31, 2027.”
SECTION 2. Except as herein modified, all other provisions of the Contract,
including any exhibits and subsequent amendments thereto, shall remain in full
force and effect.
2 Revision July 20, 2016
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SIGNATURES OF THE PARTIES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have by their duly authorized representatives executed this
Amendment effective as of the date first above written.
_________________________
City Manager or Designee
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________
City Attorney or Designee
_________________________
Director of Public Works
:
By:
Name:
Title:
By:
Name:
Title:
Page 1
Resolution No.
Resolution of the City Council of the City of Palo Alto Authorizing the City Manager to
Execute Grant Agreements Offered to the City of Palo Alto by the California Department of
Transportation for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Matching Grant Funds to be Used for
Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS), for the Palo Alto Airport; and Authorizing the
City Manager or his Designee to Execute, on Behalf of the City, any Other Documents Associated
with the Application and Acceptance of Grant Funds from the California Department of
Transportation; and Certifying that the Airport Enterprise Fund has Sufficient Local Matching Funds
to Finance One Hundred Percent (100%) of the California Department of Transportation Grant
Funded Projects
R E C I T A L S
A. The City of Palo Alto (“the City”) and the Federal Aviation Administration are parties
to federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants 3-06-0182-23-2025 & 3-06-0182-25-2025 for
Apron Reconstruction, Phase II, at Palo Alto Airport.
B. The California Department of Transportation (“DOT”), pursuant to Public Utilities
Code Section 21683.1, is authorized to provide AIP matching grants of up to five percent (5%) of
FAA grant amounts.
C. The DOT requires a local agency, as a condition of receiving these AIP matching
grant funds, to adopt a resolution authorizing the submittal of an application and the execution of
grant agreements for the acceptance of said grant funds and to certify the availability of the local
matching funds for AIP grants.
D. The Council wishes to authorize the City to receive the maximum of available DOT
grant funds for Apron Reconstruction, Phase II, for the Palo Alto Airport.
E. The Council has recommended that grant agreements offered to the City by DOT for
the Palo Alto Airport be executed by the City Manager or his designee on behalf of the City.
F. This Council has considered the recommendation of the City Manager.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby RESOLVE, as follows:
SECTION 1. Authorizes the City Manager to execute AIP Matching Grant agreements
offered to the City by the California Department of Transportation to be used for Apron
Reconstruction, Phase II, for Palo Alto Airport.
SECTION 2. Authorizes the City Manager or his designee to execute on behalf of the City
any other documents associated with the application and acceptance of the allocation of AIP
Matching grant funds from the California Department of Transportation.
Page 2
SECTION 3. Certifies that the Airport Enterprise Fund has sufficient local matching funds
to finance one hundred percent (100%) of the California Department of Transportation grant
funded projects.
SECTION 4. The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution does not constitute a
‘project’ under Section 21065 of the California Public Resources Code and Sections 15378(b)(4) and
9b)(5) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines, and therefore,
no environmental assessment is required.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
___________________________ ___________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
___________________________ ____________________________
Chief Assistant City Attorney City Manager
____________________________
Director of Public Works
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
On behalf of City Manager Ed Shikada, please see the staff responses below for questions
received for the Monday, December 1 Council Meeting.
Item 12. Approval of Seven Items to Support the Automated Weather Observation
System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport.
Question from Mayor Lauing:
1. One question I got from a resident concerned with increasing PA aircraft from the
new weather gear is whether we can, in the future, turn off the evening hours of
weather data if we DO get a huge influx of planes adding noise to the sky at night. It
is a good question. I presume we track landings, and if there is no increase then
everyone is happy NOW because there is a future “shut off valve” if their worries
turn out to be true. And that possibility is unlikely.
Staff Response: The Airport has a entered into a contract with 1200.Aero to track
flights that use the airport and would be able to provide data for nighttime operations in
the future. However, the AWOS is funded through FAA grants and categorized as an air
navigation facility. It must be operated and made available on a nondiscriminatory
basis, consistent with the FAA’s grant assurances. The AWOS is capable of operating
24/7. Were the City to selectively limit its operation to certain hours, such as shutt ing it
off at night, such an action could be interpreted as restricting access to weather
information for certain pilots or types of operations, which would conflict with the
requirement that federally funded facilities be equally available to all users of the
National Airspace System. If the purpose of disabling the AWOS during certain hours is
to limit nighttime operations, then such an action would be subject to FAA approval
under the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990. The City cannot disable facil ities for
the purpose of restricting flights without FAA approval, and staff believes FAA will not
provide such approval in this instance.
These questions were sent to the Council by community members with an interest in
the Airport. Given the depth and breadth of the questions and to expedite their
handling, staff is treating them as Councilmember consent questions and distribut ing
the answers to the Council and publicly:
1. 5 ft Tower Increase (25ft to 30ft)
At the November 13 meeting, staff stated that the airport tower height would
increase by 5 feet. Since this change was not identified in the Council packet,
please explain the reason for the height increase given that the project was
presented as a replacement rather than a modification, which elements this is
associated with e.g. FAA-required PAPI and REIL, what are the associated costs,
and identify any other changes to the tower beyond height, including what specific
functions these changes are intended to support.
Staff Response: This project involves updating existing facilities at the airport. The
existing system is beyond its serviceable life and is being replaced with equipment that
meets current FAA design and installation standards. FAA guidance specifies that the
nominal height for a wind sensor is 30 feet above ground level, which accounts for the
5-foot increase in tower height. This change reflects compliance with FAA siting and
performance standards and not an enhancement of capabilit ies.
2. Dark-Sky Ordinance Alignment and Lighting Flexibility
Given that the FAA requires the replacement of PAPI and REIL lighting systems, the
airport must conform to the FAA standards and specifications. However, FAA
guidance allows some flexibility in how PAPI and REIL lighting is implemented.
• Please explain what flexibility PAO has in terms of PAPI and REIL lights
configuration, hours of operation, and nighttime lighting intensity. FAA
guidance allows options such as reduced nighttime brightness or limiting the
hours these systems operate under defined FAA conditions.
• Please explain what considerations, if any, were given to the City’s emerging
dark-sky goals, which emphasize reducing unnecessary brightness, glare, and
nighttime spillover.2. Lighting Ordinance Update / Lighting Considerations
Staff Response: The project is replacing existing PAPIs and REILs that currently
operate 24/7 and are designed to meet FAA requirements. The PAPIs will be equipped
with photoelectric control that dims the lights at night, and the REILs will have intensity
settings to ensure that they are not too dim during the day and not too bright during the
night.
With respect to the City’s Lighting Ordinance update goals scheduled for City Council
hearing on December 8, 2025, staff considered the intent of the ordinance during the
design process, and the same principles informed staff input during preparation of th e
draft lighting ordinance to be considered by Council on December 8. The project does
not introduce new lighting where none previously existed, and the lighting associated
with the PAPI and REIL systems is required for aviation safety. As such, the projec t does
not conflict with existing or future municipal lighting policies and does not introduce
unnecessary brightness, glare, or nighttime illumination beyond established FAA
standards.
3. Replacement Framing Versus Introduction of New Capabilities
The overall project has been presented as a replacement of existing equipment
that will enhance safety and efficiency. However, the construction bid structure
shows a Base Bid that combines shared infrastructure for all the elements and a
separate bid line for AWOS, in contrast to the PAPI and REIL replacements, which
are the only FAA-required components. The existence of a discrete AWOS bid line
reinforces that AWOS is not a like-for-like replacement of existing equipment, but
rather the introduction of a new capability.
While the report clearly describes that AWOS will provide 24 -hour automated
weather reporting that does not exist today, it does not explain how this expanded
capability fits within the project’s framing as “replacement” under NEPA and
CEQA. Nor does it substantiate with data the claim that introducing a 24x7
automated weather information system will not increase the number of operations
overall including during nighttime and early morning.
To clarify how AWOS fits within the project classification and its operational
implications, please address the following:
• How is the introduction of new 24-hour AWOS capability consistent with the
project being described as a replacement under NEPA and CEQA?
• Given that the project was positioned as increasing safety, please state
whether any safety analysis or supporting documentation exists that identifies
the incremental safety benefits of the proposed AWOS -III PT relative to its
associated costs.
Staff Response: The project replaces aging airfield facilities with modern technology
that provides more accurate and reliable operational information. FAA guidance and
national aviation standards support AWOS as the current industry baseline for weather
dissemination and airport reporting. Because AWOS is a proven, standard technology
deployed widely at general aviation airports, no PAO -specific analytical study was
prepared beyond FAA standard criteria. The objective is to provide pilots with accurate
real-time weather information to support safe decision -making at the Palo Alto Airport,
rather than introduce new operational capacity.
4. Project Cost Transparency and Allocation of Discretionary AWOS versus FAA
Required Elements
The report presents the total project cost and funding sources as a combined
amount for the AWOS, PAPI, and REIL elements. It also provides separate
construction bid amounts for the PAPI equipment, the REILs, and the AWOS.
However, the Base Bid is describe d as including shared infrastructure for all three
elements, such as trenching, conduit, electrical upgrades, and related work, and
the report does not indicate how those shared costs are allocated among AWOS,
PAPIs, and REILs. The same is true for consultant, engineering, environmental, and
administrative costs, which are presented only as aggregate projectwide amounts
with no breakdown by element. Furthermore, the packet does not provide any
information about the ongoing maintenance costs for each of the AWOS, PAPIs, or
REILs, nor does it identify the source of funding for those maintenance obligations.
The report states that PAPI and REIL are required by FAA, but it does not indicate
whether AWOS is required or discretionary. It is our understanding that the AWOS
element is discretionary. For transparency and to understand the necessity and
scale of the discretionary AWOS element, please provide separate cost
allocations for AWOS, PAPIs, and REILs including how the shared construction
costs in the Base Bid are divided among the three elements, how consultant,
engineering, environmental, and administrative costs are allocated across these
components, and what the ongoing maintenance costs are for each element and
the source of funding for those maintenance costs. In addition, please clarify
whether AWOS is FAA required, discretionary, or partially discretionary.
Staff Response: The project has always been considered a single integrated safety
project. For this reason, design, electrical distribution, trenching, conduit, and
environmental review apply to the project as a whole and cannot be cleanly separated
by subsystem. The FAA advised that the project be bid in discrete segments because
federal funding availability may vary by component and fiscal year. Based on
preliminary engineering estimates:
• Burns & McDonnell estimated Construction Administration at $55,000 for
PAPI/REIL and $30,000 for AWOS.
• C&S Engineers estimated Construction Management at approximately $232,000
for each portion.
Their increased cost on the AWOS portion reflected additional FAA
coordination requirements.
Maintenance is funded through the Airport Enterprise Fund — already used to maintain
PAPI and REIL systems. Because existing PAPIs and REILs are failing and require
frequent service, maintenance costs are expected to decrease with the modernized
systems. AWOS maintenance will similarly be funded by Airport enterprise revenues,
not the City’s General Fund.
5. Were Alternatives to AWOS level III PT Considered
The AWOS level III PT on a new foundation is proposed in the packet.
What criteria were used to select AWOS III PT (P indicates a sensor to detect the
type of precipitation; T indicates a sensor to detect thunderstorm and lightning
within a typical range of 30 nautical miles of an airport)?
Why does PAO need to know the type of precipitation (rain vs snow) or detect
thunderstorms and lightning miles away g iven that information is often available
on weather apps and AWOS systems available at nearby airports).
Did the airport consider other alternatives such as fix the out-of-service ceilometer
in the current weather system, install AWOS level I or AWOS level II or AWOS level
III or AWOS level III P, given that the cost varies widely across these alternatives
(AWOS implementations can cost range from $20 ,000 to $500,000).
Please share the alternatives to AWOS level III PT on a new foundation that were
considered including the relative costs of the alternatives and the criteria that
were used to reject an alternative.
Staff Response: The selection of the AWOS III PT configuration was based on FAA
siting guidance, operational needs at PAO, and consultation with FAA technical staff.
AWOS III PT provides the most complete and reliable weather dataset for safe pilot
decision-making during varying conditions. While information such as lightning or
precipitation type can be accessed from remote applications, FAA-supported AWOS
systems provide standardized, certified weather readings that pilots can safely and
legally rely upon during operations. Other system levels were initially reviewed, but FAA
consultation determined that AWOS III PT best meets current technical and regulatory
expectations for accuracy, data quality, and redundancy. Because the project qualified
for a categorical exclusion under NEPA and CEQA, a formal alternatives review process
was not required.
6. Claim That PAO Operations Will Not Increase
The community’s concern has consistently focused on the potential for AWOS to
increase the number of operations at PAO overall, including during nighttime and
early morning hours. The packet, however, cites an example that is framed in
terms of overflights, not operations. It states that pilots “noted that overflights of
the City could potentially be reduced, because aircraft will not need to fly the
approach into San Carlos Airport, but could fly directly to Palo Alto Airport.
If aircraft that would have overflown Palo Alto en route to SQL instead fly directly
to PAO and land, this does not reduce operations. It increases them. Any aircraft
that lands at PAO instead of SQL adds two PAO operations, one landing and one
eventual takeoff. As a result, the example given in the packet reinforces, rather
than reduces, the community’s concern about increased operations at PAO.
In addition, the suggestion that AWOS could reduce overflights appears
overstated. Only SQL-bound traffic arriving from the south may overfly Palo Alto.
SQL-bound traffic from the north does not need to overfly the City because SQL is
located eight miles north of Palo Alto, and east-west routes rarely overfly the City
at all. The net effect of 24-hour AWOS on overflights is therefore neutral at best .
Given this, please correct the language in the packet to reflect that the
community’s concern pertains to the number of operations at PAO, and that the
example provided in the packet would actually increase the number of operations
at PAO, not decrease them.
Staff Response: The example in the staff report was intended to illustrate that pilots
already fly at night into the Palo Alto Airport. Currently, some aircraft approach Palo
Alto using data from other airports and then divert to PAO when visual conditions allow.
Because weather at PAO can differ from Moffett Field or San Carlos, AWOS enables
earlier “go/no-go” decision-making. Several pilots have stated that when real -time PAO
weather indicates conditions are unsuitable, they would delay flying rather than
attempt an approach. This reinforces that AWOS provides safety and predictability to
existing operations rather than enabling additional ones.
7. CATEX Document Discrepancies
Operations Forecast: Please explain why the City marked “No” on the question
“Does the forecast of operations exceeding 90,000 annual propeller operations,
700 annual jet operations or 10 daily helicopter operations or a combination of the
above?” given that annual operations have greatly exceeded that number since at
least 2004. On average, PAO experienced 152,525 operations per year since 2014
when the City took over the airport.
Source: document C1_1925EmbarcaderoRdAPPLY.pdf
Source: PAO Noise Report 2023 (most recent publication of PAO Noise Report)
Light Emissions:
Please explain why the City marked “No” on the question “Will the proposed
project produce light emissions impacts” given that replacing PAPI and REIL lights,
and possibly adding lights to the apron, will produce light emissions. The question
was not about producing additional light emissions. It was about producing light
emissions.
Please specify any difference in lights between today’s environment and when the
project would be completed:
Clarify whether the old PAPI and REIL lights were incandescent and are being
replaced with LED lights. If that is the case, please explain whether there will be
more light emissions than previously given that LED lights are typically brighter
than incandescent lights.
Explain whether the new PAPI and REIL lights will be exactly at the same location
as the old PAPI and REIL lights (we believe that this was mentioned in the
November 13 Zoom meeting). If not, please describe the changes in the locations.
.
Staff Response: It is important to understand that the purpose of the CatEx checklist is
to analyze potential impacts from the project, not the baseline condition. Therefore, all
of the questions relate to environmental impacts of the project. Although the
environmental consultant could have marked “Yes” for the question regarding
projected operations exceeding threshold values and then explained that an analysis is
not required, they marked “No” because the installation of AWOS does not increase
airport capacity or change permitted operations. The question requires noise analysis if
operations are above the specified levels and if the project would result in a change in
operations. Because no change in operations is anticipated due to AWOS, no noise
analysis was required.
The same analysis applies regarding lighting since the project will not change existing
lighting conditions at the Airport:
• The existing REIL and PAPI units are incandescent.
• They are being replaced with FAA-compliant LED units in equivalent locations.
• While LED fixtures may appear visually sharper, they are engineered to meet FAA
photometric requirements.
• The PAPIs are being relocated to the opposite side of the runway due to FAA
visibility criteria — aircraft positioned on the taxiway can obstruct the light path,
and relocation ensures proper pilot visibility during approach.
8. AWOS and Grant Assurances
In the December 1, 2025 Council packet, staff stated that “due to federal grant
assurances and the AWOS project’s function as a safety facility,” the City would
not be able to operate the system on anything other than a 24 -hour basis. In FAA
documentation, however, AWOS is defined as an air navigation facility (Advisory
Circular 150/5220-16E), not a safety facility. After reviewing the grant assurances
that were shared with us, we did not see language requiring continuous, 24 -hour
operation of an AWOS or prohibiting defined operating hours for specific
equipment.
FAA Grant Assurances 19 and 22 require the City to operate and maintain federally
funded facilities in a safe, serviceable, and nondiscriminatory manner. They do not
mandate that an AWOS operate 24 hours per day. As an air navigation and weather
reporting facility, AWOS may be operated on defined hours so long as it is properly
maintained, accurately published, and available to all users on equal terms. PAO’s
FAA-funded control tower also does not operate 24 hours per day, which
demonstrates that federally funded aviation facilities are not required to run
continuously as long as they are safely maintained and their published hours
accurately reflect availability.
Given the differing definitions of AWOS used by the City and the FAA, and because
this question involves interpretation of federal grant assurances, we request that
the City’s aviation attorney review whether defined hours of AWOS operation
would be consistent with the Grant Assurances when AWOS is correctly
understood as an air navigation facility. If 24-hour operation of AWOS is believed to
be required by FAA regulation or by the grant assurances, please provide the
specific FAA citation or grant assurance language that establishes that
requirement.
Staff Response: Staff consulted with the City’s aviation attorney to provide additional
information on the relationship between grant assurances and hours of operation. An
air navigational facility is defined as “any facility that aids in air navigation…having a
similar purpose of guiding or controlling flight or the landing or takeoff of aircraft.” This
broad definition includes a variety of critical components, such as landing areas, lights,
communication equipment for disseminating weather information, signaling, radio -
directional finding, and any other structure for guiding or controlling flight. All air
navigation facilities have at least some safety function.
The intrinsic link to safety is that these facilities form the foundational infrastructure of
the entire National Airspace System, providing the essential guidance and control that
ensures the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace. Traditional syste ms, such as
PAPIs and REILs, provide positional and directional guidance to keep aircraft safely
separated and on course. In this manner, these systems provide both safety and
navigational benefits.
An AWOS enhances safety in a different and complementary way: rather than telling a
pilot where the aircraft is, it tells the pilot whether conditions are safe in a particular
location. Continuous, real-time, location-specific weather reporting allows pilots to
make safer approach and landing decisions, particularly in rapidly changing conditions.
In areas like the San Francisco Bay Area, weather is not only variable by time but also
highly variable by location so precise weather data for the runway is critical for air
navigation safety. For instance, instead of relying on weather readings from another
airport several miles away—which may not accurately reflect conditions at Palo Alto —
pilots will receive precise, on -field measurements of wind speed, visibility, cloud
ceiling, and temperature. This enables pilots to assess conditions before committing to
an approach, reducing the risk of unexpected weather deterioration, go -arounds, or
unstable approaches or other safety compromises. Inaccurate weather infor mation is
one of the key causes of aircraft accidents.
Because the AWOS is funded through FAA grants and categorized as an air navigation
facility, it must be operated and made available on a nondiscriminatory basis,
consistent with the FAA’s grant assurances as pointed out in your letter. The AWOS is
capable of operating 24/7. Were the City to selectively limit its operation to certain
hours, such as shutting it off at night, such an action could be interpreted as restricting
access to weather information for certain pilots or types of operations, which would
conflict with the requirement that federally funded facilities be equally available to all
users of the National Airspace System. If the purpose of disabling the AWOS during
certain hours is to limit nighttime operations, then such an action would be subj ect to
FAA approval under the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990. The City cannot
disable facilities for the purpose of restricting flights without FAA approval , and we
believe that the FAA will not provide such approval in this instance.
9. Additional Lights on the Apron?
The tower height increase is covered in 1.0 above. At the November 13 meeting
some pilots mentioned adding more lights on the apron.
If applicable, please clarify the purpose and benefit of any proposed apron lighting
changes, whether they are FAA required or discretionary, and whether they are
required to support any of the project elements. If discretionary, please explain
the rationale and provide the associated cost allocation .
In addition, please identify any other project elements or modifications that have
not been mentioned previously.
Staff Response: No new apron lighting is being installed as part of this project. The
scope of work involves only replacement or relocation of existing systems, not
expansion of lighting infrastructure or intensification of light coverage.
10. Contract Extension
Please confirm that the current consultant contracts could be extended beyond
December 31, 2025, which is the current expiration date. However, the FAA permits
contract extensions beyond five years when the original project was included in
the Airport Capital Improvement Plan. Staff stated in the packet that this project
meets that condition and therefore qualifies for an extension.
Staff Response: Yes, staff has confirmed that the consultant contracts may be
extended beyond their original term because the project appears in the approved
Airport Capital Improvement Plan. FAA policy allows service extensions when a project
was previously included in the ACIP.
From:Sonic Mail
To:Council, City
Subject:Remove item 12 from the December 1 2025 Consent Calendar
Date:Monday, December 1, 2025 11:49:53 AM
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on links.
Palo Alto is not the grassroots Community that honored community values.The Peninsula is now Silicon Valley &
own by the corporate rich. The Baylands was jewel of peace & nature. Now it is lost in a destroyed ecosystem. Why,
not askMoffet/ Google for the tarmac to make a Silicon Valley Airport. And by the way, siding with Trump FAA for
the money, is disgraceful. It would be a gift to all if you got the priorities for Palo Alto, not Silicon Corporations.
Susan Juhl
From:Victoria A Reich
To:Council, City
Subject:REMOVE ITEM #12 from the December 1, 2025 Consent Calendar.
Date:Monday, December 1, 2025 11:30:02 AM
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Hello,
Please REMOVE ITEM #12 from the December 1, 2025 Consent Calendar.
FAA-funded projects prohibit using funds for gender programs, elective abortions, or shielding
undocumented immigrants from deportation. This contradicts Palo Alto's September 29, 2025 resolution to
join the lawsuit against these Trump Administration grant conditions
City staff confirm contracts can be extended beyond December 31, 2025—there's no rush.
Victoria Reich
1144 Greenwood Ave
Palo Alto
From:Sonic Mail
To:Council, City
Subject:REMOVE ITEM #12 from the December 1, 2025 Consent Calendar.
Date:Monday, December 1, 2025 11:14:40 AM
Request real transparency, meaningful community engagement, data-supported answers, and rejection of the new
FAA grant restrictions. Staff has confirmed that contracts can be extended beyond December 31, 2025—there’s no
rush.
August Dan Juhl
757 Oregon Ave, Palo Alto
Sent from my iPad
From:Bill Rust
To:Council, City
Subject:Airport Infrastructure Improvement Contract
Date:Monday, December 1, 2025 10:14:21 AM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a local pilot and member of the West Valley Flying Club, I would like to thank you for the
improvements that have been made to Palo Alto Airport since the city assumed responsibility for
the airport from the County of Santa Clara. Those improvements have greatly contributed to the
airport being a truly regional resource, supporting emergency operations in event of natural
disasters, flight training for those interested in aviation both vocationally and avocationally,
employment for those that work at the airport and an ideal base for pilots like me that enjoy giving
back to the community through charitable flying.
I'd like to ask for your continued support of the airport by approving the Seven Items supporting
the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025
consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential to replace unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain
equipment with state-of-the-art systems that are fully compliant with current FAA standards,
improving reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous
real-time weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
William Rust
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From:Carine Schneider
To:Council, City
Subject:approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto
Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
Date:Monday, December 1, 2025 10:08:24 AM
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i
Dear Council members,
As the owner of an airplane based at the Palo Alto AirPort, I urge you to approve
the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project,
AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more
than 50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain.
The replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA
standards, and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest
level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the
public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve
the accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly,
better weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports
better pilot decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith,
renewing their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed
without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and
safety-critical project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Carine Schneider
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Carine Schneider
+1-650-862-8628
carine.m.schneider@gmail.com
From:Gorey, Kevin
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto Airport Improvement Plan
Date:Monday, December 1, 2025 10:06:14 AM
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!
Dear Sir/Madam,
As a flight instructor at the Palo Alto airport, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025
consent calendar item #12.)
Rather than list the benefits of the project, which really revolve around flight safety – something
close to my heart, I’ll repeat what you’ve likely already heard: The project has been years in the
making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their bid to accommodate city
processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kevin Gorey
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From:Ghyrn Loveness
To:Council, City
Subject:Critical Airport Upkeep / Maintenance upgrades
Date:Monday, December 1, 2025 10:03:13 AM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident and active pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items
supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo
Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than
50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult and more costly to
maintain than modern industry standard equipment. The replacement systems are
state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially
improve reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide
continuous real-time weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better
weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot
decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions and more often
than not will avoid flight operations to visually check weather conditions that otherwise
would have been avoided with current and accurate remotely reported data.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith,
renewing their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed
without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and
safety-critical project.
Regards,
Ghyrn
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From:DAVID SCHNEIDER
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto Airport AWOS Project
Date:Monday, December 1, 2025 9:56:03 AM
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on links.
Dear Council members,
As the owner of an airplane based at the Palo Alto AirPort, as a certified flight instructor who works at Palo Alto
and as a pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System
Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old—unreliable,
outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with
current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They
will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy, timeliness, and
availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it
simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their bid to
accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
David Schneider, CFI
From:Martin Michaud
To:Council, City
Subject:PAO AWOS
Date:Monday, December 1, 2025 8:30:55 AM
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i
Dear Council members,
Please add my name to the list of those supporting the AWOS project at the Palo Alto airport.
I have been a member of the Palo Alto community for more than 30 years as a small business
owner providing training to the next generation of pilots. I have aircraft based at PAO and rent
hangar and tiedown space here.
As a flight instructor I continuously strive to enhance my student’s understanding of how they
can operate aircraft more safely and I ask you to join me in this endeavor by moving forward
with the AWOS project.
Regards,
Martin Michaud
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From:Ron Klutts
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto Airport
Date:Monday, December 1, 2025 6:38:31 AM
Dear Council members,
As a Mountain View resident and a 25 year user of the airport as a pilot, I urge you to approve
the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at
Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ron Klutts
From:Yaron
To:Council, City
Subject:City Council Meeting TOMORROW December 1st comment
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 11:18:38 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a pilot and Palo Alto tax payer, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025
consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Yaron Ekshtein
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From:Steve Woltosz
To:Council, City
Subject:Safety-Focused Support for Modernizing AWOS Project at Palo Alto Airport
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 10:33:02 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a long-time Palo Alto resident and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025
consent calendar item #12.)
We live in Silicon Valley—one of the most technologically advanced regions in the world—
and we rightly take pride in that. Thoughtfully applied technology enhances both safety
and efficiency; just think of the tools we rely on every day. Every major innovation has had
its naysayers, yet our community and the wider world are better and safer because we
continue to advance and adopt new technologies, including in aviation.
These upgrades up for approval are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more
than 50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement
systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially
improve reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous
real-time weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Stephen Woltosz
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From:David Hung
To:Council, City
Cc:David Hung
Subject:South Palo Alto Bike/Ped Connectivity - NO on Alternative A - YES on Alternative B
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 9:59:11 PM
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!
Respected City Council Members,
I oppose the El Dorado proposal because it is not safe.
I am a Palo Alto resident living in Midtown.
I use the El Dorado Avenue and Alma intersection several times a week at various times of
day and night. Currently, with cars parked on both sides of El Dorado, it is a tight squeeze
for 2 way traffic entering and exiting Alma. There is no room for bike lanes.
El Dorado Avenue is 27 feet in width and the narrowest road in all the proposals. By
comparison, Loma Verde is 42 feet. Churchill is 36 feet.
The Existing Conditions report for this project on p. 72 already stated 1 death due to
collision on El Dorado Avenue.
The Phase 1 Community Engagement Report for this project on p.661 already stated that
the City/School Transportation Safety Committee expressed concern about narrow streets.
Loma Verde (proposal B) is a much superior alternative for safety.
To quantify and compare these concerns, I asked an expert, Google AI the following
question: “How much safer is a 40 feet wide 2 way street with bike lanes versus a 27 feet
wide 2 way street with bike lanes”
Answer:
The 40-foot wide street is substantially safer, …
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The 40-foot wide street is safer because its dimensions allow engineers to install
proven safety countermeasures like buffers and standard lane widths that the 27-foot
street cannot physically fit. The difference in safety is substantial and can be
measured in a reduction of dozens of percentage points in crash rates for the wider
street configuration.
The full Google AI report is below.
I asked ChatGPT the same question, and it replied similarly and also included percentage
estimates of improvement in safety.
An excerpt from ChatGPT’s answer is:
3. Quantitative safety difference (based on studies in
multiple U.S. cities)
From research in Chicago, New York City, Portland, and FHWA syntheses:
Wider roads with buffered or unencroached bike lanes reduce:
Close passes by ~25–40%
Driver encroachment into bike lanes by ~30–50%
Cyclist crash risk by ~20–30%
Cyclist fall risk from edge riding by ~15–20%
The full ChatGPT answer is below.
Therefore, why not invest in a superior proposal (Loma Verde) that would provide safety
gains for our children and the Palo Alto Community as a whole?
Respectfully,
David Hung
Additional Information:
***************
Google AI full answer:
The 40-foot wide street is substantially safer, not just because of the added width, but
because that width allows for a superior quality of bike facility, which leads to
quantifiable crash reductions for all users. The narrow 27-foot street forces
compromises that inherently introduce higher risks.
While it's difficult to give a single percentage that covers every variable, safety is
improved through these key factors:
1. The Power of Buffers and Separation
The 40-foot street can easily accommodate buffered bike lanes (Class IIb) or
potentially physically separated lanes (Class IV), which provide several feet of striped
or vertical separation.
Crash Reduction Factors: Adding a buffer to a conventional bike lane can
reduce bicycle-vehicle crashes significantly, with some studies showing
reductions of up to 53% for bicycle/vehicle crashes when converting to a
physically separated lane.
"Dooring" Elimination: A 3-foot buffer in the 40-foot layout effectively
accommodates the full swing of a car door, virtually eliminating "dooring"
crashes, which account for a significant percentage of bicycle-motor vehicle
collisions. The 27-foot street likely won't have space for a buffer.
Perceived Safety: Buffers offer "additional comfort" and a greater sense of
security for cyclists, which encourages higher ridership—a phenomenon known
as "safety in numbers" that further improves overall safety for cyclists in a
community.
2. Optimal Vehicle Lane Widths
The 40-foot street allows for the use of optimal 10-foot vehicle lanes in an urban
setting.
Speed Management: These narrower lanes naturally encourage lower driving
speeds without compromising traffic flow.
Crash Data: Studies by Johns Hopkins University found that roads with 10-foot
lanes had significantly fewer crashes than those with 12-foot lanes in 30-35
mph speed zones.
The 27-foot street would likely require very narrow 7.5-foot car lanes to fit bike
lanes, which, while forcing slow speeds, offers less operational flexibility and
potentially less perceived safety for drivers.
Summary
The 40-foot wide street is safer because its dimensions allow engineers to install
proven safety countermeasures like buffers and standard lane widths that the 27-foot
street cannot physically fit. The difference in safety is substantial and can be
measured in a reduction of dozens of percentage points in crash rates for the wider
street configuration.
**********
Full ChatGPT answer:
Here’s a clear, evidence-based way to compare the safety difference between:
40-ft wide two-way street with bike lanes
vs.
27-ft wide two-way street with bike lanes
Both have bike lanes, but the available width changes how safe those lanes actually
function.
Below is the best research-backed breakdown.
♂ 1. Safety difference is meaningful — mainly due to
passing distance
Studies from the FHWA, NACTO, IIHS, and multiple city transportation departments show:
Bike lanes are safest when the total roadway is wide enough that cars can pass
cyclists without drifting into oncoming traffic.
When travel lanes are narrower than 10–11 ft, drivers tend to:
Pass more closely
Encroach into the bike lane
Swerve around cyclists
Speed less (a positive), but create more conflict
The increase in safety from 27 ft to 40 ft typically reduces close-passing
events by ~25–40%.
This is not about the bike lane itself — it’s about how cars behave next to it.
2. What 40 ft allows that 27 ft cannot
40 ft street
Usually configured as:
Two 11–12 ft car lanes
Two 5–6 ft bike lanes
Often a small buffer (1–2 ft)
Benefits:
Safe passing without lane shifts
Clear separation
Fewer encroachments into the bike lane
Better driver visibility and reaction time
Lower cyclist stress → fewer erratic movements
27 ft street
Typical configuration:
Two 10 ft travel lanes
Two 4–5 ft bike lanes
No buffer
No room for shy space or error
Problems:
Drivers pass closer because they cannot shift left much
Higher chance of mirror strikes, sideswipes
Cyclists ride closer to the edge → higher dooring risk
Drivers must cross the centerline to pass safely → more conflict with oncoming traffic
3. Quantitative safety difference (based on
studies in multiple U.S. cities)
From research in Chicago, New York City, Portland, and FHWA syntheses:
Wider roads with buffered or unencroached bike lanes reduce:
Close passes by ~25–40%
Driver encroachment into bike lanes by ~30–50%
Cyclist crash risk by ~20–30%
Cyclist fall risk from edge riding by ~15–20%
Summary:
A 40-ft road with bike lanes is roughly 20–35% safer than a 27-ft road with bike lanes,
mostly due to passing behavior and buffer capacity.
4. The biggest improvement comes from
“buffer zones”
If the 40 ft street uses even a 1–2 foot painted buffer, that alone improves safety more
than lane width.
A buffered lane:
Reduces crash risk by another 15–30%
Reduces perceived stress by 40–60%
Dramatically reduces encroachment
Buffers matter more than the total pavement width itself.
From:dorin@cognosair.com
To:Council, City
Subject:Council"s approval of Consent Item #12
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 9:27:05 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather
Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item
#12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
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From:Diane McCoy
To:Council, City
Subject:Remove Item #12 from the Consent Calendar
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 8:30:48 PM
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Dear Mayor Lauing and City Council Members of Palo Alto.
I am a resident of Palo Alto living in the St. Francis/Duveneck neighborhood.
I am requesting that Item #12 be dismissed from the Consent Calendar; Monday,
Dec. 1's City Council Agenda.
The staff report does not address several important issues that warrant full Council
discussion.
First, the AWOS system is NOT required by the FAA for safety. The report frames
the project as safety related, but it does not explain why the City should pursue an
OPTIONAL system that is BEYOND the FAA requirements for safety.
Second, we also should not support non-required safety improvements that enhance
an airport whose flight paths expose nearby communities to leaded fuel emissions.
What progress has been in that arena?
Palo Alto Airport is RANKED 19!!! among the top 100 lead polluting airports, with
populations, including my neighborhood, living within .62 miles that are eight times
more Black and twice as likely to be non-white and Hispanic.
Because these issues have not been clearly presented or analyzed, Item #12 should
not remain on the consent calendar.
A FULL discussion is needed to ensure the Council has complete information before
making a decision,
and that this is not a ploy, in the guise of safety, to increase the size and volume of
the airport.
Again, I request that Item #12 be removed from the consent calendar.
Respectfully,
Diane McCoy
763 Greer Road (corner of Embarcadero and Greer Road)
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From:Andrew
To:Council, City
Subject:Automated Weather Observation System Project
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 8:05:39 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Menlo Park resident and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025
consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years
old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are
state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve
reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous
real-time weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data
will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making
and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing
their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-
critical project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Andrew Sweeney
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From:prashant kanhere
To:Council, City
Subject:Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar
item #12)
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 7:14:25 PM
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Dear Council members,
As an airplane owner and a pilot with our airplane based at Palo Alto airport, I urge you to approve
the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at
Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential for safe airport operations. Much of the airport’s current equipment
is more than 50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The
replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will
substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide
continuous real-time weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Prashant Kanhere
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From:Sundar Raj
To:Council, City
Subject:regarding Item #12 on the December 1, 2025 Consent Calendar
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 7:09:27 PM
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Dear Council Members,
My name is Akkamapet "Sundar"raj. I am a pilot, the owner of an aircraft based at
Palo Alto Airport (KPAO), and the owner of an LLC through which my airplane is
leased to Advantage Aviation. In addition to flying regularly myself, my aircraft
supports local flight training, instruction, and rentals—contributing directly to aviation
commerce in the City of Palo Alto.
I am writing to personally urge you to approve the seven items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) Project, AP-19000, listed as Item
#12 on the December 1, 2025 Consent Calendar.
This issue matters to me not only as a pilot but as someone who has invested in the
local aviation ecosystem. Much of the airport’s weather and communication
equipment is more than 50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult
to maintain. I see the effects of this aging infrastructure firsthand, both in my own
flying and through the training operations that rely on my aircraft. The planned
upgrades are modern, FAA-compliant, and will significantly improve reliability and
safety. They also ensure that continuous real-time weather data remains available to
the entire community through the National Weather Service.
A modern AWOS will greatly improve the accuracy and timeliness of the weather data
that pilots depend on every day. Importantly, better weather reporting does not
increase airport traffic or noise; it simply helps pilots make safer, more informed
decisions.
With both personal and business ties to KPAO, I respectfully ask for your support in
approving this important upgrade that benefits pilots, local aviation businesses, and
the economic vitality of the Palo Alto Airport.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
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Sincerely,
Sundar
From:Jeffrey Katz
To:Council, City
Subject:Support for approval of Consent Item #12 on the Council"s agenda tomorrow night
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 6:13:53 PM
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Dear Council members,
As a Flight Instructor and pilot for which Palo Alto Airport is my primary work location,
I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather
Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent
calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than
50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The
replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards,
and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety.
They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the public through the
National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better
weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot
decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith,
renewing their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed
without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and
safety-critical project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
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Jeff Katz | Owner
N960RD@flightlineaviation.com
(408) 480 5755
Flightline Aviation
366 Jackson Street
San Jose, CA 95112
www.flightlineaviation.com
From:B Nimri
To:Council, City
Subject:Please approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at
Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 6:06:21 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a[Palo Alto pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather
Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item
#12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Basim Nimri
(408) 472-8000
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From:Clay Ross
To:Council, City
Subject:Requesting Council"s approval of Consent Item #12 (1 Dec 2025)
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 4:41:49 PM
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Dear Council members,
Thank you for your service to our community.
As a longtime local resident and Palo Alto pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent
calendar item #12.)
I am the Northern California "Wing Leader" for Angel Flight West, a network of volunteer pilots who
provide free medical transportation to people in need. Palo Alto airport is one of 2 hubs in Northern
California due to its close proximity to Stanford Hospital and Stanford Children's Hospital, and is crucial
to getting our patients safely to their life-saving medical care. Without a vibrant and safe airport, our
patients would not have easy access to their specialized life-saving medical procedures.
These proposed upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years
old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-of-
the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability while
maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the
public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy, timeliness,
and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not increase airport traffic day
or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced planning around weather
conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their bid to
accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Clay Ross
Angel Flight West NorCal Wing Leader
(408) 202-5244
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From:Nick Ulman
To:Council, City
Subject:PAO airport
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 4:13:21 PM
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Dear Council members,
Please approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project,
AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Sincerely,
Nick Ulman
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From:Eugene Perkov
To:Council, City
Cc:Eugene Perkov
Subject:Palo Alto Airport improvement project
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 3:58:09 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated
Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar
item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Eugene Perkov, pilot and Certified Flight Instructor at KPAO
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From:Ken Hahn
To:Council, City
Subject:Supporting Palo Alto Airport"s FAA AWOS system Upgrade
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 3:11:21 PM
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i
Dear Palo Alto City Council members:
I am a long time (25+ years) Palo Alto resident with a family of five. I am
writing to ask you to approve the seven items supporting the Automated
Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
The airport is an important resource for the community. We will be very
pleased we have it should disaster strike requiring the need for emergency
equipment and supplies. This happens throughout the U.S. and
internationally -- disaster strikes, smaller relief airports come to the rescue
to restore safety and necessity as soon as possible and later rebuild
communities.
Our airport’s weather reporting system is 50+ years old, is not overly
reliable, and due to its age is expensive to maintain; the replacement
systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards,
and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest level
of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the
public through the National Weather Service. Importantly, better weather
data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better
pilot decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions.
It is an upgrade that is only helpful.
Can you be sure that it is executed without further delay at Monday's
Council meeting? As you know well, this project has been *years* in the
making.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned upgrade
and putting to the side delay tactics -- to act in the best interests of our
community. Thank you!
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Best regards,
Ken Hahn
From:zack.cfi@yahoo.com
To:Council, City
Subject:consent calendar item #12
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 3:07:18 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto airport tenant I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated
Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025consent calendar
item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Zack BOUSNANE
415 548 3956
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From:j miller
To:Council, City
Subject:Automated weather and climate data for Palo Alto Airport
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 3:02:50 PM
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Dear Council Members,
As a paying Palo Alto airport tenant, pilot, and five year Palo Alto resident, I urge you to approve the Seven Items
supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent
calendar item #12.)
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy, timeliness, and
availability of weather information. The National Weather Service depends on continuous real-time AWOS weather
data as inputs to its weather forecast and climatological models. These weather forecasts are provided back to
municipalities such as Palo Alto to prepare for and to minimize consequences of storms and related climate induced
dangers. And, in turn, our national network of these AWOS sensors dramatically improves the NWS weather
forecast accuracy.
I have been a tenant at the Palo Alto airport for 29 years, a pilot at the Palo Alto airport for 51 years, the
aforementioned upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment was extant when I began flying
here, more than 50 years ago, it is old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement
systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their bid to
accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and operationally-critical project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Miller
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From:Neeraj Pendse
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto Airport Improvements
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 2:34:51 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident, Pilot, Flight Instructor and an aircraft owner (based at Palo Alto
Airport), I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather
Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item
#12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years
old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are
state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve
reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-
time weather data to the public at large through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and
advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing
their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay. I
respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Neeraj Pendse
(352 Middlefield Rd)
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From:Fengming Wang
To:Council, City
Subject:A concerned resident on airport and pilot safety
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 2:24:23 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated
Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar
item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Fengming Wang
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From:Audrey Lund
To:Council, City
Subject:Monday meeting
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 2:10:19 PM
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Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident and also a pilot and instructor at the Palo Alto airport, I urge you to
approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-
19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Audrey Lund
415.652.1412
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From:Juan Pablo Timpanaro
To:Council, City
Subject:AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 2:07:45 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than
50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The
replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA
standards, and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest
level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the
public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better
weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better
pilot decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith,
renewing their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed
without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and
safety-critical project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
---
Juan Pablo Timpanaro
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From:Contactgsavidge
To:Council, City
Subject:Automated weather systems project
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 2:07:20 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items
supporting the Automated Weather Observation
System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s
current equipment is more than 50 years old—
unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to
maintain. The replacement systems are state-of-
the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards,
and will substantially improve reliability while
maintaining the highest level of safety. They will
also provide continuous real-time weather data to
the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System
(AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information.
Importantly, better weather data will not increase
airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better
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pilot decision-making and advanced planning
around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The
contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it
be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this
long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Greg Savidge
Cell #415 666 6355
From:Andrew Pollack
To:Council, City
Subject:Requesting Approval of 12/1/25 Consent Calendar Item #12 - Airport Project
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 1:26:13 PM
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on links.
Dear Council members,
As CEO of a Palo Alto-based business, a Palo Alto taxpayer, and a pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items
supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent
calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old—unreliable,
outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with
current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They
will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy, timeliness, and
availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it
simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions. As a pilot myself, I
can say with confidence that the existence of an AWOS will not cause me to increase my own operations at PAO.
AWOS systems have been installed at thousands of airports, large and small, nationwide, as they are the best
available technology to provide safe and reliable real-time weather data to pilots.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their bid to
accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical project.
Thank you.
Regards
Andrew Pollack
From:Ivan Wong
To:Council, City
Subject:Re Palo Airport Improvement Contract
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 12:42:33 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated
Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar
item #12.)
These upgrades are essential, and much-needed. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more
than 50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement
systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially
improve reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous
real-time weather data to the public through the National Weather Service, which is important
given the upheaval of the NOAA at the federal level.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions, which is extremely important for first responders using the
airport (e.g., with operations coordinated with nearby hospitals).
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay, and so as
to not increase costs of the project.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ivan Wong
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From:Katie Harford
To:Council, City
Subject:Support for Palo Alto Airport AWOS Upgrade (Item #12)
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 10:49:58 AM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Santa Clara County resident and Palo Alto pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items
supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve safety and
reliability. They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the public through the
National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information by eliminating dependence on part-time human
observation. Importantly, better weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply
supports better pilot decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency, and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Katie Harford
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From:Mike Mayo
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto Airport Automated Weather Observation System Project
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 9:06:12 AM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident (1880 Channing Avenue), and recreational private pilot, I urge you to
approve the seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-
19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
The Palo Alto Airport Automated Weather Observation System Project will bring the airport's
weather monitoring capability into this century. It is high time for this improvement that will
make life safer for pilots, passengers, and persons on the ground.
With kind regards,
Michael Mayo
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From:James Mack
To:Council, City
Subject:Support: Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent
calendar item #12.)
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 6:56:09 AM
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i
Dear Councilmembers,
As a pilot in Palo Alto since 2005 and a airplane owner and tenant of the airport
since 2016 I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated
Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025
consent calendar item #12.) The airport and flying community have been part of
what drew and kept me in this innovative area, beginning when I chose graduate
school in engineering at Stanford twenty years ago. I chose my graduate school in
part based on proximity to an airport, and if the Palo Alto Airport was not so close
to Stanford I would not have chosen Stanford. Twenty years later, I am still here; I
work in Palo Alto, I am a tenant at the airport, and I actively fly out of Palo Alto
Airport.
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than
50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The
replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA
standards, and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest
level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the
public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better
weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better
pilot decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith,
renewing their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed
without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and
safety-critical project. My family will all be safer when we fly with these modern
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Thank you,
James Mack
From:Lena Perkins
To:Council, City
Subject:Support: Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent
calendar item #12.)
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 6:48:20 AM
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!
Dear Councilmembers,
As a pilot in Palo Alto since 2006 and a airplane owner and tenant of the airport
since 2016 I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated
Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025
consent calendar item #12.) The airport and flying community have been part of
what drew and kept me in this innovative area, beginning when I chose graduate
school in engineering at Stanford twenty years ago.
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than
50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The
replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA
standards, and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest
level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the
public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better
weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better
pilot decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith,
renewing their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed
without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and
safety-critical project. My husband and I and our two young sons will all be safer
when we fly with these modern systems.
With sincerest thanks,
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Lena Perkins, PhD
From:Marco Caflisch
To:Council, City
Subject:Support for Item #12, Palo Alto Airport on 12/1/2025 consent calendar
Date:Sunday, November 30, 2025 1:07:31 AM
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!
Dear Council members,
As a commercial pilot based at Palo Alto Airport, I urge you to approve the Seven Items
supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Marco Caflisch
--
Marco Caflisch
T-6 Flight Instruction
Email: marco@bayareawarbirds.com
Web: www.bayareawarbirds.com
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From:Jonathan Sorger
To:Council, City
Subject:Email in Support of airport improvement project, 12/1 consent calendar item #12
Date:Saturday, November 29, 2025 5:14:48 PM
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i
Dear Palo Alto City Council Members,
Like many Bay Area youngsters, my dad took me to the Palo Alto Airport as a kid to watch planes
land and I was fortunate enough to obtain my pilot’s license 20 or so years later. I would drive to
the airport for a flying lesson after teaching a course at Stanford.
I encourage you to support the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000.
Much of the airport’s current equipment was installed before I was born. I have heard from airport
operations staff about reliability-issues and was thrilled to hear that a plan for installing state-of-
the-art systems has been funded by the FAA and was ’shovel ready,’ so to speak.
Weather is important. The more timely and accurate the information, the better. I’ve followed the
airport debates over the years and fail to see how any of the proposed improvements will increase
airport traffic or noise. Providing up-to-date weather information when the Tower is closed will
make the airport safer for everyone.
I ask you to support moving forward with this project.
Thank you,
Jonathan Sorger
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From:Robert French
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto AWOS project
Date:Friday, November 28, 2025 3:46:16 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a pilot who has been based at the Palo Alto Airport for 28 years, I urge you to approve the
Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at
Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years
old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are
state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve
reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous
real-time weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data
will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making
and advanced planning around weather conditions. My personal belief is that it will actually
decrease operations, because pilots will not need to attempt an approach in questionable
weather just to see if they can make it. An AWOS will let them make that decision miles
away, allowing an early diversion and thus reduction in overall noise.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing
their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-
critical project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Bob Lenox
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From:Bogdan Cocosel
To:Council, City
Subject:AWOS upgrade Palo Alto Airport
Date:Friday, November 28, 2025 2:18:09 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident for 20 years and also as a pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items
supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto
Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential and long overdue. Much of the airport’s current equipment is
more than 50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The
replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will
substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also
provide continuous real-time weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The airport is a key element of infrastructure and the only realistic option during emergencies.
Given the strained traffic conditions and the severe lack of mass transit, the airport provides
the only rapid access to Palo Alto. It is currently used daily for Medevac to and from Stanford
hospital and also for organ transplant transfers for hospitals across the peninsula.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data
will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making
and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing
their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-
critical project.
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Thank you.
Sincerely,
Bogdan Cocosel
From:Peter Monaco
To:Council, City
Subject:Automated Weather Observation System
Date:Friday, November 28, 2025 12:56:14 PM
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!
Dear Council members,
As a flight instructor teaching pilots at Palo Alto Airport, I urge you to approve the Seven Items
supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
-Peter Monaco, peter@monacofamily.org, (650)575-3590
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From:Ben Hochman
To:Council, City
Subject:Approve Airport upgrades
Date:Thursday, November 27, 2025 1:28:38 PM
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i
Dear City Council,
I strongly urge you to approve the items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project
at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades will not only ensure continued safety but will reduce overall air traffic noise by increasing
the reliability of landing. Without these upgrades aircraft may be forced to circle over the city to look for
breaks in the clouds or may try to make landings in bad weather without knowing the current conditions at
the airport. The control tower staff is currently just looking out the window and making educated guesses
as to the weather and having an FAA approved weather system is essential.
The Palo Alto Airport continues to be a vital community asses that supports emergency medial access
and local business facilitation and having accurate weather reporting is obviously of critical importance.
Thank you very much,
-Ben Hochman
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From:WILLIAM FOSTER
To:Council, City
Subject:The Palo Alto Airport Infrastructure Improvement Contract
Date:Thursday, November 27, 2025 1:02:01 PM
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Dear Council Members,
I am writing this message to inform you that I am in full support of the infrastructure improvement contract
under consideration by the council. I have been a user of the Palo Alto airport for over 45 years. This FAA
grant funded project will improve current equipment and add new equipment that will add to and improve
the reliability and maintain the high level of safety of operations at the airport. IT WILL NOT INCREASE
THE VOLUME OF AIR TRAFFIC.
The airport provides a number of programs that help our community . My son, as have numerous children,
grew up flying with me at the airport and earned his pilots license at this airport. It provides the capability
to continue to provide a way for medical patients from remote areas to be treated at special medical facilities
in Palo Alto. It provides the ability to deliver aide to the community after disasters such as the Loma Prieta
quake in 1989.
As I said above it will not be a factor that increases air traffic. The airport will continue to require flight
operations that minimize any affects on near by communities.
Please approve this project in your December 1 meeting.
Thank You,
Bill Foster
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From:Asad Khaliq
To:Council, City
Subject:Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000
Date:Thursday, November 27, 2025 9:33:54 AM
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on links.
City Council members —
Thank you for all your work and service to our city!
As a long time resident I am writing to urge you to approve the seven items supporting the Automated Weather
Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport — 12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.
The Palo Alto Airport is an essential part of our community and helps medical, fire, and other operations. Stanford’s
medevac flights rely on the airport for refueling and stopovers for rest. Fire fighting aircraft can and do use Palo
Alto Airport for logistics and coordination. Young aviators, through programs such as Young Eagles, learn the
importance of community, science, technology, and aviation at the airport. There are several successful and essential
businesses that rely on the airport.
However, many of the airport’s current equipment is outdated and unreliable. These updates systems will
substantially improve reliability and safety as well as provide continuous real-time weather data to non-pilots and
other members of our community through the National Weather Service.
This project has been years in the making and all parties involved have acted with good faith. I would urge and hope
that it be executed without further delay and I ask for your support in approving this safety-critical project.
Thank you, and thank you for all that you do.
Best,
Asad Khaliq
From:Debashish Sinha
To:Council, City
Subject:Request approval of AWOS for KPAO
Date:Thursday, November 27, 2025 9:22:29 AM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto Airport renter and pilot, I urge you to approve the seven items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025
consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential to safety of those in the air as well as those on the ground.
Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and
increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully
compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability while
maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data
does not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making
and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing
their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-
critical project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Debashish Sinha
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From:Michael
To:Council, City
Subject:Airport improvement funding
Date:Thursday, November 27, 2025 9:15:42 AM
To the Palo Alto City Council Members,
I learned to fly at Palo Alto Airport — which deeply influenced me to become involved in the future of aviation,
including the development of technical standards for electrically powered and more automated aircraft.
Your decision will contribute to retaining this irreplaceable resource and materially impact Palo Alto’s future —
and your legacy. Indeed, the airport improvement funds will contribute to a broader tax base, improved public
safety, Palo Alto businesses more competitive, and advance safer, quieter and widely accessible and
comparatively inexpensive transportation options to the public.
Please, invest in the future of Palo Alto and advance the pending Palo Alto Airport improvements. Such funds
will help sustain this irreplacable resource. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Michael S. Baum
(650) 867-9492
Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo
Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12
From:Christos
To:Council, City
Subject:Please Approve Item #12 – AWOS & Safety Upgrades at KPAO
Date:Thursday, November 27, 2025 8:22:20 AM
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Dear Council Members,
I am a private pilot who regularly flies from Palo Alto (KPAO), and I commute all the way
from Florida to do so. Therefore, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the AWOS
Project, AP-19000 (Dec 1 consent calendar, Item #12).
KPAO is one of the friendliest, safest general aviation environments in the country, and the
professionalism of its community and maintenance facilities is exactly why pilots train here,
and why I commute all the way across the country just to fly here. This matters: the aviation
industry is facing a serious pilot shortage, and the pilots who fly Palo Alto residents to New
York, Hawaii, or London all start their careers at local airports like KPAO. Safe, modern
infrastructure is essential to that pipeline.
The current equipment at KPAO is decades old, unreliable, and increasingly difficult to
maintain. The proposed replacements are FAA-compliant, modern, and safety-critical. The
new AWOS will provide accurate, continuous weather data to pilots and the public without
increasing traffic day or night; it simply improves decision-making and situational awareness.
This project has already been designed, reviewed, funded, and competitively bid. Further
delay risks losing the FAA grant entirely.
For safety, stewardship, and continuity, I respectfully urge you to approve Item #12 without
further delay.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Christos Shepherd
cjashepherd@gmail.com
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From:Robert MacLean
To:Council, City
Subject:For Safety and Neighborhood sensitivity
Date:Thursday, November 27, 2025 8:07:07 AM
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As a long term Palo Alto Airport resident, the need for improved reporting and reducing Control Tower work load
all in the interest of safety, Please support the proposed Airport Infrastructure improvement contract.
Respectively
Robert MacLean
260 Prior Lane
Atherton, CA 94027
PAO airplane resident
From:Michael Lewis
To:Council, City; Council, City
Subject:Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000,
Date:Thursday, November 27, 2025 5:49:41 AM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a pilot and customer and a user of the Palo Alto Airport, I urge you to approve the Seven
Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto
Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Michael Lewis
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From:Jordan Hubbard
To:Council, City
Subject:KPAO airport improvement project
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 11:58:53 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a pilot and renter at Palo Alto Airport of many years (for which I pay monthly rent
for multiple tie-down spaces), I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old—unreliable,
outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. They also add a substantial amount of
workload burden for our FAA controllers who work the control tower at all hours and
otherwise have to record this information manually every hour or less when the
weather changes.
These replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA
standards, and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest level
of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the public
through the National Weather Service. Many residents of the area rely on airport
weather observations to know when storms and other adverse weather conditions will
be entering or leaving the area, whether they actually know that they are using the
airport weather observation system as part of a broader set of weather stations or not.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better
weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot
decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions, particularly for
medical mercy and transportation flights which tend to operate at night.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith,
renewing their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed
without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and
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safety-critical project.
As a pilot, I also fully understand that many “locals” have argued against the airport’s
very existence for many years, as those adjacent to airports - both commercial and
private - have argued against ALL airports in the United States. This “not in my back
yard” perspective is understandable, but these residents also fail to realize that small
airports like these are a vital part of our air traffic network. They provide vital training
for new pilots and also provide vital refueling and emergency service access points
for life flights, Stanford hospital helicopter operations, fire fighting, rely on this airport
and many like it around the United States, a fact that is often lost or missed
completely in these debates. These improvements are all part of keeping that system
healthy and simply must be done.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jordan Hubbard
From:Eli Pasternak
To:Council, City
Subject:PAO Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) approval
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 9:58:05 PM
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated
Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar
item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Eli Pasternak
1831 Waverly St.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
From:Brandon Essex
To:Council, City
Subject:Airport Funding
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 9:47:31 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation
System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Brandon Essex CFII
510-710-0480
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From:Tim Heckman
To:Council, City
Subject:Seven Items to Support the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 9:44:30 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a pilot who primarily uses Palo Alto Airport, I urge you to approve the Seven Items
supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto
Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years
old—outdated and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-of-
the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time
weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. It is important to note that better
weather data will not increase airport traffic; it simply supports better pilot decision making
and planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing
their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-
critical project.
Thank you.
Tim Heckman
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From:Paul Donahue
To:Council, City
Subject:Yes on airport AWOS project
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 8:29:03 PM
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
The Palo Alto Airport is one of the city's gems, where I learned to fly
starting in 1998 and which is still my home base decades later. I urge
you to vote in favor of consent item #12 on Monday's consent calendar,
approving the Automated Weather Observation System Project.
These upgrades will improve the reliability of the aging equipment which
the staff report notes has reached the end of its useful life. It also
will feed data to the National Weather Service to improve local weather
forecast models for the benefit of the general public. The upgrades
will have no impact on the quantity of air traffic but will allow pilots
to make more informed decisions.
This project has been contemplated for years and I ask that you follow
through and approve it on Monday night.
Thank you,
-Paul Donahue
From:Neville Morcom
To:Council, City
Subject:Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar
item #12.)
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 8:12:27 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Bay Area resident and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Neville Morcom
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From:Bruce Whitson
To:Council, City
Subject:Support Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent
calendar item #12.)
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 8:00:05 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident, pilot and flight instructor, I urge you to
approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather
Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current
equipment is more than 50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and
increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are
state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and
will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest
level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time
weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will
significantly improve the accuracy, timeliness, and availability of
weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot
decision-making and advanced planning around weather
conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has
acted in good faith, renewing their bid to accommodate city
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processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned,
efficiency and safety-critical project.
Thank you.
Bruce Whitson
CSIP, CFI/CFI-I
650-269-7193
https://advantage-aviation.com/instructor/bruce-whitson/
From:Oliver Draese
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 7:58:50 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather
Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item
#12.)
The upgrades are essential and address safety needs. Having current weather information
(AWOS) also outside of tower operating hours is important as are current-standard approach
lighting systems. Most airports in California already follow these standards, while we deal with
systems that are in part 50 years old. There are no good reasons to delay the process any
longer.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Oliver Draese
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From:Alexander Bowman
To:Council, City
Subject:Yes to AP-19000
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 7:58:47 PM
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i
Dear Council Members,
As a Palo Alto Area pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than
50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The
replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA
standards, and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest
level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the
public through the National Weather Service.
These upgrades not only significantly improve safety, which is crucial in busy
airspace such as the Bay Area, but also provides the essential resources for pilots
to make the best decisions when it comes to making the go/no-go decision.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better
weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better
pilot decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith,
renewing their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed
without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and
safety-critical project.
Palo Alto is a crucial resource to pilots in the Bay Area and it is critical we support
them now more than ever as our state and country are in a critical moment in time,
a moment of progress, and a moment of opportunity.
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Thank you for your leadership and consideration.
Sincerely,
Alex Bowman
From:Gerald Sylvester
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto airport infrastructure improvement contract
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 6:45:16 PM
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i
Dear City Council -
Please vote in support of the Palo Alto Airport infrastructure improvement contract. This
contract has been in the works for many years and it is long past due. The improvements are
imperative for efficient, effective and safe operations at Palo Alto Airport. Please vote to
support this contract.
Thank you.
Gerald Sylvester
Palo Alto Pilot
Mountain View Resident since 2003
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From:Justin Holmgren
To:Council, City
Subject:Support for Palo Alto Airport Upgrades
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 6:42:49 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a pilot who learned to fly at Palo Alto airport, and as an airplane owner (N7318F) whose
airplane is based at Palo Alto airport, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000 (12/1/2025 consent calendar item
#12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years
old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are
state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve
reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous
real-time weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data
will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making
and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing
their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-
critical project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Justin Holmgren
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From:V T
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto Airport - AWOS Project, AP-19000
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 6:04:40 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation
System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Victor Tzonev
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From:Kelly Blythe
To:Council, City
Subject:PAO AWOS upgrade - support!
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 5:44:06 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto homeowner and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items
supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo
Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than
50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The
replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards,
and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety.
They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the public through the
National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better
weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot
decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith,
renewing their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed
without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and
safety-critical project.
I’ve flown out of PAO since the mid-80’s - this airport is a great community asset and
needs to be kept as safe as possible - this project will help.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kelly Blythe
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650-507-7080
From:Carol
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto airport equipment upgrade
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 5:37:07 PM
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on links.
Dear City Council Members,
As a Palo Alto resident for nearly 50 years and former pilot I urge you to pass the improvement measures for PAO
as they have been presented on your agenda for December 1, item #12. The airport is a valuable resource for the
city and wishes to upgrade their aging equipment to the standard set by the FAA. An automated weather system
(AWOS) and replacement lights for the runway will improve safety for pilots. At present pilots must rely on
weather reports from nearby airports which often have significant local differences thus necessitating a fly-over
before deciding whether it is safe to land. The AWOS would enable pilots to have more accurate information for
flight planning prior to reaching the airport which would sometimes decrease the number of flights over this area.
The twenty-four hour weather reports are also available and useful to other residents who frequent the nearby
Baylands. The improved lighting will improve reliability and reduce frequency of repairs to the system.
Much hard work has been undertaken over the past several years to obtain funding and a contractor to undertake the
replacement work. It is designed to improve safety and not to increase the number of flights into and out of the
airport.
Please approve of the items AP-1900 which are #12 upon the consent calendar of December 1, 2025.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Carol A. Munch
From:Yahoo!
To:Council, City
Subject:PAO AWOS
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 5:32:26 PM
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i
Council Members,
I urge your support for the PAO Automated weather Observation System, AP 19000,
item 12 on the Dec 1 council consent agenda.
I am a 55 year Palo Alto resident and home owner in the Midtown area. I am also a
40 plus year recreational pilot operating out of PAO with 2100+ safe landings, mostly
at airports in the western US . Awareness of the current weather conditions at the
destination airport at the moment of arrival is of critical value to a pilot, more so at
night and/or at an unfamiliar airport. This AWOS installation removes weather related
uncertainties from the approach and landing process, when the Control Tower is not
operational, thereby enhancing safety.
Thank you,
Gerald Barker
PAAA Treasurer
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From:Bob Lenox
To:Council, City
Cc:Bob Lenox
Subject:PAO Capital Improvement Project Contracts
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 5:30:16 PM
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!
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated
Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025consent calendar
item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Bob Lenox
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From:Robert Bedichek
To:Council, City
Subject:In support of our airport -- please vote yes for infrastructure improvements
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 4:06:25 PM
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Dear Council Members,
My wife and I have been midtown Palo Alto residents for 30 years. I hope that you will support
consent calendar item #12 coming for a vote on Monday. My wife and I moved to our home in
midtown to raise our children and to be close to the Palo Alto Airport, where we both learned to
fly.
I am now a flight instructor and entrepreneur (*) and I depend on the airport for my work. I rent a
small hangar there which contributes about $12,000 per year to the city's finances.
I urge you to approve the seven items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System
Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
The folks who would like to shutter the airport, some of whom live in my neighborhood, moved
here knowing full well that there was an airport nearby. I have often been bothered by Highway
101 noise, especially on cold nights, sometimes by noise from cargo flights approaching SFO in
the wee hours, but never from noise from the Palo Alto Airport. I'm not suggesting we close
highway 101, nor SFO, though, of course. We need transportation infrastructure -- including the
Palo Alto Airport.
Many thousands of people, most of whom are Palo Alto residents like myself, directly depend on
our airport. Indirectly thousands more benefit. Every patient delivered to the Stanford ER
benefits. Please vote "yes" to agree to allow the federal government to fund our much-needed
infrastructure improvements.
Thank you for serving on the board.
Rob Bedichek
+1-650-245-0059
(*) At the intersection of flight instruction, AI, and inexpensive satellite communication.
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From:Alan Marcum
To:Council, City
Subject:Airport Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-1900
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 3:51:33 PM
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i
Dear City Council Members,
I’m a Palo Alto resident (since 1980) and a pilot. I ask you, and strongly urge you, to approve
the seven items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-1900, at
Palo Alto Airport. (This is consent calendar item 12 on the December 1, 2025 agenda.)
The upgrades that comprise this project are essential. Much of the current equipment
providing these services at the airport is over 50 years old. It’s unreliable and outdated, and
has become difficult to maintain (a situation that will only get worse). The proposed
replacement systems are state-of-the-art and fully comply with the FAA’s current standards.
Additionally, they will improve reliability and maintain the highest safety levels, while also
providing continuous real-time weather data to the general public through the National
Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will improve the accuracy, timeliness,
and availability of weather information. It will allow pilots to make better decisions both while
flying and while planning their flights. It will not increase airport traffic, either during the day
or night.
The contractor on this project has acted in good faith. They’ve renewed their bid to
accommodate City processes. We should honor this contractor’s flexibility and execute this
contract now.
Again, please approve this important project.
Sincerely,
Alan Marcum
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From:Scott Porter
To:Council, City
Subject:Support for AWOS at Palo Alto Airport
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 3:50:54 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a local resident and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated
Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent
calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years
old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are
state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve
reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous
real-time weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data
will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making
and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing
their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-
critical project.
Thank you,
Scott Porter
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From:Anand Rajagopalan
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto Airport AWOS Approval
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 3:46:22 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated
Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025
consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than
50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The
replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA
standards, and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest
level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the
public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the
accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better
weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better
pilot decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith,
renewing their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed
without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and
safety-critical project.
Thank you.
Warm Regards
Anand Rajagopalan
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From:David Pearson
To:Council, City
Subject:Palo Alto Airport improvements - please approve
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 3:34:58 PM
Dear Council members,
As a pilot and frequent user of Palo Alto Airport, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting
the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you,
David Pearson
From:Jim Bray
To:Council, City
Subject:Airport Improvement
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 3:26:39 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a pilot and airport users for over twenty years, I urge you to approve the Seven Items
supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jim Bray
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From:James Gruneisen
To:Council, City
Subject:Airport Improvements
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 3:22:13 PM
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!
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident and active pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Jim Gruneisen
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From:Misha Smilovici
To:Council, City
Subject:Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 3:21:58 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated
Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar
item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-of-
the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability while
maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to
the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Misha Smilovici
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From:Reynold Lewke
To:Council, City
Subject:City of Palo Alto Council 12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 3:21:25 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a local pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather
Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item
#12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Reynold Lewke
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From:npliam@earthlink.net
To:Council, City
Subject:Support Palo Alto Airport Improvements
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 3:11:06 PM
Dear Council,
I’m a Stanford trained orthopedic surgeon and airline transport rated pilot. I use my Palo Alto
Airport based airplane to fly to clinics in Redding, Sacramento, Fresno and Bakersfield, mostly serving
people who need help and advocacy. The airport is important for me to continue this work. In
addition, I advise and serve on the board of several California based medical device companies, and I
use my PAO based airplane to travel to those companies efficiently.
The airport is important to many of us, and the proposed upgrades are important and contribute to
safety. Please support them.
Nick Pliam, MD, PhD, ATP
917 434 5767
From:Jim O"Sullivan
To:Council, City
Subject:12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 2:42:50 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto homeowner/resident and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven
Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at
Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential to aviation safety. Much of the airport’s current
equipment is more than 50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult
to maintain. The replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with
current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the
highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather data to
the public through the National Weather Service.
Upgrading the weather station won’t result in more flights overall or more night flights. It will just
improve the level of safety for air operations and reduce the city’s maintenance burden.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith,
renewing their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed
without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency- and
safety-critical project.
Best regards,
Jim O’Sullivan
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From:Vikas Kapur
To:Council, City
Subject:Supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025
consent calendar item #12.)
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 2:41:38 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a long-time pilot at Palo Alto Airport , I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the
Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025
consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Vikas Kapur
--
c: 408 373 3499
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From:bcilker@pineconelumber.com
To:Council, City
Subject:Airport renovation and improvement of safety equipmwent
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 2:39:20 PM
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto Airport tenant and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven
Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project,
AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is
more than 50 years old—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult
to maintain. The replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully
compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve
reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will
also provide continuous real-time weather data to the public through the
National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly
improve the accuracy, timeliness, and availability of weather
information. Importantly, better weather data will not increase airport
traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making
and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in
good faith, renewing their bid to accommodate city processes. It is time
that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned,
efficiency and safety-critical project.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Brian Cilker, pilot and tenant of hanger #35
From:Yael Pasternak Valek
To:Council, City
Subject:Automated Weather Observation System
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 2:25:16 PM
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i
Dear Council members,
As a Palo Alto resident and mother and daughter of pilots, I urge you to approve the Seven Items
supporting the Automated Weather Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport
(12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project. Please keep my dad and son safe!
Thank you,
Yael Valek
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From:Jason Kersey
To:Council, City
Subject:Item #12: Airport Safety Upgrades
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 2:17:57 PM
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!
Dear Council Members,
As a pilot based at Palo Alto Airport, I ask for your support in approving the Automated
Weather Observation System (Item #12 on the 12/1/25 Consent Calendar).
This project is essential for three key reasons:
Safety & Reliability: The current equipment is 50+ years old and failing. The new
system meets modern FAA safety standards.
No Impact on Noise/Traffic: Better weather data supports pilot decision-making; it
does not increase the number of flights day or night.
Public Benefit: It provides real-time weather data to the public via the National
Weather Service.
This project has been vetted for years and is ready to execute. Please approve these critical
safety upgrades.
Sincerely,
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From:David Presotto
To:Council, City
Subject:palo alto airport upgrades
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 2:11:38 PM
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i
Please let them actually happen. I live in Palo Alto (webster st) and have had a plane at Palo
Alto airport since 2007. If nothing else, I would like to have the automated weather
observation system working for when the tower is closed, especially since that will probably
hapen more often given the federal governments staffing problems. It won't make me noisier
or fly more often, just fly safer into and out of PAO. My plane won't get bigger or noisier just
because we have reliable weather observations. I appreciate the Posse's stance to create a
quieter airspace but not approving this will not cause that. Perhaps denying all airport
improvements will help then eventually get closed which I expect is their long game.
However, I and many others live here precisely because we have an airport here.
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From:James Cherry
To:Council, City
Subject:Automated Weather Observation System Project
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 2:09:53 PM
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Dear Council members,
As a former Palo Alto resident and pilot, I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather
Observation System Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old—unreliable,
outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-of-the-art, fully compliant with
current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability while maintaining the highest level of safety. They
will also provide continuous real-time weather data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy, timeliness, and
availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not increase airport traffic day or night; it
simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their bid to
accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical project.
Thank you.
James Cherry
Woodside, CA
From:Holger Ippach
To:Council, City
Subject:12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12
Date:Wednesday, November 26, 2025 2:08:53 PM
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Dear Council members,
As a pilot and a resident of a property directly underlying the traffic pattern of the Palo Alto Airport,
I urge you to approve the Seven Items supporting the Automated Weather Observation System
Project, AP-19000, at Palo Alto Airport (12/1/2025 consent calendar item #12.)
These upgrades are essential. Much of the airport’s current equipment is more than 50 years old
—unreliable, outdated, and increasingly difficult to maintain. The replacement systems are state-
of-the-art, fully compliant with current FAA standards, and will substantially improve reliability
while maintaining the highest level of safety. They will also provide continuous real-time weather
data to the public through the National Weather Service.
The Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) will significantly improve the accuracy,
timeliness, and availability of weather information. Importantly, better weather data will not
increase airport traffic day or night; it simply supports better pilot decision-making and advanced
planning around weather conditions.
This project has been years in the making. The contractor has acted in good faith, renewing their
bid to accommodate city processes. It is time that it be executed without further delay.
I respectfully ask for your support in approving this long-planned, efficiency and safety-critical
project.
Thank you.
Best regards,
Holger Ippach
--
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