HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2511-5554CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Monday, December 15, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
4:30 PM
Agenda Item
9.Policy and Services Committee Recommends Council Amend the Procedures and
Protocols Handbook to Allow January Committee Meetings and Schedule Procedures and
Protocols Handbook Review Every Other Year: CEQA - Not a Project
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: December 15, 2025
Report #:2511-5554
TITLE
Policy and Services Committee Recommends Council Amend the Procedures and Protocols
Handbook to Allow January Committee Meetings and Schedule Procedures and Protocols
Handbook Review Every Other Year: CEQA - Not a Project
RECOMMENDATION
The Policy and Services Committee recommends that the City Council amend the Procedures
and Protocols Handbook to reflect two changes:
- In Procedures Section 1.2, update the language to allow for City Council committees to
meet in January at the discretion of the committee chair, and
- In Procedures Section 8.1, update the language to state that regular review of the City
Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook will occur every other year with the
process starting in the odd years.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The City Council referred a discussion to the Policy and Services Committee focused on
recurring items that regularly come to the City Council. The referral was intended to help assess
how the City Council can best smooth agenda items throughout the calendar year to reduce the
number of items coming to City Council and committees near the end of the calendar year and
fiscal year. The Policy and Services Committee discussed this item at their September 9
meeting1 and their November 19 meeting.2 The discussion included a list of ‘recurring items’
that happen annually with the estimated time of year that those items come to City Council and
where on the agenda the items are placed. The Committee noted the volume of recurring items
and that those items are spaced out throughout the year. The Committee requested staff to
1 September 9, 2025 Policy and Services Meeting; Item #3. Link:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=16216
2 November 19, 2025 Policy and Services Committee Meeting, Item #5. Link:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=16308
continue to try to spread out the non-recurring items that come to Council (for example items
related to Council priority objectives, review of development applications, and other time
sensitive items) throughout the year.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
APPROVED BY: