HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2510-5365CITY OF PALO ALTO
Policy & Services Committee
Special Meeting
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
6:00 PM
Agenda Item
4.2026 City Council Priority Setting Process Discussion and Recommendations to City
Council Presentation
Policy & Services Committee
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: November 19, 2025
Report #:2510-5365
TITLE
2026 City Council Priority Setting Process Discussion and Recommendations to City Council
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Policy and Services Committee discuss and make recommendations to
the City Council regarding the 2026 priority-setting process and annual retreat in January,
noting that the Committee discussion can extend into December.
This includes recommending Council keep the 2025 approved City Council Priorities as 2026
would be the second year in the two-year cycle.
BACKGROUND
The City Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook states that each year, the Council reviews
its priorities at its Annual Council Retreat. On December 12, 2023, the Policy & Services
Committee recommended that priorities be considered in a two-year cycle and set in years in
which new City Council Members are elected.1 On January 16, 2024, the City Council approved
the Committee’s recommendation to extend priorities and its strategies to a two-year cycle to
allow more time to achieve Council goals.2 The 2025 adopted City Council Priorities are:
Climate Action and Adaptation, & Natural Environment Protection
Economic Development & Retail Vibrancy
Implementing Housing Strategies for Social and Economic Balance
Public Safety, Wellness & Belonging
1 Policy & Services Committee Meeting 12/12/2023:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/meetings/ItemWithTemplateType?id=3716&meetingTemplateType=2&comp
iledMeetingDocumentId=8676
2 City Council Meeting 1/16/2024:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/meetings/ItemWithTemplateType?id=3921&meetingTemplateType=2&comp
iledMeetingDocumentId=8890
The Handbook also states that “If needed, the Policy and Services Committee, each year at its
December meeting, shall make recommendations about the process that will be used at the
Annual Retreat paying particular attention to the number of priorities suggested by
Councilmembers. The recommended process is to be forwarded to Council for adoption in
advance of the Council retreat.”5 This report focuses on the proposed process for the Annual
Retreat that will support Council discussion on developing strategies to implement its 2025
Priorities.
ANALYSIS
6. Over the course of the meetings, the City Council provided feedback
on developing mid-level goals that would bridge the Council Priorities and Objectives.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
APPROVED BY:
5 City Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook: https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/6/city-
clerk/city-charterprocedures/2024-adopted-council-protocols-and-procedures-manual-10.2024.pdf
6 City Council Meeting 5/4/2025:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/meetings/ItemWithTemplateType?id=7767&meetingTemplateType=2&comp
iledMeetingDocumentId=14271
November 19, 2025 www.paloalto.gov
2026 City Council Priority Setting Discussion
2
Council Priority Setting Process
•Establishing Council priorities will assist Council and
Staff to better allot and utilize time for discussion and
decision making.
•City Council priorities are reviewed and set annually at
its Annual Council Retreat.
•A priority is defined by a topic that will receive
particular, unusual and significant attention during the
year.
•There is a goal of no more than 3-4 priorities/year, with
3-year time limit.
•Survey Council and community on recommended
priorities.
•Policy & Services Committee to make recommendations
about the process to Council
3
Council Values
The Palo Alto City Council holds these values to help guide decisions that:
•Balance revenues and expenses, now and in the future.
•Are environmentally sustainable.
•Integrate equity into our decisions, considering how decisions affect people
differently
•based on their identity or circumstances.
•Make decisions that create a healthy, safe and welcoming community for all.
•Safeguard public trust through transparent practices and open communication.
•Embrace innovation.
4
Priority Setting Focus Questions
•What does the City Council want to get out of its prioritization process?
•What does the Council want to walk away with at the end of the retreat?
•Are Objectives appropriately focused? Are there any changes to the Objectives?
•Should key performance indicators be added?
4
Staff Recommendation
•Staff recommends that the Policy & Services discuss and make recommendations to
the City Council regarding the 2026 priority-setting process and annual retreat on
January 24, 2026.
•This includes recommending Council keep the 2025 approved City Council Priorities
as 2026 would be the second year in the two-year cycle.
Lupita Alamos, Assistant to the City Manager
November 19, 2025