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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-12-11 City Schools Liaison Committee Summary MinutesPage 1 of 4 Special Meeting December 11, 2025 Present: City of Palo Alto Representatives Greer Stone, Councilmember (Chair) George Lu, Councilmember Chantal Cotton-Gaines, Deputy City Manager, Staff Liaison Palo Alto Unified School District Representatives Rowena Chiu, Board Member (arrived at 5:16 pm) Alison Kamhi, Board Member Guillermo Lopez, Associate Superintendent, Palo Alto Unified School District Absent: None. CALL TO ORDER Chair Stone called the meeting to order on this date in virtual teleconference at 5:10 p.m. REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS AA1. Informal Meet and Greet with The Jed Foundation Team Chair Stone welcomed members of the JED Team and leadership, noting their visit to Palo Alto and meetings with the City and potentially the School District throughout the week. Chair Stone announced a brief informal meet-and-greet for Committee Members and the public. Public Comment: 1. Ken H. expressed support for The Jed Foundation, welcoming their involvement and emphasizing the need for a more coordinated, collaborative approach to mental health efforts in the City. Chair Stone noted that The Jed Foundation is holding a youth focus group organized with the assistance of YCS and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to connect with those supporting this work. NO ACTION A. Open Forum/Public Communications Public Comment: City/School Liaison Committee Special Meeting SUMMARY MINUTES Page 2 of 4 Sp. City School Liaison Committee Meeting Summary Minutes: 12/11/2025 1. Ken H. raised concern regarding timing and coordination of potential City and School District funding measures, noting an upcoming City Council discussion on Cubberley and a proposed School District parcel tax anticipated for June. The commentor suggested that coordination between the City and School District may be important given potential voter impact and referenced funding implications for the School District if a City bond measure passes. Chair Stone agreed that the issue would be appropriate for Committee discussion early next year and asked whether the Deputy City Manager could provide any updates on whether related conversations have already taken place. Deputy City Manager Chantal Cotton-Gaines did not have an update but stated she would follow up. NO ACTION B. Approval of Minutes Chair Stone called for a motion to approve the minutes of November 13, 2025. MOTION: Board Member Kahmi moved, seconded by Board Member Chiu, to approve the minutes. MOTION PASSED: 4-0 C. City and District Reports Assistant Superintendent Guillermo Lopez noted the schools are currently focused on end-of-year activities, including play performances and upcoming finals next week. Gunn High School would be having their performances at Paly because of Gunn's theater renovations. Board Member Kamhi added that all 5 School Board Members recently attended the annual California School Boards Association conference in Sacramento with the Superintendent and executive cabinet, participating in several informative panels, which was a valuable experience for the Board. Deputy City Manager Cotton-Gaines encouraged participation from students, parents, and district members in the City’s Library Strategic Plan survey to ensure representative input. It was noted that City Council held public comment on rail grade separation on December 10 and will continue the discussion at its December 15 meeting. Chair Stone requested formal feedback from the School District regarding the rail grade separation design alternatives at Charleston Road, Churchill Avenue, and Meadow Drive, noting that the City Council may select a preferred alternative and advance designs to the 15 percent level at its upcoming meeting. Chair Stone stated that the alternatives could affect Safe Routes to School, Bicycle Boulevards, and school bus access, and that input from the District would assist Council deliberations. Chair Stone thanked staff for the City and District Reports and acknowledged the busy time of year. NO ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES Page 3 of 4 Sp. City School Liaison Committee Meeting Summary Minutes: 12/11/2025 D. General Update on allcove Palo Alto Deputy City Manager Cotton-Gaines reported that County representatives were supposed to attend the meeting virtually but were not present. Deputy City Manager Cotton-Gaines noted that the fully executed letter from the Mayor has been sent to the County Behavioral Health Office and shared with Superintendent Austin. Board Member Chiu asked when the Mayor’s letter was shared, noting a recent discussion with the Superintendent about it. Deputy City Manager Cotton-Gaines stated the letter had been shared the previous day. Councilmember Lu reported that the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Health and Hospital Committee will meet on December 16, with an opportunity for public comment regarding preserving allcove. Councilmember Lu noted the City has requested half funding and was unsure if a funding gap or additional advocacy opportunities remain. Deputy City Manager Cotton-Gaines stated staff would seek a written update if County representatives were unable to join this meeting. Public Comment: None. NO ACTION E. Future Business Deputy City Manager Cotton-Gaines reported that City committee membership typically changes in January and that meeting hosting will alternate to the District next year. Deputy City Manager Cotton-Gaines stated no January meeting is anticipated due to City reorganization. Deputy City Manager Cotton-Gaines noted that this year’s discussions largely focused on youth mental health initiatives and invited Committee Members to suggest topics for the next year’s agenda. Chair Stone suggested a future agenda item to discuss the proposed housing development at 2100 Geng Road, recently unanimously endorsed by the Planning and Transportation Commission and expected to come before City Council next year. Chair Stone expressed concerns about potential impacts on Palo Alto schools, particularly student safety and access from the site located across Highway 101, noting limited bicycle infrastructure. Chair Stone recommended an early discussion with the School District regarding enrollment and transportation safety impacts before the project advances further. Deputy City Manager Cotton-Gaines stated she would continue serving as liaison and noted that District staff would assume clerking responsibilities and a School District Board Member would serve as Chair next year. Board Member Chiu emphasized the need for a candid discussion regarding school enrollment impacts and safe routes to school for students from the proposed development at 2100 Geng Road. Board Member Chiu noted that bicycle safety is a broader issue affecting both transportation and enrollment and should be addressed as part of this discussion. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 4 of 4 Sp. City School Liaison Committee Meeting Summary Minutes: 12/11/2025 Board Member Kamhi echoed concerns about bicycle safety and requested that the topic continue into the next year’s Committee work. Board Member Kamhi suggested revisiting Safe Routes to School, addressing e-bike safety given increased District concerns, and discussing crossing guards as a shared City–District issue. Board Member Kamhi thanked the City for hosting the Committee throughout the year. Councilmember Lu suggested that future discussion topics for the Committee could include coordination of sports fields and reservations, including pickleball and tennis court availability at Mitchell Park. Councilmember Lu noted these issues frequently come before the Council and, although are not a top priority, some coordination could be considered. Chair Stone agreed the suggested topics were valuable, noting strong interest in pickleball courts and the importance of addressing e-bike issues. Chair Stone acknowledged ongoing City frustrations regarding e-bikes and suggested exploring potential collaboration with the School District, including learning from other districts that have regulated e-bikes on campus. Chair Stone thanked Committee Members for their work over the past year, particularly the focus on youth mental health, emphasized the strong collaboration between the City and the School District, and expressed hope for continuity of the Committee and its work in 2026. NO ACTION ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 5:43 p.m.