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Home My WebLink About2026-01-05 City Council Agenda PacketCITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting Monday, January 05, 2026 Council Chambers & Hybrid 5:30 PM Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference or in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to Midpen Media Center https://midpenmedia.org. VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238) Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900-6833 PUBLIC COMMENTS General Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted in person for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. General public comment will be heard for 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda. Public comments for agendized items will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. Requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation or as determined by the Chair. Written public comments can be submitted in advance to city.council@PaloAlto.gov and will be provided to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your subject line. Multiple individuals who wish to speak on the same item may designate a spokesperson. Spokespersons must be representing five or more verified individuals who are present either in person or via zoom. Spokespeople will be allowed up to 10 minutes, at the discretion of the presiding officer. Speaking time may be reduced if the presiding officer reduces the speaking time for individual speakers. PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only by email to city.clerk@PaloAlto.gov at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not accepted. Signs and symbolic materials less than 2 feet by 3 feet are permitted provided that: (1) sticks, posts, poles or similar/other type of handle objects are strictly prohibited; (2) the items do not create a facility, fire, or safety hazard; and (3) persons with such items remain seated when displaying them and must not raise the items above shoulder level, obstruct the view or passage of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting. TIME ESTIMATES Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the meeting is in progress. The Council reserves the right to use more or less time on any item, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular items may be heard before or after the time estimated on the agenda. This may occur in order to best manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public. 1 January 05, 2026 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. CALL TO ORDER 2026 MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR ELECTION 1.Election of the 2026 Mayor 2.Election of the 2026 Vice Mayor ACTION ITEMS Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters. 3.Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Ed Lauing as 2025 Mayor PUBLIC COMMENT Members of the public may speak in-person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda. ADJOURNMENT OTHER INFORMATION Standing Committee Meetings this week Finance Committee January 6, 2026 Climate Action & Sustainability Committee January 9, 2026 Public Comment Letters Schedule of Meetings 2 January 05, 2026 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email, teleconference, or by phone. 1.Written public comments may be submitted by email to city.council@PaloAlto.gov. 2.For in person public comments please complete a speaker request card located on the table at the entrance to the Council Chambers and deliver it to the Clerk prior to discussion of the item. 3.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a computer or smart phone will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully. ◦You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in- browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30 , Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7 . Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. Or download the Zoom application onto your smart phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter in the Meeting ID below. ◦You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak. ◦When you wish to speak on an Agenda Item, click on “raise hand.” The Clerk will activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they are called to speak. ◦When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments. 4.Spoken public comments for agendized items using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to speak. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Council. You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted. CLICK HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 362-027-238 Phone: 1-669-900-6833 Americans with Disability Act (ADA) It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with disabilities who require materials in an appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary aids to access City meetings, programs, or services may contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at (650) 329-2550 (voice) or by emailing ada@PaloAlto.gov. Requests for assistance or accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or service. 3 January 05, 2026 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. California Government Code §84308, commonly referred to as the "Levine Act," prohibits an elected official of a local government agency from participating in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use if the official received a campaign contribution exceeding $500 from a party or participant, including their agents, to the proceeding within the last 12 months. A “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” includes most land use and planning approvals and the approval of contracts that are not subject to lowest responsible bid procedures and have a value over $50,000. A “party” is a person who files an application for, or is the subject of, a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use. A “participant” is a person who actively supports or opposes a particular decision in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use, and has a financial interest in the decision. The Levine Act incorporates the definition of “financial interest” in the Political Reform Act, which encompasses interests in business entities, real property, sources of income, sources of gifts, and personal finances that may be affected by the Council’s actions. If you qualify as a “party” or “participant” to a proceeding, and you have made a campaign contribution to a Council Member exceeding $500 made within the last 12 months, you must disclose the campaign contribution before making your comments. 4 January 05, 2026 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. City Council Staff Report Report Type: ACTION ITEM Lead Department: City Clerk Meeting Date: January 5, 2026 Report #:2511-5565 TITLE Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Ed Lauing as 2025 Mayor RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council review and approve the resolution expressing appreciation and gratitude to Ed Lauing for outstanding public services as Mayor in 2025. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Resolution Expressing Appreciation and Gratitude to Ed Lauing for Serving as Mayor in 2025 APPROVED BY: Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk Item 3 Item 3 Staff Report Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 1 Packet Pg. 5 of 6 Resolution EXPRESSING APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO ED LAUING FOR SERVING AS MAYOR IN 2025 WHEREAS, Ed Lauing was first elected to the Palo Alto City Council in 2022, and served as Vice Mayor in 2024 and Mayor in 2025. During his tenure as Mayor, Ed represented the City Council on local and regional bodies such as Avenidas and the Cities Association of Santa Clara. Ed served as Chair on the City Council’s Oversized Vehicle Ad Hoc Committee, as well as Council liaison to the Utilities Advisory Commission and Stanford University. Ed was also a valuable member of the Council’s Rail Committee, offering valuable input on transportation planning and rail grade separation; and WHEREAS, Ed has provided strong advocacy for new housing in Palo Alto – both locally and directly to the state legislature. Ed led Council on the approach to create more housing, with a heavy focus on deed-restricted affordable housing, by advising the Planning Department on zoning and program policy options, interacting with many developers, and continuing to seek new affordable housing funding. As a result, there is now a 2000 housing unit pipeline in place; and WHEREAS, Ed made major initiatives to increase transparency and outreach to residents, businesses and the local press, meeting with numerous neighborhood groups to hear, comment, and follow up on city issues of particular interest to each local neighborhood. Ed held the “State of the City” speech at Rivian Motors headquarters in Barron Park, highlighting the ongoing innovation that is both Palo Alto’s past and present, and noting that our city government is also an innovator with new ideas and projects. Ed also created the city’s first series of press conferences, “Mayor’s Press and Community Forum,” allowing local and regional press and community members to have direct access to, and dialog with, the Mayor on any subject; and WHEREAS, Ed led an effort to create a city resolution authorizing council participation in select lawsuits aligned with Palo Alto values versus the Trump Administration’s attempts to stifle diversity, defund routine federal grants needed by our city, and put underprivileged citizens at risk. The council joined such actions in 2025; and WHEREAS, Ed created numerous new ad hoc committees in order for the council to work in depth on critical issues including the Grade Crossing Safety Committee, the Synthetic Turf Committee, the Oversized Vehicle Parking Committee, and the SB79/Downtown Housing Committee. He also engaged with elected leaders in Santa Clara County, California state government, the federal government, and international partners to advance issues of importance to Palo Alto; and WHEREAS, Ed’s tenure as Mayor exemplifies his innovative vision, tenacity, and dedication toward the betterment of Palo Alto, its residents, and the community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby honors and commends Ed for his outstanding public service, and records the appreciation of the Council, residents, and businesses for his meritorious service and commitment to Palo Alto as Mayor. ADOPTED: January 5, 2026 APPROVED: ________________________ ________________________ Pat Burt George Lu ________________________ ________________________ Julie Lythcott-Haims Keith Reckdahl ________________________ ________________________ Greer Stone Vicki Veenker ATTEST: ______________________ City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: ______________________ ______________________ City Manager City Attorney Item 3 Attachment A - Resolution Expressing Appreciation and Gratitude to Ed Lauing for Serving as Mayor in 2025 Item 3: Staff Report Pg. 2 Packet Pg. 6 of 6