HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2511-5565CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, January 05, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
3.Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation for Outstanding Public Service to Ed
Lauing as 2025 Mayor
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
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