HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2601-5853CITY OF PALO ALTO
Policy & Services Committee
Special Meeting
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
6:00 PM
Agenda Item
3.City Council Referral: Review and Recommend Updates to the City Council Values
Presentation
Policy & Services Committee
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: February 10, 2026
Report #:2601-5853
TITLE
City Council Referral: Review and Recommend Updates to the City Council Values
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Policy and Services Committee review the City Council values and
propose any recommended changes to the City Council for approval.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
On November 7, 2022, the City Council adopted1 values in the Procedures and Protocols
Handbook as a way to guide future priority-setting meetings with more focus on more timely
issues. The City Council noted that the values statement was intended as a reflection what the
enduring values are of the City Council to save time, act as a guide in the future, and to help
with the confusion between values and priorities annually.
At the time the values were approved by the City Council, it was understood that a future City
Council could change/update the values and that the values were focused on the work of the
City Council (not intended to be stated as City of Palo Alto values).
At the January 24, 2026 City Council retreat, the City Council expressed interest in updating the
values statement as well as elevating the presence of the values to be shared beyond just being
shown in the City Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook. The existing values statement:
The Palo Alto City Council has universally shared values that help guide our decisions and the
work we do. These values include:
1. We will make decisions that balance revenues and expenses, now and in the future.
2. We will make decisions that are environmentally sustainable, now and in the future.
1 City Council Meeting, November 7, 2022; Link:
https://portal.laserfiche.com/Portal/DocView.aspx?id=31240&repo=r-704298fc&searchid=0d712abe-b8ef-435e-
9045-9198fc7001ae
3. We will integrate equity into our decisions, considering how decisions affect people
differently based on their identity or circumstances.
4. We will make decisions that create a healthy, safe and welcoming community for all.
5. We will safeguard public trust through transparent practices and open communication.
6. We embrace innovation.
At the January 24 City Council retreat, the following values suggestions3 were shared for
discussion and recommended to be further explored by the Policy and Services Committee.
City Councilmember Suggestions for Values Updates
Councilmembers Burt/Reckdahl suggestions:
The Council holds these values to help guide Council and staff initiatives and actions:
1) Vibrant Community. Cultivate a dynamic community by fostering retail vibrancy, strong
local economy, engaging public spaces, and a high quality of life for all.
2) Fiscal Responsibility. Exercise disciplined financial management to ensure city revenues
and expenses remain balanced and sustainable.
3) Accountable Governance. Safeguard public trust through transparent practices, inclusive
civic engagement, and open communication.
4) Environmental Leadership. Lead in environmental sustainability, protection of our
natural environment, and climate action and adaptation.
5) Equitable Policies. Prioritize equity by evaluating how decisions impact individuals based
on their unique identities and circumstances.
6) Community Well-being. Foster a healthy, safe, and welcoming community for all.
7) Socioeconomic Diversity. Advance diverse housing and workforce opportunities to build
a socially and economically balanced community.
8) Strategic Innovation. As the birthplace of Silicon Valley, embrace innovation in the
public and private sectors.
3 City Council Retreat, January 24, 2026, Link:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=18520
Mayor Veenker Suggestions:
3) Implement housing strategies for social & economic balance
4) Promote climate action and adaptation and environmental sustainability.
5) Promote economic development and retail vibrancy
6) Promote safety, wellness, and belonging for all
5 on this topic was transmitted to the City Council in December. This effort involved a
team comprised of representatives from across the City to review and update the City values
established more than two decades ago, to restate values that are both aspirational and
grounded in the experiences of current employees. The four Organizational Values and
descriptors that emerged from the refresh review and engagement effort are:
Respect
Exemplify integrity, courtesy, inclusion and professionalism
Innovation
Develop creative solutions for continuous improvement
Service
Demonstrate excellence through purpose driven, collaborative problem solving
Empowerment
Cultivate learning growth and shared success
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
5 City Council Meeting, December 8, 2025, Informational Report, Item A:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=16345
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
APPROVED BY:
Referral: Review and Recommend Updates to the City Council Values
Presenter:
City Manager’s Office
February 10, 2026 Paloalto.gov
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VALUES, PRIORITIES, OBJECTIVES
2February 10, 2026 www.PaloAlto.gov
Council Objectives
Council Priorities
Council Values
Objectives – A discrete SMARTIE project or
milestone intended to be achieved within
the year
Priorities – a topic that will receive particular, and
significant attention during the year
Council Values – an enduring goal and intention to
guide the work of the Council, which allow and maintain
enduring intentions while also selecting annual priorities
that reflect short-term projects and goals
EXISTING CITY COUNCIL VALUES
3
COUNCIL VALUES
The Palo Alto City Council will make decisions that:
1.Balance revenues and expenses, now and in the future.
2.Are environmentally sustainable, now and in the future.
3.Will integrate equity into our decisions, considering how decisions affect people
differently based on their identity or circumstances.
4.Create a healthy, safe and welcoming community for all.
5.Will safeguard public trust through transparent practices and open
communication.
6.Will embrace innovation.
3Adopted November 2022
Council Suggestions for
Updated Values
Slide 4
Packet Page 45 →
Packet Page 44
8
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Policy and Services Committee review the City Council values
and propose any recommended changes to the City Council for approval.
8
REVIEW OF SUGGESTIONS
Side-by-Side Review:
1.Fiscal Responsibility / Financial Stewardship
•Exercise disciplined financial management to ensure city revenues and expenses remain balanced and
sustainable
•[decisions that]: Are fiscally strategic and responsible, balancing revenues and expenses
2.Strategic Innovation / Innovation
•Are fiscally strategic and responsible, balancing revenues and expenses
•[decisions that]: Embrace innovation to optimize efficiency and outcomes
3.Socioeconomic Diversity / Housing (Social & Economic Balance)
•Advance diverse housing and workforce opportunities to build a socially and economically balanced
community
•[decisions that]: Implement housing strategies for social & economic balance
4.Environmental Leadership / Climate Action + Environmental Sustainability
•Lead in environmental sustainability, protection of our natural environment, and climate action and
adaptation
•[decisions that]: Promote climate action and adaptation and environmental sustainability
8
REVIEW OF SUGGESTIONS
Side-by-Side Review, cont:
5.Vibrant Community / Economic Development + Retail Vibrancy
•Cultivate a dynamic community by fostering retail vibrancy, strong local economy, engaging public spaces,
and a high quality of life for all.
•[decisions that]: Promote economic development and retail vibrancy
6.Community Well-being/ Safety, Wellness, Belonging
•Foster a healthy, safe, and welcoming community for all
•[decisions that]: Promote safety, wellness, and belonging for all
7.Equitable Policies / Equity (Equity Lens in Decision-Making)
•Prioritize equity by evaluating how decisions impact individuals based on their unique identities and
circumstances
•[decisions that]: Integrate equity into our decisions, considering the impact on residents of differing
identities or circumstances
8.Accountable Governance / Transparency + Communication
•Safeguard public trust through transparent practices, inclusive civic engagement, and open
communication
•[decisions that]: Safeguard public trust through transparency and communication