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Home My WebLink About2026-02-23 City Council AgendaCITY COUNCIL Special Meeting Monday, February 23, 2026 Council Chambers & Hybrid 5:30 PM Amended Agenda Amended agenda items appear below in RED 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 February 23, 2026 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. CALL TO ORDER CLOSED SESSION (5:35 - 6:35 PM) 1.CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-POTENTIAL LITIGATION Subject: Potential litigation regarding 156 North California Avenue, as set forth in letter(s) from Holland & Knight LLP dated September 3, 2025 Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) Number of potential cases: 1, as Defendant AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS PUBLIC COMMENT (6:35 - 7:05 PM) 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. COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (7:05 - 7:20 PM) Members of the public may not speak to the item(s). STUDY SESSION (7:20 - 8:20 PM) 2.Status Report from the Oversized Vehicles (OSV) Ad Hoc Committee CEQA Status: Not a Project. Title Updated, Late Packet Report added CONSENT CALENDAR (8:20 - 8:25 PM) Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members. 3.Approval of Minutes from January 31, February 1, February 2, and February 9, 2026 Meeting 4.Approval of a Purchase Order with ABB Inc. for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $389,862 to Procure Equipment and Services to Retrofit Ten (10) Existing VHK, Circuit Breakers for the Maybell Electric Substation. CEQA Status: Exempt Under CEQA Guideline 15302(c), Reconstruction of Existing Utility Facilities. 5.Approval of Professional Services Contract Number C26194078 with M.E. Simpson Co., Inc. in the Amount Not-to-Exceed $642,609 Water System Leak Detection Survey Services for a Period of Three Years. CEQA Status – Exempt under CEQA Guidelines Sections 2 February 23, 2026 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. 15061(b)(2) and (b)(3). 6.Approval of Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. C25193187 with Universal Security Company for Fire Watch Services at City Hall in the Amount of $80,915 for a New Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $301,667, and Approval of a Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget Amendment in the General Fund; CEQA status - Categorically Exempt under Sections 15301 and 15302 7.Approval of a Contract to Patrol Four Railroad Grade Crossings (vendor, term, and cost TBD); Approval Cost Sharing Agreement with Palo Alto Unified School District; and Approve Related Budget Amendments; CEQA status – Not a project Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. S26196996 for One Year with Yosh Enterprises Inc. dba Orion Security for Track Watch Services at Four Grade Crossings in the Amount of $1,623,314 for a New Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $1,708,314; Authorize the Negotiation and Execution of a Cost Sharing Agreement with Palo Alto Unified School District for $854,157; and Approval of a Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget Amendment in the General Fund; CEQA status - Not a project. Title Updated, Late Packet Report added CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (8:25 - 8:40 PM) BREAK (15 MINUTES) ACTION ITEMS (Item 8: 8:55 - 9:55 PM, Item 9: 9:55 - 10:55 PM) Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters. 8.FY 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review and Approve 1) Budget Amendments in Various Funds, and 2) a $10.0 Million Additional Discretionary Payment (ADP) from the PARS Pension Trust 9.Approval of City Council Values (as Recommended by Policy & Services Committee), 2026 Objectives, Ad Hoc Purpose Statements, and Committee Workplans ADJOURNMENT INFORMATION REPORTS Information reports are provided for informational purposes only to the Council and the public but are not listed for action or discussion during this meeting’s agenda. 3 February 23, 2026 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas. A.Monthly Investment Report - January 2026 (Unaudited) B.Investment Activity Report for the Second Quarter (October - December), Fiscal Year 2026. CEQA Status – Not a Project OTHER INFORMATION Standing Committee Meetings this week Public Comment Letters Schedule of Meetings AMENDED / SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS 2.Status Report from the Oversized Vehicles (OSV) Ad Hoc Committee CEQA Status: Not a Project. Title Updated, Late Packet Report added 7.Approval of a Contract to Patrol Four Railroad Grade Crossings (vendor, term, and cost TBD); Approval Cost Sharing Agreement with Palo Alto Unified School District; and Approve Related Budget Amendments; CEQA status – Not a project Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. S26196996 for One Year with Yosh Enterprises Inc. dba Orion Security for Track Watch Services at Four Grade Crossings in the Amount of $1,623,314 for a New Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $1,708,314; Authorize the Negotiation and Execution of a Cost Sharing Agreement with Palo Alto Unified School District for $854,157; and Approval of a Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget Amendment in the General Fund; CEQA status - Not a project. Title Updated, Late Packet Report added 4 February 23, 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. 5 February 23, 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. 6 February 23, 2026 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.