HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2604-6234CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, May 04, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
12.SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter
9.73 (City Policy Against Arbitrary Discrimination) of Title 9 (Public Peace, Morals and
Safety) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Add Sections 9.73.050 (Local CEDAW
Principles) and 9.73.060 (Private Right of Action) and Amend Associated Sections (FIRST
READING: March 23, 2026, PASSED: 7-0)
City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: May 4, 2026
Report #:2604-6234
TITLE
SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter 9.73 (City
Policy Against Arbitrary Discrimination) of Title 9 (Public Peace, Morals and Safety) of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code to Add Sections 9.73.050 (Local CEDAW Principles) and 9.73.060 (Private
Right of Action) and Amend Associated Sections (FIRST READING: March 23, 2026, PASSED: 7-0)
BACKGROUND
The City Council heard this item on March 23, 2026 for a first reading and approved it on a 7-0
vote. No changes were made to the ordinance, and it is now before the City Council for a second
reading.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter 9.73 (City
Policy Against Arbitrary Discrimination) of Title 9 (Public Peace, Morals and Safety) of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code to Add Sections 9.73.050 (Local CEDAW Principles) and 9.73.060 (Private
Right of Action) and Amend Associated Sections
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
NOT YET APPROVED
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Ordinance No. ____
Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter 9.73 (City
Policy Against Arbitrary Discrimination) of Title 9 (Public Peace, Morals and
Safety) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Add Sections 9.73.050 (Local CEDAW
Principles) and 9.73.060 (Private Right of Action) and Amend Associated
Sections
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings and Declarations. The City Council finds and declares as follows:
A) On October 15, 2002, Council passed Resolution #8217, in support of United States
ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
B) The human rights principles found in CEDAW serve as a vital reference point as we
join with cities and counties across California and the United States in supporting
fairness for all genders throughout city operations.
C) On February 8, 2018, in response to Council Resolution #9653, the Human Relations
Commission passed a series of recommendations for Council consideration,
including the consideration of a CEDAW ordinance.
D) On October 1, 2018, Council directed staff to return with options for a City ordinance
endorsing CEDAW and affirming the City’s commitment to the principles of CEDAW.
E) The City Council desires to continue working towards measures t hat positively
address gender fairness city operations by passing an Ordinance affirming the
principles of CEDAW, which will be integrated into the City’s Wellness and Belonging
Initiatives.
F) The Council finds it appropriate to amend Chapter 9.73 (City Policy Against Arbitrary
Discrimination) to institute the principles of CEDAW in the City’s ongoing work to
ensure fairness for all Palo Altans.
SECTION 2. Section 9.73.040 (Definitions) of Chapter 9.73 (City Policy Against Arbitrary
Discrimination) of Title 9 (Public Peace, Morals and Safety) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
9.73.040 Definitions
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The following words and phrases whenever used in this chapter shall be construed as
defined in this section, unless the context indicates otherwise.
(a) "City property" means any real property or facilities owned or controlled by the
city of Palo Alto.
(b) "Lease" means any non-residential lease, license or other permitted use of city
property.
(c) "Person" means natural person, joint venture, joint stock company, partnership,
association, club, company, corporation, business trust, organization, or the
manager, lessee, agent, servant, officer or employee of any of them.
(d) “CEDAW” means the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women.
SECTION 3. Section 9.73.050 (Local CEDAW Principles) of Chapter 9.73 (City Policy Against
Arbitrary Discrimination) of Title 9 (Public Peace, Morals and Safety) of the Palo Alto Municipal
Code is hereby added as follows:
9.73.050 Local CEDAW Principles
It is the goal of the City to implement the principles underlying CEDAW to eradicate
discrimination against women and girls. The following CEDAW principles will be integrated in
the City’s role as a service provider, employer, and community and business partner to the
maximum extent possible, and as permitted by law. The City will approach this work through
cultivating experiences and appreciation, fostering a welcoming environment, and assessing
impacts for all. In implementing the CEDAW principles, the City shall ensure that its actions
align with its continued work to end all forms of arbitrary discrimination, as described in this
Chapter.
a) Economic Development
1. The City shall take appropriate measures to support the economic development
of women and girls in the city of Palo Alto through the elimination of any known
identified barriers, such as lack of childcare, workplace harassment, and equal
pay, in the areas of employment; licenses, permits, and registrations; and public
contracting with vendors and others.
b) Housing and Homelessness
1. The City recognizes that the root causes of homelessness and housing insecurity
are different for women and girls, and they may include factors such as gender -
based violence, substance abuse, mental health, poverty, and the uneven
distribution of caregiving responsibilities. It is a priority of the City to support
policies and programs that understand the unique housing needs of women and
girls.
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2. The City shall ensure equal access to the full range of affordable, permanent
housing options for women and girls and their families, and to help eliminate
discriminatory policies in the housing market, recognizing the even greater
adversity faced by those in poverty, released from incarceration, long -term care,
survivors of gender-based violence or aging out of the foster care system.
3. The City shall support homelessness prevention and homeless services that are
designed to be gender-responsive to the needs of women and girls.
c) Political and Civic Engagement
1. It is a priority of the City to educate all individuals, including women and girls,
about their voting rights and to encourage civic engagement.
2. The City shall encourage voter registration among all eligible voters, including
women.
3. The City shall encourage civic and political engagement among women, including
seeking and holding public office, membership in local commissions, boards, or
task forces, and participating in community service.
d) Community, Library, and Transportation Services
1. The City shall take appropriate and timely measures within the scope of its
authority to support women and girls' equal access to community, library, and
transportation services and support survivors of sexual and gender -based
violence.
2. To the extent it has authority over such services or systems, the City shall
remove identified barriers to equal access to community, library, and
transportation services whenever the City becomes aware of such barriers.
e) Climate Action and Sustainability
1. The City shall, when appropriate, take gender-responsive, culturally responsive
measures to address the specific vulnerabilities and needs of women and girls in
measures related to climate change adaptation and sustainability, including in
vulnerability assessments and other efforts to identify and meaningfully include
communities that bear disproportionate risks or other burdens from climate
change or other forms of environmental harm.
SECTION 4. Section 9.73.060 (Private Right of Action) of Chapter 9.73 (City Policy Against
Arbitrary Discrimination) of Title 9 (Public Peace, Morals and Safety) of the Palo Alto Municipal
Code is hereby added as follows:
9.73.060 Private Right of Action
No provision in this Chapter is intended to, and shall not be interpreted to, create a
private right of action for damages or equitable relief on behalf of any person or entity against
the City or any of its officers or employees.
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SECTION 5. Severability. If any provision, clause, sentence or paragraph of this
ordinance, or the application to any person or circumstances, shall be held invalid, such
invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of this Ordinance which can be given effect
without the invalid provision or application and, to this end, the provisions of this Ordinance
are hereby declared to be severable.
SECTION 6. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be effective on the thirty-first date after
the date of its adoption.
SECTION 7. CEQA. The City Council finds and determines that this Ordinance is not a
project within the meaning of section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act
(“CEQA”) because it has no potential for resulting in physical change in the environment, either
directly or ultimately. In the event that this Ordinance is found to be a project under CEQA, it is
subject to the CEQA exemption contained in CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) because it
can be seen with certainty to have no possibility of a significant effect on the environment in
that this Ordinance simply clarifies existing local regulations.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
APPROVED:
______________________________ ____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ____________________________
City Manager
______________________________
City Attorney