HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-18 City Council AgendaCITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Monday, May 18, 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
76, 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 May 18, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
CALL TO ORDER
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY (5:30 - 5:40 PM)
1.Recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI)
Heritage Month and May 10, 2026 as AANHPI Mental Health Awareness Day
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT (5:40 - 6:10 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 (6:10 - 6:20 PM)
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
CONSENT CALENDAR (6:20 - 6:25 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
2.Approval of Minutes from May 4, 2026 Meeting
3.2026 Council Priorities & Objectives Q1 Update
4.Adoption of a Resolution Vacating a Portion of a Public Utility Easement at 590 Maybell
Avenue; CEQA Status – Exempt under Cal. Code Regs. Title 14, Section 15305
5.Adoption of a Resolution for Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act, for
Fiscal Year 2027, Providing the Project List for the Street Maintenance Project, Capital
Improvement Program Project PE-86070; CEQA Status – Not a Project
6.Adoption of Resolution Suspending the Levy of Assessments on the Downtown Palo Alto
Business Improvement District (BID) Assessment for Fiscal Year 2027; CEQA status – not a
project.
7.Adopt a Resolution Approving Amendment Number 1 to California Board of State and
Community Corrections Agreement Number BSCC 1164-23 for Organized Retail Theft
Grant to Extend the Term One Year with No Change to the Not-To-Exceed Total; CEQA
status—not a project.
2 May 18, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
8.Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Borrowing of Funds on an Interim Basis for
Improvements to the City's Regional Water Quality Control Plant and Authorizing the
Execution and Delivery of a Revolving Credit Agreement and Related Note; CEQA Status -
Not a Project Item Removed Off Agenda
9.Approval of Construction Contract No. C26197232 with Selway Construction, Inc. in the
Amount Not-to of $261,600 and Authorization for the City Manager or Their Designee to
Negotiate and Execute Change Orders for Related Additional but Unforeseen Work that
may Develop During the Project Up to a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $26,160 for Site Work
for a New Modular Restroom Building at Mitchell Park for the Park Restroom Installation
Capital Improvement Project (PG-19000); CEQA status – Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines
Section 15303
10.Approval of Construction Contract No. C26197180 with Casey Construction, Inc. in the
Not-to-Exceed Amount of $544,556 and Authorization for the City Manager or Their
Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders for Related Additional but
Unforeseen Work that May Develop During the Project Up to a Not-to-Exceed Amount
of $54,456 for the Storm Drainage System Replacement and Rehabilitation Project (SD-
06101); CEQA status – Exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c)
11.Approve Amendment Number 2 to Contract C3780 with Stanford University, to Extend
the Contract Term to September 30, 2027 for Public Safety Dispatch Services Provided
to the Main Campus of Stanford University; CEQA status—not a project.
12.PUBLIC HEARING / QUASI-JUDICIAL. 4103 Old Trace Road [25PLN-00298]: Request for
Approval of a Tentative Map to Allow for the Subdivision of a Vacant 1.02-Acre Lot to
Create Nine Residential Lots and One Private Street to Facilitate Construction of Nine
New Single-Family Residences and Seven Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (25PLN-
00296). CEQA Status: Exempt Pursuant to Assembly Bill 130 (Public Resources Code
Section 21080.66). Zone District: RE (Residential Estate) Supplemental Report added
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (6:25 - 6:35 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES TO BE TAKEN AFTER ITEM 13)
ACTION ITEMS (Item 13: 6:50 - 7:50 PM, Item 14: 7:50 - 8:50 PM; Item 15: 8:50 - 9:50 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished
Business and Council Matters.
3 May 18, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
13.Cubberley Project: Adopt the Cubberley Conceptual Master Plan and a Resolution
Adopting the CEQA Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigated Monitoring and
Reporting Program; Receive the Fourth Round of Community Polling Results; and
Provide Direction on Next Steps for a Possible Sales Tax Ballot Measure. CEQA Status - A
Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS-MND) Report Circulated for Public
Review from March 2, 2026, to April 1, 2026. The City published the Final IS-MND on
April 9, 2026.
14.Update Regarding the Builder’s Remedy Project at 156 California Avenue and
Consideration of Adding Lot B (APN 124-28-003) Associated with the Development to
the City’s Housing Element Sites Inventory.
15.FIRST READING: Adoption of an Ordinance to Amend Various Sections of Title 16
(Building Regulations) and Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to
Implement Retail Vitality Policies in the Comprehensive Plan, including changes to the
Zoning Map for parcels zoned CN(GF). CEQA Status: The Ordinance is Consistent with
and Represents Implementation of Adopted Policies in the Comprehensive Plan, for
Which an Environmental Impact Report (Comprehensive Plan EIR) was Certified on
February 5, 2016.
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.
A.Investment Activity Report for the Third Quarter (January – March), Fiscal Year 2026.
CEQA Status – Not a Project.
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Finance Committee May 19, 2026
Economic Development Committee May 20, 2026 CANCELED
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
4 May 18, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
SUPPLEMENTAL / AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
8.Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Borrowing of Funds on an Interim Basis for
Improvements to the City's Regional Water Quality Control Plant and Authorizing the
Execution and Delivery of a Revolving Credit Agreement and Related Note; CEQA Status -
Not a Project Item Removed Off Agenda
12.PUBLIC HEARING / QUASI-JUDICIAL. 4103 Old Trace Road [25PLN-00298]: Request for
Approval of a Tentative Map to Allow for the Subdivision of a Vacant 1.02-Acre Lot to
Create Nine Residential Lots and One Private Street to Facilitate Construction of Nine
New Single-Family Residences and Seven Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (25PLN-
00296). CEQA Status: Exempt Pursuant to Assembly Bill 130 (Public Resources Code
Section 21080.66). Zone District: RE (Residential Estate) Supplemental Report added
5 May 18, 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.
6 May 18, 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.
7 May 18, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.