HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-08-10 City Council AgendaCITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Monday, August 10, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in RED
Councilmember Keith Reckdahl Remote Call In
Teleconference Location: Holiday Inn Huntsville Research Park
5903 University Drive, Huntsville, Alabama 35806
City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend virtually or in
person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at
the end of the agenda. Translation services are available upon request at least 24 hours before
the meeting. 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
Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted for up to 3 minutes or an amount
of time determined by the Chair. In-person comments will be heard at the beginning of the
agenda and remote comments will be heard at the end of the agenda. In-person general public
comment will be heard for 30 minutes. Additional in-person 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 3 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. Multiple individuals wishing to speak on the same item may designate a
spokesperson. Spokespeople must be representing 5 or more verified individuals who are
present in person or via Zoom. Spokespeople are allowed up to 10 minutes, at the discretion of
the Chair. Speaking time may be reduced if the Chair 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 before the meeting. Once
received, the Clerk will share them 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:
sticks, posts, poles or similar/other type of handle objects are strictly prohibited; the items do
not create a facility, fire, or safety hazard; and 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.
1 August 10, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
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,
change the order of items and/or continue items to another meeting. 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.
CALL TO ORDER
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
IN-PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT (5:30 - 6:00 PM)
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of speakers. In-person
comments will be heard at the beginning of the agenda and remote comments will be heard at the end of the agenda. In-person
Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional in-person public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (6:00 - 6:10 PM)
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
CONSENT CALENDAR (6:10 - 6:15 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
1.Approval of Minutes from June 8 and June 15, 2026 Meetings
2.Recommend City Council Approval to Extend Certain FY 2026 City Auditor Task Orders
with No Impact to Task Order Budgets
3.Recommend City Council Approval of the City Auditor Annual Risk Assessment and FY
2027 Audit Plan and Corresponding Task Orders. CEQA Status: Not a Project.
4.Approve Program Guidelines for a Public Agency Electric Vehicle Charging Hub Grant
Program; CEQA Status - Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15183, Projects Consistent with
an Existing General or Comprehensive Plan do not Require Additional CEQA Review
5.Adoption of a Resolution Establishing the FY 2027 Property Tax Levy for City of Palo Alto
General Obligation Bonds (2008 Measure N Library Projects); CEQA Status: Not a Project
6.Adopt a Resolution Making Required Findings in Support of Acceptance of Funding from
Vehicle Registration Fee-Intelligent Transportation Systems (VRF-ITS) Cycle 5 Grant
Program; and amendment of the FY 2027 Budget in the Capital Improvement Fund. CEQA
Status – Categorically Exempt (CEQA Guidelines section 15301b Existing Facilities).
2 August 10, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
7.Adoption of a Resolution Approving a NAESB Base Contract for Sale and Purchase of
Natural Gas with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Authorizing the City Manager or Their
Designee to Transact Under the Contract for a Portion of the City’s Natural Gas
Requirements; CEQA Status: Not a Project, CEQA Guidelines 15378(b)(5)
8.Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Section 2.38.240 [Settlement of Claims and Actions]
and Chapter 2.30 [Contracts and Purchasing Procedures] of the Palo Alto Municipal Code,
as accepted by the Policy and Services Committee, to increase the thresholds for
solicitation of goods and services, increase contract approval and settlement authority,
and to make other technical changes.
9.Approval of Purchase Order with JAM Services, Inc. for the purchase of Traffic Signal
Network Switches for a Total Not-To-Exceed Amount of $714,639 for 2 years; and
amendment of the FY 2027 Budget in the Capital Improvement Fund. CEQA Status –
Categorically Exempt (CEQA Guidelines section 15301).
10.Approval of Contract C27197195 with High Point Power Systems in the Amount of
$286,660 for the Repair and Refurbishment of a Load Tap Changer Located at Adobe
Creek Substation; and Authorization for the City Manager or Their Designee to Execute
Change Orders in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $28,666, for a Total Contract Not-to-Exceed
Amount of $315,326. CEQA Status –Categorically Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines
Sections 15301 and 51302.
11.Approval of Contract No. C27196740 with Blackhawk Painting Inc. in the Amount of
$735,500 Over a Period of 18 Months for Electric Substations Equipment and
Mechanical Structures Painting Services; Authorization for the City Manager or Their
Designee to Execute Change Orders in an Amount Not-to-Exceed of $73,550, for a Total
Not-to-Exceed Contract Amount of $809,050; and Approval of a Budget Amendment in
the Electric Fund; CEQA Status: Categorically Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Section
15301.
12.Authorization to Execute Amendment to Legal Services Contract S25194587 with
Atkinson Andelson Loya Ruud & Romo to Increase Amount by $100,000 for Total Not-to-
Exceed Amount of $285,000; CEQA Status – Not a Project.
3 August 10, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
13.Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. C24189086 with Carollo Engineers, Inc.,
to Increase the Contract Amount by $551,755 for a Revised Total Not-to-Exceed Amount
of $3,294,529, and to Extend the Contract Term by Six Months through December 2027,
for the Long Range Facilities Plan Update for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant
(WQ-19002); CEQA Status – Not a Project
14.Approval of Contract Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. C25191297 with Kittelson &
Associates to Extend the Term through September 9, 2028, and Update the Scope of
Services and Schedule of Rates for the South Palo Alto Bike/Ped Connectivity Project
(Southern Palo Alto Bicycle and Pedestrian Railroad Crossing Study), with No Increase to
the Previously Approved Not-to-Exceed Compensation; CEQA Status – Categorically
Exempt
15.SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Section
18.18.120 of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Allow Greater
Flexibility for Noncomplying Facilities in the Commercial Downtown District (FIRST
READING: June 15, 2026; PASSED: 7-0)
16.SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Various
Chapters of Title 18 (Zoning) and Chapter 16.59 (Citywide Transportation Impact Fee of
the Palo Alto Municipal Code, and the Zoning Map, to Implement Retail Vitality
Measures (FIRST READING: June 15, 2026; PASSED: 7-0)
17.SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter
12.32 (Water Use Regulations) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Incorporate
Additional Water Use Regulations (FIRST READING: June 8, 2026; PASSED: 7-0)
18.SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending the
College Terrace Residential Parking Program (RPP) at PAMC Section 10.46.060 to
Remove Fixed Permit Terms, Sale and Grace Periods (FIRST READING: June 15, 2026;
PASSED: 7-0)
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (6:15 - 6:25 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
4 August 10, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
ACTION ITEMS (Item 19: 6:40 - 6:55 PM, Item 20: 6:55 - 8:25 PM; Item 21: 8:25 - 9:25 PM; Item
22: 9:25 - 10:00 PM; Item AA1: 10:00 - 10:30 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished
Business and Council Matters.
19.PUBLIC HEARING: Consideration of Objections for Weed Abatement Assessments; and
Adoption of Resolution Confirming the Weed Abatement Report and Ordering
Abatement Costs to be a Special Assessment on the Properties Specified in the Report;
CEQA status – categorically exempt.
20.Approval to Proceed with Final Design for the Permanent Installation of the Crescent
Park Traffic Calming Project including a Bulb-out on Southwood Drive and East Crescent
Drive; CEQA status – categorically exempt.
21.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, Fee Letter and Related Note;
CEQA Status - Not a Project
22.Adoption of a Resolution to Reduce the Membership of the Stormwater Management
Oversight Committee and Direction Related to an Amendment to the Palo Alto
Municipal Code to Streamline the Functions of the Historic Resources Board; CEQA
Status - Not a Project
AA1.Removal of Planning and Transportation Commissioner Forest Olaf Peterson New Item
Added
VIRTUAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of speakers. In-person
comments will be heard at the beginning of the agenda and remote comments will be heard at the end of the agenda. In-person
Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional in-person public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
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.Monthly Investment Report - May 2026 (Unaudited)
B.Monthly Investment Report - June 2026 (Unaudited)
C.Sales Tax Digest Summary for Q1 2026 (January - March). CEQA Status - Not a project.
5 August 10, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
D.City Council Summer Recess Report
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Policy & Services Committee August 11, 2026
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
AA1.Removal of Planning and Transportation Commissioner Forest Olaf Peterson New Item
Added
6 August 10, 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 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 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.
7 August 10, 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.
8 August 10, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.