HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-09 City Council AgendaCITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Wednesday, September 09, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:00 PM
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.
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.
1 September 09, 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 (5:00 - 5:45 PM)
1.Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Historic Resources Board (HRB); CEQA Status -
Not a Project
2.Proclamation Honoring the 25th Anniversary of September 11, 2001
CLOSED SESSION (5:45 - 7:45 PM)
3.PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS
Authority: Cal. Gov. Code section 54957(b)(1)
Titles: City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
IN-PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT (7:45 - 8:15 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 (8:15 - 8:25 PM)
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
CONSENT CALENDAR (8:25 - 8:30 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
4.Approval of Minutes from August 17 and August 24, 2026 Meetings
5.Approval of Response to Civil Grand Jury Report “VTA‘s Management and Oversight of
BART Silicon Valley Phase II”; CEQA Status: Not a Project
6.Approval of Five-year Memorandum of Agreement with Stanford University to Provide
and be Reimbursed for Traffic Control Services during Stanford Stadium Events; CEQA
status – not a project.
7.Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Contract No. S25186778 with Municipal Resources
Group, LLC to increase the Contract Amount by $85,000 to a Total Not-to-Exceed of
2 September 09, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
$340,000 for Organizational Development Services and Extend the Contract Term by One
Year through September 4, 2027; CEQA Status – Not a Project.
8.Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the Cost-Sharing Agreement with the County of Santa
Clara for Continued Operation of the Safe Parking Program at 2000 Geng Road to Extend
the Term Through June 30, 2027 and Not-to-Exceed $196,032; Approval of Amendment
No. 3 to Contract No. 1557819, the Lease Agreement with the County of Santa Clara,
Extending the County’s Temporary Use of the Site Through June 30, 2027; Approval of FY
2027 Budget Amendment in the Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Fund; and
Authorization to Use PLHA Activity 6 Funds Accordingly; CEQA status – statutorily
exempt.
9.Approval of Amendment No. 2 to Contract C23187298C with Hinderliter, de Llamas &
Associates (HdL) to Add Sales Tax and Transactions Tax Analysis, Reporting, Forecasting,
and Audit Recovery Services and Increase Compensation by $165,000 for a New Total
Not-to-Exceed Amount of $3,035,000 over Two Years and Adoption of a Resolution
Authorizing HdL and Designated City Staff to Examine Sales or Transactions and Use Taxes
from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA); CEQA Status -
Not a Project
10.Adoption of Side Letter Between the City of Palo Alto and Utilities Management and
Professional Association of Palo Alto for a Hiring Incentive; CEQA Status - Not a Project.
11.SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Title 16
(Building Regulations), Title 18 (Zoning), and Title 21 (Subdivisions) of the Palo Alto
Municipal Code to Amend Requirements Relating to Accessory Dwelling Units and
Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (FIRST READING: August 17, 2026; PASSED: 4-3, Stone,
Veenker, Lythcott-Haims no)
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (8:30 - 8:40 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
Listed times are estimates only and are subject to change at any time, including while the meeting is in progress.
ACTION ITEMS (Item 12: 8:55 - 9:55 PM, Item 13: 9:55 - 10:15 PM; Item 14: 10:15 - 11:00 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished
Business and Council Matters.
12.PUBLIC HEARING / QUASI-JUDICIAL. 470 Olive Avenue [25PLN-00228]: Recommend City
Council Adopt an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Map to Change the Zoning District
for 470 Olive Avenue from NV-R1 (Single-Family Residential) to NV-MXM (Medium
3 September 09, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
Density Mixed Use) and Adopt a Resolution Changing the North Ventura Coordinated
Area Plan (NVCAP) Land Use Designation from Low Density Residential to Medium
Density Mixed Use to Align it With the NVMXM Zoning of the Adjacent and Connected
Parcel at 2951 El Camino Real. This Action Supports a Staff Determination to Add 470
Olive Avenue as a Housing Inventory Site to Address No Net Loss Requirements. CEQA
Status: Statutorily Exempt per Public Resources Code Section 21080.085.
13.Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate for the League of California Cities 2026
Annual Conference, to be held September 23-25, 2026 in Anaheim, California; CEQA
Status – Not a Project
14.Colleagues’ Memo: Council Discussion and Public Release of the Investigation Report
Regarding Forest Peterson
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.Notification of 2023-2031 Housing Element Site Inventory Modifications for State Law
Compliance. CEQA Status: The City Council approved a Revised Addendum to the
Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Report on December 23, 2023 that fully
analyzed the impacts of the 2023-2031 Housing Element, including maintenance of the
site inventory.
B.2026 City Council Priorities Q2 Update Supplemental Report
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Rail Committee September 8, 2026
Policy & Services Committee September 8, 2026
4 September 09, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
SUPPLEMENTAL/AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
B. 2026 City Council Priorities Q2 Update Supplemental Report Added
5 September 09, 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.
6 September 09, 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 September 09, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.