HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-14 City Council AgendaCITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Monday, September 14, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in RED
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 14, 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 (Item 1: 5:30 - 5:45 PM, Item 2: 5:45 - 6:00 PM)
1.Northern California Power Agency General Manager Tony Zimmer
2.Review Applications and Select Candidates to Interview for the Human Relations
Commission (HRC), Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC), and Planning and
Transportation Commission (PTC), Public Art Commission (PAC), and Stormwater
Management Oversight Committee (SWMOC) Vacancies; CEQA Status – Not a
Project Title Updated, Supplemental Report Added
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES APPOINTMENTS (6:00 - 6:05 PM)
3.Appointment of Candidates to the Historic Resources Board (HRB); CEQA Status – Not a
Project
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
IN-PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT (6:05 - 6:35 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 (6:35 - 6:50 PM)
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
CONSENT CALENDAR (6:50 - 6:55 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
4.Approval of Contract Number C27197641 with A3 Pipeline in the Amount Not-to-Exceed
$2,466,255 for the Sewer Lateral Replacement Project (WC-99013) at various locations
across the City; Authorization for the City Manager or Designee to Negotiate and Execute
Related Change Orders Not-to-Exceed $246,626 for a Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of
$2,712,881 for a Three-Year Term. CEQA Status: Exempt under CEQA Guidelines 15302
(Replacement or Reconstruction of Existing Facilities).
5.Adopt a Resolution approving the City of Palo Alto Utilities Electric Utility Physical
Security Plan Update: CEQA Status – Not a Project
2 September 14, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
6.SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Adding Chapter
10.49 (OSV Parking Permit Districts) to the Palo Alto Municipal Code and Amending
PAMC Section 10.60.010 (FIRST READING: August 24, 2026; PASSED: 7-0)
AA1.Approval of Increase of Construction Contingency for Contract No. C211781123B with
Swinerton Builders in the Amount Not-to-Exceed $7,374,367 and Amendment to the
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Appropriation for the Capital Improvement Fund for the New
Public Safety Building Capital Improvement Program Project (PE-15001), to Support a
Settlement Agreement With Swinerton Builders; CEQA Status – Environmental Impact
Report for the New Public Safety Building and New California Avenue Area Parking
Garage (Resolution No. 9772) New Item Added
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (6:55 - 7:05 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 7: 7:20 - 8:20 PM; Item 8: 8:20 - 8:40 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished
Business and Council Matters.
7.PUBLIC HEARING / QUASI-JUDICIAL. 375 Hamilton Avenue [26PLN-00050]: Request for
Major Architectural Review Approval for the Construction of a New Six-Story Parking
Garage with a Total of 265 Parking Spaces on the Existing Surface-Level Parking Lot D.
CEQA Status: Prior Environmental Impact Report Certified (Council Resolution No. 9818,
February 11, 2019). An Addendum to the Previously Certified Environmental Impact
Report (SCH# 2017052040) has Been Prepared in Accordance with CEQA Guidelines
Section 15164. Zoning District: PF (Public Facilities).
8.Refinancing of the 2009A Water Revenue Bonds, Series A; Adoption of a Resolution
Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of Tax-Exempt Water Revenue Refunding Bonds in a
Principal Amount Not-to-Exceed $20,000,000, Approval of the Official Notice of Sale,
Indenture of Trust, Official Statement, Irrevocable Refunding Instructions, and Related
Documents; CEQA Status - Not a Project
CLOSED SESSION (8:40 - 10:10 PM)
9.CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-EXISTING LITIGATION
Subject: Diego Velasquez v. City of Palo Alto et al.
3 September 14, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
Santa Clara County Superior Court, Case No. 24-CV-450636
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
One Case, as Defendant
10.CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY – EXISTING LITIGATION
Subject: City of Palo Alto v. Gary Wetzel, et al.
Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No. 26CV484552
One Case, as Defendant
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
11.CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.8 Property: 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo
Alto (Informally known as the Cubberley Site)
Negotiating Party: Palo Alto Unified School District
City Negotiators: Ed Shikada, Kristen O'Kane, Sunny Tong
Subject of Negotiations: Purchase, Exchange, and/or Lease Price and Terms of Payment
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.Fiscal Year 2026 Significant Gifts and Donations to the City of Palo Alto
B.Information Report on Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Implementation, Calendar
Year 2026 Quarters 1-2; CEQA Status - Not a Project
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
4 September 14, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
Finance Committee September 15, 2026
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
2.Supplemental Report: Review Applications and Select Candidates to Interview for the
Human Relations Commission (HRC), Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC), and
Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC), Public Art Commission (PAC), and
Stormwater Management Oversight Committee (SWMOC) Vacancies; CEQA Status – Not
a Project Title Updated, Supplemental Report Added
AA1.Approval of Increase of Construction Contingency for Contract No. C211781123B with
Swinerton Builders in the Amount Not-to-Exceed $7,374,367 and Amendment to the
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Appropriation for the Capital Improvement Fund for the New
Public Safety Building Capital Improvement Program Project (PE-15001), to Support a
Settlement Agreement With Swinerton Builders; CEQA Status – Environmental Impact
Report for the New Public Safety Building and New California Avenue Area Parking
Garage (Resolution No. 9772) New Item Added
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
5 September 14, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
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.
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 September 14, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.