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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.