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Home My WebLink About2026-09-29 Human Relations Commission Agenda PacketHUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION Special Meeting Tuesday, September 29, 2026 Community Meeting Room & Hybrid 6:00 PM Human Relations Commission meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. To maximize public safety while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose to participate from home or attend in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. Masks are strongly encouraged if attending in person. 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. Commissioner names, biographies, and archived agendas and reports are available at https://www.paloalto.gov/Departments/City-Clerk/Boards-and- Commissions. VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/91994548701) Meeting ID: 919 9454 8701 Phone: 1(669)900-6833 PUBLIC COMMENTS General Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted for up to three 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. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutes after the staff’s presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance to HRC@PaloAlto.gov and will be provided to the Commission and available for inspection on the City’s website three days before the meeting. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your subject line. PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only by email to HRC@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. 1 Special Meeting September 29, 2026 Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.CityofPaloAlto.org. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL IN-PERSON 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. AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS The Chair or Commission majority may modify the agenda order to improve meeting management. APPROVAL OF MINUTES BUSINESS ITEMS 1.Consideration of the Human Relations Commission on (HRC) Providing a Recommendation to the City Council to Take a Position on California State Proposition 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 – Action – 30 minutes CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS Members of the public may not speak to the item(s) •Commissioner Reports •Council Liaison Report •Staff Liaison Report COMMISSIONER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR FUTURE MEETINGS AND AGENDAS Members of the public may not speak to the item(s) 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. ADJOURNMENT OTHER INFORMATION The materials below are provided for informational purposes, not for action or discussion during this meeting’s agenda. Written public comments may be submitted in advance and will be provided to the Commission and available for public inspection on the City’s website three days before the meeting. A.Public Comments 2 Special Meeting September 29, 2026 Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.CityofPaloAlto.org. 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 hrc@PaloAlto.gov. 2.Spoken public comments using a computer 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. ◦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. 3.Spoken public comments using a smart phone will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, download the Zoom application onto your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Meeting ID below. Please follow the instructions B-E above. 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: 919 9454 8701 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. 3 Special Meeting September 29, 2026 Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Board after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.CityofPaloAlto.org. Human Relations Commission Staff Report From: Sophie Pigman, Human Services Manager Meeting Date: September 29, 2026 Report #: 2609-6811 TITLE Consideration of the Human Relations Commission on (HRC) Providing a Recommendation to the City Council to Take a Position on California State Proposition 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 – Action – 30 minutes BACKGROUND The HRC Subcommittee discussed a series of recommendations for consideration by the full HRC. One of the recommendations is for the HRC to make a recommendation to the City Council to weigh in on Proposition 1. The Subcommittee recommends that the HRC requests the City Council to consider formally endorsing Proposition 1. Formally endorsing this proposition aligns with City Council Consistent with the City Council’s authority to establish legislative and ballot-measure positions, staff presents the measure and relevant considerations for Council direction. No City funds would be committed by an endorsement action. The HRC Subcommittee discussed a series of recommendations for consideration by the full HRC. One recommendation is for the HRC to recommend that the City Council consider taking a formal position on California State Proposition 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026. Proposition 1 is a statewide ballot measure that will appear on the November 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot. The measure was placed on the ballot by the California Legislature as Senate Bill 417 (Chapter 16, Statutes of 2026). The official ballot title is “Authorizes Bonds for Housing Affordability Programs. Legislative Statute.” If approved by voters, Proposition 1 would authorize up to $11.25 billion in State general obligation bonds for housing affordability programs. The measure would fund affordable rental housing development and rehabilitation, preservation of affordable housing, supportive housing, veteran homeownership programs, downpayment assistance, housing for farm workers, Tribal communities, and students, housing infrastructure, and local housing programs. 1 Packet Pg. 4 Program Area Proposed Bond Funding Multifamily rental housing construction and rehabilitation $5.1 billion Affordable housing acquisition, rehabilitation, preservation, and supportive housing $2.1 billion State-funded mortgages for California veterans $1.25 billion Homeownership and downpayment assistance $1.1 billion Farmworker, Tribal, and student housing $1.0 billion Housing infrastructure $500 million Local housing programs $200 million Total $11.25 billion The Legislative Analyst estimates that the measure would increase State General Fund costs by approximately $500 million to $600 million annually for about 25 years for bond repayment. (voterguide.sos.ca.gov) The City Council regularly considers positions on statewide and local ballot measures that are relevant to the City’s adopted legislative guidelines, policy priorities, or municipal interests. The City Council has authority to establish the City’s legislative and ballot-measure positions. ANALYSIS Proposition 1 may be relevant to Palo Alto’s housing, homelessness prevention, and community-services objectives because the measure would provide additional statewide funding for programs that can support: 1. Construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable housing; 2. Supportive housing for residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness; 3. Affordable housing financing opportunities for veterans; 4. First-time homebuyer and downpayment assistance programs; 5. Local housing initiatives; and 6. Infrastructure associated with housing development. 1 Packet Pg. 5 The measure’s potential relevance to Palo Alto is also consistent with the City Council’s Legislative Guidelines, which support additional State and federal funding for affordable housing. support position on Proposition 1; no position on Proposition 1; or FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT 1 Packet Pg. 6 result in State General Fund debt-service costs of approximately $500 million to $600 million annually for about 25 years. (voterguide.sos.ca.gov). ATTACHMENTS 1 Packet Pg. 7