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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-28 City Council Summary MinutesCITY COUNCIL SUMMARY MINUTES Page 1 of 20 Special Meeting September 28, 2026 The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers and by virtual teleconference at 5:30 p.m. Present In Person: Burt, Lauing, Lu, Lythcott-Haims, Reckdahl, Veenker Present Remotely: Stone (Just Cause Alternative Teleconference) Absent: Call to Order Mayor Veenker called the meeting to order. Vice Mayor Stone stated he had a just cause under the Brown Act to attend this meeting remotely. Vice Mayor Stone has not attended any Council meetings remotely this calendar year. Vice Mayor Stone must attend remotely because the flu is preventing him from attending in person. Vice Mayor Stone reminded everyone to get their flu vaccines. Vice Mayor Stone was the only one in the room. Special Orders of the Day 1. Caltrain Presenstaiton of Framework for a “No External Funding Scenario”. CEQA Status Not a Project Item Removed Off Agenda 2. Review Applications and Select Candidates to Interview for the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC), and Stormwater Management Oversight Committee (SWMOC) Vacancies; CEQA Status – Not a Project Assistant City Clerk Christine Prior said the Council will select interview candidates tonight for the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC), and Stormwater Management Oversight Committee (SWMOC). The HRC and PTC interviews will take place on Wednesday, September 30. The Council will appoint members to HRC, PRC, and PTC on October 5. The Council will conduct interviews for Public Art and SWMOC on October 19 and make those appointments on October 26. The HRC received 13 applications for 3 vacancies: 2 full-term and 1 partial-term due to a commissioner resignation. The Council can interview up to 8 HRC candidates, and each Council Member has 6 votes. The PTC received 9 applications for SUMMARY MINUTES Page 2 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 1 partial-term vacancy. The Council can interview up to 6 PTC candidates, and each Council Member has 2 votes. The SWMOC received 7 applications for 2 full-term vacancies. The Council can interview up to 6 SWMOC candidates, and each Council Member has 4 votes. Assistant City Clerk Prior explained the Council’s process for selecting candidates for interviews. Council Members will vote on whom to interview. Each Council Member is allotted twice as many votes as there are vacancies. Candidates must receive at least 2 votes to be interviewed. Assistant City Clerk Prior announced the results of the poll sent earlier today to receive the City Council’s votes. For the HRC: Aji Oliyide received votes from Councilmembers Burt, Lu, Lythcott-Haims, and Reckdahl, and Vice Mayor Stone. Councilmember Lu voted for Anna Stepanov. Anne-Marie Duliege, Art Robinson, and Laal Rezayani received 0 votes. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims voted for Becky Wolf. Councilmembers Burt and Lu, and Vice Mayor Stone, voted for Cynthia Wood. Ellen Bob received votes from Councilmembers Burt, Lauing, Lu, Lythcott-Haims, and Reckdahl, Vice Mayor Stone, and Mayor Veenker. Haylea Hannah received votes from Councilmembers Burt and Reckdahl, and Mayor Veenker. Katie Causey received votes from Councilmembers Burt, Lauing, Lu, Lythcott-Haims, and Reckdahl, Vice Mayor Stone, and Mayor Veenker. Raizel Rosenberg received votes from Councilmembers Burt, Lauing, Lu, Lythcott- Haims, and Reckdahl, Vice Mayor Stone, and Mayor Veenker. Rona Hu received votes from Councilmembers Lauing and Reckdahl, and Mayor Veenker. Sunny Dykwel received votes from Councilmembers Lythcott-Haims, Vice Mayor Stone, and Mayor Veenker. For the PTC: Adam Schwartz received a vote from Councilmember Lythcott-Haims. Aubrey Whitcomb, Brian Hamachek, and Justin Chen received 0 votes. Councilmembers Lauing, Lu, and Lythcott-Haims, Vice Mayor Stone, and Mayor Veenker voted for Christopher Kao. Daniel Phillip Benas received a vote from Councilmember Burt. Councilmembers Lu and Reckdahl, and Mayor Veenker voted for Jeff Watt. Musaab Farooqui withdrew from consideration. Councilmembers Burt, Lauing, and Reckdahl, and Vice Mayor Stone voted for Tom Siegel. For the SWMOC: Brian Hamachek received votes from Councilmember Lythcott-Haims and Mayor Veenker. Catherine Perman received votes from Councilmembers Burt, Lauing, Lu, Lythcott-Haims, and Reckdahl, Vice Mayor Stone, and Mayor Veenker. Councilmembers Burt and Reckdahl voted for Doug Burns. Councilmembers Burt, Lauing, Lu, Lythcott-Haims, and Reckdahl, and Mayor Veenker voted for Gregory Bennett. Councilmembers Lauing and Lu and Vice Mayor Stone voted for Lee Taubeneck. Musaab Farooqui withdrew from consideration. Susan Rosenberg received votes from Councilmembers Burt, Lauing, Lu, Lythcott-Haims, and Reckdahl, Vice Mayor Stone, and Mayor Veenker. NO ACTION SUMMARY MINUTES Page 3 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 Closed Session 3. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-POTENTIAL LITIGATION Subject: Significant exposure to litigation Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) Number of potential cases: 1, as Defendant Public Comment: 1. Henry E. called for a complete revision of the Council's charter. Mayor Veenker said this public comment applied only to the Closed Session agenda item, though the public could raise broader concerns during general public comment. Henry E. said he believes the Council should have no Closed Session items to provide full transparency. Henry E. recommended moving this item to the open session agenda immediately. Henry E. thought some things may require a Grand Jury investigation. Henry E. felt the City Manager could not address these items and that the Council provided inadequate supervision. Mayor Veenker reminded Henry E. that he could not comment on topics outside the agenda. 2. Zoom User wanted to speak on items not on the agenda. 3. Aram J. commented via Zoom. Aram J. believed closed sessions were an enemy of democracy. MOTION: Councilmember Lauing moved and Councilmember Reckdahl seconded to go into Closed Session. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 Council went into Closed Session at 5:50 p.m. Council returned from Closed Session at 6:20 p.m. Mayor Veenker stated there was nothing to report from today’s Closed Session. Mayor Veenker announced an update to a prior Closed Session. On September 14, 2026, in City of Palo Alto v. Gary Wetzel et al., the Council voted 7-0 to authorize the City Attorney’s Office to accept a $244,254 settlement offer from the Wetzel’s insurer in exchange for a global release of claims. The settlement was finalized on September 17, 2026. Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions Assistant City Manager Kiely Nose said there were no other changes besides removing Item 1 from the agenda. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 4 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 In-Person Public Comment 1. Kip H. commented that this week, international, national, and local actions will target Palantir. Palo Alto has a corporation that participates in activities such as genocide, war, assassinations, and detentions. Kip H. emphasized the need to exercise great caution regarding this and other tech organizations because if we are not vigilant, we risk compromising our community values. 2. Henry E. published a book titled Public Venture Capital 2000, which discusses a CIA-run venture capital program. Palantir was one of the first successful applicants to receive funding from the CIA's venture capital firm, a detail he will cover in his next book, which he is currently writing about Stanford and Silicon Valley. Public Venture Capital 2000 argues that numerous funds from federal agencies and programs, such as the Small Business Administration, now distribute billions of dollars to support new startups. 3. Matt S. reported the results of the candidate survey conducted by Safety Over Surveillance Palo Alto. Flock cameras remain uncovered, and Matt S. found the ongoing mass surveillance in our community very disturbing. Matt S. asked the Council to add a discussion on covering the Flock cameras to the agenda. The candidate survey included a question about Flock and another about mass surveillance in general. Dr. Gary Gechlik strongly supports Flock, while the other candidates opposed using Flock cameras. On mass surveillance more broadly, Brian Hamachek and Raymond Goins strongly oppose it. Bryna Chang, Ed Lauing, Dr. Gary Gechlik, Henry Etzkowitz, Yudy Deng, and Vicki Veenker shared more nuanced positions, suggesting they are open to mass surveillance. 4. Ken H. encouraged all Palo Altans to vote yes on Measure J, which would contribute an extra 0.5% sales tax to the General Fund, allowing the City to invest in necessary improvements, such as Cubberley. Ken H. will be at the farmer’s market on Saturday, next to the post office, where he will have a table to answer questions about Measure J. 5. Raymond Goins watched the video of the incident that occurred at Stanford Mall on July 19. Raymond Goins believed that the Palo Alto Police Department (PAPD) escalated a crisis involving a homeless man in obvious mental distress. Raymond Goins believed the situation was preventable and that the City should hold the PAPD accountable for using excessive force in circumstances that could have been de-escalated. Santa Clara County's TRUST (Trusted Response Urgent Support Team) program was not contacted. The PAPD used a Taser, causing the man to fall face-first to the ground. The officer on the scene did not call for medical help or render medical care. When additional officers arrived, they handcuffed the man, who was bleeding profusely from his head and was later determined to have a fractured skull and vertebrae. Several candidates have argued for more police presence, but Raymond Goins believes more officers are not the solution. Instead, what is needed is empathy and compassion for our citizens, as well as appropriate non-emergency responses to situations like this. Raymond Goins expressed doubts about Mike Gennaco's ability to address police misconduct. Raymond Goins urged the City Council to call out the PAPD's actions. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 5 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 Council Member Questions, Comments, and Announcements Councilmember Lythcott-Haims addressed Items 5 and 7 on the Consent Calendar. The Council's vision for a revitalized Cubberley is "a vibrant, beloved, and adaptable destination that promotes learning, interconnectivity, joy, and well-being, where all cultures and generations belong." The City's funding strategy for this significant project involves engaging community partners to bring educational, wellness, and creative programs to Cubberley while contributing financially to the site's development. This approach aims to advance the Cubberley project through a combination of City and private investment. Item 5 on the Consent Calendar pertains to a letter of intent between the City and Maker Nexus, a community-focused makerspace currently located in Sunnyvale where people of all ages, cultures, and abilities can learn, create, and innovate with access to professional-grade tools. Importantly, Maker Nexus will not replace the existing MakeX space on the Cubberley campus; instead, it will complement it by offering additional opportunities for participation. MakeX was designed by teens for teens. The Council approved the City and the Friends of the Recreation Wellness Center's letter of intent in December 2024. Item 7 involves a term sheet that builds upon that initial letter of intent and outlines the Friends of the Recreation Wellness Center's commitment to raising $40M to construct a recreation wellness center at the Cubberley site, and the City's commitment to providing the land for this project. Councilmember Lu attended the Cal Cities conference from Wednesday through Friday last week. The conference brought together approximately 3,000 elected officials and senior city staff to discuss a wide range of issues. One significant outcome was a vote on a motion advanced by the City of Murrieta to explore ways to increase local control. Cal Cities passed this motion almost unanimously by voice vote. The Council reviewed a previous version of the resolution that discussed a constitutional amendment. The motion presented during the general session aimed to explore a broader range of options, including legislative alternatives, while not excluding the possibility of a constitutional amendment. The motion was modified to include efforts to advance affordable housing. Councilmember Lu voted in favor of the motion, consistent with Council direction. Councilmember Lu plans to discuss updates with staff on state laws that could affect financing strategies, the potential California Voting Rights Act, districting, and other relevant topics. Mayor Veenker reported that she moderated a panel titled "The Path to Shared Prosperity: Advancing Economic Mobility from State to Local Action." The panelists included Dr. Sarah Bohn, Vice President of the Public Policy Institute of California; Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors; Shireen Malekafzali, San Mateo County's Chief Equity Officer; and Peter Hartzell, COO of JobTrain. The main takeaway from the panel discussion was that to address economic divides and income disparity, we need to focus on economic mobility and ensure individuals have access to career paths. Last week, Mayor Veenker was sworn in as Vice President for the Peninsula Division of the League of California Cities, which represents all cities in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Mayor Veenker and Assistant City Manager Nose attended an annual lunch with Stanford University President Levin to discuss potential collaborations that would benefit both entities. Mayor Veenker invited everyone to attend a SUMMARY MINUTES Page 6 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 joint tree-planting event on Saturday at 9 a.m. at Rinconada Park. For 30 years, Canopy has planted a tree for each mayor. This year, Palo Alto and Bloomington, Indiana, will celebrate their Sibling City relationship by planting a redbud tree at the same time, more than 2,000 miles apart. Councilmember Lauing spoke on behalf of the City at the new Sister City Growth event sponsored by Neighbors Abroad, the City of Palo Alto, and Canopy. After Councilmember Lauing’s speech, Senator Becker and Canopy joined in planting a grove of trees at Lucie Stern. Representatives from Oaxaca, Mexico, our Sister City, and Narok, Kenya, our Friendship City, attended. Councilmember Burt also attended the event and encouraged everyone to attend next year’s event. Consent Calendar Public Comment: 1. Henry E. thought it would help the public if all Consent Calendar items were clearly stated rather than referred to by number. Henry E. recommended voting against the Cubberley tax, arguing it burdened one part of Palo Alto to benefit another. Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice sued Elon Musk and Tesla for discharging 960 gallons of sodium hydroxide into Matadero Creek. Henry E. said the judge recused herself during the lawsuit hearing because she owned Tesla stock, so the court will now vacate her previous rulings. Mayor Veenker reminded Henry E. to stay on the Cubberley topic. Henry E. suggested that eliminating the consulting fee budget would give the City sufficient funds to rehabilitate Cubberley. 2. Regina S., the co-executive director of Maker Nexus, commented on Item 5. Their makerspace has tools for welding, woodworking, textiles, and electronics. They host meetup groups, nonprofit organizations, community events, repair clinics, robotics events, open houses, maker markets, and more to bring people together around learning and making. Their camps serve youth ages 6 to 17, and about 700 kids participated this summer. Maker Nexus' youth sponsorship fund offers scholarships to low-income and underserved youth to attend their camps. They also provide sponsored memberships for adults and youth as part of their ongoing efforts to lower barriers to participation in the makerspace. Regina S. is excited about the opportunity to bring Maker Nexus to the Peninsula and Cubberley. Their letter of intent to be one of the community-focused nonprofit organizations at the renovated Cubberley Community Center is on the Consent Calendar. Regina S. welcomed everyone to visit and perhaps even create. 3. Regarding Item 5, Kelly Y., co-executive director of Maker Nexus, expressed enthusiasm about potentially joining the community and contributing to the City's vibrant vision for the Cubberley renovation. Maker Nexus serves a diverse community, ranging from children to people in their 80s. Youth programming is especially important, especially as schools have reduced hands-on learning opportunities. Youth can participate during summer camps, SUMMARY MINUTES Page 7 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 homeschool cohorts, and field trips. Maker Nexus could collaborate with the Cubberley preschool. As a nonprofit, Maker Nexus leveraged connections and donations to quickly adapt to become a local small manufacturer, producing and delivering personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID shutdown. Engaging in small-scale manufacturing during an emergency strengthens community resilience. Maker Nexus is collaborating with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation to offer programs for transitional-aged foster youth that expose them to hands-on career paths and provide opportunities for economic mobility, so they can become functional, contributing members of the community. 4. Anne C. spoke on behalf of the Friends of the Palo Alto Recreation Wellness Center, with several board members in attendance. Anne C. thanked the City Council, City staff, Parks and Recreation Commission, and the many community members who helped reach this important milestone after years of effort toward a recreation wellness center for Palo Alto. The agreement in Item 7 establishes a partnership between the City and the Friends of the Palo Alto Recreation Wellness Center, similar to the Junior Museum model. It allocates nearly 1 acre of City-owned land at Cubberley for the recreation wellness center. The Friends of the Palo Alto Recreation Wellness Center are committed to raising approximately $40 million in private funding to build the recreation wellness center, and Vance Brown is ready to serve as their builder and general contractor. As an Olympian, Anne C. understands the power of pursuing a dream. Achieving such a dream requires hard work, persistence, a great team, and a lot of optimism. They are excited to get started. 5. Judy K. commented on Item 7, noting that she views the sales tax as a vote for a wonderful solution. Judy K. encouraged Council Members to reflect on their past achievements and consider what legacy they will leave behind. Cubberley has the potential to be a big star for the Council Members. This is an opportunity for the Council to add another accomplishment to their list. They have already achieved a lot, including the airport, golf course, Public Safety Building, the Citizen Corps, and addressing climate change. The Council will be celebrated for the legacy they leave in the community. 6. Aram J. noted that the Daily Post opposed the Cubberley initiative, Proposition J. Aram J. criticized the City's decision not to release the appraisal, which fosters mistrust in the community that we are spending too much of our funds. Former Mayor Kou, along with several others, has run an ad opposing Proposition J. There is no guarantee the tax will sunset, and there is concern the funds will simply flow into the General Fund, potentially allowing City Manager Ed Shikada to get another raise. While Aram J. wants to see Cubberley rebuilt, he will vote against Proposition J. Aram J. believes this tax disproportionately impacts low-income residents in Palo Alto, particularly renters, who do not need more taxes. Aram J. suggested reaching out to local billionaires, like the Zuckerbergs, for funding instead. MOTION: Councilmember Reckdahl moved, seconded by Councilmember Lythcott-Haims, to approve Agenda Item Numbers 4-13. MOTION PASSED: 7-0 SUMMARY MINUTES Page 8 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 4. Approval of Minutes from August 19, September 9, and September 14, 2026 Meetings 5. Approval of a Letter of Intent with Maker Nexus for collaboration on a long-term public- private partnership for a new multi-generational makerspace at the Cubberley site; CEQA status - Mitigated Negative Declaration Approved on May 19, 2026. 6. Approval of the Acceptance of State of California Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) Funds of $211,000 and a Budget Amendment in the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund for revenue and municipal police service expenses; CEQA status – not a project. 7. Approval of a Term Sheet with Friends of the Recreation Wellness Center to Advance a Public-Private Partnership for a New Recreation Wellness Center at the Cubberley Site; CEQA status – Mitigated Negative Declaration Approved on May 19, 2026. 8. Approval of a Professional Services and SaaS Agreement C27195677 with TruePoint Solutions, LLC DBA GovPath for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $3,486,301 for the Licensing, Maintenance, and Support of the City’s Building Permitting System on the Accela Platform for a Period of Five Years; CEQA Status - Not a Project. 9. Approval of Professional Services Contract No. C27197334 with Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. for a Waste Characterization Study of the City’s Municipal Solid Waste Stream in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $270,233; CEQA Status – Exempt under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061, 15262 10. Approval of Contract Amendment Number 2 to Contract C21181846 with CAD Masters, Inc. in the Amount of $420,000 for a total not to exceed $2,370,000 for Continued Support of Utility Engineering Systems and Applications through August 2, 2029 (a total of 8 years); CEQA Status: Not a Project Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 11. Approval of Amendment No. 4 to Contract No. C20176877 with Schaaf & Wheeler Consulting Civil Engineers to Extend the Contract Term Through June 30, 2027 for the Corporation Way System Upgrades and Pump Station (SD-21000), West Bayshore Road Pump Station (SD-20000), and West Bayshore Trunk Line Improvements (SD-23000) Projects; CEQA Status - Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 12. 706 Cowper Street [26PLN-00144]. Council Preliminary Review for Comprehensive Plan Land Use Plan Map Amendment to Allow an Approximately 400 Square Foot Commercial Addition to a Category 1 Historic Resource in the Multiple-Family Residential Land Use Designation. CEQA Status: Not a Project. 13. QUASI-JUDICIAL. 3200 Park/340 Portage: Final Map and Street Naming [26PLN-00009]: Request for a Final Map to Subdivide One Existing 3.92-Acre Parcel for Condominium Purposes, Consistent with the Approved Development Agreement, and to Name the SUMMARY MINUTES Page 9 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 New Private Streets. Zone District: PC 5597. CEQA Status: Council Adopted Resolution 10123 Certifying the EIR for the Project on September 12, 2023 (SCH # 2021120444). City Manager Comments Assistant City Manager Kiely Nose reminded community members that the Palo Alto community survey closes on Wednesday, September 30. Please visit paloalto.gov; a blue banner at the top of the page will direct you to the survey. The car-free portion of California Avenue will be repaved on October 1 and 2. After the repaving is completed by 5 p.m. on October 2, you will notice a revised visitor experience. The City's main website includes a new page with details about the Council’s phased implementation plan to address oversized vehicle (OSV) impacts. You can sign up to receive email updates as the plan is implemented. Staff will present an expansion of overnight OSV parking restrictions to all residential uses at the October 19 Council meeting. The adopted permit pilot program will allow eligible OSVs to park in designated segments of Coyote Hill Road and Embarcadero Road. Assistant City Manager Nose highlighted upcoming October events to meet City staff and connect with neighbors. You can find the full list of events on the calendar on the City's website. Meet Palo Alto's police, fire, and emergency services staff at Pancakes in the Park at Rinconada Park on Saturday, October 3, at 9 a.m. The Clean Air, Healthy Homes Workshop will take place on October 3 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mitchell Park Community Center, where residents can communicate with community partner electrification experts. On October 29 at 5:30 p.m., the City will host a Storm Prep Open House where you can learn about the City's storm preparedness activities. Thursday Live on Cal Ave. will feature Halloween and Oktoberfest celebrations on the newly repaved California Avenue on October 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Last week, the City issued a 2026 Halloween community guide, outlining events throughout the month for participants of all ages. Assistant City Manager Nose encouraged everyone to review the guide and attend some of the community events planned for the month ahead. The agenda for the Council's upcoming meetings is as follows. October 5: A study session on consultant contract management and work plan discussions with the ARB, HRB, PTC, and UAC. October 19: Multifamily residential uses and zoning, as well as 470 Olive Avenue. October 26: A study session on storm season preparedness. From November 2 onward: S/CAP progress report, stream protection, prescreening, and study sessions. Council took a 5-minute break. Mayor Veenker called the meeting back to order. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 10 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 Action Items 14. Direction to Advance the Locally Preferred Alternatives for Grade Separation at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road crossings to 35% Design and Environmental Documentation. CEQA Status – Statutorily Exempt. Councilmember Burt reported that consultants and staff provided the Rail Committee with an informative, detailed presentation and discussion. Councilmember Reckdahl recused himself from Agenda Item 14 because his home is within 500 feet of the Charleston construction site. Councilmember Burt encouraged members of the public who did not attend the Rail Committee meeting to watch it, as it provides in-depth information. Councilmember Burt was encouraged that the 15 percent design made significant progress in addressing the impacts of various alternatives. The 35 percent and eventually 65 percent designs will include further refinements and hopefully further reduce impacts. Because these projects inherently involve trade-offs, the goal is to maximize benefits while minimizing detriments. Jessica Dai, Interim Senior Engineer with the Office of Transportation, presented an update on the grade separation project along the Caltrain corridor at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road. Engineer Dai is the new project manager. The project has progressed in collaboration with the integrated project team, including City staff, Caltrain staff, and consultants. The Council previously selected a 15 percent design that includes a partial underpass at Churchill with a bike and pedestrian underpass at Seale Avenue, a hybrid design at Meadow, and an underpass at Charleston. Tonight, staff seeks Council direction to advance the current 15 percent design to 35 percent and begin environmental documentation. The obligation is to complete the 35 percent design by the end of 2027. At this stage, the project is grant-funded. Whitney DiGiantommaso discussed the Churchill Avenue vehicular crossing with the Seale Avenue bike and pedestrian crossing, and the Meadow Drive and Charleston Road crossings. Staff presented concept plans to the Council in December 2025. The Council identified various alternatives to move forward to 15 percent design, along with an implementation study focused on delivering the Charleston Road crossing exclusively. Over the past several months, the team has progressed the 15 percent design, including technical analysis of structures, utilities, and other design constructability aspects. Today, staff is seeking Council direction on what to advance to 35 percent design and environmental documentation. Staff selected concepts based on their effectiveness in meeting the project goals of enhancing safety and accessibility for everyone while minimizing potential impacts on surrounding properties. Additionally, the City is working on the South Palo Alto Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Project, which is near these grade separations but not part of this project. Edgar Torres explained that the 15 percent design is primarily due diligence, moving from concepts or sketches to the first set of engineering drawings. This step verifies whether the SUMMARY MINUTES Page 11 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 assumptions made during the concept phase and subsequent refinements were valid. On Churchill Avenue, the existing tracks will remain in place, and the roadway profiles are fairly consistent. The preliminary footprint in the 15 percent design moves to an established footprint in the 35 percent design, which will then undergo environmental review. A key goal of the 35 percent design is to minimize structural, geotechnical, and utility risks. This includes subsurface investigations and utility identification. The concept for Churchill Avenue has largely remained unchanged, retaining the box-jacking design and excluding a landscape strip on the east side of Alma Street. The engineering design for Seal Avenue has been confirmed. The team is exploring the ramp into Peers Park, including a possible tunnel extension. The walls could reach up to 18 feet along the path below, so the team is exploring ways to make the scale more comfortable. The Meadow hybrid and Charleston project will be delivered together. The existing tracks at Meadow will be raised about 17 feet, while the roadway will be lowered about 7 feet. Temporary tracks, known as a shoofly, will be installed to maintain rail service for the Peninsula during construction. One change between the initial concept of Charleston Road and the 15 percent design is in the upper part of the rendering, where a pedestrian path connects from Charleston to Alma. Originally, the team planned this path to run parallel to Alma but they shifted it to run parallel to Charleston. This adjustment was necessary to create space for utilities to cross Alma and Charleston, ensuring accessibility for the City’s Utility Department. As part of the 35 percent design, the team will continue to coordinate closely with the Utility Department. The team analyzed the pedestrian space on the west side and will explore it further in the 35 percent design phase. For the hybrid Meadow crossing, elevating the tracks will require installing a shoofly during construction. The Churchill Avenue crossing and Seale projects are packaged together. It is crucial to open the bike and pedestrian crossing before separating Churchill. For the Meadow/Charleston crossing, the team considered 3 options: delivering Charleston and Meadow concurrently, completing Charleston first and then Meadow, or Charleston Road only. The 15 percent design phase provides early decision-making information, offering a high-level overview and a rough order of magnitude of the project. At the 35 percent design phase, the information will inform the environmental review and begin to establish guidance for how the project will likely be implemented. This includes parameters identified from environmental review, funding, and delivery perspectives. The information becomes more granular in the 65 percent design. At the end of the final design phase, the City will establish a contract with the contractor, clarifying expectations and parameters for what will be built, the budget, and the project timeline. When estimating costs for complex projects, risks are always involved. The team identifies risks in the 15 percent design phase. As the design progresses, the team monitors and addresses risks, ensuring it has managed most risks effectively by the time the project moves into implementation. Any remaining risks should be beyond the team's, Council's, and Caltrain's control. The total project cost includes the contractor's fees and costs to deliver the design. It also includes agency expenses related to Caltrain, the City, and supporting agencies, as well as real property escalation over time. Any changes to the timeline or delivery will affect costs. The SUMMARY MINUTES Page 12 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 unallocated project contingency addresses known and unknown risks. The cost estimates are based on 2026 material and labor costs and escalated to reflect construction starting in 2032. This does not mean the project will begin in 2032; it serves as a starting point for cost estimates. The estimated construction duration of the Churchill Avenue and Seale Avenue project is 3 to 4 years, with an approximate cost of $420M to $450M in the year of expenditure. For the Charleston Road and Meadow Drive projects delivered concurrently, the construction period is 5 years, with costs estimated between $1B and $1.1B at the year of expenditure. If the Charleston Road and Meadow Drive projects are built sequentially, the construction period is 9 years, with costs of $1.2B to $1.3B at the year of expenditure. For Charleston Road alone, construction will take 4 years, with costs ranging from $480M to $530M in the year of expenditure. Over the last several months, the team held several community meetings to discuss design refinements, updated total project costs, and construction considerations. A comment tracker including all comments and responses can be found on the project website. A key concern that emerged from community engagement was the number of switchbacks, grades, and radii of the pedestrian and bike ramp on the west side of Charleston Road. Other concerns were about the total project cost and the hybrid Meadow Drive wall height. We are obligated to complete the 35 percent design for the 3 crossings, and that phase is fully funded. Finishing the 35 percent design and obtaining environmental clearance will improve competitiveness for additional project funding sources. Based on today's Council direction, the team will begin the 35 percent design phase, which includes 3D visualizations of each crossing, refining the project footprint, conducting CEQA and NEPA environmental documentation, and updating the construction sequencing, duration, and cost estimates. Technical studies will analyze construction traffic, noise, air quality, biology, and any other necessary areas. Councilmember Burt noted that the need for grade separation has changed since the City began this process in 2017. At that time, projections for increases in the number of cars and especially trains per hour were much higher because we expected more significant regional growth than the State Department of Transportation and the Department of Finance now anticipate. This has alleviated some of the urgency. Around 2019, people believed that if grade separation was not completed by 2030, the area would be in gridlock; however, that is no longer the case. We are facing a long-term need. Another change is that available funding for these projects has decreased at the federal and state levels over the last couple of years. For instance, the state has allocated more guaranteed resources to high-speed rail, leaving less funding for projects like this one. At the federal level, fewer dollars are available and future funding is less certain. The Rail Committee discussed when to focus on a single crossing, with much sentiment favoring the Churchill underpass. Under the grant, we must complete 3 alternatives through the 35 percent design phase to improve our eligibility for funding for our preferred alternative moving forward. Edgar Torres said the City and Caltrain have committed to completing 35 percent design for the 3 crossings, including environmental review, which will position the City to secure funding for whichever project it decides to advance. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 13 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 Councilmember Burt recalled that the Council wanted to prioritize the bike and pedestrian underpass at Seale before proceeding with the Churchill project. This would ensure cyclists and pedestrians have routes available during construction at Churchill. Similarly, completing the South Palo Alto bicycle and pedestrian underpass near Matadero first will provide some relief during major construction, even though it is significantly farther north. Councilmember Burt advised the team to analyze any potential shifts in traffic patterns if we construct only the Charleston underpass. Edgar Torres explained that the analysis considered the crossings before and after separation. The Council could request that the environmental review examine each scenario independently to assess traffic redistribution. Councilmember Burt recalled that Edgar Torres presented the Rail Committee a comparison of current traffic delays at Meadow and Charleston and the impacts on future traffic with and without grade separation. In December 2025, Edgar Torres presented Slides 39 and 41 to the Council on the benefits and trade-offs of the hybrid and underpass options, including impacts on properties. Meadow and Charleston had delays with the hybrid and underpass options; however, the hybrid Meadow option had an acceptable level of service. Both options improved on the existing situation and the no-build scenario. This reflects the change in population growth parameters. The model uses the Transportation Authority's anticipated reduced demand, yet it still predicts that delays will double from 3 to 6 minutes over the next 5 years. Councilmember Burt noted that the p.m. rush hour was Charleston's worst time, with a current delay of 3 minutes. However, the proposed underpass would reduce this delay to 0.5 minutes. Without the underpass, the future projected delay would be 6 minutes. Councilmember Burt pointed out that this cost estimate did not update the aerial cost, so he requested a comparison of the relative costs of the aerial and hybrid options. Edgar Torres explained that the cost comparison between the aerial and hybrid options would differ by orders of magnitude, with the aerial option much more expensive. The aerial and viaduct options would have the same retaining walls approaching it, so the key considerations are where those retaining walls would begin and how long the viaduct would be. Mayor Veenker recalled that Council had previously discussed having a bike and pedestrian underpass in each region. Referring to Slide 14, Mayor Veenker noted that the design includes a bike and pedestrian underpass for north Palo Alto but not for south Palo Alto. Chief Transportation Official Ria Lo explained that the South Palo Alto Connectivity Project is separate from the grade separation project. The grade separations at Charleston Road and Meadow Drive will include pedestrian and bicycle access. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 14 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 Public Comment: 1. John M. spoke on behalf of 13 individuals: Sylvia F., David K., Pat L., Jessica C., Clara C., Jim S., Thang N., Ariella R., Jane S., Jeanne F., Peter S., and Robin T. John M. played a video illustrating the East Meadow hybrid option. During construction, the shoofly track along Alma will extend from just before Green Meadow Way to Loma Verde, covering roughly 1½ miles. After construction is completed in 5 to 9 years for half a billion dollars, trains will be elevated above Alma behind a substantial retaining wall. Alma traffic will share a constrained corridor for years. Trains would run alongside traffic and homes, leaving 1 lane of Alma traffic in each direction, with construction causing noise, dust, and disruption. John M. believes the Meadow underpass was prematurely rejected over concerns about eminent domain, without evaluating design refinements that could reduce property impacts. John M. could not find a study evaluating the feasibility of box jacking for the East Meadow option. For a fair comparison, John M. urged the Council to reject the East Meadow hybrid option and instead to refine the underpass design. Assess whether box jacking and an underpass at Meadow are feasible before deciding whether the hybrid option is truly the best long-term choice for the city as a whole. John M. requested an examination of how the City weighted its decision criteria of connectivity, traffic, cost, environmental effects, local access, visual impacts, and construction disruption. John M. sent emails containing ideas for moving forward while protecting grant funding. The proposed motion at the bottom of page 1 of his submitted brief outlines a practical next step. 2. Melinda M. felt the consultants did a disservice to the Rail Committee and the City Council by providing only a basic red-line drawing. In contrast, her inexperienced husband presented much more information in his slides. Melinda M. opposes the idea of having a shoofly track for 5 to 9 years, enduring Caltrain's 104 trains a day, plus freight trains operating through the night, next to her home in the Fairmeadow neighborhood. Regardless of any obligations, Melinda M. urged the Council not to advance a bad plan to the 35 percent design stage. The cost to residents cannot be quantified in terms of quality of life, noise, loss of property values, and at least 5 years of terrible gridlock. 3. Henry E. urged the Council not to proceed with the project because it would destroy the neighborhood. Henry E. believes that Caltrain has unsafe conditions along the right-of-way. Henry E. attended the August 25 meeting. 4. Mike F. lives in Evergreen Park. Despite the financial commitments discussed, Mike F. recommended that the City pause further project expenditures. Caltrain has repeatedly stated that unless the 5 percent tax passes in November, it will reduce train schedules and may eliminate service in a few years. Mike F. could not find an estimate of how many high-speed rail passengers would travel from San Jose to San Francisco, which would justify 4 trains per hour in each direction. Mike F. doubts enough passengers would make the full journey to San Francisco, as most would likely disembark at earlier stops. The increased rail traffic, the main reason for grade separations, may not materialize, meaning any money spent now on consultants and staff for this project could be wasted. Mike F. disagrees with City staff's assertion that a viaduct would be more expensive, and he has shared his research with the City SUMMARY MINUTES Page 15 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 Council and the Transportation Department, suggesting it could be much less costly. A viaduct would reduce many utility and flooding risks and significantly reduce construction disruption. Therefore, Mike F. recommended suspending investment in the grade separation project for now and reevaluating the viaduct approach in 2027 or 2028, if there are reasons to restart the grade separation project. 5. Diane R. lives at 3410 Janice Way. In 1991, a train hit a sixth grader. Diane R. could not believe we still have at-grade crossings for children. Diane R. was excited about the current plans for a pedestrian and bike undercrossing under Alma but her major concerns were the enormous cost and time. Waiting until this year’s kindergarteners are in high school before creating safer routes to Gunn and Paly is too long. While numerous tunnels exist in north Palo Alto, the City is adding 1 more north of south Palo Alto without addressing the needs of residents in Green Meadow and Barron. Diane R. suggested constructing pedestrian and bike tunnels that follow the water paths of Matadero Creek, Barron Creek, and Adobe Creek in south Palo Alto, flowing under the tracks and Alma. Those tunnels would be simpler and less expensive to build and could be constructed during summer weekends, avoiding extended disruptions to train traffic. 6. Aram J. suggested that the City recruit major tech figures like Apple, Zuckerberg, and Google, along with other billionaires, to help fund a substantial underground rail or subway system similar to New York City's. This system could include advertising spaces, allowing these companies to showcase their products. One potential stop could be at Stanford University. Aram J. recommended that Councilmember Lythcott-Haims articulate this vision. 7. Roland lives in San Jose and believes he can help Palo Alto. Roland recognizes that there is currently no immediate need. About a month ago, Roland approached the MTC with a business case suggesting it take over management of the entire transportation alignment between Gilroy and Emeryville, with the intent to eventually turn it over to a private concessionaire responsible for delivering all capital projects for 10 years for a total of $20B, including a transbay tunnel. The projects would include constructing a Meadow and Charleston viaduct for less than half a billion dollars in 2 years, without any shooflies on Alma, and built entirely within the Caltrain right-of-way. Roland encouraged the City to learn from solutions in other parts of the world, such as the Grand Paris project, which plans to build 120 miles of twin- bore tunnels and add 68 new stations around Paris in 15 years with a $40B budget. Roland believes Palo Alto's plan is feasible and fundable. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims wanted to clarify Councilmember Burt's comment that Churchill might be the highest priority. Councilmember Burt confirmed he meant Charleston. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims did not see a clear answer in the staff report or presentation to the Rail Committee's question about why the hybrid option was chosen for Meadow Drive instead of the underpass, especially given the community's concerns. Edgar Torres referred to Slide 6 of the presentation and explained the trade-offs between the Meadow hybrid design and the underpass. The team explored crossing safety, the design's SUMMARY MINUTES Page 16 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 approachability, and the experience for pedestrians and cyclists. At the Rail Committee's request, the team explored how the Meadow hybrid could be more approachable and potentially more constructible while avoiding property impacts. The team examined how low they could build the crossings at Meadow and Alma to avoid property impacts, provide a more human-scale pedestrian and bike experience, and keep both crossings open, particularly since many students use this route. During the December Council meeting, minimizing property impacts and bicycle and pedestrian accessibility were the primary factors in choosing the Meadow hybrid crossing. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims recalled that the Council expressed concerns in December about potential full residential acquisitions with the underpass option, including a multifamily unit located at the corner. The portion of the staff report labeled "Potential Property Acquisition" stated that 5 full impacts are projected; however, it did not specify which grade separation project these impacts referred to or where they occurred. The Rail Committee was told the projected full impacts related to the Charleston redesign. However, the labeled map showed 3 impacts at Charleston. Councilmember Lythcott-Haims asked staff to clarify whether they were projecting 3 or 5 full impacts and where they would occur. Additionally, Councilmember Lythcott-Haims asked whether box jacking at Meadow is feasible. Edgar Torres said they explored box jacking at the intersection of Meadow and Charleston as part of the concept refinement process. Box jacking may require property acquisitions. One pit is used to build a box that can then be pushed across. The pit on the other side, known as the receiving pit, will collect the dirt excavated from the first pit. While you can attempt this from one side, retaining walls and supporting infrastructure are still necessary to allow box jacking at the site. The roads need to be lowered, so the impact extends beyond the crossing points along Meadow and Alma. The 15 percent design process identified 5 potential full acquisitions and several partial acquisitions. Two full acquisitions are located on the southwest corner of Charleston, west of the tracks, and may affect the front-yard setback. The roundabout had more projected full impacts. Councilmember Lauing emphasized that we must follow the existing grant process and use the funds as intended, which means proceeding with the 35 percent design phase. Otherwise, it could jeopardize our ability to secure additional construction funds. The design process is conducted in phases, such as 15 percent and 35 percent, to test our hypotheses. For instance, during the 15 percent design phase, we discovered several previously unknown underground utilities. One reason the Council approved the Meadow and Charleston crossing options is that they would have the least impact on property acquisitions. Councilmember Lauing wanted the Council to evaluate the Meadow underpass during the 35 percent design phase, or earlier. Councilmember Lu would prioritize Charleston and Meadow over Churchill and agreed that Charleston should be the primary priority. Councilmember Lu expressed doubts about securing $400M+ for a Churchill underpass. The community has expressed a desire to close Churchill permanently, and Councilmember Lu is interested in exploring its potential. Past cost estimates for a Churchill permanent closure have been around $100M. If there is less than a 10 percent SUMMARY MINUTES Page 17 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 chance of implementing an underpass, that may not be as beneficial as a 35 percent engineering study for a permanent closure project we have a better chance of constructing. Councilmember Lu asked whether we can include a Churchill closure with a bike and pedestrian underpass in the project description for the environmental review, since it would fit within the same footprint as the vehicular underpass. Councilmember Lu asked whether studying the parameters and any downsides of a Churchill closure with a bike and pedestrian underpass would take too long, and whether it would exceed our grant funding. Edgar Torres believed there would likely be insufficient funding to design another option. For environmental review purposes, a Churchill closure with a bike and pedestrian undercrossing would require a smaller footprint than a partial vehicular underpass. Chief Transportation Official Lo said the Churchill closure and a bicycle and pedestrian undercrossing would have a smaller footprint than the option currently under consideration, so we could potentially include it in the environmental review. We are on schedule to complete the 35 percent design as part of our grant obligations. However, adding a design option could delay the 35 percent design and jeopardize our grant funding. If the Council wanted to consider further design work in the future, Chief Transportation Official Lo suggested delaying it. Councilmember Lu expressed interest in having the environmental review study the closure of Churchill with a bike/pedestrian undercrossing. Councilmember Lu recalled a Rail Committee meeting discussion about freight design standards and required grade steepness, and how those could significantly affect cost assumptions. Councilmember Lu asked whether the 35 percent engineering design incorporated Caltrain and freight design standards, in addition to meeting the goals of reducing the impact of property acquisitions and lowering the hybrid wall height. Edgar Torres explained that standards and best practices for freight and railroad design are generally intended to ensure safe railroad operation. In some cases, we seek ways to meet those objectives while staying as close to the requirements as possible. The team will explore design variances during the 35 percent design process and document them as potential opportunities. The team may consider reducing the vertical clearance to 15½ feet and using a sacrificial beam to meet the requirement's intent to protect the bridge. Currently, the vertical clearance is 16½ feet, which complies with engineering standards. Mayor Veenker inquired about the timeline and duration of the shoofly tracks. Mayor Veenker noted that traffic issues are generally worse at Charleston than at Meadow. Depending on shifts in population, work patterns, and train schedules, traffic conditions may change by the time the project is completed. Addressing only Charleston may be sufficient, or we may later decide whether to invest additional time and money in the other crossings. Mayor Veenker supported sequencing the projects, emphasizing that the goals were to address safety and traffic. While anti-intrusion technology and track monitors have improved safety, they are still less effective than grade separation. By limiting the number of non-separated crossings, we can focus on enhancing safety at those locations. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 18 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 Referring to Slide 18, Edgar Torres replied that building Meadow and Charleston concurrently will take 5 years, with about 2½ to 3 years of shoofly operation. If the Meadow and Charleston projects are completed sequentially, the total construction time is 9 years: 4 years for Charleston and 5 years for Meadow, with 2½ to 3 years of shoofly operation. For concurrent construction of Charleston and Meadow, the team will make the shoofly slightly longer but this approach is more efficient and cost-effective. Councilmember Lauing thought Churchill should not undergo any further investigation beyond what the grant requires, as it is the third priority. The City is trying to determine how to secure enough funding for our top priority. After extensive research on closing Churchill, the unanimous conclusion was to keep it open, as closing it would create significant safety issues for the rest of the community on both sides of the tracks. Consequently, Councilmember Lauing preferred not to spend additional time exploring the closure of Churchill. Councilmember Lauing believed the most logical course of action was to proceed with Charleston only. Demand factors have changed substantially, reducing the urgency of addressing all 3 crossings. This approach will save us considerable money and many years of construction impacts on our community. Councilmember Lauing supported the Rail Committee’s and staff’s recommendations to move forward with the 35 percent design. Councilmember Burt noted that when the XCAP Committee evaluated closing Churchill to vehicles, it considered not only a bike and pedestrian underpass at that location but also the extensive rebuilding of Embarcadero. Together, these two measures would require hundreds of millions of dollars that we do not have. One of the primary reasons we are considering grade separations is to improve the community's mobility and safety. We have implemented a series of safety improvements, including high-security fencing and track guards, and Caltrain is exploring additional measures. We have never had a suicide at a location where track guards were present. Councilmember Burt pointed out that the cost of grade separation at 4 locations equals funding track guards for 1,000 years, and the City shares that cost with the school district. Maintaining track guards at perhaps 3 locations is significantly less expensive than the infrastructure construction required for grade separations. Councilmember Burt noted that one of Charleston's main challenges is the serpentine bicycle section on the west side of the tracks. Councilmember Burt previously asked about installing a stairway to reduce the serpentine travel and was told this option had not been explored yet but could be considered moving forward. Councilmember Burt also asked about any constraints on building an underpass at Meadow. The hybrid option has the least permanent property impacts, which is a significant trade-off against construction disruptions and a long-term physical barrier. Councilmember Burt also asked about the slope and ceiling height of the bicycle and pedestrian undercrossing at Charleston, noting that an acceptable slope and ceiling height differ from the ideal. While staff indicated that Attachment D included detailed questions and answers, Councilmember Burt found the printed version difficult to read because of the small font. Nevertheless, he encouraged the public to review it to see how staff answered their questions. Lastly, Councilmember Burt mentioned that the VTA received an update on the long-term sales tax projections for Measure B. The current estimate for Palo Alto SUMMARY MINUTES Page 19 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 is between $390M and $400M. Although some of it has already been spent on this and prior work, about $350M remains available from Measure B. Edgar Torres explained that the right-of-way at Meadow has a slight jog, a legacy issue from Southern Pacific dating back many years. It transitions from a 100-foot right-of-way to 90 feet, and as you move south, the right-of-way shifts eastward. This creates challenges regarding the available space. The ramps leading from Meadow north to access Alma present complications due to property impacts on the multifamily residence, potential effects on the commercial buildings on the east side, and challenges associated with constructing the ramps further north. For the bicycle and pedestrian undercrossing at Charleston, the team aimed to keep the grade below 5 percent to avoid ramp landings and extending the ramp. The targeted vertical clearance is at least 8 feet, closer to 9 feet, while the ideal is 10 feet. If the grade exceeds 5 percent, ADA requirements include handrails and a landing where users can pause and rest, which constrains available space. Given that we are conducting studies and environmental reviews that would typically cost millions of dollars but are covered by the grant, to derive some value out of something that otherwise has almost no value, Councilmember Lu inquired whether the motion should specify the inclusion of a potential study on a closure of Churchill along with a bike/ped underpass in the scope of the EIR for Churchill. Edgar Torres did not believe a formal motion was necessary to include a potential Churchill closure with a bike/pedestrian underpass in the EIR scope. However, staff would bring the Churchill underpass project description back to Council for concurrence. City Attorney Chris Jensen cautioned against assuming the form of the environmental review, whether it will be an EIR or something else. Chief Transportation Official Lo clarified that the inclusion of a Churchill closure with a bike and pedestrian underpass in the environmental review scope did not need to be addressed today. Staff can bring it back to Council with the project description when we reach the environmental stage. Councilmember Lu moved staff’s recommended motion. Edgar Torres confirmed that including the Churchill closure with a bike and pedestrian underpass in the environmental review scope would not require additional budget. Councilmember Burt proposed adding to the motion the evaluation of traffic impacts of the Charleston-only option. Edgar Torres said traffic would change if the road were closed and that it can be analyzed but the physical footprint and environmental review for a bike/ped tunnel are the same as for a vehicular tunnel. SUMMARY MINUTES Page 20 of 20 Sp. City Council Meeting Summary Minutes: 09/28/2026 MOTION: Councilmember Lu moved, seconded by Councilmember Lauing, to direct proceeding with the 35% design phase and preparation of environmental documentation for the selected alternatives at the Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road crossings and direction to evaluate the traffic impacts of constructing Charleston only. MOTION PASSED: 6-0-1, Reckdahl Recused. Virtual Public Comment 1. Roland wondered if the City would consider enabling the Zoom transcript feature, which is extremely useful because AI can analyze transcripts. The City can address concerns about inaccurate transcripts by adopting a practice similar to the City of San Jose's, including a disclaimer stating that the City provides these transcripts as a courtesy and that they are not part of the record. This approach would eliminate the need for members of the public to request transcripts from the City through the Public Records Act (PRA). 2. Aram J. spoke about Councilmember Lauing's remarks and Zionists. Aram J. described Bryna Chang as racist and stated that she does not belong on the Council. Henry E. interrupted the public comment session despite Mayor Veenker’s reminders. City Clerk Mahealani Ah Yun suggested taking a recess. Mayor Veenker called a recess due to a lack of decorum in the Council Chambers. The Council returned from the recess. 3. City Clerk Mahealani Ah Yun read Gene B.'s public comment into the record at Mayor Veenker’s request: As Commissioner Lu pointed out, we need to review our contracts in detail to ensure all work is necessary and all necessary work gets done. Regarding the Sunset Magazine redevelopment, Liccardo can lead the way but we should organize locally. Citizens should turn out in protest. It is hard to understand how California Attorney General Rob Bonta chose to support this project. We must make clear that Palo Alto and Menlo Park will not become Putin’s nest. If the project goes through, Putin will become the number one local landlord. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 p.m.