March 18, 2024 www.cityofpaloalto.org
CITY MANAGER
COMMENTS
www.cityofpaloalto.org/StateOfTheCity2024
STATE OF THE CITY 2024
• Join the Mayor for the State of the City Address this Wednesday, March 20, 6 – 8 p.m.
• Connect with the community and learn about the
City Council’s 2024 priorities and progress on other
focus areas.
• The event takes place at the Palo Alto Art Center
Auditorium with light refreshments following the
program.
• Register to attend in person or watch on the City’s
YouTube channel.
Learn more and register to attend in person at www.cityofpaloalto.org/StateOfTheCity2024
www.cityofpaloalto.org/RailCommittee
GRADE SEPARATION UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS
Number of rail meetings coming up, potentially leading to Council approval of narrowing alternatives in June.
Discussions coming up for community feedback include:
• March 19 Rail Committee: Caltrain feedback on alternatives • April 16 Rail Committee: Advancing (or Eliminating) for Council Consideration Specific Alternative(s) for Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Documentation Phase; Review merits of bicycle and pedestrian crossing at Kellogg Avenue verses Seale Avenue for Partial Underpass Alternative at Churchill Ave.
Find upcoming Rail Committee agendas at www.cityofpaloalto.org/RailCommittee • April 22 City Council Study Session: Review Rail Committee recommendations. • June 10 City Council Action: Potential action on Rail Committee recommendations to narrowing of alternatives under consideration
www.cityofpaloalto.org/CaltransBikewayProject
CALTRANS PROPOSAL TO ADD BIKE LANES ON ECR
Find upcoming agendas at www.cityofpaloalto.org/CaltransBikewayProject Caltrans is proposing replacing parking on El Camino Real with bike lanes.
The City continues to engage Caltrans on several aspects of their proposal:
• Incorporating feedback of bike facility design
• Elimination of parking for existing businesses on El Camino Real • Displacement of RV dwellers on El Camino Real
Learn more about the conversations underway:
• Watch meeting recordings of the Feb. 29 community meeting, March 7 Joint Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee/City/School Transportation Safety Committee,and March 13 Joint Planning and Transportation Commission/Human Relations Commission • Share input through an online form
• Attend or share input with the Council as they consider Caltrans proposal on April 1 www.cityofpaloalto.org/Calendar
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
• Enjoy live music and eat and shop local at 3rd
Thursday on Cal Ave this Thursday, March 21, 6 –
9 p.m.
• Spring Family Day at the Art Center is this
Sunday, March 24, 2 – 4:30 p.m. with art
activities for the whole family based on the In
Feast or Famine exhibit.
• The May Fete Parade & Fairis celebrating its
100th Anniversary on Saturday, May 4. The
parade starts at 10 a.m. on Emerson St. &
University Ave., and ends with the fair at
Heritage Park by way of Waverley St.
Find May Fete Parade & Fair details atwww.cityofpaloalto.org/MayFete www.cityofpaloalto.org/ArtistOpportunities
ARTLIFT MICROGRANTS: UTILITY BOX MURALS
• The City’s Public Art Program has twenty $1,000 ArtLift Grants available to Palo Alto and Bay Area-based artists to transform utility boxes throughout Palo Alto commercial corridors and residential neighborhoods.
• Artists will paint original works of art on the boxes exploring themes of community connectedness, empathy,
and vibrancy.
• Deadline to apply is March 31.
Learn more and apply at www.cityofpaloalto.org/ArtistOpportunities
www.cityofpaloalto.org/CouncilAgendas
NOTABLE TENTATIVE UPCOMING COUNCIL ITEMS
April 1
• Study Session: Palo Alto Link
• Caltrans El Camino Real Bike Lane
Proposal
April 8
• Closed Sessions and BCC Interviews only
April 15
• Study Session: Earth Day Report
• Joint Planning & Transportation
Committee Meeting: 2023 - 2031 Housing
Element
April 22 (Additional Council Meeting Date)
• Study Session: Bike
and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update
• Study Session: Rail Grade Separation
April 29 (Possible Additional Meeting Date)
May 6
• Study Session: Independent Police Auditor
• Study Session: Recruitment Assessment
• City Manager Transmittal of Proposed FY
2025 Budget
SHARE INPUT & STAY INFORMED
City Manager Comments Survey:
Cityofpaloalto.org/citymanagerupdates
Gain Emergency Alerts & Other Updates:
Cityofpaloalto.org/connect
Sign Up for City Updates at:
CityofPaloAlto.org/NewsletterSignUp
City Calendar of Events and Meetings:
CityofPaloAlto.org/Calendar
www.cityofpaloalto.org/connect