CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in RED
Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference or in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, 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
General Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted in person for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. General public comment will be heard for 30 minutes. Additional 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 three 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 [email protected] and will be provided to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. 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 [email protected] 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.
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, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular 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.
CALL TO ORDER
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY (5:30 ‐ 5:50 PM)
1. Signing of a Friendship City Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Narok, Kenya in Celebration of Palo Alto‘s First Friendship City Item Removed Off Agenda
2. Proclamation Honoring Law Enforcement Records and Support Personnel Week November 11‐15, 2024
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT (5:50 ‐ 6:20 PM)
Members of the public may speak in‐person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1‐3 minutes depending on number of speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (6:20 ‐ 6:25 PM) Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
STUDY SESSION (6:25 ‐ 7:55 PM)
3. Annual Report on Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Implementation: 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Quarterly S/CAP Progress Report, and S/CAP Key Performance Indicators Annual Progress Report; CEQA status ‐ Not a Project CONSENT CALENDAR (7:55 ‐ 8:00 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
4. Approval of Minutes from October 28, 2024 Meeting
5. Approval of the New Councilmember Onboarding Outline as recommended by the Policy and Services Committee; CEQA – Not a Project
6. Approval of the Tri‐Cities Consortium Computer Aided Dispatch System Software Agreement with Sun Ridge Systems Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $339,857 for Five Years to Implement a New Computer Aided Dispatch System for the Communications Departments of Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Los Altos; CEQA Status ‐ Not a Project
7. Approval of Construction Contract No. C25190935A with Valhalla Builders in the Amount Not‐to‐Exceed $392,800 for Children’s Library as part of the Library Automated Materials Handling System Project, Capital Improvement Program Project LB‐21000 and Authorization for the City Manager or Their Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders for Related Additional but Unforeseen Work that May Develop During the Project Up to a Not‐to‐Exceed Amount of $39,280; CEQA Status – Exempt under Section 15070 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (8:00 ‐ 8:15 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
ACTION ITEMS (8:30 ‐ 10:30 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.
8. FIRST READING: Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Palo Alto Municipal Code Title 18 (Zoning) and Title 21 (Subdivisions and Other Divisions of Land) to Clarify Existing Regulations and to Implement State Housing Laws Adopted in 2023 and earlier. Provide Direction on: (1) Implementation of AB 2097 (2022) and (2) Implementation of Recently Adopted State Housing Laws from the 2023‐24 Legislative Session. CEQA Status ‐ Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
ADJOURNMENT
INFORMATION REPORTS
Information reports are provided for informational purposes only to the Council and the public but are not listed for action during this meeting’s agenda.
9. Report on Staff Determination to Remove "Potentially Eligible" Historic Status From Parcel Reports.
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Policy & Services Committee November 12, 2024 CANCELED Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
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 [email protected].
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 for agendized items 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 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 for agendized items 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 [email protected]. 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 $250 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. 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 $250 made within the last 12 months, you must disclose the campaign contribution before making your comments.
1 November 12, 2024
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.CityofPaloAlto.org/agendas.
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in RED
Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference or in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, 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
General Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted in person for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. General public comment will be heard for 30 minutes. Additional 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 three 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 [email protected] and will be provided to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. 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 [email protected] 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.
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, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular 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.
CALL TO ORDER
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY (5:30 ‐ 5:50 PM)
1. Signing of a Friendship City Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Narok, Kenya in Celebration of Palo Alto‘s First Friendship City Item Removed Off Agenda
2. Proclamation Honoring Law Enforcement Records and Support Personnel Week November 11‐15, 2024
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT (5:50 ‐ 6:20 PM)
Members of the public may speak in‐person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1‐3 minutes depending on number of speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (6:20 ‐ 6:25 PM) Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
STUDY SESSION (6:25 ‐ 7:55 PM)
3. Annual Report on Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Implementation: 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Quarterly S/CAP Progress Report, and S/CAP Key Performance Indicators Annual Progress Report; CEQA status ‐ Not a Project CONSENT CALENDAR (7:55 ‐ 8:00 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
4. Approval of Minutes from October 28, 2024 Meeting
5. Approval of the New Councilmember Onboarding Outline as recommended by the Policy and Services Committee; CEQA – Not a Project
6. Approval of the Tri‐Cities Consortium Computer Aided Dispatch System Software Agreement with Sun Ridge Systems Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $339,857 for Five Years to Implement a New Computer Aided Dispatch System for the Communications Departments of Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Los Altos; CEQA Status ‐ Not a Project
7. Approval of Construction Contract No. C25190935A with Valhalla Builders in the Amount Not‐to‐Exceed $392,800 for Children’s Library as part of the Library Automated Materials Handling System Project, Capital Improvement Program Project LB‐21000 and Authorization for the City Manager or Their Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders for Related Additional but Unforeseen Work that May Develop During the Project Up to a Not‐to‐Exceed Amount of $39,280; CEQA Status – Exempt under Section 15070 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (8:00 ‐ 8:15 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
ACTION ITEMS (8:30 ‐ 10:30 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.
8. FIRST READING: Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Palo Alto Municipal Code Title 18 (Zoning) and Title 21 (Subdivisions and Other Divisions of Land) to Clarify Existing Regulations and to Implement State Housing Laws Adopted in 2023 and earlier. Provide Direction on: (1) Implementation of AB 2097 (2022) and (2) Implementation of Recently Adopted State Housing Laws from the 2023‐24 Legislative Session. CEQA Status ‐ Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
ADJOURNMENT
INFORMATION REPORTS
Information reports are provided for informational purposes only to the Council and the public but are not listed for action during this meeting’s agenda.
9. Report on Staff Determination to Remove "Potentially Eligible" Historic Status From Parcel Reports.
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Policy & Services Committee November 12, 2024 CANCELED Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
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 [email protected].
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 for agendized items 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 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 for agendized items 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 [email protected]. 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 $250 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. 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 $250 made within the last 12 months, you must disclose the campaign contribution before making your comments.
2 November 12, 2024
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at
www.CityofPaloAlto.org/agendas
.
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in RED
Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference or in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, 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
General Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted in person for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. General public comment will be heard for 30 minutes. Additional 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 three 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 [email protected] and will be provided to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. 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 [email protected] 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.
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, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular 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.
CALL TO ORDER
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY (5:30 ‐ 5:50 PM)
1. Signing of a Friendship City Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Narok, Kenya in Celebration of Palo Alto‘s First Friendship City Item Removed Off Agenda
2. Proclamation Honoring Law Enforcement Records and Support Personnel Week November 11‐15, 2024
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT (5:50 ‐ 6:20 PM)
Members of the public may speak in‐person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1‐3 minutes depending on number of speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (6:20 ‐ 6:25 PM) Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
STUDY SESSION (6:25 ‐ 7:55 PM)
3. Annual Report on Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Implementation: 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Quarterly S/CAP Progress Report, and S/CAP Key Performance Indicators Annual Progress Report; CEQA status ‐ Not a Project CONSENT CALENDAR (7:55 ‐ 8:00 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
4. Approval of Minutes from October 28, 2024 Meeting
5. Approval of the New Councilmember Onboarding Outline as recommended by the Policy and Services Committee; CEQA – Not a Project
6. Approval of the Tri‐Cities Consortium Computer Aided Dispatch System Software Agreement with Sun Ridge Systems Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $339,857 for Five Years to Implement a New Computer Aided Dispatch System for the Communications Departments of Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Los Altos; CEQA Status ‐ Not a Project
7. Approval of Construction Contract No. C25190935A with Valhalla Builders in the Amount Not‐to‐Exceed $392,800 for Children’s Library as part of the Library Automated Materials Handling System Project, Capital Improvement Program Project LB‐21000 and Authorization for the City Manager or Their Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders for Related Additional but Unforeseen Work that May Develop During the Project Up to a Not‐to‐Exceed Amount of $39,280; CEQA Status – Exempt under Section 15070 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (8:00 ‐ 8:15 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
ACTION ITEMS (8:30 ‐ 10:30 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.
8. FIRST READING: Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Palo Alto Municipal Code Title 18 (Zoning) and Title 21 (Subdivisions and Other Divisions of Land) to Clarify Existing Regulations and to Implement State Housing Laws Adopted in 2023 and earlier. Provide Direction on: (1) Implementation of AB 2097 (2022) and (2) Implementation of Recently Adopted State Housing Laws from the 2023‐24 Legislative Session. CEQA Status ‐ Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
ADJOURNMENT
INFORMATION REPORTS
Information reports are provided for informational purposes only to the Council and the public but are not listed for action during this meeting’s agenda.
9. Report on Staff Determination to Remove "Potentially Eligible" Historic Status From Parcel Reports.
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Policy & Services Committee November 12, 2024 CANCELED Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
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 [email protected].
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 for agendized items 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 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 for agendized items 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 [email protected]. 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 $250 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. 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 $250 made within the last 12 months, you must disclose the campaign contribution before making your comments.
3 November 12, 2024
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at
www.CityofPaloAlto.org/agendas
.
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in RED
Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference or in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, 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
General Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted in person for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. General public comment will be heard for 30 minutes. Additional 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 three 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 [email protected] and will be provided to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. 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 [email protected] 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.
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, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular 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.
CALL TO ORDER
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY (5:30 ‐ 5:50 PM)
1. Signing of a Friendship City Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Narok, Kenya in Celebration of Palo Alto‘s First Friendship City Item Removed Off Agenda
2. Proclamation Honoring Law Enforcement Records and Support Personnel Week November 11‐15, 2024
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT (5:50 ‐ 6:20 PM)
Members of the public may speak in‐person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1‐3 minutes depending on number of speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (6:20 ‐ 6:25 PM) Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
STUDY SESSION (6:25 ‐ 7:55 PM)
3. Annual Report on Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Implementation: 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Quarterly S/CAP Progress Report, and S/CAP Key Performance Indicators Annual Progress Report; CEQA status ‐ Not a Project CONSENT CALENDAR (7:55 ‐ 8:00 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
4. Approval of Minutes from October 28, 2024 Meeting
5. Approval of the New Councilmember Onboarding Outline as recommended by the Policy and Services Committee; CEQA – Not a Project
6. Approval of the Tri‐Cities Consortium Computer Aided Dispatch System Software Agreement with Sun Ridge Systems Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $339,857 for Five Years to Implement a New Computer Aided Dispatch System for the Communications Departments of Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Los Altos; CEQA Status ‐ Not a Project
7. Approval of Construction Contract No. C25190935A with Valhalla Builders in the Amount Not‐to‐Exceed $392,800 for Children’s Library as part of the Library Automated Materials Handling System Project, Capital Improvement Program Project LB‐21000 and Authorization for the City Manager or Their Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders for Related Additional but Unforeseen Work that May Develop During the Project Up to a Not‐to‐Exceed Amount of $39,280; CEQA Status – Exempt under Section 15070 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (8:00 ‐ 8:15 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
ACTION ITEMS (8:30 ‐ 10:30 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.
8. FIRST READING: Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Palo Alto Municipal Code Title 18 (Zoning) and Title 21 (Subdivisions and Other Divisions of Land) to Clarify Existing Regulations and to Implement State Housing Laws Adopted in 2023 and earlier. Provide Direction on: (1) Implementation of AB 2097 (2022) and (2) Implementation of Recently Adopted State Housing Laws from the 2023‐24 Legislative Session. CEQA Status ‐ Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
ADJOURNMENT
INFORMATION REPORTS
Information reports are provided for informational purposes only to the Council and the public but are not listed for action during this meeting’s agenda.
9. Report on Staff Determination to Remove "Potentially Eligible" Historic Status From Parcel Reports.
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Policy & Services Committee November 12, 2024 CANCELED Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
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 [email protected].
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 for agendized items 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 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 for agendized items 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 [email protected]. 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 $250 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. 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 $250 made within the last 12 months, you must disclose the campaign contribution before making your comments.
4 November 12, 2024
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at
www.CityofPaloAlto.org/agendas
.
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in RED
Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference or in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, 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
General Public Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted in person for up to three minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. General public comment will be heard for 30 minutes. Additional 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 three 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 [email protected] and will be provided to the Council and available for inspection on the City’s website. 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 [email protected] 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.
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, to change the order of items and/or to continue items to another meeting. Particular 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.
CALL TO ORDER
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY (5:30 ‐ 5:50 PM)
1. Signing of a Friendship City Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Narok, Kenya in Celebration of Palo Alto‘s First Friendship City Item Removed Off Agenda
2. Proclamation Honoring Law Enforcement Records and Support Personnel Week November 11‐15, 2024
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT (5:50 ‐ 6:20 PM)
Members of the public may speak in‐person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1‐3 minutes depending on number of speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (6:20 ‐ 6:25 PM) Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
STUDY SESSION (6:25 ‐ 7:55 PM)
3. Annual Report on Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Implementation: 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Quarterly S/CAP Progress Report, and S/CAP Key Performance Indicators Annual Progress Report; CEQA status ‐ Not a Project CONSENT CALENDAR (7:55 ‐ 8:00 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
4. Approval of Minutes from October 28, 2024 Meeting
5. Approval of the New Councilmember Onboarding Outline as recommended by the Policy and Services Committee; CEQA – Not a Project
6. Approval of the Tri‐Cities Consortium Computer Aided Dispatch System Software Agreement with Sun Ridge Systems Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $339,857 for Five Years to Implement a New Computer Aided Dispatch System for the Communications Departments of Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Los Altos; CEQA Status ‐ Not a Project
7. Approval of Construction Contract No. C25190935A with Valhalla Builders in the Amount Not‐to‐Exceed $392,800 for Children’s Library as part of the Library Automated Materials Handling System Project, Capital Improvement Program Project LB‐21000 and Authorization for the City Manager or Their Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders for Related Additional but Unforeseen Work that May Develop During the Project Up to a Not‐to‐Exceed Amount of $39,280; CEQA Status – Exempt under Section 15070 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (8:00 ‐ 8:15 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
ACTION ITEMS (8:30 ‐ 10:30 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.
8. FIRST READING: Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Palo Alto Municipal Code Title 18 (Zoning) and Title 21 (Subdivisions and Other Divisions of Land) to Clarify Existing Regulations and to Implement State Housing Laws Adopted in 2023 and earlier. Provide Direction on: (1) Implementation of AB 2097 (2022) and (2) Implementation of Recently Adopted State Housing Laws from the 2023‐24 Legislative Session. CEQA Status ‐ Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
ADJOURNMENT
INFORMATION REPORTS
Information reports are provided for informational purposes only to the Council and the public but are not listed for action during this meeting’s agenda.
9. Report on Staff Determination to Remove "Potentially Eligible" Historic Status From Parcel Reports.
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Policy & Services Committee November 12, 2024 CANCELED Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
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 [email protected].
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 for agendized items 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 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 for agendized items 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 [email protected]. 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 $250 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. 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 $250 made within the last 12 months, you must disclose the campaign contribution before making your comments.
5 November 12, 2024
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at
www.CityofPaloAlto.org/agendas
.
City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
Lead Department: Police
Meeting Date: November 12, 2024
Report #:2410-3616
TITLE
Proclamation Honoring Law Enforcement Records and Support Personnel Week November 11- 15, 2024
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Proclamation Law Enforcement Records and Support Personnel Week November 11-15, 2024
APPROVED BY:
Andrew Binder, Police Chief
Item 2
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______________________________
Greer Stone
Mayor
Proclamation
Law Enforcement Records and Support Personnel Week
November 11-15, 2024
WHEREAS, law enforcement agencies throughout the State depend upon law enforcement records and support personnel to provide them with vital services; and
WHEREAS, law enforcement records and support personnel are crucial to helping law enforcement agencies identify, pursue, capture and process suspected law breakers; and
WHEREAS, these professionals continually use their expertise and experience to assist in tracking felons, maintaining criminal statistics and improving apprehension strategies; and
WHEREAS, the California Law Enforcement Association of Records Supervisors held its Annual Training and Technology Conference on November 4 through 8, 2024; and
WHEREAS, it is important to recognize the City of Palo Alto’s law enforcement records and support personnel for their valuable contributions to our law enforcement system.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Greer Stone, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto on behalf of the entire City Council do hereby proclaim November 11-15, 2024 as “Law Enforcement Records and Support Personnel Week”
Presented: November 12, 2024
Item 2
Attachment A -
Proclamation Honoring
Law Enforcement Records
and Support Staff
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City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: STUDY SESSION
Lead Department: Public Works
Meeting Date: November 12, 2024
Report #:2407-3266
TITLE
Annual Report on Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Implementation: 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Quarterly S/CAP Progress Report, and S/CAP Key Performance Indicators Annual Progress Report; CEQA status - Not a Project
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council review the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Implementation Progress through the second and third quarters of calendar year 2024, the Palo Alto Citywide Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory for calendar year 2022, the Palo Alto Municipal GHG Inventory for calendar year 2022, and the S/CAP Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Annual Progress Report for calendar year 2023.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City is implementing the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) to help the City meet its sustainability goals, including its goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the “80 x 30” goal) and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
Since the S/CAP was adopted in June 2023, staff has provided three implementation updates, covering progress in Q3 2023, Q4 2023, and Q1 2024. Unlike previous quarterly updates, this update includes two quarters of progress. This report was coordinated with the Climate Protection Ad Hoc Committee.
This report includes the 2022 Palo Alto Citywide GHG Inventory (Attachment A), a comparison between the 1990 and 2022 Citywide GHG Inventories (Attachment B), the 2022 Palo Alto Municipal GHG Inventory (Attachment C), and the S/CAP Key Performance Indicators for calendar year 2023 (Attachments D and E). These reports show that Palo Alto has made significant progress toward its goal, with a 47.4% decrease in total community emissions from 1990 levels as of 2022, despite a population increase of 21.3% during that same time period.
Emissions increased slightly from 2020 to 2022, as was expected due to the temporary effects of the pandemic (reduced transportation emissions due to remote work and an economic downturn).
Despite the progress made toward the 80 x 30 goal, a “straight-line” approach to measuring Item 3
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progress would suggest the community should have achieved a 64% decrease from 1990 emissions in 2022. This result is expected, as the S/CAP and the 2023-2025 Work Plan include an approach of piloting programs and completing studies that are intended to lead to scaling those programs more widely, with accelerating GHG reduction results. Work underway on pilot programs and the S/CAP Funding Study will help to define upcoming work and the strategic balance between incentives and mandates. Ultimately, the S/CAP and the 80 x 30 goal are a community partnership whose success requires extraordinary programs offered by the City and strong engagement and participation by community members.
The “Climate Action” section of the report summarizes efforts to achieve the City’s 80x30 goal through implementation of the 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan Climate Action sections. Broadly, this work plan involves:
•Modernizing the grid to improve reliability, resiliency, and to enable electrification •Implementing programs to help the community electrify
•Raising awareness and promoting these programs
•Completing studies to inform decisions about how to manage the electrification transition
Grid modernization is proceeding, with the first pilot neighborhood (about 900 homes) due to be completed by early 2025. The goal is to complete Phase 1 (approximately 5000 homes) by the end of 2025 and Phases 2 and 3 (each approximately 5000 homes) by the end of 2026 and 2027, respectively. The modernization project will replace aging infrastructure, which will preserve and improve reliability, add greater networking to the system, reduce the impact of outages, and increase grid capacity and modernize it to accommodate widespread electrification. The City also continues to work on adding a second transmission line. More broadly, efforts at the state level to improve transmission reliability and expand electricity generation and battery storage are setting California on a path to be able to absorb the additional electric load from electrification with enhanced reliability.
In the meantime, City staff is launching programs to help residents and businesses electrify, including a heat pump water heater pilot program that has far greater participation than any other staff knows of in the region or California, a multi-family building EV charger program that has already created EV charger access in multi-family buildings representing 6% of Palo Alto multi-family units, with another 7% in the pipeline, and a pilot commercial rooftop HVAC program staff is using to learn how to make the process of HVAC electrification easier. A whole- home electrification program is being launched in early 2025, the incentives for which can be seen in Attachment F. These efforts are facilitated by a large-scale outreach effort using innovative outreach and communication techniques to drive program participation. The launch of these programs has influenced other agencies in the region to adopt similar programs, with all agencies sharing best practices with each other.
In parallel, studies are in progress on how to effectively electrify equipment in multi-family and non-residential buildings, strategies to expand e-mobility access and EV charging, how to fund and finance larger scale climate programs, how to incorporate efficient electrification strategies Item 3
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and flexible energy technologies into electric grid planning, and how to manage the gas utility through an electrification transition. Some of these studies are receiving grant funding from the American Public Power Association with the intent of sharing the results nationally with other publicly owned utilities to help them take similar steps.
In parallel with its efforts to slow climate change, the City is taking action to adapt to climate change that is already happening, including efforts to mitigate the potential for wildfires in the Foothills and planning for sea level rise. Sea level rise planning work includes completing a vulnerability assessment, which was finished in 2022, coordinating regionally on building levees to protect Palo Alto and neighboring cities from storm surges, and reducing San Francisquito Creek flood potential.
The City continues to make progress on an efficient and resilient water system through water conservation, reducing salinity in its recycled water to make it more usable, and investigation of future water supplies through the One Water Plan. Staff is developing estimates of the carbon storage capabilities of its urban canopy and enhancing that canopy through implementation of the Tree Protection Ordinance. Other protections to the local natural environment include expansion of green stormwater infrastructure and reduced use of pesticides in parks and open space. Progress on Zero Waste goals continues with work on an edible food recovery program and exploring domestic recyclables processing and elimination of single-use food containers.
More detailed updates on these topics can be found in the “Sustainability” section of this report.
BACKGROUND
In April 2016, the City Council adopted the goal of reducing GHG emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the “80 x 30” goal),1 and in October 2022 the City Council adopted the ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.2 Staff, with community and the City Council input, referred to the 2016 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Framework and 2018-2020 Sustainability Implementation Plan to create a comprehensive S/CAP and Three- Year S/CAP Workplan.
In June 2023, the City Council adopted the 2022 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan,3 certified the Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Report Addendum: Update to the 1 City Council, April 18, 2016; Agenda Item #10; SR #6754, https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-minutes-reports/reports/city-manager-reports- cmrs/year-archive/2016/id-6754.pdf
2 City Council, October 3, 2022; Agenda Item #9; SR #14720, https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas-minutes/city-council- agendas-minutes/2022/20221003/20221003accsm-amended-presentations.pdf#page=131 3 2022 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan;
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/sustainability/reports/2022-scap-report_final.pdf Item 3
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Sustainability and Climate Action Plan,4 and accepted the 2023-2025 S/CAP Workplan.5 The S/CAP is an ambitious plan to reduce the city and community’s GHG emissions, while also guiding how Palo Alto uses land and natural resources in ways that ensure quality of life for future generations. The S/CAP aligns with several goals of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan Implementation Plan.6
The first S/CAP implementation update included progress through Q3 2023 and was introduced in November.7 The second S/CAP Implementation update included progress through Q4 2023 and was introduced in February.8 The third S/CAP Implementation update included progress through Q1 2024 and was introduced in May.9
The 2022 S/CAP and 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan align with one of the four Council Priorities for CY 2024: “Climate Change & Natural Environment: Protection and Adaptation.” In addition, there are several overlapping Council Priority Objectives, the status of which can be found in the 2024 Council Priority Objectives Q2 Report.10 This report references the Council Priority Objectives in parentheses where applicable.
Both the Palo Alto Citywide and Municipal GHG Inventories calculate emissions for calendar year 2022. As a result of various City-led initiatives, programs, and activities focused on climate change and sustainability, by the end of 2022, Palo Alto reduced citywide GHG emissions an estimated 47.4%, despite a population increase of 21.3% during that same time period. Due to changes in methodology, it is not possible to do a full comparison of the 2022 Municipal GHG Inventory with previous inventories.
In previous years, the GHG Inventories were presented to the City Council around Earth Day, April 22. However, moving forward, in order to better align with data availability and the cadence of quarterly S/CAP Implementation Updates, future GHG Inventories will be presented 4 Comprehensive Plan Environmental Impact Report Addendum: Update to the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, 2023; https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/agendas- minutes/city-council-agendas-minutes/2023/2023comprehensive-plan-environmental-impact-report-addendum- update-to-the-scap.pdf
5 2023-2025 S/CAP Workplan, 2023;
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/sustainability/reports/2023-2025-scap-work-plan_final.pdf 6 2030 Comprehensive Plan; https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Planning-Development- Services/Housing-Policies-Projects/2030-Comprehensive-Plan 7 City Council, November 13, 2023; Agenda Item #11; SR # 2308-1901, https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/sustainability/reports/cy2023-q3-informational-report-on- sustianability-and-climate-action-plan-scap.pdf
8 City Council, February 5, 2024; Agenda Item #15; SR # 2312-2348, https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/sustainability/reports/cy2023q4-informational-report-on- sustainability-and-climate-action-plan-scap.pdf
9 City Council, May 20, 2024; Agenda Item #15: SR #2404-2840, https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/sustainability/reports/cy2024-q1-informational-report-on- sustainability-and-climate-action-plan-scap.pdf
10 City Council, August 19, 2024; Agenda Item #15; SR #2408-3334, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=a254d349-012e-417e-8404-3559d52c5887 Item 3
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to the City Council with the Q2 S/CAP Implementation Update, typically in August.
ANALYSIS
The City is committed to a sustainable future. The City owns, operates, and maintains a full- service utilities portfolio that provides electric, natural gas, fiber, water, refuse, and wastewater services to residents and businesses in Palo Alto. Palo Alto’s continued leadership in advancing sustainability commitments has succeeded mainly because of the continued collaboration of community stakeholders, City departments, and the leadership of the City Council.
Palo Alto’s 2022 Citywide Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory In 2022, Palo Alto emitted an estimated 410,157 metric tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) from the residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, waste, water, and municipal sectors.11 In comparison to the 1990 base year emissions (which were about 780,000 MT), that is a 47.4% decrease in total community emissions, despite a population increase of 21.3% during that same time period. This equates to 6.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT CO2e) per Palo Alto resident in 2022 compared to 14 MT CO2e per Palo Alto resident in 1990.
The California Air Resources Board’s 2017 Scoping Plan Update recommends a goal for local governments of 6 MT C02e per capita by 2030.
Of the reduction to-date, 50.3% came from achieving carbon neutrality for the City’s electricity portfolio, 21.8% from declines in transportation emissions, 13.2% from reduction in natural gas (methane12) consumption, 13% from declines in solid waste emissions, and 1.6% percent from declines in wastewater-related emissions.
For citywide emissions sources in 2022, 54.1% are from on-road transportation, 35.4% are from natural gas (methane) use, and the remainder are from other sources. A comparison of 1990, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 Citywide GHG emissions is shown in Natural gas (methane) combustion GHG emissions are 25.3% lower than 1990 levels, however natural gas (methane) GHG emissions in the commercial sector increased 12.6% since 2021. While natural gas (methane) usage fluctuates based on factors such as weather and occupant behavior, the increase in natural gas (methane) emissions in the commercial sector is likely due to increased occupancy of commercial buildings as employees return to the office, filling commercial building vacancies, and economic recovery - including increased dining, shopping, and visitors returning to Palo Alto.
Figure 1: 1990 vs 2022 Citywide GHG Emissions by Sector . Additional existing emissions sources that were missing from the 1990 GHG inventory were included in the 2022 GHG inventory to comply with the GPC Basic protocol (Airport Emissions, 11 Carbon dioxide equivalent is a unit of measure that normalizes the varying climate warming potencies of all six GHG emissions, which are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). For example, one metric ton of nitrous oxide is 210 metric tons of CO2e.
12 Methane, which is the primary component of natural gas, is a very potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential that is 25 times higher than CO2 over a 100-year period.
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Off-road Vehicles, Caltrain Commuter Rail, Composting, and Palo Alto Landfill Gas Flaring). The full 2022 Citywide GHG inventory can be found in Attachment A. The full comparison between the 1990 and 2022 inventories can be found in Attachment B.
As shown in Figure 1, total GHG emissions steadily decreased between 1990 and 2021.
However, GHG emissions increased by about 14% between 2021 and 2022. The main drivers of the increase between 2021 and 2022 include GHG emissions from transportation and mobile sources, and natural gas (methane) combustion in the commercial sector. Although GHG emissions from transportation and mobile sources are 24.3% lower than 1990 levels, this sector increased by 18.8% between 2021 and 2022. This increase is primarily driven by increased on- road vehicle miles traveled (VMT), but is also partly due to an improved methodology for the 2022 inventory that better accounts for emissions factors for differing vehicle classes and to increases in off-road vehicle and Caltrain emissions. In 2022, total on-road VMT increased by 12% since 2021, likely due to the shift away from pandemic-level (reduced) driving frequency, returning to the office after working from home, and economic recovery.
Natural gas (methane) combustion GHG emissions are 25.3% lower than 1990 levels, however natural gas (methane) GHG emissions in the commercial sector increased 12.6% since 2021.
While natural gas (methane) usage fluctuates based on factors such as weather and occupant behavior, the increase in natural gas (methane) emissions in the commercial sector is likely due to increased occupancy of commercial buildings as employees return to the office, filling commercial building vacancies, and economic recovery - including increased dining, shopping, and visitors returning to Palo Alto.
Figure 1: 1990 vs 2022 Citywide GHG Emissions by Sector As shown in Figure 2, the two largest categories of emissions are transportation and mobile sources (including on-road transportation, airport emissions, off-road vehicles, and Caltrain Item 3
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commuter rail) and natural gas (methane) use (including residential, commercial, and industrial).
Figure 2: 2022 Citywide GHG Emissions by Sector
The main driver of GHG emissions from transportation and mobile sources is fuel combustion from internal combustion engine vehicles, specifically passenger vehicles (69% of all transportation GHG emissions), commercial vehicles (17% of all transportation GHG emissions), and buses (2% of all transportation GHG emissions). Since electricity in the City is carbon- neutral, there are no GHG emissions attributed to passenger, commercial, or bus electric vehicles. Off-road vehicles and equipment make up 8% of all transportation GHG emissions, while Caltrain Commuter Rail and Aviation Fuel make up 3% and 1%, respectively, of all transportation GHG emissions. GHG emissions from lawn and garden equipment specifically— which are predominantly gasoline-powered equipment—made up about 8% of total off-road vehicle and equipment GHG emissions and less than 1% of total citywide GHG emissions.
The second major contributor to GHG emissions includes GHG emissions from stationary combustion of natural gas (methane) and natural gas (methane) leakage. Together, these account for 35.4% of citywide GHG emissions. 47% percent of total natural gas (methane) GHG emissions is attributed to residential natural gas (methane) combustion, 42% is attributed to commercial natural gas (methane) combustion, and 8% percent is attributed to industrial natural gas (methane) combustion. Natural gas (methane) leakage across all customer categories (i.e., residential, commercial, and industrial) accounts for 3% percent of total natural Item 3
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gas (methane) GHG emissions.
GHG emissions from the solid waste and wastewater sectors contributed to 2% of citywide GHG emissions. The major driver of GHG emissions from these sectors includes methane emissions as a result of landfilled solid waste, which contributed to 59% of all waste/wastewater GHG emissions. The next major driver of GHG emissions from these two sectors includes fugitive nitrous oxide emissions from wastewater discharge, which contributed to 25% of all waste/wastewater GHG emissions. This was followed by organic waste composting and wastewater sludge composting, which contributed 12% and 2%, respectively, of total waste/wastewater GHG emissions. In line with previous inventory methodology, GHG emissions from organic waste and wastewater sludge composting are a result of compost processing (i.e., transporting and turning). Lastly, 2% of total waste/wastewater GHG emissions is attributed to indirect nitrous oxide emissions resulting from wastewater treatment.
Palo Alto’s 2022 Municipal Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory In 2022, the City emitted a total of 15,784 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT of CO2e) from municipal operations. As shown in Error! Reference source not found., GHG emissions from Palo Alto’s municipal operations are from five main sectors: buildings and other facilities, streetlights and traffic signals, wastewater facilities, city vehicles and equipment, and indirect emissions. Since the methodology has changed significantly for certain sectors since the first Municipal GHG Inventory was conducted in 2005, it is no longer possible to do a true comparison with previous Municipal GHG inventories. However, the methodologies for buildings and other facilities, streetlights and traffic signals, and city vehicles and equipment are similar enough to do rough comparisons. For reference only, in 2005 the City emitted a total of 40,499 MT of CO2e from municipal operations. The full Palo Alto Municipal Greenhouse Gas Inventory for calendar year 2022 can be found in Attachment C.
Table 1: 2022 Palo Alto Municipal GHG Emissions
Sector
2022 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
Percent of
total emissions
Buildings and Other Facilities 3,398 21.5%
Streetlights and Traffic Signals 0 0%
City Vehicles and Equipment Fleet 1,676 10.6%
Wastewater Facilities (Regional Water Quality Control Plant) 5,953 37.7% Indirect Emission Sources 4,758 30.1%
Total 15,784 100%
Note: Percentages and MT CO2e may not add to the total due to rounding A comparison of 2005 and 2022 Palo Alto Municipal GHG emissions is show in Figure 3. As previously discussed, the methodology has changed significantly for certain sectors since the Item 3
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first Municipal GHG Inventory was conducted in 2005, so it is no longer possible to do a true comparison with previous Municipal GHG inventories. However, the methodologies for buildings and other facilities, streetlights and traffic signals, and city vehicles and equipment are similar enough to make rough comparisons.
Figure 3: 2005 vs. 2022 Palo Alto Municipal GHG Emissions Palo Alto’s Progress Towards Carbon Neutrality
Carbon neutrality focuses on balancing the amount of GHGs emitted against the amount of GHGs removed from the atmosphere. The City strives for net zero emissions – reducing GHG emissions as close to zero as possible, then “offsetting” remaining emissions. This is similar to trying to balance a scale. If there are GHG emissions remaining after reduction strategies have been exhausted, “offsets” are used to balance out or get to zero. Offsets are actions, such as carbon sequestration, taken to reduce – or “offset” - the amount of GHGs emitted. Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. For example, buying into new forest growth to store carbon in trees in one geographic area can offset GHGs emitted in another area.
The City currently purchases carbon offsets to balance emissions from natural gas (methane) use, but the offsets are not included in the citywide GHG inventory. These offsets are included, however, for the purposes of estimating progress towards achieving carbon neutrality. As shown in Figure 3, the inclusion of natural gas (methane) carbon offsets results in 66% emissions reductions.
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Figure 3: 2022 Progress Towards Carbon Neutrality
2024 S/CAP Quarterly Progress
The S/CAP Goals and Key Actions are divided into eight areas, four of which are climate-focused and include actions to achieve the city’s 80 x 30 and carbon neutrality by 2030 goals (Climate Action, Energy, Electric Vehicles, and Mobility) and four of which are focused on actions that create a sustainable natural environment and adapting to a warming climate (Water, Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise, Natural Environment, and Zero Waste). The Work Plan is similarly divided between climate-focused and sustainability-focused priorities.
When the S/CAP was updated, the City modeled the outcomes needed to achieve 80 x 30, keeping in mind updated climate science and the global impacts of climate change, as well as the need for increased community awareness. The City’s preliminary analysis achieves 71% reductions below 1990 levels, leaving a 9% gap to be closed through some combination of deeper vehicle electrification, increased reduction in vehicle miles traveled (VMT), multi-family and commercial building electrification, carbon dioxide removal, and funding emissions reductions outside of Palo Alto. Next year, the City will begin developing the 2026 – 2027 S/CAP Workplan to determine the priority implementation areas for the next three years as well as the most cost-effective approaches to achieving the additional emissions reductions needed to close the 9% gap.
There are 23 Council Priority Objectives in the 2024 Council Priority Area Climate Change and The Natural Environment: Protection & Adaptation (CC&NE), the status of which can be found Item 3
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in the 2024 Council Priority Objectives Q2 Report13 and the 2024 Council Priority Objectives Q3 Report.14 This report addresses 18 of those Council Priority Objectives, as well as 2 in Council Priority Area Community Health, Safety, Wellness, and Belonging (CHSW&B), as shown in Table
2. Table 2: Council Priority Objectives Addressed in the S/CAP Quarterly Report Number Council Priority Objective
Climate Change and the Natural Environment: Protection & Adaptation (CC&NE) Climate Change Protection
CC&NE 14 Conduct community engagement and data collection and analysis to develop a Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan for Council approval in 2024 CC&NE 15
Continue community engagement efforts to inform the update and receive Council feedback on the 2025 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) characteristics in preparation for next steps including environmental review and adoption in 2025
CC&NE 16 Complete initial pilot area of electric grid modernization CC&NE 18 Continue to improve the Advanced Heat Pump Water Heater Pilot Program in preparation for a full-scale program
CC&NE 19 Adopt a residential whole home electrification pilot program CC&NE 20
Refine existing HVAC pilot program to encourage participation as a next step toward a 2025 Council approved commercial rooftop HVAC electrification advanced pilot program
CC&NE 21 Develop and approve an Electric Vehicle Strategic Plan CC&NE 22 Develop an EV Replacement Program for the City Fleet CC&NE 23 Develop and initiate implementation of a Reliability and Resiliency Strategic Plan CC&NE 24 Develop draft S/CAP funding study with Council input CC&NE 25 Evaluate and report out Palo Alto Link pilot performance and consider continuation and/or expansion of future services
CC&NE 26
Begin community engagement to consider parking policy updates that enhance customer satisfaction, improve program sustainability, and aligns with S/CAP mobility goals
CC&NE 27 Amend local building regulations to establish a "One Margin" energy efficiency standard, to allow installation of natural gas plumbing while imposing more 13 City Council, August 19, 2024; Agenda Item #15; SR #2408-3334, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=a254d349-012e-417e-8404-3559d52c5887 14 City Council, October 28, 2024; Agenda Item #12; SR #2410-3615, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=a66f1ec5-4990-4476-9792-d7cc667885a0 Item 3
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stringent energy efficiency and all-electric readiness requirements to all new buildings
CC&NE 28 Initiate the 2026 California Building Standards Code update, including the California Green Building Standards Code
CC&NE 29
Complete community engagement for the Airport’s Long-Range Facilities & Sustainability Plan in accordance with Federal requirements and hold a study session with Council on the draft plan
Climate Change Adaptation: Flood Protection
CC&NE 31 Advocate for the San Francisquito Creek Flood Protection capital project (Reach 2) through Council’s JPA representation and any Council approvals involved CC&NE 32
Complete design and right-of-way acquisition, obtain regulatory permits, finalize project funding needs including potential Council advocacy with State legislators, and approve construction contract for the Newell Road Bridge Replacement project
CC&NE 33 Coordinate with Federal and regional partners on a path forward exploring the development of a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan
Community Health, Safety, Wellness, and Belonging (CHSW&B) Invest in Reliable Safety Infrastructure and Systems
CHSW&B 70 Approve updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Community Wildfire Protection Plan
CHSW&B 71 Update Foothills Fire Management Plan
Climate Action
Covering the S/CAP Areas of Climate Action, Energy, Electric Vehicles, and Mobility, this section reports on progress based on the Work Plan Climate Action Priority areas. This includes five priorities with various work items under each priority. This report notes where these work items have been designated as Council priority objectives.
P1. Grid Modernization
P2. Launch Programs
P2.1 Residential Emissions Reduction
P2.2 Non-Residential Emissions Reduction
P2.3 Citywide Mobility
P2.4 Municipal Electrification
P2.5 EV Strategic Plan
P3. Build Awareness and Confidence
P4. Additional Emissions Reductions
P5. Funding Needs and Sources
Separately from the work plan updates, there are two 2024 S/CAP-related Council priority objectives that did not appear in the Work Plan. The first (CC&NE 27) was to adopt local amendments to the State’s Energy Code to replace all-electric new construction requirements Item 3
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which had been placed under an enforcement moratorium in February 2024.15 On June 3, 2024, the City Council adopted an ordinance implementing local amendments implementing a One Margin16 approach to regulating heating and cooling in buildings.17 The City Council reviewed the Second Reading of the Ordinance on June 17, 2024.18 As required by State law, the ordinance was sent to the California Energy Commission for review and approval and was approved September 11, 2024. The ordinance became effective October 4, 2024. The City provided outreach via email newsletters to the general public, architects, contractors, and businesses, including some specific outreach to restaurants. The City also held a Q&A session on September 20, 2024 focused on architects and contractors.
Because the next building code cycle is for 2026-2028, the One Margin code ordinance will only be in effect for approximately one year. The City plans to engage a consultant to assist in evaluating potential regulatory approaches for the City Council to consider with the next cycle of the Building Code regulations that are slated to come to the City Council in 2025 (28 CC&NE).
This is the second S/CAP-related Council priority objective that did not appear in the work plan.
P1. Grid Modernization
Electric grid reliability and resilience will be important to inspiring confidence in electrified homes and vehicles. The focus of Priority 1 is to preserve and enhance reliability, modernize the electric grid and replace aging infrastructure, increase electric grid capacity to accommodate electrification, and explore ways to enhance resiliency.
Grid Modernization (Work Plan Item 1A, Council Priority Objective CC&NE 16): The City is upgrading its electric distribution system to enhance reliability and resiliency, modernize the system, and increase capacity to accommodate widespread electrification. As of September 2024, the first Pilot area is under construction. The City is focused on and working with pole, transformer, and overhead cable suppliers to secure the necessary parts to complete the first part of the project. To date, 61 of 74 (82%) poles have been replaced, and a significant amount of the tree trimming work has been completed. Additionally, 675 of 1,290 (52%) residences in the Pilot Area now have sufficient transformer capacity for electrification, and the Pilot Area is on track to be completed by February 2025.
15 City Council, February 26, 2024; Agenda Item #14; SR #2402-2644, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=8ac11983-10ba-4a79-a823-3693203c22d7 16 A “One Margin” reach code applies additional efficiency requirements to all new buildings, but takes into account energy use at the source, which favors the additional efficiency and lower emissions of all-electric equipment using carbon neutral electricity. It uses standard energy modeling practices to set its requirements rather than novel approaches like local air-quality standards. It does not discriminate between gas and electric appliances like an “Electric-preferred” code.
17 City Council, June 3, 2024; Agenda Item #17; SR #2405-3073, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=5be827a8-943c-4221-a389-e0452ebeaff4 18 City Council, June 17, 2024; Agenda Item #23; SR #2406-3125, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=3fd2a8c6-b814-4ac7-a569-934573550972 Item 3
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Reliability and Resiliency Strategic Plan (Work Plan Items 1B, 1C, Council Priority Objective CC&NE 23): In April 2024, the City Council accepted the Reliability and Resiliency Strategic Plan (RRSP).19 A status report on implementation was included in a report to the Utilities Advisory Commission on September 4, 2024.20 Council approved a contract on September 23, 2024 for a consultant to assist with some aspects of implementation, particularly RRSP Strategies 3, 4, and 5 focused on cost-benefit analysis and program development. The City is also working on a partnership with SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory to complete a distribution analysis (RRSP Strategy 4, Action 2).
Utility Rates and Fees (Work Plan Item 1D): The Utilities Department is on track to complete its AMI project by March of 2024, with time of use rates planned to become available on an optional basis in July 2024. The City is pursuing a study to modify its transformer upgrade fees to avoid situations where the resident who triggers a transformer upgrade pays the entire cost of that upgrade. The study is partially completed but has been delayed due to staff turnover.
P2. Launch Programs
The focus of Priority 2 is to launch effective programs for emissions reductions with the highest impact and lowest cost such as single-family electrification, strategic promotion of EVs, commercial rooftop HVAC, and expanded transportation alternatives.
P2.1. Residential Emissions Reduction
The goals for residential emissions reduction embodied in the Work Plan include encouraging EV adoption for all residents, helping multi-family residents access EV charging, and facilitating building electrification of single-family homes and multi-family affordable housing.
Advanced Heat Pump Water Heater Pilot (Work Plan Items 2.1D, 2.1E, Council Priority Objective CC&NE 18): The City launched the Advanced Heat Pump Water Heater (HPWH) Pilot Program in March 2023. The pilot’s goal is 1,000 heat pump water heater installations. It includes both a full service option (where residents can use the City’s prescreened contractor to complete the install at a discount) and a rebate option (where residents can hire their own contractor and receive a rebate), with a new emergency replacement option launched in September 2024. As of September 19, 2024, 447 residents had either completed installations or signed contracts to get a heat pump water heater installed through the City’s programs, with 84 of these projects applying for on-bill financing. With the current pace of new HPWH program signups, the City is on a pace to complete around 250 water heater conversions per year through the Advanced HPWH Pilot Program, equivalent to about 20 percent of the water heaters estimated to be replaced each year. In addition, the City and State Energy Reach Codes encourage new construction and major renovations to be built all-electric, which adds to this total. 19 City Council, April 15, 2024; Agenda Item #4; SR #2401-2496, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=ada33d0c-c1a6-490c-8978-4107b43e6ab5 20 Utilities Advisory Commission, September 4, 2024, Agenda Item 4, Attachment B, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=13500 Item 3
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The City is working on various efforts to increase signups for the Advanced HPWH Pilot Program. In January, the City did a comprehensive review of the program and made various changes to improve customer experience. The City also expanded outreach to income-qualified residents, and 17 have participated to-date. In April, the City Council approved a request to increase the budget for the HPHW pilot program in order to increase participation with higher rebates.21 In addition, the City launched an Emergency Water Heater Replacement Pilot Program on September 10, 2024; this program is designed to install a heat pump water heater within 48 hours and will serve the needs of customers that cannot be met by the current full service program option. In the FY 2025 budget, Council approved temporary hourly staff to help with outreach, allowing the City to expand program outreach, which has resulted in increased signups.
Whole Home Electrification (Work Plan Items 2.1G, 2.1H, Council Priority Objective CC&NE 19):
The City is working with the Climate Protection Ad Hoc Committee and Working Group to design a comprehensive whole home electrification program by the end of 2024. The program is expected to launch in two phases. In the first phase, tentatively expected by the end of the year, the City will launch a program to help people hire their own contractor to do home electrification projects. The first phase will include a phone number to call for guidance, incentives, contractor lists, financing, and it may also include some level of technical assistance.
In a second phase scheduled for next summer, the City would develop a full service, turnkey program to help people who do not want to hire their own contractor with an option for customers to use a City-prescreened contractor or choose their own contractor. An initial Whole Home Pilot for 100 homes could have various incentives for electrifying at least one major appliance. More details on planned incentives can be found in Attachment F. Spending authority for Phase 1 is included in the Adopted FY 2025 Budget, but additional Council approvals will likely be needed for Phase 2.
Electric Vehicles and Charging (Work Plan Items 2.1A, 2.1C, 2.1J): The City’s promotion of electric vehicle (EV) adoption and expansion of multi-family EV infrastructure continued. In Q2 2024, the City held a total of four EV expos, four EV workshops, and two EV discount campaigns, including the first EV discount campaign to focus on the purchase of used electric vehicles. In Q3 2024, the City offered an additional two EV expos, three EV workshops, and two EV discount campaigns. Significant EV expo events included the Stanford Healthcare EV Showcase in Q2 and the Municipal Services Center Open House in Q3. In Q3, the City also held the first ever mini EV expo onsite at a recently completed multifamily EV charging installation at 345 Sheridan with the goal of engaging tenants of that property on the benefits of EV ownership. CPAU anticipates offering additional Discount Campaigns in Q4 for both e-bikes and pre-owned EVs.
As of September 2024, 15 multi-family properties representing 693 housing units (about 6.3% of all multifamily units in Palo Alto) have installed a total of 223 EV charging ports (including 21 City Council, April 15, 2024; Agenda Item #6; SR #2403-2724, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=d465d2c6-7ab6-4797-928d-a3c4bda992f0 Item 3
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make-ready spaces) facilitated through the City's EV programs, with another 12 multi-family projects in progress representing an additional 781 residential units (7.1% of multifamily units) and 241 charging ports. Recently completed multifamily projects (Q3 2024) include a 101-unit condominium property at 101 Alma that installed 97 L2 chargers serving every assigned parking space, two adjacent Stanford faculty condominium properties with 56 units each at 2500 and 2600 Columbia that together installed 20 L2 chargers and 48 EV-ready parking spaces across the properties, and an 83-unit apartment complex at 345 Sheridan that installed 10 L2 chargers.
The City is evaluating designs for an expanded version of the City’s multi-family EV program, and is also considering adding incentives for the purchase of e-bikes and new or used EVs specifically for income-qualified households.
Affordable Housing Electrification (Work Plan Item 2.1I): The City continues to engage with multi-family affordable housing providers in Palo Alto on building electrification and vehicle charging. To-date, the City has collaborated with multiple affordable housing providers on potential EV charging projects and is engaging in conversations and site assessments regarding facility energy upgrade needs and electrification opportunities. There are currently 3 affordable properties with EV charging installations expected to be completed by the end of Q4 2024 or early in Q1 2025, which will result in 52 new EV chargers and 24 EV ready parking spaces serving 281 residential units.
The City’s Residential Energy Assistance Program (REAP) for income-qualified customers continues to reach the City’s most vulnerable population, offering energy and water efficiency improvements at no cost to the customer. In Q2 and Q3 of 2024, 23 customers participated in the REAP program. 13 received a HPWH at no cost, and 1 additional REAP customer received a site assessment for a heat pump water heater and is awaiting installation. 14 received energy and water efficiency upgrades. Some customers received both efficiency upgrades and a HPWH.
P2.2. Non-Residential Emissions Reduction
The goals for non-residential emissions reduction embodied in the Work Plan include encouraging electrification of rooftop packaged HVAC units in commercial buildings, developing custom partnerships with major employers, and developing strategies to promote lower emissions commuting.
Rooftop Packaged HVAC (Work Plan Items 2.2A, 2.2B, Council Priority Objective CC&NE 20): In September, the City launched an update to the rooftop packaged HVAC pilot with a goal of collecting more data to support the design of an advanced pilot program. The City is providing significantly enhanced incentives to a limited number of customers (10), and in exchange these customers must gather additional cost information and other information as they do their projects that they must provide to the City. Businesses who do not wish to gather this information can still access the program at the original incentive level. Outreach is proceeding through various channels to spur participation, and the City has already seen some early interest from several building owners.22
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Major Employer Partnerships (Work Plan Item 2.2C): This work plan item involves developing customer partnerships for emissions reduction with major employers, including assistance for City facility projects and the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD). Staffing changes slowed progress on this item. The City has been in talks with multiple major employers and completed a project to install EV charging in partnership with Stanford Health Care. The City coordinated with PAUSD on its HVAC improvements to various schools and the City is exploring potential City facility electrification projects.
As of September 13, 2024, the Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Program (CIEEP) completed two major energy efficiency projects with projected energy savings of 261,355 kWh.
Ten projects are currently being installed, with a projected savings of 1,155,996 kWh. Eight projects are currently conducting onsite assessments which will generate an “Initial Investigation” report. This reporting will list and quantify potential energy-efficiency findings and measures. In total, the CIEEP program has 2,469,096 kWh actualized and projected savings derived from thirteen projects, with an additional eight projects in the pipeline that will drive further electric savings.
Commuter / Visitor Emissions Reduction (Work Plan Items 2.2D, 2.2E): These work plan items have been lower priority pending completion of the Electric Vehicle Strategic Plan (renamed “E-Mobility Strategic Plan” - see Priority 2.5, below).
P2.3. Citywide Mobility
The goals for citywide mobility embodied in the Work Plan include both transportation-focused and land-use focused actions.
Transportation and Land Use Policies and Programs (Work Plan Item 2.3A): The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program continues to grow, with the anticipated addition of a youth-focused coordinator for programs at the middle and high schools. This year is the 30th anniversary of the SRTS program, and a celebration is being planned for Bike Month in May of 2025.
The Downtown Housing Plan began in March 2024 with the goal of increasing housing production while ensuring that the downtown area continues to be an attractive local and regional destination. The Plan will help implement programs of the Housing Element by establishing policies and development standards, and plan for the public infrastructure necessary to support increased housing. The project is in the needs assessment phase which includes stakeholder engagement. A Community Advisory Group is being formed and the first community workshop is scheduled for October 10, 2024.
The San Antonio Road Area Plan envisions creating cohesive mixed-use neighborhoods with improved mobility and interconnectivity through an integrated transportation network that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and the use of single-occupancy motor vehicles. The Plan will implement a program in the Housing Element to redevelop a portion of the Bayshore Alma Item 3
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San Antonio Priority Development Area (BASA PDA). An RFP was issued in June 2024 for a consultant to develop the Plan and consultant selection is anticipated near the end of 2024.
Housing Element Adoption and Implementation (Work Plan Items 2.3B, 2.3C): In a joint session on April 15, 2024, the Planning & Transportation Commission and the City Council readopted the sixth cycle 2023-2031 Housing Element. On August 20, 2024, the City accomplished the milestone of receiving Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) certification of the Housing Element.23
Last Mile Solutions (Work Plan Items 2.3D, 2.3E and Council Priority Objective CC&NE 25):
During the Budget Adoption process, the City Council reduced its General Fund allocation to the Palo Alto Link on-demand transit service pilot program and directed staff to make fare and coverage changes to the service. These will go to Council for adoption in October 2024.
With the hiring of additional staff, the Office of Transportation is developing a staff report that will present issues for consideration to City Council regarding micromobility. The staff report will discuss the current state of the micromobility market and potential paths forward to implement a scooter share or bikeshare program in Palo Alto. The staff report will be presented to City Council in late 2024.
Bicycling Improvements (Work Plan Items 2.3F, 2.3G and Council Priority Objectives CC&NE 14 and CC&NE 15): On April 29, 2024, the City Council received an informational report on collision data analysis as part of the ongoing development of the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) comprehensive roadway safety plan.24 The development of the Palo Alto Safety Action Plan is critical to reaching S/CAP goals because improving safety for vulnerable road users is key to reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and increasing sustainable travel. The City provided information on the Safety Action Plan development at the Palo Alto Earth Day Festival on April 21 and the May Fete Fair on May 4. These events provided an opportunity to engage with community members before preparing the Draft Safety Action Plan. The City is working with transportation planning firm Fehr & Peers to finalize the draft plan for review at standing committees and Council in late 2024, with final plan adoption by City Council in early 2025.
In April 2024, the City hosted a week-long series of events and mobile workshops, including a bike ride and walk downtown, to gain input on the bicycle network and Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update. Following these activities, the City Council held a Study Session on April 29, 2024 to review and provide feedback on the project's draft vision statement and goals, receive an update on recent community engagement, and offer input on the existing conditions technical analysis.25 The feedback gathered will inform the project team's understanding of 23 City of Palo Alto, 6th Cycle 2023-2030 Housing Element, Adopted April 15, 2024, Certified August 20, 2024, https://paloaltohousingelement.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Palo-Alto-Housing-Element.pdf 24 City Council, April 29, 2024; Agenda Item #3; SR #2404-2839, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=79d7c1d2-b1a1-4eb9-acca-039fab914f74 25 City Council, April 29, 2024; Agenda Item #1; SR #2402-2619, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=fcfab491-1dae-4afd-a309-be952790121e Item 3
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community needs. In the summer, the City began to identify and prioritize policy, infrastructure, and programmatic recommendations.
The next project phase, ‘Recommended Bicycle Network, Projects and Programs,’ is underway, and the project team is currently developing the phase's community engagement strategy to include numerous public meetings and extensive public outreach, including meetings with the City’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PABAC), local parents, Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC), Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC), Rail Committee, and two neighborhood meetings starting in Fall 2024 and into early 2025. The City Council meeting is also anticipated for early 2025. The team will seek feedback to help refine the draft project recommendations for the Draft Plan Update, including the proposed bicycle network, recommended programs and policies, the project selection criteria, and the updated project Vision, Objectives, and Performance Measures.
Transportation Demand Management (Work Plan Item 2.3H): In May, the City Council received the Palo Alto Transportation Management Association (TMA) 2023 Annual Report, Strategic Plan, and Commute Survey.26 The TMA has been conducting essential outreach to businesses on El Camino Real regarding available transit, bike, and parking programs in advance of the parking changes to the corridor as part of the Caltrans repaving project. Work on the City’s TDM Ordinance is on hold until staff capacity is available.
Parking (Work Plan Items 2.3I, 2.3J, Council Priority Objective CC&NE 26): The City initiated a survey that closed in August to gauge customer satisfaction and support future updates to parking policies. The City is planning to continue community engagement efforts through the fall of 2024. The City will select a parking permit vendor by November 2024 and work with the selected vendor to present options for improvements. Public Works contractors have begun work on installing Automated Parking Guidance Systems in four Downtown garages. The systems, similar to the one installed at the 350 Sherman Avenue garage in the California Avenue district, will display parking availability by level, enabling better efficiency of parking resources. Improvements will seek to limit the time that drivers spend circulating to find parking and will offer opportunities to better align parking policies with TDM efforts and more efficient usage of parking resources.
Traffic Signals (Work Plan Item 2.3K):
The City continually monitors, maintains, and optimizes traffic signal operations, and addresses concerns from the community daily. As funding and staffing allow, the City also works on a variety of capital improvement projects to update and upgrade the current traffic signal network and keep up with changing standards, modernization, and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies. These improvements are a key component to optimizing operations to reduce delays and GHG emissions.
26 City Council, May 20; Agenda Item # 14; SR #2404-2932, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=98ec6492-339a-4dcf-ac76-73a95f11285e Item 3
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In 2024, the City completed upgrades to three intersections along Charleston Road and implementation of a new traffic signal at Charleston Road and Louis/Montrose Road. The City also received funding and began a new capital project to upgrade systems at four intersections along Quarry Road. The City is also working on several projects including at the intersections of Alma Road/Churchill Avenue, Charleston Road/San Antonio Road, and several updates at intersections within school zones. Included with the above and future projects will be implementation of automated traffic signal performance measure systems (ATSPM) to help optimize operations. The City is also currently working on a needed update of its centralized traffic signal management system.
Included with the traffic signal program, the City maintained and upgraded several pedestrian activated beacon crossings and will be installing the newest crossing at University Avenue and East Crescent Drive in late 2024. These pedestrian crossing improvements are essential in encouraging walking and alternative modes of transportation.
P2.4. Municipal Electrification (CC&NE 22)
The City’s municipal electrification efforts include both facility and fleet electrification and are intended to show the community that the City will participate in the same electrification efforts it is encouraging the community to undertake.
Facility Electrification (Work Plan Items 2.4A, 2.4B, 2.4C): In 2023, the City worked on a Facility Electrification Assessment Plan. The City is evaluating the feasibility of electrifying equipment at City Facilities each time aging equipment requires replacement. This was put to the test in December 2023 when the City installed a new heat pump water heater in Palo Alto City Hall that runs on 100% clean electricity. Completion of an Electrification Plan for City Facilities has been delayed while a vacant staff position dedicated to this effort is filled.
Fleet Electrification (Work Plan Items 2.4D, 2.4E and Council Priority Objective CC&NE 22): In Q2 2024, the City received delivery of 4 new Chevy Bolt Electric Vehicles, which replaced internal combustion engine fleet vehicles. There are 32 EVs in the City fleet, or about 15% of the passenger vehicles and light duty trucks and vans. Six new EV chargers dedicated to the City fleet vehicles were placed in service at City Hall in Q3 2024.
As part of the Capital Budget, the City Council approved an all-electric FY 2025 vehicle replacement program, except for Police pursuit vehicles. The City is currently ordering an EV Police pursuit vehicle as a pilot.
Publicly Owned Charger Planning (Work Plan Item 2.4F): There are currently 99 City-owned EV chargers, with a total of 131 charging ports. 10 of those chargers are dedicated to City vehicles, while the rest are primarily for public use. Six additional Fleet chargers were placed in service in Q3 2024.
P2.5. E-Mobility Strategic Plan (Council Priority Objective CC&NE 21) The E-Mobility Strategic Plan is currently in development. The City received feedback on the Item 3
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plan scope and some early design decisions about the plan and analysis at public Ad Hoc Climate Protection Committee Working Group meetings in March and June and in September received feedback on a list of strategies for e-mobility development and its supporting infrastructure to include in the plan. The City anticipates completing a draft of this study before the end of the year and reviewing it with the Ad Hoc Climate Protection Committee.
P3. Build Awareness and Confidence
The focus of Priority 3 is to build community awareness and confidence in electrification through engagement, addressing concerns, and program results.
Building Awareness of the Need for and Benefits of Climate Action (Work Plan Item 3.1A): The City continues to publish a monthly Climate Action Blog and a Quarterly Sustainability Newsletter. In Q2 2024, the City published an April27 and May28 Climate Action Blog; and an April29 and May30 Sustainability Newsletter. In Q3 2024, the City published an August31 Climate Action Blog and a September Newsletter32. The Sustainability Newsletters had a 52% open rate, which is the percentage of readers that open the e-mail you send them. The average open rate for electronic newsletters is 21.5%.
On April 21, 2024, the City hosted the first city-wide Palo Alto Earth Day Festival at Rinconada Library with games, giveaways, and resources to help residents and businesses take environmental action. Booths and tables included information on how to electrify your home, choose sustainable transportation, protect our water supply, live a zero waste lifestyle, and protect pollinators. Other highlights included an induction cooking demo with an Award- Winning Chef on an induction cooktop with back-up battery, an upcycled Art Show, and an electric waste truck.
In Q2 2024, the City held one Earth Day event, one Earth Day Author event, three Climate Protection Working Group meetings, a Bicycle Network Development Workshop, a bicycle ride tour around Palo Alto, two bike to work / wherever energizer stations, four EV Expos, four Electric Vehicle workshops, two EV discount campaigns, two compost workshops, a Palo Alto Wildfire Preparedness Community Webinar, and a city-wide yard sale. The City provided information on the S/CAP and sustainability and climate action programs at the Palo Alto High School Earth Day Event. The City provided information on the S/CAP, sustainability and climate action programs, and HPWH program at the Palo Alto Earth Day Festival, Palo Alto High School 27 Climate Action Blog, April 2024; https://medium.com/paloaltoconnect/every-action-counts-this-earth-month- 5a4baee866fa
28 Climate Action Blog, May 2024; https://medium.com/paloaltoconnect/bike-for-the-planet-a2d22af2552d 29 Sustainability Newsletter, April 2024; https://myemail-api.constantcontact.com/Sustainability-Newsletter-April- 2024.html?soid=1138677832922&aid=dasQTHT5gLw
30 Sustainability Newsletter, May 2024; https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Sustainability-Newsletter-May- 2024.html?soid=1138677832922&aid=4A-lPazzpto
31 Climate Action Blog, August 2024; https://medium.com/paloaltoconnect/climate-action-series-fall-in-love-with- sustainability-bcfd70d80ae6
32 Sustainability Newsletter, September 2024; https://conta.cc/4gD60u9 Item 3
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Earth Day Event, Downtown Palo Alto Farmer’s Market, HP Sustainability Fair, SAP Sustainability Fair, and Third Thursday on California Avenue.
In Q3 2024, the City held one Municipal Services Center Open House, one Bay Area Heat Mapping Campaign Author event, one Climate Protection Working Group meeting, one Clean Air at Home event, one Palo Alto City Hall Open House, one composting workshop, two EV discount campaign webinars, one EV workshop, one HVAC System workshop, and one Repair Café.
In Q3 2024, the City helped recruit Palo Alto homeowners for Acterra’s 2024 Electric Home Tour33, which the City is cosponsoring. The Electric Home tour is scheduled for October 19 and will highlight a variety of electrified homes across the Peninsula and South Bay. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest in home electrification, including heat pump water heaters, heat pumps for both heating and cooling, induction cooktops, electric dryers, fireplaces, and electric gardening tools. Homeowners will also share their experiences on selecting appliances, working with contractors, navigating installation, and enjoying cost-saving benefits.
In Q2 2024, the Climate Protection Ad Hoc Committee34 held three Working Group meetings to discuss the Building Sector Study, the Multi-Family EV Program, the Whole Home Electrification Program, the Commercial HVAC Program, the Reliability and Resiliency Strategic Plan, the EV Strategic Plan, the S/CAP Funding Study, and to provide updates on the HPWH Pilot Program. In Q3 2024, the Climate Protection Ad Hoc Committee held one Working Group Meeting to discuss the E-Mobility Strategic Plan and provide a brief update on the Whole Home Electrification Program.
In Q2 2024, the City developed an application and outreach strategy for the newly created Youth Climate Advisory Board. In Q3 2024, the City, a Palo Alto Unified School District representative, and the Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition Co-Founder reviewed applications, conducted interviews, and selected high school students to serve on the inaugural Youth Climate Advisory Board, which convened in September 2024.
Drive Community Actions to Achieve S/CAP Goals (Work Plan Item 3.1B): The City continued to implement the Electrification Marketing Plan and the Heat Pump Water Heater Marketing Plan.
The City provided information on sustainability and climate action programs and initiatives for residents and businesses at the Palo Alto Caltrain Electric Service Launch Party and at the Clean Air at Home in Palo Alto Event.
S/CAP Reporting and Surveys (Work Plan Items 3.1C, 3.1D): The City continues to calculate an annual GHG emissions inventory. As previously discussed, for 2022 the City calculated both a 33 Acterra Electric Home Tour, October 2024; https://acterra.org/electrification/greenhome/electric-home-tour/ 34 Climate Protection Ad Hoc Committee; https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/City-Clerk/City-Council- Committees/Climate-Protection-Ad-Hoc-Committee
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Citywide and Municipal Inventory. The 2022 GHG Inventories can be found in Attachments A, B, and C of this staff report. This October, the 2022 Citywide GHG Inventory will be reported to the CDP, an international non-profit that helps companies, cities, states, regions, and public authorities disclose their environmental impact.
The 2023 progress in achieving S/CAP Key Performance Indicators can be found in Attachments D and E. The 2023 Palo Alto Community Survey35 did not include a question to directly measure community awareness, however the 2024 Survey does.
Build Confidence in City’s Electric Infrastructure (Work Plan Item 3.1E): The City continues to provide updates and engagement around its electric infrastructure.
P4. Additional Emissions Reductions
The focus of Priority 4 is to identify an additional nine percent in emissions reduction opportunities to achieve 80 x 30, primarily through a focus on studying multi-family and commercial building equipment. The City is proceeding with studies of the multi-family and commercial sectors in conjunction with the S/CAP Funding Study. These studies include review of publicly available data sources and on-site surveys of building equipment at multi-family and commercial buildings. The City’s consultant completed its review of publicly available data and began outreach to identify participants for on-site surveys as of September 2024.
P5. Funding Needs and Sources (Council Priority Objective CC&NE 24) The focus of Priority 5 is to identify, by 2024, funding needed and potential funding sources for full scale implementation of the highest impact emissions reductions. An S/CAP Funding Study is in progress. Completion of the Funding Study depends in part on completion of other complementary studies, including the EV Strategic Plan, Building Sector Study, and the Funding Source Survey. All studies are being completed by the same group of consultants and all are in progress in parallel. Staff believes preliminary draft results of the study can be ready for review by the Council Ad Hoc Climate Protection Committee before the end of the year. This will also incorporate an affordability model developed separately in early 2023.
In parallel, the City is developing a gas model that can be used for financial and infrastructure planning for the gas system as gas use declines. This is expected to be completed in early 2025.
As costs of gas system retirement are developed, the City will incorporate these into the S/CAP Funding Study.
Sustainability
The Sustainability section of the work plan includes the following S/CAP Areas: Water, Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise, Natural Environment, and Zero Waste.
Maximize Water Conservation and Efficiency (Work Plan Item 8.A): The near-term focus for 35 City of Palo Alto Community Survey 2023; https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/city- manager/communications-office/general/attachment-a-palo-alto-community-survey-2023-report-of-results.pdf Item 3
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water is reducing water consumption while exploring ways to capture and store water and increase the availability and use of recycled water. The WaterSmart customer portal, an online water management tool, launched in November 2022. Through this program, home water reports are sent to around 11,000 single-family customers on a monthly basis. A control group of around 4,000 single-family customers currently do not get the reports. The average open rate of home water report emails is 74%. As of August 6, 2024, 24% of all single-family customers have accessed the portal which provides information about their water consumption and personalized water conservation recommendations. Preliminary results from the efficiency study show that sending home water reports results in water-savings of 2.1%.
The City, in partnership with the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA), offers landscape education classes throughout the year to introduce residents to the concepts of water-efficient and sustainable landscaping. In Q2 2024, the City held two water efficiency workshops on turf conversion, native plants, and laundry graywater systems.
Design and build a salt removal facility for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (Work Plan Item 8.B): The City continues work on the Advanced Water Purification System, which will reduce the salinity of treated water used for irrigation. In May, the City Council reviewed Site and Design application for a proposed local advanced water purification system.36 The design is complete, funding is secured, and staff anticipates Council approving a construction contract in Spring 2025.
Develop a “One Water” Portfolio for Palo Alto (Work Plan Item 8.C): The City is continuing development of a “One Water” Plan for Palo Alto, with input from community stakeholders and the Utilities Advisory Commission. The proposed One Water Plan, which will be a 20-year adaptable roadmap for implementing water supply and conservation portfolio alternatives, includes stormwater, recycled water, on-site reuse, conservation, and groundwater.
Develop a tool for dynamic water planning in the future (Work Plan Item 8.D): The City will develop an excel-based tool for water planning as part of the “One Water” Plan development.
Complete the Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment (Work Plan Item 8.E): The City completed a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment in the Fall of 2022. The Vulnerability Assessment identified risks and hazards to the Palo Alto Baylands, City infrastructure, and residential and business property. The Assessment considers high tide, 100-year coastal storm event scenarios, and rising shallow groundwater impacts.
Develop a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan (Work Plan Item 8.F and Council Priority Objective CC&NE 33): The City will coordinate the development of its Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan to align with SB272 (Laird): Sea Level Rise Planning and Adaptation requirements and other regional planning efforts.
36 City Council, May 13; Agenda Item #11; SR #2403-2760, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=5f812cd5-ab33-4e51-851a-1b01fde39467 Item 3
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Despite longer-term regional planning horizons for sea level rise, the City is working on several near-term goals. These efforts include publishing web-based GIS maps which depict future sea level rise and shallow groundwater changes for use in City project planning, and inclusion of sea level rise in long range planning for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant and Palo Alto Airport.
Begin design process for levee projects (Work Plan Item 8.G): The City continues to advance the Palo Alto Horizontal Levee Pilot Project (PAHLPP). The PAHLPP will be the first horizontal levee to be built in the Bay Area to be both irrigated with treated wastewater and hydrologically connected to San Francisco Bay and will provide much-needed data to inform the design of future horizontal levees around the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Horizontal levees are nature-based sea level rise adaptation options with multiple benefits over traditional flood- control levees such as habitat enhancement, sea level rise adaptation, and additional wastewater treatment.
A United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) cost/benefit analysis determined that there is no federal interest in funding Palo Alto shoreline improvements at this time, and that improvements would not be needed until approximately 2060. Valley Water and Shoreline II partners (CalTrans and the cities of Palo Alto and Mountain View) are developing an agency factsheet, and other reference materials for public information, and will reconvene after SB272 (Laird): Sea Level Rise Planning and Adaptation requirements are known to identify possible next steps for coordinating and funding levee improvements.
Identify Protection Strategies from Significant Flood Events (Work Plan Items 8.H, 8.I, 8.J, and Council Priority Objectives CC&NE 31 and 32): The City continues to work with the San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority (SFCJPA) member agencies to coordinate the San Francisquito Creek Flood Protection capital project (Reach 2) with the Newell Road Bridge replacement project.
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (Council Priority Objective CHSW&B 70): The federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires all cities, counties, and special districts to adopt a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) to receive disaster mitigation funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The State of California and FEMA approved the Santa Clara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP), Volume I and the associated Jurisdictional Annexes, Volume II. Staff will seek a City Council resolution to adopt Volume I and The Palo Alto Annex to Volume II.
Foothills Fire Management Plan and Collaboration on Reducing Wildfire Hazards (Work Plan Items 8.K, 8.L, 8.M, 8.N, Council Priority Objective CHSW&B 71): The effort to combine the Palo Alto Foothills Fire Management Plan and Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) into one document to integrate the wildfire mitigation efforts among the Palo Alto community is underway. The updated plan is scheduled to be completed in Q4 2024.
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Increase Palo Alto’s Tree Canopy and Ensure No Net Tree Canopy Loss (Work Plan Items 8.O,
8.P): The City will use the iTree inventory to calculate a baseline and citywide public tree inventory update. The current baseline, which needs to be updated, is 5,236,420 lbs CO2 sequestered for 35,570 calculated public trees. The inventory data points used to calculate the current baseline (e.g. tree species) may be outdated (e.g. trees are larger than the data shows, trees were replaced or removed without updating the data). An effort to establish a baseline for carbon storage of Palo Alto’s urban tree canopy is on-track to be completed in 2024.
During the first year of implementation of the Tree Protection Ordinance, the City made note of code sections that caused confusion or did not work as originally intended and provided recommendations to the City Council on proposed changes to Palo Alto Municipal Code. In April, the City Council reviewed the second reading of the ordinance amending Chapter 8.04 and Chapter 8.10 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code.37
Reduce Pesticide Use in Parks and Open Space Preserves (Work Plan Item 8.Q): The City continues to review the use of pesticides in all parks and open space preserves to identify opportunities to further reduce both the amount and the toxicity of pesticides that are used.
Coordinate Implementation of City Natural Environment-Related Plans (Work Plan Item 8.R):
The City is working on an update of the Tree and Landscape Technical Manual. In addition, the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance process is currently under review and should be completed soon.
Support the Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Plan and incorporate GSI in Municipal Projects (Work Plan Item 8.S): This is an on-going effort to achieve a 10% increase in land area that uses green stormwater infrastructure to treat urban water runoff.
Encourage Commercial Food Waste Prevention and Provide Technical Assistance (Work Plan Items 8.T, 8.W): This is an on-going effort to encourage food waste prevention and require edible food recovery for human consumption from commercial food generators, and develop an outreach tool and technical assistance to the commercial sector.
Promote Residential Food Waste Reduction (Work Plan Item 8.U): The City continues to promote food waste reduction.
Champion Waste Prevention, Reduction, Reusables, and the Sharing Economy (Work Plan Item
8.V): In June, the City Council approved a memorandum of understanding for the ongoing management and operation of a countywide edible food recovery program and sharing of program costs with the cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, 37 City Council, April 1, 2024; Agenda Item #10; SR #2403-2809, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=132d1d26-0e8c-49c2-8773-ff6e0c9dc1f3 Item 3
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Morgan Hill, Mountainview, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Saratoga.38 As part of the new Zero Waste Living outreach campaign, the City published nine Zero Waste Minute e-newsletters in Q2 2024.
In Q2 2024, the City held two compost workshops for residents to learn how easy it is to make their own compost. Palo Alto residents receive a free compost bin or worm bin (one per household) by attending a compost workshop. The City also continued the permanent Compost Giveaway Station where residents can pick up compost for their homes and landscape at no charge, and free mulch from tree removal operations is also available at centralized stations throughout the City.
Prioritize Domestic Processing of Recyclable Materials (Work Plan Item 8.X): Domestic processing for mixed paper and mixed rigid plastics began in April 2022. The City continues to review processing efforts.
Eliminate Single-Use Disposable Containers (Work Plan Item 8.Y): The strategy and timeline for expanding the Disposable Foodware Ordinance is on hold until further clarification is received through SB 54 final regulations and changes on what will be considered recyclable and compostable.
Expand the Deconstruction and Construction Materials Management Ordinance (Work Plan Item 8.Z): In May, the City Council received an update on the Deconstruction and Construction Material Management Ordinance, which requires all residential and commercial projects undergoing a whole structure demolition to obtain a deconstruction permit.39 Deconstruction is the careful disassembly of building components to maximize reuse and recycling.
Implement the Reach Code Standard for Low Carbon Construction Materials (Work Plan Item
8.aa): The City Council approved a reach code standard for low carbon construction materials in October 2022. The Reach Code went into effect on January 1, 2023.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Current and future initiatives will be managed and funded across various departments and funds. The Fiscal Year 2025 work items in the 2023-2025 S/CAP Work Plan can proceed with the actions approved in the Fiscal Year 2025 Adopted Budget. Staff expects to submit additional resource requests as part of the annual budget process in subsequent years as the work plan proceeds.
Some items in other work plans are also relevant to the S/CAP Work Plan. The Utilities Strategic 38 City Council, June 18, 2024; Agenda Item #8; SR #2404-2911, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=c58305ed-d1d6-42ce-b37a-eca067b2bb09 39 City Council, May 6, 2024; Agenda Item #18; SR #2312-2377, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=da6cfa4a-5637-44bd-a7bc-92763615dbc1 Item 3
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Plan, for example, includes workforce development and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) work items that are directly relevant to the S/CAP. Some of these may involve future budget requests as well.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Stakeholder engagement on S/CAP implementation is wide-reaching and coordinated with multiple departments. Efforts include direct engagement, webinars, social media and other digital marketing/outreach, website updates, public signage, Ad Hoc Committee meeting participation, leveraging the city’s communication platforms, and more. Stakeholder engagement efforts were described in the Analysis section Stakeholder engagement efforts were described in the Analysis section, under P3. Build Awareness and Confidence as well as other Work Plan areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Council’s review of this report is not a project subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: 2022 Citywide GHG Inventory
Attachment B: 1990 vs 2022 Citywide GHG Emissions by Sector and Subsector Attachment C: 2022 Municipal GHG Inventory
Attachment D: S/CAP Key Performance Indicators Progress for 2023 Attachment E: S/CAP Key Performance Indicators Progress for 2023 Summary Attachment F: Whole Home Electrification Pilot Program Incentives APPROVED BY:
Brad Eggleston, Director Public Works/City Engineer
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Attachment A: Palo Alto 2022 Citywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
1.a. Overview of Methodology for Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cities represent the single greatest opportunity for tackling climate change, as they are responsible for 70 percent of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, with transportation and buildings among the largest contributors.1 The first step for cities to realize their potential is to identify and measure the sources of their emissions. Best practices for identifying these sources and quantifying emissions are to utilize a standardized GHG inventory.
There are two types of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions inventories:
1.Generation-based GHG inventory – This measurement method helps a community understand its level of emissions based on community energy use. It includes 1) direct consumption of energy, 2) consumption of energy via the electrical grid, and 3) emissions from the treatment/decomposition of waste. This is the industry-accepted methodology for quantifying community GHG emissions, with emissions reported by emission source category.2
2.Consumption-based GHG inventory – This measurement method helps a community understand its level of emissions based on consumption. It offers an alternative, more holistic, approach for quantifying emissions within a community, quantifying consumption of goods and services (including food, clothing, electronic equipment, etc.) by residents of a city, with emissions reported by consumption category.
In 2014, World Resources Institute, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI)3 partnered to create a global standard protocol for generation-based GHG inventories. The Global Protocol for Community-Scale GHG Emissions Inventories (GPC) provides a robust framework for accounting and reporting city-wide GHG emissions for a generation-based inventory. The GPC Protocol is the official protocol specified by the Global Covenant of Mayors and defines what emissions must be reported and how. In addition, this inventory draws on methods from the U.S. Community Protocol,4 which provides more detailed methodology specific to the U.S. It seeks to:
•Help cities develop a comprehensive GHG inventory to support climate action planning •Help cities establish a base year emissions inventory, set reduction targets, and track their performance
•Ensure consistent and transparent measurement and reporting of GHG emissions between cities, following internationally recognized GHG accounting and reporting principles
1 See UN Environment Programme, ”Cities and Climate Change,” https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/resource- efficiency/what-we-do/cities/cities-and-climate-change
2 There are two reporting frameworks commonly used by cities: the U.S. Community Protocol and the Global Protocol for Communities (GPC). Palo Alto uses the GPC framework. 3 Formerly the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, renamed in 2003 to ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.
4 U.S. Community Protocol; https://icleiusa.org/us-community-protocol/ Item 3
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Citywide GHG Inventory
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•Enable city inventories to be aggregated at subnational and national levels •Demonstrate the important role that cities play in tackling climate change, and facilitate insight through benchmarking – and aggregation – of comparable data Palo Alto’s first generation-based citywide inventory was completed for 2005 and then extrapolated for 1990 (the baseline year). Beginning in 2010, new citywide GHG inventories were completed annually, enabling Palo Alto to track progress over time.
The 2022 Palo Alto Citywide GHG inventory, completed by Rincon Consultants, follows the calculation and reporting standards outlined in the GPC BASIC reporting level.5 Inventory calculations were performed using Rincon’s GHG Inventory tool and uploaded into ClearPath,6 a software platform designed for creating generation-based GHG inventories.
GHG emissions from community activities are classified into three main sectors:
•Stationary Energy (e.g., building electricity consumption, fugitive natural gas emissions) •Transportation (e.g., on-road passenger vehicles, off-road equipment) •Waste (e.g., solid waste disposal, wastewater treatment and discharge) Activities taking place within a city can generate GHG emissions that occur inside the city boundary as well as outside the city boundary. To distinguish among them, the GPC groups emissions into three categories based on where they occur:
•Scope 1: GHG emissions from sources located within the city boundary, such as stationary fuel consumption.
•Scope 2: GHG emissions occurring due to the use of grid-supplied electricity, heat, steam, and/or cooling within the city boundary.
•Scope 3: All other GHG emissions that occur outside the city boundary as a result of activities taking place within the city boundary.
This inventory follows the city-inducted framework in the GPC protocol, which totals GHG emissions attributable to activities taking place within the geographic boundary of the city.7 Under the Basic reporting level as defined by the GPC protocol, the inventory requirements cover scope 1 and scope 2 emissions from stationary energy and transportation, as well as all emissions resulting from waste generating within the city boundary. While the 2022 Inventory follows GPC BASIC reporting standards and aligns with previous GHG emissions inventories, minor updates to calculation methodologies were included in the 2022 Inventory and are discussed in detail below.
Staff did not complete a consumption-based GHG inventory. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has been tasked with developing an implementation framework and accounting to track 5 GPC Executive Summary; https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/2022-12/GPC_Executive_Summary_1.pdf 6 ClearPath tool; https://icleiusa.org/clearpath/
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consumption-based emissions over time.8 In particular, this framework needs to address how to account for the embodied emissions in the food, goods, and services the community purchases not covered by generation-based GHG inventories.
1.b. Palo Alto’s 2022 GHG Emissions
In 2022, Palo Alto emitted an estimated 410,157 metric tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) from the residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, waste, water, and municipal sectors.9 In comparison to the 1990 base year emissions (which were about 780,000 metric tons), that is a 47.4 percent decrease in total community emissions, despite a population increase of 21.3 percent during that same time period. This equates to 6.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT CO2e) per Palo Alto resident in 2022 compared to 14 MT CO2e per Palo Alto resident in 1990. The California Air Resources Board’s 2017 Scoping Plan Update recommends a goal for local governments of 6 MT C02e per capita by 2030.
Of the 47.4 percent reduction to-date, 50.3 percent came from achieving carbon neutrality for the City’s electricity portfolio, 21.8 percent from declines in transportation emissions, 13.2 percent from reduction in natural gas (methane10) consumption, 13 percent from declines in solid waste emissions, and 1.6 percent from declines in wastewater-related emissions. In comparison to 2021, that is a 14.2 percent increase in total community emissions.
For citywide emissions sources in 2022, 54.1 percent are from on-road transportation, 35.4 percent are from natural gas (methane) use, and the remainder are from other sources. A comparison of 1990, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 Citywide GHG emissions is shown in Figure 1 and Table 1. The full comparison between the inventories can be found in Attachment B 1990 vs. 2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector and Subsector. Additional existing emissions sources that were missing from the 1990 GHG inventory were included in the 2022 GHG inventory to comply with the GPC Basic protocol (Airport Emissions, Off-road Vehicles, Caltrain Commuter Rail, Composting, and Palo Alto Landfill Gas Flaring). 8 Executive Department State of California. (2019). Executive Order B-55-18 to Achieve Carbon Neutrality. https://www.ca.gov/archive/gov39/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/9.10.18-Executive-Order.pdf. 9 Carbon dioxide equivalent is a unit of measure that normalizes the varying climate warming potencies of all six GHG emissions, which are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). For example, one metric ton of nitrous oxide is 210 metric tons of CO2e.
10 Methane, which is the primary component of natural gas, is a very potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential that is 25 times higher than CO2 over a 100-year period.
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Figure 1: 1990 vs 2022 Citywide GHG Emissions by Sector Table 1: 1990 vs 2022 Citywide GHG Emissions by Sector
Sector
1990
GHG
emission
s
(MT
CO2e)
2019
GHG
emission
s
(MT
CO2e)
2020
GHG
emission
s
(MT
CO2e)
2021
GHG
emission
s
(MT
CO2e)
2022
GHG
emission
s
(MT
CO2e)
Percent
Change
in 2022
from
1990
On-Road Transportation 331,840 293,413 217,279 185,925 221,923 -33.1% Additional Transportation
Sources 21,668 21,244 25,478 29,140 n/a
Natural Gas (Methane) Use 194,000 153,509 134,365 135,697 144,996 -25.3% Natural Gas (Methane) Fugitive
Emissions 4,718 5,009 4,384 4,427 4,709 -0.2%
Wastewater-Related Emissions 8,504 2,197 1,388 1,262 2,532 -70.2% Solid Waste 55,057 6,531 6,660 6,522 6,857 -87.5%
Brown Power Supply
(Electricity) 186,000 - 100%
Total GHG Emissions (MT CO2e) 780,119 482,237 385,320 359,312 410,157 -47.4% As shown in Figure 2, the two largest categories of emissions are transportation and mobile sources (including on-road transportation, airport emissions, off-road vehicles, and Caltrain commuter rail) and natural gas (methane) use (including residential, commercial, and industrial).
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Figure 2: 2022 Citywide GHG Emissions by Sector
Transportation and mobile sources include emissions from private, commercial, and fleet vehicles driven within the City’s geographical boundaries, as well as the emissions from public transit vehicles and the City-owned fleet. Off-road vehicles include airport ground support, construction and mining, industrial, light commercial, portable equipment, and transportation refrigeration units.
Natural gas (methane) use includes emissions that result from natural gas (methane) consumption in both private and public sector buildings and facilities, and residential, commercial, and industrial sources. Fugitive emissions related to natural gas (methane) consumption are calculated separately and are discussed in Section 1.d. The City’s electricity supply has been carbon neutral since 2013, when the City Council approved a Carbon Neutral Electric Resource Plan, committing Palo Alto to pursuing only carbon-neutral electric resources and effectively eliminating all GHG emissions from the City's electric portfolio.
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1.c. Transportation and Mobile Sources
In 2022, transportation and mobile sources accounted for 61.2 percent of total citywide GHG emissions in Palo Alto. Although GHG emissions from this sector are 24.3 percent lower than 1990 levels, emissions increased 19 percent between 2021 and 2022. As shown in Table 2, transportation and mobile sources consist of:
•On-Road Transportation – This includes all daily vehicular trips made entirely within the Palo Alto city limits (in-boundary trips), one-half of daily vehicular trips with an origin within Palo Alto city limits and a destination outside of Palo Alto city limits (outbound trips; this assumes that Palo Alto shares half the responsibility for trips traveling from other jurisdictions), and one-half of daily vehicular trips with an origin outside Palo Alto city limits and a destination within Palo Alto city limits (inbound trips; this assumes that Palo Alto shares the responsibility of trips traveling to other jurisdictions). Vehicular trips through Palo Alto are not included because Palo Alto cannot solely implement policies that influence the trip-making behavior. Rather, through trips are assigned to other jurisdictions that can influence either the origin or destination side of the trip- making behavior.
•Airport Emissions – This includes emissions from take-offs and landings from trips that start and end at Palo Alto Airport. This includes emergency services helicopters, sightseeing helicopters, and training flights. Flights that take-off from Palo Alto Airport but land elsewhere, and flights that land in Palo Alto Airport but take-off from elsewhere are not included per GPC Basic Protocol.
•Off-road Vehicles - This includes airport ground support (based on take-offs and landings), construction and mining, industrial (based on employment data), light commercial (based on employment data), portable equipment, and transportation refrigeration units (based on service population). Additionally, two new off-road categories were added to the 2022 Inventory - lawn and garden equipment, and recreational vehicles (based on service population and population, respectively). •Caltrain Commuter Rail – This includes emissions from Caltrain travel within Palo Alto.
Table 2: 2022 Transportation and Mobile Sources
Subsector
2019 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2020 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2021 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2022 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
Percent of
Total 2022
Emissions (%)
On-Road
Transportation 293,413 217,279 185,925 221,923 54.1%
Airport Emissions 2,192 1,664 2,641 1,837 0.4%
Off-road Vehicles 14,634 15,029 18,961 20,191 4.9%
Caltrain Commuter Rail 4,842 4,552 3,876 7,112 1.7%
Total Transportation &
Mobile Sources 315,081 238,523 211,403 251,063 61.2%
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The main driver of GHG emissions from transportation and mobile sources is fuel combustion from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, specifically passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and buses (69 percent, 17 percent, and two percent of all transportation GHG emissions, respectively). Since electricity in the City is carbon-neutral, there are no GHG emissions attributed to passenger, commercial, or bus EVs.
The 2022 inventory utilized vehicles miles traveled (VMT) data from Google’s Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE) and VMT-weighted emission factors from the California Air Resources (CARB) Emission FACtor (EMFAC) model11 to estimate GHG emissions from all passenger, commercial, and bus ICE vehicles. Forty-six percent of VMT was from inbound trips, 45% from outbound trips, and 9% from in-boundary trips.
To determine the EV share of passenger VMT, data from CEC’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Statistics database was pulled for the City’s zip codes. Passenger VMT data was then multiplied by the EV share percentage to determine electric VMT (EVMT) of passenger vehicles allocated to the City. All EVMT was then multiplied by a passenger vehicle energy factor, or electricity (kWh) per mile (EPM), generated from CARB’s EMFAC model to determine the total electricity consumption of passenger EVs.
For commercial and bus VMT, Santa Clara County and San Mateo County boundaries were set in CEC’s ZEV Statistics database to determine the average EV share percentage of these vehicle categories.12 Commercial and bus VMT data were then multiplied by their respective EV share percentages to determine EVMT of these vehicle categories.
All electricity consumption from passenger, commercial, and bus EVs were multiplied by the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) electricity emission factor (zero MT CO2e/kWh) to determine GHG emissions from on-road, EV transportation.
On-road transportation accounts for approximately 54.1 percent of Palo Alto’s total emissions, a 33.1 percent decrease from 1990, but a 19.4 percent increase from 2021. This increase is primarily driven by increased on-road vehicle miles traveled (VMT). In 2022, total on-road VMT increased by 12 percent since 2021, likely due to the shift away from pandemic-level (reduced) driving frequency, returning to the office after working from home, and economic recovery of people returning to Palo Alto for shopping, dining, entertainment, and travel stays.
Off-road transportation accounts for approximately 4.9 percent of Palo Alto’s total emissions, a
6.5 percent increase from 2021. GHG emissions from lawn and garden equipment specifically— which are predominantly gasoline-powered equipment—account for less than one percent of total emissions. It is important to note that most of the off-road transportation emissions are 11 CARB EMFAC v1.0.1.; https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/msei/on-road-emfac 12 While these percent EV share estimates also come from CEC’s ZEV Statistics database, only county-level data is available for medium- and heavy-duty (i.e., commercial and bus) ZEVs. The average percent EV share for Santa Clara and San Mateo County was used as a proxy for Palo Alto because Palo Alto shares one zip code (94303) with San Mateo, and much I-E/E-I EVMT attributed to Palo Alto is assumed to be between these two counties Item 3
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based on models at the County level that do not reflect Palo Alto-specific variations. The 2022 inventory sourced Santa Clara County fuel consumption from CARB’s OFFROAD model,13 including airport ground support, construction, mining, industrial, light commercial, portable equipment, and transportation refrigeration units. All attribution factors used to allocate countywide fuel consumption to Palo Alto in 2022 remained the same as previous inventories,14 except airport ground support. Attributed fuel consumption from each off-road sector was then multiplied by its respective GHG emissions factor (MT CO2e/gallon) depending on fuel type (i.e., gasoline, diesel, or natural gas) to estimate GHG emissions.
Airport emissions account for approximately 0.4% of Palo Alto’s total emissions, a 30.4% decrease from 2021. Due to unavailable data, airport ground support in 2022 was attributed based off number of airports in Palo Alto relative to Santa Clara County, in contrast to previous inventory methodology of allocating based off the number of take-offs and landings in Palo Alto.
Caltrain commuter rail emissions account for approximately 1.7 percent of Palo Alto’s total emissions, an 83.5 percent decrease from 2021. In the 2021 inventory, total Caltrain commuter rail diesel fuel consumption was sourced from the Peninsula Corridor Joint Power Board, and partially allocated—scaled down—to Palo Alto based off 2019 average weekday ridership (AWR) as 2021 Caltrain ridership was not available. For the 2022 Inventory, the most recently available Caltrain ridership data included calendar year 2022 (CY22) total system annual AWR and fiscal year 2023 (FY23) (November and December only) Palo Alto stations’ AWR. In the 2022 Inventory, commuter rail fuel consumption was scaled down and attributed to Palo Alto by dividing the sum of FY23 Palo Alto stations’ AWR by CY22 total system annual AWR. Due to no response from the Peninsula Corridor Joint Power Board, Caltrain commuter rail diesel fuel consumption in the 2022 Inventory uses 2020 fuel consumption from Caltrain’s 2021 Sustainability Report as is most recently available data.15 It is assumed that the total fuel consumption and allocation methodology described above is comparable to Palo Alto’s share of Caltrain commuter rail emissions in 2022. Caltrain electrification is a key component of the Caltrain Modernization program,16 with Caltrain scheduled to be electrified by late September 2024. Once the Caltrain Modernization program is complete, most of the Caltrain commuter rail emissions will be eliminated.
1.d Natural Gas (Methane) Use
In 2022, natural gas (methane) emissions accounted for 35.4 percent of total 2022 citywide GHG emissions in Palo Alto, a 6.9 percent increase from 2020 and a 25.3 percent decrease from 1990. As shown in Table 3, Palo Alto’s total natural gas (methane) consumption in 2022 was 27,140,144 therms. Residential natural gas (methane) use accounts for 17 percent of total emissions, commercial energy accounts for 15.3 percent of total emissions, and industrial 13 CARB OFFROAD v1.0.5.; https://arb.ca.gov/emfac/offroad/ 14 Attribution factors are based off demographic data such as population, employment, and service population (except for airport ground support).
15 Caltrain 2021 Sustainability Report; https://www.caltrain.com/media/30519/download 16 Caltrain Modernization Program; https://calmod.org/
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energy accounts for 3.1 percent of total emissions. In 2022, natural gas (methane) use increased 12.6 percent in the commercial sector, 4.1 percent in the industrial sector and 2.7 percent in the residential sector. While natural gas (methane) usage fluctuates based on factors such as weather and occupant behavior, the increase in natural gas (methane) emissions in the commercial sector is likely due to increased occupancy from returning to the office after working from home, filling commercial building vacancies, and economic recovery - including increased dining, shopping, and visitors returning to Palo Alto.
The City Council unanimously approved Palo Alto’s Carbon Neutral Natural Gas Plan on December 5, 2016. The Natural Gas Plan, implemented on July 1, 2017, achieves carbon neutrality for the gas supply portfolio by 1) purchasing high-quality carbon offsets equivalent to our City and community natural gas (methane) emissions; 2) pursuing efficiency strategies to reduce natural gas (methane) use, and 3) seeking opportunities to fund local offsets that finance actual emissions reductions in Palo Alto and the surrounding region. As a bridging strategy, carbon offsets are being purchased in an amount equal to the GHG emissions caused by natural gas (methane) use within the City. Carbon offsets are not included in this citywide GHG inventory.
1Table 3: 2022 Natural Gas (Methane) Use
Subsector
2019
Consumption
(Therms)
2020
Consumption
(Therms)
2021
Consumption
(Therms)
2022
Consumption
(Therms)
Percent of
Total
2022
Emissions (%)
Residential Energy 13,565,360 12,952,262 12,756,160 13,037,423 17.0% Industrial Energy 2,707,034 2,253,641 2,294,119 2,372,902 3.1% Commercial Energy 12,954,768 10,061,842 10,468,041 11,729,819 15.3% Total Natural Gas
(Methane) Use 28,867,162 25,267,739 25,518,320 27,140,144 35.4% Natural Gas (Methane) Fugitive Emissions
Natural gas is mainly methane (CH4), some of which escapes during the drilling, extraction, and transportation processes. Such releases are known as fugitive emissions. The primary sources of these emissions may include equipment leaks, evaporation losses, venting, flaring and accidental releases. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas – approximately 25 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over a 100-year timescale.
In 2022, natural gas (methane) fugitive emissions accounted for 1.1 percent of total citywide GHG emissions in Palo Alto, an increase of 6.4 percent from 2021 and a decrease of 0.2 percent from 1990. Per the GPC, fugitive emissions from natural gas (methane) are based on overall community consumption and a leakage rate of 0.03 percent.
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As mentioned in Section 1.a., the GPC Basic methodology includes GHG emissions attributable to activities taking place within the geographic boundary of the city. As such, the 2022 GHG inventory does not include a category of emissions that are called “upstream emissions,” which includes emissions from extraction of natural gas (methane) and its transportation across the western United States through California to Palo Alto. Leaks during gas extraction and transportation can be very significant, so the actual impacts of natural gas (methane) use can be much more significant than is represented in a formal Citywide GHG inventory.
1.e. Solid Waste
In 2022, Palo Alto's solid waste diversion rate was 91 percent, far exceeding the 50 percent mandate for local jurisdictions. “Diversion” includes all waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and composting activities that “divert” materials from landfills. The City uses the diversion rate to measure progress on waste reduction and resource conservation goals. As shown in Figure 3, the diversion rate of 91 percent is an improvement from the 62 percent rate in 2007 and 84 percent rate in 2021. As part of the 2016 S/CAP Framework, the City Council adopted a goal of 95 percent diversion of materials from landfills by 2030.17 Figure 3: Annual Diversion Rate Percentage
Solid waste emissions accounted for 1.7 percent of total 2022 citywide GHG emissions in Palo Alto, a 5.1 percent increase from 2021 and an 87.5 percent decrease from 1990. As shown in Table 4, the 1990 inventory included Palo Alto Landfill Gas Fugitive emissions, whereas the 2022 inventory did not, and the 2022 inventory included composting emissions at the Zero 17 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Framework, November 2016; https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/64814 Item 3
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Waste Energy Development Company’s (ZWED) Dry Fermentation Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Facility in San Jose, CA, composting emissions at the Synagro El Nido Central Valley Composting (CVC) facility in Dos Palos, as well as Palo Alto Landfill Gas Flaring Emissions.
The increase from 2021 in solid waste emissions is due largely to the slight increase in emissions from the closed landfill within Palo Alto, which accounted for 1.3 percent of total waste emissions in 2022. The increase was a result of a slight methodology difference in the emission factor calculation. Waste emissions result from organic material decomposing in the anaerobic conditions present in a landfill and releasing methane (CH4) – a greenhouse gas much more potent than CO2. Organic materials (e.g., paper, plant debris, food waste, etc.) generate methane within the anaerobic environment of a landfill while non-organic materials (e.g., metal, glass, etc.) do not. This is why diverting waste from landfills is so important. In 2016, Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) to reduce GHG emissions from a variety of short-lived climate pollutants, including methane from organic materials disposed in landfills.
SB 1383 is the largest and most prescriptive waste management legislation in California since the California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939) and aspires to reduce statewide disposal of organic waste 75% by 2025 and recover at least 20% of the currently disposed edible food for human consumption by 2025. Palo Alto is in compliance with many of SB 1383 requirements due to the City’s progressive zero waste programs and initiatives and is continuing to take initiatives to further reduce organic materials from being disposed in landfills.
In the 2021 citywide inventory, GHG emissions associated with transforming wastewater sludge into compost at Synagro facilities were calculated by taking all compost-bound wastewater sludge produced by the Palo Alto Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) and multiplying it by composting emission factors derived from EPA’s Waste Reduction Model (WARM) methodology.18 While taking all compost-bound wastewater sludge produced by the Palo Alto RWQCP is a conservative approach to estimating activity data for wastewater sludge composting emissions, it overestimates the City’s share since Palo Alto’s RWQCP serves several cities and not all compost-bound wastewater sludge produced is attributed to the City. To avoid overestimating GHG emissions from this source, an attribution factor of 43 percent (the City’s service population divided by persons served by Palo Alto’s RWQCP) was used in the 2022 citywide inventory to scale down Palo Alto’s RWQCP compost-bound wastewater sludge to estimate only the City’s share of wastewater sludge composting emissions. The composting emission factor in the 2022 Inventory did not change.
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2Table 4: 1990 vs 2022 Solid Waste Emissions by Subsector Subsector
1990 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2019 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2020 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2021 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2022 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
Percent of
Total 2022
Emissions (%)
Composting Not
included 731 1,623 1,256 1,327 0.3%
Palo Alto Landfill
Gas Flaring
Not
included 281 316 237 233 0.1%
Palo Alto Landfill
Gas Fugitive 24,325 n/a19 n/a n/a n/a n/a
Palo Alto Landfill
Waste 30,732 5,519 4,721 5,029 5,297 1.3%
Total 55,057 6,531 6,660 6,522 6,857 1.7%
1.f. Wastewater Treatment
As shown in Table 5, in 2022 the RWQCP wastewater-related emissions accounted for 0.6 percent of total 2022 GHG emissions in Palo Alto – a 100.7 percent increase from 2021 and a
70.2 percent decrease from 1990. RWQCP GHG emissions originate from electricity, natural gas (methane), and landfill gas usage required to treat the wastewater, as well as GHGs that are emitted from the wastewater itself either during treatment or after (effluent). The nitrogen within wastewater is subject to transformation to nitrous oxide at varying stages in the treatment process as well as after it has been discharged to a receiving water (effluent). These emissions are included in the RWQCP totals.
The significant increase in indirect GHG emissions from wastewater effluent between 2021 and 2022 is primarily driven by increased nitrogen content in wastewater effluent (an 86 percent increase). Because the 2021 nitrogen content level is well below the lowest data point during the COVID pandemic, it can be concluded that the 2021 activity data was the result of a measurement error and the 2022 activity data is representative of current conditions despite the comparative increase.20 Accounting for less than one percent of all GHG emissions in the 2022 citywide inventory, however, the effect on total GHG emissions is insignificant. Still, GHG emissions from wastewater are significantly lower than 1990 levels.
As shown in Figure 4, the RWQCP operations achieved significant GHG reductions in 2019 when the facility’s sewage sludge incinerators were replaced with the more environmentally friendly Sludge Dewatering and Truck Loadout Facility. Previously, the RWQCP incinerators were the City’s largest facility related GHG source. The updated biosolids treatment process has and will continue to reduce climate-warming GHG emissions by approximately 15,000 MT of CO2e per 19 Not included because the landfill was closed
20 The 2021 nitrogen content level was reported as 1,205 kilograms (kg) of nitrogen (N) per day. The lowest data point during the COVID pandemic was 1,950 kg N per day. The 2022 activity data was reported as 2,240 kg N per day.
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year when compared to the emissions from incineration. This approximates the carbon dioxide emissions of 3,000 passenger cars. The dewatered sludge is used as agricultural soil supplements.
3Table 5: 1990 vs 2022 Wastewater-Related Emissions by Subsector Subsector
1990 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2019 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2020 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2021 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2022 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
Percent of
Total 2022
Emissions (%)
Wastewater
Biosolid
Treatment21
n/a 812 0 0 0 0%
Wastewater
Treatment and
Effluent
8,504 1,385 1,388 1,262 2,532 0.6%
Total 8,504 2,197 1,388 1,262 2,532 0.6%
Figure 4: RWQCP Historical Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions 21 Includes biosolid composting, anaerobic digestion, and incineration Item 3
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Attachment B: 1990 vs. 2022 Citywide Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector and Subsector Sector and Subsector
1990 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)1
2019 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2020 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2021 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2022 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
% Change
in 2022 from
1990
Percent of
Total 2022
Emissions
Total Transportation & Mobile Sources 331,840 315,081 238,523 211,403 251,063 -24.3% 61.2% -On-Road Transportation 331,840 293,413 217,279 185,925 221,923 -33.1% 54.1% -Airport Emissions Not Included 2,192 1,664 2,641 1,837 n/a 0.4% -Off-road Vehicles Not Included 14,634 15,029 18,961 20,191 n/a 4.9% -Caltrain Commuter Rail Not Included 4,842 4,552 3,876 7,112 n/a 1.7% Total Natural Gas (Methane) Use 194,000 153,509 134,365 135,697 144,996 -25.3% 35.4% -Commercial Energy Not calculated 66,987 53,515 55,676 62,667 n/a 15.3% -Industrial Energy Not calculated 14,373 11,961 12,176 12,677 n/a 3.1% -Residential Energy Not calculated 72,149 68,889 67,846 69,652 n/a 17.0% Natural Gas (Methane) Fugitive Emissions 4,718 5,009 4,384 4,427 4,709 -0.2% 1.1% Total Wastewater-Related Emissions 8,504 2,197 1,388 1,262 2,532 -70.2% 0.6% -Wastewater Biosolid Treatment 2 n/a 812 0 0 0 n/a 0%
-Wastewater Treatment and Effluent 8,504 1,385 1,388 1,262 2,532 -70.2% 0.6% Total Solid Waste 55,057 6,531 6,660 6,522 6,857 -87.5% 1.7% -Composting Not Included 731 1,623 1,256 1,327 n/a 0.3% -Palo Alto Landfill Gas Flaring 3 Not Included 281 316 237 233 n/a 0.1% -Palo Alto Landfill Gas Fugitive 24,325 n/a4 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a -Palo Alto Landfill Waste 30,732 5,519 4,721 5,029 5,297 -82.8% 1.3% Brown Power Supply (Electricity) 186,000 n/a n/a n/a n/a -100.0% n/a Total GHG Emissions (MT CO2e) 780,119 482,237 385,320 359,312 410,157 -47.4% 100% 1 Source: 2016 S/CAP Framework and 2016 Earth Day Report 2 Includes biosolid composting, anaerobic digestion, and incineration 3 2016 Earth Day Report labeled these emissions as biogenic 4 Not included because the landfill was closed
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Attachment C: Palo Alto 2022 Municipal Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Overview of Methodology for Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions The 2022 Municipal Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Inventory follows the calculation and reporting standards outlined in the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives’ (ICLEI) Local Government Operation (LGO) Protocol1, which aligns with the Global Protocol for Community-Scale GHG Emissions Inventories (GPC) local government operations protocol.2 Under the LGO Protocol, GHG Emissions from Palo Alto’s municipal operations can be classified into four main sectors:
•Buildings and other facilities (e.g., stationary combustion) •Streetlights and Traffic Signals (e.g., electricity use) •City vehicle and equipment fleet (e.g., mobile combustion) •Wastewater facilities (e.g., wastewater treatment and discharge) •Indirect emissions (e.g., employee commuting, landfilled solid waste generation) Activities taking place within a city can generate GHG emissions that occur inside the city boundary as well as outside the city boundary. To distinguish among them, the LGO Protocol groups emissions into three categories based on where they occur:
•Scope 1 emissions: GHG emissions from sources located within the city boundary •Scope 2 emissions: GHG emissions occurring as a consequence of the use of grid- supplied electricity, heat, steam and/or cooling within the city boundary •Scope 3 emissions: All other GHG emissions that occur outside the city boundary as a result of activities taking places within the city boundary Palo Alto’s 2022 Municipal GHG Emissions
In 2022, the City emitted a total of 15,784 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT of CO2e) from municipal operations. As shown in Table 1, GHG emissions from Palo Alto’s municipal operations are from five main sectors: buildings and other facilities, streetlights and traffic signals, city vehicles and equipment, wastewater facilities, and indirect emissions. Since the methodology has changed significantly for certain sectors since the first Municipal GHG Inventory was conducted in 2005, it is no longer possible to do a true comparison with previous Municipal GHG inventories. However, the methodologies for buildings and other facilities, streetlights and traffic signals, and city vehicles and equipment are similar enough to make rough comparisons. For reference only, in 2005 the City emitted a total of 40,499 MT of CO2e from municipal operations.
1 LGO Protocol Rulebook; https://icleiusa.org/resources/local-government-operations-lgo-protocol/ 2 GPC Inventories for local government operations;
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Table 1: 2022 Palo Alto Municipal GHG Emissions
Sector
2022 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
Percent of
total
emissions (%)
Buildings and Other Facilities 3,398 21.5%
Streetlights and Traffic Signals 0 0%
City Vehicles and Equipment Fleet 1,676 10.6%
Wastewater Facilities (Regional Water Quality Control Plant) 5,953 37.7% Indirect Emission Sources 4,758 30.1%
Total 15,784 100%
Note: Percentages and MT CO2e may not add to the total due to rounding The majority of municipal GHG emissions—about 38 percent—are attributed to the Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP). Since the RWQCP is owned and operated by the City, 100 percent of GHG emissions are attributed to the City and falls under Scope 1. These GHG emissions include indirect nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from wastewater effluent (about 92 percent of total wastewater GHG emissions), indirect nitrous oxide emissions from the nitrification/denitrification of wastewater (about seven percent of total wastewater GHG emissions), and natural gas combustion/leakage (about one percent of total wastewater GHG emissions).
The second major contributor to municipal GHG emissions includes GHG emissions from indirect sources, or the City’s Scope 3 sources. These sources account for about 30 percent of total GHG emissions and include GHG emissions resulting from employee commute mobile combustion (about 39 percent of total indirect source GHG emissions) and methane emissions resulting from landfilled solid waste (about 61 percent of total indirect source GHG emissions).
Landfilled solid waste methane emissions are a product of decomposing organic material generated and sent to the landfill by municipal operations. This subsector attributes methane emissions based on total landfilled solid waste generated in the inventory year and does not account for pre-existing landfilled solid waste methane emissions.
The third major contributor to municipal GHG emissions includes GHG emissions from natural gas usage in Buildings and Other Facilities (excluding the RWQCP), considered a Scope 1 source.
These GHG emissions accounted for 22 percent of total GHG emissions and are driven by natural gas combustion (about 97 percent of total Buildings and Other Facilities GHG emissions), and natural gas leakage (about three percent of total Buildings and Other Facilities GHG emissions).
The final contributor to municipal GHG emissions includes the City’s Vehicle and Equipment Fleet, considered a Scope 1 source (except for the City’s Electric Vehicles (EVs), which are considered a Scope 2 source due to the energy source being purchased electricity). Together, Item 3
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these account for about 11 percent of total GHG emissions and are mainly driven by the City’s on-road vehicle fleet powered by gasoline, diesel, and compressed natural gas (CNG) (about 92 percent of total Vehicle and Equipment Fleet GHG emissions) and off-vehicle/equipment fleet powered by gasoline and diesel (about eight percent of total Vehicle and Equipment Fleet GHG emissions).
Since electricity in the City is carbon-neutral, there are no GHG emissions from electricity consumption in City-owned buildings and facilities, streetlight and traffic signals, EVs, or City water-energy consumption.
A comparison of the on-road vehicle GHG emissions by City Department and vehicle fuel type (diesel, gasoline, and CNG) can be found in Table 2. The fleet vehicles used by City Departments are used for the following purposes:
•Administrative Services Department – purchasing and printing •Community Services Department – administration, arts and culture, recreation, parks and golf
•Fire Department – operations, support
•Information Technology Department – information technology •Planning and Development Department – inspection services •Police Department – police, animal services
•Public Works Department – engineering, facilities management, equipment management, operations, wastewater treatment operations, storm drainage, refuse, Palo Alto airport operations
•Utilities Department – administrative services, electric operations, electric engineering, water / gas / wastewater engineering, water / gas / wastewater operations, resource management
Table 2: On-Road Vehicle GHG emissions by City Department and Vehicle Fuel Type City Department
Diesel
Vehicles
(MT CO2e)
Gasoline
Vehicles
(MT CO2e)
CNG Vehicles
(MT CO2e)
Total
(MT CO2e)
Administrative Services 8.11 0 0.23 8.34
Community Services 18.56 70.36 0.02 88.94
Fire 171.2 57.62 0.12 228.94
Information Technology 0 2.45 0 2.45
Planning and Development 0 17.4 0.66 18.06
Police 12.64 417.36 0 430
Public Works 109.37 225.73 2.7 337.8
Utilities 178.75 254.5 2.44 435.69
Total 498.63 1,045.42 6.17 1,550.22
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A comparison of 2005 and 2022 Palo Alto Municipal GHG emissions is shown in Figure 1 and Table 3. As previously discussed, the methodology has changed significantly for certain sectors since the first Municipal GHG Inventory was conducted in 2005, so it is no longer possible to do a true comparison with previous Municipal GHG inventories. However, the methodologies for buildings and other facilities, streetlights and traffic signals, and city vehicles and equipment are similar enough to make rough comparisons.
Figure 1: 2005 vs. 2022 Palo Alto Municipal GHG Emissions Table 3: 2005 vs. 2022 Palo Alto Municipal GHG Emissions Sector
2005 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
2022 GHG
emissions
(MT CO2e)
Percent Change
in 2022 from
2005 (%)
Buildings and Other Facilities 10,698 3,398 - 68.2%
Streetlights and Traffic Signals 748 0 - 100%
City Vehicles and Equipment Fleet 2,835 1,676 - 41%
Wastewater Facilities (Regional Water
Quality Control Plant) 11,269 5,953 -47.2%*
Indirect Emission Sources 5,567 4,758 -14.5%*
Power Generation Facilities 9,308 Not included n/a
Water Delivery Facilities 74 Not included n/a
Total 40,499 15,784 - 61%*
Note: Percentages and MT CO2e may not add to the total due to rounding * Not a true comparison due to different methodologies
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Attachment D: S/CAP Key Performance Indicators Progress Report for 2023 This progress report provides an update on the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for calendar year 2023. The S/CAP Key Actions are abbreviated for the purposes of this report, but the full key actions can be found in Section 5:
Goals and Key Actions of the S/CAP.1 A summary of the progress on the KPIs for calendar year 2023 can be found in Attachment E. Signification actions and accomplishments from 2023 can be found on the Sustainability website2.
Climate Action
GOAL
Reduce GHG emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030 (the “80 x 30” goal)
KEY ACTIONS
Community assistance
C1. Provide building and transportation emissions consultations for residents C2. Develop major employer custom emissions reduction plans Staff Analysis
C3. Study additional key actions needed for 80 x 30
C4. Study staffing and budgetary needs
C5. Study funding alternatives
C6. Conduct an electrification affordability study
C7. Study carbon neutrality options
Staff and Council action
C8. Accelerate GHG reductions
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•GHG reductions
•Community awareness
•Participation in Climate Pledge
Climate Action KPI: GHG Reductions
Palo Alto has already made significant progress in its sustainability and climate action efforts, decreasing its community emissions to 410,157 metric tons (MT) CO2e, or 6.1 MT CO2e per Palo Alto resident in 2022 (47.4 percent compared to 1990 levels). However, to achieve the 80 x 1 2022 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan;
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/sustainability/reports/2022-scap-report_final.pdf 2 Sustainability Actions and Accomplishments; https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/City-Hall/Sustainability/Goals-and- Progress/Sustainability-Actions-and-Accomplishments
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30 and carbon neutrality by 2030 goals, Palo Alto must meet a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target of 156,024 MT CO2e, or 2 MT CO2e per Palo Alto resident by 2030. Key data needed to calculate the GHG emissions for calendar year 2023 is not yet available. In order to make progress on the GHG reductions goal, in 2023 the City focused on community assistance (Key Action C1, C2), staff analysis (C3, C4, C5, and C6), and staff and Council action (C8).
Climate Action KPI: Community Awareness
The City continues to expand outreach to increase community awareness about the S/CAP and the 80 x 30 goal. In 2023, the City held 86 sustainability and climate action events covering all eight S/CAP focus areas. Attendance was not counted for all events, but staff estimates an average of 80 – 100 attendees per event. The City published seven Sustainability Newsletters and eight Climate Action blogs in 2023. The Sustainability Newsletter has a readership of 3,445 and a 50% open rate, which is the percentage of readers that open the e-mail you send them.
The average open rate for electronic newsletters is 21.5%.3 While not a direct measure of community awareness, the 2023 Palo Alto Community Survey4 found that 68% of residents indicated that it is essential or very important for Palo Alto to focus on reducing GHGs in the coming two years. Staff will add a direct question to measure community awareness in future surveys.
Climate Action KPI: Participation in Climate Pledge
The City developed a Planet Protection Pledge (the Climate Pledge), which launched at the Palo Alto Earth Day Festival on April 21, 2024 at Rinconada Library. The goal of the pledge is to encourage residents to “pledge” to take action towards our S/CAP goals. The “Climate Pledge” KPI will be reported on in the next KPI Progress Report.
Energy
GOALS
Reduce GHG emissions from the direct use of natural gas in Palo Alto’s building sector by at least 60% below 1990 levels (116,400 MT CO2e reduction)
Modernize the electric grid to support increased electric demand and to accommodate state-of-the-art technology
KEY ACTIONS
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in appliances and equipment E1.Reduce GHG emissions in Single-Family Appliances and Equipment E2.Reduce GHG emissions in Non-Residential Equipment
3 2022 Email Marketing Benchmarks Report, https://www.campaignmonitor.com/resources/guides/email- marketing-benchmarks/
4 City of Palo Alto Community Survey 2023; https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/city- manager/communications-office/general/attachment-a-palo-alto-community-survey-2023-report-of-results.pdf Item 3
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Reduce natural gas use in buildings
E3.Reduce Gas Use in Major Facilities
E4.Reduce natural gas use at City facilities
Make it affordable
E5.Support income-qualified residents and vulnerable businesses with electrification E6.Develop electric rate options
Paving the road to electrification
E7.Use codes and ordinances to facilitate electrification E8.Electric grid modernization plan
E9.Additional electrification opportunities in commercial and multi-family buildings
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•GHG emissions from natural gas use in buildings (single-family, multifamily, nonresidential)
•Percentage of single-family households with no gas connections •Percentage of gas use reduction in major facilities and City facilities In order to make progress on the Energy goals, in 2023 the City focused on key actions to reduce GHGs in appliances and equipment (E1, E2), reduce natural gas use in buildings (E3, E4), make it affordable (E5, E6), and pave the road to electrification (E7, E8).
Energy KPI: GHG emissions from natural gas use in buildings (single-family, multifamily, nonresidential)
In 2023, total natural gas (methane) use in buildings was 27,399,747 therms5 or 144,972 MT of CO2e. This is a slight increase from 2022, when total natural gas (methane) use in buildings was 27,140,144 therms or 143,599 MT of CO2e. This is most likely because it was colder in the first three months of 2023 than in was in the first three months of 2022. It could also be because more people were returning to work in offices and continuing to return to Palo Alto for dining, shopping, and recreation.
Energy KPI: Percentage of single-family households with no gas connections The City estimates that 2.1% of single-family households (341 single-family homes) have no gas connections. The S/CAP impact analysis found that in order to achieve 80 x 30, virtually all single-family gas appliances need to be switched to electric appliances.
Energy KPI: Percentage of gas use reduction in major facilities and City facilities Staff estimates a 45 percent reduction in natural gas (methane) use in City facilities compared to the 2016 baseline. Data is currently not available for other major facilities. 5 One therm is the energy content of approximately 100 cubic feet of natural gas at standard temperature and pressure.
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Electric Vehicles
GOALS
Reduce transportation related GHG emissions at least 65% below 1990 levels (215,696 MT CO2e reduction)
Develop a public and private charging network to support EV adoption
KEY ACTIONS
Education, awareness, and collaboration
EV1.Raise awareness of alternative transportation modes, micro-mobility, and EVs EV2.Collaborate to promote EV adoption regionally
EV3.Promote EV adoption and alternative commutes for commuters EV4.Facilitate the adoption of EVs, e-bikes and other light EVs EV5.Promote alternative transportation modes and infrastructure to support adoption Expand EV infrastructure
EV6.Expand EV charging access for multi-family residents EV7.Improve EV charging access for income-qualified residents EV8.Ensure EV charging capacity supports EV growth
Electrify fleet vehicles
EV9.Electrify municipal vehicle fleet
EV10.Support policy to electrify fleet vehicles
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•GHG emissions from vehicle travel
•Percentage of registered EV vehicles in Palo Alto
•Percentage of new vehicle sales that are EVs
•Percentage of multifamily residents with access to overnight EV charging •Gasoline sales in Palo Alto
In order to make progress on the EV goals, in 2023 the City focused on key actions on education, awareness, and collaboration (EV1, EV2, EV3, EV4, EV5); to expand EV infrastructure (EV6, EV7, EV8), and electrify fleet vehicles (EV9).
EV KPI: GHG emissions from vehicle travel
In 2021, GHG emissions from vehicle travel was 185,925 MT of CO2e (51.7 percent of total citywide emissions). In 2022, that increased 19.4 percent to 221,923 MT of CO2e (54.1 percent of total citywide emissions). This increase is primarily driven by increased on-road vehicle miles traveled (VMT). In 2022, total on-road VMT increased by 12 percent since 2021, likely due to the shift away from pandemic-level (reduced) driving frequency, returning to the office after working from home, and economic recovery of people returning to Palo Alto for shopping, dining, entertainment, and travel stays. The 2023 GHG emissions from vehicle travel cannot be calculated until the VMT for 2023 is available.
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In 2021, 11% of all registered vehicles in Palo Alto were EVs (5,813).6 In 2022, that increased to 13% (6,573 EV Registrations out of 49,963 total vehicle registrations) and is estimated to be 16% in 2023.7
EV KPI: Percentage of new vehicle sales that are EVs
In 2017, 29% of new vehicle purchases by Palo Alto residents were EVs. This increased to 43% in 2022 (1,534 New EV Sales out of 3,568 New Total Sales of cars with model year 2022-2023) and is estimated to be 52% in 2023.7 For context, in 2023, electric vehicles accounted for 42.4% of new auto registrations in Santa Clara County, 25% of new auto registrations in CA, and 8.5% of new auto registrations nationwide. Achieving the penetrations of electric vehicles needed to achieve the City’s 80x30 goal requires achieving an EV new vehicle registration share of 85% per year or more by 2030.
EV KPI: Percentage of multifamily residents with access to overnight EV charging In 2023, 4% of multifamily residents had access to overnight EV charging. City-owned charging stations allow for overnight (5 pm – 8 am) parking as well as overnight EV charging without overstay fees.
EV KPI: Gasoline sales in Palo Alto
Gasoline sales data in Palo Alto is currently not available but will be reported on when it becomes available.
Mobility
GOALS
Reduce total vehicle miles traveled 12% by 2030, compared to a 2019 baseline, by reducing commute vehicle miles traveled 20%, visitor vehicles miles traveled 10%, and resident vehicle miles traveled 6% Increase the mode share for active transportation (walking, biking) and transit from 19% to 40% of local work trips by 2030
KEY ACTIONS
Promote alternatives to single occupancy car trips
M1.Increase active transportation and transit for local work trips M2.Expand availability of transit and shared mobility services 6 Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles combined. 7 2021 and 2022 statistics were calculated based on a data set provided by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). That data set was not yet available for 2023 at the time of publication of this report, and the DMV is removing total registration data from the data set it plans to provide, so DMV data will no longer be usable to calculate this KPI unless the DMV changes its policies. The City and its partners are advocating to make this data available again. In the interim, a public DMV data set showing aggregate EV and non-EV registrations by zip code is being used. Staff generated its estimates of new and total registrations based on data on all Palo Alto zip codes excluding 94303, which is shared with East Palo Alto. The data sets can be found at https://data.ca.gov/dataset/vehicle-fuel-type-count-by-zip-code Item 3
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M3.Implement the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan M4.Improve Transportation Demand Management for employees and residents Change the way we think about parking cars
M5.Implement smart parking infrastructure in public garages Learn how we can grow without increasing GHG emissions
M6.Study land use and transportation
M7.Continue to implement the City’s Housing Element
M8.Improve transit and traffic flow
Leverage current tools to foster mobility related GHG reductions M9.Create housing density and land use mix that supports transit and non-SOV (Single Occupancy Vehicle) transportation modes
M10.Encourage reductions in GHGs and VMT (vehicle miles traveled)
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•Total VMT
•Commute mode share for all modes
•Commute Benefits participation by City employees
•Transit ridership, the proportion of residents within a quarter-mile walkshed of frequent transit, and the proportion of residents covered by on-demand transit services (data may not be available every year)
•Number and proportion of residents within a 10-minute walk of retail or other essential services/land uses (data may not be available every year) •Number of businesses participating in Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs (when regional TDM Program data becomes available) In order to make progress on the Mobility goals, in 2023 the City focused on key actions to promote alternatives to single occupancy car trips (M1, M2, M3), change the way we think about parking cars (M5), learn how we can grow without increasing GHG emissions (M7, M8), and leverage current tools to foster mobility related GHG reductions (M9).
Mobility KPI: Total VMT
In 2022, total VMT was 575,190,655, which is a 12 percent increase from 2021, when total VMT was 515,738,090. This can be attributed to more people returning to the office after working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The VMT data for 2023 is not yet available but will be included with the 2023 GHG inventory.
Mobility KPI: Commute mode share for all modes
Table 1 shows the commute mode share for Palo Alto in 2021 and 2022. The commute mode share for Palo Alto for 2023 is not yet available. Year 2019 data is also included as a comparison to pre-COVID 19 pandemic mode share. In 2022 more people drove alone and less people carpooled or worked from home than in 2021. However, there was an increase in active transportation and transit, although transit ridership has not returned to pre-COVID 19 levels.
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Table 1: Commute Mode Share for Palo Alto Pre-Pandemic and 2021-20228 Commute Mode (worker 16 years and older) 2019 2021 2022 Worked from home 9.7% 48.8% 32.6%
Drove Alone 61.2% 34.9% 46.1%
Carpooled 5.2% 5.5% 2.4%
Bicycle 10% 5.0% 9.2%
Walked 3.9% 2.4% 6.4%
Public transportation (excludes taxicabs) 8.0% 1.2% 1.6% Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means 2.1% 2.3% 1.7%
Mobility KPI: Commute Benefits participation by City employees In 2023, 19% of city employees participated in commute benefits programs.
Mobility KPI: Transit ridership, the proportion of residents within a quarter-mile walkshed of frequent transit, and the proportion of residents covered by on-demand transit services In 2023, 21.9% of residents were within a quarter-mile walkshed of frequent transit. Walksheds are a visual representation of the area a pedestrian can travel to access transit. With the introduction of Palo Alto Link, 99.7% of Palo Altans are now covered by on-demand transit. In 2023, 2.08% of Palo Altans took transit.
Mobility KPI: Number and proportion of residents within a 10-minute walk of retail or other essential services/land uses
In 2023, 32,700 Palo Alto residents (47.8% of all 68,400 residents) lived within a 10-minute walk of retail locations or other essential services.
Mobility KPI: Number of businesses participating in Transportation Demand Management (TDM) programs
The City will report on the “Number of businesses participating in TDM programs” KPI when regional TDM program data becomes available.
Water
GOALS
Reduce Palo Alto’s potable water consumption 30% compared to a 1990 baseline (subject to refinement based on forthcoming California water efficiency standards expected in 2024)
8 U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs; https://data.census.gov/vizwidget?g=160XX00US0655282&infoSection=Commuting Item 3
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Develop a water supply portfolio which is resilient to droughts, changes in climate, and water demand and regulations, that supports our urban canopy
KEY ACTIONS
W1.Maximize water conservation and efficiency
W2.Build a salt removal facility to improve recycled water quality W3.Implement One Water Portfolio projects
W4.Develop a dynamic water planning tool
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•Estimated indoor per capita residential water consumption •Estimated outdoor residential water consumption for irrigation •Water consumption of commercial customers with irrigation meters •Amount of recycled water used in Palo Alto
•Volume of stormwater that is captured and reused
The near-term focus for water is reducing water consumption while exploring ways to capture and store water and increase the availability and use of recycled water.
In 2023, the City held eight landscape workshops on water-saving topics including rainwater harvesting, drought-tolerant landscape design, lawn conversion, and information on available rebates. The City tabled at five neighborhood events to educate residents on water efficiency programs and rebates. The City also provides the WaterSmart water management tool which gives residents information about their water consumption and personalized water conservation recommendations.
The Water KPIs are shown in Table 2.
Table 2: S/CAP Key Performance Indicators for Water (2023) Water KPI 2023
Estimated indoor per capita residential water consumption 17,537 gallons per capita Estimated outdoor residential water consumption for irrigation 620 million gallons Water consumption of commercial customers with irrigation meters 312 million gallons
Amount of recycled water used in Palo Alto 81.05 million gallons Volume of stormwater that is captured and reused
No data to report, no active
stormwater reuse projects
at this time
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Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise
GOALS
Develop and adopt a multi-year Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan including a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment and adaptation plan Minimize wildland fire hazards by ensuring adequate provisions for vegetation management, emergency access and communications, inter- agency firefighting, and standards for design and development within wildland areas
KEY ACTIONS
Minimize the impacts of sea level rise
S1.Complete a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment
S2.Implement a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan
S3.Begin design process for a levee project
S4.Complete bridge improvements and identify protection strategies from flood events Minimize the impacts of wildland fire hazards
S5.Implement the Foothills Fire Management Plan
S6.Minimize fire hazards through zoning
S7.Collaborate on reducing wildfire hazards
S8.Implement CAL FIRE education programs
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•Percent of vulnerable locations protected from three feet of sea level rise •Percent of properties protected from San Francisquito Creek flooding •Progress towards sea level rise levee alignments
•Implementation of Foothills Fire Management Plan mitigation measures The near-term focus for Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise is to develop and adopt a multi- year Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan and minimize wildland fire hazards through Foothills Fire Management Plan implementation, zoning, and collaborating with Fire agencies. In order to make progress on the Climate Adaptation and Sea Level rise goals, in 2023 the City focused on key actions to minimize the impacts of sea level rise (S1, S2, S3, S4) and minimize the impacts of wildland fire hazards (S5, S6, S7, S8).
Sea Level Rise KPI: Percent of vulnerable locations protected from three feet of sea level rise The “Percent of vulnerable locations protected from three feet of sea level rise” KPI is a long- term project that likely won’t result in near-term changes until project construction details are confirmed.
Sea Level Rise KPI: Percent of properties protected from San Francisquito Creek flooding Data is unavailable for the “Percent of properties protected from San Francisquito Creek flooding” KPI.
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Sea Level Rise KPI: Progress towards sea level rise levee alignments The “Progress towards sea level rise levee alignments” KPI is on hold until the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan is completed. In 2022, the City completed a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment9 which documents potential sea level rise hazards to City and community assets from increments of sea level rise between 12 to 84 inches. The Assessment will inform the development of the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan. Current efforts to develop the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan have been paused in light of two regional efforts that may significantly change the scope of the City’s efforts:
1. A United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) cost/benefit analysis determined that there is no federal interest in funding Palo Alto shoreline improvements at this time, and that improvements would not be needed until approximately 2060;
2. SB272 (Laird): Sea Level Rise Planning and Adaptation signed in late 2023 requires a Bay Area regional sea level rise adaptation plan and harmonized subregional plans. Plan requirements, and the boundaries of subregions are anticipated from the Bay Conservation and Development Commission by the end of 2024.
Climate Adaptation KPI: Implementation of Foothills Fire Management Plan mitigation measures
The City is working on various efforts related to implementation of the Foothills Fire Management Plan, including:
•Leading a multi-departmental Foothills Fire Management Plan Group; •Coordinating with Santa Clara County Fire Department, Stanford University, Santa Clara County FireSafe Council, Town of Los Altos Hills, and Woodside Fire Protection District on regional efforts; and,
•Updating the Palo Alto Foothills Fire Management Plan and Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).
The City is working on the deployment of solar battery back-up improvements in key locations to keep equipment online when electricity may be disrupted or disconnected during a fire. As part of the Utilities Wildfire Mitigation Plan, the City is undergrounding electric lines and making other safety improvements. The City is also doing ongoing work to reduce flammable vegetation and other “fuels” in the foothills.
Palo Alto Fire Department, OES, and CSD completed an interagency project with Stanford University and Portola Fire Protection District for the installation of fifty N5 smoke sensors across the Foothills WUI, 12 of which were placed on Palo Alto lands.
The “Implementation of Foothills Fire Management Plan mitigation measures” KPI is shown in Table 3.
9 2022 Palo Alto Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment; https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/public-works/environmental-compliance/sea-level- rise/palo-alto-sea-level-rise-vulnerability-assessment-june-2022-062822-linked-final.pdf Item 3
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Table 3: S/CAP Key Performance Indicators for Foothills Fire Management Plan Mitigation Measures (2022-2023)
Foothills Fire Management Plan Mitigation Measure 2022 2023 Number of residential defensive space re-inspections that are required 33 homes 18 homes
Percent of miles of overhead utility line tree trimming in Foothills completed
65.73%
(7.25 miles)
67.91%
(7.49 miles)
Total miles of electric lines undergrounded in the City of Palo Alto Utilities Foothills Coverage Area 17,600 feet
Percent of electric line miles undergrounded in the City of Palo Alto Utilities Foothills Coverage Area 51.3%
As a point of reference, in 2023, the city had about 116 miles of overhead lines and 195 underground lines, much of it in the Stanford Research Park area. About 2,000 residential units are currently served by the underground system while about 14,000 have overhead lines.
Natural Environment
GOALS
Restore and enhance resilience and biodiversity of our natural environment throughout the City
Increase tree canopy to 40% city-wide coverage by 2030 By 2030, achieve a 10% increase in land area that uses green stormwater infrastructure to treat urban water runoff, compared to a 2020 baseline
KEY ACTIONS
Maintain and protect tree canopy
N1.Increase Palo Alto’s tree canopy
N2.Ensure No Net Tree Canopy Loss for all projects
N3.Reduce pesticide use in parks and open space preserves N4.Enhance pollinator habitat
N5.Establish a carbon storage of tree canopy baseline and KPI Restore and enhance biodiversity
N6.Maximize biodiversity and soil health
N7.Coordinate implementation of the City Natural Environment-Related Plans N8.Expand Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) requirements N9.Phase out gas-powered lawn and garden equipment
Reduce pollutants entering the Bay
N10.Support the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan.
N11.Incorporate green stormwater infrastructure in municipal projects
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
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Performance Indicators
Progress for 2023
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•City-wide Tree Canopy coverage
•Native species on City property and in new landscape projects (to measure biodiversity) •Land area that uses green stormwater infrastructure to treat urban water runoff The near-term focus for Natural Environment is to increase Palo Alto’s Tree Canopy, reduce pesticide usage in parks and open space preserves, and support the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan and incorporate it in municipal projects. In order to make progress on the Natural Environment goals, in 2023 the City focused on key actions to maintain and protect tree canopy (N2, N3, N4, N5), restore and enhance biodiversity (N6, N7, N8, N9), and reduce pollutants entering the Bay (N10, N11).
Ongoing tree planting efforts to increase tree canopy will be integrated with traditional tree planting programs and Green Stormwater Infrastructure to provide co-benefits including carbon sequestration, improve water quality, capture stormwater when feasible, and reduce the urban heat island.
In August 2023, the City Council adopted an ordinance to expand the scope of the gas-powered leaf blower ban in residential neighborhoods and adopted a resolution increasing the administrative penalty related to gas-powered leaf blower use in residential neighborhoods.10 Natural Environment KPI: City-wide Tree Canopy coverage In 2023, citywide tree canopy coverage was 44%, however this includes open space and the Foothills Nature Preserve. Tree canopy coverage in urbanized areas only was 26%.
Natural Environment KPI: Native species on City property and in new landscape projects (to measure biodiversity)
There were no new landscape projects approved in 2023, so the KPI for “Native species on City property and in new landscape projects (to measure biodiversity)” cannot be calculated.
Natural Environment KPI: Land area that uses green stormwater infrastructure to treat urban water runoff
There is currently no data to report for the “Land area that uses green stormwater infrastructure to treat urban water runoff” KPI. The City is waiting on project approval to send out a request for proposals to calculate this KPI. The project is estimated to start in the Fall 2024, with reporting estimated to be ready by the end of 2025. 10 City Council, August 7, 2023; Agenda Item #13; SR #2306-1711, https://portal.laserfiche.com/Portal/DocView.aspx?id=66917&repo=r-704298fc&searchid=341eca8b-ab0d-4673- 83d8-361c31afb147
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Performance Indicators
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Zero Waste
GOALS
Divert 95% of waste from landfills by 2030, leading to zero waste Implement short- and medium-term initiatives identified in the 2018 Zero Waste Plan
KEY ACTIONS
Education and outreach
ZW1.Encourage food waste prevention and require food recovery from commercial food generators
ZW2.Promote residential food waste reduction
ZW3.Champion waste prevention, reduction, reusables, and the sharing economy ZW4.Provide waste prevention technical assistance to the commercial sector Collaborate on and expand policies
ZW5.Prioritize domestic processing of recyclable materials ZW6.Eliminate single-use disposable containers
ZW7.Expand the Deconstruction and Construction Materials Management Ordinance ZW8.Implement Reach Code standard for low carbon construction materials
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
•Diversion rate
•Number of Zero Waste Plan 11 initiatives implemented
The near-term focus for Zero Waste is to encourage residents and businesses to reduce their food waste, which will also reduce the associated greenhouse gas emissions, lower their waste generation through the undertaking of zero waste living practices of using less at home and at work; to champion waste prevention technical assistance to businesses; eliminate single-use disposable containers; and prioritize domestic processing of recyclable materials.
In order to make progress on the Zero Waste goals, in 2023 the City focused on key actions on education and outreach (ZW1, ZW2, ZW3, ZW4) and to collaborate on and expand policies (ZW5, ZW8). The City developed a new booklet for businesses, “Multi-Ordinance Checklist”, that summarizes Palo Alto’s Zero Waste and SB 1383 requirements such as requirements for the use of colored refuse containers as well as see-through colored bags to match the color of the containers for Compost, Recycle, and Landfill materials. The printed copies were mailed to 425 commercial businesses, specifically food service establishments, in November 2023. In addition, the City developed a new brochure for the Very Small Quantity Generator Program for household hazardous waste, and has been distributing it during household hazardous waste events and direct business engagement.
Expanding the Disposable Foodware Ordinance (ZW6) has been put on hold until further 11 2018 Zero Waste Plan, www.cityofpaloalto.org/zwplan
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clarification is received through Senate Bill 54 final regulations and other recent legislation creating changes on what will be considered recyclable and compostable. The City developed and printed postcard and trifold brochures on the Disposable Foodware Ordinance/AB 1276 to be mailed and handed out to 450 food service establishments.
The Deconstruction and Construction Materials Management Ordinance augmentation (ZW7) will be considered after evaluation of the current ordinance’s effectiveness.
In January 2023, the new reach code standard for low carbon construction materials went into effect. In June 2023, the City launched a new Zero Waste Living outreach campaign and newsletter that enhances and expands information to the community about actionable ways to tackle the waste challenges our community is dedicated to solving. The City is also working to develop waste prevention outreach tools and technical assistance for the commercial sector.
Zero Waste KPI: Diversion rate
As a result of the City’s efforts, the diversion rate for 2022 was 91%, an increase from 84% in 2020 and 2021, and 81% in 2019. The diversion rate for 2023 has not yet been calculated, as key data is not yet available.
Zero Waste KPI: Number of Zero Waste Plan initiatives implemented The City continues to implement Zero Waste Plan initiatives – 18 initiatives are complete (38%), 15 are in progress (31%), and 15 remain to be completed (31%).
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Attachment E: S/CAP Key Performance Indicators Progress Summary Key Performance Indicator 2021 2022 2023
•GHG reductions (1990 baseline) 53.9% 47.4% TBD (to be determined) •Community awareness
* Staff will add a more direct question to
measure community awareness in future
surveys
68% of residents
indicated that it is
essential or very
important for Palo
Alto to focus on
reducing GHGs in
the next 2 years
Climate Action
•Participation in Climate Pledge n/a n/a Not launched yet •GHG emissions from natural gas use in
buildings (MT CO2e)1 135,697 MT CO2e 143,599 MT CO2e 144,972 MT CO2e •Percentage of single-family households with
no gas connections 1.2% (208 homes) 2.1% (341 homes)
Energy
•Percentage of gas use reduction in major
facilities & City facilities (2016 baseline)
45% reduction in
City facilities
•GHG emissions from vehicle travel (CO 2e) 185,925 MT 221,923 MT TBD •% of registered vehicles that are EVs 2 11% 13% 16%
•% of new vehicle sales that are EVs 24% 43% 52%
•% of multifamily residents with access to
overnight EV charging 4%
Electric Vehicles•Gasoline sales in Palo Alto Data unavailable Data unavailable Data unavailable •Total VMT 3 515,738,090 575,190,655 TBD
•Commute mode share for all modes
oWorked from home
oDrove alone
oCarpooled
oBicycled
oWalked
oPublic Transport
oTaxicab and other modes
o48.8%
o34.9%
o5.5%
o5.0%
o2.4%
o1.2%
o2.3%
o32.6%
o46.1%
o2.4%
o9.2%
o6.4%
o1.6%
o1.7%
TBD
•City Employee Commute Benefits participation 19%
•Transit ridership
•The proportion of residents within a quarter-
mile walkshed of frequent transit
•The proportion of residents covered by on-
demand transit services
Data unavailable Data unavailable
o2.08%
o21.9%
o99.7%
•Number and proportion of residents within a
10-minute walk of retail or other essential
services/land uses4
Data unavailable Data unavailable
32,700 (47.8% of
all 68,400
residents)
Mobility
•Businesses participating in TDM programs 5 Data unavailable Data unavailable Data unavailable 1 GHG emissions from natural gas use in single-family, multifamily, and nonresidential buildings 2 “EVs” includes both battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Plug-in hybrids made up about 5% of new vehicles in 2023 and 1% of all vehicles.
3 Annual commute, resident, and visitor Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) 4 Data may not be available every year
5 Will be reported on when regional Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program data becomes available Item 3
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Performance Indicators
Progress for 2023
Summary
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Key Performance Indicator 2021 2022 2023
•Indoor per capita residential water
consumption (estimated) 24,904 gallons 24,171 gallons 17,537 gallons •Outdoor residential water consumption for
irrigation (estimated)
540 million
gallons
427 million
gallons
620 million
gallons
•Water consumption of commercial customers
with irrigation meters
361 million
gallons
348 million
gallons
312 million
gallons
•Amount of recycled water used in Palo Alto 98.1 million gallons
113.5 million
gallons
81.05 million
gallons
Water
•Volume of stormwater that is captured and
reused No data to report No data to report No data to report •Percent of vulnerable locations protected
from three feet of sea level rise n/a n/a No data, project delayed
•Percent of properties protected from San
Francisquito Creek flooding Data unavailable Data unavailable Data unavailable •Progress towards sea level rise levee
alignments n/a Not launched yet No data, project
delayed
Climate Adaptation and Sea Level Rise
•Implementation of Foothills Fire
Management Plan mitigation measures
oNumber of residential defensive space
re-inspections that are required
oPercent of miles of overhead utility line
tree trimming in Foothills completed
oTotal miles of electric lines
undergrounded in the City of Palo Alto
Utilities Foothills Coverage Area
oPercent of electric line miles
undergrounded in the City of Palo Alto
Utilities Foothills Coverage Area
o33 homes
o65.73% (7.25
miles)
o18 homes
o67.91% (7.49
miles)
o17,600 feet
o51.3%
•City-wide Tree Canopy coverage 36.8% Data unavailable
44% (includes
open space and
Foothills Nature
Preserve)
26% (urbanized
areas only)
•Native species on City property and in new
landscape projects (to measure biodiversity) n/a n/a No new landscape projects to report
Natural Environment•Land area that uses green stormwater infrastructure to treat urban water runoff n/a n/a No data to report •Diversion rate 84% 91% TBD
Zero Waste
• Zero Waste Plan initiatives implemented
18 completed
15 in progress
15 remaining
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Performance Indicators
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Attachment F: Proposed Whole Home Electrification Pilot Program Incentives A comprehensive whole home electrification pilot could include various incentives for electrifying at least one major appliance. Tentative incentive levels per home can be found in Table 1. Funds for Phase 1 are included in the Adopted FY 2025 Budget, but additional Council approvals will likely be needed for Phase 2.
Table 1: Proposed Whole Home Electrification Pilot Program Incentives Item
Proposed
Incentive per
Home
100 Home
Pilot Comments/Assumptions
Heat Pump HVAC $2,500 $250,000
Additional Items:
Attic/Roof insulation $1,000 $30,000 Assume 30% of homes apply; $0.75/sqft, max $1000
Electric Panel $1,500 $15,000 10% of homes opt for panel upgrades Electric Readiness $2,000 $100,000 $500/circuit, up to $2000. Est. 50% utilization rate
Disconnect Gas Meter $2,000 $20,000 10% of homes go all electric Program Costs:
Home Electrification Plan $300 $30,000 Plan + Electrification Advisor Permit Fees* TBD* $75,000 Permit fees, up to a capped amount Rebate Administration $120 $12,000
Transformer Upgrades TBD TBD Still estimating the cost of this item Total Program Costs** Up to $9,400
+ permit fees $532,000
* Tentative – staff intends to recommend covering permit fees. Payment method and dollar amounts still being designed. ** Turnkey service in Phase 2 would include additional project management & concierge service fees, to be determined.
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City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: November 12, 2024
Report #:2410-3730
TITLE
Approval of Minutes from October 28, 2024 Meeting
RECOMMENDATION
That the minutes be reviewed and approved.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: October 28, 2024 Draft Action Minutes
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun
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CITY COUNCIL
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Special Meeting
October 28, 2024
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, Kou, Lauing, Lythcott-Haims, Stone, Tanaka, Veenker Council Member Lythcott-Haims Arrived at 5:33 P.M.
Present Remotely:
Absent:
Special Orders of the Day
1. Interview Candidates for Vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Commission. CEQA Status – Not a project.
NO ACTION
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions
Public Comment
Council Member Questions, Comments and Announcements
Study Session
2. Nonprofit Relationships Study Session
NO ACTION
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DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 10/28/2024
Consent Calendar
Council Member Tanaka, Veenker, and Lythcott-Haims requested to pull Agenda Item Number
10. Council Member Tanaka registered a no vote on Agenda Item Number 5, 6, 7, 9.
MOTION: Council Member Kou moved, seconded by Mayor Stone to approve Agenda Item Numbers 3-9, and to pull Agenda Item Number 10 off the Consent Calendar.
MOTION PASSED ITEMS 3, 4, 8: 7-0
MOTION PASSED ITEMS 5, 6, 7, 9: 6-1, Tanaka no
3. Approval of the Acceptance of State of California Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) Funds of $204,005 and a Budget Amendment in the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (2/3 vote required) for front -line law enforcement expenses; CEQA status – not a project.
4. Approval of Construction Contract Number C25191007 with Tennyson Electric, LLC. in the amount of $453,300 and Authorization of the City Manager or Their Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders for Related Additional but Unforeseen Work that may Develop During the Project Up to a Not-To-Exceed Amount of $45,330 for the Quarry Road Traffic Signals and Intelligent Transportation Services (ITS) improvement project; CEQA status – Categorically Exempt (CEQA Guidelines Section 15301).
5. Approval of Construction Contract Number C25192135 with Anderson Pacific Engineering Construction, Inc. in the Amount Not -to-Exceed $6,215,000; Authorization for the City Manager or Their Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders up to a Not -to- Exceed Amount of $621,500 for Related, Additional but Unforeseen Work Which May Develop During the Project; Approval of Amendment Number 5 to Contract C21176592C with Carollo Engineers, Inc. in the Amount of $1,314,192 for a New Compensation Not- to-Exceed Amount of $14,695,384 for the Wastewater Treatment Fund for the 12kV Electrical Power Distribution Loop Rehabilitation Bid Package 2 Project at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant, Funded by the Plant Repair, Retrofit, and Equipment Replacement Project (WQ-19002); CEQA Status – Exempt Under Section 15301
6. Approval of Professional Services Contract Number C25190936 with WRA, Inc. in the Amount of $908,806 for the Design and Monitoring of the Arastradero Creek Permanent Restoration Project – Design Phase in the Pearson-Arastradero Preserve in the City of Palo Alto for a Period of 3 Years; CEQA status - Not a project.
7. Adoption of Revised Management and Professional Compensation Plan and Revised Salary Schedules for Management and Professional and the Service Employees Item 4
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DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 10/28/2024
International Association Local 521 in Alignment with Position Changes in the FY 2025 Adopted Budget; CEQA Status - not a project
8. Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Contract Number C21181420 with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for Tree Pruning and Removal Services in the Amount of $3,011,228, for a New Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $6,776,608, and Extend the Term by Two Years; CEQA Status – Exempt per Section 15301(h) (maintenance of existing landscape)
9. Approval of First Amendment to Lease Agreement and Third Amendment to Tenant Work Letter between the City of Palo Alto and the Palo Alto History Museum for the Roth Building at 300 Homer Avenue; CEQA Status--Not a Project.
10. Approval of Amendment No. 2 to Contract Number C23184827 with Nomad Transit, LLC (Via) in the Amount of $1,200,000 for a total not to exceed $3,801,500 to Continue the City of Palo Alto On -Demand Transit Service through June 2025; Approve a Cost Sharing Agreement with Stanford Research Park to Partially Fund the Service up to $600,000; and Adopt an Ordinance Amending the FY 2025 Municipal Fee Schedule to Increase Fares; CEQA status – not a project.
City Manager Comments
Ed Shikada, City Manager
Action Items
11. Adopt a Resolution Establishing the City Council Annual Calendar of Meetings, Recesses and City Council Events for the Calendar Year 2025; CEQA status – not a project MOTION: Council Member Burt moved, seconded by Council Member Lythcott-Haims to adopt a resolution establishing the City Council calendar of meetings, recesses, and City Council events for the calendar year 2025 which considers holidays and other dates to avoid for City Council meetings and request staff to schedule the City Council Retreat on Saturday, January 25, 2025 or a Saturday date closest to January 27, 2025 and recommend no City Council meeting on the Monday following the Saturday Retreat.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
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DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 10/28/2024
Closed Session
12. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY -POTENTIAL LITIGATION Subject: Claims pursuant to Public Contract Code 9204 related to construction of the Public Safety Building from Pacific Structures, Inc.; Swinerton Builders, CCI Construction, Inc.; Walters & Wolf, WSA, Helix Construction Company; BMC; Sandis; and Norther n Services, Inc. Authority:
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
MOTION: Council Member Lauing moved, seconded by Council Member Veenker to go into Closed Session.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
Council went into Closed Session at 8:37 P.M.
Council returned from Closed Session at 9:30 P.M.
Mayor Stone announced no reportable action.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:31 P.M.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
____________________ ____________________
City Clerk Mayor NOTE: Action minutes are prepared in accordance with Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC)
2.04.160(a) and (b). Summary minutes (sense) are prepared in accordance with PAMC Section
2.04.160(c). Beginning in January 2018, in accordance with Ordinance No. 5423 , the City Council
found action minutes and the video/audio recordings of Council proceedings to be the official records of both Council and committee proceedings. These recordings are available on the City’s website.
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City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: November 12, 2024
Report #:2410-3589
TITLE
Approval of the New Councilmember Onboarding Outline as recommended by the Policy and Services Committee; CEQA – Not a Project
RECOMMENDATION
The Policy and Services Committee recommends the Council approve the New Councilmember Onboarding outline as updated by the Committee.
BACKGROUND
In November 2022, the Council adopted the New Councilmember Onboarding outline. The outline was used with the most recent Councilmember onboarding after the November 2022 election. The Council reviewed and approved it with the understanding that it would be the basic outline of the process going forward because each election will have candidates of different backgrounds and experiences, and it provides members with consistent basic orientation information.
Based on prior Council action, staff created the New Councilmember Onboarding outline with the goal of effectively onboarding new Councilmembers. The outline is intended to share necessary and useful information about operating as a Councilmember. This includes things such as information about City operations and procedures, the legal obligations of serving on Council, and an overview of upcoming policy topics that will come before the Council in the near future.
This outline includes a combination of a digital resource library as well as a one- or two-day workshop, depending on the preferences of the newly elected Councilmembers. The workshop outline and digital resources library index are included as Attachment A. The outline includes the following nine discussion sections:
1. Introduction to the City Organization
2. Councilmember Specific Information
3. Legal Update and Considerations while on Council
4. Council Meeting Procedures and Protocols
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5. Policy Role in Land Use Planning
6. Financial Responsibilities, Budgeting and Performance Measurements
7. Communications and Community Engagement
8. Emergency Preparedness
9. Major Projects and Upcoming Items
In addition to this Onboarding outline and workshop, Councilmembers are subject to mandatory trainings including AB 1234 ethics training, anti-harassment training, and cybersecurity training.
The League of California Cities also annually hosts a Mayors and Councilmembers Academy that covers the legal, financial, and practical fundamentals of serving as an elected official in California. The next such training is January 22-24, 2025 in Sacramento. New Councilmembers may request to attend and the City will cover related expenses and assist with arrangements.
ANALYSIS
The Policy and Services Committee reviewed the previously approved onboarding outline at its October 8, 2024 meeting1 and recommended several updates. The Committee recommended that this year’s onboarding include:
•The opportunity for a budget deep dive for any interested new Councilmember •A summary of some practices Councilmembers have used for meeting preparation •A summary of some practices Councilmembers have used to receive public input (e.g., office hours)
•Process for adding items to an agenda
On the second and third bullets, following Council approval of this recommendation, staff will ask current Councilmembers for their input on what they would like to share on these topics.
The Committee also recommended that staff more strongly emphasize certain topics included in the adopted outline, including the:
•Virtual library of key City documents and reference material •Procedures and Protocols Handbook sections on the role/responsibility of a Councilmember when assigned to regional boards/outside agencies, as well as information on parliamentary procedures, especially relating to motions •Roles of Council Appointed Officers (CAOs) and how the CAOs interact with Council and each other
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Implementation of this activity is accomplished within existing resources. 1 Policy & Services Committee, October 8, 2024, Agenda Item # 1, Staff Report #: 2409-3502 https://portal.laserfiche.com/Portal/DocView.aspx?id=98675&repo=r-704298fc& Item 5
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STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Council previously engaged on this in 2022 and approved the existing outline through public meetings.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Not a project.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: New Councilmember Onboarding Outline
APPROVED BY:
Ed Shikada, City Manager
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New Councilmember Onboarding Outline
Section 1. Introduction to the City Organization (20 Minutes) Section 2. Council Specific Information (30 Minutes)
Section 3. Legal Update and Considerations while on Council (50 minutes) Section 4. Council Meeting Protocols (20 Minutes)
Section 5. Policy Role in Land Use Planning (60 Minutes) Section 6. Financial Responsibilities, Budgeting and Performance Measurements (45 Minutes)
Section 7. Community Engagement and Communication (20 Minutes) Section 8. Emergency Preparedness (20 Minutes)
Section 9. Department Topics and Q&A (30 Minutes)
Section 1. Part 1. Introduction to the City Organization (20 Minutes)
1.1. Refreshing overview of the Departmental structure, services and ELT Contacts
1.2. Relationships between City Council and City Staff, Council Appointed Officers (CAOs) and the public
A. Role of the City Councilmember/Local Elected Official B. Role of the City Manager
C. Role of the City Attorney
D. Role of the City Clerk
E. Role of the City Auditor
Section 2. Council Specific Information (30 Minutes)
Council‐specific information includes all the items that relate to Councilmembers themselves in their new role.
2.1. Conduct & Expectations
2.2. Overview of Procedures &Protocols Handbook’s and notable norms
2.3. Regulatory Guidelines
2.4. Required trainings
2.5. Council Strategic priorities
2.6. Councilmembers’ roles regarding council subcommittees and service on regional boards, outside agencies and committees
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2.7. Travel, Conferences and Training opportunities
2.8. CAO evaluation cycle
2.9. Special Council Events (Reorganization, State of the City, Strategic Planning, etc)
Section 3. Legal Update and Considerations while on Council (50 minutes)
3.1. Basics on City legal structure: Charter City, with a council‐manager form of government. What is an ordinance. What is a resolution. How the City fits within the State and Federal governments.
3.2. Explanation of Council’s primary roles: (a) policymaking/legislative; and (b) quasi‐judicial. A brief introduction to the special obligations of the quasi‐ judicial role.
3.3. Key laws governing Councilmembers’ behavior:
A. Brown Act (including avoiding serial meetings, social media, and maintaining confidentiality of closed sessions)
B. Political Reform Act/conflicts of interest
C. Public Records Act (including personal devices)
3.4. Update on Legal Advice related to 2025 Council Work. Confidential under Attorney/Client Privilege, Private Session to be Scheduled Separately. Legal Update on confidential advice for current issues.
Section 4. Council Meeting Protocols (20 Minutes)
4.1. Logistics: Schedules, seating, attendance, technology, meeting etiquette
4.2. Meeting Prep Best Practices
4.2.4.3. Agenda Structure
4.3.4.4. Rules of Procedure
4.4.4.5. Packet production process and schedules, Staff Report timelines
4.6. How/when to pose questions or add items to an agenda
4.7. Closed session practices
Section 5. Policy Role in Land Use Planning (60 Minutes)
5.1. Review of land use planning terms
5.2. Role of council in land use matters
5.3. Development review/approval process
5.4. Role of planning or zoning commissions/boards
5.5. Schedule of general plan, precise plans, or other policy documents that are coming to the council in the upcoming year
5.6. Housing element; purpose, process, approval and timeline Item 5
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5.7. Preview of development projects that will appear before the council in the upcoming year
5.8. Economic Development Program
Section 6. Financial Responsibilities, Budgeting and Performance Measurements
Review the basics of the financial structure and condition to help Councilmembers understand their fiduciary responsibilities.
6.1. Fiscal Calendar
6.2. Financial position of the City
6.3. Explanation of fund structure
6.4. Overview of the most recent comprehensive audit and financial report (CAFR)
6.5. Operating and capital budget cycle
6.6. Investment and treasury policies
6.7. Schedule for financial reporting to the council
6.8. Unfunded liabilities (e.g., post‐employment benefits)
6.9. Pension and OPEB Trusts
6.10. Performance Tracking
Section 7. Community Engagement and Communication (20 Minutes)
7.1. Communications practices with Staff and with the Public, including practices previous Councilmembers have used
7.2. Media relations
Section 8. Emergency Preparedness (20 Minutes)
Due to the unique and critical role local governments play regarding emergency preparedness, a briefing on this topic is key.
8.1. High‐level briefing
8.2. Council role in the event of a community emergency
8.3. Public Safety organizational structure
Section 9. Department Topics and Q&A (30 Minutes)
9.1. Department‐specific services
9.2. Critical issues and projects for each department
9.3. Department heads and their contact information
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Digital Resource Library
1. Local Government Resources
Cal Cities Brown Act Guide
Cal Cities New Mayors & Councilmembers Academy Session Materials (2024) Cal Cities Public Records Act Guide
Cal Cities Rosenberg’s Rules of Order Guide
Institute for Local Government State Ethics Training Requirements for Local Officials: Frequently Asked Questions
Statements of Economic Interest (FPPC Form 700) FAQs & Reference Pamphlet
2. City Administrative Resources
City Charter
City Municipal Code1
City Organizational Chart
City Roster
Records Portal 2
Travel Arrangements and Expense Reimbursement Policy
3. City Council Operations
2024 City Council Priorities 3 & Priority Setting Guidelines 2024 Council Priority Objectives
2025 Meeting Calendar
Boards, Commissions and Committees Handbook
City Council Procedures & Protocols Handbook
Conflict of Interest Resolution
1 Municipal Code: hƩps://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0‐0‐0‐59235 2 Laserfiche Public Portal: hƩps://portal.laserfiche.com/Portal/Welcome.aspx?repo=r‐704298fc 3 City Council PrioriƟes: hƩps://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/City‐Clerk/City‐Council/City‐Council‐PrioriƟes Item 5
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4. City Financial Resources
FY 2025 Adopted Capital Budget
FY 2025 Adopted Operating Budget
FY 2025 Adopted Municipal Fee Schedule
FY 2025 – FY 2034 Long Range Financial Forecast
FY 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
Open Budget Web App4
5. Miscellaneous
2030 Comprehensive Plan
2023 – 2031 Housing Element
Infrastructure Plan Projects 5
Open Data Portal 6
Note: URLs are provided for websites; digital copies of other reference materials will be provided
4 Open Budget Web App: hƩps://paloalto.opengov.com/
5 Infrastructure Plan Projects: hƩps://www.infrastructure.cityofpaloalto.org/ 6 Open Data Portal: hƩps://data.cityofpaloalto.org/home Item 5
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City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Information Technology
Meeting Date: November 12, 2024
Report #:2409-3524
TITLE
Approval of the Tri-Cities Consortium Computer Aided Dispatch System Software Agreement with Sun Ridge Systems Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $339,857 for Five Years to Implement a New Computer Aided Dispatch System for the Communications Departments of Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Los Altos; CEQA Status - Not a Project
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute the Tri-Cities Consortium Contract (Attachment A) with Sun Ridge Systems, Inc., for a Computer Aided Dispatch System for a term of five (5) years and a total amount not-to-exceed $339,857. This represents Palo Alto’s share of the costs as shared with the cities of Mountain View and Los Altos.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system facilitates incident response and communication.
CAD systems, in many cases, are the first point of entry for information regarding an incident.
Typical CAD system functions include resource management, dispatching, unit status management, call disposition, interfacing with mobile data computers (MDCs), and interfaces with external local, state, and federal information systems.
BACKGROUND
In 2008, the City Managers of Los Altos, Mountain View, and Palo Alto agreed to a broad initiative of sharing public safety technology as a method to conserve resources, improve response times, increase the resiliency and the redundancy of these critical systems, and to enhance interoperable communications between first responders in the three cities. This initiative presented the “virtual consolidation” concept and the framework to share public Item 6
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safety technology and communication systems. In 2012, the Tri-Cities Consortium was formed by agreement1.
The Consortium collaborated to cost share the purchase of Communications systems, jointly procured a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System (RMS) through Intergraph Corporation. The CAD system was implemented in 2013.
In 2020, the Consortium purchased Sun Ridge’s Police Records Management System (RMS)2.
The CAD license was purchased as part of the project to allow the department to collect state- mandated Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) data, pursuant to AB 953, using Sun Ridge’s call for service module.
ANALYSIS
Procurement Process
In July 2023, the City of Los Altos, acting as the Contractual Agent of the Consortium, issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new Computer Aided Dispatch system. Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) 2.30.360(j) allows for an exemption from competitive solicitation requirements for cooperative purchases with one or more other public agencies, provided the services are solicited using methods substantially similar to the City’s. The City of Los Altos has a public procurement procedure consistent with Palo Alto and the Consortium followed those procedures in the review and election of a CAD vendor. Three proposals were received in response to the RFP. Palo Alto Police, Fire, and Information Technology staff carefully reviewed each firm’s qualifications and submittal in response to the criteria identified in the RFP.
The Consortium created a committee consisting of employees at all levels and positions within the three citys’ police and fire departments. The committee was tasked with carefully reviewing each firm’s qualifications and submittals in response to the criteria identified in the RFP. The committee assessed each proposal via an assessment point rating scale based on quality and completeness of the proposal, functionality and performance of the solution, methodology and proposed approach to project management, implementation and training, experience, financial stability, record of performance, customer support, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The committee also assessed the following: compliance to essential features and interface needs, level of service and responsiveness, cost of implementation and maintenance, and proposer’s willingness and ability to negotiate a contract acceptable to each city. Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. (Sun Ridge) was recommended by the committee as the preferred 1 City Council, February 21, 2012; Agenda Item #6, SR#1829 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/from-archive/agendas-minutes-reports/reports/city- manager-reports-cmrs/2012/id-1829.pdf
2 City Council, November 30, 2020; Agenda Item #9, SR#11763 https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/reports/city-manager-reports- cmrs/year-archive/2020-2/id-11763.pdf
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solution due to the quality of their services, the experience of their staff, and their ability to provide future services. The cities of Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Mountain View’s staff have reviewed and recommend the approval of the agreement.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Palo Alto’s fees for this project are shared by the Consortium and charged at 37.96% of the total cost. These costs are allocated according to the City and Stanford’s population statistics from 2020, as agreed in the Tri-Cities Consortium Memorandum of Understanding. The full portion of the Sun Ridge contract, including the first year’s annual maintenance fees for Palo Alto, will be $339,857. The total purchase will be $789,966, divided between the three cities, based on population. The cost for Palo Alto's portion of the installation and implementation is $243,787 (first-year costs) and is expected to complete in late FY 2025. As with any new system, integration with existing platforms will be necessary for continuity of operations. Staff are aware that these interfaces with existing and planned interfaces require additional resources to ensure this new system meets all the multi-departmental requirements for operation.
The FY 2025 Adopted Capital Budget included the full funding necessary for the implementation for this project under project TE-23000. Ongoing support costs are anticipated beginning in FY 2026 at an annual cost of approximately $24,000, with maintenance costs increasing 5% annually. Funding for maintenance of a CAD system is already budgeted annually in the Information Technology Department and the costs are allocated to the Police Department. This practice will be continued in future budget cycles, subject to City Council approval.
The Consortium has included a payment schedule, both in the RFP and the attached Sun Ridge contract. Mountain View is the Fiscal Agent for this project and will submit invoices to Palo Alto as the project progresses through to completion.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
This contract was evaluated and agreed to by the cities of Los Altos, Mt View, and Palo Alto. In addition, the contract was reviewed and coordinated with internal departments including legal, procurement, and financial functions to ensure alignment with City policies and procedures.
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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
These services do not constitute a project for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. Software and Services Agreement APPROVED BY:
Darren Numoto, Chief Information Officer
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 1 SUN RIDGE SYSTEMS, INC.
SOFTWARE AND SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Software and Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is executed in duplicate as of __________, 2024, between Sun Ridge Systems, Inc., a California corporation (“Sun Ridge”), and City of Los Altos, a political subdivision of the State of California (“the City”) located at 1 North San Antonio Road, Los Altos, 94022.
Section 1. Agreement. That for and in consideration of payments and agreements hereinafter mentioned to be made and performed by the City, and under the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Sun Ridge agrees to provide computer software (“Software”) and services (“Services”) to the City as described in Exhibit A, Scope of Work, attached hereto and incorporated herein. The Software support and maintenance services to be provided by Sun Ridge as part of the Services are more specifically described in Exhibit C attached hereto and incorporated herein (“Software Support Services Agreement”).
Section 2. City Project Manager. Sun Ridge shall work under the general direction of Sneh Kukreja (City of Palo Alto) in fulfilling this Agreement.
Section 3. Scope of Work. The project that is the subject of this Agreement shall consist of the delivery by Sun Ridge to the City of the Software and Services (the “Project”) described in Exhibit A.
Section 4. Payment Schedule. In consideration for the Software and Services to be provided by Sun Ridge under this Agreement, the City agrees to pay Sun Ridge the Total Contract Amount (“Contract Amount”) given in Exhibit B according to the following schedule (“Payment Schedule”):
Milestone Amount of Payment
Contract Signing 25% of Contract Amount
Software Installation Complete 25% of Contract Amount
Training Complete 25% of Contract Amount
Final Acceptance 25% of Contract Amount
The City shall not be entitled to withhold or delay payments due to Sun Ridge pursuant to the above Payment Schedule due to delay in the delivery, installation, or testing of Software items described in Exhibit A where the delay is the result of action or inaction or breach of this Agreement by the City, its agents or employees or the action or inaction of a third party which is not within Sun Ridge's reasonable control.
Section 5. Invoices. Invoices shall be sent to:
Chandra Kooner
Mountain View Police Department
1000 Villa Street
Mountain View, CA 94041
650-903-6700
Upon receipt of the invoice, the City shall verify that the invoice has been properly prepared and that the conditions of payment have been fulfilled. If the payment conditions have been fulfilled, the invoice shall be processed and paid by the City within thirty (30) days after the City’s receipt thereof.
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 2 In addition to any other amounts for which the City is liable under this Agreement, the City agrees to pay to Sun Ridge a late charge equal to one percent (1%) of the amount due if the City fails to pay Sun Ridge any amount that is due and owing pursuant to this Agreement within sixty (60) days after the City’s receipt of an invoice from Sun Ridge. Any invoiced amounts that are due and owing under this Agreement which the City fails to pay to Sun Ridge within ninety (90) days after the City’s receipt of an invoice from Sun Ridge shall thereafter bear interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum or the highest interest rate allowed by applicable law, whichever is less.
Section 6. Term of Agreement. Unless terminated earlier in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or applicable law, the term of this Agreement (“Term”) shall be from the date shown on the first page of this Agreement through completion of the Project. Completion of the Project means the installation by Sun Ridge of all of the Software, the completion by Sun Ridge of all training and other Services and the payment by the City to Sun Ridge of the entire Contract Amount. The Project schedule is to be separately generated and agreed to between the parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the License described in Section 9 below will remain in effect until it is terminated pursuant to Section 9.
Section 7. Warranty/Disclaimer of Liability.
a. Sun Ridge warrants that upon delivery the Software substantially conforms to its Documentation and is free from defects that will materially impair its use. The City’s sole and exclusive remedy for breach of this warranty will be repair or replacement of the Software. Sun Ridge will make reasonable efforts to correct errors in the Software, but does not warrant that the Software is error-free or will perform without interruption. The City has relied solely upon its own investigation and judgment in selecting the Software and not upon any representations or promises of Sun Ridge except as may be expressly stated in this Agreement. b. THE FOREGOING WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES PERTAINING TO THE SOFTWARE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND SUN RIDGE
SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
c. IN NO EVENT WILL SUN RIDGE BE LIABLE FOR LOST
BUSINESS, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
HOWEVER CAUSED, WHETHER FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF THE
QUALITY, CONDITION OR USE OF THE SOFTWARE OR ANY OTHER PART OF THE PRODUCT. IN NO EVENT WILL SUN RIDGE BE LIABLE FOR ANY AMOUNT WHICH EXCEEDS THE AMOUNT PAID BY THE CITY FOR THE PRODUCT.
Section 8. Final Acceptance. For thirty (30) days from the beginning of Agency’s Operational Use of the Software or forty (40) days after the completion of installation and training by Sun Ridge, whichever comes first (the “Test Period”), Agency shall test the system for defects and anomalies. “Operational Use” is defined as the Agency’s use of the Sun Ridge Software in the course of the Agency’s daily business activities. During the Test Period, Sun Ridge shall address and attempt to resolve issues with the Software identified by Agency under the Software Support Services Agreement (Exhibit C). At the end of the Test Period, Agency shall accept or reject the Software as follows:
a. If the City determines that the Software is performing to its satisfaction it shall immediately provide written notice to Sun Ridge of final acceptance of the Software (“Final Acceptance Notice”), and upon receipt of a valid invoice from Sun Ridge, shall process and pay the final milestone of the Contract Amount including any additional outstanding Item 6
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 3 milestone Payment Amounts. Any remaining issues with the Software shall be covered as part of the original cost of the system and handled as maintenance items under the Software Support Services Agreement (Exhibit C).
b. If the City decides to not accept the Software, then it must so notify Sun Ridge in writing within five (5) calendar days after the end of the Test Period (a “Rejection Notice”). If a Rejection Notice is given, this Agreement shall be automatically terminated and all payments already made by the City to Sun Ridge, less the cost of project management, installation, data conversion, and training services provided up to the date of termination shall be returned to the City by Sun Ridge within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice. The terms of Section 11 and all other provisions of this Agreement that expressly survive such termination shall apply.
c. If the City fails to provide a Final Acceptance Notice or a Rejection Notice within five (5) calendar days after the end of the Test Period, then the City’s final acceptance of the Software shall be considered to have occurred and the City and Sun Ridge shall proceed as described in section 8.a above.
Section 9. Software License. Subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and restrictions set forth in this Agreement, Sun Ridge grants to the City a nonexclusive and non- transferable license, effective upon the City’s Final Acceptance of the Software pursuant to Section 8 above, to use the Software in connection with the City’s normal and customary daily operations substantially as they exist as of the date of commencement of the Term as described below (the “License”). The City shall acquire no ownership or other rights in or to the Software except for the License granted hereunder, and title to the Software shall at all times remain with Sun Ridge.
a.The following additional terms, conditions and limitations apply to the License:
i.The City may use the Software on all computers in the City’s agency. Software may not be used at any other agencies unless explicitly agreed to in writing by Sun Ridge;
ii.The City may make a copy of the Software for backup or modification purposes only in support of the City’s authorized use of the Software hereunder as Sun Ridge has expressly authorized; and
iii.No one using the Software, and no one for whose benefit the Software is being used, shall sublicense, resell, distribute, market, provide or otherwise make available the Software or any part or copies thereof to any third party. iv. The City shall not transfer, use, or export the Software in violation of any applicable laws, rules, or regulations of any government or governmental agency. v. The City shall not use the Software to disrupt, disable, or otherwise harm the operations, software, hardware, equipment, and/or systems of a business, institution, or other entity, including, without limitation, exposing the business, institution, or other entity to any computer virus, trojan horse, or other harmful, disruptive, or unauthorized component.
vi. The City shall not embed the Software in any third-party applications, unless expressly permitted under this Agreement or otherwise authorized in writing in advance by an authorized officer of Sun Ridge.
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 4 vii.The License granted under this Agreement shall apply only to the object code for the Software. No one using the Software, and no one for whose benefit the Software is being used, shall have the right to use or have access to the source code for the Software, and neither the City nor anyone using the Software pursuant to this License will modify, change, merge, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble or prepare derivative works based upon the Software.
viii.The City acknowledges that the Software and the
Documentation constitute trade secrets of Sun Ridge. The City agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Software and the Documentation, and shall take commercially reasonable steps to preserve that confidentiality pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement. b.The term of the License shall commence upon Final Acceptance of the Software by the City, and shall continue until the License is terminated as provided below. i.Sun Ridge may immediately terminate the License in the event of any failure by the City to comply with the terms or conditions of this Agreement by giving written notice of such termination to the City. In the event the City has leased the Software from Sun Ridge, the License will terminate automatically upon termination of the lease. Upon such termination, the City shall immediately cease further use of the Software and will cause all copies of the Software to be destroyed or returned to Sun Ridge. ii.The City may terminate the License at any time by giving written notice thereof to Sun Ridge and by destroying or returning to Sun Ridge all copies of the Software. The City acknowledges and agrees that any election by the City to terminate the License hereunder will not entitle the City to any refund of amounts paid or compensation of any kind from Sun Ridge.
iii.Upon any termination or expiration of the License, an authorized representative of the City shall certify in writing to Sun Ridge that all copies of the Software and the Documentation which were the subject of the License have either been destroyed or returned to Sun Ridge as required above.
iv.The provisions of Sections 7 and 11 through 13, inclusive, shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement. c.Sun Ridge may, at its option, release updates to or new versions of the Software. If the City elects to obtain any update or new version of the Software, the use of such update or new version will be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. d.Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, Sun Ridge retains all intellectual property rights and other rights to the Software, Documentation (as defined below), and the source code for the Software.
Section 10. Indemnity and Insurance.
a.Sun Ridge agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the City and its officers, directors, shareholders, employees, and agents (the “City Indemnified Parties”) from any and all claims, demands, liabilities, and costs, including attorney’s fees (“Claims”), arising out of or relating to (i) any actual infringement of a third-party’s intellectual property rights or (ii) the negligence or willful misconduct of any employee or agent of Sun Ridge occurring during or as a result of Sun Ridge’s performance of its obligations hereunder, provided that Sun Ridge shall have no indemnity or other obligations to the City hereunder to the extent any such Claims arise from or are the result of the negligence or other fault of the City or its employees, agents or Item 6
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 5 other contractors nor shall the foregoing indemnity and hold harmless obligations of Sun Ridge extend to or cover any Claims arising from or relating to claims of defects or errors in the Software or the City’s use or inability to use the Software. This indemnity obligation shall survive the expiration, cancellation or termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City expressly waives, releases, and agrees that neither Sun Ridge nor Sun Ridge’s officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and affiliates shall have any liability for any individual’s or entity’s lost business, direct damages, incidental or consequential damages, or any other Claims arising out of or related to the use or implementation of the Software. b.During the term of this Agreement, Sun Ridge shall comply with the following insurance requirements:
i.Workers’ Compensation. Sun Ridge shall fully comply with the terms of the law of California concerning workers’ compensation. Said compliance shall include, but not be limited to, maintaining in full force and effect one or more policies of insurance insuring against any liability Sun Ridge may have for workers’ compensation. Said policy shall also include employer’s liability coverage of $1,000,000 per accident for bodily injury or disease. ii.General Liability Insurance. Sun Ridge shall obtain at its sole cost and keep in full force and effect during the term of this Agreement commercial general liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, and property damage personal injury; coverage includes products and completed operations,. Said insurance shall provide (1) that the City, its officers, and employees shall be included as additional insureds under the policy, and (2) that the policy shall operate as primary insurance, and non-contributory. iii.Automobile Liability Insurance. Sun Ridge shall obtain at its sole cost and keep in full force and effect during the term of this Agreement business automobile liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage. Said insurance operate as primary insurance, and non-contributory. iv.Certificates of Insurance. Sun Ridge shall file with City upon the execution of this Agreement, certificates of insurance which shall provide that no cancellation, major change in coverage, expiration, or nonrenewal will be made during the term of this agreement, without thirty (30) days written notice to the City prior to the effective date of such cancellation, or change in coverage.
Section 11. Termination Rights. Either party may terminate this Agreement upon material breach of any of the terms of this Agreement by the other Party, after first giving the other party written notice of such breach and thirty (30) days to cure. If the breaching party does not cure the breach within the allotted time, the Agreement will be terminated. Upon Termination, each party will return, delete, or destroy any copies, whether tangible or electronic, of Confidential Information obtained from the other party pursuant to this Agreement, including but not limited to any Documentation and any Confidential Information stored on any equipment that may be returned, and certify to the other party in writing within five (5) business days of the termination date that it has done so.
Section 12. Confidential Information. “Confidential Information” means any and all confidential information of a party to this Agreement that is not generally known to or by members of the public, including but not limited to businesses that compete with such a party, including but not limited to the Software and the Documentation pertaining thereto. Confidential Information shall not include information that is now or becomes part of the public domain, is required by applicable law to be disclosed, was already known by the receiving party at the time of disclosure, is independently developed by the receiving party without any use of Confidential Information, or is lawfully obtained from a third party. “Documentation” means those visually readable materials Item 6
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 6 developed by or for Sun Ridge for use in connection with the Software, in either written or electronic form.
Each party agrees to protect the other party’s Confidential Information. Confidential Information will not be used or disclosed except as authorized by the providing party. Confidential Information will be disclosed to employees of the receiving party only on a “need to know” basis and only after such employees are informed of the confidential nature of the information and obligated to maintain confidentiality.
If a party or any party acting on its behalf is required to disclose by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, administrative agency or governmental body, or by subpoena, summons or other legal process, or by law, rule or regulation, or by applicable regulatory or professional standards to produce Confidential Information, that party shall promptly (and prior to such disclosure) notify the other party in writing of such demand or requirement whereupon the parties shall cooperate and take all reasonable acts (without significant cost or expense to the notifying party) to exhaust the legal avenues available to maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information, unless the party whose Confidential Information is at issue consents to the production and disclosure of such Confidential Information. In all events, only that portion of the Confidential Information specifically requested by the tribunal or person compelling such disclosure shall be provided and no interpretation or analysis of such data prepared for the purpose of such disclosure shall be disclosed unless approved the party whose Confidential Information is at issue or required by law.
Section 13. General Terms.
a. Governing Law. This Agreement will be construed by and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of California. b. Arbitration. If a dispute arises from or related to this Agreement or the breach of this Agreement and if such dispute cannot be settled through direct discussions, the parties agree to first endeavor to settle the dispute in an amicable manner by mediation to be held in Sacramento, California, under the Commercial Mediation Rules of the American Arbitration Association before resorting to arbitration. Thereafter, any unresolved controversy or claim arising from or relating to this Agreement, or breach of this Agreement, shall be settled in arbitration to be held in Sacramento, California. The arbitration will be governed by the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and the parties shall be allowed discovery in accordance with the California Code of Civil Procedure. If Sun Ridge and the City cannot jointly select a single arbitrator to determine the matter, one arbitrator shall be chosen by each of Sun Ridge and the City (or, if a party fails to make a choice, by the American Arbitration Association on behalf of such party) and the two arbitrators so chosen will select one additional arbitrator.
The decision of the single arbitrator jointly selected by Sun Ridge and the City, or, if three arbitrators are selected, the decision of any two of them will be final and binding on the parties and the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction may be entered on such decision. The prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable fees and expenses resulting from any arbitration proceeding.
c. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, such finding shall not affect the validity, legality, or enforceability of the remaining provisions.
d. Assignment. Parties may not transfer, assign, or sublicense this Agreement, any license hereunder, or any of its rights or duties hereunder to any other person, site or corporation without the prior written consent of the other party. Any attempted transfer, assignment, or sublicense made without prior written consent shall be completely void.
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 7 e. Notice. Any notice requested or permitted to be given hereunder shall be sent prepaid, certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed to have been given on the third (3rd) business day after mailing to the other party as follows: to the City at the address indicated in the initial paragraph of this Agreement or to electronic mail address ______________________; to Sun Ridge Systems at P.O. Box 5071, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762, or electronic mail address [email protected]. Notices may be given by electronic mail transmission to such address as may be specified by the party for such purpose and shall be deemed to have been given when transmitted to such address with confirmation of a successful transmission.
f. Independent Contractors. The parties to this Agreement shall constitute independent contractors. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as establishing any employment, partnership, joint venture or similar arrangement between the parties, and no party has any authority to commit any other party to any obligation to any other person or entity, unless expressly agreed to in writing signed by such party. g. Force Majeure. Sun Ridge shall not be responsible for interruption of, interference with, diminution of, or suspension of any of its products or services, including performance failure, which are caused by strike, lockout, riot, epidemics, war, government regulation, fire, flood, natural disaster, acts of God, utility failures, losses or injuries arising directly or indirectly from criminal acts, negligent acts of others, malfunctions or inadequacies of equipment or service not directly within the control of Sun Ridge. h. Authorization/Entire Agreement/Modification. This Agreement will be effective upon signing by the City and Sun Ridge. This Agreement is the complete and final Agreement of the parties relating to the subject of this Agreement and it replaces and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous oral or written understandings or agreements. No alteration or variation to the terms of this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
This Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto, from the date shown on the first page.
SUN RIDGE SYSTEMS, INC.
By:
__________________________________
Carol Gomes Jackson
Its: President
City of Los Altos
By:
__________________________________
Its:
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 8 Exhibit A Scope of Work
Section 1 – Software Licenses
The City has purchased the following software licenses:
• RIMS Computer Aided Dispatch Software (LA/MV)
• iRIMS Fire Mobile App Software (MV/PA)
• RIMS Mobile Mapping Software
• RIMS2Txt
The City has purchased the following RIMS interface software:
• RIMS ProQA (Priority Dispatch) Link Software (MV/PA)
• RIMS Fire RMS Link Software (ImageTrend) (MV)
• RIMS Fire RMS Link Software (ESO) (PA)
• RIMS Alameda County AWS Link Software
• RIMS PulsePoint Link Software (MV/PA)
• RIMS Fire Station Alerting Link Software – USDD (MV/PA) • RIMS Tablet Command Link Software (MV/PA)
• RIMS E911 Link Software
• RIMS Body Worn Camera Link Software (LA/MV)
• RIMS Cry Wolf Link Software (MV Only)
• RIMS Alarm Program Systems (APS) Link Software (LA/PA) • First Watch Fire RMS Link (MV)
The City has purchased the following software enhancement:
•Geo-Fencing Functionality: Auto-Status Change to Enroute - For fire units, the unit's status is automatically changed after it is more than X (configurable feet) from the currently assigned fire station. The station's Latitude/Longitude can be set using the Data Validation Table-Fire Stations. - Using the GPS from the fire unit reported via Mobile RIMS or Cradlepoint type modem via our Mobile Computer Controller, the Unit will automatically update the status from DISP (Dispatch) to ENRT (Enroute).
•Auto-Status Change on Arrival
- For fire units or police units, the unit's status is automatically changed after it is within X (configurable feet) from the current unit's location to the assigned incident's location. For example, you could set this to be within 75 feet of the destination to automatically change the unit status from ENRT to ONSCENE. The distance, in feet, is configurable by fire or police agency records.
- Note that this may not work 100% since the incident and the unit's arrival locations may be outside the agency setting. This is true if the unit stages somewhere else - in these cases, the Unit will need to change their own status.
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 9 Section 2 - Project Schedule
Upon execution of the Agreement, Sun Ridge and the City shall define a mutually agreed on project schedule.
Section 3 – Hardware/Equipment
Sun Ridge is providing no hardware/equipment.
Section 4 – Third-Party Software
Sun Ridge is providing no Third-Party software.
Section 5 - Installation
Sun Ridge will install all Sun Ridge provided Software on the Consortium’s servers which are currently running RIMS RMS. Sun Ridge will provide instruction to the City staff on how to install the client workstation Software and Mobile/App Software. The City’s servers and workstations (including desktop and laptop computers as well as Android and/or iOS devices) shall meet the minimum specifications set forth in Section 10. Access to the City supplied servers shall be via unattended remote access using a product called Bomgar by Beyond Trust, provided by Sun Ridge. As part of installation, Sun Ridge will set up a basic system backup process to local disks, if the City does not currently have a backup process already running on these servers.
Section 6 – Configuration
Sun Ridge will provide the following sessions to the City’s designated RIMS Administrators:
RIMS Configuration and Setup: Consists of up to 16 hours for CAD configuration and setup training, conducted via phone and/or remote access. The City’s “RIMS Administrators” will be instructed on how to configure RIMS to most closely meet the desired operational procedures of the City. In some cases, the RIMS Administrators may find that modifying existing procedures may be desired in order to take full advantage of RIMS functionality. Discussions will include:
• Customization of drop-down menu choices
• The City’s dispatch operational decisions
Section 7 - Integration.
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 10 Sun Ridge will provide RIMS sided interfaces for all third-party software applications listed in Section 1 above. The City must coordinate with third-party vendors to complete and test their portion of the interface.
Section 8 - Training
Sun Ridge is providing “end user” training all of which shall be conducted on-site at a City provided location(s). Training days are contiguous, including weekends. Class times are 0800 to no later than 1700. Sun Ridge will provide a training plan at least 30 days prior to the first training session, generally following the parameters and total number of classes set forth in the chart below but with the specifics mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
Sun Ridge will provide course materials/handouts in electronic format in advance of the training.
A “session” is a repeat of the same class/material.
Training
Subject
Sessions
Offered
Days Per
Session
Total
Days Class Size
CAD/Dispatcher
3 2 6
End-User Training
Format - No more than 1
student per
workstation/10 students
per session max
Officers/Mobile
Refresher for
CAD 1 1 1
Train the Trainer Format
Admin Review 1 1 1 TBD
Section 9 - Go Live Support
Three (3) Sun Ridge staff will be on site on the day of and two (2) Sun Ridge staff will be onsite the day after go live. Staff will be onsite to answer questions and to address any system problems.
Section 10 - The City’s Responsibilities
The City is responsible for the following:
- Installation of all remaining client workstations
- Installation of all remaining mobile computers
- Installation of all remaining smartphone/tablet devices - Coordinate and schedule resources of the City to include IT staff - Identify RIMS Administrators
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 11 - Provide data communications infrastructure (network, wireless, internet, intranet) - Complete, submit and gain approval of updated DOJ CLETS application - Coordinate testing of the CLETS Message Switch
- Contact third party vendors, and any other required third-parties, and coordinate their schedules and costs they may charge the City to provide, install and test their portion of the interface to RIMS.
- Ensure accuracy of the geofile
- Ensure all user-maintained configuration and data validation tables are completed prior to the start of training
- Provide training facilities and workstations (meeting minimum workstations requirements) and ensure access to RIMS training database from the training location(s)
- Training facilities must meet current Federal, State and local guidelines for health and safety, including those that may affect class size and physical configuration - Make paper copies of class materials and handouts provided by Sun Ridge - Schedule the City’s staff into requisite classes
- Assume any costs for staff overtime or other expenses incurred to support training schedule
- The City will allow unattended remote access (during implementation) to Sun Ridge allowing the use of Bomgar by BeyondTrust remote access software so that Sun Ridge may meet its responsibilities under this Agreement - The City will provide the following hardware meeting the following minimum specifications:
•Database Software: Purchase additional cores of Microsoft SQL Server software (Standard Edition) required to run the RIMS database if needed. •Servers: Ensure existing RIMS servers have sufficient disk space for the addition of the CAD databases.
•Monitor Resolution: 1920 x 1080
•Minimum Specifications (If using existing PCs and servers)
Office Workstations Database Servers
Microsoft Windows 10+ Microsoft Windows Server 2016+
2+ Ghz Processor / i5+ Microsoft SQL Server 2016+
8 GB+ RAM Intel 2 GHz+ Processor
Any Size Disk Space 16 GB+ RAM
3x Current System Database Size for Conversion
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 12 •Minimum Specifications (If purchasing new PCs and servers) •Mobile Computer Specifications: RIMS Mobile Computer Software/OFR Software and RIMS Mobile Mapping run on Windows laptops or Windows tablets per the following minimum specifications:
•Recommended Specifications (If purchasing new Laptops/Tablets) Android Devices iOS Devices
Android v13+ iOS v16+
Optional features for Mobile RIMS: include support for touchscreens, locally connected GPS devices (COM-port Serial or network connection to the modem), NFC readers for YubiKeys (MFA), and Driver’s License barcode scanning using enabled Getac tablets or DL scanners (Com-port Serial – AAMVA format – purchased separately by the City).
• FBI CJIS Requirements: All workstations must comply with FBI CJIS policies, including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). MFA can be provided within the Sun Ridge Systems products, or the City can use its own solution.
Sun Ridge Systems only offers two MFA possession solutions: Time- Based One-Time Password (TOTP) Authenticator and physical YubiKeys (purchased by the City). For mobile devices using Mobile RIMS or iRIMS, a Mobile Data Management (MDM) software product may be required, which Sun Ridge Systems does not provide nor sell. The City is responsible for other FBI CJIS requirements, including virus protection, local firewalls, and VPNs.
• *Effective October 1, 2024, Multi-factor Authentication will be required for all workstations, except for Dispatch workstations.
Office Workstations Database Servers
Microsoft Windows 10+ Microsoft Windows Server 2022+
i7/i9 Processor Microsoft SQL Server 2022+
16 GB+ RAM i7, Xeon, or AMD Equivalent Processor
Any Size Disk Space 32 GB+ RAM
3x Current System Database Size for Conversion
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 13 Exhibit B – Contract Amount
CL = Currently Licensed
NP = Not Provided
TABLE 1 - Application
Software
Component Los Altos
Los
Altos
Annual
Support
Mountai
n View
Mountai
n View
Annual
Support
Palo
Alto
Palo
Alto
Annual
Suppor
t
TOTAL COSTS
- SOFTWARE
TOTAL
COSTS -
SUPPORT
Web Query Clients
Not Proposed
Not Proposed
Not Proposed
Full Dispatch Capable Workstations
RIMS CAD $70,900 $9,700 $163,00
0 $22,325 CL CL $233,900 $32,025
RIMS2Txt $1,955 $270 $5,290 $725 $4,255 $585 $11,500 $1,580 TOTAL CAD APPLICATION COST $245,400 $33,605
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 14 TABLE 2 - Mobile
Application
Component Los Altos
Los
Altos
Annual
Support
Mountain
View
Mountai
n View
Annual
Support
Palo
Alto
Palo
Alto
Annual
Support
TOTAL
COSTS -
SOFTWARE
TOTAL
COSTS -
SUPPORT
Vehicular Mobile/MDT License
CL CL CL CL CL CL $0 $0
Tablet License (iRIMS Fire)
NP NP $33,350 $4,570 $33,35
0 $4,570 $66,700 $9,140
SmartPhone License (iRIMS Fire)
See Tablet License NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
TOTAL MOBILE APPLICATION
COSTS $66,700.00 $9,140.00
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 15 TABLE 3 - Interfaces
Component Los Altos
Los
Altos
Annual
Suppor
t
Mountai
n View
Mountai
n View
Annual
Support
Palo
Alto
Palo
Alto
Annual
Suppor
t
TOTAL
COSTS -
SOFTWARE
TOTAL
COSTS -
SUPPORT
Interfaces
ESInet NP NP NP NP NP NP $0 $0
Mass Notification (Everbridge) NP NP NP NP NP NP $0 $0
Motorola Astro 25 PTT NP NP NP NP NP NP $0 $0
Priority Dispatch NP NP $6,900 $945 $6,900 $945 $13,800 $1,890 CLETS CL CL CL CL CL CL $0 $0
Santa Clara CJIS CL CL CL CL CL CL $0 $0
Fire RMS - ImageTrend NP NP $12,650 $1,735 NP NP $12,650 $1,735 Fire RMS - ESO NP NP NP NP
$12,65
0 $1,735 $12,650 $1,735
Police RMS - RIMS CL CL CL CL CL CL $0 $0
Animal Control - Chameleon NP NP NP NP NP NP $0 $0
Trafficware NP NP NP NP NP NP $0 $0
AWS $11,500 $1,575 $11,500 $1,575 $11,50
0 $1,575 $34,500 $4,725
PulsePoint NP NP $11,500 $1,575 $11,50
0 $1,575 $23,000 $3,150
Fire Station Alerting (USDD) NP NP $10,350 $1,418 $10,35 0 $1,418 $20,700 $2,836
Tablet Command NP NP $14,950 $2,050 $14,95
0 $2,050 $29,900 $4,100
VESTA E911 $11,300 $1,500 $17,350 $2,400 $17,35
0 $2,400 $46,000 $6,300
Reddinet NP NP NP NP NP NP $0 $0
BWC - AXON $3,450 $473 $3,450 $473 NP NP $6,900 $946
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 16 BWC - Motorola NP NP NP NP NP NP $0 $0
Digital Evidence Management -
AXON NP NP NP NP NP NP $0 $0
Digital Evidence Management -
Veripic NP NP NP NP NP NP $0 $0
Netclock NP NP NP NP NP NP $0 $0
False Alarm Program – CryWolf 5,750 $800 $5,750 $800
False Alarm Program – APS
(CitySupport) $5,175 $700 NP NP $5,750 $800 $10,925 $1,500 Hexagon CAD-to-CAD (legacy Data) NP NP NP NP NP NP $0 $0 HRMS Telestaff NP NP NP NP NP NP $0 $0
GIS (Arc/ESRI) NP NP NP NP NP NP $0 $0
First Watch Fire RMS Link NP NP $12,650 $1,650 NP NP $12,650 $1,650
TOTAL INTERFACE COSTS $229,425 $31,367
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 17 TABLE 4 - Other
Module/Components
Component Los Altos
Los
Altos
Annual
Suppor
t
Mountai
n View
Mountai
n View
Annual
Support
Palo
Alto
Palo
Alto
Annua
l
Suppo
rt
TOTAL
COSTS -
SOFTWARE
TOTAL
COSTS -
SUPPORT
Other Modules
RIMS Mobile Mapping Software $10,350 $1,550 $20,700 $2,775 $20,70 0 $2,775 $51,750 $7,100
Geo-Fencing Functionality $9,800 $800 $9,800 $800 $9,800 $800 $29,400 $2,400
TOTAL OTHER COSTS $81,150 $9,500
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 18 TABLE 5 - Total
Application Software
Costs
Component
TOTAL
COSTS -
SOFTWARE
TOTAL
COSTS -
SUPPORT
Other Modules
TOTAL CAD APPLICATION COST $245,400 $33,605
TOTAL MOBILE APPLICATION
COSTS $66,700 $9,140
TOTAL INTERFACE COSTS $229,425 $31,367
TOTAL OTHER COSTS $81,150 $9,500
TOTAL APPLICATION
SOFTWARE COSTS $622,675 $83,612
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 19 Attachment E - Form 5 -
Implementation Cost
CL = Currently Licensed
NP = Not Proposed
Item
Total
Implementa
tion Costs
CAD Installation $38,125
MDC Installation Included
Smartphone/Tablet Installation $1,800
System Interfaces Integration $49,200
System Hardware, Platforms and
OS Integration NP
Site Development and System
Inegration NP
GIS and Mapping Integration Included
System Reporting and Analytics
Integration NP
Project Management $48,936
Business Process Reegineering and
Organizational Change Mgmt
See System
Configuration
Documentation Creation and
Support Services NP
Legacy Data Access Services NP
System Configuration
Included in
Training
End-User and Administrator Training $18,875
System Testing NP
Testing Included
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 20 Go-Live On-Site Support
Included in
Training
Travel $10,355
Escrow NP
Other (describe)
TOTAL SYSTEM
IMPLEMENTATION COSTS $167,291
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 21 Attachment E - Form 7 Total One
Time Costs
Item
One-Time
Cost
Total
Annual
Maintenan
ce Cost
Annual
Yearly
Maintenan
ce Cost
Increase
(%)
System Software NP
Application Software $622,675 $83,612 5%
Implementation $167,291
Total Contract Amount $789,966
Optional Costs NP
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 22 Exhibit C – Support Services Agreement
This is a description of the software support, maintenance, and update/upgrade services to be provided by Sun Ridge to the City (“Licensee”) as part of a Software Support Services Agreement (“Agreement”).
This Agreement covers all RIMS public safety software (Software) licensed by the Licensee.
Under this agreement Sun Ridge agrees to provide the following services to Licensee:
1.Coverage Hours. Sun Ridge will provide a toll-free phone number and dedicated email address for support purposes during normal service hours. Normal service hours are defined as Monday- Friday, 8AM-5PM PST, except for New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day (“common holidays”).
However, for instances where the Licensee’s system is completely inoperable due to a Sun Ridge software problem (“critical problems”) preventing basic system operation, service will be available 24 hours, 7 days a week, common holidays included. Examples of critical problems include:
- RIMS is down/not responding on multiple workstations - Cannot create a call for service (CAD Incident)
- Cannot issue a case number
- Unable to access NCIC
- Other issues that will not allow the user to complete critical tasks Licensee will have taken reasonable measures prior to contacting Sun Ridge’s support during non-service hours including:
- Verified that the issue is not related to just 1 workstation - Restarted the workstation in question
- Contacted in-house IT support if the issue is related to network or server errors - Verified the issue is critical enough that it cannot wait until normal support hours
2.Sun Ridge’s Response to reported problems. Sun Ridge agrees to provide service and assistance as expeditiously as possible as follows:
a. Most problems will be resolved with the initial phone call or email. b. For problems that cannot be immediately resolved, Sun Ridge will work to resolve the problem based on the severity of the problem and the urgency reported by Licensee.
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 23 ●For critical problems, Sun Ridge personnel will work with Licensee until the situation is resolved.
●For problems that are not critical problems that have a lesser though continuing impact on operations of Licensee, Sun Ridge will endeavor to provide a solution or workaround within 72 hours of the problem being reported to Sun Ridge by the Licensee. ●For other problems Sun Ridge may, at its discretion, either issue a near term "fix release" of the product or include the fix in the next scheduled product update.
3.Licensee equipment and software responsibilities. Licensee agrees to allow Sun Ridge to remotely connect to Licensee’s system when a problem is reported. Sun Ridge uses BeyondTrust remote access software for secure installation and follow-on support services. BeyondTrust software provides superior security and does so over an ordinary internet connection via a Sun Ridge server that hosts a BeyondTrust security hardware device.
If Licensee does not allow unattended access, the Sun Ridge response to a service request may be delayed until a responsible party of the Licensee allows access. Once remote access is obtained, Sun Ridge will examine data files, investigate reported problems, and provide updates and corrections as necessary.
4.Provision of software updates. Sun Ridge will provide all new enhanced and updated versions of software licensed to Licensee at no additional cost. This software will be provided with detailed installation instructions for installation by Licensee. If desired, Licensee may retain Sun Ridge to perform any installation at additional cost to be determined on a per case basis. Updates are distributed via download from the Sun Ridge’s ftp web site. Sun Ridge will not be obligated to provide service for release versions that are more than two annual release versions older than the current release.
5.Term. The term of support services shall be one year shall be annually renewed for another year upon payment of invoice. Payment for the year is due in advance the day the services begin. Non- payment of the support invoice within 60 days shall be cause for terminating or suspending the support services at the discretion of Sun Ridge.
6.Termination. Licensee may terminate support services with or without cause upon ninety (90) days written notice to Sun Ridge. If terminated, Licensee is entitled to a prorated refund for the service days not consumed beginning on the last day of the month the written notice is received by Sun Ridge to the end of the remaining term of the Agreement.
7.Limitations. Sun Ridge agrees to provide support only for public safety application software provided by Sun Ridge. Other software used by Licensee (word processing, spreadsheet, etc.) is not included in this Agreement. PC and network operating system software and Microsoft SQL Server database system software is similarly not included, although Sun Ridge may assist Licensee in isolating problems to this software. (Sun Ridge reserves the right to charge for diagnostic services in the event it is determined that the reported issue is not attributable to RIMS.) Also Item 6
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Sun Ridge Systems, Inc. – TriCities CAD Consortium v4a Page 24 specifically excluded is responsibility for administration, support, or maintenance of Licensee’ server, computer network, operating systems, or database (Microsoft SQL Server).
Licensee may request that Sun Ridge provide support services outside the limitations of this Support Services Agreement. If Sun Ridge agrees to provide any requested additional support services, such support services will be provided at Sun Ridge’s current rate and under terms and conditions that Sun Ridge may require.
This Agreement does not include equipment maintenance or assistance in diagnosing hardware problems including but not limited to PCs, printers, network, scanners, and other computer peripheral devices with the exception that Sun Ridge will assist Licensee in determining whether a problem is RIMS application software in nature.
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City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Public Works
Meeting Date: November 12, 2024
Report #:2410-3554
TITLE
Approval of Construction Contract No. C25190935A with Valhalla Builders in the Amount Not- to-Exceed $392,800 for Children’s Library as part of the Library Automated Materials Handling System Project, Capital Improvement Program Project LB-21000 and Authorization for the City Manager or Their Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders for Related Additional but Unforeseen Work that May Develop During the Project Up to a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $39,280; CEQA Status – Exempt under Section 15070
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Council:
1. Approve and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute Construction Contract No. C25190935A with Valhalla Builders, in the amount not to exceed $392,800 for the construction and installation of an Automated Materials Handling system pursuant to the Library Automated Materials Handling System Project, Capital Improvement Program Project LB-21000; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or their designee to negotiate and execute one or more change orders to the contract with Valhalla Builders, for related, additional but unforeseen work which may develop during the project, the total value of which shall not exceed $39,280.
BACKGROUND
The Library Department has made a significant investment in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging of their entire collection. Installing an Automated Materials Handling (AMH) System leverages that RFID investment to improve overall library system efficiency and speed up the process of moving materials to shelves for library patrons’ hold requests. An AMH system can speed materials processing and reduce staff time needed for processing books and media; it also decreases the likelihood of repetitive strain injury for staff. Staff time would be freed from processing materials manually to focusing on public projects and revenue generating projects.
AMH systems were installed at the Mitchell Park and Rinconada Library branches as part of projects funded by Library Bond Proposition Measure N, and they have proven to increase staff Item 7
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efficiency at the City's two largest branches. Measure N funded the construction of Mitchell Park Library, historical renovation of Rinconada (formerly Main) Library, and remodel of Downtown Library. AMH systems were installed at Mitchell Park Library and Rinconada Library in 2014.
ANALYSIS
Public Works Engineering staff studied the feasibility of installing AMH systems at the remaining three branches: Children’s Library, Downtown Library, and College Terrace Library. Though smaller than Rinconada and Mitchell Park in square footage, Children's Library has a high circulation rate of library materials. It was determined that adding an AMH system at Children’s Library would have a true benefit given the cost, space constraints, and staff efficiency benefits.
The Children's Library AMH System Project will modify the existing sorting room for installation of the new AMH system. The scope includes installing a six-bin sorting AMH system with a public interior return slot and a public exterior return slot with an ADA compliant pathway to the sidewalk. Staff recommends approval of Contract No. C25190935A1 to construct and install an AMH system.
Solicitation Process
On April 5, 2024, a notice inviting formal bids for the Children's Library Automated Materials Handling System Project was posted on the OpenGov, the City’s eProcurement platform. The bidding period was 25 days. A mandatory pre-bid meeting was held on April 17, 2024, and four potential bidders were present. Only one bid was submitted on April 30, 2024 and exceeded the City’s budget. The City decided to rebid the project with changes to the Invitation of Bids (IFB) including additional as-builts information and reformatting of the Bid Form. Public Works Engineering staff also contacted local companies to raise awareness about the project.
The City issued a rebid of the project on July 31, 2024. Another notice inviting formal bids for the Children's Library Automated Materials Handling System Project was posted on the OpenGov. The bidding period was 37 days. Bids were received from three contractors on September 6, 2024, as listed in the attached Bid Analysis in Attachment A.
Table 1: Summary of Invitation of Bids
Project Bid Name/Number Children’s Library Automated Materials Handling System Project-REBID, IFB
#190935A
Proposed Length of Project 200 calendar days
Number of Bid Packages Downloaded by
Contractors
24 Number of Bid Packages Downloaded by
Builder’s Exchanges
0 1 Valhalla Builders, Children’s Library Automated Materials Handling System Project, Contract #C25190935A; https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/public-works/staff-reports-all/2025/c25190935a-valhalla- builders_cc_11.12.2024_staff-report-003.pdf
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Table 1: Summary of Invitation of Bids
Total Days to Respond to Bid 37 days
Mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting Yes
Number of Company Attendees at Pre-Bid
Meeting
4 Number of Bids Received 3
Base Bid Price Range $392,800 - $685,999
Public Link to Solicitation https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/pa lo-alto-ca/projects/107994
The apparent low bidder was selected based upon the base bid only. The bids ranged from $392,800 to $685,999 and from 6% to 85% above the engineer’s estimate of $369,549. Staff reviewed the submitted bids and recommends acceptance of the base bid submitted by Valhalla Builders, in the amount of $392,800, and that Valhalla Builders be declared the lowest responsible bidder. The construction contingency amount of $39,280, which equals 10% of the contract value, is requested for related, additional, but unforeseen work which may develop during the project, implemented via City-approved Change Order.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Funding for the installation of the AMH system is available in the Fiscal Year 2025 Adopted Capital Improvement Program budget for the Library Automated Materials Handling System project LB-21000. A total transfer of $540,000 from the Library Development Impact Fee Fund was added to CIP LB-21000. The equipment will cause a slight increase in electric bills and will require annual equipment maintenance. Ongoing operating costs are estimated to be about $20,000 and anticipated to increase by 3 percent annually thereafter.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Public Works Engineering staff consulted with the Library staff on the operation and workflows at each Library branch in order to determine the feasibility of an AMH system at each location.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under section 15070 of the CEQA Guidelines as the project scope involves only the repair, maintenance, and/or minor alteration of existing facilities. No further environmental review is necessary.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A: Bid Analysis
APPROVED BY:
Brad Eggleston, Director Public Works/City Engineer
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Children's Library Automated Materials Handling System Project-REBID IFB #190935A
Bid Item Description Engineer's Estimate Arana Group Inc. Tochi Valhalla Builders Task 1
All Labor, Equipment, Material, and Transportation to fabricate, furnish, and install interior and exterior walls and associated activities as specified and shown on the Project Drawings. This line item includes wall installations, modifications, and infills as shown on the Project Drawing and Specifications. $ 12,726.19 45,334.00$ 18,000.00$ 7,700.00$ Task 2 All Labor, Equipment, Material, and Transportation to fabricate, furnish, and install doors, door hardware, and associated activities as specified and shown on the Project Drawing and Specifications. $ 5,389.91 6,005.00$ 6,000.00$ 4,900.00$ Task 3 All Labor, Equipment, Material, and Transportation to fabricate, furnish, and install window, window hardware, and associated activities as specified and shown on the Project Drawing and Specifications. $ 5,749.24 63,067.00$ 15,000.00$ 18,400.00$ Task 4
All Labor, Equipment, Material, and Transportation to demolish, remove, and salvage items as shown on the Project Drawing and Specifications. This includes interior and exterior areas. This also includes the protection and delivery of the window to the City.
$ 9,537.15 77,734.00$ 6,500.00$ 2,200.00$ Task 5 All Labor, Equipment, Material, and Transportation to furnish and install electrical power and electrical accessories as shown on the Project Drawing, Specifications, and required by the latest building code. $ 4,491.60 38,844.00$ 10,000.00$ 26,500.00$ Task 6 All Labor, Equipment, Material, and Transportation to furnish and install data, cabling, telecom, and associated activities as shown on the Project Drawing, Specifications and City’s IT cable policy. $ 1,497.20 16,083.00$ 3,500.00$ 1,100.00$ Task 7 All Labor, Equipment, Material, and Transportation to furnish to cove base as shown on the Project Drawings and described in the Special Provisions. This includes time and coordination with City’s third-party vendor performing carpet installation. $ 449.16 5,078.00$ 10,000.00$ 900.00$ Task 8 All Labor, Equipment, Material, and Transportation to perform painting of walls as shown on the Project Drawings and Specifications. This includes submittal and approval of paint samples as required for existing wall colors. $ 4,491.60 15,728.00$ 6,000.00$ 3,100.00$ Task 9
All Labor, Equipment, Material, and Transportation to procure and install an Automated Materials Handling System as shown on the Project Drawings, Specifications, and required by the latest building code. This includes the deferred submittal package by the Contractor.
$ 260,702.67 270,925.00$ 215,000.00$ 193,400.00$ Task 10 All Labor, Equipment, Material, and Transportation to furnish, modify, and install guard rail and concrete ramps shown on the Project Drawings, Specifications, and as required by the latest building code. $ 43,568.47 98,393.00$ 96,000.00$ 40,000.00$ Task 11 All Labor, Equipment, Material, and Transportation to complete sitework as shown on the Project Drawings and Specifications. This includes landscaping, irrigation, earthwork, and tree protection. $ 13,085.51 46,734.00$ 32,000.00$ 30,200.00$ Task 12 All Labor, Equipment, Material, and Transportation to complete all other items not covered in the line items above, but included in the Scope, Specifications, and Project Drawings. $ 7,860.29 2,074.00$ 10,000.00$ 64,400.00$ Subtotal 369,549.00$ 685,999.00$ 428,000.00$ 392,800.00$ Contingency 68,599.90$ 42,800.00$ 39,280.00$ Total Not-to-Exceed 754,598.90$ 470,800.00$ 432,080.00$ 86% 16% 6%
Over Over Over
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City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: ACTION ITEMS
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: November 12, 2024
Report #:2409-3482
TITLE
FIRST READING: Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Palo Alto Municipal Code Title 18 (Zoning) and Title 21 (Subdivisions and Other Divisions of Land) to Clarify Existing Regulations and to Implement State Housing Laws Adopted in 2023 and earlier. Provide Direction on: (1) Implementation of AB 2097 (2022) and (2) Implementation of Recently Adopted State Housing Laws from the 2023-24 Legislative Session.
CEQA Status - Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. adopt the attached ordinance implementing state law and other minor amendments to Titles 18 and 21 of the municipal code;
2. direct staff to apply AB 2097 to properties within the radius depicted in Attachment B;
3. provide direction on whether to require some on-site accessible and/or electric vehicle charging spaces, even when no other parking is proposed, including direction on alternatives such as exploration of an in-lieu program or provision of additional accessible spaces in the right of way or in public land;
4. direct staff to prepare an urgency ordinance for placement on the consent calendar to implement various land use-related state law changes from the 2024 state legislative session.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report includes an ordinance that modifies local zoning and subdivision provisions in accordance with recent changes to state law from the 2023 legislative session and earlier. Some minor amendments are also proposed unrelated to state law that do not have any meaningful policy implications but clarify existing municipal code provisions.
For the 2024 legislative session, staff recommend that Council provide direction for staff to return before the end of the year with an urgency ordinance that would implement required changes to the municipal code. A summary of relevant new legislation is provided in this report.
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AB 2097 (2022) is discussed at length compared to other state law changes to respond to questions that have arisen over the past several months. Staff recommendations include applying this state law to a geographic boundary based on the boarding platform area for major transit stops. Staff recommends a policy approach that would require on-site accessible and electric vehicle charging parking spaces in AB 2097 areas, provided direction is also received to amend the code to implement an in-lieu parking program for these spaces. Staff further recommends the Council direct staff to consider an additional accessible parking strategy in areas impacted by AB 2097.
BACKGROUND
On May 29, 2024, the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) voted to forward the staff recommendation on a draft ordinance to the City Council but continued its discussion regarding changes to Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Section 18.52.040(d) related to AB 2097 to July 10, 2024. The PTC made minor adjustments to this section, which have been incorporated into the attached ordinance, and further recommends the City Council:
1. Consider a mandate to require at least a minimal number of ADA parking spaces for projects within one-half mile of a major transit stop, consistent with 65863.2 and the position taken by some cities responding to AB 2097;
2. Direct staff to develop a policy that provides accessible parking spaces on streets and other public property within one-half mile of a major transit stop; and,
3. Investigate the desirability of requiring at least a minimal number of electric vehicle parking spaces for projects within one-half mile of a major transit stop, consistent with 65863.2 and the position taken by some cities responding to AB 2097.
The PTC staff reports1, videos2 and presentations3 are viewable via links provided below. The ordinance the PTC recommends would amend PAMC Titles 18 and 21 to address or implement provisions of state laws - Senate and Assembly Bills SB 684, SB 4, AB 2162, AB 894, AB 970 and AB 2097, and make several non-substantive revisions.
1 Links to July 10, 2024 PTC staff report: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes- reports/agendas-minutes/planning-and-transportation-commission/2024/ptc-7.10-muni-code-title-18.pdf and May 29, 2024 staff report: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes- reports/agendas-minutes/planning-and-transportation-commission/2024/05.29-ptc-Zoning-Amendments.pdf 2 Links to May 29, 2024 video: https://midpenmedia.org/planning-and-transportation-commission-2-5292024/ and July 10, 2024 video: https://midpenmedia.org/planning-and-transportation-commission-2-7102024/ July 10, 2024 PTC videos:
3 Link to staff presentations: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes- reports/agendas-minutes/planning-and-transportation-commission/2024/ptc-5.29-ordinance-update_staff- presentation.pdf
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The six state laws the ordinance addresses are summarized further below:
1.SB 684:
The law requires streamlined, ministerial review of parcel maps and housing development projects of up to 10 units that meet certain criteria. Projects must provide the number of projected units (market rate and BMR) for sites identified in a housing element or, for sites not identified in the housing element, the maximum number of units allowed by local regulation. It sets specific timelines for local agencies to approve or deny applications for such projects, such that failure to act within 60 days would result in automatic approval. If denied, the City must provide written feedback within 60 days on how to remedy the application.
The law allows the City to establish objective zoning, subdivision, or design standards for qualifying projects. The attached ordinance refers to the City’s existing objective standards established for Senate Bill (SB) 9 projects and for housing development projects (as defined in GC 65589.5) as set forth in PAMC Title 18, Chapter 18.24 (Contextual Design Criteria and Objective Design Standards). SB 684 also addresses the issuance of building permits, outlining the conditions under which a permit would be granted prior to final map recordation. It states that local agencies are not required to permit accessory or junior accessory dwelling units on parcels created under SB 684. Existing provisions regarding SB-9 urban lot splits and two-unit housing developments cannot be combined with SB 684 projects.
2.SB 4:
Streamlines the building process for faith-based institutions and certain colleges by providing a process that allows 'qualified developers’ to build qualifying housing projects regardless of zoning restrictions if certain requirements are satisfied. Such projects are therefore a "use by right" on land owned by independent higher education or religious institutions. Among other criteria, 100% of the units (exclusive of manager units) must be affordable to lower-income households, with allowances for 20% moderate-income and 5% staff units. Ancillary ground- floor uses are also permitted:
•In a single-family residential zone, childcare centers and facilities operated by community- based organizations for the provision of recreational, social, or educational services for use by the residents of the development and members of the local community in which the development is located; and,
•In all other zones, the development may include commercial uses that are permitted without a conditional use permit.
Housing projects eligible for "use by right" status can also qualify for density bonuses, incentives, and other concessions, including reduced parking standards. No additional parking requirements can be imposed if the development is within half a mile of high-quality public transit or one block from a car-share vehicle. The City must provide written documentation outlining conflicts with objective planning standards within a specified timeframe and failure to Item 8
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do so deems the project compliant. Design reviews can only focus on ministerial review criteria and cannot inhibit or preclude such streamlined approval. The bill would extend the CEQA exemption for ministerial project approvals. The provisions of this bill are set to expire on January 1, 2036.
3. AB 2162:
Makes certain supportive housing projects a “use by right” in zones that permit multifamily housing. To qualify:
1) The project must be deed restricted to be affordable to lower income households for a period of at least 55 years
2) At least 25% of the units or 12 units, whichever is greater, must be restricted to residents in supportive housing (i.e. housing for a target population that is linked to onsite or offsite services)
3) A certain percentage of square footage must be provided for on-site services 4) The project cannot exceed 50 units, unless the City allows larger projects to be a use by right
The City has implemented AB 2162 since it was adopted, including with the recent approval of the Mitchell Park Place supportive housing project at 525 East Charleston Avenue. As part of the Housing Element review process, however, HCD has asked that the City incorporate the bill into its zoning code. Implementation of AB 2162 is included as Program 6.5(D) of the City’s 2023-2031 Housing Element.
4. AB 894:
Requires the City to approve shared parking agreements for contiguous or nearby uses where a parking analysis shows that the proposed shared parking is “underutilized.” Parking is “underutilized” if at least 20 percent of parking spaces in a development are vacant during the time that the parking will be shared.
5. AB 2097:
Enables 100% reductions in required parking spaces for all uses except hotels within one-half mile of the major transit stops, as defined in state law. The requirements of AB 2097 generally apply to fixed rail station locations (Palo Alto, aka University Ave, station, California Avenue Station, and San Antonio station) with the slightly offset location of the bus transfer service station near the University Avenue transit stop as shown on the attached map (Attachment B).
The applicable projects are development projects (any activity that requires a building permit) on property depicted within the shaded radius circles on the City’s map are exempt from Item 8
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minimum parking requirements. Developers must still meet local requirements for loading zones and bicycle parking (i.e. all standards other than automobile parking). AB 2097 also states that it does not affect requirements for electric vehicle supply equipment or parking spaces accessible to persons with disabilities, though this provision is unclear and susceptible to differing interpretations.4
The PTC as part of its review of the subject ordinance and separately, the City Council in August when it considered AB 2097 relative to the North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan, questioned the applicability of the law toward electric vehicle supply equipment or parking spaces accessible to persons with disabilities. Both bodies also expressed concern about extending SB 2097 to other properties within the NVCAP and University Avenue downtown that were just beyond the one-half mile radius set forth in the state law. Both of the topics are expanded upon further in the analysis section.
6. AB 970:
Has no limit on how many parking spaces can be removed to accommodate Electric Vehicle Storage Equipment (EVSE); the draft ordinance eliminates the restriction in the local ordinance.
ANALYSIS
The proposed PAMC ordinance changes are briefly noted below with an expanded discussion related to AB 2097:
•To address SB 684 and SB 4: Modifies PAMC Section 18.77.074, Ministerial and By Right Process, to indicate the list of State bills referenced in that code section is not exclusive. •To address SB 684: Adds Section 18.42.185 (Standards for Up to Ten Units on Lots Subdivided Pursuant to Senate Bill 684) of Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) and adds Chapter 21.11 (Streamlined Subdivisions Resulting in Ten or Fewer Parcels). The new Section 18.42.185 includes a reference to the ’Ministerial and By Right Process’ in PAMC section 18.77.074. While some “ministerial” projects apply directly for building permits, this process applies to more complex projects that would benefit from staff review and approval for consistency with objective standards and zoning regulations before the applicant creates expensive structural/mechanical drawings and applies for a building permit. Courtesy notices to neighboring properties will continue to be required; however, with non- discretionary projects, there are no mandatory hearings or appeal process. 4 Excerpt from AB 2097: “This section shall not reduce, eliminate, or preclude the enforcement of any requirement imposed on a new multifamily residential or nonresidential development that is located within one-half mile of public transit to provide electric vehicle supply equipment installed parking spaces or parking spaces that are accessible to persons with disabilities that would have otherwise applied to the development if this section did not apply.”
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•To address SB 4 and AB 2162: Adds Section 18.14.060 (By Right Affordable and Supportive Housing Projects) that would enable a ministerial review process for 100% affordable housing projects on land owned by an independent institution of higher education or a religious institution (SB 4) as well as supportive housing projects (AB 2162). This section would clarify which objective standards apply to qualifying projects, depending on the project size and scope. The ordinance proposes to apply the RM-30 development standards to SB 4 projects under this section. This is consistent with the City’s treatment of housing opportunity sites in the R-1 zones, as well as the requirement in SB 4 that qualifying projects may build to 30 du/ac and receive an additional story of height beyond the base district.
Many religious institutions in Palo Alto are located on land owned R-1 (Single-Family Residential). Courtesy notices to neighboring properties will continue to be required; however, with non-discretionary projects, there are no mandatory hearings or appeal process.
•To address AB 894: Amends Section 18.52.050 (Adjustments by the Director) to note that shared parking agreements meeting the requirements of AB 894 will be approved, even if they are inconsistent with existing provisions related to off-site parking or exceed the current maximum parking adjustment.
•To address AB 970: The ordinance revises Section 18.52.050, Adjustments to Existing Parking Facilities, item (a)(1) Accessibility and EVSE-Related Equipment to delete some verbiage and add a phrase “to accommodate accessibility requirements”. •To provide non-substantive clarifications: The attached draft ordinance’s following non- substantive clarifications or 'clean-up' items would amend PAMC Titles 18 and 21. •Chapter 18.18 (Downtown Commercial (CD) District) to fix a footnote 3 of Table 3 of Section 18.18.060 (Development Standards)
•Chapter 18.20(F).045 to clarify permitted and conditionally permitted uses •Chapter 18.30(F).040 (Automobile Dealership (AD) Combining District Regulations) to clarify the permitted and conditionally permitted uses. •Chapter 18.42 (in Section 8) to amend Section 18.42.040 (Late Night Uses and Activities) to add zone districts NV-MXM and NV-MXH to the list of zone districts cited (CS and CN) for applicability of the section.
•Section 21.12.090 to clarify that tentative maps may be placed on the City Council's consent agenda, consistent with the City's practice.
•To address AB 2097: The ordinance revises PAMC 18.52.030 (Basic Parking Regulations) to implement a parking exemption for qualifying projects within one-half mile of a major transit stop. A major transit stop is a defined term in state law and referenced in AB 2097 to include an existing rail or bus rapid transit station; a ferry terminal served by either a bus or Item 8
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rail transit service; or the intersection of two or more major bus routes with a frequency of service interval of 15 minutes or less during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods.5 For Palo Alto, the latter only occurs at the bus transfer service station near the University Avenue transit stop. There are three transit stations whose AB 2097 radii extend to properties in Palo Alto: University Avenue, California Avenue and San Antonio Road (Mountain View) transit stations.
Methodology to Determine Applicability
The methodology for determining the radius is not specified in AB 2097 but HCD has issued a technical assistance letter on November 17, 2023, to the City of San Clemente (Attachment C) that provides guidance. According to HCD, the methodology for determining if a property is eligible for AB 2097 is to measure the distance from the nearest edge of the property where the project is proposed in a straight, direct line toward to the parcel(s) where the major transit stop is located. Unfortunately, the parcels for Caltrain stations in Palo Alto have highly irregular shapes that extend along the right-of-way occupied by the rail tracks between stations (Attachment D). As a result, the parcel boundaries have no relationship to the locations where trains stop and where individuals would board or exit.
Accordingly, based on the intent of state law and understanding of HCD’s technical assistance letter, staff recommends the City use the Caltrain or bus station platforms and associated buildings as the area boundary from which to measure the one-half mile radius.
Establishing the platforms as the parcel boundary aligns with the idea that individuals within a short distance of a rail station will likely access this service using means other than a single occupancy vehicle. Attachment B illustrates this interpretation and how staff would evaluate applicability of AB 2097 toward qualifying projects. Properties touching or within the radius boundary, as per HCD guidance, can utilize AB 2097 provisions.
Previously, staff represented the one-half mile radius using a point at the center of the transit station. This perspective was formed shortly after the passage of AB 2097 and based on guidance from Metropolitan Transportation Commission maps. The current staff recommendation results in a wider area of eligibility in recognition of HCD’s technical assistance letter to another jurisdiction.
5 AB 2097 includes a reference to the definition of a major transit stop found in Public Resources Code Section 21155 (b), which states: ‘A major transit stop is as defined in Section 21064.3, except that, for purposes of this section, it also includes major transit stops that are included in the applicable regional transportation plan.’. Section 21064.3 defines a major transit stop as including the following:
a) An existing rail or bus rapid transit station.
b) A ferry terminal served by either a bus or rail transit service. c) The intersection of two or more major bus routes with a frequency of service interval of 15 minute The 15 minute interval refenced in c) above will change to a 20 minute interval by new bill effective 1/1/25; this will not result in any changes to the AB 2097 boundary in Palo Alto.
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Transportation Demand Management Plan Requirement
The subject ordinance includes a staff proposed requirement supported by the PTC to require a transportation demand management plan for applicants seeking to take advantage of AB 2097. The TDM plan would be subject to existing provisions of the municipal code (PAMC 18.52.030 (i))6 and require a 20% to 45% reduction in peak hour motor vehicle trips depending on where a project is located in the city. Typically, a TDM plan is required for projects that generate 50 or more net new weekday or weekend peak hour trips; for projects claiming a reduction in net new trips due to its proximity to public transit; and all projects requesting a parking reduction. Similarly, a project utilizing the provisions of AB 2097 seeks to reduce or eliminate on-site parking and will inherently rely upon TDM measures to reduce vehicle trips to the site and incorporation of this provision is an extension of existing local law. The City Council could decide to strike this added provision in the draft ordinance and rely on existing parking resources in areas subject to AB 2097 if it does not agree with staff and the PTC’s recommendation.
Accessible and Electric Vehicle Parking Spaces
City Council policy direction is needed on whether to assert that accessible and electric vehicle charging stations (ADA & EVCS) parking should be required for projects utilizing AB 2097.
State law includes a provision that AB 2097 ‘shall not reduce, eliminate, or preclude the enforcement of any requirement imposed on a new multifamily residential or nonresidential development that is located within one-half mile of public transit to provide electric vehicle supply equipment installed parking spaces or parking spaces that are accessible to persons with disabilities that would have otherwise applied to the development if this section did not apply.’
Because ADA & EVCS spaces are typically required as a percentage of on-site parking under the California Building Codes, many jurisdictions implement this provision to require these percentages when a developer voluntarily provides parking on-site. If a developer elected not to provide parking, no ADA or EVCS spaces would be required. Under this view, the provision simply means that AB 2097 cannot be used override the minimum percentages of ADA & EVCS spaces provided in the building codes. In other words, a developer cannot voluntarily provide some parking spaces but choose not to provide any ADA or EVCS spaces.
By contrast, some jurisdictions interpret the bill to require the number of ADA & EVCS spaces that would be required if the project provided the total parking that would have been required prior to the passage of AB 2097; potentially a substantially higher number of on-site parking spaces.
6 PAMC 18.52.030 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-0-0-80975.
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By requiring a development to provide ADA & EVCS parking, even when no other parking is proposed, the City would continue to create opportunities to improve universal access to sites and expand the City’s electrification infrastructure to support its carbon reduction goals. However, requiring ADA & EVCS parking may create other challenges related to project costs and urban design principles. In addition, requiring ADA and EVCS parking when parking is not otherwise provided could invite legal challenges given the ambiguity in the law.
Parcel sizes and lot areas within the AB 2097 radius tend to be small in Palo Alto. And, lot consolidation historically has not been a feature of local land use development for a variety of reasons. AB 2097 is expected to spur redevelopment but this may be hampered when trying to design ADA & EVCS parking spaces on a smaller lot. The first ADA parking spaces placed on a site, must include an adjacent ADA compliant van-accessible loading area, which is equivalent to a second parking space. This is roughly the area of a two car garage, but it also needs to take into consideration an accessible path of travel from the parking space to the building’s entrance and account for sight visibility requirements and back up distances. If additional ADA & EVCS parking spaces are required, it is likely these spaces will need to be placed on another level that may introduce additional constraints related to drive aisles and ramping between levels. On-site parking may require an additional curb cut, which may not be ideal in a pedestrian-oriented environment. Above grade parking can present other undesirable urban design characteristics (aesthetics) or reduce ground level commercial floor area and below grade, or subterranean parking, may be cost prohibitive for some developers. Moreover, before AB 2097 was enacted, downtown developers could take advantage of the City’s in-lieu parking program, which had no replacement policy for ADA & EVCS parking spaces.
Some of these challenges could be mitigated by offering developers an in-lieu fee option for any accessible and EVCS spaces that are required. However, an in-lieu program comes with its own pitfalls, including the delay associated with accumulating a critical mass of funds.
This can mean that no benefit is provided from the fees for many years and because of increasing costs over time, fees do not go as far when they are eventually expended. In addition, in-lieu fees are a poor fit for ADA spaces, which are most effective when distributed throughout a commercial area rather than grouped in a potentially distant parking lot or structure. The City has encountered numerous practical and legal challenges to the use of parking in-lieu fees in the University Avenue downtown area; it may not be desirable to recreate this type of program with an even smaller pool of potential fees.
Alternatively, as conceptually supported by the PTC, the City could look at developing a policy to distribute ADA parking spaces on streets or other public property within the AB 2097 radius. While this policy may limit direct on-site access to a specific property, distributing ADA spaces throughout the district could expand universal access to a greater Item 8
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number of individuals visiting these areas and would not just serve an AB 2097 qualifying project’s tenants or visitors. It should also be noted that on-street parking spaces dedicated as ADA spaces would likely replace spaces currently available to the general public.
Staff has not developed or fully evaluated all the pros and cons with this policy approach and it is not anticipated that there would be a one for one equivalency of ADA parking spaces provided on the public right of way as may have been provided on private property.
Nevertheless, staff recommends that if of interest, the City Council provide this direction for staff to report back with options on implementation, costs, and any resource constraints.
Staff from the Office of Transportation are currently working on a municipal code parking update scheduled to go to the PTC later this year and this effort could potentially be included that policy discussion. This approach also coincides with efforts underway in the City’s public works department, which already has an operational system in place for installing EVCS spaces in the public right of way and it is also creating a new electric mobility strategic plan through the City’s S/CAP efforts.
Based on the practical challenges and legal risks described above, the attached ordinance has been drafted to not require on-site ADA or EVCS parking spaces for qualifying AB 2097 projects. If Council wishes to provide alternative direction, staff can return with a separate ordinance to implement that direction in early 2025. If Council is inclined to require ADA and EVCS parking, staff offers the following secondary recommendation: The on-site parking requirement should be paired with an in-lieu fee option. This in-lieu fee could be based on the cost to convert existing spaces in the right-of-way and in public lots to ADA and EVCS spaces. This would mitigate the problem of needing to accumulate significant funds before the fees can be expended.
Additionally, staff recommends, if a developer elects to voluntarily provide parking spaces on-site, that the City apply the following approach:
•For ADA spaces – the local percentage required shall be applied to the project based on the number of parking spaces provided on-site;
•For EV spaces – the local percentage required shall be applied to the total number of required parking spaces that would have been required if the project were not subject to AB 2097.
The staff recommends a two-tiered approach for ADA and EV parking spaces in this scenario for the following reasons:
1. Incentivizing Voluntary Parking. ADA spaces are always the first spaces added to a parking plan due the statutory requirement for this form of parking, general parking Item 8
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follows. Requiring a high proportion of ADA spaces, which can only be used by qualified disabled individuals, may discourage developers from providing any parking if it does not yield sufficient general parking spaces. Using the building code’s formula-based approach to the number of spaces provided, as opposed to what would have been required, balances these interests.
2. Addressing EVCS Parking Demand. EVCS spaces have more versatility accommodating both individuals with disabilities and electric vehicle owners. Also, electric vehicle adoption is also greatest in the Bay Area and Palo Alto is a leader among those communities with 50% of the new vehicles purchased and 16% of all registered vehicles being electric.7 This increased demand necessitates a dedicated approach to ensure sufficient infrastructure availability.
3. Managing Infrastructure Costs. EVCS spaces require significant infrastructure investments, which can be costly. The in-lieu fee option offers a way to offset these costs and encourage EVCS infrastructure development.
4. Balancing ADA and EV Requirements. While local building codes mandate a specific percentage of ADA spaces, EVCS parking requirements are more flexible. By strategically placing a limited number of ADA spaces throughout the district, the city can mitigate the potential shortfall from on-site development. However, the growing demand for EV charging infrastructure requires a separate strategy to ensure adequate availability.
Enforcing a Minimum Parking Requirements by Making Specified Findings Government Code section 65863.2(b) provides that a local jurisdiction may still impose or enforce minimum parking requirements on a project if the agency makes written findings within 30 days of receiving a completed application that reducing parking requirements on the development would have a substantially negative impact, supported by a preponderance of the evidence in the record, on any of the following:
1. The jurisdiction’s ability to meet its share of the regional housing need in accordance with Section 65584 for low- and very low-income households.
2. The jurisdiction’s ability to meet any special housing needs for the elderly or persons with disabilities identified in the analysis required [for the Housing Element]. 7 Based on 2023 data published in Appendix E of the 11/12/24 Quarterly Report on Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Implementation and S/CAP Key Performance Indicators Annual Progress Report (Report 2407- 3266).
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3. Existing residential or commercial parking within one-half mile of the housing development project.
Of these three options, the third appears to have the broadest applicability; however, it only applies to housing development projects. In other words, this would not be a basis for imposing parking requirements on commercial projects under AB 2097. In addition, with respect to housing projects, the statute goes on to stipulate that the above findings cannot be used to require parking for housing development projects that satisfy any of the following:
A. The development dedicates a minimum of 20 percent of the total number of housing units to very low, low-, or moderate-income households, students, the elderly, or persons with disabilities.
B. The development contains fewer than 20 housing units.
C. The development is subject to parking reductions based on the provisions of any other applicable law.
In short, there are a limited class of projects for which the City could utilize findings to impose parking requirements: housing projects with 20 or more units that do not provide at least 20 percent of units for moderate income households, students, elderly persons or persons with disabilities, and that are not utilizing parking reductions provided in any other law such as State Density Bonus law.
For such a project, the City would still face a high bar to make the required findings. Given the limited time to conduct the analysis needed to support the required findings (30 days from the filing of a complete application), staff does not envision being able to make project-specific findings that would compel a project to meet minimum on-site parking requirements. The City would have to prepare parking demand studies in advance for each of the relevant areas where AB 2097 may be utilized. The study would need to show a “substantial negative impact,” and the City’s findings would need to be supported by a preponderance of the evidence.
If the Council directs the proactive preparation of parking studies, staff will return during the Council’s priority setting discussion with a description of the work effort and study parameters, resource costs and identify other Council priority projects that may be impacted with the inclusion of this assignment. Given the limited applicability of qualifying projects and the high bar to produce evidence of a substantial negative impact, staff does not recommend initiating this study.
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Extending Provisions of AB 2097 to the Extent of the Downtown & NVCAP Project Boundaries
As part of its review of the North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan (NVCAP), the City Council declined to extend the provisions of AB 2097 to other nearby properties within the project boundaries but just beyond the one-half mile radius. The Council expressed a perspective that the provisions of the AB 2097 should not be extended beyond the minimum standard prescribed by the state. In an earlier draft of this report, staff recommended the City Council consider extending AB 2097 to another six properties in the downtown University Avenue district. However, based on Council’s guidance from the NVCAP hearing, staff has omitted this extension. As drafted in the attached ordinance, the provisions of AB 2097 would only apply to those qualifying projects that meet the distance measuring methodology detailed in this report and graphically illustrated in Attachment B.
PTC Recommendation on Additional Consideration of AB 2097 On May 29 and July 10, 2024, the PTC considered the draft ordinance and policy recommendations to Council. The PTC’s ordinance revisions have been reflected in the ordinance. The PTC’s policy discussion related to AB 2097 have been incorporated into the analysis above for Council’s consideration.
2024 State Legislative Amendments
The legislature continues to pass significant housing and land use legislation affecting cities. In total over 30 planning and land use bills were signed by the Governor in September 2024, and a select number are highlighted below. The most significant bills for Palo Alto address the Builder’s Remedy and SB 9. Other bills look forward to the next housing element cycle.
Builder’s Remedy
AB 1893 – Significantly amends and expands the Builder’s Remedy, including:
•Lower the amount of affordable housing required from 20% lower income units to 13% lower income units.
•Creates upper limits on density – generally three times the maximum allowed in local regs. This figure is increased by 35 du/ac for projects near transit. •A Builder’s Remedy project cannot be treated as a non-complying facility. •Allows a pending Builder’s Remedy application to take advantage of any or all of the newly enacted provisions.
AB 1886 – Clarifies that an SB 330 preliminary application can “vest” the Builder’s Remedy – i.e. the Builder’s Remedy is still available to a developer even if the City has subsequently adopted a certified housing element.
SB 9
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AB 450 – Amends SB 9 to create a 60-day timeframe for approval or denial of an SB 9 application. Requires that SB 9 projects only be subject to those objective standards that apply uniformly in the underlying zone.
Housing Element Law
AB 2023 – A housing element is presumed to be invalid if HCD has opined that it is not in substantial compliance with state law.
AB 2667 – Requires the HCD to develop a standardized reporting format for programs and actions taken with regards to AFFH.
AB 3093 – Creates two new income categories, Acutely Low Income (ALI) and Extremely Low Income (ELI), to the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) and throughout the housing element process to include those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Other
SB 937 – Allows housing developers to defer payment of impact fees until issuance of a certificate of occupancy; freezes fees at the level in effect at the time of building permit issuance.
AB 2663 – Requires cities to establish a website with information on collection and use of housing impact fees.
SB 1211 – Allows up to 8 detached ADUs on parcels with existing multifamily development. Cities can no longer require replacement parking for uncovered parking spaces that are removed for an ADU.
AB 2553 – Redefines “major transit stop” to include the intersection of two or more bus routes with 20 minute headways rather than the existing requirement for 15-minute headways.
AB 2694 – Expands density bonus law to apply to elder care facilities.
Of these bills, SB 450 (SB 9 update), SB 937 (deferred impact fees), SB 1211 (ADUs), and AB 2694 (density bonus) require amendments to the Palo Alto Municipal Code. Staff recommend that Council provide direction to return in December 2024 with an urgency ordinance amending the code to reflect these bills.
The only bill requiring policy analysis is SB 450, due to its requirement that the only objective standards that may apply to SB 9 projects are those that apply uniformly to the underlying zone. Currently, the City has adopted a series of objective standards (based on results of the Single-Family Individual Review process) that apply only to SB 9 projects, which are generally lower than R-1 development standards in terms of height, daylight plane and objective privacy standards.
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Until a comprehensive analysis of SB 450 can be prepared and presented to Council for consideration, staff recommends the SB 9 standards for one-story homes be suspended, while the standards for two-story homes be applied throughout the R-1 district. Two-story, single- family projects may then utilize those standards for streamlined review or may elect to go through the Individual Review process to deviate from the standards.
SB 450 has the potential to reduce the number discretionary Individual Review applications processed in the City in favor of an administrative process that would not include neighbor input. The extent and implications of this change will be based on the future standards the City applies to SB 9 projects.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
In conjunction with Council adoption of the ordinance, PDS staff would coordinate with Public Works Engineering regarding objective standards related to subdivisions proposed pursuant to SB 684. At this time, staff does not plan to utilize consultants to prepare the objective standards.
If the Council directs staff to engage in further study in response to AB 2097, further resources may be needed; staff would return in response to Council direction with cost estimates for fee study and consultant costs.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Staff had prepared an informational report published in the November 8, 2023 PTC packet related to AB 2097. The PTC conducted a study session April 24, 2024, and conducted two hearings of the draft ordinance, on May 29, 2024, and July 10, 2024.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The draft Ordinance is considered exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that updating the municipal code to incorporate existing requirements of State laws will have a significant effect on the environment, and similarly, there would be no significant effect from the non-substantive clarifications.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Draft Ordinance Amending Sections of PAMC Title 18 and Title 21 Attachment B: AB 2097 Map (City of Palo Alto)
Attachment C: AB 2097 Transit Distance Criteria – Letter of Technical Assistance (HCD) Attachment D: Caltrain Platforms and Associated Parcels APPROVED BY:
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Ordinance No. _____
Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Various Chapters of Title 18 (Zoning) and Title 21 (Subdivisions and Other Divisions of Land) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Clarify Existing Regulations and to Implement Recent State Housing Laws
The Council of the City of Palo Alto ORDAINS as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings and Declarations. The City Council of the City of Palo Alto finds and declares as follows:
A. On October 11, 2023, the Governor of the State of California signed Senate Bill 684, effective July 1, 2024. SB 684 requires the ministerial approval of certain subdivision maps, planning entitlements, and building permits for developments of up to 10 residential units.
B. On October 11, 2023, the Governor signed Senate Bill 4, effective January 1, 2024. SB4 requires housing development projects to be "use by right" on land owned by independent higher education or religious institutions, given certain conditions.
C. On October 11, 2023, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 894, effective January 1, 2024. AB 894 requires local agencies to approve shared parking agreements that meet criteria specified in the bill.
D. On September 22, 2022, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 2097, effective January 1, 2023. AB 2097, subject to certain limited exceptions, prohibits public agencies from imposing or enforcing a minimum parking requirement on a residential, commercial, or other development project that is within one- half mile of defined “public transit.”
E. On October 8, 2021, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 970, effective as to Palo Alto on January 1, 2023. AB 970 limits the discretion of local agencies when reviewing applications to install electric vehicle charging stations.
F. On September 25, 2018, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 2162, effective January 1, 2019. AB 2162 makes certain supportive housing projects a use by-right in all zones that permit multifamily residential uses. Although the City has been implementing this bill since 2019, Program 6.5(D) of the 2023-2031 Housing Element requires the City to incorporate the bill in the zoning code.
G. Upon recommendation of City Staff and the Planning and Transportation Commission, the Council of the City of Palo Alto desires to adopt regulations responding to and implementing these state laws.
H. Upon recommendation of City Staff and the Planning and Transportation Commission, the Council further desires to make non-substantive clarifications to existing provisions of the Palo Alto Municipal Code.
SECTION 2. Section 18.42.185 (Standards for Up to Ten Units on Lots Subdivided Pursuant to Senate Bill 684) of Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code is hereby added as follows:
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18.42.185 Standards for Up to Ten Units on Lots Subdivided Pursuant to Senate Bill 684 (a) Purpose and Applicability
This section implements California Government Code Sections 65852.28, 65913.4.5, and 66499.41 (Senate Bill 684, 2023) by establishing regulations for development of up to ten units on lots subdivided pursuant to Chapter 21.11.
(b) Review Qualifying Development Proposals
(1) Housing development projects on a lot or lots subdivided pursuant to Chapter 21.11 and California Government Code Section 66499.41 shall be ministerially reviewed and processed through the City’s Ministerial and By Right Review Process (set forth in PAMC Section 18.77.074), in accordance with Government Code Section 68582.28.
(2) Building permits for such projects may be issued prior to recordation of a final map, in accordance with Government Code Section 65913.4.5.
(c) Development and Design Standards
(1) Housing development projects shall be subject to the development standards set forth in the applicable zone district.
(2) Proposed parcels containing up to two units shall comply with all objective standards for SB 9 projects, as adopted by the City Council, the Director of Planning and Development Services, or the Director of Public Works, except that no setback shall be required between units unless in accordance with the California Building Code, as locally amended. (3) Proposed parcels containing three or more residential units or mixed uses shall comply with Chapter 18.24 (Contextual Design Criteria and Objective Design Standards).
SECTION 3. Section 18.77.074 (Ministerial and By Right Review Process) of Chapter 18.77 (Processing of Permits and Approvals) of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows (additions underlined; deletions struck-through; unchanged text omitted by bracketed ellipses):
18.77.074 Ministerial and By Right Review Process
(a) Purpose and Applicability
(1) This section is intended to define a streamlined, ministerial review process for qualifying Housing Development Projects that are submitted pursuant to streamlining provisions of state law, such as in AB 2162 (2018), AB 1397 (2017), and SB 35 (2017). This section shall apply to multi-family residential projects that are subject to ministerial review or defined as a “use by right” in state law, including, but not limited to, Government Code sections 65651, 65583, 65583.2, and 65913.4. This section does not apply to the creation of an accessory dwelling unit and/or junior accessory dwelling unit.
(2) The review required by this section shall not involve the exercise of discretion in a manner that would constitute a “project” for purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
This section does not, however, excuse a project involving a subdivision from compliance with Item 8
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Title 21 and the subdivision map processes set forth therein, which may result in a “project” for purposes of CEQA.
[. . .]
SECTION 4. Chapter 21.11 (Streamlined Subdivisions Resulting in Ten or Fewer Parcels) of Title 21 (Subdivisions and Other Divisions of Land) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code is hereby added as follows:
21.11.010 Purpose
This chapter implements California Government Code Section 66499.41 (Senate Bill 684, 2023) by establishing regulations for the ministerial subdivision of up to ten lots.
21.11.020 Applicability
This chapter applies only to proposed subdivisions that meet all of the requirements of California Government Code Section 66499.41. A tentative map and final map shall be required for all subdivisions under this Chapter, regardless of the number of parcels created.
21.11.030 Review
Qualifying tentative map applications shall be reviewed and processed ministerially in accordance with California Government Code Section 66499.41. Final maps shall be reviewed and processed in accordance with Chapter 21.16, except that a final map under this section may be approved by the City Engineer and Director of Planning and Development Services.
21.11.040 Objective Subdivision Standards
The Director of Planning and Development Services may adopt administrative regulations to create objective subdivision standards or clarify existing standards that apply to subdivisions under this section.
21.11.050 Accessory Dwelling Units Prohibited
Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units shall not be permitted on lots created pursuant to this section.
SECTION 5. Section 18.14.060 (By Right Affordable Supportive Housing Projects) of Chapter
18.14 (Housing Incentives) of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code is hereby added as follows:
18.14.060 By Right Affordable Housing and Supportive Housing Projects
(a) Affordable Housing on Higher Education and Religious Lands (1) Notwithstanding any conflicting provision of this Title 18 or the Comprehensive Plan, a qualifying housing development project under California Government Code Section 65913.16 shall be a use by right.
(2) Housing development projects utilizing this section in the R-1 Single-Family Residential District and the Low Density Residential Districts shall be subject to the development standards for the RM-30 zoning district, except that maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) shall be
1.25. (3) All housing development projects utilizing this section shall comply with Chapter 18.24 (Contextual Design Criteria and Objective Design Standards).
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(1) Supportive housing shall be a use by right in zones where multifamily and mixed uses are permitted, including nonresidential zones permitting multifamily uses, if the proposed housing development satisfies all of the requirements of California Government Code Sections 65650-65656.
(2) All housing development projects utilizing this section shall comply with Chapter 18.24 (Contextual Design Criteria and Objective Design Standards).
(c) Provided they comply with the City’s objective standards, by-right projects under this section shall not be subject to any discretionary review nor environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. By-right projects under this section shall be processed in accordance with Section
18.77.074.
SECTION 6. Sections 18.52.030 (Basic Parking Regulations), 18.52.040 (Off-Street Parking, Loading and Bicycle Facility Requirements), 18.52.045 (Adjustments to Existing Parking Facilities),
18.52.050 (Adjustments by the Director), and 18.52.070 (Parking Regulations for CD Assessment District) of Chapter 18.52 (Parking and Loading Requirements) of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows (additions underlined; deletions struck-through, and unchanged text omitted by bracketed ellipses):
18.52.030 Basic Parking Regulations
[. . .]
(i) Transportation Demand Management Plan
(1) Requirement for TDM Plan: A Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan to reduce and manage the number of single-occupant motor vehicle trips generated by the project shall be prepared and submitted by the applicant in the following circumstances:
A. For all projects that generate 50 or more net new weekday (AM or PM peak hour) or weekend peak hour trips;
B. For all projects claiming a reduction in net new trips due to proximity to public transit or the implementation of a TDM plan; and
C. For all projects requesting a parking reduction.
D. For all projects with reduced parking pursuant to California Government Code Section 65863.2 (AB 2097, 2022).
(2) The Director shall have the authority to adopt guidelines for preparing TDM plans and when applicable shall coordinate such guidelines with the Transportation Management Association.
18.52.040 Off-Street Parking, Loading and Bicycle Facility Requirements (a) Parking Requirements
In each district, off-street parking, loading and bicycle facilities for each use shall be provided in accordance with Tables 1 and 2, shown in subsection (c) of this Section 18.52.040. For affordable housing developments qualifying for density bonuses under Chapter 18.15 of the Palo Alto Municipal Item 8
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Code, adjustments to parking requirements will be calculated in accordance with Chapter 18.15. For projects within one-half mile of public transit, as defined in California Government Code Section 65863.2, no automobile parking shall be required, but loading and bicycle parking facilities shall be provided in accordance with this Section. The requirement for any use not specifically listed shall be determined by the director on the basis of requirements for similar uses, and on the basis of evidence of actual demand created by similar uses in Palo Alto and elsewhere, and such other traffic engineering or planning data as may be available and appropriate to the establishment of a minimum requirement. [. . .]
(d) Residential and mixed use structures with fifty (50) or more dwelling units shall provide at least one (1) on-site, short-term loading space for passenger vehicles, to be used by taxicabs and similar transportation and delivery services. Unless an adjustment is approved pursuant to Section 18.52.050, projects providing no automobile parking pursuant to California Government Code Section 65863.2 shall provide one (1) on-site, short-term loading space for passenger vehicles, to be used by taxicabs and similar transportation and delivery services.
18.52.045 Adjustments to Existing Parking Facilities
(a) The following minor adjustments may be made to existing parking facilities that are intended to remain in substantially the same form after restriping. (1) Accessibility and EVSE-related equipment.
For sites with existing development, the number on-site parking spaces may be reduced to the minimum extent necessary to: (1) achieve state or federally mandated accessibility requirements or (2) permit installation of electric vehicle charging stations, as defined in California Government Code Section 65850.7.electrical utility equipment required for EVSE. A maximum of 10% of the existing automobile parking stalls, or one stall, whichever is greater, may be removed to accommodate accessibility requirements. pursuant to this section. The loss of a parking space is not permitted to accommodate EVSE itself. To the extent reasonably feasible, e Electrical equipment required for EVSE shall should be placed in a location that minimizes visibility from the public right-of-way.
[. . .]
18.52.050 Adjustments by the Director
Automobile parking and off-street loading requirements prescribed by this chapter may be adjusted by the director in the following instances and in accord with the prescribed limitations in Table 4, when in his/her opinion such adjustment will be consistent with the purposes of this chapter, will not create undue impact on existing or potential uses adjoining the site or in the general vicinity, and will be commensurate with the reduced parking demand created by the development, including for visitors and accessory facilities where appropriate. No reductions may be granted that would result in provision of less than ten (10) spaces on a site. The following are adjustments that apply to developments not located within a parking assessment district. Adjustments within the parking assessment districts are contained in Section 18.52.080. The decision of the regarding parking adjustments may be appealed as set forth in Chapter 18.78 (Appeals).
[. . .]
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(e) Shared Parking Agreements
Notwithstanding the limitations set forth in Table 4, subdivision (a), and subdivision (c) of this Section, the Director shall approve a parking adjustment where the applicant meets all of the requirements of California Government Code Section 65683.1, including but not limited to, preparation of a parking analysis and a recorded shared parking agreement.
[. . .]
18.52.070 Parking Regulations for CD Assessment District
[. . .]
(f) Minor Adjustments to Existing Parking Facilities
The following minor adjustments may be made to existing parking facilities that are intended to remain in substantially the same form after restriping.
(1) Accessibility and EVSE-related equipment.
For sites with existing development, the number on-site parking spaces may be reduced to the minimum extent necessary to: (1) achieve state or federally mandated accessibility requirements or (2) permit installation of electric vehicle charging stations, as defined in California Government Code Section 65850.7. electrical utility equipment required for EVSE. A maximum of 10% of the existing automobile parking stalls, or one stall, whichever is greater, may be removed to accommodate accessibility requirements. pursuant to this section. The loss of a parking space is not permitted to accommodate EVSE itself. To the extent reasonably feasible, e Electrical equipment required for EVSE shall should be placed in a location that minimizes visibility from the public right-of-way.
[. . .]
SECTION 7. Footnote 3 to Table 3 of Section 18.18.060 (Development Standards) of Chapter
18.18 (Downtown Commercial (CD) District) of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows (additions underlined; unchanged text omitted by bracketed ellipses):
18.18.060 Development Standards
[. . .]
TABLE 3
MIXED USE AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
[. . .]
Footnotes:
[. . .]
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(3) FAR may be increased with transfers of development, increased floor area for housing development projects with 3-10 residential units pursuant to 18.18.065, and/or bonuses for seismic and historic rehabilitation upgrades, not to exceed a total site FAR of 3.0:1 in the CD-C subdistrict or 2.0:1 in the CD-S or CD-N subdistrict.
[. . .]
SECTION 8. Chapter 18.30(F) (Automobile Dealership (AD) Combining District Regulations) of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows (additions underlined; unchanged text omitted by bracketed ellipses):
Chapter 18.30(F) AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIP (AD)COMBINING DISTRICT REGULATIONS
[. . .]
18.30(F).040 Permitted Uses
The following uses shall be permitted in the (AD) combining district:
(a) Automobile dealerships.
(b) All other uses permitted in the underlying district.
18.30(F).045 Conditional Uses
The following uses may be conditionally permitted in the (AD) district, subject to the issuance of a conditional use permit in accord with Chapter 18.76 (Permits and Approval):
(a) All other conditional uses allowed in the underlying district. [. . .]
SECTION 9. Section 18.42.040 (Late Night Uses and Activities) of Chapter 18.42 (Standards for Special Uses) of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows (additions underlined; deletions struck-through):
18.42.040 Late Night Uses and Activities
(a) Purpose
The purpose is to restrict retail or service commercial businesses abutting (either directly or across the street) or within 50 feet of residentially zoned properties or properties with existing residential uses located within nonresidential zones, with operations or activities between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Operations subject to this code may include, but are not limited to, deliveries, parking lot and sidewalk cleaning, and/or clean up or set up operations, but does not include garbage pick up. (b) Requirements
(1) Retail (including restaurants) or service commercial businesses abutting or within 50 feet of residentially zoned properties or properties with existing residential uses located within nonresidential zones, that are open or with operations or activities between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. shall Item 8
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be operated in a manner to protect residential properties from excessive noise, odors, lighting or other nuisances from any sources during those hours.
(2) Where planning or building permits are required or for a change in use that results in any such commercial business in the CN, or CS, NV-MXM, and NV-MXH zone districts, operating or with activities between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., a conditional use permit shall be obtained and conditions of approval shall be applied as deemed necessary to ensure the operation is compatible with the abutting (or within 50 feet of) residential property. Said use permit shall be limited to operations or activities occurring between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
SECTION 10. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of the Ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 11. The Council finds that the Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that updating the municipal code to incorporate existing changes in State Density Bonus Law will have a significant effect on the environment.
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SECTION 12. This Ordinance shall be effective on the thirty-first date after the date of its adoption.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
____________________________ ____________________________ City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
____________________________ ____________________________ Assistant City Attorney City Manager
____________________________
Director of Planning and
Development Services
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Middlefield Road
Cowper Street
Waverley Street
Alma Street
El Camino Real
Louis Road
Hy 101 South
Ross Road
Hy 101 North
Webster Street
Bryant Street
Channing Avenue
East Bayshore Road
Page Mill Road
Hamilton Avenue
Oregon Expressway
Lincoln Avenue
San Antonio Road
University Avenue
Newell Road
Seale Avenue
South Court
High Street
Park Boulevard
East Meadow Drive
Stanford Avenue
West Bayshore Road
Colorado Avenue
Hanover Street
Miranda Avenue
Foothill Expressway
Fabian W
ay
Homer Avenue
Greer Road
Ramona Street
Charleston Road
Edgewood Drive
Loma Verde Avenue
Everett Avenue
Churchill Avenue
Arastradero Road
Matadero Avenue
Lowell Avenue
Center Drive
Tennyson Avenue
Los Robles Avenue
California Avenue
Barron Avenue
Hillview Avenue
Palo Alto Avenue
Kingsley Avenue
Maybell Avenue
Hansen W
ay
Wilkie Way
Coleridge Avenue
Byron Street
Ely Place
M
anuela Avenue
Oregon Avenue
Amarillo Avenue
Marion Avenue
North California Avenue
Emerson Street
Pitman Avenue
Laguna Avenue
Grove Avenue
Ferne Avenue
Nelson Drive
Porter Drive
Castilleja Avenue
Chimalus Drive
Hale Street
College Avenue
Amherst Street
Seneca Street
Lane 66
Bowdoin Street
Stockton Place
Harker Avenue
Deer Creek Road
Embarcadero Road
Ames Avenue
El Dorado Avenue
La Para Avenue
Grant Avenue
Birch Street
Hawthorne Avenue
Harriet Street
Coyote Hill Road
Columbia Street
Clara Drive
Georgia Avenue
Rhodes Drive
San Antonio Avenue
Cambridge Avenue
El Verano Avenue
Olive Avenue
La Donna Street
El Cam
ino W
ay
Parkinson Avenue
Kipling Street
Kellogg Avenue
Heather Lane
Alger Drive
Florales Drive
Oxford Avenue
Forest Avenue
101 Oregon-Embarcadero Ramp North
Greenwood Avenue
Monroe Drive
Cornell Street
Sherman Avenue
Boyce Avenue
Amaranta Avenue
Oberlin Street
West Charleston Road
Nathan W
ay
Donald Drive
Urban Lane
Harvard Street
Hopkins Avenue
Wilton Avenue
Dana Avenue
Sutherland Drive
Fife Avenue
Iris Way
Fulton Street
Lambert Avenue
Marshall Drive
Josina Avenue
101 Oregon-Embarcadero Ramp South
Williams Street
David Avenue
(none)
Old Adobe Road
El Carmelo Avenue
Geng Road
Orme Street
M
ontrose Avenue
Parkside Drive
Princeton Street
Walnut D rive
Maddux Drive
Sheridan Avenue
Curtner Avenue
Jacaranda Lane
W
ildwood Lane
Elsinore Drive
Morris Drive
Mariposa Avenue
Fernando Avenue
Stanley W
ay
Miller Avenue
Leland Avenue
Moreno Avenue
Barbara Drive
Creekside Drive
Sutter Avenue
Margarita Avenue
Edlee Avenue
Ventura Avenue
Arbutus Avenue
Chaucer Street
Shopping Center Way
Embarcadero W
ay
Walter Hays Drive
Jackson Drive
Willmar Drive
Kenneth Drive
Sand Hill Road
Carolina Lane
Martin Avenue Patricia Lane
Whitclem Drive
Cereza Drive
Paul Avenue
Guinda Street
Towle Way
Old Trace Road
Tennessee Lane
Orinda Street
Ilima Way
Santa Ana Street
Encina Grande Drive
Briarwood Way
Bruce Drive
Los Palos Avenue
Com
mercial Street
Lane 21
Faber Place
Ruthven Avenue
Miramonte Avenue
Lois L ane
West Meadow Drive
Gailen Avenue
Laguna Way
Whitsell Street
Northampton Drive
Southampton Drive
Scripps Avenue
Pomona Avenue
Janice Way
Bibbits Drive
Madrono Avenue
Warren Way
Yale Street
Mayview Avenue
Evergreen Drive
Stelling Drive
Rorke Way
El Centro Street
Ivy Lane
New M
ayfield Lane
Ashton Avenue
Military Way
McKellar Lane
Cedar Street
Robb Road
Jefferson Drive
Dake Avenue
Santa Rita Avenue
Addison Avenue
Saint Claire Drive
Rinconada Avenue
Second Street
Encina Avenue
Seminole Way
Alester Avenue
Silva AvenueKelly Way
Indian Drive
Escobita Avenue
Quarry Road
Glenbrook Drive
Manuela Court
Garland Drive
Hubbartt Drive
Christine Drive
Lane 39
Kings Lane
Bryson Avenue
Talisman Drive
Campana Drive
Oak H
ill Avenue
Fabian Street
Murdoch Drive
Deodar Street
Terman Drive
Nevada Avenue
Madison Way
Sequoia Avenue
Southwood Drive
Crescent Drive
Colonial Lane
East Meadow CircleRichardson Court
Lane 33
James Road
Vista Avenue
Lupine Avenue
Campesino Avenue
Hilbar Lane
Portola Avenue
Park Avenue
Poe Street
Suzanne Drive
La Calle
Cypress Lane (Private)
Chestnut Avenue
Roble Ridge (Private)
Kendall Avenue
Mumford Place
Sycamore Drive
Thain Way
Vernon Terrace
Celia Drive
Washington Avenue
Redwood Circle
Dennis Drive
Arboretum Road
Roosevelt CircleLa Selva Drive
Solana Drive
Manzana Lane
Ortega Court
Ash Street
De Soto Drive
Rambow Drive
Portage Avenue
Bryant Court
Ruthelma Avenue
Elwell Court
Torreya Court
Magnolia Drive
Paradise Way
Cork Oak Way
Manuela Way
Carlson Circle
Clemo Avenue
Coastland Drive
Wellsbury Way
Fairmede Avenue
Stern Avenue
Mitchell Lane
Fallen Leaf Street
Everett Court
Maclane
Pepper Avenue
Community L ane
Verdosa Drive
Thomas Drive
Abel Avenue
Wells Avenue
Fielding Drive
M
aplewood Avenue
Tulip Lane
Lane 7 East
Acacia Avenue
Ross Court
Mackay Drive
Berryessa Street
Ilima Court
Tasso Street
Mesa Avenue
Stone Lane
Lane B East
Coulombe Drive
Lytton Avenue
Lane D East
Lane 8 West
Lane 7 West
Miranda Green
Mark Twain Street
Lane A West
El Cerrito Road
M
aple Street
Whitman Court
Lane B West
Orchard Lane
Laura Lane
Dinah's Court
Lane D West
Gaspar Court
Prim
rose W
ay
Lane 15 East
Tanland Drive
Lane 59 East
Irven Court
Agnes Way
Baker Avenue
Morton Street
May Court
Murray Way
Driftwood Drive
Melville Avenue
Silva Court
Pear Lane
Greenmeadow Way
Corina W
ay
Phillips Road
Palm
Street
Saint Michael Drive
Lane 30
Blair Court
Cesano Court
Gilman Street
Palom
a Drive (Private)
Wellesley Street
Thornwood Drive
Holly Oak Drive
Cerrito Way
El Cajon Way
Tioga Court
Wright Place
Vineyard Lane
Pistache Place
West Crescent Drive
Duncan Place
Moana Court
Sandra Place
San Jude Avenue
M
cGregor W
ay
Miller Court
Downing Lane
Florence Street
Peral Lane
Ben Lomond Drive Shasta Drive
Ensign Way
Dartmouth Street
Diablo Court
W
ilson Street
Bret Harte Street
Erstwild Court
Carmel Drive
Cass Way
Arcadia Place
Lane 6 East
Burnham Way
Villa Vista (Private)
Saint Francis Drive
Ramos Way (Private)
Cardinal Way
Hemlock Court
Layne Court
Flowers Lane
Timlott Lane
Drake Way
Lindero Drive
Simkins Court
Wintergreen Way
M
arlowe Street
Shauna Lane
Lane 5 East
Dixon Place
Corporation Way
Maybell Way
Altaire Walk
Sedro Lane
Midtown Court
Sierra Court
Portal Place
Lane 12 West
Cowper Court
Chabot Terrace
Ashby Drive
El Capitan Place
none
Rickeys W
ay (Private)
Keats Court
Maureen Avenue
Talisman Court
La Mata Way
Mimosa Lane
Quail Drive (Private)
Clifton Court
Staunton Court
Arrowhead Way
Scott Street
Higgins Place
Arbol Drive
101 E Oregon On Ramp South
Ellsworth Place (Private)
Lawrence Lane
Federation Way
Sharon Court
Ryan Lane (Private)
Juniper Lane (Private)
Randers Court
Centennial Walk
Paulsen Lane
Manchester Court
Rosewood Drive
Sweet Olive Way
Old Trace Court
Moffett Circle
Bautista Court
Magnolia Drive South
Cherry Oaks Place
Ynigo Way
Adobe Place
Metro Circle
Anton Court
San Carlos Court (Private)
Pratt Lane (Private)
Amherst Way
Lundy Lane
Allen Court
Louisa Court
Watson Court
Van Auken CircleEast Greenwich Place
Bellview Drive
Kent Place
Villa Vera (Private)
M
atadero Court
Saint Michael Court
Pena Court
Columbia Place
Tevis Place
Palo Road
Nelson Court
Ames Court
Rincon Circle
Island Drive
Davenport Way
Leghorn Street
Ham
ilton Court
Newell Place
Duluth Circle
Piers Court
Regent Place
Gary Court
Genevieve Court
Gailen Court
Driscoll Place (Private)
Elmdale Place
Charleston Court
Julie Court
Green Manor
Forest Court
Old Page M
ill Road
Magnolia Drive North
Camino Court
Lane 56 (Private)
Frandon Court
Carlitos Court
Victoria Place
Nogal Lane
Boronda Lane
Somerset Place
W
allis Court
Loma Verde Place
Barclay Court
Newberry Court
Laguna Oaks Place
Laguna Court
Darlington Court
Fairfield Court
David Court
Marion Place
Ferne Court
Dymond Court (Private)
Amherst Court
Alma Village Lane (Private)
Martinsen Court
Bowdoin Place
Wellsbury Court
Crosby Place
Rickeys Lane (Private)
Los Palos Circle
George Hood Lane
Byron Street
(none)
Byron Street
Wilkie Way
Ash Street
Byron Street
Lytton Avenue
Dana Avenue
Kipling Street
Moreno Avenue
Tasso Street
Byron Street
Fulton Street Fulton Street
High Street
Foothill Expressway
Kipling Street
Hy 101 North
Ramona Street
Dartmouth Street
High Street
Tasso Street
Palo Alto Avenue
Hamilton Avenue
Moreno Avenue
Wellesley Street
Park Boulevard
Dartmouth Street
Thomas Drive
Emerson Street
Ramona Street
South Court
Arastradero Road
Addison Avenue
Addison Avenue
Tasso Street
Quarry Road
Sutter Avenue
North California Avenue
Santa Rita Avenue
Page Mill Road
South Court
Oregon Expressway
Nevada Avenue
Bryant Street
Kipling Street
Kendall Avenue
San Jude Avenue
Maclane
Guinda Street
Santa Rita Avenue
Ash Street
Ramona Street
Page Mill Road
Washington Avenue
Tasso Street
Emerson Street
Lytton Avenue
Oregon Avenue
Ramona Street
Lane 15 East
Oregon Avenue
Hawthorne Avenue
Kendall Avenue
Kingsley Avenue
San Antonio Road
Colorado Avenue
Kellogg Avenue
Webster Street
College Avenue
Georgia Avenue
Tasso Street
W
est Bayshore Road
Miranda Avenue
Byron Street
Emerson Street
Fulton Street
Ash Street
Matadero Avenue
Sheridan Avenue
Oregon Avenue
Birch Street
Sycamore Drive
Park Boulevard
Melville Avenue
Los Altos
Los Altos Hills
Stanford University
Menlo Park
Mountain View
East Palo Alto
Atherton
This map is a product of
City of Palo Alto GIS
[
0 0.35 0.70.175
Miles
Half-Mile from
AB2097 Transit Platforms
Legend
AB2097 Transit Platform
Half-Mile from AB2097 Transit Platform
Schools
Parks
City Limit
£¤101
§¨¦
280
Rev: October 23, 2024
Palo Alto Caltrain Station
California Ave. Caltrain Station
San Antonio Caltrain Station
Palo Alto Transit Center
Item 8
Attachment B - AB 2097
Map (City of Palo Alto)
Item 8: Staff Report
Pg.
25 Packet Pg. 140 of 150
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - BUSINESS, CONSUMER SERVICES AND HOUSING AGENCY GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIVISION OF HOUSING POLICY DEVELOPMENT
2020 W. El Camino Avenue, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95833
(916) 263-2911 / FAX (916) 263-7453
www.hcd.ca.gov
November
17, 2023
Adam Atamian, Community Development Director
City of San Clemente
910 Calle Negocio, Suite 100
San Clemente, CA 92672
Dear Adam Atamian:
RE: AB 2097 Transit Distance Criteria – Letter of Technical Assistance This letter provides technical assistance regarding the application of Assembly Bill (AB) 2097 (Chapter 459, Statues of 2022). The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) received a technical assistance request from Kristine Michaels (Applicant), seeking clarification on how to measure the one-half mile distance to a major transit stop required under AB 2097. The letter is provided for the benefit of both the City of San Clemente (City) and the Applicant.
Summary of Request
HCD understands the Applicant submitted an application to the City for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) conversion project at 240 W. Mariposa Avenue. The project proposes to convert an existing carport into an approximately 668.5 square-foot ADU. The City has approved a conceptual plan verifying that the project meets local zoning regulations and does not require additional off-street parking to be provided to serve the ADU. However, because the project is located in the Coastal Zone and the City does not have a fully certified Local Coastal Program (LCP) at this time, the project also requires a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) from the California Coastal Commission (Coastal Commission). HCD understands that the Applicant has submitted its CDP application, including the approved conceptual plan from the City, to the Coastal Commission for review. It appears that the Coastal Commission is exploring potential parking mitigation measures for the project including the removal of red curbed areas to create more on- street parking and/or an annual in lieu parking mitigation fee. However, the applicant desires to utilize the reduced minimum parking requirements under AB 2097 for residential development within one-half mile of a major transit stop.
AB 2097 is codified at Government Code Title 7, Division 1, Chapter 4, Article 2, Section 65863.2 and became effective January 1, 2023. This law limits the ability of a public agency to impose minimum automobile parking requirements for residential, Item 8
Attachment C - AB 2097
Transit Distance Criteria -
Letter of Technical
Assistance (HCD)
Item 8: Staff Report
Pg.
26 Packet Pg. 141 of 150
Adam Atamian, Community Development Director