CITY COUNCIL
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Regular Meeting
February 3, 2025
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers and by virtual teleconference at 5:30 P.M.
Present In Person: Burt, Lauing, Lu, Lythcott-Haims, Reckdahl, Stone, Veenker Present Remotely:
Absent:
Special Orders of the Day
1. Interview Candidates for the Vacancies on the Planning and Transportation Commission Item Removed Off Agenda
NO ACTION
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions
Public Comment
Council Member Questions, Comments and Announcements
Consent Calendar
Councilmember Lythcott-Haims registered a no vote on Agenda Item Number 4.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Veenker moved, seconded by Council member Reckdahl to approve Agenda Item Numbers 2-6.
MOTION PASSED ITEMS 2-3, 5-6: 7-0
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 02/03/2025
MOTION PASSED ITEM 4: 6-1, Lythcott-Haims no
2. Approval of Minutes from January 13, 2025 Meeting
3. Appointment of 2025 Emergency Standby Council
4. Approval of Construction Contract No. C25191929 with Alex Kushner General Inc. in the Amount Not -to-Exceed $390,000 for the Temporary Fire Station 4 as part of the Fire Station 4 Replacement Capital Improvement Program project (PE -18004) 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 $39,000; CEQA Status – Exempt Under Section 15303
5. Authorize the City Manager or their Designee to Execute an Assistance Agreement with the United States Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) in the amount of $16,519,879 through January 31, 2030; CEQA Status – Not a project.
6. Approval of Three Professional Services Contracts for On-call Transportation Engineering and Planning Project Support Services, for a Four- Year Term: 1) Contract Number C25191149 with TJKM Transportation in the Amount Not -to-Exceed $300,000, 2) Contract Number C25192647 Wit h Fehr and Peers in the Amount Not- to-Exceed $800,000, and 3) Contract Number C25192646 With Kittelson and Associates in the Amount Not -to-Exceed $800,000; CEQA status - categorically exempt; specific projects will undergo environmental review as applicable.
City Manager Comments
Ed Shikada, City Manager
Action Items
7. Update and Potential Direction on Car -Free Street Improvements on California Avenue; CEQA status – CEQA review is currently underway on the projects as described in this report.
NO ACTION
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 02/03/2025
8. REINTRODUCED 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, Including Parking Requirements Near Transit Stations in Accordance with AB 2097. CEQA Status
-
Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). (PREVIOUSLY INTRODUCED: November 12, 2024 PASSED 6- 1, Kou no; and Pulled from Consent Calendar on December 16, 2024)
M
OTION: Council member Burt moved, seconded by Council member Reckdahl to adopt the attached ordinance that clarifies existing land use regulations and implements State housings laws adopted in 2023 and earlier and direct staff to:
1. Come back with a 1st reading on Consent with an Ordinance consistent with Option 1, which would require ADA/EVCS parking based on the amount of voluntary parking provided on site; and
2. Refer to P lanning and Transportation Commission, in consultation with the Downtown Housing Committee, to make recommendation to the Council on how to best implement a set of ADA/ EVCS parking requirements aligned with Option 2 and incentives aligned with Option 1.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
Closed Session
9. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY – POTENTIAL LITIGATION Subject: Calculation of Housing In-Lieu Fees for Sheridan Plaza, as set forth in December 18, 2024 Letter from David Van Atta
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) One Case, as Defendant MOTION: Vice Mayor Veenker moved, seconded by Mayor Lauing to go into Closed Session.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
Council went into Closed Session at 9:20 P.M.
Council returned from Closed Session at 9:42 P.M.
Mayor Lauing announced no reportable action.
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 02/03/2025
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 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.