February 24, 2025 www.cityofpaloalto.org
2025 City Council
Priority Objectives &
Committee Objectives
and Workplans
February 24, 2025
2025 Council Priorities & Objectives Introduction
• Lists the 68 proposed Objectives that build on the 2024 incomplete or returning objectives, department proposed, or Council suggested during the 2025 Annual Retreat. • Reinforces the Council’s annual priority setting process • Shares the role of Council Committees in the work ahead, including Council ad hoc committees and standing committees (committee objectives and workplans review tonight)
• Begins discussion on the Council, community and stakeholder engagement necessaryto implement the proposed Council Objectives
• Recognizes tension between capacity, resource limitations, and potential interest in additional objectives for the year
2 February 24, 2025
Discussion Facilitation
• Staff is seeking input on and approval of the 2025 Council Objectives and will guide Council through a review and discussion of the proposed Objectives by Council Priority. • Council Objectives are stated in a manner to reflect a milestone of completion within calendar year 2025, work on many of these objectives will continue beyond 2025 with subsequent milestones.
• Both estimated completion and funding needs are reflective of the 12-month milestone goal and resource needs; additional resources are expected to be necessary for subsequent milestones of some objectives in future years. • Staff will guide Council to discuss the Committee objectives and Standing Committee Workplans following discussion of Objectives
3 2025 Council Priorities & Objectives (68 objectives)
Economic Development and Retail Vibrancy
# of Objectives $$ Needs
13 7
Climate Action and Adaptation & Natural Environment
Protection
# of Objectives $$ Needs
21 6
Implementing Housing Strategies for Social & Economic
Balance
# of Objectives $$ Needs
18 4
Public Safety, Wellness & Belonging
# of Objectives $$ Needs
16 5*
4 *Updated to reflect reduced funding needs upon further consideration.
Economic Development & Retail Vibrancy (13 Objectives)
Resource Needs- $ up to 50K, $$ 51-400K, $$$ 500K+C- 2024 Carryover R- Revised Objective N-New Objective 5
Climate Action and Adaptation & Natural Environment Protection (21 Objectives) 6 Implementing Housing Strategies for Social and Economic Balance (18 Objectives) 7Resource Needs- $ up to 50K, $$ 51-400K, $$$ 500K+C- 2024 Carryover R- Revised Objective N-New Objective
Public Safety, Wellness & Belonging(16 Objectives)
Resource Needs- $ up to 50K, $$ 51-400K, $$$ 500K+C- 2024 Carryover R- Revised Objective N-New Objective 8
February 24, 2025
Committee Objectives and Workplans
• Committee Objectives reflect principles reflected at the City Council Retreat:
• Ad hocs facilitate efficient Council meetings by vetting complex topics in advance • Priorities and assignments, including ad hoc missions (objectives), will be made by the full Council to ensure transparent management of resources
• Ad hoc recommendations proceed directly to the full Council, not heard by more than one committee • Recommendations from ad hocs will be developed in public • Standing committee workplans reflect annual agenda items and current referrals (to the best of our knowledge) from Council
• As work progresses on the 2025 Objectives, these committees will be used for review and feedback as appropriate to ensure continued progress
• Council may discuss and identify any adjustments to the Committee Objectives and Standing Committee Workplans including updates on the status of Council referrals 9 Committee Objectives
10 Rail Ad Hoc Committee
The Rail Committee reviews the projects and provides recommendations to the City Council based on the Rail Guiding principles adopted by the City Council (August 8, 2022). The projects include: the grade separations and safety improvements at existing crossings, additional east-west bicycle and pedestrian crossings, and quiet zone improvements. Rail committee will review and advance projects for Council approval.
With the exception of bicycle and pedestrian railway crossings, all matters related to cycling and pedestrians such as the Bicycle Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) will be reviewed by the Policy & Services Committee for recommendations to the full City Council.
Cubberley Ad Hoc Committee
The Cubberley Ad Hoc will ensure the City Council’s vision is reflected through the master plan process and serve as the Council ambassador for engagement with the community and building community support for development for a new community center at the Cubberley site. This includes making recommendations to the Council on the future operating model (e.g. services available, approach to fees & charges, space allocation) and master plan that will successfully receive voter support in 2026.
Coordination with PAUSD on Cubberley will occur through this committee rather than CSLC. Operations, funding, and ballot measure work (including polling) may be heard by the Finance Committee rather than the Cubberley Ad Hoc for recommendations to the full City Council.
Committee Objectives
11 Retail Ad Hoc Committee
The retail committee will provide a regular forum for business and community stakeholders to engage with Council members on implementation of the City’s economic development strategy. The retail committee will make recommendations to the City Council on economic development and retail vibrancy efforts, such as additional business support, proposed University and California Avenue improvements, and citywide retail zoning code changes.
Climate Action & Sustainability Ad Hoc Committee
The Climate Action & Sustainability Committee will support implementation of the Climate Action workplan items of the Three-Year Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) Workplan and the 2025 Council Priority Objectives for the Climate Action & Adaptation, and Natural Environment Council priority. The Committee will also discuss and provide input on S/CAP implementation strategy leading to Council approval and the development of the Climate Action sections of the upcoming 2026-2027 S/CAP Workplan, including consideration of appropriate actions toward the 2030 Carbon Neutrality goal.
Implementation of the Reliability and Resiliency Strategic Plan will continue to be reviewed primarily by the Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC), and recommendations for funding S/CAP programs through the budget process will be made by the UAC and Finance Committee based on priorities established by the Climate Action & Sustainability Committee.
Policy & Services Committee Workplan
12 January
• Mayor appoints Committee and designates Chair; no Policy & Services Committee meeting
February
• Auditor Report: Grant Management Audit
• Auditor Report: Utility Billing Audit
• Nonprofit Partnerships Workplan
• Follow Up from City Council Retreat re Umbrella Operating Strategies
March
• Auditor Report: Dispatch Assessment
• Recommendations for Nonprofit Partnerships Workplan Phase 1 • Auditor Quarterly Report (tentative)
• Auditor Task Order Report (if needed)
April
• Update on Recent Race and Equity Work
• Legislative Update (State and Federal)
• Referral: Board and Commission Member Onboarding Support • Auditor Report: TBD
• Auditor Report: TBD
May
• Recommended Approval of Safe Streets for All Action Plan • Referral (2024): Establish a frequency for joint City Council meetings or Policy & Services meeting with Boards and
Commissions, Youth Council, and meetings with Boards and Commissions Chairs;
• Referral Follow Up: Discussion and Recommendation to Council Regarding Potential New Procedure for Councilmembers to Make Referrals to Staff
• Auditor Report: TBD
June
• Referral (2024): Review of an annual schedule of repeat items that occur annually on agendas for Policy & Services, Finance Committee, and City Council along with the approximate month they occur
• Referral (2024): Review and make recommendations for any initiatives to support and strengthen neighborhood programs (linked to discussions in 2021) • Audit task orders
• Tentative: Bicycle Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) July No meeting; Council break
August
• Auditor Report: TBD
• Auditor Report: TBD
• Race and Equity Update Report
• Legislative Update (State and Federal)
September
• Auditor Report: TBD
October
• Quarterly Audit Status Report
November
• Auditor Report: TBD
• Legislative Agenda and Guidelines (can also go in December) • Quarterly Update on Recent Race and Equity Work
December
• Auditor Report: TBD
• Procedures & Protocols Handbook Annual Discussion
• 2026 City Council Priorities Discussion (focused on process, the retreat and submitted ideas)
• Informational: Report out on Status of Committee Referrals Finance Committee Workplan
13 January
• Mayor appoints Committee and designates Chair; usually no FC meeting
February
• No Meeting, City Council meeting scheduled for Cubberley visioning
March (4th & 18th)
• Planning and Development Services Municipal Fee Update • Real Property Transaction Review
• Storm Water Management Fee
April (1st & 15th)
• Utilities Advisory Commission Rate Forecasts and Five-Year Financial Plans: Gas, Electric, Water, Wastewater Collection • Review Human Services Resource Allocation Program
recommended grants after Human Resources Commission
Review in March [tentative]
May (6th, 7th, & 20th)
• Annual Budget Review: Operating and Five-year Capital Improvement Plan
o Alternative meeting times (9:00am – 5:00pm) 5/6 and
5/7
• City-wide Municipal Fee Study
June (3rd & 17th)
• Review Cubberley [tentative]
• Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Report
• Adoption of Fiscal Year 2025 Investment Policy (to be done by June 30 per code)
July
No meeting; Council Break
August
• Grid Modernization Capital Improvement review issuance of debt for project financing
September
• Accept California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Pension Annual Valuation. Reports as of June 30, 2024
o Every 3-4-year review/decision on pension funding policy assumptions next review scheduled for FY 2026.
October
November
• Informational: Report out on Status of Committee Referrals • Discussion and Recommendation to the City Council to Accept the Macias Gini & O'Connell's Audit of the City of Palo Alto's Financial Statements as of June 30, 2025 and Management Letter
• Discussion and Recommendation to Approve the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Approve Budget Amendments in Various Funds
December
• Review and Forward the FY 2027 - FY 2036 Long Range Financial Forecast • First Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Report
• Preliminary Utility Rate Forecast Review
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February 24, 2025
Summary and Potential Council Direction
Summary
• Council Priority and Committee Objectives reflect Council action from retreat on January 25th
• Proposed Objectives continue work from previous year and support Council Priorities adopted, and suggested objectives at the retreat.
• Proposed Objectives described to reflect organization’s capacity to accomplish and advance within the calendar year
Potential Action:
• Council approval of 2025 Council Objectives
• Council approval of Committee Objectives and workplans 14 Lupita Alamos
Assistant to the City Manager
Kiely Nose
Assistant City Manager
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February 24, 2025
Options for Additional Objectives
Priority Objectives have already been through initial vetting:
Objective → Scope → Resources Required → Schedule → 2025 Milestone • Should Council wish to add additional objectives, staff will seek clarity on the scope of proposal and may seek the opportunity to review and provide feedback on resource needs. • As a general path of escalation should Council seek to add:
Seek to understand from the department if the new addition is part of a current body of work/objective under way OR if it is a new effort.
If not in an existing project, seek to better understand the effort sought. Options include but aren’t limited to referral to committee(s), colleagues' memos, etc. 16