Item No. 8. Page 1 of 1
City Council
At Places Memo
From: Council Members Burt, Reckdahl, Stone
Meeting Date: February 24, 2025
Item Number: 8
TI
TLE
Proposed revised resolution submitted by Council Members Burt, Reckdahl, and Stone.
CONTEXT: This Resolution is a draft alternative to the February 24, 2025, Item 8 Colleagues
Memo
TITLE
Proposed Resolution Reaffirming Palo Alto’s Commitment to Its Core Values and Supporting
Valued
Government
Programs
BACKGROUND
The Palo Alto City Council, a non-partisan body under state law, has previously adopted guiding
values,
and
this
resolution
reaffirms
our
steadfastness
in
upholding
these
principles.
Protecting
the
rights
of
our
residents
and
advancing
city
interests
require
proactive
governance.
This
resolution
reaffirms
our
commitment
to
these
values
and
effective
advocacy.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Staff does not anticipate any direct resource impacts due to the proposed Resolution.
Should
subsequent
actions
be
required
following
adoption,
staff
will
return
for
City
Council
approval,
as
needed.
Recitals
A. The Palo Alto City Council has previously adopted a set of values to guide its actions, which
can
be
summarized
as:
1. Ensure the City’s current and future revenues and expenses remain balanced.
2. Ensure environmental sustainability for future generations.
3. Integrate equity into our decisions, recognizing diverse impacts on residents.
4. Maintain a healthy, safe, and welcoming community for all.
5. Safeguard public trust through transparency and open communication.
6. Embrace innovation to improve City services and governance.
B. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows: SECTION 1. The Council reaffirms its commitments to:
1 • The Constitution of the United States of America, the Constitution of the State of
California,
and
the
Charter
of
the
City
of
Palo
Alto;
• Transparent governance and the rule of law, including respect for court decisions;
• Protecting federal and state funding that is vital in supporting local services, including
public
safety,
housing,
environmental
protection,
and
infrastructure;
• Collaborating with critical federal and state agencies that support essential services
to
Palo
Altans;
• Advancing environmental sustainability, ensuring clean water, air quality protections,
and
climate
resilience.
Also
ensuring
these
protections
are
provided
to
all
residents
regardless
of
income
or
demography;
• Safeguarding confidential information and data of residents and businesses; • Supporting scientific research to guide evidence-based policy decisions and funding
prioritization;
• Protecting the legal rights and human rights of all residents and workers, regardless
of
their
social
status.
Ensuring
all
residents
are
treated
with
dignity
and
valuing
their
contributions
to
our
community;
• Ensuring equal opportunities, fostering a diverse and inclusive community, and striving
to
be
a
place
of
belonging
for
all;
SECTION 2. In furtherance of these positions, the City will:
• Communicate with residents about changes to government policies or actions that
may
impact
Palo
Alto;
• Ensure current City policies and procedures are consistent with our values; • Share this Resolution with our State and Congressional representatives and advocate
for
policies
that
align
with
our
city
values;
• Collaborate with other cities and counties to advocate for and support policies that
reflect
our
common
values;
• Seek Council approval for policy advocacy or legal actions as needed to protect the
interests
of
the
city,
its
residents,
and
workers;
2 ● Amend the City Council Procedures and Protocols for a joint request of three Councilmembers
to
request
a
closed
session
Council
meeting
for
the
purpose
of
discussing
and
taking
potential
action
that
would
authorize
the
city
attorney
to
engage
in
litigation
deemed
appropriate
to
safeguard
the
interests
of
the
City
or
the
rights
of
our
constituents.
SECTION 3. The Council finds that the adoption of this resolution does not meet the definition
of
a
project
under
Public
Resources
Code
Section
21065,
thus,
no
environmental
assessment
under
the
California
Environmental
Quality
Act
is
required.
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