Item No. 8. Page 1 of 1
City Council
At Places Memo
From: Mayor Lauing and Vice Mayor Veenker
Meeting Date: February 24, 2025
Item Number: 8
TITLE
Proposed revised resolution submitted by Mayor Lauing and Vice Mayor Veenker.
NOT YET APPROVED
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Resolution No. ________
Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Underscoring Council’s Commitment to Sustaining Palo Alto Values and Interests in the Face of Trump Administration Actions
R E C I T A L S
A. The Palo Alto City Council has previously adopted values to guide its decision making:
1. Balance revenues and expenses, now and in the future.
2. Are environmentally sustainable, now and in the future.
3. Will integrate equity into our decisions, considering how decisions affect people differently based on their identity or circumstances.
4. Create a healthy, safe and welcoming community for all.
5. Will safeguard public trust through transparent practices and open communication.
6. Will embrace innovation.
B. The Trump Administration has already issued an unprecedented number of Executive Orders, including those that could dismantle or cripple federal agencies providing services to Palo Alto, withhold funds upon which Palo Altans rely, are likely illegal, and are in conflict with our stated values.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Palo Alto RESOLVES as follows:
SECTION 1. The City will
• Share this Resolution with our Congressional representatives and offer our support to advocate for the following principles;
○ Support for the rule of law;
○ Opposition to freezing federal grant funding or cancelling federal contracts upon which the City government or residents rely;
○ Support for federal workers who deploy critical expertise in providing valuable services for the City, and oppose unlawful terminations; ○ Opposition to reversing climate action and environmental justice policies, and attempts to limit local authority to address climate change; ○ Support protecting sensitive data of the City, our residents, and our businesses, and ensuring that access to critical information and proprietary information is consistent with privacy and proprietary rights;
○ Support the safety of Palo Altans by supporting the ability of the FBI and CIA to respond to security threats and prevent domestic terrorism; ○ Support for science and the need for experts to make decisions on issues of scientific protocol and funding priorities;
○ Oppose illegal and inhumane immigration enforcement; and ○ Support equity and racial justice and continuing the City’s goal to be a place of belonging for all.
NOT YET APPROVED
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• Communicate with residents about risks to the City and its residents due to Administration activity inconsistent with the above positions, and about the City’s response;
• Seek Council approval to bring or join lawsuits or file or join in amicus briefs consistent with the above positions, our statement of values, and council-approved legislative guidelines, and refer to the Policy and Services Committee for screening such opportunities via closed session and returning to Council for consideration of opportunities that are consistent with this resolution and our legislative guidelines, have minimal budget impact, and are deemed in the best interests of the City; and • Support other cities and counties taking similar actions as determined by Council.
SECTION 2. 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.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:
__________________________ _____________________________ City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
__________________________ _____________________________ City Attorney City Manager