CITY COUNCIL
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Special Meeting
March 24, 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 Boards and Commissions Spring Recruitment – Architectural Review Board, Human Relations Commission, and Utilities Advisory Commission; CEQA Status - Not a Project.
MOTION: Councilmember Stone moved, seconded by Council member Reckdahl to allow the expiring commissioner(s) of the Architectural Review Board to remain seated on the board until new appointments are made and to reopen the Architectural Review Board recruitment for additional candidates.
MOTION PASSED: 6-0-1, Veenker Absent
Vice Mayor Veenker departed the meeting.
Council Member Questions, Comments and Announcements
Consent Calendar
Councilmembers Burt, Reckdahl, Lythcott-Haims requested to pull Agenda Item Number 3.
MOTION: Council Member Reckdahl moved, seconded by Council Member Burt to approve Agenda Item Numbers 2, 4-11 and to pull Agenda Item Number 3.
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 03/24/2025
MOTION PASSED: 6-0-1, Veenker absent
2. Approval of Minutes from March 10, 2025 Meeting
3. Nonprofit Partnership Workplan: Phased Approach
4. Approval of General Services Contract No. C25192791 with Synagro -WTT, Inc for Sludge Hauling Services for a Term of Three Years in an Amount Not to Exceed $2,584,756, for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant; CEQA Status – Not a Project
5. Approval of General Services Contract No. C25193187 with Universal Security Company in the Amount of $220,752 for Security Services at the Municipal Service Center and the Regional Water Quality Control Plant for a Period of Nine Months; CEQA status - Categorically Exempt under Sections 15301 and 15302
6. Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing MuniServices LLP, Hinderliter de Llamas & Associates, and Appropriate City Staff to Examine Sales and Use Tax Records from the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA); Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Municipal Code to Update References to CDTFA; CEQA Status – Not a Project
7. Approval of Professional Services Contract C25187148 with Innovative Claims Solutions (ICS) in an Amount Not -To-Exceed Amount of $760,886 to provide Third -Party Administration of Workers’ Compensation Benefits for a Period of One Year with an Option to Renew for up to Five Years Term. CEQA status - Not a Project
8. Approval of Contract Amendment Number 2 to Contract Number C22183462 with Macias Gini & O'Connell LLP (MGO) to Add $415,071 and Extend the Term for Two Years for External Financial Audit Services; CEQA Status -- Not a Project.
9. Approval of Audit Reports for Grant Management And Utility Billing as Reviewed by Policy and Services Committee; CEQA: Not A Project
10. Approval of an Amended Funding Agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) for 2016 Measure B Bicycle and Pedestrian Education and Encouragement Program Funding; CEQA status – not a project.
11. SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Creating New Chapter 10.66 (Pedestrian Only Streets and Community Streets) in Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic) (FIRST READING: March 10, 2025 PASSED 7-0)
Public Comment
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 03/24/2025
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions
Vice Mayor Veenker Returned at 8:24 P.M.
City Manager Comments
Action Items
AA1. Potential Support or Sponsorship of a Senate Bill 457 (Becker) Regarding Housing Accountability Act Reforms
MOTION: Vice Mayor Veenker moved, seconded by Councilmember Lythcott -Haims to continue item to April 14th City Council Meeting.
AMENDMENT: Councilmember Burt moved, seconded by Councilmember Stone to continue item to April 7th City Council Meeting for consideration of support or sponsoring of the bill.
AMENDMENT PASSED: 5-2, Veenker, Lu no
AMENDMENT INCORPORATED INTO THE MOTION
MOTION: Vice Mayor V eenker moved, seconded by Council member Lythcott-Haims to continue item to April 7
th City Council Meeting for consideration of support or sponsoring of the bill.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
3. Nonprofit Partnership Workplan: Phased Approach
MOTION: Vice Mayor Veenker moved, seconded by Council member Burt to approve a phased approach to enhancing nonprofit partnerships parameters as outlined in the staff report with the following amendments:
a) Only Form 990 is required for financial reporting; and b) Clarify that funds are not restricted to nonprofits serving Palo Alto residents only; and
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 03/24/2025
c) Funding comparable to last year plus whatever funding is added for community events.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 P.M.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
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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.