CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, May 19, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
4:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in RED (Time estimates updated)
Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as “hybrid” meetings with the option to attend by teleconference or in person. Information on how the public may observe and participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda.
The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel
26, live on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto
, and streamed to Midpen Media
Center
https://midpenmedia.org
.
VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
(
https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238
)
Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900-6833
PUBLIC COMMENTS
General
Public
Comment
for
items
not
on
the
agenda
will
be
accepted
in
person
for
up
to
three
minutes
or
an
amount
of
time
determined
by
the
Chair.
General
public
comment
will
be
heard
for
30 minutes.
Additional
public
comments,
if
any,
will
be
heard
at
the
end
of
the
agenda.
Public
comments
for
agendized
items
will
be
accepted
both
in
person
and
via
Zoom
for
up
to
three
minutes
or
an
amount
of
time
determined
by
the
Chair.
Requests
to
speak
will
be
taken
until
5 minutes
after
the
staff’s
presentation
or
as
determined
by
the
Chair.
Written
public
comments
can
be
submitted
in
advance
to
and
will
be
provided
to
the
Council
and
available
for
inspection
on
the
City’s
website.
Please
clearly
indicate
which
agenda item you are referencing in your subject line.
PowerPoints,
videos,
or
other
media
to
be
presented
during
public
comment
are
accepted
only
by
to
at
least
24 hours
prior
to
the
meeting.
Once
received,
the
Clerk
will
have
them
shared
at
public
comment
for
the
specified
item.
To
uphold
strong
cybersecurity
management
practices,
USB’s
or
other
physical
electronic
storage
devices
are
not
accepted.
Signs
and
symbolic
materials
less
than
2 feet
by
3 feet
are
permitted
provided
that:
(1)
sticks,
posts,
poles
or
similar/other
type
of
handle
objects
are
strictly
prohibited;
(2)
the
items
do
not
create
a
facility,
fire,
or
safety
hazard;
and
(3)
persons
with
such
items
remain
seated
when
displaying
them
and
must
not
raise
the
items
above
shoulder
level,
obstruct
the
view
or
passage
of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting.
TIME ESTIMATES
Listed
times
are
estimates
only
and
are
subject
to
change
at
any
time,
including
while
the
meeting
is
in
progress.
The
Council
reserves
the
right
to
use
more
or
less
time
on
any
item,
to
change
the
order
of
items
and/or
to
continue
items
to
another
meeting.
Particular
items
may
be
heard
before
or
after
the
time
estimated
on
the
agenda.
This
may
occur
in
order
to
best
manage the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public.
1 May 19, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at
www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
CALL TO ORDER
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY (4:30 - 4:45 PM)
1. Proclamation Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Palo Alto Fire Department Paramedic Program and EMS Week May 18-24
2. Proclamation Recognizing May 2025 as Foster Care & Resource Parent Awareness Month STUDY SESSION (Item 3: 4:45 - 5:45 PM, Item 4: 5:45 - 6:45 PM)
3. 788-796 San Antonio Road [25PLN-00062]. Request for Council Prescreening to Rezone the Subject Property from Commercial Services to Planned Community/Planned Home Zoning and to Allow Construction of 168 Rental Units in an Eight-Story Structure on a 43,414-Square-Foot (One-Acre) Site. CEQA Status: Not a Project.
4. 800/808-814 San Antonio Road [25PLN-00066]: Request for Council Prescreening to Amend an Existing Planned Community Ordinance (Ordinance 5622) to Allow the Construction of 120 Residential Units and 1,078 Square Feet Commercial Space in a Five- Story Structure on a 38,194-Square-Foot (0.87-Acre) Site. CEQA Status: Not a Project.
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT (6:45 - 7:15 PM)
Members of the public may speak in-person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (7:15 - 7:25 PM) Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
CLOSED SESSION (7:25 - 9:25 PM)
5. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS City Designated Representatives: City Manager and his Designees Pursuant to Merit System Rules and Regulations (Ed Shikada, Kiely Nose, Sandra Blanch, Nick Raisch, Tori Post, Molly Stump, Lauren Lai, Paul Harper, and Jennifer Fine) Employee Organization: Service Employees International Union, (SEIU) Local 521 Hourly Unit, Utilities Management and Professional Association of Palo Alto (UMPAPA), Palo Alto Peace Officers’ Association (PAPOA), Palo Alto Police Management
2 May 19, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at
www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
Association (PMA), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) local 1319, Palo Alto Fire Chiefs’ Association (FCA); Authority: Government Code Section 54957.6 (a)
AA1.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—POTENTIAL LITIGATION (two cases) Subject: Initiation of litigation in two cases, American Federation of Government Employees v. Trump, US District Court for the Northern District of California, Case No. 25-CV-03698 and City and County of San Francisco v. Trump, US District Court for the Northern District of California,
Case No. 25-CV-01350 Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) New Item
Added
CONSENT CALENDAR (9:25 - 9:30 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
6. Approval of Minutes from May 5, 2025 Meeting
7. Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Recommendation to Council to Direct Staff to Develop an Affordable Multi-Family Housing Electrification Grant Program and to Approve a Budget Amendment in the Gas Utility Funds; CEQA Status: Under CEQA Guidelines section 15183, projects consistent with an existing general or comprehensive plan do not require additional CEQA review
Item Removed Off Agenda
8. Approval of Blanket Purchase Order with Olin Finance Company LLC for the Purchase of Bulk Sodium Hypochlorite for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant for a Two-Year Term with an annual amount of $400,000, for a Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $800,000; CEQA Status – Not a Project
9. Approval of a Lease Agreement with Embarcadero Way Property Owner, L P, c/o BioScience Properties, Inc. for Laboratory and Office Space at 2470 Embarcadero Way for a Period of 20 Years, at an Initial Annual Lease Amount of $1.11 Million Per Year plus Common Area Expenses, and $4.5 million in Tenant Improvements; CEQA Status – Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301
AA2.
Approval of the Appointment of Alan Kurotori as Utilities Director New Item Added
10. Approval of Construction Contract No. C25193197 with Anderson Pacific Engineering Construction, Inc. in the Amount Not-to Exceed $47,282,100 for the Local Advanced Water Purification System project (WQ-19003); Authorization of Contract Contingency
3 May 19, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at
www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $4,728,210; and Approval of Amendment No. 2 to the First Amended and Restated Contract No. C059999 Between the City of Palo Alto and the City of Mountain View; CEQA Status - Addendum to the 2015 Environmental Impact Report for the Palo Alto Recycled Water Project (SCH 2011062037) Item Reordered to be
Heard Under Consent Calendar, Supplemental Report added CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (9:30 - 9:45 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
ACTION ITEMS (Item 11: 10:00 - 11:30 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.
10. Approval of Construction Contract No. C25193197 with Anderson Pacific Engineering Construction, Inc. in the Amount Not-to Exceed $47,282,100 for the Local Advanced Water Purification System project (WQ-19003); Authorization of Contract Contingency in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $4,728,210; and Approval of Amendment No. 2 to the First Amended and Restated Contract No. C059999 Between the City of Palo Alto and the City of Mountain View; CEQA Status - Addendum to the 2015 Environmental Impact Report for the Palo Alto Recycled Water Project (SCH 2011062037)
Item Reordered to be
Heard Under Consent Calendar, Supplemental Report added
11. FIRST READING: Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Section 18.42.110 (Wireless Communications Facilities) of Title 18 (Zoning) to Modify the Permit Process and Required Findings for Tier 2 and Tier 3 Wireless Communications Facilities to Require Architectural Review Board review and Repealing the Objective Aesthetic, Noise, and Related Standards for Wireless Communication Facilities in the Public Rights of Way.
ADJOURNMENT
INFORMATION REPORTS
Information reports are provided for informational purposes only to the Council and the public but are not listed for action during this meeting’s agenda.
12. City of Palo Alto Monthly Investment Activity Report for April 2025 (Unaudited)
13. Investment Activity Report for the Third Quarter, Fiscal Year 2025. CEQA Status – Not a Project.
4 May 19, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at
www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Finance Committee May 20, 2025 –
Rail Committee May 20, 2025 –
Retail Committee May
21, 2025
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
SUPPLEMENTAL/AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
AA1.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—POTENTIAL LITIGATION (two cases) Subject: Initiation of litigation in two cases, American Federation of Government Employees v.
Trump, US District Court for the Northern District of California, Case No. 25-CV-03698 and City and County of San Francisco v. Trump, US District Court for the Northern District of California,
Case No. 25-CV-01350 Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) New Item Added
7. Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Recommendation to Council to Direct Staff to Develop an Affordable Multi-Family Housing Electrification Grant Program and to Approve a Budget Amendment in the Gas Utility Funds; CEQA Status: Under CEQA Guidelines section 15183, projects consistent with an existing general or comprehensive plan do not require additional CEQA review
Item Removed Off Agenda
AA2.
Approval of the Appointment of Alan Kurotori as Utilities Director New Item Added
10. Approval of Construction Contract No. C25193197 with Anderson Pacific Engineering Construction, Inc. in the Amount Not-to Exceed $47,282,100 for the Local Advanced Water Purification System project (WQ-19003); Authorization of Contract Contingency in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $4,728,210; and Approval of Amendment No. 2 to the First Amended and Restated Contract No. C059999 Between the City of Palo Alto and the City of Mountain View; CEQA Status - Addendum to the 2015 Environmental Impact Report for the Palo Alto Recycled Water Project (SCH 2011062037)
Item Reordered to be Heard Under Consent Calendar,
Supplemental Report added
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members
of
the
Public
may
provide
public
comments
to
teleconference
meetings
via
email,
teleconference, or by phone.
1. Written public comments
may be submitted by email to
[email protected]
.
2. For
in
person
public
comments
please
complete
a
speaker
request
card
located
on
the
table
at
the
entrance
to
the
Council
Chambers
and
deliver
it
to
the
Clerk
prior
to
discussion of the item.
5 May 19, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at
www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
3. Spoken
public
comments
for
agendized
items
using
a
computer
or
smart
phone
will
be
accepted
through
the
teleconference
meeting.
To
address
the
Council,
click
on
the
link
below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully. ◦
You
may
download
the
Zoom
client
or
connect
to
the
meeting
in-
browser.
If
using
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browser,
make
sure
you
are
using
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current,
up-to-date
browser:
Chrome
30 ,
Firefox
27 ,
Microsoft
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12 ,
Safari
7 .
Certain
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in
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including
Internet
Explorer.
Or
download
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smart
phone
from
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Apple
App
Store
or
Play
Store
and
enter
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Meeting ID below.
◦
You
may
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name.
We
request
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you
identify
yourself
by
name
as
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will
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visible
online
and
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be
used
to
notify
you
that it is your turn to speak.
◦
When
you
wish
to
speak
on
an
Agenda
Item,
click
on
“raise
hand.”
The
Clerk
will
activate
and
unmute
speakers
in
turn.
Speakers
will
be
notified
shortly
before
they
are called to speak.
◦
When
called,
please
limit
your
remarks
to
the
time
limit
allotted.
A
timer
will
be
shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
4. Spoken
public
comments
for
agendized
items
using
a
phone
use
the
telephone
number
listed
below.
When
you
wish
to
speak
on
an
agenda
item
hit
*9
on
your
phone
so
we
know
that
you
wish
to
speak.
You
will
be
asked
to
provide
your
first
and
last
name
before
addressing
the
Council.
You
will
be
advised
how
long
you
have
to
speak.
When
called
please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
Meeting ID: 362-027-238 Phone: 1-669-900-6833
Americans
with
Disability
Act
(ADA)
It
is
the
policy
of
the
City
of
Palo
Alto
to
offer
its
public
programs,
services
and
meetings
in
a
manner
that
is
readily
accessible
to
all.
Persons
with
disabilities
who
require
materials
in
an
appropriate
alternative
format
or
who
require
auxiliary
aids
to
access
City
meetings,
programs,
or
services
may
contact
the
City’s
ADA
Coordinator
at
(650)
329-2550
(voice)
or
by
emailing
Requests
for
assistance
or
accommodations
must
be
submitted
at
least
24 hours
in
advance
of
the
meeting,
program,
or
service.
California Government Code §84308
, commonly referred to as the "Levine Act," prohibits an elected official of a local government agency from participating in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use if the official received a campaign contribution exceeding $500 from a party or participant, including their agents, to the proceeding within the last 12 months. A “license, permit, or other entitlement for use” includes most land use and planning approvals and the approval of contracts that are not subject to lowest responsible bid procedures and have a value over $50,000. A “party” is a person who files an application for, or is the subject of, a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use. A “participant” is a person who actively supports or opposes a particular decision in a proceeding involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use, and has a financial interest in the decision. The Levine Act incorporates the definition of “financial interest” in the Political Reform Act, which encompasses interests in business entities, real property, sources of income, sources of gifts, and personal finances that may be affected by the Council’s actions. If you qualify as a “party” or “participant” to a proceeding, and you have made a campaign contribution to a Council Member exceeding $500 made within the last 12 months, you must disclose the campaign contribution before making your comments.
6 May 19, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at
www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.