City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: June 16, 2025
Report #:2505-4751
TITLE
Recommendation that the City Council to Refer to the Policy and Services Committee an Update to the City of Palo Alto Advocacy Process Manual to Address Sponsorship of Legislation; CEQA – Not a Project
RECOMMENDATION
The Policy and Services Committee recommends that the City Council refer to the Policy and Services Committee an update to the City of Palo Alto Advocacy Process Manual to address sponsorship of legislation and any other recommended changes to the Advocacy Manual, and return to City Council for adoption.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
At the April 8, 2025 Policy and Services1 meeting, the Committee discussed legislation and also expressed an interest in reviewing the City’s advocacy process manual for edits, specifically as it relates to the process for legislation sponsorship. The Policy and Services Committee would review this topic with the following resources as a starting place:
Existing Legislative Guidelines: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/city- manager/legislation/2025-legislative-guidelines.pdf
Existing City Advocacy Manual:
https://www.paloalto.gov/files/assets/public/v/1/intergovernmental-affairs/advocacy-manual- updated-jan-2020.pdf
Most Recent Council Direction Regarding Strategic Weighing in on Legislation:
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/files/assets/public/v/1/agendas-minutes-reports/reports/city- manager-reports-cmrs/year-archive/2021/id-12344.pdf
1 April 8, 2025 Policy and Services Committee Meeting, Item 3; Link:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=16030
The Committee is interested in updating the Advocacy Manual to be most reflective of current practices on advocacy and to also clarify the City’s process and timelines when deciding to pursue bill sponsorship. This discussion item can be taken concurrent with the update to the Legislative Guidelines or it can come before that, at the discretion of the Committee Chair. The Committee will bring the updated advocacy manual to the City Council for review and adoption.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
There is no known resource impact to the committee discussing this topic. There could be resource impacts to existing staff depending on the extent of the proposed changes.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
There will be opportunity for public comment during the Policy and Services Committee meeting on this topic.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Not a project.
APPROVED BY:
Ed Shikada, City Manager