CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Monday, August 18, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items will 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 August 18, 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 (5:30 - 6:10 PM)
1. Remarks from Congressman Sam Liccardo, United States Representative of California’s 16th Congressional District
2. Proclamation Honoring Young Tran for his Service to the City of Palo Alto
3. Celebrating the Palo Alto
Tsuchiura
Marathon Runner
and Receiving the Neighbors
Abroad Annual Report
Title Updated, No Late Packet Report Issued
CLOSED SESSION (6:10 - 7:40 PM)
4. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY--ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Authority: Gov Code 54956.9(d)(4), initiation of litigation. Number of matters: one.
AA1.
CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Subject: Potential litigation regarding 156 North California Avenue, as set forth in letter(s)
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2); One case, as Defendant.
New Item Added
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT (7:40 - 8:10 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 (8:10 - 8:20 PM) Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
2 August 18, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
STUDY SESSION (8:20 - 9:05 PM)
5. Productivity of Council Meetings for Second Half of 2025
CONSENT CALENDAR (9:05 - 9:10 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
6. Staff and the Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Recommendation to Accept the E-Mobility Strategic Roadmap; CEQA Status - Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15183, Projects Consistent with an Existing General or Comprehensive Plan do not Require Additional CEQA Review
7. Approval of Retail Committee Recommendations for Streetscape Improvements and Outdoor Activation Standards for Pedestrian Only Ramona Street; CEQA Status - categorically exempt.
8. Approval to Dedicate a Seat at Lucie Stern Community Theatre to Eugenie Watson; CEQA status – not a project.
9. Approval of Contract No. C26195197 with Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council for on-call services related to fuel reduction maintenance for wildfire hazard mitigation and public education, for a five-year term and not-to-exceed amount of $2,500,000. CEQA status:
Exempt (CEQA Guidelines Section 15304)
10. Approval of General Service Contract No. C26194766 with Securitas Technology Corporation, Utilizing Sourcewell Cooperative Agreement No. 121024-SCS, to Procure Fire Alarm Systems Monitoring, Inspection, Testing, Repair, and Related Services for a Period of Four Years in the Not-To-Exceed Amount of $404,646; CEQA Status – Not a Project
11. Approval of Purchase Order C26195602 with Carahsoft Technology Corporation to Procure DocuSign eSignature Software for a One-Year Term Not-To-Exceed Amount of $145,180; CEQA status - Not a project
12. Approval of Professional Service Contract C26194516 with Interweave Production Group with Not-To-Exceed Amount of $280,170, for a Term of Three Years, CEQA Status – Not a Project.
3 August 18, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
13. Approval of Six (6) On-Call Consulting Contracts to Provide Specialized Technical Expertise for the Planning and Development Services Department over a Five-Year Term, as needed: 1) David J. Powers & Associates, Inc., 2) Economic and Planning Systems, Inc., 3) Keyser Marston Associates, Inc., 4) Page and Turnbull Inc., 5) Rincon Consultants, Inc., 6) Strategic Economics, in the Amount not to exceed $2,000,000 ; CEQA Status: Not a Project.
14. Approval to Extend the Lease Between 285 Hamilton LLC, and the City of Palo Alto for the Premises Located at 285 Hamilton Avenue (Development Center) for 36 months, at a Starting Base Rent of $49,420.45 per Month and Increasing 3 Percent Annually; CEQA Status – Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)
15. PUBLIC HEARING: Adoption of Resolution Correcting Clerical Errors in Three Electric Rate Schedules: E-16 (Unmetered Electric Service), E-EEC-1 (Export Electricity Compensation), and E-NSE-1 (Net Surplus Electricity Compensation); CEQA Status: Not a project under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15378(b)(4) and (5) and Exempt Under Section 15273(a).
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (9:10 - 9:25 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
ACTION ITEMS (9:40 - 10:45 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.
16. Approval of a Director’s Interpretation Pursuant to PAMC Section 18.01.025 Concluding That Noncomplying Residential Gross Floor Area may not be Relocated Within a Structure; Denial of the Associated Appeal; Direction to Prepare a Future Code Amendment for Administrative De Minimis Exceptions to the Zoning Code; CEQA:
Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)
ADJOURNMENT
INFORMATION REPORTS
Information reports are provided for informational purposes only to the Council and the public but are not listed for action or discussion during this meeting’s agenda.
4 August 18, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
A.
2025 City Council Priorities and Objectives Q2 Update
B.
Palo Alto Fire Department Annual Performance Report for Calendar Year 2024; CEQA status: not a Project
C.
Inaugural Youth Climate Advisory Board Annual Report; CEQA Status – Not a Project D.
Investment Activity Report for the Fourth Quarter, Fiscal Year 2025. CEQA Status – Not a Project.
E.
City of Palo Alto Monthly Investment Activity Report July 2025 (Unaudited) F .
Sales Tax Digest Q1 (Jan-Mar) 2025
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Finance Committee August 19, 2025
Retail Committee August 20, 2025
Climate Action & Sustainability Committee August 22, 2025 Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
3. Celebrating the Palo Alto
Tsuchiura
Marathon Runner
and Receiving the Neighbors
Abroad Annual Report
Title Updated, No Late Packet Report Issued
AA1.
CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Subject: Potential litigation regarding 156 North California Avenue, as set forth in letter(s)
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2); One case, as Defendant.
New Item Added
5 August 18, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
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.
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 your browser, make sure you are using a current, up-to-date browser: Chrome 30 , Firefox 27 , Microsoft Edge 12 , Safari 7 . Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer. Or download the Zoom application onto your smart phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter in the Meeting ID below.
◦ You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will 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 [email protected]. Requests for assistance or accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or service.
6 August 18, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
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.
7 August 18, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.