CITY COUNCIL
ACTION MINUTES
Regular Meeting
August 18, 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 Lythcott-Haims arrived at 5:34 P.M.
Present Remotely:
Absent:
Sp
ecial Orders of the Day
1. Remarks from Congressman Sam Liccardo, United States Representative of California’s 16th Congressional District
NO ACTION
2. Proclamation Honoring Young Tran for his Service to the City of Palo Alto
NO ACTION
3. Celebrating the Palo Alto Tsuchiura Marathon Runner
NO ACTION
C
losed Session
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.
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City Council Meeting
Action Minutes: 08/18/2025
ACTION MINUTES
MOTION: Council member Burt moved, s econded by C ouncilmember Reck dahl to g o i nto Closed Session.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
Council went into Closed Session at 6:25 P.M.
Council returned from Closed Session at 9:05 P.M.
Mayor Lauing announced no reportable action.
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions
P
ublic Comment
C
ouncil Member Questions, Comments and Announcements
St
udy Session
5. Productivity of Council Meetings for Second Half of 2025
NO ACTION
C
onsent Calendar
MOTION: Council member Lu moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Veenker to approve Agenda Item Numbers 6, 8-15 (Agenda Item Number 7 Removed Off Agenda).
MOTION PASSED ITEMS 6, 8-15: 7-0
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
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ACTION MINUTES
City Council Meeting
Action Minutes: 08/18/2025
7. Approval of Retail Committee Recommendations for Streetscape Improvements and Outdoor Activation Standards for Pedestrian Only Ramona Street; CEQA Status - categorically exempt. Agenda Item Number 7 Removed Off Agenda
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.
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).
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ACTION MINUTES
City Council Meeting
Action Minutes: 08/18/2025
City Manager Comments
Ed Shikada, City Manager
Ac
tion Items
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)
Agenda Item Number 16 not heard and deferred to September 15, 2025 City Council Meeting.
Ad
journment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 P.M.
A
TTEST: APPROVED:
____________________ ____________________
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.
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