CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Monday, September 08, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 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 [email protected] 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 email to [email protected] 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 September 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
CALL TO ORDER
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT (5:30 - 6:00 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 (6:00 - 6:15 PM) Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
STUDY SESSION (6:15 - 7:15 PM)
1. 414 California Avenue [25PLN-00140]. Request for Council Prescreening to Rezone the Subject Property from Community Commercial (2) (CC[2]) to Planned Community/Planned Home Zoning and to Allow Construction of a Mixed-Use Building with 37 Units in a Six-Story Structure on a 16,231-Square-Foot (0.37 Acre) Site. CEQA Status: Not a Project. Item Removed Off Agenda (Rescheduled for September 15, 2025 City Council Meeting)
2. San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority Update on Reach 2 Flood Control Project
CONSENT CALENDAR (7:15 - 7:20 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
3. Approval of Minutes from August 11 and August 18, 2025 Meetings
4. Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Fiscal Year 2026 Municipal Fee Schedule to Reflect Council-Directed Changes to Existing Fees and Add a New Subsidized Fee for Stand-Alone Residential Gas, Water and Space Heating Equipment Permits. CEQA Status:
Not a Project
5. Approval of Construction Contract No. C26195620 with Public Restroom Company in the Amount Not-to-Exceed $412,940 and Authorization for the City Manager or Their Designee to Negotiate and Execute Change Orders Up to a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $41,294 to Provide and Install a Modular Restroom Building at Mitchell Park for the Park Restroom Installation Capital Improvement Program Project (PG-19000); CEQA status – exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15303
2 September 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
6. Approve Amendment #1 of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the California Alternate Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA), to Extend the Term of the Agreement from Two Years to Five Years, to Continue to Enable the Residents of Palo Alto to Participate in the GoGreen Home Energy Financing Program.
Supplemental Report added
7. Authorization to Execute Amendment to Legal Services Contract S26195198 with Colantuono Highsmith & Whatley PC to Increase Amount by $205,000 for Total Not-to- Exceed Amount of $255,000; CEQA Status – Not a Project.
8. Adoption of an Emergency Ordinance Amending Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapters
16.04 (California Building Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 2, Volumes 1 & 2), 16.05 (California Mechanical Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 4), and 16.14 (California Green Building Standards Code, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 11) to Make Non-Substantive Changes Addressing Comments from the California Building Standards Commission. CEQA Status: Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15308.
9. Approval of the Purchasing Card Audit and Extension Deadline for Two FY2024 Audit Project Task Orders and Amendment of the FY2024 and FY2025 Task Order Budgets to Realign the Authorized Budgets with a Net Zero Impact, as Recommended by the Policy & Services Committee; CEQA – Not a Project
10. Approve Purchase Order S26195255 with Dasher Technologies, Utilizing a State of California Blanket Purchase Agreement, to Procure Rubrik Data Backup and Security Solution for a 3-Year Term for a Not-To-Exceed Amount of $106,933; CEQA Status - Not a Project.
11. Approval of Professional Service Contract Number C26195633 with H.T. Harvey & Associates in an Amount Not to Exceed $195,004 for Services to Manage a Wetland Remedial Mitigation Plan for a Period of 2 Years. CEQA Status – Categorically Exempt.
12. FIRST READ: Adopt an Ordinance Amending PAMC Chapter 10.56 (Special Speed Zones) to Update Speed Limit Studies for 22 Streets and Decrease the Speed Limit for a Portion of Deer Creek Road; and Approve the 2024 Traffic Survey; CEQA status – categorically exempt.
13. FIRST READING: Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 16.64 (Development Fee and In-Lieu Payment Administration) of Title 16 (Building Regulations) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Reflect Changes in Law. CEQA Status – Exempt under CEQA
3 September 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
14. SECOND READING: Ordinance Adopting the 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map Issued by the State Fire Marshal (FIRST READING: August 11, 2025 PASSED 6-0-1, Lythcott- Haims Absent)
15. SECOND READING: Ordinance Adding Use of Council Chambers Fees to the FY 2026 Municipal Fee Schedule (FIRST READING: August 11, 2025 PASSED 6-0-1, Lythcott-Haims absent)
16. SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter
2.21 (Architectural Review Board) and Chapter 2.25 (Parks and Recreation Commission) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Amend Procedures for Electing a Chair and Vice Chair (FIRST READING: August 11, 2025, PASSED 6-0-1, Lythcott-Haims Absent)
17. SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Restating Procedures for Expedited Permitting Processing for Electric Vehicle Charging Systems (FIRST READING: August 11, 2025 PASSED 6-0-1, Lythcott-Haims Absent) CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (7:20 - 7:35 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
ACTION ITEMS (Item 18: 7:50 - 9:05 PM, Item 19: 9:05 - 10:20 PM) Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.
18. Discuss the FY 2026 budget amendments to reduce General Fund appropriations by approximately $6.2 million as Recommended by the Finance Committee and Approve the FY 2026 Budget Amendments in Various Funds. CEQA Status - Not a Project.
19. Adoption of an Emergency Ordinance Amending Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Chapter 16.04 to Add Local Administrative Amendments Related to Certificates of Occupancy and Definitions to the 2022 California Building Code, and an Emergency Ordinance Amending PAMC Chapter 16.17 to Adopt the 2025 California Energy Code and Local Amendments Thereto. CEQA Status – Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15308.
ADJOURNMENT
4 September 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
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.
A.
Community Engagement Plan for Rail Grade Separation Project at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road Crossings
B.
Fiscal Year 2025 Significant Gifts and Donations to the City of Palo Alto
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Council Appointed Officers Committee September 9, 2025
Policy & Services Committee September 9, 2025
City Schools Liaison Committee September 11, 2025
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
AMENDED AGENDA ITEMS
1. 414 California Avenue [25PLN-00140]. Request for Council Prescreening to Rezone the Subject Property from Community Commercial (2) (CC[2]) to Planned Community/Planned Home Zoning and to Allow Construction of a Mixed-Use Building with 37 Units in a Six-Story Structure on a 16,231-Square-Foot (0.37 Acre) Site. CEQA Status: Not a Project.
Item Removed Off Agenda (Rescheduled for September 15, 2025 City Council Meeting)
6. Approve Amendment #1 of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the California Alternate Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA), to Extend the Term of the Agreement from Two Years to Five Years, to Continue to Enable the Residents of Palo Alto to Participate in the GoGreen Home Energy Financing Program.
Supplemental Report added
5 September 08, 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
Play
Store
and
enter
in
the
Meeting ID below.
◦
You
may
be
asked
to
enter
an
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
Requests
for
assistance
or
accommodations
must
be
submitted
at
least
24 hours
in
advance
of
the
meeting,
program,
or
service.
6 September 08, 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 September 08, 2025
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.