CITY COUNCIL
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Regular Meeting
November 17, 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 5:32 P.M.
Present Remotely:
Absent:
Closed Session
1. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY - EXISTING LITIGATION
Swinerton v. City of Palo Alto (JAMS Reference #:5100003409) Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
ITEM REMOVED OFF AGENDA – NOT HEARD
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions
Public Comment
Council Member Questions, Comments and Announcements
Consent Calendar
Councilmember Lu and Vice Mayor Veenker recused from Agenda Item Numbers 5 and 7.
MOTION: Councilmember Reckdahl moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Veenker to approve Agenda Item Numbers 2-8.
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 11/17/2025
MOTION PASSED ITEMS 2-4, 6, 8: 7-0
MOTION PASSED ITEMS 5, 7: 5-0-2, Lu, Veenker recused
2. Approval of Minutes from November 3, 2025 Meeting
3. Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Recommendation to Approve Program Design Guidelines for Successor to Multi -family Electric Vehicle Charger Program; CEQA Status - Not a Project
4. Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Recommendation to Approve Program Design Guidelines for the Advanced Packaged HVAC Pilot Program; CEQA Status – Categorically Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15302 (Replacement of Existing Facilities)
5. Review and Approve the Williamson Act Contract Renewals Within Palo Alto City Limits (2025).
6. QUASI-JUDICIAL. 3200 Park/340 Portage: Final Map and Street Naming [25PLN -00104]:
Request for a Final Map to Merge and Subdivide 11 Existing Parcels Totaling Approximately 14.65 Acres To Create Five Resulting Parcels, Consistent with the Approved Development Agreement and to Name the New Private Streets and Rename Portage Avenue. Authorization for the City Manager to Take All Actions Necessary to Acquire a 3.25 Acre Parcel by Grant Deed. Zone District: The Site Has a Split Zoning Designation of Five Planned Community Zone Districts Where Each Zone District Aligns with the Resulting Parcels (PC 5596, PC 5597, PC 5598, PC 5599, PC 5600). CEQA Status:
Council adopted resolution 10123 certifying the EIR for the project on September 12, 2023 (SCH # 2021120444).
7. Approval of Funding Agreements with Stanford University to Receive up to $600,000 and VTA for up to $456,000 to Partially Fund Palo Alto Link through June 2026, and Related Budget Amendments in the General Fund; CEQA status – not a project.
8. Approval of Contract No. C26196096 with Soudi Consultants, Inc. in an Amount Not- to- Exceed of $1,500,000 over a Period of Three Years to Provide As -Needed Electric Engineering Consulting Services for System Protection Related to Palo Alto’s Electric Sub-Transmission, Substations, and Distribution Systems, and Technical Training and Peer Review Services; CEQA Status: Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15302, 15303, and 15183.
City Manager Comments
Ed Shikada, City Manager
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 11/17/2025
Action Items
9. Approval of the Study and Assessment of Turf Systems: Findings and Recommendation for El Camino Park Synthetic Turf Replacement as Recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission; CEQA status - categorically and statutorily exempt.
MOTION: Mayor Lauing moved, seconded by Council member Burt to defer item to a date uncertain and create an Ad Hoc Committee to further discuss with staff and bring back to Council.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Councilmember Lythcott-Haims moved, seconded by Council member Reckdahl to:
1. Direct staff to proceed with replacement of the synthetic turf at El Camino Park in a manner consistent with the Study’s findings and recommendations; and a. Risk Mitigation Measures (RMM) to include as part of the design for El Camino
2. Set Cubberley Synthetic Field as the target for the pilot natural option.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION FAILED: 3-4, Burt, Stone, Lauing, Veenker no
10. Review and Provide Feedback on an Analysis of a Conceptual Affordable Housing Project on Land to be Conveyed to the City and Associated With the Sobrato Development Agreement (340 Portage Avenue); Consideration and Possible Direction to Staff to Prepare a Future Request for Proposal for a Future Affordable Housing Project. CEQA Status: Not a Project.
NO ACTION
11. Adopt a Resolution Establishing the City Council Annual Calendar of Meetings, Recesses, and City Council Events for the Calendar Year 2026; CEQA status – not a project ITEM HEARD OUT OF ORDER BEFORE AGENDA ITEM 10.
MOTION: Councilmember Lythcott-Haims moved, seconded by Councilmember Reckdahl to:
1. Set Annual Retreat/Priority Setting Meeting date as January 24 th (for meetings that fall
on a holiday, schedule Special Meeting on next subsequent business day(s)); and
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 11/17/2025
2. Option 2 (4th Monday of the Month) for special City Council meetings as needed; and
3. Adopt a resolution establishing its calendar of meetings, recesses, and City Council events for calendar year 2026; and
4. Direct staff to explore also avoiding Council Committee Meetings on holidays.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 10:57 P.M.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
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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.