Resolution
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE TO ED LAUING
FOR SERVING AS MAYOR IN 2025
WHEREAS, Ed Lauing was first elected to the Palo Alto City Council in 2022, and served as Vice Mayor in 2024 and Mayor in 2025. During his tenure as Mayor, Ed represented the City Council on local and regional bodies such as Avenidas and the Cities Association of Santa Clara. Ed served as Chair on the City Council’s Oversized Vehicle Ad Hoc Committee, as well as Council liaison to the Utilities Advisory Commission and Stanford University. Ed was also a valuable member of the Council’s Rail Committee, offering valuable input on transportation planning and rail grade separation; and
WHEREAS, Ed has provided strong advocacy for new housing in Palo Alto – both locally and directly to the state legislature .
Ed led Council on the approach to create more housing, with a heavy focus on deed- restricted affordable housing, by advising the Planning Department on zoning and program policy options, interacting with many developers, and continuing to seek new affordable housing funding. As a result, there is now a 2000 housing unit pipeline in place; and
WHEREAS, Ed made major initiatives to increase transparency and outreach to residents, businesses and the local press, meeting with numerous neighborhood groups to hear, comment, and follow up on city issues of particular interest to each local neighborhood.
Ed held the “State of the City” speech at Rivian Motors headquarters in Bar ron Park, highlighting the ongoing innovation that is both Palo Alto’s past and present, and noting that our city government is also an innovator with new ideas and projects. Ed also c reated the city’s first series of press conferences , “Mayor’s Press and Community Forum ,” allowing local and regional pre ss and community members to have direct access to, and dialog with, the Mayor on any subject; and
WHEREAS, Ed led an effort to create a city resolution authorizing council participation in select lawsuits aligned with Palo Alto values versus the Trump Administration’s attempts to stifle diversity, de fund routine federal grants needed by our city, and put underprivileged citizens at risk. The council joined such actions in 2025; and
WHEREAS, Ed created numerous new ad hoc committees in order for the council to work in depth on critical issues including the Grade Crossing Safety Committee, the Synthetic Turf Committee, the Oversize d Vehicle Parking Committee, and the SB79/Downtown Housing Committee. He also engaged with elected leaders in Santa Clara County , California state government, the federal government, and international partners to advance issues of importance to Palo Alto; and
WHEREAS, Ed’s tenure as Mayor exemplifies his innovative vision, tenacity, and dedication toward the betterment of Palo Alto, its residents, and the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby honor s and commends Ed for his outstanding public service, and records the appreciation of the Council, residents, and businesses for his meritorious servic e and commitment to Palo Alto as Mayor.
ADOPTED: January 5, 2026
APPROVED:
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Pat Burt George Lu
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Julie Lythcott-Haims Keith Reckdahl
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Greer Stone Vicki Veenker
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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City Manager City Attorney