2025 City Council Priorities
& Objectives Q4 Update
& 2026 Retreat Process
January 12, 2026 1
• Review Q4 2025 Priorities & Objectives
• Status updates by Priority
• Council feedback
• 2026 Retreat Process
• Council feedback on Policy & Services Annual Retreat recommendations Agenda
2 Overall Priority Summary
2025 Council Priorities
1. Climate Action and Adaptation, &
Natural Environment Protection
2. Economic Development & Retail
Vibrancy
3. Implementing Housing Strategies
for Social & Economic Balance
4. Public Safety, Wellness &
Belonging
70 Total Objectives
3 Climate Action and Adaptation & Natural Environment
Protection (CA&NEP)
24 Objectives
4 Completed Highlights:
• Grid modernization pilot area
• Newell Bridge and Hamilton Avenue projects
• Safe Streets For All and Bicycle and Pedestrian
Transportation Plans
• 2026 Reach Codes adoption
• S/CAP plans: RRSP ,E-Mobility Strategic Plan, 2026-
2027 Workplan
• Building electrification and multifamily EV charging
programs
Climate Action & Natural Environment Protection
Objectives On-Track, Behind or On Hold
# Objective
1.2.3 Council consideration of an ordinance implementing updated Stream/Creek Corridor Setback requirements.
1.4.1 Develop and begin implementing a City Facility Electrification Plan.
1.1.5 Complete deployment of 65,000 residential Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters by end of FY 2025 and begin deployment of commercial AMI meters.
1.2.4 Council consideration of an ordinance implementing Bird Safe Glass & Wildlife Light Pollution Protections standards.
1.2.7 Develop an updated Regional Water Quality Control Plant Biosolids Facility Plan. 5 Economic Development & Retail Vibrancy (ED&RV)
Priority Summary
12 Objectives
6 Completed Highlights:
• Work on new parking structure in DT
• Downtown cleanliness enhancements
• Ordinance restoring subjective wireless
communication facility regulations
Economic Development & Retail Vibrancy
Objectives On-Track, Behind or On Hold
# Objective
2.1.1 Council approval of outdoor activation guidelines for California Avenue.*
2.1.2 Council approval of a final signage plan for California Avenue and funding appropriations.*
2.1.3 Council approval of a design option for California Ave.
2.1.4 Propose and implement outdoor activation guidelines for Car-Free Ramona Street.
2.1.5 Council approval of Ramona Street design and funding appropriations.*
2.1.8 Begin feasibility analysis of Assessment District for University Avenue Streetscape.
2.2.1 Complete build-out of fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) pilot Phase 1 with grid modernization.
2.2.2 Council consideration of ordinance that expands retail opportunities & promotes retail resiliency.*
2.2.4 Refine destination marketing efforts and enhance Palo Alto’s international reputation. 7* On-Track with change in scope or in progress.
Implementing Housing Strategies for Social and
Economic Balance (IHSSEB) Priority Summary
20 Objectives
8 Completed Highlights:
• Expanded Housing Focus Area
• Updated Housing Incentive Program
• Revised Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance
• Initiated San Antonio Road Area Plan
• Studied affordable housing typologies site near
Matadero Creek
• Engaged with Alta Housing for an affordable
housing development on Lot T
• Presented ideas to Council regarding Fair Chance
Ordinance
• Updated development impact fees
• Initiated phase 1 to address oversized vehicle
impacts
IHSSEB Objectives On-Track, Behind or On Hold
# Objective
3.2.1 Partner with Santa Clara County Housing Authority to achieve construction timeline milestones for the Palo Alto Homekey project (which will provide transitional housing and services for unhoused residents).
3.2.6 Organize an initial review of sources and methods to raise funding to support new affordable housing production for future evaluation.
3.3.2 Report out on initial data from the rental registry program and project implementation; receive feedback and recommendations for next steps.
3.3.3 Present to Council an analysis related to anti-rent gouging.
3.4.3 Present to Council the Downtown Housing Plan Community Assessment report and receive Council direction on draft housing plan scenarios.
3.4.5 Present findings to Council on a study that explores code amendments reducing commercial floor area and possible extension of Downtown in-lieu parking program to residential development. 9 Public Safety, Wellness & Belonging
(PSW&B) Priority Summary
14 Objectives
10 Completed Highlights
Opening Public Safety Building
Fire Station 4 Groundbreaking
Workforce Demographics Live
Enhance and Expand Inclusive
Programs and Services
Cubberley Master Plan
Public Safety Wellness & Belonging
Objectives On-Track, Behind or On Hold
# Objective
4.2.2 Implement the 2024-2025 Wellness & Belonging Action Plan.
4.2.3 Open 445 Bryant Street Community Center.
4.3.1 Continue engagement with San Francisco Airport on SFO's Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) project and other potential opportunities to decrease SFO noise impacts on Palo Alto. 11 DISCUSS 2026 CITY COUNCIL RETREAT PROCESS
12 Discuss Policy & Services Recommendations
• Continue the City Council 2025 Priorities into 2026
• Focus retreat on the development and prioritization of Mid-level Goals.
. • Priorities- a topic that will receive significant attention during that year . • Mid-Level Goals- P&S desire to bridge high level goals with detailed SMARTIE Objectives .
• Objectives- reflect potential Council actions that are measurable and time-bound to make real progress in advancing Council Priorities.
13 Policy & Services Recommendation
Proposed Agenda:
• Overview and orientation to retreat focus
• Discussion of suggested mid-level goals
• Selection and prioritization of mid-level goals
• Discussion of Council ad hoc committees and other strategies to achieve goals
• Next steps
14 Council Discussion
• Discuss and approve the Policy & Services recommendation to continue the 2025 Priorities into 2026
• Discuss and recommend the process for the 2026 Retreat • Define mid-level goals
• Approve retreat agenda
15 16
Lupita Alamos
Assistant to the City Manager
Kiely Nose
Assistant City Manager