CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Special Meeting
January 24, 2026
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date at Mitchell Park Community Center (El Palo Alto Room) and by virtual teleconference at 9:00 A.M.
Present In Person: Burt, Lauing, Lu, Reckdahl, Stone, Veenker Present Remotely: Lythcott-Haims (Just Cause Alternative Teleconference)
Absent:
Call to Order
2026 Annual Council Retreat Program
1. Overview and orientation to retreat focus
City Council Retreat: Discussion and Selection of the 2026 City Council Priorities and Ad Hoc Committees. CEQA Status -- Not a Project.
A. Public Comment
B. Discussion and selection of Priorities and methods to prioritize and ensure progress
• Key inputs, including Council values, 2025 priorities, and staff draft 2026 objectives
• Discussion of terminology and process for selecting priorities • Selection of 2026 priorities
C. Discussion of Council ad hoc committees and other strategies to achieve goals D. Next Steps
MOTION: Councilmember Reckdahl moved, seconded by Council member Burt to set the following as the 2026 Council Priorities:
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 01/25/2025
1. Government Efficiency
2. Achieve Near-term Priority Housing Milestones
3. Cubberley Acquisition and Renovation Funding
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
MOTION: Mayor Veenker moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Stone to add a fourth 2026 Council priority of “Enhance Business Vibrancy”.
MOTION PASSED: 5-2, Lauing, Reckdahl no
2026 City Council Priorities:
1. Government Efficiency
2. Achieve Near-term Priority Housing Milestones
3. Cubberley Acquisition and Renovation Funding
4. Enhance Business Vibrancy
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 3:05 P.M.
ATTEST: 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.