February 23, 2026 www.cityofpaloalto.org
2026 City Council
Values, Priority
Objectives, Ad Hocs,
and Workplans
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February 23, 2026
Recommended Council Action
Recommended Actions:
• Council approval of Council Values (as recommended by Policy & Services Committee) • Council approval of 2026 Priority Objectives
• Council approval of Ad Hoc Purpose Statements and Committee Workplans 2 February 23, 2026
REVISED Council Values
3 1. Vibrant Community. Cultivate a dynamic community by fostering retail vibrancy, economic development, engaging public spaces, and a high quality of life for all.
2. Fiscal Responsibility. Exercise disciplined financial management to ensure city revenues and expenses remain balanced and sustainable, and are fiscally strategic and responsible.
3. Accountable Governance. Earn public trust through transparent leadership, inclusive engagement, and open communication.
4. Strategic Innovation. As the birthplace of Silicon Valley, embrace innovation in the public and private sectors to optimize efficiency and outcomes.
5. Equity and Shared Prosperity. Center equity in every decision, and advance housing, workforce, and social policies that promote inclusion, socioeconomic diversity, and opportunity.
6. Climate Leadership and Environmental Stewardship. Lead with urgency on climate action and adaptation, sustainability, and environmental protection for current and future generations.
7. Community Well-Being & Belonging. Foster a safe, healthy, and welcoming community where everyone belongs and can thrive physically, mentally, and socially. 2026 Council Priorities & Objectives
(42 Group 1 Objectives)
4 Achieve Near-Term Priority
Housing Milestones
15 priorities
Enhance Business Vibrancy
5 priorities
Cubberley Acquisition and
Renovation Funding
2 priorities
Government Efficiency
8 priorities
Council Values
12 priorities
February 23, 2026
Ad Hoc Purpose Statements and Committee Workplans
• Ad Hoc purpose statements reflect their intended
focus for the calendar year
• Standing committee workplans reflect annual
agenda items and current referrals from Council
• As work progresses on the 2026 Objectives, these
committees will be used for review and feedback as
appropriate to ensure continued progress
• Council may discuss and identify any adjustments to
the Committee Objectives and Standing Committee
Workplans including updates on the status of
Council referrals
5 Policy & Services Committee 2026 Workplan
6 January
• Nonprofit Workplan item
• Establish a frequency for joint City Council meetings or Policy & Services meeting with Boards and Commissions, Youth Council, and meetings with Boards and Commissions Chairs (referral)
February
• Update City Council Values & Consider Renaming them (referral) • SB 707 Brown Act Updates
• Seismic Ordinance Follow up discussion
March
• Nonprofit Partnership Phase I Improvements
• Policy Tool Options to Encourage Multi-Family Development in Mixed- Use Districts Auditor Qrtly Report
• Audit: Utilities Reserves
April
• Local Residential Rental Market Data & Rent Stabilization Program • First-year Rental Registry Program Data Report
• Legislative Update
• Fair Chance in Housing Ordinance
• Incentives at Strategic Locations to Shift the Economic Benefit of Redevelopment from Commercial Toward Home Building
• Auditor Reports: Junior Museum and Zoo & Auditor Report: Annual Follow-up on Audit Recommendations
May
• Potential New Procedure for Councilmembers to Make Referrals to Staff Besides Colleagues’ Memo (referral)
• Auditor Reports: Public Safety Overtime, Auditor Risk Assessment, Quarterly Audit Status Report, Auditor Task Orders
June
• Review of Proposed Amendments to Seismic Risk Mitigation Ordinance • Anti-rent Gouging Analysis
• Continuing items from April or May
July No meeting; Council break
August
• Tentative: Auditor Report
• Legislative Update (State and Federal)
September
• Tentative: Auditor Report
• Review draft RFI/P to issue solicitation for the development of 218 affordable or workforce housing units on City-owned surface parking lots. (HE 1.4A)
October
• Tentative: Auditor Report
November
• Legislative Agenda and Guidelines; and Brief Legislative update • Tentative: Nonprofit workplan
• 2027 City Council Priorities Discussion (focused on process, the retreat and submitted ideas)
December
• Tentative: Auditor report
• No Procedures & Protocols Handbook Discussion (this is an ‘off’ year) • Informational: Report out on Status of Committee Referrals Finance Committee 2026 Workplan
7 January
• Update and Adoption of the Investment Policy
• Mayor appoints Committee and designates Chair
February – No Meeting
March
• Utilities Advisory Commission Rate Forecasts and Five- Year Financial Plans: Water, Wastewater Collection
• Storm Water Management Fee
April
• Utilities Advisory Commission Rate Forecasts and Five- Year Financial Plans: Gas, Electric.
• Planning & Development Services - Electrification State caps & fee subsidies
• City Fee Updates (various)
• Grid Mod Financing (Tentative)
May
• Annual Budget Review: Operating and Five-year Capital Improvement Plan
• Alternative meeting times (9:00am – 5:00pm) May
5 and May 6
• Including Nonprofit Partnership Workplan Phase I
funding
June
• Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Report
July- No Meeting
August
• Grid Modernization financing
September
• Accept California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) Pension Annual Valuation. Reports as of June 30, 2025.
• Retiree Benefit Policy – review and update, if necessary.
October
November
• Informational: Report out on Status of Committee Referrals • Discussion and Recommendation to the City Council to Accept the Macias Gini & O'Connell's Audit of the City of Palo Alto's Financial Statements as of June 30, 2026 and Management Letter
• Discussion and Recommendation to Approve the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and
Approve Budget Amendments in Various Funds
December
• Review and Forward the FY 2028 - FY 2037 Long Range Financial Forecast
• First Quarter Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Report
• Preliminary Utility Rate Forecast Review
TITLE 40 FONT BOLD
Subtitle 32 font
February 23, 2026
Recommended Council Action
Recommended Actions:
• Council approval of Council Values (as recommended by Policy & Services Committee) • Council approval of 2026 Priority Objectives
• Council approval of Ad Hoc Purpose Statements and Committee Workplans 8 Lupita Alamos
Assistant to the City Manager
Kiely Nose
Assistant City Manager