City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Transportation
Meeting Date: March 9, 2026
Report #:2512-5768
TITLE
Approval of Contract Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. C23185922 with Kittelson & Associates, INC. to Increase Compensation by $17,000 to $350,945 and to Extend the Term for an Additional Six Months Through December 31, 2026, for the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update; CEQA status - exempt under Public Resource Code section 21080.20.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. C23185922 with Kittelson & Associates, Inc. for professional consultant services in the amount of $17,000, for a revised total contract amount not-to-exceed $350,945, and to extend the term for an additional six-months of service through December 31, 2026 for the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Palo Alto is currently updating its 2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) to establish an updated 10-year strategy for bicycle and pedestrian network investments, policies, and programs. Kittelson & Associates INC. (Kittelson) was selected to assist staff with consultant services at a cost not exceeding $333,945.
Staff recommends the approval of Amendment No. 3 to Contract No. C23185922 with Kittelson & Associates, Inc., increasing the contract amount by $17,000 for a revised not-to-exceed total of $350,945. This amendment provides the necessary funding for the final milestone of the project: the production of the Final Plan document. During the development of the Draft Plan, the project team undertook several critical but unforeseeable scope changes to ensure the Plan was responsive to community, Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee (PABAC) and Council direction. These included developing a dual-layered project prioritization framework, pivoting the Draft Plan focus from arterial corridors to a residential "low-stress" bike network, and facilitating additional focus groups and expert facilitated discussion on topics including
separated bikeways. Given these changes, additional work is needed to prepare the Final Plan and carry out additional engagement to ensure that the Final Plan is reviewed with PABAC prior to Council presentation. This amendment is required to cover labor associated with preparing the Final Plan and incorporate this final round of feedback into the document prior to Council consideration and potential adoption in summer 2026.
BACKGROUND
The City’s 2012 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) has served as the foundational policy document for improving the safety and appeal of active transportation in Palo Alto. To modernize this vision, the City Council supported a grant application for State TDA Article 3 funds approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).
On June 19, 2023, City Council awarded a professional services contract to Kittelson & Associates, Inc. for a not-to-exceed amount of $333,945 to assist with the development of the 2026 BPTP Update1. The 2026 BPTP Update aims to incorporate robust community feedback; reevaluate implementation progress from previous plans; determine appropriate prioritization criteria and metrics; and update recommendations for new policies, facilities, and programs.
Throughout 2024, the project team completed a comprehensive technical analysis of existing conditions, including Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) and safety data, while conducting extensive community outreach through bike rides, walking tours, and workshops.
In early 2025, the project transitioned to its recommendations phase, launching a third round of engagement to vet proposed bicycle and pedestrian related project recommendations, such as the proposed bicycle network and facilities, Policy & Program recommendations, Pedestrian District Guidelines, and an initial Prioritization Framework. This phase included targeted collaboration with PABAC, the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC), and the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC). On June 2, 2025, the City Council considered the Revised Prioritization Framework and also provided feedback on the project recommendations.
Staff released the Draft 2026 BPTP Update2 on October 3, 2025, and the public comment period extended through November 14, 2025. The Draft Plan is the culmination of multiple rounds of community engagement starting in late 2023, including in-person events, online surveys, and meetings with Committees, Commissions and the City Council. In addition to community members providing feedback, PABAC also reviewed and provided feedback on the Draft Plan at their October 7, 2025 and November 3, 2025 meetings, and PTC voted unanimously to 1 Palo Alto City Council Meeting, June 19, 2023. Consent Calendar: Approval of Professional Services Contract with Kittelson & Associates for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $333,945 for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update. CEQA Status: Exempt under Public Resources Code Section 21080.20. https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=1172&compileOutputType=1 2 Palo Alto Draft 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan, October 2025. https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/api/compilemeetingattachmenthistory/historyattachment/?historyId=b3a03041-bbe5-4afb-8fc6- ee406fed4311
recommend that Council adopt the 2026 BPTP Update on November 12, 2025. 5 On December 1, 2025, Council considered the Draft Plan and near-term projects6. Councilmembers spoke positively about the effort and recommended refinements to proactively address the growth of e-bikes in future facility design, ensure seamless alignment with other City efforts (such as Cubberley Master Plan), and reviewing Comprehensive Plan policies that may limit future safety improvements. City staff are now reviewing community and Council feedback and preparing the Final 2026 BPTP Update. This process will include an additional presentation to PABAC in spring 2026, incorporating final PABAC feedback, followed by consideration of the Final Plan for potential Council adoption in summer 2026.
There have been two previous amendments to the contract (No. C23185922) to extend the contract term to June 30, 2026: the first Administrative extension approved by City Staff, and the second extension approved by the City Council on April 21, 2025.7 There have been no previous amendments to the not-to-exceed amount of $333,945.
ANALYSIS
In response to Council and community feedback, several significant enhancements to tasks were added to this effort throughout 2025. These scope changes include:
1. Dual-Layered Prioritization Framework: In response to PABAC and public requests for a more rigorous methodology for project prioritization, the project team developed a supplemental project evaluation framework, which involved filtering the project list through both the initial quantitative framework and a secondary qualitative "community values" filter. This dual-layered analysis was essential for building trust in the priority list and required technical adjustments beyond the initial scope.
2. Strategic Pivot to Low-Stress Network: On June 2, 2025, Council requested that the project team shift the Plan’s network and safety improvements from separated bikeways along arterials network (a “big streets” approach) to a comprehensive "low- stress network” with a focus on enhancing the City’s bicycle boulevards, with limited improvements on arterials concentrated around crossing locations for the low-stress network. This change required substantial analysis in order to create a completely 5 Palo Alto Planning and Transportation Commission Meeting, November 12, 2025. Action Item. Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) Update: Provide Feedback and Recommend the Draft Plan to the City Council for Adoption. CEQA Status: Exempt Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.20.
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=16610&compileOutputType=1 6 Palo Alto City Council Meeting, December 1, 2025. Study Session: Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) Update: Draft Plan and Near-Term Projects. CEQA Status: Exempt Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.20. https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=16332&compileOutputType=1 7 Palo Alto City Council Meeting, April 21, 2025. Consent Calendar: Approval of Contract Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. C23185922 with Kittelson & Associates, INC. to Extend Term for an Additional Year of Service Through June 30, 2026 for professional consultant services for the City's Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update; CEQA status - exempt under- California Senate Bill 922 (2022), codified as Public Resources Code section 21080.20.
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=16056&compileOutputType=1 updated priority project list as well as recommendations regarding policy frameworks to support a low-stress network and high-comfort approach.
3. Expanded Stakeholder Engagement: To address PABAC feedback, the team also facilitated additional focus group sessions to allow for a deeper dive into the Draft Plan’s recommendations, in addition to consultant-led educational sessions on modern best practice design guidance and implications.
The above task enhancements have resulted in a more robust project list and a Draft Plan that reflects community input and Palo Alto’s unique and successful approach to creating a walkable and bikeable environment. The changes were achieved using project contingency. Additionally, extensive reworking of the Draft Plan document was achieved by reallocating consultant labor that was initially designated for Final Plan preparation. To complete the Plan, an additional $17,000 is therefore requested for Final Plan Production. This work involves:
Incorporating direction from the Council Study Session on the Draft Plan on December 1, 2025.
Facilitating an additional round of community engagement with PABAC review of the Final Plan in Spring 2026.
Integrating final public and PABAC feedback into the Plan, where possible. Finalizing all maps, graphic design, and document formatting for the final document for Council presentation.
This work will allow the project team to deliver a Final Plan that adequately reflects the community and Council’s vision.
Staff anticipates presenting a Final Plan document for Council review and consideration for adoption in summer 2026.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
The original contract for the 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update was supported by a reimbursable Metropolitan Transportation Commission Transportation Development Act Article 3 grant of $334,852. Contract Amendment Number 3 increases the total agreement by $17,000, bringing the new Not-to-Exceed total to $350,945.
While previous work utilized project contingency and grant funds, this additional $17,000 exceeds the original grant award. These funds are available in the Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Capital Improvement Budget within the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Implementation project (PL-04010). There is no additional impact on the General Fund beyond what was already appropriated in the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Budget.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Draft 2026 BPTP Update is the result of an extensive, four-phase engagement process that combined digital outreach with in-person events to ensure a broad representative voice. Phases 1 & 2 (Visioning and Needs) included public workshops, walking tours, and cycling tours. Feedback during this phase identified safety (particularly for students) as the top priority, as well as strong demand for a seamless, low-stress network that overcomes major barriers like highways and railroads while providing direct connections to schools and transit hubs.
Phases 3 & 4 (Recommendations and Draft Plan) included a community workshop, two series of board, commission and committee meetings (January-June 2025) as well as public comment on the Draft Plan (October-November 2025). Feedback during this phase called for a more robust, dual-layered prioritization framework (integrating qualitative and quantitative measures) and a to pivot from a "big streets" to "low-stress network" approach. During the final public comment period, feedback emphasized the desire for 20 mph speed limits on bike boulevards, proactive e-bike policies, and upgrades to Bryant Street corridor.
Members of the public also had opportunity to provide input on the Draft Plan at the November 12, 2025 PTC meeting, where PTC unanimously recommended adoption of the Plan and supported the focus on residential low-stress routes. Community members also provided input on the Draft Plan at the City Council Study Session on December 1, 2025.11 Since this time, City staff has also obtained further input from PABAC and community members at the February 4, 2026 PABAC meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
California Senate Bill 922 (2022), codified as Public Resources Code section 21080.20, exempts active transportation plans, such as bicycle transportation plans like the BPTP Update, from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Kittelson & Associates, Contract C23185922 Amendment 3 APPROVED BY:
Ria Hutabarat Lo, Chief Transportation Official
11 Palo Alto City Council Meeting, December 1, 2025. Study Session: Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) Update: Draft Plan and Near-Term Projects. CEQA Status: Exempt Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.20. https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=16332&compileOutputType=1