CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, March 16, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
4:30 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in RED
Palo
Alto
City
Council
meetings
will
be
held
as
“hybrid”
meetings
with
the
option
to
attend
by
teleconference
or
in
person.
Information
on
how
the
public
may
observe
and
participate
in
the
meeting
is
located
at
the
end
of
the
agenda.
The
meeting
will
be
broadcast
on
Cable
TV
Channel
26,
live
on
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto
,
and
streamed
to
Midpen
Media
Center
https://midpenmedia.org
.
VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
(
https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238
)
Meeting ID: 362 027 238 Phone:1(669)900-6833
PUBLIC COMMENTS
General
Public
Comment
for
items
not
on
the
agenda
will
be
accepted
in
person
for
up
to
three
minutes
or
an
amount
of
time
determined
by
the
Chair.
General
public
comment
will
be
heard
for
30 minutes.
Additional
public
comments,
if
any,
will
be
heard
at
the
end
of
the
agenda.
Public
comments
for
agendized
items
will
be
accepted
both
in
person
and
via
Zoom
for
up
to
three
minutes
or
an
amount
of
time
determined
by
the
Chair.
Requests
to
speak
will
be
taken
until
5 minutes
after
the
staff’s
presentation
or
as
determined
by
the
Chair.
Written
public
comments
can
be
submitted
in
advance
to
and
will
be
provided
to
the
Council
and
available
for
inspection
on
the
City’s
website.
Please
clearly
indicate
which
agenda
item
you
are
referencing
in
your
subject
line.
Multiple
individuals
who
wish
to
speak
on
the
same
item
may
designate
a
spokesperson.
Spokespersons
must
be
representing
five
or
more
verified
individuals
who
are
present
either
in
person
or
via
zoom.
Spokespeople
will
be
allowed
up
to
10 minutes,
at
the
discretion
of
the
presiding
officer.
Speaking
time
may
be
reduced
if
the
presiding officer reduces the speaking time for individual speakers.
PowerPoints,
videos,
or
other
media
to
be
presented
during
public
comment
are
accepted
only
by
to
at
least
24 hours
prior
to
the
meeting.
Once
received,
the
Clerk
will
have
them
shared
at
public
comment
for
the
specified
item.
To
uphold
strong
cybersecurity
management
practices,
USB’s
or
other
physical
electronic
storage
devices
are
not
accepted.
Signs
and
symbolic
materials
less
than
2 feet
by
3 feet
are
permitted
provided
that:
(1)
sticks,
posts,
poles
or
similar/other
type
of
handle
objects
are
strictly
prohibited;
(2)
the
items
do
not
create
a
facility,
fire,
or
safety
hazard;
and
(3)
persons
with
such
items
remain
seated
when
displaying
them
and
must
not
raise
the
items
above
shoulder
level,
obstruct
the
view or passage of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting.
TIME ESTIMATES
Listed
times
are
estimates
only
and
are
subject
to
change
at
any
time,
including
while
the
meeting
is
in
progress.
The
Council
reserves
the
right
to
use
more
or
less
time
on
any
item,
to
change
the
order
of
items
and/or
to
continue
items
to
another
meeting.
Particular
items
may
be
heard
before
or
after
the
time
estimated
on
the
agenda.
This
may
occur
in
order
to
best
manage
the time at a meeting or to adapt to the participation of the public.
1 March 16, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
CALL TO ORDER
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY (4:30 - 4:55 PM)
1. Recognition of Sister City Tsuchiura, Japan and Palo Alto Student Exchange Program Participants.
Late Packet Report added
2. Proclamation Recognizing March 2026 as American Red Cross Month
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT (4:55 - 5:25 PM)
Members of the public may speak in-person ONLY to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of speakers. Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (5:25 - 5:40 PM) Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
CONSENT CALENDAR (5:40 - 5:45 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
3. Approval of Minutes from March 2, 2026 Meeting
4. Adoption of a Resolution Making Necessary Findings and Approving a Lease-Purchase Agreement with Motorola Solutions, Inc for Multi-Band Portable and Mobile Radios and Accessories for all City Departments in an amount not to exceed $5,848,220 for a Term of
8.4 Years; CEQA Status – exempt under Regulation section 15601(b)(3).
5. Adoption of a Resolution Approving Edison Electric Institute Master Power Purchase and Sale Agreements with NRG Business Marketing LLC, DRW Energy Trading LLC, and Dynasty Power Inc., (collectively the “Master Agreements”), Delegating Authority to the City Manager to Transact Under the Master Agreements for Electricity-Related Commodities and Services, and Updating the City’s Standard Form Edison Electric Institute Master Power Purchase and Sale Agreement; CEQA status: not a project under CEQA Guidelines sections 15378(a)
6. Approval of Professional Services Contract Number C26193604 with GOVERNMENTJOBS.COM INC dba NEOGOV in an Amount Not to Exceed $686,277 for Full-cycle Recruitment and Applicant Tracking, Employee Development and Management Human Resource Platform for a Term of Five Years; CEQA Status - Not a Project.
2 March 16, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
7. Approval of Amendment No. 1 to Contract S23184208 with Flynn Resources Inc., in the Amount of $170,000 for a revised Total Not-to-Exceed Amount of $425,000 and Extending Term Two Years to Provide As-Needed Electric Engineering Consulting Services Related to Electric Transmission Line Expansion, Interconnection, Engineering Analysis and Regulatory Issues; CEQA Status: the Grid Modernization Project is Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15302, 15303 and 15183
8. Authorization to Fully Encumber Legal Services Contract S26195211 with Atkinson Andelson Loya Ruud & Romo For a Total Not- to-Exceed Amount of $255,000; CEQA Status – Not a Project.
9. Accept the Single Audit Report audited by Macias Gini & O’Connell for the year ended June 30, 2025, Fiscal Year 2025; CEQA Status – Not a Project.
10. Approval of Professional Services Contract No. C26194015 with Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $795,965 for Design and Outreach Services for the City Park-Green Stormwater Infrastructure Project for the period of March 16, 2026 through March 31, 2028; CEQA Status – Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15306 CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (5:45 - 6:00 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
ACTION ITEMS (Item 11: 6:15 - 6:30 PM, Item 12: 6:30 - 8:00 PM; Item 13: 8:00 - 9:00 PM; Item 14: 9:00 - 10:30 PM)
Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.
11. Approval of an Employment Agreement and Adoption of a Resolution Appointing Christopher Jensen as City Attorney at an Annual Salary of $380,000.
12. QUASI-JUDICIAL. 2100-2400 Geng Road [24PLN-00356 & 24PLN-00357]: Request for Approval of Applications for Site and Design, a Conditional Use Permit, and a Vesting Tentative Map to Construct 145 For Sale Townhome Units. Thirteen Percent of the Units Would Be Deed Restricted to Low Income Households. The Project is Proposed in Accordance with Builder’s Remedy (California Government Code Section 65589.5(d)(5)).
A Senate Bill 330 Pre-Application was Filed on July 8, 2024. The Project Also Includes Adoption of a Parkland Improvement Ordinance to Authorize Tree Removals in the Baylands Athletic Center, Which Would be Impacted by the Project. CEQA Status:
Exempt from CEQA in Accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 (Comprehensive
3 March 16, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
Plan Consistency).
Supplemental Report added
13. PUBLIC HEARING / QUASI-JUDICIAL. 4075 El Camino Way [23PLN-00202]: Adoption of an Amendment to a Planned Community Ordinance (PC-5116) to Allow for Modifications to an Existing 121-Unit Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility. CEQA Status: Exempt from the Provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in Accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Modifications to Existing Facilities).
14. Adoption of an Ordinance Adding a New Section 18.40.280 (Bird-Friendly Design) to Chapter 18.40 (General Standards and Exceptions) of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code; CEQA Status: Exempt Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Actions for Protection of the Environment)
CLOSED SESSION
15. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Subject: Potential litigation regarding 156 North California Avenue, as set forth in letter(s) from Holland & Knight LLP dated September 3, 2025 Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Number of potential cases: 1, as Defendant
Item Removed Off Agenda
ADJOURNMENT
INFORMATION REPORTS
Information reports are provided for informational purposes only to the Council and the public but are not listed for action or discussion during this meeting’s agenda.
A.
Summary of Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Accomplishments — Review of the CDBG Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). CEQA Status: Not a Project.
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
4 March 16, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
Finance Committee March 17, 2026
Economic Development Committee March 18, 2026
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
AMENDED / SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS
1. Recognition of Sister City Tsuchiura, Japan and Palo Alto Student Exchange Program Participants.
Late Packet Report added
12. QUASI-JUDICIAL. 2100-2400 Geng Road [24PLN-00356 & 24PLN-00357]: Request for Approval of Applications for Site and Design, a Conditional Use Permit, and a Vesting Tentative Map to Construct 145 For Sale Townhome Units. Thirteen Percent of the Units Would Be Deed Restricted to Low Income Households. The Project is Proposed in Accordance with Builder’s Remedy (California Government Code Section 65589.5(d)(5)).
A Senate Bill 330 Pre-Application was Filed on July 8, 2024. The Project Also Includes Adoption of a Parkland Improvement Ordinance to Authorize Tree Removals in the Baylands Athletic Center, Which Would be Impacted by the Project. CEQA Status:
Exempt from CEQA in Accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15183 (Comprehensive Plan Consistency).
Supplemental Report added
15. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Subject: Potential litigation regarding 156 North California Avenue, as set forth in letter(s) from Holland & Knight LLP dated September 3, 2025 Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Number of potential cases: 1, as Defendant
Item Removed Off Agenda
5 March 16, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members
of
the
Public
may
provide
public
comments
to
teleconference
meetings
via
email,
teleconference, or by phone.
1. Written public comments
may be submitted by email to
[email protected]
.
2. For
in
person
public
comments
please
complete
a
speaker
request
card
located
on
the
table
at
the
entrance
to
the
Council
Chambers
and
deliver
it
to
the
Clerk
prior
to
discussion of the item.
3. Spoken
public
comments
for
agendized
items
using
a
computer
or
smart
phone
will
be
accepted
through
the
teleconference
meeting.
To
address
the
Council,
click
on
the
link
below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully. ◦
You
may
download
the
Zoom
client
or
connect
to
the
meeting
in-
browser.
If
using
your
browser,
make
sure
you
are
using
a
current,
up-to-date
browser:
Chrome
30 ,
Firefox
27 ,
Microsoft
Edge
12 ,
Safari
7 .
Certain
functionality
may
be
disabled
in
older
browsers
including
Internet
Explorer.
Or
download
the
Zoom
application
onto
your
smart
phone
from
the
Apple
App
Store
or
Play
Store
and
enter
in
the
Meeting ID below.
◦
You
may
be
asked
to
enter
an
address
and
name.
We
request
that
you
identify
yourself
by
name
as
this
will
be
visible
online
and
will
be
used
to
notify
you
that it is your turn to speak.
◦
When
you
wish
to
speak
on
an
Agenda
Item,
click
on
“raise
hand.”
The
Clerk
will
activate
and
unmute
speakers
in
turn.
Speakers
will
be
notified
shortly
before
they
are called to speak.
◦
When
called,
please
limit
your
remarks
to
the
time
limit
allotted.
A
timer
will
be
shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
4. Spoken
public
comments
for
agendized
items
using
a
phone
use
the
telephone
number
listed
below.
When
you
wish
to
speak
on
an
agenda
item
hit
*9
on
your
phone
so
we
know
that
you
wish
to
speak.
You
will
be
asked
to
provide
your
first
and
last
name
before
addressing
the
Council.
You
will
be
advised
how
long
you
have
to
speak.
When
called
please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
Meeting ID: 362-027-238 Phone: 1-669-900-6833
Americans
with
Disability
Act
(ADA)
It
is
the
policy
of
the
City
of
Palo
Alto
to
offer
its
public
programs,
services
and
meetings
in
a
manner
that
is
readily
accessible
to
all.
Persons
with
disabilities
who
require
materials
in
an
appropriate
alternative
format
or
who
require
auxiliary
aids
to
access
City
meetings,
programs,
or
services
may
contact
the
City’s
ADA
Coordinator
at
(650)
329-2550
(voice)
or
by
emailing
Requests
for
assistance
or
accommodations
must
be
submitted
at
least
24 hours
in
advance
of
the
meeting,
program,
or
service.
6 March 16, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
California
Government
Code
§84308
,
commonly
referred
to
as
the
"Levine
Act,"
prohibits
an
elected
official
of
a
local
government
agency
from
participating
in
a
proceeding
involving
a
license,
permit,
or
other
entitlement
for
use
if
the
official
received
a
campaign
contribution
exceeding
$500
from
a
party
or
participant,
including
their
agents,
to
the
proceeding
within
the
last
12 months.
A
“license,
permit,
or
other
entitlement
for
use”
includes
most
land
use
and
planning
approvals
and
the
approval
of
contracts
that
are
not
subject
to
lowest
responsible
bid
procedures
and
have
a
value
over
$50,000.
A
“party”
is
a
person
who
files
an
application
for,
or
is
the
subject
of,
a
proceeding
involving
a
license,
permit,
or
other
entitlement
for
use.
A
“participant”
is
a
person
who
actively
supports
or
opposes
a
particular
decision
in
a
proceeding
involving
a
license,
permit,
or
other
entitlement
for
use,
and
has
a
financial
interest
in
the
decision.
The
Levine
Act
incorporates
the
definition
of
“financial
interest”
in
the
Political
Reform
Act,
which
encompasses
interests
in
business
entities,
real
property,
sources
of
income,
sources
of
gifts,
and
personal
finances
that
may
be
affected
by
the
Council’s
actions.
If
you
qualify
as
a
“party”
or
“participant”
to
a
proceeding,
and
you
have
made
a
campaign
contribution
to
a
Council
Member
exceeding
$500
made
within
the
last
12 months,
you
must
disclose
the
campaign contribution before making your comments.
7 March 16, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.