City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: May 18, 2026
Report #:2604-6258
TITLE
2026 Council Priorities & Objectives Q1 Update
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council receive the 2026 Council Priority & Objectives Q1 Update and approve Objective 4.2.4.
BACKGROUND
On March 9,1 2026, the City Council discussed and approved the 2026 Priority Objectives, following its January 24, 2026,2 retreat in which the City Council adopted the following Priorities:
Achieve Near-Term Housing Milestones
Cubberley Acquisition and Renovation Funding
Enhance Business Vibrancy
Government Efficiency
A total of 43 objectives within each priority were discussed, with several objectives being supported by the revised and adopted Council Values:
1. Vibrant Community
2. Fiscal Responsibility
3. Accountable Governance
4. Strategic Innovation
1 March 9, 2026 City Council Meeting:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/meetings/ItemWithTemplateType?id=11219&meetingTemplateType=2&com piledMeetingDocumentId=18769
2 January 24, 2026 City Council Meeting:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=18520
5. Shared Prosperity and Housing Leadership
6. Climate Leadership and Environmental Stewardship
7. Community Well-Being & Belonging
The City Council provided feedback on the objectives and requested that staff return with modifications to Objective 36 (renumbered as Objective 4.2.4) on the update to the City’s Traffic Calming Policy. This report provides a Q1 update on objective milestones and estimated completion dates.
ANALYSIS
This report focuses on Group 1 objectives, which are categorized as mission-critical, and must be achieved to meet legal, operational, safety, or strategic requirements. Objectives in this group require City Council engagement. Progress on Council Priorities is measured by the accomplishments of its subset objectives and reported on a calendar quarterly basis. Calendar Q1 spans the months January through March 2026. A summary table of all 43 objectives is listed in Attachment A, including an estimated completion date, which is also measured in calendar quarters. A narrative on each objective update is found in Attachment B, it includes:
Project Description- Describes overall project goals and outcomes. 2026 Milestone- Describes activities and outcomes planned for the calendar year as some projects are multi-year in length and are broken up into phases.
Project Status-
Completed - Project as described in the 2026 milestone is overall complete, though some minor/non-substantive follow-up may still be needed. On-Track- Project is expected to be completed as specified. Any changes in project scope or timing due to Council direction or action will remain labeled On Track with the new estimated timeframe.
Behind - The project estimated completion date may be delayed due to operational issues, capacity constraints (such as vacancies in staffing), or project has not started by the estimated completion date.
Hold/Dropped - Project is not actively in progress or will no longer move forward in the current year. Reasons may include the issue is no longer relevant, operational constraints, or is stalled/dropped due to City Council direction.
Estimated Completion - The calendar quarter in which the objective is expected to be completed.
Department Lead - Identifies the lead department and project manager responsible for coordinating progress.
Quarterly Update - a brief progress update on the project describes work reflected in the respective calendar quarter. Any delays or project issues will be reflected in this section.
To date, of the 43 Council objectives supporting Council priorities, in the first quarter, a total of 2 (5%) have been completed, 41 (95%) are on track with new Council direction, no objectives are behind schedule, and none are on hold.
Traffic Calming Policy Objective
During its March 9 meeting, Council provided feedback that staff return with modifications to Objective 36, renumbered as Objective 4.2.4, on the update to the City’s Traffic Calming Policy. Explore options to streamline delivery of low-cost, high-value (aka quick build) traffic safety improvements and update the City’s Traffic Calming Policy to align with Safety Action Plan, Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP) and Safe Routes to School.
Council requested that staff provide more momentum this year on outcomes, as the objective as written focused too much on reviewing and exploring options. The revised language now reads:
Objective 4.2.4
Streamline delivery of low-cost, high-value (aka quick build) traffic safety improvements including updating the City's Traffic Calming Policy in alignment with the City's Safety Action Plan, Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Plan (BPTP), Safe Routes to School and California's Daylighting Law (AB413).
2026 Milestone:
By Q4, Council review of Draft Update to Traffic Calming Policy and curb painting for corner daylighting at 25 intersections along school routes.
An update to the revised objective is included in Attachment B.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
City Council approval of Priority Objectives does not have an immediate fiscal impact; however, resources will need to be allocated to implement City Council Priorities. Opportunities to allocate resources to projects include the FY 2027 annual budget process, with adoption scheduled for June 2026. In addition, the City Council may amend the budget throughout the year.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
On March 9, 2026, Council approved the community engagement strategies associated with the 2026 Priorities and Objectives. There are various levels of community engagement and communication strategies to support each project, including internal coordination among City departments. There is a dedicated website for the 2026 and prior years Council Priorities, as well as a dashboard that summarizes progress achieving priorities for the year at www.paloalto.gov/councilpriorities
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Council informational report on this item is not a project as defined by CEQA because the Council review of 2026 Priority Objectives is continuing administrative or maintenance activity.
CEQA Guidelines section 15378 (b)(2).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: 2026 Council Priorities and Objectives Summary Table Attachment B: 2026 Council Priorities and Objectives Q1 Update Summary APPROVED BY:
Ed Shikada, City Manager