City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: INFORMATION REPORTS
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: September 9, 2026
Report #:2606-6511
TITLE
2026 City Council Priorities Q2 Update
RECOMMENDATION
This is an informational report that provides progress updates on the 2026 Council Priorities and Objectives approved by the City Council on March 9, 2026. No action is needed.
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
5. Shared Prosperity and Housing Leadership
1 March 9, 2026 City Council Meeting:
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=86901&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto 2 January 24, 2026 City Council Retreat:
https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=85283&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
6. Climate Leadership and Environmental Stewardship
7. Community Well-Being & Belonging
This report provides a progress update on the Council Priorities and Objectives.
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 Q2 spans the months April through June 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 second quarter, a total of 9 (21%) have been completed, 28(65%) are on track with new Council direction, 6 objectives are behind schedule (14%), and none are on hold.
Council Priority Completed On Track Behind On Hold/
Dropped
Total
Achieve Near-Term Housing
Milestones 2 10 3 0 15
Cubberley Acquisition and
Renovation Funding 0 2 0 0 2
Enhance Business Vibrancy 1 3 1 0 5
Government Efficiency 2 7 0 0 9
Council Values 4 6 2 0 12
Total 9 28 6 0 43
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Resource impacts for 2026 Council Priorities and Objectives have been identified and resourced through the FY 2027 budget process; however, any changes to scope may result in additional resources needed. Staff will assess any scope changes and bring forward recommendations for additional resources if needed.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
On March 9, 2026, the City Council approved the community engagement strategies associated with the 2026 Council 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 Q2 Update APPROVED BY: Ed Shikada, City Manager