CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Community Meeting Room & Hybrid
6:00 PM
5:45 PM
Amended Agenda
Amended agenda items appear below in RED
City
Council
meetings
will
be
held
as
“hybrid”
meetings
with
the
option
to
attend
virtually
or
in
person.
Information
on
how
the
public
may
observe
and
participate
in
the
meeting
is
located
at
the
end
of
the
agenda.
Translation
services
are
available
upon
request
at
least
24 hours
before
the
meeting.
The
meeting
will
be
broadcast
on
Cable
TV
Channel
76,
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
Public
comments
for
agendized
items
will
be
accepted
both
in
person
and
via
Zoom
for
up
to
3 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.
Multiple
individuals
wishing
to
speak
on
the
same
item
may
designate
a
spokesperson.
Spokespeople
must
be
representing
5 or
more
verified
individuals
who
are
present
in
person
or
via
Zoom.
Spokespeople
are
allowed
up
to
10 minutes,
at
the
discretion
of
the
Chair.
Speaking
time
may
be
reduced
if
the
Chair
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
before
the
meeting.
Once
received,
the
Clerk
will
share
them
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:
sticks,
posts,
poles
or
similar/other
type
of
handle
objects
are
strictly
prohibited;
the
items
do
not
create
a
facility,
fire,
or
safety
hazard;
and
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,
change
the
order
of
items
and/or
continue
items
to
another
meeting.
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 September 22, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
CALL TO ORDER
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
CLOSED SESSION (5:45 - 8:00 PM)
AA1.
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto (Informally known as the Cubberley Site) Negotiating Party: Palo Alto Unified School District
City Negotiators: Ed Shikada, Kristen O'Kane, Sunny Tong Subject of Negotiations:
Purchase, Exchange, and/or Lease Price and Terms of Payment New Item Added
1. Public Employee Performance Evaluations
Authority: Cal. Gov. Code section 54957 (b)
Title: City Manager
SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
2. Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC) and
Public Art Commission (PAC)
;
CEQA Status - Not a Project
Title Updated, Supplemental
Report added
ADJOURNMENT
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
City/Schools Liaison Committee September 24, 2026 CANCELED
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
2 September 22, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
AMENDED / SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS
AA1.
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 4000 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto (Informally known as the Cubberley Site) Negotiating Party: Palo Alto Unified School District
City Negotiators: Ed Shikada, Kristen O'Kane, Sunny Tong Subject of Negotiations:
Purchase, Exchange, and/or Lease Price and Terms of Payment New Item Added
2. Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC) and
Public Art Commission (PAC)
;
CEQA Status - Not a Project
Title Updated, Supplemental
Report added
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
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
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
3 September 22, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
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.
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.
4 September 22, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas
.
City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
Report #:2609-6752
TITLE
Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC) and Public Art Commission (PAC); CEQA Status - Not a Project
BACKGROUND
Recruitment
The Fall Boards, Commissions, and Committees (BCC) Recruitment was open from July 28, 2026 – September 2, 2026, and recruited for 11 vacancies across 5 meeting bodies. Applications were published as part of the September 14 agenda packet and are available online1.
In consultation with the Mayor and Vice Mayor, staff have split the recruitment next steps into two separate batches to effectively manage meeting capacity and length. The schedule is listed below.
City Council Meeting Action
September 14 Regular City Council Meeting Review Applications and Select Candidates to Interview for PRC and PAC
September 22 Special City Council Meeting Interview Candidates for PRC and PAC September 28 Special City Council Meeting Review Applications and Select Candidates to Interview for HRC, PTC, SWMOC
September 30 Special City Council Meeting Interview Candidates for HRC, PTC, SWMOC October 5 Regular City Council Meeting Appoint Members to HRC, PRC, PTC, PAC, SWMOC
1 September 14, 2026 City Council Staff Report # 2606-6493 https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=897242&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto Item 2
Item 2 Staff Report
Item 2: Staff Report
Pg.
1 Packet Pg. 5 of 9
Interview Process
The City Council is expected to review applications and select candidates to interview for PRC and PAC on September 14. A supplemental memo will be issued on September 17 with the interview schedule.
Each candidate interview is scheduled for 10 minutes. Candidates will have an opportunity to summarize their experiences, and the remaining time will be allocated to Councilmember questions. Candidates have been informed of the following:
1. Each interview is scheduled for 10 minutes. Candidates may begin with 1-2 minutes describing their experience and/or desire to serve. The remaining time will be Q+A with the City Council;
2. Interviews are located in Council Chambers on the ground floor of City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave) or on Zoom;
3. If joining in person, please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time, and check in with the Clerk upon arrival; and
4.If joining via Zoom, please log-on 15 minutes before the scheduled time, and make sure to use your name so the clerk can identify the candidate. Please use this link to join https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238. The clerk will allow you to unmute and turn on your video when it’s your turn.
Vacancy Information
A summary of the openings, eligibility requirements, and term lengths for each vacancy are included below. In addition to the eligibility requirements below, no commissioners may be Councilmembers, officers, or employees of the City.
Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC)
Number of Vacancies and
Term Dates
4 Full Term Vacancies
11/1/2026 – 10/31/2029
Seat Numbers 1, 5, 6, 7
Number of Applicants 13
Number of Candidates to
Interview
Up to 10
Number of Votes per
Councilmember
8 Eligibility requirements3 Each member of the commission shall have a demonstrated interest in parks, open space and recreation matters. All members of the commission shall at all times be residents of Palo Alto.
3 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.25.010 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0- 0-0-61402
Item 2
Item 2 Staff Report
Item 2: Staff Report
Pg.
2 Packet Pg. 6 of 9
Public Art Commission (PAC)
Number of Vacancies and
Term Dates
2 Full Term Vacancies
11/1/2026 – 10/31/2029
Seat Numbers 2, 6
Number of Applicants 10
Number of Candidates to
Interview
Up to 6
Number of Votes per
Councilmember
4 Eligibility requirements5 Members shall be either members of the Architectural Review Board or shall be professional visual artists, professional visual arts educators, professional visual arts scholars or visual arts collectors whose authorities and skills are known and
respected in the community and whenever feasible, who have demonstrated interest in, and have participated in, the arts program of the City of Palo Alto.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: BCC Applications Links
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
5 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.18.020 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0- 0-0-61257
Item 2
Item 2 Staff Report
Item 2: Staff Report
Pg.
3 Packet Pg. 7 of 9
Attachment A
Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
Staff Report: 2609-6752
BCC Applications Links
BCC applications were published in full as part of the September 14, 2026 City Council Agenda Packet. In order to reduce paper consumption, staff is providing the below links to the applications in lieu of re-printing them.
Human Relations Commission Applications – Redacted
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=220e5fc5-f6fd- 4544-8e34-35b97259f6ff
Parks and Recreation Commission Applications – Redacted https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=255a9717- 7c51-4169-ac62-85bdf54bea86
Planning and Transportation Commission Applications – Redacted https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=e3cff965- d43a-4a19-8a44-522787415cac
Public Art Commission Applications – Redacted
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=f9161fc8- 1414-4664-afe5-fba5914aacd5
Stormwater Management Oversight Committee Applications – Redacted:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=22f65f81- 6e5b-45c1-8b9c-39eb8045effe
Item 2
Attachment A - BCC
Applications Links
Item 2: Staff Report
Pg.
4 Packet Pg. 8 of 9
City Council
Supplemental Report
From: Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
Meeting Date: September 22, 2026
Item Number: 2
Report #:2609-6802
TITLE
Supplemental Report: Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC); CEQA Status - Not a Project
BACKGROUND
This report transmits the Parks and Recreation Commission candidate interview schedule.
Candidate applications were published part of the September 14, 2026 City Council agenda packet and are available online1.
Time Applicant Participation Method
8:10-8:20 Aubrey Whitcomb In-person
8:20-8:30 Virginia Ruiz Albacete Zoom
8:30-8:40 Abhijit Solanki Zoom
8:40-8:50 Sterling Watson In-person
8:50-9:00 Shani Kleinhaus In-person
9:00-9:10 Musaab Farooqui Zoom
9:10-9:20 Ben Lenail Zoom
9:20-9:30 Marc Schoenen
9:30-9:40 Leo Hochberg In-person
9:40-9:50 Bing Betty Wei Zoom
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
1 City Council, September 14, 2026; Agenda Item 2; SR# 2606-6492 https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/viewer/preview?id=0&type=8&uid=b19da62e-368b-47b7-a40a- d246222e7271
Item 2
Item 2 Supplemental Report
Item 2: Staff Report
Pg.
1 Packet Pg. 9 of 9