CITY COUNCIL
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Special Meeting
September 28, 2026
The City Council of the City of Palo Alto met on this date in the Council Chambers and by virtual teleconference at 5:30 P.M.
Present In Person: Burt, Lauing, Lu, Lythcott-Haims, Reckdahl, Veenker Present Remotely: Stone (Just Cause Alternative Teleconference)
Absent:
Special Orders of the Day
1. Caltrain Presentation of Framework for a ”No External Funding Scenario”. CEQA Status – Not a Project Item Removed Off Agenda
2. Review Applications and Select Candidates to Interview for the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC), and Stormwater Management Oversight Committee (SWMOC) Vacancies; CEQA Status – Not a Project
NO ACTION
Closed Session
3. CONFERENCE WITH CITY ATTORNEY-POTENTIAL LITIGATION
Subject: Significant exposure to litigation
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Number of potential cases: 1, as Defendant
MOTION: Councilmember Lauing moved, seconded by Councilmember Reckdahl to go into Closed Session.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
Council went into Closed Session at 5:50 P.M.
Council returned from Closed Session at 6:20 P.M.
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 09/28/2026
Mayor Veenker announced City of Palo Alto v. Gary Wetzel, et al. on September 14, 2026 the Council authorized the City Attorney’s Office to accept a settlement offer in the amount of $244,254 paid by the Wetzel’s insurer in exchange for a global release of claims and the vote was 7-0. The settlement was finalized on September 17, 2026.
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions
In-Person Public Comment
Council Member Questions, Comments and Announcements
Consent Calendar
MOTION: Councilmember Reckdahl moved, seconded by Councilmember Lythcott-Haims to approve Agenda Item Numbers 4-13.
MOTION PASSED: 7-0
4. Approval of Minutes from August 19, September 9, and September 14, 2026 Meetings
5. Approval of a Letter of Intent with Maker Nexus for collaboration on a long-term publicprivate partnership for a new multi-generational makerspace at the Cubberley site; CEQA status - Mitigated Negative Declaration Approved on May 19, 2026.
6. Approval of the Acceptance of State of California Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) Funds of $211,000 and a Budget Amendment in the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund for revenue and municipal police service expenses; CEQA status – not a project.
7. Approval of a Term Sheet with Friends of the Recreation Wellness Center to Advance a Public-Private Partnership for a New Recreation Wellness Center at the Cubberley Site; CEQA status – Mitigated Negative Declaration Approved on May 19, 2026.
8. Approval of a Professional Services and SaaS Agreement C27195677 with TruePoint Solutions, LLC DBA GovPath for an Amount Not-to-Exceed $3,486,301 for the Licensing, Maintenance, and Support of the City’s Building Permitting System on the Accela Platform for a Period of Five Years; CEQA Status - Not a Project.
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 09/28/2026
9. Approval of Professional Services Contract No. C27197334 with Cascadia Consulting Group, Inc. for a Waste Characterization Study of the City’s Municipal Solid Waste Stream in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $270,233; CEQA Status – Exempt under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061, 15262
10. Approval of Contract Amendment Number 2 to Contract C21181846 with CAD Masters, Inc. in the Amount of $420,000 for a total not to exceed $2,370,000 for Continued Support of Utility Engineering Systems and Applications through August 2, 2029 (a total of 8 years); CEQA Status: Not a Project Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15378
11. Approval of Amendment No. 4 to Contract No. C20176877 with Schaaf & Wheeler Consulting Civil Engineers to Extend the Contract Term Through June 30, 2027 for the Corporation Way System Upgrades and Pump Station (SD-21000), West Bayshore Road Pump Station (SD-20000), and West Bayshore Trunk Line Improvements (SD-23000) Projects; CEQA Status - Exempt Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301
12. 706 Cowper Street [26PLN-00144]. Council Preliminary Review for Comprehensive Plan Land Use Plan Map Amendment to Allow an Approximately 400 Square Foot Commercial Addition to a Category 1 Historic Resource in the Multiple-Family Residential Land Use Designation. CEQA Status: Not a Project.
13. QUASI-JUDICIAL. 3200 Park/340 Portage: Final Map and Street Naming [26PLN-00009]:
Request for a Final Map to Subdivide One Existing 3.92-Acre Parcel for Condominium Purposes, Consistent with the Approved Development Agreement, and to Name the New Private Streets. Zone District: PC 5597. CEQA Status: Council Adopted Resolution 10123 Certifying the EIR for the Project on September 12, 2023 (SCH # 2021120444).
City Manager Comments
Kiely Nose, Assistant City Manager
Action Items
14. Direction to advance the Locally Preferred Alternatives for Grade Separation at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road crossings to 35% design and environmental documentation. CEQA Status – Statutorily Exempt.
Councilmember Reckdahl recused from agenda item number 14.
MOTION: Councilmember Lu moved, seconded by Councilmember Lauing to direct proceeding with the 35% design phase and preparation of environmental documentation for the selected
DRAFT ACTION MINUTES
Sp. City Council Meeting
Draft Action Minutes: 09/28/2026
alternatives at the Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road crossings and direction to evaluate the traffic impacts of constructing Charleston only.
MOTION PASSED: 6-0-1, Reckdahl Recused
Virtual Public Comment
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 P.M.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
____________________ ____________________
City Clerk Mayor
NOTE: Action minutes are prepared in accordance with Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC)
2.04.160(a) and (b). Summary minutes (sense) are prepared in accordance with PAMC Section
2.04.160(c). Beginning in January 2018, in accordance with Ordinance No. 5423, the City Council found action minutes and the video/audio recordings of Council proceedings to be the official records of both Council and committee proceedings. These recordings are available on the City’s website.