CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, October 26, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
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 Comment for items not on the agenda will be accepted for up to 1-3 minutes or an amount of time determined by the Chair. In-person comments will be heard at the beginning of the agenda and remote comments will be heard at the end of the agenda. In-person general public comment will be heard for 30 minutes. Additional in-person 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 1-3 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 [email protected] 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 email to [email protected] 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 October 26, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
CALL TO ORDER
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES APPOINTMENTS (5:30 - 5:45 PM)
1. Appointment of Candidates to the Public Art Commission (PAC) and Stormwater Management Oversight Committee (SWMOC); CEQA Status - Not a Project CLOSED SESSION (5:45 - 6:30 PM)
2. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Authority: Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 1900 Embarcadero Road
Negotiating Parties: BioScience Property Investments
City Negotiators: Karin North, Brad Eggleston, Sunny Tong Subject of Potential Negotiations: Price and Terms of Payment
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
IN-PERSON PUBLIC COMMENT (6:30 - 7:00 PM)
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of speakers. In-person comments will be heard at the beginning of the agenda and remote comments will be heard at the end of the agenda. In-person Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional in-person public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the agenda.
COUNCIL MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS (7:00 - 7:10 PM) Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
STUDY SESSION (7:10 - 8:10 PM)
3. Review of 2026-2027 Winter Storm Preparedness Activities CONSENT CALENDAR (8:10 - 8:15 PM)
Items will be voted in one motion unless removed from the calendar by three Council Members.
4. Approval of Minutes from October 13, 2026 Meeting
5. Approval of the FY 2028-2029 Human Services Resource Allocation Process (HSRAP) Program Expansion with Additional Annual Funding in the Amount of $428,000; CEQA2 October 26, 2026 Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
Not a Project
6. Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 18.20 (Office, Research, and Manufacturing (MOR, ROLM, RP and GM) Districts) of Title 18 (Zoning) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Clarify that Multiple-Family Residential Uses in the ROLM(E) Zone District May Be Permitted Through a Use Permit; CEQA Status: Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
7. Adoption of an Ordinance amending the FY 2027 Municipal Fee Schedule and Making Findings Regarding the Reasonable Cost to Issue Permits for Solar Energy Systems. CEQA Status: Not a project.
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS (8:15 - 8:25 PM)
BREAK (15 MINUTES)
ACTION ITEMS (Item 8: 8:40 - 10:10 PM; Item 9: 10:10 - 10:55 PM) Include: Report of Committees/Commissions, Ordinances and Resolutions, Public Hearings, Report of Officials, Unfinished Business and Council Matters.
8. Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Palo Alto Municipal Code (PAMC) Section
18.40.140 (Stream Corridor Protection). CEQA Status: Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Actions for Protection of the Environment).
9. Adoption of a Temporary Ordinance Imposing a Moratorium on the Establishment of New or Expanded Detention and Custodial Facilities within Palo Alto City Limits
VIRTUAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. 1-3 minutes depending on number of speakers. In-person comments will be heard at the beginning of the agenda and remote comments will be heard at the end of the agenda. In-person Public Comment is limited to 30 minutes. Additional in-person public comments, if any, will be heard at the end of the 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. Monthly Investment Report - September 2026 (Unaudited) 3 October 26, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.
B. City of Palo Alto's Energy Risk Management Report for the second half of Fiscal Year 2026 (January 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026) CEQA Status – Not a Project
OTHER INFORMATION
Standing Committee Meetings this week
Public Comment Letters
Schedule of Meetings
4 October 26, 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 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 Zoombased 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 Google Play Store and enter in the Meeting ID below.
◦ You may be asked to enter an email 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 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 [email protected]. Requests for assistance or accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or service.
5 October 26, 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.
6 October 26, 2026
Materials submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at www.paloalto.gov/agendas.