Palo Alto, CA

City Council Regular Meeting

The City Council will hold a public hearing to replace temporary ordinances implementing state housing laws. The body will also review the 2025 Greenhouse Gas Inventory and consider several service contracts.

• Public hearing to amend Municipal Code regarding SB 9, SB 450, and other state housing laws
• Contract amendment for SWA Services Group, Inc. increasing compensation by $293,501 for janitorial services
• Blanket purchase order with Graniterock Company for $400,000 annually ($1.2 million total) for asphalt materials
• Affordable housing regulatory agreement change for a project at 3150 El Camino Real
• Review of 2025 Greenhouse Gas Inventory and S/CAP Key Performance Indicators

Economic Development Committee Special Meeting

The Economic Development Committee will consider recommending an amendment to the Entertainment Zone Ordinance to include Ramona Street. The committee will also review the Economic Development Activity Report for November 2026.

• Recommendation to amend the Entertainment Zone Ordinance to establish an Entertainment Zone on Ramona Street

Finance Committee Special Meeting - CANCELED

Utilities Advisory Commission Regular Meeting

The Utilities Advisory Commission will consider recommendations for updating reserve management practices for water, gas, electric, and wastewater utilities. The body will also discuss the FY 2028 financial forecast and a new structure for electric system capacity reservation charges.

• Proposed updates to Capital Improvement Program Reserve for Wastewater Collection Utility
• Proposed updates to Rate Stabilization Reserves for Electric, Gas, Water, and Wastewater Collection Utilities
• Discussion of Fiscal Year 2028 Preliminary Utilities Financial Forecast and Rate Projections
• Proposed new Capacity Reservation Agreement Structure and Reservation Charge for electric system capacity
• Informational report on Dahl and Park Storage Reservoir condition assessment

Architectural Review Board Regular Meeting - CANCELED

City Council Regular Meeting

The City Council will discuss a rezoning request for a proposed eight-story residential building and review design plans for the Quarry Road Transit Connection. The body will also vote on several contracts and ordinances, including a moratorium on detention facilities.

• Rezoning request for 200 residential rental units at 720 San Antonio Road
• Contract with Veolia North America for electrification services up to $3,012,410
• Contract amendment for Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP for audit services up to $1,491,651
• Ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on detention and custodial facilities
• Authorization for final design of Bryant Street Bike Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue Traffic Calming

Rail Committee Regular Meeting

The Rail Committee will discuss design alternatives and network enhancements for the South Palo Alto Bike/Ped Connectivity project. The meeting also includes verbal updates on activities from Caltrain, VTA, and City Staff.

• Recommendation on preferred design alternatives for the Midtown Bicycle and Pedestrian Undercrossing

Policy & Services Committee Regular Meeting

The Policy and Services Committee will discuss the orientation and onboarding outline for new council members. The body will also consider a potential new procedure for how council members make referrals to staff.

• Review of New Council Member Orientation / Onboarding Outline
• Discussion of potential new procedure for Councilmembers to make referrals to staff

Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Regular Meeting - CANCELED

Planning & Transportation Commission Regular Meeting

The Planning and Transportation Commission will review transit connection plans and consider a zoning text amendment to expand development benefits for historic buildings. One residential subdivision request has been rescheduled.

• Review of 60% plans for the Quarry Road Transit Connection
• Public hearing for 51 Encina Avenue regarding Zoning Text Amendments to expand floor area bonus and transfer of development right benefits for historic buildings
• Rescheduled item: Vesting Tentative Map for 531 Stanford to subdivide a parcel into 20 residential lots

Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting

The Parks and Recreation Commission will discuss concept designs for exhibits at the Foothills Nature Preserve Interpretive Center. The body will also review funding partner opportunities and recognize the service of two commissioners.

• Feedback on concept design for Foothills Nature Preserve Interpretive Center exhibits
• Discussion of funding partners opportunities for the Interpretive Center
• Recognition of service for Commissioners Brown and Deng

City Council Special Meeting

The City Council will discuss a temporary ordinance to block new or expanded detention facilities. The body is also deciding on zoning changes for multiple-family residential uses and stream corridor protections.

• Proposed moratorium on new or expanded detention and custodial facilities
• Additional $428,000 annual funding for FY 2028-2029 Human Services Resource Allocation Process
• Zoning ordinance to allow multiple-family residential uses in ROLM(E) Zone District via use permit
• Ordinance amending the FY 2027 Municipal Fee Schedule for solar energy system permits
• Ordinance amending Municipal Code Section 18.40.140 regarding Stream Corridor Protection

The City Council adopted a temporary ordinance imposing a moratorium on new or expanded detention and custodial facilities. The Council also approved funding for human services and updated zoning codes regarding stream corridor protection.

• Adopted moratorium on new or expanded detention and custodial facilities (7-0)
• Approved $428,000 in additional annual funding for FY 2028-2029 Human Services Resource Allocation Process (7-0)
• Adopted ordinance updating PAMC Section 18.40.140 regarding Stream Corridor Protection (7-0)
• Amended FY 2027 Municipal Fee Schedule for solar energy system permits (7-0)
• Appointed Harriet Stern and Claude Ezran to the Public Art Commission
• Appointed Catherine Perman and Gregory Bennett to the Stormwater Management Oversight Committee
• Approved minutes from October 13, 2026 meeting (7-0)

City Schools Liaison Committee Regular Meeting

The committee will receive updates from the Palo Alto Unified School District and the City of Palo Alto. Members will hold a follow-up discussion on e-bike advocacy efforts and receive updates from Project Safety Net and Youth Community Services.

• Follow-up discussion on e-bike updates and advocacy efforts
• Update from Project Safety Net and Youth Community Services
• Updates from Palo Alto Unified School District
• Updates from the City of Palo Alto

Stormwater Management Oversight Committee

The Storm Water Management Oversight Committee will review actual expenditures for Fiscal Year 2026 and the adopted budget for 2027. The body is also scheduled to take action on a memorandum regarding Fiscal Year 2026 actual expenditures.

• Approval of April 13, 2026 meeting minutes
• Review of Fiscal Year 2026 actuals and 2027 adopted budget
• Action on memorandum for Fiscal Year 2026 actual expenditures
• Capital update
• Committee member recruitment and expiration updates

Economic Development Committee Regular Meeting - CANCELED

Finance Committee Regular Meeting

The Finance Committee will review financing for a grid modernization project and funding targets for a water quality plant. The body is tasked with providing recommendations to the City Council on these items.

• Recommendation to authorize tax-exempt electric revenue bonds up to $100 million for the Grid Modernization for Electrification Project
• Recommendation on reserve categories and target funding for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant

The Finance Committee recommended that the City Council authorize the issuance of up to $100 million in tax-exempt Electric Revenue Bonds for grid modernization. Additionally, the committee recommended establishing new reserve categories and funding targets for the Regional Water Quality Control Plant.

• Recommended $100M electric revenue bond issuance (3-0)
• Recommended 1% rate increase cap for Series 2027 bonds (3-0)
• Recommended new reserve categories for water quality plant (3-0)
• Recommended 5-year funding timeline for water plant reserves (3-0)

City Council Regular Meeting

The City Council will discuss a Caltrain funding framework and interview candidates for city commissions. The body is also deciding on several consent items including child care partnerships, parking regulations, and a large communications contract.

• Purchase orders with Packet Fusion for Zoom Government solutions not to exceed $1,206,456
• Ordinance prohibiting overnight parking of oversized vehicles in residential areas and an Embarcadero Road permit pilot
• Letter of Intent with Palo Alto Community Child Care for expanded child care at the Cubberley site
• Ordinance to reduce special setback at 3300 El Camino Real (Hansen Way) from 50 feet to 20 feet
• Appeal regarding the removal of four protected Coast Redwoods at 751 Waverley Street

The City Council approved an ordinance prohibiting overnight parking of oversized vehicles in residential areas and a $1.2M contract for Zoom communications solutions. Other actions included funding for a neighborhood grant program and a setback reduction at 3300 El Camino Real.

• Approved ordinance prohibiting overnight oversized vehicle parking in residential areas (6-1)
• Approved $1,206,456 contract for Zoom Government Unified Communications Solutions (7-0)
• Approved $15,000 for Know Your Neighbors Grant Program (7-0)
• Approved Letter of Intent with Palo Alto Community Child Care for Cubberley site partnership (7-0)
• Approved setback reduction from 50 to 20 feet at 3300 El Camino Real (7-0)
• Upheld permit to remove four protected Coast Redwoods at 751 Waverley Street (7-0)
• Authorized filing of amicus brief in Willow Project LLC v. City of Menlo Park et al. (7-0)
• Approved minutes from September 28 and October 5, 2026 meetings (7-0)

Public Art Commission Regular Meeting - CANCELED

Architectural Review Board Regular Meeting

The Architectural Review Board will hold a public hearing regarding a request by AT&T to install wireless communication equipment. The board will also review meeting minutes from August and September 2026.

• Public hearing for AT&T request [26PLN-00229] to collocate antennas, remote radio units, and seven-foot fiberglass pole extensions near 670 Guinda Street and 754 Homer Avenue

Planning & Transportation Commission Regular Meeting - CANCELED

City Council Special Meeting

The City Council is holding a special meeting to consider the potential release of documents. These documents relate to an offer to purchase the Cubberley Community Center property.

• Potential release of documents related to offer to purchase Cubberley Community Center property

The City Council met on October 13, 2026, to discuss the potential release of documents regarding the purchase offer for the Cubberley Community Center property. The Council voted unanimously to release two specific appraisal documents from 2024.

• Approved release of August 29, 2024 and September 5, 2024 appraisals (7-0)

Policy & Services Committee Special Meeting

Palo Alto's Policy and Services Committee meets Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM in a hybrid format. The committee will discuss and possibly recommend to the City Council implementation of Housing Element Program 3.9A, which aims to identify incentives at strategic locations to shift the economic benefit of redevelopment from commercial toward home building. The City Auditor will also present an audit of the Below Market Rate Housing Program and a follow-up report on FY2026 audit recommendations. Public comment is accepted in person and by Zoom.

• Discussion and possible recommendation on Housing Element Program 3.9A, intended to identify incentives at strategic locations to shift redevelopment benefits from commercial toward home building
• City Auditor presentation of the Below Market Rate Housing Program audit report
• City Auditor presentation of the FY2026 Audit Recommendation Follow-up Report
• CEQA status: an addendum to the Comprehensive Plan EIR approved by the City Council on November 13, 2023 analyzed impacts of the 6th Cycle Housing Element including Program 3.9(A)
• Public comment accepted in person and remotely, with written comments to city.council@PaloAlto.gov

The Policy & Services Committee recommended that the City Council find the goals of Housing Element Program 3.9A are being met without further commercial development reductions. The committee also accepted two audit reports from the Office of the City Auditor.

• Recommended City Council find Housing Element Program 3.9A intent is achieved and no further commercial development reductions are warranted (3-0)
• Recommended City Council consider commercial linkage fee changes via development impact fee update (3-0)
• Recommended City Council consider office development building standards during 2028 code update (3-0)
• Directed staff to return in 2027 regarding a construction labor standards ordinance (3-0)
• Accepted Below Market Rate Housing Program Audit results (3-0)
• Accepted FY2026 Audit Recommendation Follow-up Report results (3-0)

Human Relations Commission Meeting Regular Meeting

The Palo Alto Human Relations Commission meets Thursday, October 08, 2026 at 6:00 PM in a hybrid format to approve prior meeting minutes and take up three business items. The commission will discuss the proposed 2027 City Council meeting schedule and citywide dates of significance, determine priority of needs for HSRAP FY 2028, and examine HOA fee stabilization and affordability protections for below market rate homeowners. No dollar amounts or specific contracts appear in the agenda text.

• Approval of minutes from the August 13 and September 10, 2026 HRC meetings
• Discussion of the proposed 2027 City Council meeting schedule and review of the Citywide Dates of Significance List
• Presentation and determination of priority of needs for HSRAP FY 2028 (45 minutes)
• Examination of HOA fee stabilization and affordability protections for below market rate homeowners (30 minutes)
• Public comment accepted in person at the start and remotely at the end of the agenda

Historic Resources Board Regular Meeting - CANCELED

Utilities Advisory Commission Regular Meeting

The Utilities Advisory Commission meets Wednesday, October 7, 2026 to review water and wastewater rate design guidelines, recommend that the City Council authorize up to $100,000,000 in tax-exempt electric revenue bonds for grid modernization, and consider updated Low Carbon Fuel Standards program guidelines. The Commission will also approve minutes from its September 2, 2026 meeting and hear a Utilities Director report. Informational items on data center capacity reservation and voluntary residential time-of-use electric rate enrollment are listed for reference only, not action.

• Recommendation to City Council to authorize issuance and sale of tax-exempt electric revenue bonds with principal not-to-exceed $100,000,000 for Electric Grid Modernization
• Approval of Water and Wastewater Collection Rate Design Guidelines and Principles
• Updated Palo Alto Low Carbon Fuel Standards Program Guidelines, including a definition for low-income and a cost-allocation methodology
• Approval of minutes from the September 2, 2026 Utilities Advisory Commission meeting
• Informational only: framework for data center capacity reservation and cost recovery; update on voluntary residential time-of-use electric rate enrollment

The Utilities Advisory Commission approved the September 2, 2026 meeting minutes and recommended several policy and financial items to the City Council. The commission recommended adoption of water and wastewater rate design guidelines, recommended a tax-exempt electric revenue bond not to exceed $100,000,000 for electric grid modernization, and recommended a low-income definition for the Low Carbon Fuel Standards program.

• Approved September 2, 2026 meeting minutes (7-0)
• Motion to defer Water and Wastewater Rate Design Guidelines failed (3-4)
• Recommended City Council adopt Water and Wastewater Rate Design Guidelines and Principles (4-2-1)
• Recommended City Council approve issuance and sale of tax-exempt electric revenue bonds not to exceed $100,000,000 (5-2)
• Recommended City Council adopt low-income definition for LCFS program including Rate Assistance Program eligibility (7-0)

Finance Committee Regular Meeting - CANCELED

Public Art Commission Special Meeting

The Palo Alto Public Art Commission holds a special meeting on October 6, 2026 to review public art tied to private developments and to decide funding for Code:ART 2027. Action items include final approval of art at 3415-3431 Hillview Avenue and 900-910 Arastradero Road, and a proposal by artist Giles Miller for the 3150 El Camino Real project. The commission will also consider up to $375,000 in in-lieu funds for downtown projection mapping and up to $70,000 from the Art in Public Places CIP for temporary interactive media installations, plus acceptance of donated artworks.

• Final review and approval of public art for the 3415-3431 Hillview Avenue and 900-910 Arastradero Road project, presented by SLATE Art Consulting and Harvest Properties
• Approval of up to $375,000 in private development in-lieu funds for Code:ART 2027 projection mapping artworks in downtown Palo Alto
• Final review and approval of artist Giles Miller's public art proposal for the 3150 El Camino Real development
• Allocation of up to $70,000 from the Art in Public Places CIP for temporary Code:ART 2027 interactive media installations
• Acceptance of donated artworks by CASP artists Adrienne Defendi and Eric Fei Guan into the City's public art collection

City Council Regular Meeting

The Palo Alto City Council meets Monday, October 5, 2026, to make appointments to three commissions, hear a study session on managing consultant services, and vote on a consent calendar of contracts, policies, and budget items. Action items include approving FY 2027 work plans for four advisory bodies and taking positions on state and local measures on the November 3, 2026 ballot. A utilities report is provided for information only.

• Professional services contract C27196802 with BKF Engineers, not to exceed $1,294,522, for design of four-quadrant gate systems at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road railroad crossings (term ends December 31, 2029)
• Letters of intent with Avenidas and HeartFit for Life for a public-private partnership for expanded services for aging adults at the Cubberley site
• Surveillance use policies for security cameras at the Palo Alto Animal Shelter and the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo
• FY 2026 reappropriation requests to FY 2027 operating and capital improvement budgets, plus technical clean-up and budget appropriation amendments
• Council positions on state and local measures on the November 3, 2026 ballot; also FY 2027 work plans for the Architectural Review Board, Historic Resources Board, Planning and Transportation Commission, and Utilities Advisory Commission

The City Council appointed new members to the Human Relations, Parks and Recreation, and Planning and Transportation commissions. Council also approved a consent calendar including budget reappropriations and a contract for railroad crossing improvements, and established official positions on several November 2026 ballot measures.

• Appointed Katie Causey and Raizel Rosenberg to Human Relations Commission
• Appointed Haylea Hannah to Human Relations Commission (partial term)
• Appointed Shani Kleinhaus, Marc Schoenen, and Bing Betty Wei to Parks and Rec
• Appointed Virginia Ruiz Albacete to Parks and Recreation Commission
• Appointed Tom Siegel to Planning and Transportation Commission
• Approved $1.29M contract with BKF Engineers for railroad crossing design (7-0)
• Approved FY 2027 work plans for four city commissions (7-0)
• Adopted support/oppose positions on nine November 2026 ballot measures (7-0)

Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Special Meeting

The Palo Alto Climate Action and Sustainability Committee is holding a special hybrid meeting with one action item: an update on the Electric System Long Duration Resiliency, with CEQA status noted as 'Not a Project.' The agenda is otherwise procedural, covering public comment rules, staff and committee member comments, and future meeting scheduling.

• Update on Electric System Long Duration Resiliency; CEQA Status – Not a Project

The Climate Action and Sustainability Committee voted to recommend that the City Council direct staff to monitor utility scale battery storage estimates and propose hazard mitigations with capital improvement projects.

• Recommended City Council direct staff to provide updated local utility scale battery storage estimates to the UAC with the 2028 Integrated Resource Plan (3-0)
• Recommended City Council direct staff to review and propose hazard mitigations with recommended capital improvement projects (3-0)

Architectural Review Board Regular Meeting - CANCELED

City Council Special Meeting

This is a special meeting of the Palo Alto City Council. The main public item is interviewing candidates for vacancies on the Human Relations Commission (HRC) and the Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC). The meeting also includes closed-session items on performance evaluations for the City Clerk and City Attorney, and a labor negotiation conference.

• Interviews for Human Relations Commission (HRC) and Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC) vacancies
• Closed session: Public employee performance evaluations for City Clerk and City Attorney
• Closed session: Conference with labor negotiator for unrepresented employees (City Attorney, City Clerk, City Manager)

The City Council met to conduct interviews for commission vacancies and hold a closed session regarding employee evaluations, labor negotiations, and the Cubberley Site. No reportable actions were taken during the closed session.

• Interviewed candidates for Human Relations and Planning and Transportation commissions (no action)
• Approved motion to enter closed session (7-0)
• Closed session concluded with no reportable action

Planning & Transportation Commission Regular Meeting

Palo Alto's Planning and Transportation Commission meets Wednesday, September 30, 2026, to consider a recommendation on an ordinance replacing temporary rules that implemented state housing laws SB 9 and SB 450, amending parts of the municipal code on building, zoning, and subdivisions. The commission will also review preferred design alternatives for a Midtown bicycle and pedestrian undercrossing in South Palo Alto, and initial design concepts for the Bryant Street Bike Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue traffic calming project. The meeting is hybrid, in Council Chambers and by teleconference, with public comment accepted on each action item.

• Recommendation on an ordinance amending PAMC Titles 16 (Building Regulations), 18 (Zoning), and 21 (Subdivisions) to replace temporary ordinances implementing SB 9, SB 450, and other state housing laws
• South Palo Alto Bike/Ped Connectivity: review of preferred design alternatives and network enhancements for the Midtown Bicycle and Pedestrian Undercrossing
• Bryant Street Bike Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue Traffic Calming Project: initial design concepts
• Director's Report, meeting schedule, and assignments
• All three action items listed as exempt from CEQA under cited Public Resources Code and CEQA Guidelines sections

Human Relations Commission Special Meeting

The Human Relations Commission will consider recommending that the City Council take a position on California State Proposition 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026. This is the sole business item on the special meeting agenda, with action expected. The rest of the agenda is procedural, covering public comment, minutes approval, and reports.

• Consideration of recommending City Council position on California State Proposition 1, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 (action item, 30 minutes)

City Council Special Meeting

The Palo Alto City Council will consider advancing the Locally Preferred Alternatives for grade separations at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road to 35% design and environmental documentation. The agenda also includes closed-session litigation discussion, consent calendar approvals, and interviews for commission vacancies.

• Direction to advance grade separation designs at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road (Item 14)
• Approval of $3,486,301 contract with TruePoint Solutions for building permitting system (Item 8)
• Approval of $211,000 COPS funds for police services (Item 6)
• Approval of term sheet for Recreation Wellness Center at Cubberley site (Item 7)
• Final map for condominium subdivision at 3200 Park/340 Portage (Item 13)

The City Council approved the 35% design phase and environmental documentation for grade separation projects at Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road. The Council also approved a consent calendar containing various professional service agreements, public-private partnership letters of intent, and the acceptance of state public safety funds. Additionally, the Council finalized a settlement agreement regarding litigation involving the City and Gary Wetzel.

• Approved 35% design phase for grade separation projects (6-0-1)
• Approved $3.48M building permitting system contract (7-0)
• Approved $270,233 waste study contract (7-0)
• Approved $420,000 utility engineering contract amendment (7-0)
• Accepted $211,000 in state public safety funds (7-0)
• Approved makerspace and wellness center letters of intent (7-0)
• Approved minutes for three prior meetings (7-0)

City Schools Liaison Committee Regular Meeting - CANCELED

City Council Special Meeting

The Palo Alto City Council is holding a special meeting with a closed session to evaluate the City Manager's performance and a public session to interview candidates for vacancies on the Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC) and Public Art Commission (PAC). The agenda is largely procedural, with no policy decisions or public hearings listed.

• Closed session: Public Employee Performance Evaluations for City Manager (Cal. Gov. Code §54957(b))
• Interview candidates for Parks & Recreation Commission (PRC) vacancies
• Interview candidates for Public Art Commission (PAC) vacancies

The City Council met for closed sessions regarding real property negotiations and a performance evaluation. No action was taken on the interviews for Parks & Recreation Commission vacancies.

• Approved motion to enter Closed Session (7-0)

Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting

The Parks and Recreation Commission will review proposed guidelines for synthetic turf use on playgrounds and consider a recommendation on the Foothills Nature Preserve Improvement Project (PE-21000). The meeting also includes approval of July minutes, reports, and public comment periods.

• Review proposed Playground Synthetic Turf Use Guidelines
• Park Improvements Ordinance recommendation for Foothills Nature Preserve Improvement Project (PE-21000)
• Approval of minutes from July 28, 2026
• Council Liaison Report and Department Report
• Ad Hoc Committees and Liaison Updates

Public Art Commission Regular Meeting

The Public Art Commission will hold a regular hybrid meeting to review a public art in private development project at 3415-3431 Hillview Avenue and 900-910 Arastradero Road, presented by SLATE Art Consulting and Harvest Properties. The commission will also consider allocating funds from the Public Art Fund for Code:ART 2027 projection mapping artworks. The agenda includes approval of the August 20, 2026 minutes and public comment periods.

• Interim review of public art project at 3415-3431 Hillview Avenue and 900-910 Arastradero Road
• Allocation of Public Art Fund for Code:ART 2027 projection mapping artworks
• Approval of August 20, 2026 meeting minutes

Architectural Review Board Regular Meeting

The Architectural Review Board will hold a public hearing to consider a request for a Major Architectural Review of a Master Sign Program at 950 Page Mill Road. The proposal includes a multi-tenant monument sign with non-tenant branding and four tenant identification panels. The project is exempt from CEQA and is in the RP (Research Park) zoning district.

• Public hearing on Master Sign Program for 950 Page Mill Road
• Multi-tenant monument sign with 'Page Mill Labs' branding
• Four tenant identification panels
• CEQA exemption under Guidelines Section 15311 (Accessory Structures)
• Zoning district: RP (Research Park)