Palo Alto, CA

Finance Committee Regular Meeting - CANCELED

City Schools Liaison Committee Special Meeting

The City/School Liaison Committee will hold a special meeting to approve minutes from its April 23 and May 28, 2026 sessions. The agenda includes updates from the Palo Alto Unified School District and the City of Palo Alto, as well as a discussion of the JED Report. No specific decisions on new policies or budgets are listed in the provided text.

• Approval of minutes for the April 23, 2026, meeting
• Approval of minutes for the May 28, 2026, meeting
• Discussion of the JED Report

Utilities Advisory Commission Regular Meeting

The Utilities Advisory Commission will discuss and potentially act on several items, including a recommendation to the City Council on proposed updates to utility reserve management policies based on a Baker Tilly advisory report, and an update to the 2026 Wildfire Mitigation Plan. They will also hear a presentation on partnering norms for staff and commissioners and receive an update on electric system long-duration resiliency. The meeting includes public comment periods and approval of the August 5, 2026 minutes.

• Discussion of Baker Tilly Reserves Advisory Report and recommendation to City Council on proposed policy updates to Utilities Reserve Management Policies
• Action on City of Palo Alto Utilities Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP) 2026 Update
• Update on Electric System Long Duration Resiliency
• Special presentation and discussion on Partnering Norms for Staff and Commissioners Effectiveness
• Approval of minutes from August 5, 2026 meeting

Architectural Review Board Regular Meeting

Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Regular Meeting

The Climate Action and Sustainability Committee will hold a regular hybrid meeting on September 4, 2026. The agenda includes two action items: a preliminary review of the 2025 Greenhouse Gas Inventory and an overview of Scope 3 emissions, followed by an overview of approaches to achieving the city's carbon neutrality goal. The committee will provide feedback on areas for further staff analysis. Public comment is available in person and via Zoom.

• Preliminary Review of the 2025 Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Overview of Scope 3 Emissions
• Overview of Approaches to Achieving the City's Carbon Neutrality Goal and Committee Feedback on Areas for Further Staff Analysis
• Hybrid meeting with in-person and Zoom participation options
• Public comment rules include 3-minute limits and spokesperson designation for groups of 5+

Rail Committee Regular Meeting

The Palo Alto Rail Committee will review locally preferred alternatives for grade separation at the Churchill Avenue, Meadow Drive, and Charleston Road crossings. The goal is to advance these projects into the 35% design and environmental review phase. The meeting also includes verbal updates on interagency activities with Caltrain, VTA, and City Staff.

• Review of Locally Preferred Alternatives for grade separation at Churchill Avenue crossing
• Review of Locally Preferred Alternatives for grade separation at Meadow Drive crossing
• Review of Locally Preferred Alternatives for grade separation at Charleston Road crossing
• Verbal update on Caltrain interagency activities
• Verbal update on VTA interagency activities

Policy & Services Committee & Human Relations Commission Joint Special Meeting

City Council Special Meeting

City Schools Liaison Committee Regular Meeting - CANCELED

Economic Development Committee Special Meeting

The Economic Development Committee will discuss and potentially act on the Business Retention, Expansion, and Attraction (BRE/A) Strategy and receive the August 2026 Economic Development Activity Report. Public comments will be accepted on these items.

• Business Retention, Expansion, and Attraction (BRE/A) Strategy
• Economic Development Activity Report August 2026

Planning & Transportation Commission Regular Meeting

The Planning and Transportation Commission will consider recommending an ordinance to allow multiple-family residential uses in the ROLM(E) zone district as conditional uses, and will hold a study session on design standards for the South of Forest Area (SOFA) plan. The meeting also includes a director's report and public comment periods.

• Ordinance amending Chapter 18.20 to clarify conditional permitting of multiple-family residential uses in ROLM(E) zone
• Study session on South of Forest Area (SOFA) Coordinated Area Plan Objective Design Standard Approach
• Director's Report, Meeting Schedule, and Assignments
• Public comment allowed on action items and study session; general public comment for non-agenda items

Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting - CANCELED

City Council Special Meeting

The Palo Alto City Council will hold a special meeting to review applications for the Historic Resources Board, discuss the Independent Police Auditor's semi-annual report, and take action on several consent calendar items. The main action items are authorizing new regulatory agreements for the Buena Vista Mobilehome Park redevelopment and launching two pilot programs for oversized vehicle parking, including new permit fees and restrictions.

• Authorization for City Manager to execute new and amended regulatory agreements for Buena Vista Mobilehome Park Redevelopment/3980 El Camino Real
• Launch two pilot OSV parking programs, including permit districts on Embarcadero Road and Coyote Hill Road and prohibitions on numerous streets
• Purchase order with Pivot Interiors Inc. for $441,056 for furniture for the new Laboratory and Environmental Services Building
• Amendment No. 2 to contract with CSWST2 adding $170,450 (total $360,302) for University Avenue Streetscape design services
• Second reading of ordinance to increase contract approval and settlement authority thresholds

Public Art Commission Regular Meeting

The Palo Alto Public Art Commission will hold a regular meeting to review and potentially approve the public art plan for a private development at 3150 El Camino Real, allocate up to $70,000 for temporary interactive media installations for Code:ART 2027, and accept donated artworks. The commission will also have an initial review of public art plans for developments at 3415-3431 Hillview Avenue and 900-910 Arastradero Road. Public comments are accepted in person or virtually.

• Final review and approval of public art plan at 3150 El Camino Real (presented by Danielle Wohl Art Consulting, artist Giles Miller, Acclaim Companies)
• Allocation of up to $70,000 from Art in Public Places CIP for Code:ART 2027 temporary interactive media installations
• Acceptance of artworks by CASP artists Adrienne Defendi and Eric Fei Guan
• Initial review of public art in private development at 3415-3431 Hillview Avenue and 900-910 Arastradero Road (presented by SLATE Art Consulting, Harvest Properties)

Architectural Review Board Regular Meeting

The Palo Alto Architectural Review Board will hold a study session to review two major projects: a preliminary architectural review for a new Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District field office at 1185 Skyline Boulevard, and a streamlined housing development review for a seven-story, 273-unit rental building at 3997 Fabian Way. The board will also approve minutes from its July 16 meeting and hear general public comments.

• 1185 Skyline Boulevard: Preliminary review of new Skyline Field Office (~36,480 sq ft) for Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
• 3997 Fabian Way: Streamlined housing review for 7-story, 273-unit rental development under State Density Bonus Law
• Approval of draft minutes from July 16, 2026 meeting
• Director's report on meeting schedule and upcoming agenda items

City Council Special Meeting - State of the City 2026

This is a special City Council meeting dedicated to the 2026 State of the City address. The agenda contains only this single item, with no other business or decisions listed. Public comments are accepted in person, via Zoom, or by phone.

• 2026 Palo Alto State of the City address

Economic Development Committee Regular Meeting- CANCELED

Finance Committee Regular Meeting

The Finance Committee will discuss and vote on a recommendation to the City Council to refinance the 2009A Water Revenue Bonds, authorizing up to $20 million in tax-exempt refunding bonds. The meeting includes public comment periods for both agenda and non-agenda items.

• Refinancing of 2009A Water Revenue Bonds, Series A, with up to $20,000,000 in tax-exempt refunding bonds
• Recommendation to City Council to adopt resolution authorizing bond issuance and sale
• Approval of related documents: Official Notice of Sale, Indenture of Trust, Official Statement

The Finance Committee voted 2-0 (with one member absent) to recommend the City Council authorize staff to refinance the outstanding 2009A Water Revenue Bonds through new tax-exempt refunding bonds, not to exceed $20 million. The motion also recommends approving related documents, including the Official Notice of Sale, Indenture of Trust, and Official Statement. The item is not a project under CEQA.

• Recommended City Council authorize refinancing of 2009A Water Revenue Bonds via up to $20M in refunding bonds
• Recommended City Council approve Official Notice of Sale, Indenture of Trust, Official Statement, and related documents
• Motion passed 2-0-1, with member Burt absent

City Council Regular Meeting

The Palo Alto City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposal to demolish three commercial buildings at 762 San Antonio Road and construct an eight-story, 228-unit rental apartment building under the state's 'Builders Remedy'. The council will also consider an ordinance amending municipal codes regarding accessory dwelling units, and will vote on consent items including a contract for electric supplies, an expansion of the overnight warming/cooling program, and a design services contract. The meeting begins with closed-session discussions on litigation and negotiations for the Cubberley site.

• Public hearing on 762 San Antonio Road: demolish 3 commercial buildings, build 8-story, 228-unit apartment building
• Ordinance amending Titles 16 and 18 of municipal code regarding accessory and junior accessory dwelling units
• Contract C27196410 with Salas O'Brien Engineers, Inc. for $298,716 for electrification design services
• Expansion of overnight warming/cooling location program and emergency inclement weather response framework
• Closed session: litigation (Swinerton v. City) and real property negotiations for 4000 Middlefield Road (Cubberley Site)

The City Council approved a major architectural review for an eight-story, 228-unit rental apartment building at 762 San Antonio Road, under the state's 'Builder's Remedy' provision, with a 7-0 vote. The council also directed staff to return with an ordinance allowing separate ADU conveyance, after a substitute motion passed 4-3. Consent items, including an electric supply resolution and a design services contract, were approved 7-0. The meeting included closed session discussions on litigation and property negotiations, with no reportable action.

• Approved 762 San Antonio Road 8-story, 228-unit apartment project (7-0)
• Approved substitute motion to return ADU conveyance ordinance to Planning Commission (4-3)
• Approved consent items: electric supply resolution, warming/cooling program expansion, $298,716 design contract (7-0)
• Continued Cubberley site negotiations to a date uncertain

Historic Resources Board Regular Meeting

The Palo Alto Historic Resources Board will hold a public hearing on a major historic review for 1431 Waverley Street, involving demolition of an existing greenhouse and accessory structures on a Category 2 Historic Resource, and construction of a new greenhouse and one-story horticultural complex. The board will also review and submit its draft annual report and work plan to the City Council, and approve minutes from the June 11, 2026 meeting.

• Public hearing for Major Historic Review at 1431 Waverley Street [25PLN-00064] for demolition of greenhouse and accessory structures on Category 2 Historic Resource
• Rehabilitation includes new greenhouse and one-story horticultural complex with workshop, offices, nursery, and community room
• CEQA exempt under Guidelines Sections 15303 and 15302
• Review and submit HRB draft annual report and work plan to City Council
• Approval of draft minutes from June 11, 2026

Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting

The Human Relations Commission will hold a regular meeting with presentations and discussions on affordable senior housing, barriers to senior services, county policies affecting seniors, and property-tax qualifications for affordable senior housing projects. The meeting includes public comment periods and approval of the June 11, 2026 minutes.

• Presentations from Alta Housing, Eden Housing, and MidPen Housing on affordable senior housing projects
• Discussion on barriers to senior services, including perspectives from Avenidas and Alta Housing clients
• Presentation from a County policy analyst on regional legislation affecting seniors
• Presentation from the California State Board of Equalization on property-tax qualifications for affordable senior housing
• Approval of June 11, 2026 draft action minutes

The Human Relations Commission held a regular meeting with presentations on affordable senior housing, barriers to senior services, county policies, and property-tax qualifications. No formal decisions were made; the agenda was discussion-only, and the minutes from June 11, 2026, were approved.

• Approved June 11, 2026, draft action minutes

Planning & Transportation Commission Regular Meeting

The Planning and Transportation Commission will hold a public hearing on a proposed 82-unit multi-family residential development at 332 Forest Avenue and will also review and submit its 2026-27 work plan to the City Council. The meeting includes approval of draft minutes from June and July 2026.

• Public hearing on a Planned Home Zone application for an eight-story, 82-unit residential building at 332 Forest Avenue (RM-40 zone)
• Review and submission of the 2026-27 Commission work plan to the City Council
• Approval of draft summary minutes from June 10, 2026 and July 8, 2026

Policy & Services Committee Regular Meeting

The Policy and Services Committee will review an audit of the Junior Museum & Zoo and consider expanding the HSRAP Grant Program. Members will also provide feedback on the Alternative Housing Program and discuss a scope of work for legislative advocacy and grant consulting services.

• Presentation of the Junior Museum & Zoo Audit
• Proposed expansion of the HSRAP Grant Program
• Feedback on Housing Element Program 6.5: Alternative Housing Program, Objective B
• Approval of Scope of Work for State and Federal Legislative Advocacy and Grant Consulting and Compliance Services

The Policy & Services Committee voted 3-0 to recommend the City Council accept the Junior Museum & Zoo Audit results. It also voted 3-0 to request a joint session with the Human Relations Commission to discuss the HSRAP+ grant program expansion, and to focus Housing Element Program 6.5 on microhousing, shared housing, and senior housing in transit-oriented areas. The committee recommended City Council approve the scope of work for state and federal legislative advocacy and grant consulting services, subject to future budget availability.

• Recommended City Council accept Junior Museum & Zoo Audit results (3-0)
• Requested joint session with Human Relations Commission to discuss HSRAP+ grant expansion (3-0)
• Focused Housing Program 6.5 on microhousing, shared housing, senior housing in transit-oriented areas (3-0)
• Recommended City Council approve scope of work for legislative advocacy and grant consulting services (3-0)

City Council Regular Meeting

The Palo Alto City Council will meet on August 10, 2026, to vote on multiple contracts totaling over $2.8 million for city infrastructure projects, including traffic signals, substation repairs, and painting services. The meeting will also include second readings of zoning ordinances to update commercial downtown flexibility and retail vitality measures, as well as a public hearing on weed abatement assessments.

• Approval of $714,639 purchase order for traffic signal network switches
• $286,660 contract for Adobe Creek Substation load tap changer repairs
• $735,500 contract for substation painting services over 18 months
• Second reading of zoning updates for commercial downtown flexibility and retail vitality measures
• Public hearing on weed abatement assessments for special assessment on properties

The City Council approved a resolution authorizing interim borrowing of up to $31 million for improvements to the Regional Water Quality Control Plant, with a revolving credit agreement and related note for five years. The council also approved the final design for the Crescent Park Traffic Calming Project, including a reduced bulb-out at Southwood and East Crescent, and adopted resolutions on weed abatement assessments and committee membership changes. All consent calendar items were approved unanimously.

• Approved $31M interim borrowing for Regional Water Quality Control Plant improvements (7-0)
• Approved final design for Crescent Park Traffic Calming Project with reduced bulb-out (5-2)
• Adopted resolution confirming weed abatement assessments for 3500 Deer Creek Rd. (5-0, Lu and Veenker recused)
• Adopted resolution confirming weed abatement assessments for other properties (7-0)
• Reduced Stormwater Management Oversight Committee membership from 7 to 5 (7-0)
• Directed staff to evaluate Historic Resources Board term limits and explore other jurisdictions' practices (7-0)
• Approved consent calendar items 1-18, including contracts, ordinances, and budget amendments (7-0)

Climate Action and Sustainability Committee Regular Meeting

The Climate Action and Sustainability Committee is meeting to discuss various items, including the Youth Climate Advisory Board Annual Report and the RWQCP Biosolids Facility Plan Update. The meeting will also include public comments and verbal reports from staff and committee members. The agenda is primarily procedural, with no major decisions or discussions on specific projects or policies.

• Youth Climate Advisory Board Annual Report
• RWQCP Biosolids Facility Plan Update
• 2025 Greenhouse Gas Inventory

The committee voted 2-1 to recommend City Council accept the Biosolids Facility Plan Update and adopt a Park Dedication Ordinance for about 7.7 acres of the Measure E site at Byxbee Park. The motion also directs staff to continue current hauling, reserve 2.4 acres for future processing, and monitor regional partnerships. No action was taken on the Youth Climate Advisory Board report, and the greenhouse gas inventory item was not heard.

• Recommended accepting Biosolids Facility Plan Update (2-1)
• Recommended adopting Park Dedication Ordinance for 7.7 acres at Byxbee Park (2-1)
• Directed staff to continue dewatered solids hauling and offsite processing (2-1)
• Directed staff to reserve 2.4-acre site for future biosolids processing (2-1)
• Directed staff to monitor regional partnerships including San Jose P3 (2-1)
• No action taken on Youth Climate Advisory Board Annual Report
• Greenhouse gas inventory item not heard

Architectural Review Board Regular Meeting

The Architectural Review Board will meet to consider a recommendation on process and design standards for Tier 2 and Tier 3 wireless communication facilities. The meeting includes a director's report and a period for public comment.

• Recommendation on Process and Design Standards for Tier 2 and Tier 3 Wireless Communication Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way

The Architectural Review Board voted 5-0 to forward revised objective standards and review criteria for Tier 2 and Tier 3 wireless communication facilities in the public right-of-way to the Planning and Transportation Commission and City Council for adoption. The board made several edits during the meeting, including clarifying that antennas be enclosed in a shroud at the top of the pole, radio equipment placed as high as possible, and cabling concealed. The recommendation follows a July 16 study session and Ad Hoc Committee review.

• Forwarded revised wireless facility standards to PTC and Council (5-0)
• Recommended antennas be enclosed in a shroud at the top of the pole
• Recommended radio equipment be placed at the highest possible location on the pole
• Recommended cabling, wiring, and conduits be fully concealed within an adjacent shroud
• Struck undergrounding as a preferred option for radio equipment
• Agreed to include public and private schools and licensed childcare facilities in distance considerations
• Agreed that deviations from objective standards should be reviewed by the ARB

Utilities Advisory Commission Regular Meeting

The Utilities Advisory Commission will meet to review reliability metrics from 2025 and establish goals for the upcoming year. The body will also approve minutes from the June 3, 2026 meeting.

• Calendar Year 2025 Reliability Metric Update and Annual System Reliability Goal Setting
• Approval of June 3, 2026 meeting minutes
• Informational report on Utilities Quarterly Report for FY2026-Q3

The Utilities Advisory Commission approved the minutes from its June 3, 2026 meeting with a 5-0-1 vote (Commissioner Gupta abstaining). The commission took no action on the Calendar Year 2025 Reliability Metric Update and Annual System Reliability Goal Setting, which was presented as a report item. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved June 3, 2026 meeting minutes (5-0-1, Gupta abstain)
• No action taken on 2025 reliability metric update and annual goal setting

Finance Committee Regular Meeting - CANCELED

City Council Regular Meeting - CANCELED

Planning & Transportation Commission Regular Meeting - CANCELED

Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting

The Parks and Recreation Commission will review a Park Improvement Ordinance and environmental study for the Arastradero Creek Stabilization and Utility Line Relocation and Repair project. The body will also receive an update on nature connectivity efforts.

• Park Improvement Ordinance for Arastradero Creek Stabilization and Utility Line Relocation and Repair project
• Consideration of the CEQA Initial Study Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for Arastradero Creek project
• Informational update on Ad Hoc Nature Connectivity Efforts

City Schools Liaison Committee Regular Meeting - CANCELED

Architectural Review Board Regular Meeting

The Architectural Review Board will hold a study session regarding process and design standards for Tier 2 and Tier 3 wireless communication facilities. The board will also consider a draft annual report and work plan.

• Study session on Tier 2 and Tier 3 wireless communication facilities design standards
• Action item: Draft Architectural Review Board Annual Report and Work Plan
• Approval of meeting minutes from May 21, 2026, and June 4, 2026

The Architectural Review Board held a study session on developing new design standards for Tier 2 and Tier 3 wireless communication facilities in the public right-of-way, following the 2025 repeal of objective standards. No formal decision was made on the standards; instead, an ad hoc committee of two board members was formed to review and propose edits. The board also approved its draft annual report and work plan for submission to the City Council, with several revisions made during the meeting.

• Approved draft annual report and work plan (5-0)
• Approved minutes of May 21, 2026 (5-0)
• Approved minutes of June 4, 2026 (4-0-1, Chen abstained)
• Formed ad hoc committee (Adcock, Hirsch) to review wireless design standards
• Moved wireless communication facilities to higher priority in work plan
• Added California Avenue area as high priority under Project/Goal 4
• Moved 'Objective standards for diverse housing' and 'SOFA objective standards' to Project/Goal 3
• Removed 'Design guidance for major growth areas' from High Priority list

Human Relations Commission Regular Meeting - CANCELLED

Historic Resources Board Regular Meeting - CANCELED

Planning & Transportation Commission Regular Meeting

La Comisión de Planificación y Transporte llevará a cabo una audiencia pública para recomendar una enmienda al mapa de zonificación para 470 Olive Avenue, de residencial unifamiliar a uso mixto de densidad media, respaldando una determinación del personal para agregarlo como un sitio de inventario de vivienda. La comisión también revisará y presentará su plan de trabajo 2026-27 al Concejo Municipal y aprobará las actas de dos reuniones anteriores.

• Audiencia pública sobre la rezonificación de 470 Olive Avenue de NV-R1 a NV-MXM para alinearse con la parcela adyacente 2951 El Camino Real y abordar los requisitos de vivienda de No Pérdida Neta
• Revisión y presentación del plan de trabajo 2026-27 de la comisión al Concejo Municipal
• Aprobación de las actas preliminares de las reuniones del 13 de mayo y 27 de mayo de 2026

The Planning and Transportation Commission voted 3-3 on a motion to recommend rezoning 470 Olive Avenue from NV-R1 (single-family residential) to NV-MXM (medium density mixed use) and changing the land use designation accordingly. The motion failed, with Commissioners Templeton, Peterson, and Hechtman voting yes, and Commissioners Akin, Vice Chair Ji, and Chair Chang voting no. The Commission then voted 6-0 to forward the split recommendation to the City Council, noting concerns about ambiguity from state housing laws like the Density Bonus Law and SB 79.

• Failed to recommend rezoning 470 Olive Avenue to NV-MXM (3-3)
• Forwarded split recommendation to City Council with concerns about state housing law impacts (6-0)
• Continued work plan discussion to August 12, 2026, to incorporate proposed goals on Comprehensive Plan update and Commission efficiency (6-0)
• Approved May 13, 2026, draft summary minutes as revised (5-0-1)
• Approved May 27, 2026, draft summary minutes as revised (5-0-1)

Architectural Review Board Regular Meeting - CANCELED

Utilities Advisory Commission Regular Meeting - CANCELED