City Council - December 1, 2025

Council favors A2 for further rail-crossing study

The City Council directed staff to focus further evaluation of Option A for a new South Palo Alto bicycle and pedestrian rail crossing, with a preference for the A2 configuration. The action advances conceptual work rather than selecting a final route.

A1 would place a tunnel beneath the railroad between the Park Boulevard and El Dorado Avenue areas while using a signalized crossing at Alma Street. A2 would extend the grade separation beneath both the tracks and Alma. Council members requested a comparison of the two concepts covering cost, safety, traffic, routing, cul-de-sacs and potential property impacts.

The crossing’s east-side route remains unresolved. Several residents near El Dorado Avenue raised concerns about the street’s width, parking, traffic and safety, while other speakers supported A2 as a safer connection for students and other travelers. Staff will develop the A2 concept, continue community engagement and tentatively return to the council March 2, 2026, with additional analysis.

Bike plan will return with added focus on school routes and e-bikes

Council members asked staff to strengthen school-route safety, regional connections and e-bike policies before bringing the draft 2026 Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan back for adoption in early 2026. No formal action was requested during the study session.

The proposed 10-year strategy includes 44 near-term projects, including 16 bicycle projects and 23 crossing projects. It emphasizes a connected, low-stress network, bicycle boulevards and a proposed 20 mph speed limit on those routes.

Council feedback included prioritizing daylighting near schools and on the high-injury network, improving conditions for heavy student bicycle traffic near Palo Alto High School, addressing rolled-curb parking and strengthening connections with Stanford and neighboring cities. Members also sought more attention to Middlefield Road and additional state or local authority to regulate faster e-bikes.

Public commenters generally supported the plan’s safety goals but differed over the cost and effectiveness of major street projects, the use of separated bikeways and whether arterial streets receive sufficient attention. Staff will incorporate the feedback before returning with a final draft.

Airport weather and lighting work remains on consent calendar

The council approved airport weather-observation, runway-lighting and related work as part of the consent calendar after a request to pull the item for separate consideration failed.

Supporters described the work as a safety and situational-awareness improvement that would not increase airport operations. Opponents asked for more review of potential night operations, noise, emissions, Baylands wildlife impacts and federal grant requirements. The council did not separately deliberate on the item before approving the consent calendar.

Council approves compensation changes for appointed officers

The council approved amendments to the appointment agreements for the city manager, city attorney and city clerk following closed-session evaluations.

The changes provide 3% merit increases for the city manager and city attorney. The attorney’s increase will be contributed to a deferred 401(a) plan rather than added to salary reported for pension purposes. The clerk’s adjustment is intended to bring compensation to the market median.

Council members supporting the action cited the complexity of managing the city and the performance of the appointed-officer team. Public commenters questioned the manager’s increase and raised broader concerns about city responsiveness and contract oversight.

Council signals support for another neighborhood town-hall cycle

Council members generally supported restarting Palo Alto’s neighborhood town-hall series while calling for stronger outreach, clearer neighborhood groupings and better follow-up on residents’ concerns.

The city held eight hybrid town halls that collectively reached more than 2,000 residents. Suggested changes for the next cycle included street- or natural-boundary-based neighborhood maps, expanded publicity, refined council co-hosting procedures and better tracking of action items.

Members also questioned whether staffing levels at some sessions were proportionate to attendance and cost. Staff will work with the council on restarting the program and refining its format.

Council donates $1,000 for food-insecurity relief

The council approved a $1,000 donation from its contingency fund to Second Harvest in support of food-insecurity relief.

Primary sources

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