City Council - January 31, 2026

Council considers City Attorney appointment in closed session

The Palo Alto City Council held a closed session Jan. 31 to consider appointing a City Attorney and to confer with labor negotiators regarding the unrepresented City Attorney. No final action was publicly reported before the meeting adjourned.

Before the closed session, public commenters urged the council to use transparent qualitative and quantitative criteria when evaluating council-appointed officers. Speakers also said the prospective City Attorney should support the city’s climate and sustainability goals and provide legal advice that enables lawful progress toward those policies.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting agenda