- City Council
City Council - January 6, 2025
Palo Alto elected Ed Lauing mayor and Vicki Veenker vice mayor in unanimous 7-0 votes as four councilmembers took their oaths of office.
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Lauing and Veenker win unanimous leadership votes
The Palo Alto City Council elected Ed Lauing as its 2025 mayor and Vicki Veenker as vice mayor on Jan. 6, giving each a unanimous 7-0 roll-call vote. Veenker nominated Lauing, and Greer Stone nominated Veenker.
Councilmembers supporting Lauing cited his leadership experience, community focus and previous city service. In backing Veenker, members pointed to her collaborative leadership, mediation skills, council experience and regional and state policy work.
Public comment included support for both nominees. One speaker opposed Lauing’s selection and made remarks that prompted Stone to condemn hateful rhetoric and affirm respect for people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Lauing calls for focused priorities and clearer public communication
Palo Alto Airport, Palo Alto, CA
After becoming mayor, Lauing called for rigorous prioritization of strategic issues and disciplined allocation of city resources during 2025. He also urged the city to improve communication with residents by reporting on approved projects and explaining the purpose and timelines of public surveys.
Lauing identified electric-grid modernization, affordable housing, possible Caltrain grade separations, downtown and San Antonio housing area plans, and the Cubberley Community Center strategic plan as examples of complex funding needs. His remarks outlined priorities rather than actions approved at the meeting.
The city was gathering resident input ahead of its Jan. 25 annual retreat. Lauing also called for deeper consideration of additional public forums and improved reporting on upcoming issues and approved projects.
Four councilmembers take office as city honors departing leaders
California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
Pat Burt, George Lu, Keith Reckdahl and Greer Stone took the oath of office as the new council term began. The council also unanimously adopted appreciation resolutions recognizing Lydia Kou, Greg Lin Tanaka and Stone.
Kou’s resolution recognized eight years of public service as mayor and councilmember. Tanaka was honored for his council service after first winning election in 2016 and reelection in 2020. Stone’s resolution recognized her service as 2024 mayor, including leadership on youth mental health, housing, sustainability, community unity and sister-city relations.
Primary sources
Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet