City Council - March 23, 2026

Council adopts CEDAW ordinance at first reading

The City Council unanimously adopted a local CEDAW ordinance at first reading and referred further implementation work to the Human Relations Commission. The 7-0 action advances the ordinance’s foundational principles while asking the commission to return with recommendations for strengthening its implementation.

CEDAW is a United Nations human-rights treaty adopted in 1979 that addresses discrimination against women and girls in political, economic, social and cultural life. Staff said Palo Alto’s ordinance focuses on matters within the city’s jurisdiction and is connected to item 3.4 of the city’s Equity Action Plan. The Policy and Services Committee had unanimously recommended approval in December.

The referral calls for recommendations that include appropriate housing options for unhoused people and people experiencing sexual or gender-based violence, as well as child care. All four public speakers supported adoption, although they said the proposal was less comprehensive than CEDAW ordinances in other jurisdictions and urged stronger follow-through. Mayor Vicki Veenker moved to adopt the ordinance and refer the implementation work.

Council adds $972,625 to portal contract and approves Mimecast purchase

Council unanimously approved a $972,625 increase to its contract with Smart Energy Water for licensing and upgrades to the Utilities Department’s MyCPAU customer portal. Amendment No. 4 raises the contract’s total not-to-exceed amount to $2,002,771 and extends it through March 31, 2029.

In a separate consent item, council approved a three-year purchase order with Insight Public Sector for a Mimecast subscription, maintenance, updates and technical support. The purchase is capped at $281,093, or $93,383 annually, and runs from March 27, 2026, through March 26, 2029. Both actions were included in the 7-0 consent-calendar vote.

Red Cross disaster-use agreement covers three community centers

Council unanimously authorized the city manager to execute a facility-use agreement and pet addendum with the American Red Cross for disaster response. The agreement designates Cubberley, Mitchell Park and Lucie Stern community centers for use during disasters. The action was approved as part of the 7-0 consent calendar.

Commission appointment votes move to April 13

Council made no commission selections in the supplied record. Interviews with the remaining Planning and Transportation Commission applicants are scheduled for April 6, and council plans to vote on commission appointments April 13. The positions under consideration include two full four-year Planning and Transportation Commission terms, three full three-year Utilities Advisory Commission terms and one partial Human Relations Commission term.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet