City Council - March 9, 2026

Council approves part-time support assistant pilot in 5-2 vote

The City Council approved a temporary, part-time council support assistant pilot on a 5-2 vote, authorizing the use of Council contingency funds. Mayor Vicki Veenker moved the pilot. Staff estimated that a half-time, unbenefited management-level position would cost $59,000.

The available record does not establish the pilot’s final duration; Council discussion ranged from six months to one year. Opponents raised concerns about adding Council staff during a budget period involving staffing reductions and preferred to wait for the budget process and the City Clerk’s benchmarking of council-support services. That benchmarking will inform the pilot’s scope.

In unanimous votes, the Council also approved seven amended Council Values and its 2026 Group 1 objectives, covering 42 projects across five priorities. The amendments placed equity within accountable governance and added housing leadership to the shared-prosperity value.

Objective 36, addressing quick-build transportation improvements such as daylighting and traffic calming, was excluded for revision and will return to the Council. Staff will provide quarterly reports on the Group 1 objectives, while ad hoc committee purpose statements and standing-committee work plans were continued to a future agenda.

Council gives nonbinding support to 51 Encina review

The Council gave generally supportive, informal feedback on further review of a zoning amendment intended to help rehabilitate a Category 2 historic building at 51 Encina Avenue for expanded medical and behavioral-health services. No formal decision was made during the prescreening.

The requested amendment would extend floor-area bonus and TDR benefits to qualifying Category 1 and 2 historic structures in the CS zoning district. Staff said 51 Encina is the only property currently eligible under the applicant’s proposed criteria.

The clinic reported that visits grew from about 74 to 239 per month during the previous year, that 300 patients were turned away over five months and that appointment waits ranged from four to eight weeks. The applicant projected more than 400 additional monthly visits at full buildout and said it holds a 30-year lease on the property.

The conceptual plans could qualify for 2,500 square feet of benefits for historic rehabilitation. An additional 2,500 square feet could become available if a seismic retrofit is proposed later, for a potential total of 5,000 square feet. Staff cited a TDR market range of $200 to $400 per square foot, producing an estimated potential value of $500,000 to $2 million depending on the eligible amount and sale price.

Council comments supported historic preservation and expanded clinic services while questioning whether the amendment should effectively benefit one site or be considered as part of broader historic-preservation incentives. A public commenter asked the Council to review Encina Avenue proposals together and examine the clinic organization’s financial information. Any formal amendment or development application would undergo later review, with environmental review beginning after a development application is filed.

Council advances limited zoning exception on first reading

The Council voted 7-0 on first reading to advance an ordinance creating a limited exception for noncomplying facilities. The measure would allow up to 250 square feet of noncomplying floor area to be relocated under the new exception. The action was part of the consent calendar.

Council accepts Stanford medical center compliance report

The Council unanimously accepted the Stanford University Medical Center fiscal 2025 annual report and found the SUMC parties compliant and not in default. The report identified an $8.1 million construction sales-and-use-tax target and an estimated $2.4 million shortfall. It also reported about $44.3 million in public-benefit fees paid through fiscal 2024-25 and a $4.075 million transfer for the Fire Station 4 replacement.

Council authorizes the city to join future amicus briefs

The Council unanimously authorized the City Attorney to make Palo Alto a future signatory to amicus briefs in four cases identified for the closed session, Mayor Vicki Veenker reported. She said the action would carry no additional legal costs. The report did not clearly identify all four distinct cases because one case title was repeated.

Bicycle and pedestrian plan contract increases to $350,945

The Council voted 7-0 to increase the Kittelson & Associates contract for the Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update by $17,000, bringing its not-to-exceed value to $350,945. The amendment extends the contract through Dec. 31, 2026, as work continues on the final plan.

Proposed $10,000 Pride event funding remains pending

The Council discussed but did not formally adopt a proposed allocation of up to $10,000 in contingency funds for the city’s first Pride event, planned for June 7 at City Hall with overflow space on a closed portion of Ramona Street. Veenker said city support and possible contingency funding would return for formal consideration later.

Primary sources

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