City Council - October 20, 2025

Council funds first phase of oversized-vehicle response

The City Council voted 7-0 to approve $707,000 in initial fiscal 2026 appropriations for a revised first phase addressing oversized vehicles. The action calls for street cleaning and related implementation work, increased enforcement, expanded outreach for safe-parking sites on privately owned and congregation-based lots, and urgency ordinances addressing detached or inoperable vehicles and vanlording.

An ad hoc committee will develop enforcement and implementation details, evaluate possible second-phase options and report to the Council within four months. Those options include a permit-based approach for oversized-vehicle parking, but the Council did not adopt such a program at this meeting.

Council members supported greater enforcement of serious health, safety, access, bike-lane and visibility violations while also emphasizing safe parking and housing-focused outreach. Public comments were divided: business owners, employees and residents described sanitation, fire-access and commercial impacts, while people living in RVs and service advocates warned that restrictions imposed before alternatives are available could cause displacement.

The January 2025 point-in-time count identified 418 unhoused people in Palo Alto and reported that 73% were living in vehicles. The count included 168 vehicles, 120 of them RVs, although council members and commenters cited higher current figures that were not reconciled during the meeting. Existing safe-parking capacity discussed by the Council included up to 22 RV spaces at Gang Road and 14 vehicle spaces at faith-based sites. Staff estimated about $245,000 for street-sweeping signs in areas with oversized vehicles and $4.2 million for potential citywide signage limiting oversized-vehicle parking.

Cubberley poll will test a higher annual cost

The Council directed staff by consensus to add an annual household cost above $750 to the next Cubberley poll, with a corresponding project scope. The exact amount and scope were not settled, and the direction came without a formal motion or vote. Poll scenarios presented to the Council had included annual amounts of $250, $500 and $750.

The Council also asked staff to frame a possible additional North County poll item around starting the Rinconada master plan rather than focusing only on a pool heat-pump upgrade. Members generally supported phased Cubberley construction and using polling to align the project with voter priorities, while also discussing private fundraising, naming opportunities, tax equity and possible park needs near San Antonio Road.

In a separate 7-0 consent-calendar vote, the Council approved $26,775 for an additional poll, raising the FM3 contract ceiling to $153,000, and authorized a $700,000 General Fund transfer and Cubberley project appropriation. Four polls are planned in all. The second is expected in November 2025, with results returning to the Council in December.

Staff presented a three-phase concept with about 247,000 square feet of indoor space in the first phase, compared with 184,000 square feet currently and 284,000 square feet after all phases. Later phases remain unfunded. Staff is targeting March 2026 for master-plan and environmental-review adoption, with a potential ballot measure in November 2026.

Council authorizes fire station, gas, sewer and sidewalk work

Through its unanimous consent vote, the Council approved an $11.53 million construction contract with Beals Martin for the Fire Station 4 replacement and authorized up to $1.15 million in change orders. The project has a $5.2 million state budget earmark, and the approved package also included consultant contract amendments and extensions.

The Council awarded an $8.96 million contract to Veteran Pipeline Construction for gas-main replacement in the Duveneck/St. Francis, Leland Manor, Midtown and Palo Verde neighborhoods. Change-order authority of up to $896,221 brings the total authorized amount to about $9.86 million.

For the first phase of the Joint Intercepting Sewer Rehabilitation project, the Council added $1 million to SAK Construction's contingency and increased authorized project funding from $8.9 million to $12.6 million. Palo Alto's estimated share of the increase is $367,000.

The Council also approved a $1.28 million contract with JJR Construction for sidewalk, curb and gutter work, along with up to $128,169 in change-order authority. Each action was included in the 7-0 consent-calendar vote.

Utility connection fees rise as power-agency participation extends

The Council unanimously amended five utility schedules, raising connection fees and miscellaneous charges beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Among the changes, an underground 200-amp electric connection rises from $1,040 to $3,940, a two-inch water connection from $7,671 to $12,236, a four-inch wastewater lateral from $8,559 to $15,615 and the miscellaneous hourly labor rate from $152 to $207.

The city expects the revised charges to recover an additional $190,000 annually for electric service, $196,000 for gas, $668,000 for water and $169,000 for sewer. In years without a cost-of-service study, the schedules will be adjusted using the California Construction Cost Index.

In the same consent vote, the Council extended Palo Alto's participation in the Northern California Power Agency's Support Services Program through 2037. Prior program spending averaged about $79,000 annually, and the matter is scheduled to return to the Council in 2035.

Ten-unit Encina Avenue condominium map wins approval

The Council voted 7-0 to approve a tentative map for a 10-unit condominium development at 70 Encina Avenue. The action merges two lots into a 12,119-square-foot parcel and includes two below-market-rate units. Estimated development impact fees are $764,578.50, plus public-art fees.

The Council also found the project exempt from further environmental review under state guidelines. Before the vote, a public commenter asked that the item be removed, asserting that the revised packet and Planning and Transportation Commission record had not been adequately available to the public. The Council proceeded with approval as part of the consent calendar.

Council confirms Stephen Lindsey as fire chief and approves dispatch report

The Council unanimously confirmed Stephen Lindsey's appointment as fire chief and approved an employment agreement taking effect Nov. 1, 2025. The agreement provides an annual salary of $366,912 and initial severance eligibility of 12 weeks, increasing to 24 weeks on Nov. 1, 2026.

The same consent vote approved the Dispatch Center Assessment Report. The report said 99.53% of 9-1-1 calls in 2024 were answered within 10 seconds, while 68% of calls were dispatched within 90 seconds and 83% within 120 seconds.

Council members seek Buena Vista discussion, but none is scheduled

Several council members called for a public discussion of revised plans for Buena Vista and an amended three-party regulatory agreement. Pat Burt requested a public meeting, Julie Lythcott-Haims and Keith Reckdahl supported that request, and Vicki Veenker sought a high-level status update. The Council took no motion or vote on the request.

The County Housing Authority was proceeding with a $24 million investment in on-site utility infrastructure. Staff said it was consulting with the City Attorney and mayor about possible next steps, but no public Council session had been scheduled. An internal staff briefing was set for Oct. 21.

A public commenter requested greater transparency about the revised plans, Parcel A, tree removal and the regulatory agreement.

Business-tax administration contract ceiling reaches $2.87 million

The Council unanimously approved an amendment adding $750,000 for business-tax administrative and operational services and up to $2.12 million in contingent compliance fees under its contract with HdL. The changes bring the contract's maximum value to $2.87 million and extend it through June 30, 2028.

The action also included a $250,000 fiscal 2026 General Fund revenue and expenditure amendment. Fiscal 2026 business-tax revenue was estimated at $6.7 million after the adjustment.

Council approves senior meal and tennis agreements

The Council approved a 10-year license for La Comida de California to operate a senior nutrition and meal program in part of the city-owned building at 445 Bryant Street, with a possible five-year extension. The agreement sets a $1 annual license fee and $1,300 monthly operating-cost reimbursement. La Comida will contribute $50,000 toward improvements, while the first renovation phase is estimated at $1.1 million.

The Council also approved a five-year, $660,000 contract with Thomas Sarsfield for seasonal tennis classes and summer camps. Annual registration fees are expected to total about $184,000, with approximately $64,000 going to the city, in addition to at least $15,000 annually from private-lesson court rentals. Both agreements passed as part of the 7-0 consent calendar.

Council adopts 2025 state building-code update

The Council voted 7-0 on second reading to adopt eight ordinances updating Palo Alto Municipal Code provisions to conform with the 2025 California Building Standards Code. The changes cover eight chapters addressing city building standards.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet