Apr 6, 2022
City Manager Weekly Blog Series: April 4, 2022
Learn about City of Palo Alto updates and news.
Each Council meeting, City Manager Ed Shikada provides “City Manager Comments” sharing recent City news, and updates for the community to stay informed on important issues. This blog series summarizes these weekly updates.
You can also watch the City Manager share this week’s updates and news at the April 4, 2022 Council meeting.
Timestamped City Council Video: City Council Meeting — April 4, 2022
COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE
U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approved Second Booster for Certain Populations
Last week, the FDA authorized a second booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for certain populations. Community members should consult their health care providers for more information.
Reminder: Free Community COVID-19 Testing
The City of Palo Alto and Curative are partnering together to continue offering increased testing options for the community. A Curative testing Kiosk at Mitchell Park located at 600 E Meadow Dr. is available Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Our test site in partnership with the County continues at the Palo Alto Art Center Auditorium on April 8, and at the Cubberley Pavilion on April 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa Clara County provides free testing by appointment only twice a month. Testing appointments will be available 7 days in advance of the testing dates.
Find testing location options and appointments at www.cityofpaloalto.org/testing.
TREE ORDINANCE UPDATE COMMUNITY MEETING
The City is working to update its Tree Ordinance to complement current policy documents, strengthen requirements and procedures for when protected tree removals are proposed, and comply with new state legislation.
The current Tree Ordinance update under consideration generally includes proposed changes that would protect more native California species, promote drought resistant and tolerant species, and protect most other tree species over a certain size.
Register for a community meeting today, April 6 at 6 p.m. to learn more about the Tree Ordinance update and to provide your input.
Learn more and register for the meeting at www.cityofpaloalto.org/TreeOrdinanceUpdate.
STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 9
Join the Mayor for this year’s State of the City address on Saturday, April 9 at 11 a.m. Community members can attend in person at Mitchell Park Community Center or virtually via YouTube live stream. Connect with your community and learn about the City Council’s 2022 priorities, and progress on other focus areas.
A light reception will follow the Mayor’s address, masks are strongly recommended.
For more information and to register to attend in person, visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/StateoftheCity2022.
EARTH DAY AND MONTH CELEBRATIONS
April is Earth month, and a great way to think globally and act locally about climate action. Here’s a preview of ways to celebrate Earth Day and Earth month.
April 10: Goodbye Gas: Hello EVs, Mitchell Park Community Center
April 11: Earth Day City Council Study Session
April 13: Green@Home Workshop: Heat Pump Hot Water Heater (Virtual)
April 14: S/CAP Ad Hoc Meeting on Carbon Neutrality, Register Here (Virtual)
April 16: We Love Earth Day Fair, Menlo Park
April 20: EV 101: Electrify Your Ride — Learn EV and e-Bike basics (Virtual)
April 22: Earth Day Event at Stanford Hospital
April 22: March and Rally for Our Earth, King Plaza, 4 to 6 p.m.
April 23: Palo Alto Youth Council Earth Day Fair, Mitchell Park Bowl, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
April 23: e-Bike Workshop and Test Rides, Mitchell Park Community Center
Find these events and more at www.cityofpaloalto.org/calendar. Read the latest Climate Action Blog: Preparing for Earth Month, which lists these and other ways to act now on climate change.
NOTABLE TENTATIVE UPCOMING COUNCIL ITEMS
April 11
- Earth Day Study Session
- Additional Objective Standards Regarding Height Transitions
April 18
- Joint Study Session with the Palo Alto Youth Council
- Discuss Ballot Measure Polling Results
May 2
- Study Session — Introduction of the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget
Find City Council meeting agendas, minutes, and videos at cityofpaloalto.org/councilagendas.
BE INFORMED AND STAY CONNECTED
Read the City Manager Comments Blog Series at: Medium.com/paloaltoconnect
Gain Coronavirus Updates at: CityofPaloAlto.org/Coronavirus
Sign Up for Open Town Hall
City Calendar of Events and Meetings: CityofPaloAlto.org/Calendar
City of Palo Alto Website: CityofPaloAlto.org
Sign Up for City Updates at: CityofPaloAlto.org/newslettersignup
