Mar 23, 2022

5 min read

City Manager Weekly Blog Series: March 21, 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 March 21, 2022 Council meeting.

Timestamped City Council Video: City Council Meeting — March 21, 2022

COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE

Santa Clara County Director of Public Health Update from March 17

The virus continues to mutate and change, and the community should continue masking, testing, and get vaccinated and boosted to keep the community safe and healthy. A variety of Omicron that spreads more easily, B2 sub-lineage, was detected in the wastewater and is increasing in prevalence in the Bay Area, notably in Palo Alto. It does not seem to be increasing COVID-19 case counts. County health officials are watching this carefully.

Watch the County’s livestream here.

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 new 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 March 25 and 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.

FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Staff continue to focus on the November 2022 potential ballot measure Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan approved by Council. Focus Group sessions are well underway, and staff is planning on a presenting progress report at the Finance Committee on March 28 and Council on April 18. An informational mailer was sent late last week, and a second round of polls will launch this week.

A community informational session is scheduled for March 29 at 6 p.m.

For more information and to register for the community meeting, go to www.cityofpaloalto.org/FiscalSustainability.

POLICE CHIEF SELECTION PROCESS

The City Manager launched a selection process for the next Police Chief and is seeking community feedback. Seven community member comments to date and themes heard so far include transparency, accountability, and importance of making community connections.

Join the conversation by sharing community priorities for the Police Department and key skills needed for the next Police Chief.

Attend the third of three community listening sessions on Thursday, March 31 at 5:30 p.m.
Provide input via an online form

For more information about the selection process and to join the conversation, visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/policechiefselection.

PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING CONCRETE POURING

The Public Safety Building contractor will be pouring the reinforced concrete slab for the west side of the ground level and ramps in the next week. These two concrete pours are the first half of a planned series of four concrete pours for the ground level.

The previously announced concrete pour dates were rescheduled to March 23 and March 28.

Learn more at www.cityofpaloalto.org/psb.

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION RECRUITMENT

Apply for an Open Position on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Apply now to serve on Palo Alto’s Parks and Recreation Commission. This is a great opportunity to volunteer and give back to the Palo Alto community while advising City Council on open space, parks, the golf course, and recreation matters. Palo Alto residency is required. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 4 at 4:30 p.m.

Learn more and apply at bit.ly/3KKjjZ6.

MAY FETE PARADE & FAIR IS BACK!

Celebrate together as a community at this year’s May Fete parade and festival. The 2022 May Fete parade and festival is back for its 98th year with the theme, “What emPOWERS you?” on Saturday, May 7 at 10 a.m.

Gather your family or friends and show off your float making skills and take-home big prizes in this parade along University Ave with kids walking their pets, riding bikes, pulling wagons, and showing off homemade floats.

Watch or participate in this year’s parade, attend the festival, enjoy a May Fete Scavenger Hunt and more! We are also looking for Teen Volunteers to help with day-of-tasks for the Parade. If you are interested or know anybody that is, please fill out our Teen Volunteer Application.

Enter your float into the parade by visiting www.cityofpaloalto.org/MayFete.

NOTABLE TENTATIVE UPCOMING COUNCIL ITEMS

April 4

Review and Approval of Project Workplans for 2022 City Council Priorities
Police Department Annual Update

April 11

Earth Day Study Session
Additional Objective Standards Regarding Height Transitions

April 18 and beyond

Joint Study Session with the Palo Alto Youth Council
Discuss Ballot Measure Polling Results
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