May 10, 2022

5 min read

City Manager Weekly Blog Series: May 9, 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 May 9, 2022 Council meeting.

Timestamped City Council Video: City Council Meeting — May 9, 2022

COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE

Santa Clara County Community Level Returns to Medium

From a Santa Clara County Department of Public Health press release, COVID-19 cases are anticipated to significantly rise locally and nationally in the coming weeks. County of Santa Clara health officials urge residents and visitors to be mindful that the virus is spreading at an increasing rate, and that risk to health from the pandemic continues. Strong vaccination rates in Santa Clara County have helped keep COVID-19 hospitalizations flat, but the 7-day rolling average of reported COVID-19 cases in the County rose from 193 on April 3 to 589 on May 3. Coronavirus levels in wastewater across the county are rising in a similar fashion. The best way to prevent severe illness is to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Wearing a mask indoors in public settings is also one of the most effective ways to prevent transmission. For more information about COVID-19 data and reports in Santa Clara County, go here.

Biden Administration Warns of 100 Million New Infections this Fall and Winter

Models closely tracking infections warn that if we don’t get ahead by getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing masks, and testing often, another surge in infections is likely. Read the press briefing with White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, Dr. Ashish Jha for more.

Free Community COVID-19 Testing Continues with new dates available for May & June

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 Mondays through Thursdays 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 on May 13 and June 10, and at Cubberley Pavilion on May 27 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.

ASIAN AMERICAN & NATIVE HAWAIIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATIONS

May is Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and we are celebrating with events hosted by the Library, Community Services Department, and community partners.

Join us for a series of events for the entire community to recognize and celebrate the culture and contributions of our AANHPI community.

Find upcoming AANHPI Heritage Month events by visiting www.cityofpaloalto.org/AANHPIHeritageMonth.

MEET THE CHIEFS: PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE

On May 10, we return to an annual (pre-pandemic) event with updates on public safety from Fire Chief Blackshire, Police Chief Jonsen, and Office of Emergency Services Director Dueker. Moderated by the Vice Mayor, the public safety community update will address crime trends, wildfire season preparations, and public safety initiatives like Palo Alto FireMed, Police Emergency Response Team, and wildfire detection. Attend in person at Mitchell Park Community Center or virtually on May 10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

For more information, including listening session recordings, visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/MeetTheChiefs.

PARTY IN THE PARK: COMMUNITY CELEBRATION & OFFICIAL GRAND OPENINGS OF THE PALO ALTO JMZ & RINCONADA PARK

Join us to celebrate the grand opening of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo and Rinconada Park on Saturday, May 14 at 11 a.m. Family entertainment will be in abundance, tour the newly renovated JMZ for free, and check out the updated Rinconada Park, experience the new Voyage Solar System exhibit, enjoy free ice cream, music, and more!

Visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/PartyinthePark for details.

SURVEY ON THE CITY’S STREET CLOSURES

A community survey is open for the public to provide feedback about the temporary street closure extension on California Avenue and Ramona Street at University Avenue in Downtown. Feedback gained from the survey will help inform City Council as they consider recommendations at their May 16 meeting. Take the survey by noon on Friday, May 13.

For more information and to take the survey, go here.

MUNICIPAL SERVICES CENTER OPEN HOUSE

SAVE THE DATE! The City is hosting an open house to showcase how City services are provided to the community and highlight career opportunities. The community is invited to join the fun on Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to gain a “behind the scenes” view into the work we do for the community, with music, games and more.

More details will be provided soon at www.cityofpaloalto.org/MSCOpenHouse.

NOTABLE TENTATIVE UPCOMING COUNCIL ITEMS

May 16

Objective Standards
Interim Closures of Ramona and California Avenues

May 23

Castilleja Project Review

June 1

Board and Commission Annual Workplan Review Part 2

June 6 and beyond

Draft Business License Tax and/or Utility Tax Ballot Measure and Polling Results
Tree Ordinance Update
Project Homekey Update
City Budget Adoption
Utilities Rate Schedules

Find City Council meeting agendas, minutes, and videos at cityofpaloalto.org/councilagendas.