City Manager Weekly Blog Series: October 3, 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 October 3, 2022 Council meeting.

Timestamped City Council Video: City Council Meeting — October 3, 2022

COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE

Understand Your COVID-19 Exposure Risks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a list of common factors that increase risk of transmission such as how long you were with an infected person, and factors that decrease the risk of transmission such as outdoor activities vs. indoors. Learn more at bit.ly/CDCExposureRisks.

Continue to Get Tested and Vaccinated/Boosted

Through a County partnership, get tested for free at the Palo Alto Art Center on October 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment. Visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/testing for this and more opportunities. Schedule an appointment for the new bivariant booster through your health provider or go to sccfreevax.org.

For more coronavirus resources, visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/coronavirus.

YOUTH DRAWING WITH ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

Kids with caregivers are invited to a free open-ended drawing workshop with Artist-in-Residence at the Cubberley Artist Studio Program, Harumo Sato, on Saturday, October 8 at 10 a.m. This drawing session invites children to be creative and explore their desire to draw. The hosting artist will be drawing along with the kids, eager to learn from them, not the other way around. Participants will share a large 3’ x 6’ paper, which will become a community artwork.

Learn more and sign up here.

POP-UP CIRCUS PERFORMANCES

Dancing, Prancing, Handstanding with Glee! Is a series of pop-up circus performances by Artlift 2022 artists and performers. Attend a series of free performances across public spaces and parks, featuring colorful costumes, whimsical dancing and handstand acrobatics, exploring movement and engaging the public in thoughtful, playful ways!

Attend a pop-up event on:

• Friday, October 7, 6 p.m. in Gamble Garden
• Saturday, October 8, 10 a.m. at the University Avenue Farmers Market
• Sunday, October 9, 10 a.m. at the California Avenue Farmers Market

For more information, go here.

HOUSING ELEMENT COMMUNITY MEETING

Staff is seeking community input on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the 2023–2031 Housing Element Update. Attend a virtual community meeting on Thursday, October 13 at 6 p.m. to share input on potential environmental impacts. Feedback will inform the development of the DEIR. In addition, the draft Housing Element is expected to be shared with the community around November 7 for a 30-day public comment period. A joint Council/Planning & Transportation Commission study session is tentatively scheduled on November 28.

For more information and to register, go here.

MAKING BETTER CHOICES IN YOUR HOME WORKSHOP

Join us on Saturday, October 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mitchell Park Community Center. Find out about rebates, project assistance, and why electrifying your home and lifestyle will have a large impact locally on the global issue of climate change. This is an open house style event with experts, demonstrations, and plenty of opportunities to get you started making the switch from gas to electric.

For more information and to register, go here.

Neighborhood Town Hall

Join the City of Palo Alto and Neighborhood Leaders for an upcoming Neighborhood Town Hall with the neighborhood areas of Barron Park, Barron Square, Greenacres I, Greenacres II, Palo Alto Orchards and Monroe Park. The event is being co-hosted by neighborhood leaders and Mayor Burt and Vice Mayor Kou on Wednesday, October 12 from 6–8 p.m. at Fletcher Middle School, 655 Arastradero Rd.

Learn more at www.cityofpaloalto.org/engage.

NOTABLE TENTATIVE UPCOMING COUNCIL ITEMS

October 17

• Prescreening of 3400 El Camino Real Proposal (Creekside Inn)
• 2022 Green Building and Energy Reach Code Updates

October 24

• North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan (NVCAP) Refined Preferred Alternative
• Permanent Parklet Standards and Policies

November 7 and beyond

• Economic Development Study Session
• Housing Element Update
• Annual Study Session with the City’s Independent Police Auditor
• Joint City Council and Planning and Transportation Committee Housing Element Discussion

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

BE INFORMED & STAY CONNECTED

Read the City Manager Comments Blog Series at: CityofPaloAlto.org/CityManagerBlogSeries

City of Palo Alto Website: CityofPaloAlto.org

Sign Up for City Updates at: CityofPaloAlto.org/newslettersignupGain Coronavirus Updates at: CityofPaloAlto.org/Coronavirus

Sign Up for Open Town Hall

City Calendar of Events and Meetings: CityofPaloAlto.org/Calendar