City Manager Weekly Community Updates: November 7, 2022

Learn about recent home burglaries, holiday & other events, and notable Council items coming up fast

Each Council meeting, City Manager Ed Shikada shares community updates to inform the community on upcoming events, services and program changes and enhancements, and City Council discussions planned. This week’s updates from the November 7 Council meeting include residential burglaries, safety tips and how to report concerns to the police department, resources to switch from gas to electric appliances in your home, and upcoming events such as the Cubberley Artist Studios open house, Climate Collaboration Summit, holiday toy drive & tree lighting, and a community workshop to gain feedback on the recently released draft Housing Element. Notable tentative council discussions include a check-in with the City’s Independent Police Auditor, the 3-year work plan for sustainability and climate action, fiber to the premises, and more. Read the community update or watch the YouTube recording to catch up on the latest community news.

Watch Ed share this week’s updates and news from the November 7, 2022 Council meeting.

Timestamped City Council Video: City Council Meeting — November 7, 2022

COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE

There is not an update given that there’s no real change since last week. We will continue update the community on items of importance related to the COVID-19 pandemic as needed.

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

ELECTIONS RESOURCES AVAILABLE ONLINE*

*Updated since the November 7 City Council meeting

Thank you to all those who participated in the 2022 Municipal Elections. You can find local results from the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters here.

Find other election resources, including City Council candidate information and details on Palo Alto Measures K and L, at www.cityofpaloalto.org/elections​.

RECENT RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Police are investigating a residential burglary trend with 11 cases in Palo Alto since October 9, where the burglars are stealing jewelry and other valuables from unoccupied homes during the dinnertime hours of 7 and 9 p.m., often on Friday and Saturday nights, and usually with entry being made via smashing glass doors in rear yards. Officers have increased patrols, in residential areas and ask that residents report suspicious activity immediately by calling our 24-hour dispatch center at (650) 329–2413.

Public safety recommendations:

• If you have a side yard gate, put a lock on it to prevent easy unauthorized access to property.
• Secure all windows and doors overnight; arm your alarm system whenever you are not home.
• As an alternative to hiding a key outside your residence, consider leaving a spare house key with a trusted neighbor.

Read the full press release from Palo Alto Police here. Find more crime prevention tips here.

SWITCH FROM GAS TO ELECTRIC IN YOUR HOME

Impacting the negative effects of climate change is important for all of us. Acting locally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is key to making progress on this important global issue and why the City is asking residents to go electric at home. A community update offers new tools available to upgrade gas appliances to electric and make other home adjustments to reduce gas emissions.

Read the community update here.

CUBBERLEY ARTIST STUDIO OPEN HOUSE

The 22 artists in residence with the Cubberley Artist Studio Program are excited to welcome the public to their studios. On Saturday, November 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. come meet the artists, tour their working studios, see their art, and participate in some hands-on art activities. See the incredible diversity in style from these artists who will be in the E, F and U wings of the Cubberley Campus, located at 4000 Middlefield Road.

For more, visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/CASP.

CLIMATE COLLABORATION SUMMIT

Join the City and local and regional partners for a Climate Summit on Saturday, November 12 from 12:30–4 p.m. at Gunn High School’s Gym. Climate leaders from all levels of government will share solutions, drive collective action, and create together the next sustainable step forward. The event will showcase how recent, major climate initiatives and funding at the federal, state, and local levels support each other.

Learn more here.

HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE & TREE LIGHTING

Holiday Toy Drive: Get in the holiday spirit, the Holiday Toy Drive kicks off November 14! Donate gifts for local youth in need through December 14 at Lucie Stern or Mitchell Park Community Centers, and other Palo Alto locations.

Tree Lighting: Gather your friends and family to enjoy live music and entertainment for the City of Palo Alto’s Tree Lighting at Lytton Plaza on Friday, December 2 from 5:30–7:00 p.m.

Uplift Local Holiday Promotions: Businesses are encouraged to send their holiday promotions to the City Manager’s Office at CityMgr@CityofPaloAlto.org by November 21. Holiday promotions will be featured on UpliftLocal.org, and through print collateral, and digital marketing and advertising.

Find these events and more at www.UpliftLocal.org/Events

FEEDBACK ON PROPOSED HOUSING ELEMENT

A Housing Element is the City’s strategic plan for housing the City’s present and future residents. The draft 2023–2031 Housing Element was released Monday, November 7 and includes a 30-day public comment period closing on December 7 at 5 p.m.

To provide feedback on the draft Housing Element:

• Join a community workshop on Wednesday, November 16 from 6–8 p.m. via zoom.
• A joint City Council/Planning & Transportation Commission study session is tentatively scheduled for November 28.

Find the draft 2023–2031 Housing Element and workshop registration link at www.PaloAltoHousingElement.com.

NOTABLE TENTATIVE UPCOMING COUNCIL ITEMS

November 14

• Discussion with Independent Police Auditor
• Gas Powered Leaf Blowers and Potential Initiatives to Increase Enforcement

Note: No Council meeting on November 21 due to Thanksgiving.

November 28

• Joint City Council and Planning and Transportation Committee Housing Element Discussion

December 5 and beyond

• Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Three-Year Work Plan
• Accessory Dwelling Units
• Fiber to the Premises

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

BE INFORMED & STAY CONNECTED

Read the Weekly City Manager Updates Series at: CityofPaloAlto.org/CityManagerBlogSeries

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