City Manager Weekly Update Blog Series: August 16, 2021

Learn about recent 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.

If you’d prefer, watch the City Manager share this week’s updates and news at the August 16, 2021 Council meeting.

Timestamped City Council Video: City Council Meeting — August 16, 2021

PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND RECOVERY

New public health order effective August 11, 2021:

Beginning August 11, anyone visiting a California hospital indoors must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours of each visit. The California Department of Public Health made this announcement to protect particularly vulnerable populations.

Other safety measures continue:

• Wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status
• Stay home if you feel sick or have symptoms
• Get vaccinated to protect the community, go to sccfreevax.com (or sccfreevax.org) for more

FREE TESTING CONTINUES

Get tested if you have symptoms or are potentially exposed to COVID-19. Free COVID-19 community testing continues in Palo Alto at the following locations.

Free COVID Testing through Curative:

• Every Tuesday at Mitchell Park Library Parking Lot and Wednesday at City Hall 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Free Testing through the County:

• New dates coming up: August 23, September 27, and October 25 at Cubberley Pavilion

For more, go to www.cityofpaloalto.org/testing

CHARLESTON/ARASTRADERO PHASE 3 TO BEGIN

At the end of August, temporary markings will be laid out along the Charleston/Arastradero corridor as part of Phase 3. Corridor users can expect to see temporary white and pink paint showing the layout of the new features. The temporary markings will be laid out for four weeks prior to the start of construction.​

Staff will host a virtual informational meeting on Thursday, September 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. where you can learn about the project and what to expect during construction.​

For more, go to www.cityofpaloalto.org/CACorridor

LIBRARY REOPENING PLANS

Currently, Mitchell Park, Rinconada, and Children’s libraries are open with days and times listed online. Starting Thursday, August 26, the Downtown and College Terrace libraries will reopen with limited hours on Thursdays and Fridays, from 1–5 p.m. with the expansion of additional hours expected this fall.

Visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/library for more information.

SUSTAINABILITY/CLIMATE ACTION AD HOC

The Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Ad Hoc Committee had its first meeting last week. Special thanks to all the community members who attended and shared input. The meeting recording, presentation, and more information will be available at www.cityofpaloalto.org/climateaction

The next meeting is set for September 9 from 9–11:30 a.m. and one of the main topics discussed will be residential electrification.

NOTABLE TENTATIVE UPCOMING COUNCIL ITEMS

August 23

• Continued Council consideration of Grade Separation Alternatives, specifically related to Charleston and Meadow

August 30

• Foothills Fire Mitigation Strategies
• Follow-up discussion on the unhoused

September 13

• Economic recovery follow-up items, including an update on Downtown and California Ave. street closures

September and Beyond

• Study Session with the Independent Police Auditor
• North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan
• 505 E Charleston Road Safe Parking Appeal
• Parking management and updates on fees and other policies

View these and more upcoming items at cityofpaloalto.org/councilagendas.

STAY INFORMED

City Manager Comments Blog Series at: Medium.com/paloaltoconnect

Gain Coronavirus Updates at: CityofPaloAlto.org/Coronavirus

Sign Up for Coronavirus Updates at: CityofPaloAlto.org/newslettersignup