Weekly City Manager Community Updates: November 14, 2022

Learn about upcoming service enhancements, road construction work, car free streets engagement, and notable Council items

Published in

PaloAltoConnect

5 min readNov 16, 2022

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 14 Council meeting include new COVID-19 testing dates and resources to get vaccinated and boosted, a weekend recap of the Bloomington, Indiana delegation visit and the Climate Collaboration summit. Plus, upcoming Caltrain Electrification work, library service enhancements, a new shuttle service set to start in the spring, and share input on car free streets on Cal Ave. and Ramona St. Notable tentative council discussions include the 3-year work plan for sustainability and climate action, next steps for the fiber to the premises project, former Ming’s site auto dealership design review, 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 14, 2022 Council meeting.

Timestamped City Council Video: City Council Meeting — November 14, 2022

COVID-19 PANDEMIC UPDATE

County Testing Sites in Palo Alto to End This Month

In partnership with the County, free testing will end later this month, with the last testing dates at the Palo Alto Art Center on November 23* and 30. Thank you to the County for their partnership on this effort, spanning almost two years.

*If watching the City Manager Comments recording, please note that the correct dates are November 23 and 30.

Visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/Testing for these and other local testing opportunities.

Get Vaccinated and Boosted

Ahead of a potential winter surge, protect yourself, family, and community by getting vaccinated and boosted. If you’re having issues scheduling an appointment with your primary care doctor, visit sccfreevax.org for assistance.

Track Flu & COVID-19 Winter Trends

California Public Health offers a new tracking dashboard for both the flu and COVID-19. For more, go to calcat.covid19.ca.gov.

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

BUSY PAST WEEKEND

Bloomington Indiana Delegation Visit

Thanks to Neighbors Abroad and all involved in the recent Bloomington delegation visit. Highlights included roundtable discussions on economic development and civil discourse, tours hosted by Stanford University, and participation in Saturday’s Climate Summit.

Climate Collaboration Summit

Well attended by over 200 people, the Climate Collaboration Summit showcased recent major climate initiatives, funding at the federal, state, and local levels, and ways to work together as this important priority continues to evolve.

ROAD & PEDESTRIAN LANE CLOSURES

As part of their Electrification project, upcoming Caltrain work at train crossings will potentially impact vehicular traffic, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Please avoid these areas during this time. Work at Alma, Churchill, E. Meadow, and Charleston pedestrian rail crossings will be done in phases from November 14–30, Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This week, work will be conducted at the Churchill crossing. Night work is scheduled to make repairs on the Oregon Expressway Caltrain Railroad Bridge at Alma Street and Oregon Expressway November 28 — December 5 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. resulting in single lane vehicle closures.

For more information, go here.

UPCOMING SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS

Library Service Enhancements Coming Soon

Once staff recruitments are complete, the Library plans to expand hours at Downtown, Children’s, and College Terrace branches to four days per week and Sunday at Mitchell Park and Rinconada. Notably, several promotions and new hires are Palo Alto residents.

Read more about upcoming library service enhancements here.

New Shuttle Service

A new shuttle service is on track to start this Spring. Customers will be able to take trips that start and end almost anywhere in Palo Alto. 8–10 vehicles will be available, and each trip is estimated to cost $3.50, with $1.00 fares for disabled, low-income, youth, and seniors.

Learn more about the new shuttle service here.

CAR FREE STREETS COMMUNITY MEETING

There are several efforts currently underway that focus on enhancing the community experience and economic vibrancy of Palo Alto and furthering the City’s Uplift Local effort. The City is seeking community and business input on Cal Ave. and Ramona St. street configurations and other visioning. Save the date and register for the in-person community workshop on December 7 at 6 p.m. at Performance Gains Gym.

Go to www.cityofpaloalto.org/CarFreeStreets to learn more and save the date!

NOTABLE TENTATIVE UPCOMING COUNCIL ITEMS

Note: No Council meeting next week, November 21 due to Thanksgiving.

November 28

Joint City Council and Planning and Transportation Committee Housing Element Discussion

December 5

Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Three-Year Work Plan
1700 Embarcadero Road (former Ming’s Restaurant) — Design Review of a 2-story 31,000 sq. ft. Automobile Dealership

December 12 and 19

Electric Utility Hydro-Electric Rate Adjustment
Response to Grand Jury Report regarding Ballot Measures
Fiber to the Premises Next Steps

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

BE INFORMED & STAY CONNECTED

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

Gain Coronavirus Updates at: CityofPaloAlto.org/Coronavirus

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

City of Palo Alto Website: CityofPaloAlto.org