Weekly City Manager Updates: March 27, 2023
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City Manager Ed Shikada continues to share brief updates at each Council meeting, highlighting details about upcoming events, City services, and City Council discussions planned and actions taken at the meeting. His comments are summarized through our Palo Alto Connect blog series to catch up on City issues and gain the latest news.
Watch Ed share updates from the March 27, 2022 Council meeting.
Timestamped City Council Video: City Council Meeting — March 27, 2023
STORM PREPARATION
Staff continues to monitor conditions primarily through our Office of Emergency Services. At this point, the rain forecast doesn’t raise flooding concerns at the San Francisquito Creek. We will stay diligent and keep an eye on conditions as they may change. Periods of heavy rain and wind are expected, which may cause impacts with trees and power outages. Public Works Services and Utilities staff are on standby to respond. The Pearson-Arastradero and Foothills Nature Preserves are closed today, March 28, due to the possibility of high winds, rain, and falling tree limbs/trees.
Find current conditions and gain real-time information about storm impacts at www.cityofpaloalto.org/stormupdate.
HOUSING ELEMENT STATUS UPDATE
The Housing Element is required by state statute to demonstrate the ability to produce more than 6,000 housing element in the next eight years. On March 23, the City received a letter from California Housing & Community Development Department with feedback on the City’s draft Housing Element. The revised draft Housing Element will be considered by the Planning & Transportation Commission and City Council tentatively on May 8.
For more details, visit http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/housingelementstatus.
SUNDAY’S NEIGHBORHOOD TOWN HALL MEETING
Thank you to all who attended yesterday’s Neighborhood Town Hall meeting. Over 160 residents attended hear about and share input on several topics including land use planning & housing, transportation priorities, updates on crime, Cubberley and Rail. Flyers distributed at the meeting are posted online and a recording of the meeting is also available for those that missed it. Quarterly Neighborhood Town Hall meetings are being planned for the rest of the calendar year. We will share more details as these meetings are finalized.
Find more details at www.cityofpaloalto.org/engage.
RENTAL REGISTRY PROGRAM COMMUNITY MEETING
The City is considering an ordinance that would establish a Rental Registry Program. Join a virtual community meeting on Thursday, March 30 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Learn about and provide feedback on the workplan to adopt and implement the program.
For more information and details, go here or visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/renterprotectionpolicy.
WEEKLY CITY MANAGER COMMENTS FEEDBACK
Each Council meeting, I share updates ranging from:
- City services and programs
- Community topics of interest
- Events
- Upcoming City Council discussions
Recognizing that information varies each week, your input helps us ensure that these updates are useful for our Council and community audiences.
Provide feedback at www.cityofpaloalto.org/CityManagerUpdates.
NOTABLE TENTATIVE UPCOMING COUNCIL ITEMS
April 3
- Automated License Plate Recognition Technology
- Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation to dedicate 10-acre Measure E parkland site, adjacent to our Regional Water Quality Control Plant
- State and Federal Legislation
April 10
- Community Engagement Study Session
- City Council Priority Objectives
- Council Committee Workplans
April 17
- Utility Electric & Gas Rates
May 1
- FY 2024 Proposed Budget Presentation
- FY23–24 CDBG Draft Annual Action Plan
May 8 and beyond
- Housing Element Adoption
- Safe Routes to School Annual Report
- New Parking Facilities in Downtown
- ADU Ordinance Changes
Find City Council meeting agendas, minutes, and videos at cityofpaloalto.org/councilagendas.
COUNCIL ACTIONS ON MARCH 27
- Approved Actions Related to the City’s Fleet: Approved purchase order of two trucks with woodchippers
- Approved Actions Related to a Long-term Parklets Program: Passed rules that parklets with structures are not allowed to go beyond the establishment, non-structures are allowed without a consent letter. Covered parklets can only be a total of 350 sq. ft. but two covered parklets are allowed if they’re limited to placement in front of the business. Approved funding to Public Works to support the program. Directed staff to return to the City Council with recommendations that relate to parklets sustainability, safety, fee structure, and responsibility for cleanliness. Any existing parklets may keep their structures until new regulations are approved.
- Approved the Establishment of a Residential Gas Rebate Program: Established a residential gas rebate program with additional support for residents who are in the rate assistance program. The FY 2023 Budget Appropriation was amended to transfer funds and decrease reserves to accommodate residential gas rebates.
The recording of the City Council meeting with these actions taken can be viewed here.
BE INFORMED & STAY CONNECTED
- Read past City Manager Weekly Updates at: CityofPaloAlto.org/CityManagerBlogSeries
- Gain emergency alerts and other updates: CityofPaloAlto.org/Connect
- Catch up on the latest City news through signing up for digital newsletters: CityofPaloAlto.org/newslettersignup
- Sign Up for Open Town Hall to share input through online surveys
- Attend events and meetings: CityofPaloAlto.org/Calendar
- View the City of Palo Alto Website: CityofPaloAlto.org
- Find City Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes: CityofPaloAlto.org/CouncilAgendas
- Search for Services Near You
