City Manager Weekly Update Blog Series: January 25, 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 facing the community. This blog series summarizes these weekly updates!
If you’d prefer to watch the City Manager share this week’s updates and news at the January 25, 2021 Council meeting, click the video below.
REGIONAL STAY AT HOME ORDER LIFTED STATEWIDE
Governor Newsom announced today the lifting of the Regional Stay at Home Order for all regions statewide. This action allows all counties statewide to return to the rules and framework of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The majority of the counties are in the strictest, or purple tier. Santa Clara County will shift to the Purple Tier effective today. The County’s mandatory travel quarantine remains in place, requiring a 10-day quarantine for most people who travel into the county from more than 150 miles away. Staff teams are working with the County, community partners and local businesses to ensure they have the tools they need to reopen safely for outdoor dining, personal services and more.
RECENT VACCINATION UPDATES
County continues to release updates to its vaccine plans
Vaccine information is available at sccfreevax.org. Due to limited vaccine supply, the County and healthcare providers are currently offering vaccinations to healthcare personnel, long-term care facility residents, and people who are age 75 and older. As more vaccine supply becomes available, healthcare providers will expand access to additional groups.*
*UPDATE: Since the Council meeting on Monday, the state has moved to vaccinate those over 65. While the Santa Clara County Health System, Stanford Healthcare, and some additional healthcare providers have begun scheduling and administering vaccines to those aged 65 and older, many providers in the county are not yet offering access to this group. Following the State’s priority phases and tiers, each healthcare system decides what categories of patients they have the capacity to vaccinate at any given time. Santa Clara County’s vaccine information site sccfreevax.org has information on where each healthcare provider in the county is on offering access and how individuals can connect with their provider for an appointment to receive the vaccine when their group is eligible. As more vaccine supply becomes available, healthcare providers will expand access to additional groups.
Mass vaccine locations in North County in Mountain View
A new appointment-only County site will provide 1,000 vaccine doses per weekday.
STORM ADVISORY THIS WEEK
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for several areas, in and around recent burn areas. Locally, we will see heavy rain fall starting Tuesday, through Thursday afternoon. Temperatures will be colder and we may experience high wind gusts. Staff will be monitoring the San Francisquito Creek and watching for localized flooding in our roadways prone to flooding. Staff will be watching for other issues that may occur.
- Update Since Council Meeting: Due to this weather event, Santa Clara County issued a recent alert with tips and more details. For the full alert, go here.
COMMUNITY SURVEY OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS
Community Survey open to all residents online now
Share input on city services and quality of life issues. Survey is provided through our vendor Polco and began in December through random selected mailed surveys. Closes February 10, 2021, be sure to give your input before then.
Rank Council 2021 Priorities
Online survey is still open to share your input on the City Council’s annual priorities. Survey closes Friday January 29.
FOOTHILLS PARK UPDATES
Foothills Park Entrance Closure Adjusts with Visitor Demand. Recently changed, the Foothills Park entrance closes when the visitor cap is reached to adjust with visitor demand. Previously, the closure when visitor cap is reached was between 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Staff is now adjusting the closure times, likely reopen around 1:30. Go to the City’s home page and click “News” for more.
Event: Grassroots Ecology Foothills Talk
January 28: 6 p.m. for English, 7 p.m. for Spanish
Join Grassroots Ecology to learn about Foothills Park!
Grassroots Ecology staff will share information about Foothills Park unique ecology, sensitive habitat, native plants and more. A Palo Alto ranger will share helpful tips.
For more: grassrootsecology.org –Click on Get Involved
NOTABLE UPCOMING COUNCIL ITEMS
Upcoming January Council Items
- January 30: City Council Retreat
Tentative February Council Items
- February 1: Potential Public Safety Building consideration and related actions
- February 8: Proposed County Teacher Housing Project, Pre-screening: 209-Unit Residential project, Long Range Financial Forecast and FY 2022 Budget Development Guidelines
- February 22: 2020 Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Study Session, FY 2021 Mid-Year Budget Review, Preliminary Q2 Financial Status Report & FY2022 Budget Balancing Discussion and Consideration of a contract with Duncan Solutions for License Plate Recognition Implementation in Parking Enforcement
Tentative March Council Items
- March 1: Prescreening of proposal for seven office buildings along Park Boulevard near the California Avenue CalTrain Station
- March 8: Castilleja School Project
- March 15: Castilleja School Project (Continued)*
- March 22: Prescreening of Town & Country Village proposal for medical office use
*Note this was updated since the Council Meeting 1/25
Council meeting dates: March 1, 8, 15 & 22
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
Call us: (650)272–3181
Community Support Call Center is available to answer community questions
