City Manager Weekly Update Blog Series: May 17, 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 May 17, 2021 Council meeting, click the video below.

City Council Meeting - May 17, 2021

PROGRESS TO YELLOW TIER, VACCINE UPDATE

COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available to Youth Ages 12–15:

Last week the Santa Clara County Public Health Department announced that COVID-19 vaccination is now available for youth ages 12 to 15. Those aged 16 to 29 make up the highest number of unvaccinated individuals in the county. Drop in vaccine availability expanded, go to sccfreevax.org for more details

County Blueprint Metrics Improve, Progress Towards Yellow Tier: **

County’s metrics must remain within the Yellow Tier criteria for another week before the county is eligible to move to that tier.

* Update as of May 18: The County will move into the Yellow Tier, of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy, as of May 19. For more on the County’s progress, go here.

Free COVID-19 Testing Continues:

Free testing is available through the County this Friday in Palo Alto at Mitchell Park Community Center

Go to www.cityofpaloalto.org/testing for timely information on upcoming testing opportunities and to book your appointment online.

BUDGET ENGAGEMENT CONTINUES

Budget deliberations continued with tonight’s Council update.

The community is encouraged to join the budget conversations in the following ways:

· Online Survey Released on May 5, closes this Friday, May 21 at 12 p.m.

· Finance Committee Budget Hearings: May 25, Begins At 9:00 a.m.

· City Council Budget Adoption: June 21, at 5 p.m.

Find out more by reading this News Story.

For all meeting and budget materials, go here.

TEEN WELLNESS WEDNESDAY THIS WEEK

Join us this week for another month of Wellness Wednesdays!

Teens are encourage to join us for an introduction to wellness on May 19 at 5:00 p.m.

Register at www.cityofpaloalto.org/bewell

MAY FETE WINNERS

Congrats to the winners of this year’s May Fete Parade!

· Spring themed: 3711 Ross Road

· Culturally Diverse: 1680 Bryant

· People’s Choice: 833 Hamilton

Thank you to all who participated and our sponsors:

· Palo Alto Museum

· Palo Alto Recreation Foundation

· Pets in Need

And of course, thank you to the Community Services Department and Library Department for their efforts!

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Rinconada Library is Reopening this Thursday, May 20:

The Palo Alto City Library is welcoming the community back to its branches! The Mitchell Park and Children’s libraries are now open for customers to browse collections, check out materials, and pick-up holds. The Rinconada Library will reopen this Thursday, May 20. Visit library.cityofpaloalto.org for more details!

Race & Equity Events Continue through May and June:

Join us for upcoming events at www.cityofpaloalto.org/raceandequity

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebrations Continue:

Join us for a series of events hosted by the Library, Community Services Department, and many community partners. Connect together as a community by checking out all events at www.cityofpaloalto.org/AAPI

Uplift Local Community Meeting This Tuesday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m.:

For details click on the calendar of events on the City’s home page or go here.

NOTABLE TENTATIVE UPCOMING COUNCIL ITEMS

May 24:

· Fiber to the Home Update

June 1:

· Consideration of Economic Support Focused Activities

· Board & Commission Term Limits and Consolidating Recruitment

June 7:

· Independent Police Auditor (OIR) Discussion and Contract Approval

June 14:

· Direction on Zoning Interpretation related to 344 Portage (Fry’s)

· Preferred Plan Alternative for the North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan

June 21:

· FY 2022 Budget Actions

June 22: New Meeting Date As Placeholder for Additional Items

For City Council meeting materials go here: www.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

Call us: (650) 272–3181

Community Support Call Center is available to answer community questions