Weekly City Manager Updates: April 1, 2024
City Manager Ed Shikada shares brief updates at each Council meeting, highlighting details about upcoming events, City services, and City Council discussions planned. His comments are summarized through our Palo Alto Connect Medium.com series to catch up on City issues and gain the latest news.
Watch Ed share updates from the April 1, 2024 Council meeting.
Timestamped City Council Video: City Council Meeting — April 1, 2024
El Camino Real Construction Update
There are a couple of important construction updates to be aware of on El Camino Real which may impact your travel plans.
On April 1 construction is scheduled to take place with intermittent closures on the El Camino Real intersection on the Charleston/Arastradero Corridor in the evenings from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Further along on El Camino Real — from Cambridge to California avenues — the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is inspecting their water pipeline April 1–8. There will be one- or two-lane closures during days and evenings. Timing is subject to change, and we will keep everyone posted of any updates.
More details at www.cityofpaloalto.org/ECRAprilConstruction.
April is Earth Month: Connect & Take Action
We’re inviting the public to celebrate spring and Earth Month by taking action, whether it’s attending events like the Palo Alto Earth Day Festival or taking part in sustainable workshops like our composting workshop.
Spring can be a time of new beginnings when it comes to connecting with the community. Teens check out Palopalooza and other ways to connect. People of all ages can connect with fellow arts and entertainment enthusiasts at ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) Movie Night, Open Studios — the Cubberley Artist Studio Program, 3rd Thursday on California Ave., and more. Connecting with neighbors and staying engaged supports community health, wellness, and wellbeing.
Learn more about these events and more at Find these events and more at www.cityofpaloalto.org/AprilEvents.
Grade Separation Upcoming Discussions
There are several rail meetings planned, potentially leading to Council consideration of narrowing alternatives in June.
On April 16 the Rail Committee will discuss advancing or eliminating — for Council consideration — specific alternative(s) for preliminary engineering and environmental documentation phase of designing our rail corridor for the future. This will include reviewing the merits of bicycle and pedestrian crossing at Kellogg Avenue verses Seale Avenue for a partial underpass alternative at Churchill Ave.
On April 29* there will be a City Council Study Session to review the Rail Committee’s recommendations and on June 3* the Council will take potential action, which may include narrowing of alternatives under consideration.
*Note date changes
Learn more at www.cityofpaloalto.org/RailConversation.
Fire Station №4 Community Meeting
The City is hosting a community meeting on April 11, 7–8 p.m. to share updates on the Fire Station 4 replacement project and answer community questions about the temporary relocation of Fire Station №4 to the Cubberley Community Center. The meeting, which takes place at the Cubberley Community Center room H-1, is a great opportunity to learn more about the project, construction timeline, and Fire operations when stationed at the temporary location.
Fire Station №4 will be relocating to the southwest parking lot at Cubberley Community Center for up to a 24-month period during the construction of the new station.
For more, visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/firestation4meeting.
Palo Alto Link Offers Free Rideshare Service To Teens
Teens ages 13–18 can now use the City’s rideshare service Palo Alto Link for free to specific Palo Alto destinations supporting teen mental health and wellbeing.
Locations include:
- allcove Palo Alto
- Palo Alto City Libraries
- Lucie Stern Plaza
- Mitchell Park Community Center
- Cubberley Community Center (MakeX Studio)
- Palo Alto Art Center
- Select parks: Rinconada Park/Pool, Greer Park, El Camino Park, Mayfield Soccer Complex, Mitchell Park, Bol Park
- Ventura Community Center (YCS Youth Connect Meetings)
Learn more, download the app, and take a ride at www.cityofpaloalto.org/PaloAltoLinkTeen.
Notable Tentative Upcoming Council Items
April 8
Closed Sessions and BCC Interviews only
April 15
- Joint City Council/Planning & Transportation Committee Meeting: 2023–2031 Housing Element
- April 22 (Additional Council Meeting Date)
- Study Session: Race & Equity Update
- Palo Alto Historic Property Inventory
- Quarry Road Transit Connection Initial Review
April 29 (Additional Council Meeting Date) Transportation Workshop/Study Sessions
- Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update
- Rail Grade Separation
May 6
- Study Session: Independent Police Auditor
- City Manager Transmittal: Proposed FY 2025 Budget
May 13
- Study Session: FY 2025 Proposed Budget
- State and Federal Legislation
- Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook
Find City Council meeting agendas, minutes, and videos at cityofpaloalto.org/councilagendas.
Read past City Manager Weekly Updates and provide your input about these comments at: CityofPaloAlto.org/CityManagerUpdates.
Council Actions on April 1
Caltrans Repaving and Bike Lane Project: Council voted to have Caltrans return with added safety measures in the bike lane design based on the Safety System Approach Design and other best practices, and following community engagement with businesses and residents to identify parking alternatives including modifications to our RPP program, Palo Alto Transportation Management Association, and coordinated efforts to accommodate RV dwellers focused on the possible removal of parking on El Camino Real to add bike lanes.
Tree Ordinance Update: Amended the Tree Ordinance to clarify an exemption accommodating tree removal as it may relate to accessory dwelling unit (ADU) construction.
Be Informed & Stay Connected
- 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
