Weekly City Manager Updates: March 18, 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 March 18, 2024 Council meeting.
Timestamped City Council Video: City Council Meeting — March 18, 2024
STATE OF THE CITY 2024
The Mayor hosted the State of the City Address on Wednesday, March 20, 6–8 p.m. to connect with the community and learn about the City Council’s 2024 priorities and progress on other focus areas.
If you weren’t able to attend, watch it on the City’s YouTube channel.
GRADE SEPARATION UPCOMING DISCUSSIONS
There are a number of rail meetings coming up, potentially leading to Council approval of narrowing alternatives in June.
Discussion opportunities for community feedback include:
- March 19 Rail Committee: Caltrain feedback on alternatives
- April 16 Rail Committee: Advancing (or Eliminating) for Council Consideration Specific Alternative(s) for Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Documentation Phase; Review merits of bicycle and pedestrian crossing at Kellogg Avenue verses Seale Avenue for Partial Underpass Alternative at Churchill Ave.
- April 29* City Council Study Session: Review Rail Committee recommendations.
- June 3* City Council Action: Potential action on Rail Committee recommendations to narrowing of alternatives under consideration
- *Note date changes
Find upcoming Rail Committee agendas at www.cityofpaloalto.org/RailCommittee
CALTRANS PROPOSAL TO ADD BIKE LANES ON El CAMINO REAL
Caltrans is proposing replacing parking on El Camino Real with bike lanes.
The City continues to engage Caltrans on several aspects of their proposal:
- Incorporating feedback of bike facility design
- Elimination of parking for existing businesses on El Camino Real
- Displacement of RV dwellers on El Camino Real
Learn more about the conversations underway:
- Watch meeting recordings of the Feb. 29 community meeting, March 7 Joint Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee/City/School Transportation Safety Committee, and March 13 Joint Planning and Transportation Commission/Human Relations Commission
- Share input through an online form
- Attend or share input with the Council as they consider Caltrans proposal on April 1
Learn more about the project and find upcoming agendas at www.cityofpaloalto.org/CaltransBikewayProject
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
- Enjoy live music and eat and shop local at 3rd Thursday on Cal Ave this Thursday, March 21, 6–9 p.m.
- Spring Family Day at the Art Center is this Sunday, March 24, 2–4:30 p.m. with art activities for the whole family based on the In Feast or Famine exhibit.
- Palo Alto Earth Day Festival at Rinconada Library on Sunday, April 21, 1–4 p.m. The City, its partners, and local environmental organizations are gathering for a day to celebrate the earth and ways we can come together to act to protect it.
- The May Fete Parade & Fair is celebrating its 100th Anniversary on Saturday, May 4. The parade starts at 10 a.m. on Emerson St. & University Ave., and ends with the fair at Heritage Park by way of Waverley St.
Find more community events at www.CityofPaloAlto.org/Calendar
ARTLIFT MICROGRANTS: UTILITY BOX MURALS
The City’s Public Art Program has twenty $1,000 ArtLift Grants available to Palo Alto and Bay Area-based artists to transform utility boxes throughout Palo Alto commercial corridors and residential neighborhoods.
Artists will paint original works of art on the boxes exploring themes of community connectedness, empathy, and vibrancy. The deadline to apply is March 31.
Learn more and apply at www.cityofpaloalto.org/ArtistOpportunities
NOTABLE TENTATIVE UPCOMING COUNCIL ITEMS
April 1
- Study Session: Palo Alto Link
- Caltrans El Camino Real Bike Lane Proposal
April 8
- Closed Sessions and BCC Interviews only
April 15
- Study Session: Earth Day Report
- Joint Planning & Transportation Committee Meeting: 2023–2031 Housing Element
April 22 (Additional Council Meeting Date)
- Study Session: Bike and Pedestrian Transportation Plan Update
- Study Session: Rail Grade Separation
April 29 (Possible Additional Meeting Date)
May 6
- Study Session: Independent Police Auditor
- Study Session: Recruitment Assessment
- City Manager Transmittal of Proposed FY 2025 Budget
City Council Actions Summary
Council Actions
Council Priority Objectives & Workplans: Approved the priorities and objectives for sections Climate Change & Natural Environment, and Housing for Social & Economic Balance with amendments. Action will continue for this agenda item at a future meeting.
Be Informed and Stay Connected
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- 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
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