Weekly City Manager Updates: May 8, 2023
City Manager Ed Shikada continues to share brief updates at each Council meeting, highlighting details about upcoming events, City services, 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 May 8, 2022 Council meeting.
Timestamped City Council Video: City Council Meeting — May 8, 2023
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month and we are offering details about resources available to residents.
In the City’s most recent 2022 community survey, 59% rated that they didn’t know about the availability of affordable mental health care, 18% rated the availability as poor, 13% as fair and 11% as either good or excellent. Local resources are available for all, from Project Safety Net for youth to Avenidas Friendship Line for seniors and more. The County of Santa Clara Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 9–8–8.
Find these resources and more here.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESOURCES FAIR
Join the City and housing partners on Saturday, May 13 from 1–3:30 p.m. at the Affordable Housing & Housing Resources Fair. Gain resources for renters, seniors, and community members looking for support and services. Sign-up for affordable housing waiting lists. Ask questions about City, County and non-profit programs and services. Spanish speaking support available. Snacks, children’s activities available during event.
Learn more at www.cityofpaloalto.org/HousingFair.
ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH
Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month this May:
- AANHPI Month Storytimes at Children’s Library: May 9 and May 13
- Button making pop-up for Teens at Mitchell Park Library: May 17
- Author Event featuring Nicole Chen at Mitchell Park Library: May 20
- Stanford Gu-zheng Ensemble: Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 7 p.m. in the Braun Music Center Campbell Recital Hall.
- Movie Screening: Everything Everywhere All at Once at Rinconada Library: May 28
Plus, don’t forget to participate in the Human Relations Commission AANHPI Lived Experience survey by May 31.
Find these events at www.cityofpaloalto.org/AANHPIHeritageMonth.
MEMORIAL TO HONOR FALLEN PAPD OFFICERS
Join the Palo Alto Police Department to honor the sacrifice of the three officers in Palo Alto’s history who were killed in the line of duty. The ceremony takes place on Monday, May 15 from 9–9:30 a.m. at the Memorial Grove where the three Coast Redwood trees stand together at Cogswell Plaza. Attend to remember Reserve Officer Lester Cole, Officer Gene Clifton, and Reserve Officer Theodore Brassinga.
For more information, go here.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS
Visit the Art Center through May 20 to experience Cultural Kaleidoscope and Youth Art, the annual youth exhibit.
Attend a concert at Rinconada Library as Nathan’s Fearless Five tears it up with jazz and swing on Saturday, May 27 from 4–6 p.m.
Family Movie Nights return on June 9 with a lineup of fun movies for the whole family this summer at Mitchell Park Athletic Field.
The Twilight Concert Series kicks off a 6-show series beginning June 3 at Rinconada Park and Mitchell Park.
Find these and more here.
NOTABLE TENTATIVE UPCOMING COUNCIL ITEMS
May 15
- Cubberley Next Steps
- Legislative Update
- ADU Ordinance Changes
May 22
- Finance Committee Budget Report Out
- Firearms Sales Limitations Ordinance
May 29 is Memorial Day, there is no City Council meeting
June 5
- Water Purification Projects Next Steps
- Homekey Lease and Revenue Agreement
- S/CAP Update, CEQA, and 3-year Workplan
June 12 and beyond
- Pets In Need Term Sheet
- Independent Police Auditor
- Street Sense Economic Development Update
- FY 2023–24 Budget Adoption
Find City Council meeting agendas, minutes, and videos at cityofpaloalto.org/councilagendas.
COUNCIL ACTIONS ON MAY 8
Council Actions:
- Adopted the Revised 2023–2031 Housing Element: With consideration of the addendum to the 2017 Comprehensive Plan Final Environmental Impact Report, the City Council, along with the Planning and Transportation Commission, adopted the 2023–2031 Housing Element with staff noted revisions and an amendment.
BE INFORMED & STAY CONNECTED
- Read past City Manager Weekly Updates and provide your input about these comments at: CityofPaloAlto.org/CityManagerUpdates
- 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
