[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6680357,"mediaKeyId","2383717-621b15466a9af0bcc97c93e77e1b2beb","parentId",2383717,"title","Council creates ad hoc to press Valley Water concern after announcement of $23 million transfer","audioSeconds",81,"startMs",1298000,"endMs",1379000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383717-621b15466a9af0bcc97c93e77e1b2beb&start=1298&end=1379","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383717-621b15466a9af0bcc97c93e77e1b2beb/thumbnail_1298000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6680357/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Council-creates-ad-hoc-to-press-Valley-Water-concern-after-announcement-of-23-million-transfer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6680357-a107212c8c2f7c3d4c9b6a6f7c7c590c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191533&Signature=UF3jxBdpZrlyKQhY5p-XARsKdo3higKUoLWgKmEKO16COHN1ECDAqlNeXtu7B7hlwv-Vc1ULVOgU5h7WSUr221yCyNedaT51~7JgTSoWHu6SCl~QvzwTMEQURVB26uPkItI-Bx0IIAIuVborSRx67DfNpitRWXb2W9~eoc~ercoxzQGOnBxnN~CTcCIVnmjAwXTcvK8~92Alvw57lwlj0UfUYndSOfl0GU8UNPBm80FqjZBqfAeL5ndd-IFElcQtir~CsdaVdMTmgT8BDoNObdZMW6Uq3jyfEg13lMwSAFy9ibVrZSECJlvprgUKTomaZtQagFMO93F2Lnj6K1fjIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Palo Alto City","date","2025-02-25T06:16:28.86Z","article","The Palo Alto City Council announced on Feb. 24 that it has formed an ad hoc committee to address a proposal by Valley Water to reassign about $23 million originally allocated for North County sea-level rise work to San Jose.

At the meeting Mayor Laowing briefed the council that staff and the mayor’s office had contacted Valley Water and requested that a related agenda item (item 3.4 on the Valley Water schedule) be deferred while the city pursues options. The mayor said an ad hoc committee made up of Council Members Burt, Rechtold and Stone would meet over roughly 60 days to consider responses and recommend next steps.

Council members said the ad hoc’s work will include outreach to Valley Water, coordination with staff and consideration of legal or policy avenues to preserve funding for projects that would benefit Palo Alto neighborhoods. The city manager confirmed the memos and related materials have been posted to the city website and added to the council packet for transparency.

Why it matters: The $23 million referenced by council members is material to local sea‑level rise planning and flood protection projects that staff and the public have prioritized. Council members said the ad hoc will seek to protect Palo Alto interests and coordinate with regional partners to preserve funding for local project needs.

What’s next: The ad hoc will meet in the coming weeks and return recommendations to the full council after the roughly 60‑day review period. The council asked staff to coordinate posting and public notification for any meetings and to report back with potential legal and policy options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - February 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmembers formed an ad hoc committee to address a Valley Water proposal to shift $23 million away from North County sea-level rise projects; councilmembers said they will use the next 60 days to examine options and press for local interests.","taxTitle","Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California","taxId",3867,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6680359,"Council approves midyear budget amendments, authorizes short-term staffing for Fire Station 4 and asks staff to include alternatives for FY26",140,9684000,9824000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383717-621b15466a9af0bcc97c93e77e1b2beb&start=9684&end=9824","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383717-621b15466a9af0bcc97c93e77e1b2beb/thumbnail_9684000.jpg","/articles/6680359/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Council-approves-midyear-budget-amendments-authorizes-short-term-staffing-for-Fire-Station-4-and-asks-staff-to-include-alternatives-for-FY26","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6680359-0aa26e5c8fa9c6ac3513484ca966ac56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191533&Signature=H4jMeHRu3HQUtYn8kECZ7iFowDL2ZFp326qZeq0X87pXEVFTZYpLWs7BIOH89fYvYJVxxtDdhwL~fPPevZ8GG8kAVwRKMLBG0nCehETcpeRdjSIQGk7-1y4R1eFZzaQQp1XsqEp9kIGNmeYseytlSfwv6VvvZo16jOf6pLjkAsxrtA~nx21UXckXldVCQe5QR85W4rZdEX3q4JKT19jBRYUQEjHAUIGC6rcDCpV2QDz69HvOzWF1yzJMa3JHwllqxJdgvxY6BPipsTj9C8IGk1-Yx-pWBSKlju8yNf-VUBowHchLNdhJOR-Plm94WXMuQm4Uu5a-orBa7coe0~UTFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Palo Alto City Council on Feb. 24 approved a midyear fiscal 2025 budget report that includes technical adjustments and a set of urgent needs staff said require near-term funding, most notably steps to improve response capacity in South Palo Alto by restoring a staffed engine at Fire Station 4.

The council approved staff recommendations by unanimous roll-call vote to amend the fiscal 2025 appropriation, adjust the table of organization and authorize short-term staffing measures while directing staff to return with options to incorporate longer-term staffing in the fiscal 2026 proposed budget.

What the council approved: Staff recommended and the council approved adjustments across funds that staff said are largely technical but also address identified urgent needs. Key actions in the adopted midyear package include:

- Authorization for overtime and an over‑strength captain position to cross‑staff a fire engine and ambulance at Fire Station 4 on a 24/7 basis through the end of fiscal year 2025 as a near‑term solution; staff estimated the remainder of FY25 cost at roughly $300,000 and an annualized cost near $1,000,000 if maintained.

- Table‑of‑organization changes: add 1 FTE senior buyer and 1 FTE program assistant, eliminate 1 FTE contract administrator, and authorize an over‑strength 1 FTE fire captain position.

- Capital and reserves adjustments including reductions to the Budget Stabilization Reserve (BSR) from $63.1 million to $54.0 million as part of reallocations; staff said $8.9 million reflected council direction from the FY24 annual comprehensive financial report to use above‑target BSR funds for an uncertainty reserve and capital projects.

- Additional technical adjustments across enterprise and internal service funds, including a reallocation of electricity usage charges, insurance premium adjustments and minor gas‑tax reductions affecting street maintenance projects.

Why staff asked for the change: Chief Geo Blackshire and budget staff described Station 4’s service area and said the unit’s historical configuration had changed over time. Director of Finance Lauren Lai and Budget Manager Paul Harper told council that the midyear report is primarily technical but recommended targeted near‑term actions to maintain services and to address urgent needs that could not wait until the annual budget cycle.

Fire operations: Chief Blackshire told the council Station 4 can accommodate four beds but typically staffs three personnel; historically the station housed an engine but later shifted to an ambulance-only model. Staff recommended use of one of two reserve engines to restore an engine to service and implement cross‑staffing in the short term while the council considers longer‑term options. Council and staff discussed alternatives that could include fully staffing an engine and ambulance (estimated in discussion at roughly $3–4 million annually), or moving to a civilian “single‑role” ambulance model that budget staff estimated could be lower cost but would require design work and possible labor negotiations.

Budget footing and reserves: The midyear report shows general fund revenues tracking in line with the long‑range financial forecast but flagged a decline in sales tax that staff adjusted for. The adopted FY25 general fund had a $6 million deficit; staff’s long‑range forecast projects a $12 million deficit in FY26 and additional pressure in FY27. To address near‑term shortfalls, the report increases the uncertainty reserve to $12 million and reduces the BSR to $54.0 million (about $400,000 below the council’s 18.5% target band), staff said.

Council direction and next steps: Council member Burt moved the staff recommendations and the motion passed unanimously. The council also directed staff to return in the upcoming FY26 budget process with alternative funding and staffing scenarios — including the option to include permanent FTEs to staff Station 4 — so the council can weigh tradeoffs during its May budget hearings. Staff said they will bring a follow‑up to the Finance Committee and include options for purchase timing of replacement apparatus (staff reported hybrid engines carry shorter lead times than diesel, but hybrid units are more expensive).

Public input: Dozens of public speakers — including current and former Palo Alto firefighters and residents — urged council to fully staff Station 4 rather than rely on permanent cross‑staffing or overtime. Firefighters described cross‑staffing as an unreliable long‑term model and urged the council to approve permanent hires to restore pre‑pandemic staffing levels; others called for immediate action to reduce response times in South Palo Alto.

Why it matters: Council members said the decision balances urgent community safety needs against constrained general‑fund capacity and longer‑term budget deficits. The short‑term move restores additional capacity quickly, while the council asked staff to return with the costed, durable alternatives so members can decide whether to fund permanent hires as part of the FY26 budget.

What to expect: Staff will return to the Finance Committee in April to continue the fire‑services discussion, finalize proposals for apparatus procurement and present recommended FY26 budget scenarios for council deliberation in May.","Palo Alto's City Council approved midyear amendments that include temporary overtime funding to cross‑staff an engine and ambulance at Fire Station 4, organizational changes and a plan to return with longer-term staffing options for the FY26 budget.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6680364,"Palo Alto council forms ad hoc to craft city response to federal actions after weeks of debate",4732,3400000,8132000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2383717-621b15466a9af0bcc97c93e77e1b2beb&start=3400&end=8132","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2383717-621b15466a9af0bcc97c93e77e1b2beb/thumbnail_3400000.jpg","/articles/6680364/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Palo-Alto-council-forms-ad-hoc-to-craft-city-response-to-federal-actions-after-weeks-of-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6680364-9971dc948a27cb6abdc02203518c38f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191533&Signature=gjN1pRyx7lzsgZ7QTO-DpsF-RwJVVKV3~C89AxP1ydbKNTMEAn5DMwv7eNz3gC14oqKIFgRZxcXbjeuaU66h292iRVn~yQFY~97GaKYHPn9wpEdRRNU325xmeVj8I83x-Rg0GztO04wxovPps0BdT1OIl~uETfjT4K2uW3TUmMzCzIAg4RiyKTyWhokD0FLXFc0yEd55J5owCJnQj9XQGafiES8bwm33A3iLHZd3rAHAXFeSzWfNS4Y35mW4-nK9Pr94mElmJoS1qqZcTNOCqZbGfcRxeXmmmF2qODgdnNJS4Vf0wGse0c4qoXzNysmH3Z6m5js3eh6Qyej-Lncf3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After extended discussion and more than a dozen public commenters, the Palo Alto City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 24 to create an ad hoc group to draft recommended steps the city should take in response to recent federal executive actions.

The measure directs council members and staff to develop a process for deciding, on an expedited basis when necessary, whether Palo Alto should join or support litigation, file amicus briefs, or take other actions consistent with the council's stated values.

The resolution’s authors framed the measure as a planning step: it reasserts that “the council offers support for the rule of law,” and asks the council and staff to identify efficient mechanisms for evaluating and responding to federal actions that could affect local grants, services or residents. The vice mayor, Vicki Venker, described examples where litigation or amicus briefs could be helpful, including ongoing suits by Santa Clara County and the city of San Francisco challenging federal grant freezes. Venker told the council the intent was to create an actionable screening process, not to authorize immediate lawsuits without further council review.

Council members said they sought a balance between showing solidarity with vulnerable residents and avoiding language that could provoke federal retaliation. Council member Burt, a sponsor of the revised memo, said the measure’s purpose is to ensure the city’s “stated values will continue to guide our actions” and to provide a mechanism to react quickly when events require. Council member Byrd said she supported the changes to make the text more affirmative and less confrontational.

More than a dozen members of the public addressed the council during the lengthy public-comment period. Speakers included church leaders, faith organizations and local residents who urged the council to adopt a strong position on immigrant protections, transgender health care, and other topics they said had been targeted by federal policy. Several public commenters urged the council to move quickly; others urged caution to avoid jeopardizing federal funding.

Council member Stone urged the council to prioritize unanimity and careful wording to avoid unintended consequences for the city. Several council members recommended the ad hoc include representatives from the authors of both drafts that had been submitted so the group could reconcile contrastin language. The council agreed and approved the creation of the ad hoc by a roll-call vote that carried unanimously.

The resolution does not itself authorize litigation or the filing of briefs. It recommends a process that could include referral to the Policy and Services Committee for screening and the possibility of bringing recommendations back to full council, and it allows for the use of closed sessions when legal strategy requires it. The new ad hoc is expected to return recommendations to the council in the weeks ahead.

Why it matters: Council members said federal executive actions already are affecting local grant programs and utilities, and that Palo Alto needs a consistent, timely way to evaluate and respond when federal policy threatens local services or resident protections. The ad hoc is intended to propose a balanced process that protects legal rights and city services while minimizing financial and operational risk.

What’s next: The council asked staff to return quickly with options for the ad hoc’s membership, scope and timeline so the council can finalize the group’s charge and begin work. The council majority directed staff to report back as soon as practicable for a follow-up briefing and possible refinement of the guidelines.","After lengthy debate and public comment, the Palo Alto City Council voted to create an ad hoc group to reconcile rival colleague memos and recommend how the city should act on federal executive actions that council members say may affect local services and residents.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council creates ad hoc to press Valley Water concern after announcement of $23 million transfer

Council approves midyear budget amendments, authorizes short-term staffing for Fire Station 4 and asks staff to include alternatives for FY26

Palo Alto council forms ad hoc to craft city response to federal actions after weeks of debate