[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6583175,"mediaKeyId","3076553-9c6f8479b7da79d0bea34355bd16f78d","parentId",3076553,"title","Votes at a glance: consent calendar approved; key measures advanced","audioSeconds",65,"startMs",8962024,"endMs",9028000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076553-9c6f8479b7da79d0bea34355bd16f78d&start=8962&end=9028","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076553-9c6f8479b7da79d0bea34355bd16f78d/thumbnail_8962024.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6583175/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-consent-calendar-approved-key-measures-advanced","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583175-af8645523e6a10f181e7cd7e4480e934/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148378&Signature=R8IpfBrzSOzmfGpHMsQuaFduzC6GpEKu5CZktRIGCUF0gU9cypqk5huZcN42UP-MVGIQOs7clXj5Pa8sKPsal-IjePbMqgK3HrJCr6PAS~TUPYK5yiO1jF1Jn0wk4IDzuIsRjTGcd894mY2D0Mw0ywYw9naBEiD1WhXLxmCQRrhKw7HNCuAfS4V5gjxjHzN9rjKhbJbK81mpkNAPrFZgzkR6MtfkEU6IaUvqYNmeuJ2JdG742mprY-Z7aPTyI8UIOwzml8KlXEaUV9FHML-mSKFdr5HoobGhVAygAyFIwwaAoSD2sBdanFleIAl7agTTGRue2JgSmCjZkr6WsesFwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Palo Alto City","date","2025-04-22T05:50:14.697Z","article","Here are the formal actions recorded during the April 21 meeting of the Palo Alto City Council.

- Consent calendar (items 4 through 10): Approved unanimously. Councils single motion to approve the consent calendar passed with all seven members recorded as \"yes.\" Item 9 on the consent calendar reaffirmed the Citys support for the Safe Routes to School partnership and adopted updated consensus statement documents.

- Cubberley Master Plan polling authorization (agenda item 11): Council authorized staff to proceed with the first-round FM3 poll to inform the Cubberley Master Plan and potential ballot options; poll to launch April 28 with results presented to council in June. (Motion passed; recorded yes votes from all present.)

- Turf study contract authorization (agenda item 12): Council authorized the city manager to execute a limited-scope contract with Lloyd Sports & Engineering for a turf alternatives study focused on El Camino Park, not to exceed $160,000; vote was 6 in favor, 1 opposed.

Other study items (for example the Independent Police Auditor presentation) were informational study sessions and did not require formal council votes during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - April 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council approved the consent calendar (items 4-10) unanimously and took separate votes on study/contract items earlier in the meeting; item 9 (Safe Routes to School updated consensus statement) was included on the consent calendar.","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},6583180,"Palo Alto signs Friendship City agreement with Narok County, Kenya",735,1717535,2453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076553-9c6f8479b7da79d0bea34355bd16f78d&start=1717&end=2453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076553-9c6f8479b7da79d0bea34355bd16f78d/thumbnail_1717535.jpg","/articles/6583180/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Palo-Alto-signs-Friendship-City-agreement-with-Narok-County-Kenya","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583180-1047306e60ebb0829a489a4f679c061f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148378&Signature=b~DCmMCa8iorOJ~Mfa~WxIW-OiaMf6ThDg18aJ6msXjjX9kPlE-ymoAbDTCDwNYU2U1U9EJL8oafbLmxibKmV2usl6oc7OSyB38WE0-eZW9x19yvcYADHNa2HnDIbXnl9e-~dEsQDA8CZ1wIdagB35A1L8ZFkmHdQbwgemjn5VEoPgm2GznECFhfEcwpdQxGFn735w5rIZN6UhyLaCjTmvohbSPn3zwUHiZrtdu~XJwmDCdktv9xfvsodhmded4MSaISjNHGnicCKmt1H2LJqAfAtajubQKT~ub3BlDLL7Gypgh2kQYnWBphDVFaNxKxzIph6f~fhyPmIoDt52Vj9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Palo Alto and a delegation from Narok County in Kenya marked the citys first formal Friendship City agreement in a ceremonial signing on April 21.

Neighbors Abroad, a local nonprofit that organizes international partnerships, introduced Narok representatives and described longstanding ties. \"This is a historic relationship,\" said Barb Macrez, a longtime Neighbors Abroad volunteer and founder of Olive Seed Foundation, which partners with community groups in the Masai Mara region.

Amos Kapin, a community organizer and Olive Seed Kenya cofounder, brought greetings from Narok and spoke about local priorities including education, womens empowerment, clean water and sustainable development. Kapin said Naroks governor had planned to attend but was delayed; the governor is scheduled for a West Coast visit May 25-30 and intends to meet Palo Alto officials.

Mayor Laowing and councilmembers participated in the signing and posed for photographs with the Narok delegation. Councilmembers offered brief comments of welcome; Councilmember Lythcott Haines noted personal experience visiting the Maasai Mara and praised community-to-community ties.

The ceremony was ceremonial in nature; no binding contracts or funding commitments were announced during the event. City staff and Neighbors Abroad said the partnership is intended to support cultural exchange, educational programming and informal development collaboration over time.","Palo Alto officials and local nonprofit Neighbors Abroad signed a ceremonial Friendship City agreement with Narok County, Kenya, to establish cultural and development ties; Narok representatives plan a West Coast visit in May.",{"_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},6583184,"Council approves limited turf study after heated debate; contract to focus on El Camino options",5970,14075395,20046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076553-9c6f8479b7da79d0bea34355bd16f78d&start=14075&end=20046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076553-9c6f8479b7da79d0bea34355bd16f78d/thumbnail_14075395.jpg","/articles/6583184/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Council-approves-limited-turf-study-after-heated-debate-contract-to-focus-on-El-Camino-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583184-dc5d69dc282d346d191a4a788065553d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148378&Signature=mLa1uJ1XQMjPwqvr5gos0sSfsI-9Yhv1s9Am2ZAtlig8YNVXzT4Cx-25Jrbel-JAFghLRM4A7czr-YLSVDLpvVuUmxPjKo-yGZHHv9NVMt8CnX~qjfWDKdDjGjLy16xDeHnij0IG1fDm2LrIou2R0OqKqguwjssJzsvC2kFVA1hdITm~MnjTGVoM5zZXe7wopzUNHiazrzNlKMwZzhW44AltuPmaPB6WAYQ~XEZBTTgTaC-7LyqGWwcrTaHnIgUydjJqFHpGp31VfzRhD4AQgBBiOzEWspLzL7Up8n~hPqJt9c17OXLb02RDYl67HXefOq5jzEzquBeIEzpct5p3kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","After more than two hours of public comment and council debate, the City Council on April 21 approved a contract authorization with Lloyd Sports & Engineering to conduct a study of athletic-field options, with the council limiting the consultants work to a focused scope and authorizing staff to negotiate a final contract not to exceed $160,000.

Council discussion centered on whether the city needed an outside study at all, given recent literature reviews by Santa Clara County and staffs own analysis for the Mayfield replacement project. Supporters of the study argued that rapidly evolving products, hybrid turf options and new infill materials require outside technical expertise; opponents urged relying on existing reports, city staff analysis and lower-cost options.

Kristen OKane, Community Services Director, told council the original proposal (about $233,000) had been reduced to roughly $161,000 by shifting community engagement and some maintenance analysis to city staff and by using the countys recent literature review for baseline environmental and health research.

The revised scope directs the consultant to evaluate a limited set of alternatives for El Camino Park (the next city-managed field scheduled for replacement), including: upgraded synthetic turf with low- or no-PFAS materials and non-toxic infill options, hybrid turf systems that combine natural grass and synthetic reinforcement, and best-practice natural-grass rebuilds with improved drainage and organic maintenance practices. Staff emphasized that the Mayfield project (two synthetic fields) will continue as planned in 2025; those construction contracts are expected to come to council in June.

Public commenters were split. Youth sports organizers and field users argued artificial turf is essential to sustain high-use sports programs year-round. Environmental and public-health advocates urged the city to avoid new plastic turf fields and to prioritize organically managed grass or other low-plastic alternatives, citing life-cycle and end-of-life disposal concerns.

The council ultimately approved the authorization to negotiate and execute a contract focused on El Camino Park analysis up to $160,000; the roll-call vote was 6 in favor, 1 opposed. Some councilmembers requested that the scope explicitly include hybrid turf options, PFAS verification of any proposed product, and detailed cost and hours-of-use comparisons for each alternative. Staff will return with a signed contract and a deliverable schedule, then present findings to council and the Parks & Recreation Commission.","Council voted 6-1 to approve a consultant contract (not to exceed $160,000) to study athletic-field options; staff narrowed the scope and will prioritize analysis for El Camino Park while continuing to replace two Mayfield synthetic fields this year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583188,"Palo Alto authorizes first poll for Cubberley Master Plan; FM3 to survey likely November 2026 voters",3506,10608555,14115000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076553-9c6f8479b7da79d0bea34355bd16f78d&start=10608&end=14115","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076553-9c6f8479b7da79d0bea34355bd16f78d/thumbnail_10608555.jpg","/articles/6583188/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Palo-Alto-authorizes-first-poll-for-Cubberley-Master-Plan-FM3-to-survey-likely-November-2026-voters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583188-0d20fbc0d8f899484351734ece603c2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148378&Signature=lg18dkmm25v59kiK~Yy4FJymU30Nfu5U8y5JGrZfdlrtxN1ZHrVkA4Y~SYHNGlgOGq5Fk51QpzkdJFHKpy3d9JXLP7wDp9ydYkqB20A1feFt39jPczeAMkMxlGNaP4iCTEICdjQdb3r-f-fo-~pNnlBCxmcoARFRUBCbTFvCSFu7orhGEM9j2zXm-eYA1trf95COplhvhry~GTXXT0HJiC381JX5pFvbUg84nQNTCoY6QzFXc1f0he9~xBhf0GMo4DE3xf49hJJI0RsPV~551h2zSwEmF-lsA6nwMbeS1O5tYmU0w8URi1urilWg~MUYDecUSTmcF89VWRvXo832IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council authorized staff and pollster FM3 to conduct the first of three planned public opinion polls to inform the Cubberley Master Plan and potential November 2026 ballot placement.

The poll framework presented on April 21 asks registered likely voters about overall priorities (e.g., community gathering space, open green space, senior programs, childcare), preferred program elements (indoor and outdoor), and preliminary willingness to pay at multiple price points. \"We'll draw a random sample of Palo Alto registered voters from the voter file who based on their past voting behavior are considered likely to cast ballots in November,\" FM3 president Dave Metz told council; outreach will combine email/text invitations and phone calls to landlines and cell phones.

Staff said the poll will launch April 28, with results provided to council in mid‑May and presented on June 9. The results will be used, together with community meeting input and the 2019 master plan data, to develop three conceptual plans for Cubberley that will be shown at the next community meeting. City staff said community outreach between now and June will include an online comment card, tabling at city events, utility bill inserts, and volunteer \"Cubberley Fellows\" who will help spread the word.

Councilmembers pressed staff and FM3 on methodology and content. Councilmember Lythcott Haines, chair of the Cubberley ad hoc, requested geographic slicing of poll responses (quartiles or precincts) so the city can see whether priorities differ by neighborhood; FM3 confirmed the sample will include addresses so geographic analysis is possible within sample-size limits.

Several speakers from community groups urged that planning preserve the pavilion features (acoustics, dimmable lighting, dedicated entrance and storage) used by long-term Pavilion users such as ballroom dancers, and requested continuity-of-use plans during any construction. Staff said community activation events and \"site activation\" (e.g., temporary programming, murals, movie nights) are being planned to build public engagement.

By the end of the discussion the council voted to proceed with the poll as presented and to let FM3 and staff finalize the questionnaire and outreach. If the city moves toward a ballot measure, FM3 expects a second poll to test complete proposals with price tags, followed by a final pre‑ballot poll if council decides to place a measure on November 2026.","Council authorized a city-funded first-round poll to inform design and potential ballot decisions for Cubberley Master Plan. Polling will be conducted by FM3 and will test priorities, potential features and initial price sensitivity.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6583193,"Independent Police Auditor: Palo Alto complaints show lapses in judgment but stronger oversight overall",1851,4554645,6406000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3076553-9c6f8479b7da79d0bea34355bd16f78d&start=4554&end=6406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3076553-9c6f8479b7da79d0bea34355bd16f78d/thumbnail_4554645.jpg","/articles/6583193/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Independent-Police-Auditor-Palo-Alto-complaints-show-lapses-in-judgment-but-stronger-oversight-overall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6583193-d6472d794ce575b288a43974be38b0ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148378&Signature=Ipw40uSWM70-1vpapnueLCWVhflLOZbjhntZnLn-pV8X~e9F28p9ucu19v3P2ysX09ZP5ZWBhbEytnzioYHocdnOrRHTkY~9yIGHve9L4kYgXcY2GHHKEFv4yBGYQqKTVarq9S5DTn6oHoLQnNghhvwXd1E-aPy6zmnC5FkiQ926m859CpCev92jtc5aBcH6zL0XWJECiLsR1esCAHG0b9CqXiLjJhojd9XgHL47tcukGXi5jwg4amU6hzZwWm9Mxdiy~Wp8dFrXEVf4c30u5dsNl9kJiEQI37fgucQfnL~oGkKgrpU7t1LtQVxzB-Txi4nqhHYBP9qnzGWmGbFpNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The citys independent police auditor presented its semiannual review of complaint investigations and use-of-force documentation at a study session on April 21, recommending new policy guidance and clearer reporting to complainants.

The audit covered five public misconduct complaints, one internally generated complaint and four documented instances in which officers pointed firearms at people. “We are now talking about a department, and providing oversight not at oversight 101, but more oversight at a graduate level,” Stephen Connolly of OIR Group told the council, summarizing the auditors view that Palo Alto Police Department practices have matured but still require targeted improvements.

The auditors recommended the department draft clearer guidance about when officers should step aside from incidents involving friends or family, after one investigation found an officer had inserted himself into a dispute with a friend of one party. The auditors also said supervisors should not wait for a formal complaint form before initiating an investigation, and that closure letters to complainants should provide more detail about non-disciplinary interventions such as coaching or training.

The auditors report singled out a DUI investigation that included a misread breathalyzer result; auditors recommended more training before officers are allowed to lead DUI investigations. On the broader topic of firearms, auditors said the departments new protocol for documenting and reviewing instances when officers point firearms appears to be effective: all four cases reviewed were found consistent with training and policy, and auditors said officers are documenting such incidents more thoroughly.

Public commenters praised the expanded oversight but urged quicker, more transparent action in cases of potential conflict. One commenter whose relative filed a complaint said the departments initial response ignored a clear conflict and that the IPA reported what the department refused to. The auditorsrecommendations build on that public concern by urging both a new policy hook for conduct unbecoming and improved closure communications to complainants.

City staff and police leadership agreed to pursue the recommendations. Chief Bender told the council the department has revised its closure letters and will work with the City Attorney to provide more informative notifications to complainants within legal constraints. The deputy city manager said a contracted National Policing Institute review of demographic stop data (RIPA) is in the draft stage and should be presented to council in June or, if needed, by August.

The IPA presentation and the departments responses will appear in the packet materials available online; the auditors said they will track whether recommended changes, particularly to complaint closure letters, are implemented in future audits. The council did not take formal action at the study session; the agenda item was informational and for policy discussion only.","The citys Independent Police Auditor (IPA) presented a six-month review of 2024 complaint investigations, finding mostly appropriate outcomes but recommending new guidance on officer conflicts of interest, timelier complaint processing and clearer complainant notifications.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: consent calendar approved; key measures advanced

Palo Alto signs Friendship City agreement with Narok County, Kenya

Council approves limited turf study after heated debate; contract to focus on El Camino options

Palo Alto authorizes first poll for Cubberley Master Plan; FM3 to survey likely November 2026 voters

Independent Police Auditor: Palo Alto complaints show lapses in judgment but stronger oversight overall