City staff provided standing updates at the Climate Action and Sustainability Committee meeting on June 13, 2025, including a year‑end summary for the Youth Climate Advisory Board (YCAB), operational guidance on 120‑volt plug‑in heat‑pump water heaters in city programs, and an overview of Palo Alto’s low‑carbon concrete reach code. The committee also approved its regular meeting schedule for the rest of 2025.

Youth Climate Advisory Board

Brad Eggleston, director of public works, said YCAB celebrated its first school year of activity and several subcommittees will continue projects over the summer. He said a progress report from YCAB is planned for City Council in August and staff will select new YCAB members by the end of the month. "There are currently 11 [members]; we can have a maximum of 15," Eggleston said during the meeting.

120‑volt heat‑pump water heater guidance

Staff described program experience and recommended best practices for 120‑volt plug‑in heat‑pump water heaters deployed through city programs. Staff relayed program guidance used in Palo Alto: recommend upsizing units relative to prior gas water‑heater sizing; limit recommended use to moderately sized homes and small families; place units in conditioned spaces (avoid outdoor installation where low temperatures impair operation); set tank temperatures to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and use mixing valves so units can run longer with smaller apparent hot‑water delivery.

Low‑carbon concrete reach code

Staff summarized the city’s low‑carbon concrete requirements, which the presentation identified as Palo Alto Municipal Code §16.14.0.24. The requirements apply to tier‑1 and tier‑2 residential and nonresidential projects, with two compliance pathways: a cement‑content limit pathway and an embodied‑carbon limits pathway that requires certified lower‑emission materials. Staff said most affected projects since the rule took effect on 2023‑01‑01 have used the cement‑limit pathway.

Committee schedule vote

The committee considered and approved the remaining monthly meeting dates for 2025, with two meetings scheduled in September to accommodate workload. A member moved to accept the staff recommendation and the committee recorded yes votes from Council member Lee, Chair Vinger and Council member Burt; the motion carried.

Ending

Committee members thanked staff for the updates and flagged follow‑up requests: staff will provide additional data on household sizes or reported adequacy for customers who have 120‑volt heat‑pump water heaters and will look into whether the low‑carbon concrete program has produced estimates of embodied‑carbon reductions to date.