Council adopts first formal legislative platform and delegation framework, adds housing preservation language

City staff presented a proposed legislative platform intended to codify the City of East Palo Alto’s positions on recurring state, federal and regional issues and to create a framework for timely advocacy. Assistant to the City Manager Orly Amy said the platform organizes priorities into seven pillars—civic engagement; comprehensive housing; governance and fiscal sustainability; land use, economic and workforce development; parks and facilities; public health, safety and quality of life; and public infrastructure and utilities—and would allow the city manager to sign position letters or act quickly when a bill clearly aligns with the platform.

Councilmembers asked for targeted edits (notably adding the word “preservation” to the housing pillar to reflect local priorities) and said the platform should explicitly include county‑level advocacy with San Mateo County. Council also discussed establishing a small, non‑Brown Act mayor/vice‑mayor advisory group as a first line of internal consultation for staff; the council emphasized that any ultimate policy or major departures would return to the full council for decision. By motion and second, the council approved the platform, with staff to incorporate the preservation language and additional regional funding priorities before finalization.

Staff said the platform will be published on a public advocacy web page and that the city will continue to coordinate with its legislative consultants for real‑time bill tracking and appropriations requests.