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East Palo Alto council backs drafting a formal legislative platform, asks staff to study committee structure
Summary
Council members agreed the city should develop its first legislative platform rooted in existing strategic priorities and the general plan, and asked staff to return with a draft in early 2026 and options for whether a small legislative committee should be ad hoc or a Brown Act-covered body.
The East Palo Alto City Council directed staff to draft the city's first formal legislative platform and return with a recommendation early next year. Orly Amy, assistant to the city manager, described the platform as a way to move from case-by-case advocacy to a consistent framework and asked the council for guidance on whether to establish a legislative committee to oversee ongoing advocacy.
"Staff is seeking your input to help shape this work and your direction tonight on whether to establish a legislative committee to guide our ongoing advocacy," Amy said. She explained the recommended platform would be anchored in the council's strategic priorities, the general plan Vision 2035, and the League of California Cities' priorities so that local positions align with long-term goals.
Consultants and staff emphasized funding as the near-term priority. Ken Brown, the city's long-time legislative consultant, summarized prior successes and urged the council to continue prioritizing grant and appropriations work to advance projects such as Bay Road improvements and water infrastructure. Councilmembers broadly agreed the platform should prioritize deeply affordable housing, anti-displacement measures and funding requests tied to the city's strategic plan.
Council members also raised process questions. Some members supported forming a small, ad hoc working group to help review draft positions between full meetings, while others urged caution about creating a standing committee that might trigger Brown Act requirements and increase staff workload. The city attorney advised that a time-limited, clearly charged ad hoc committee of fewer than a quorum typically would not be a Brown Act body.
Staff said it would return with a draft platform in early 2026, conduct additional research on committee options and launch a public-facing page this fall to publish advocacy letters and position statements. The city manager's office will also coordinate with the consultant on FY27 appropriations requests and bill tracking.
