City Council

Council Priorities 2024

2025-2026 Palo Alto City Council

*Access more information on each City Council Member's profile, linked to their names.

 

 

Patrick Burt

 Councilmember

  • Term Expiration
    December 31, 2028

  • Telephone(650) 308-9824
  • Email Pat.Burt@CityofPaloAlto.org
    • Office Hours

    1st and 3rd Mondays of the month (except for July and holidays, no office hours) from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at ZombieRunner Coffee, 344 California Ave, Palo Alto, CA

Julie Lythcott-Haims

 Councilmember

  • Term Expiration
    December 31, 2026

  • Email Julie.LythcottHaims@CityofPaloAlto.org
    • Office Hours

    By appointment. For zoom office hours, visit this link https://calendly.com/jlythcotthaims/fall-zoom-office-hours-clone to schedule or contact assistant@lythcott-haims.com for additional options.

Vicki Veenker

 Vice Mayor

  • Term Expiration
    December 31, 2026

  • Email Vicki.Veenker@CityofPaloAlto.org
    • Office Hours

    Most Friday afternoons, 2-4 p.m., generally alternating weekly between Zoom and in-person. You may book a time here: https://calendly.com/4constituents/constituent-meetings.

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The City of Palo Alto Council is a comprised of seven Members elected at-large during General municipal Elections during November of even years. The Council meets the first, second and third Monday of every month at 5:30 pm. Due to the high volume of agenda items heard, City Council may hold special meetings as needed. The City Council Agenda Packet is published 11 days before the meeting and uploaded to the City's web pages after 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays. 

Access City Council Agenda Packets

 

The City Council annually approves  summer and winter breaks. Within those dates, Council does not hold regular Council or Standing Committee meetings. At the October 28, 2024 City Council Meeting, City Council approved the summer break from June 20, 2025 - August 3, 2025 and the winter break from December 19, 2025 - January 4, 2026.

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City Council Priorities

Each year, the City Council reviews its priorities for the year at its annual Council Retreat. A Council priority is defined as a topic that will receive significant attention during the year. Typically, priorities have a three-year time limit, although some may continue beyond that time period.

Thank you to the community members that shared their feedback on the 2024 Council priorities by emailing the Council, sharing thoughts at the retreat, and/or filling out the online survey.

On Monday, January 29, 2024 the City Council selected the following priorities:

1. Climate Change & Natural Environment - Protection and Adaptation
2. Community Health, Safety, Wellness & Belonging
3. Economic Development & Transition
4. Housing for Social & Economic Balance

  1. View the City Council Priorities for 2024 page for more information.

State of the City Address

Every year, the Mayor of Palo Alto hosts a State of the City Address to celebrate the community, recognize accomplishments, and set goals. Public dignitaries, staff, and Palo Altans come together each year for this event.

Watch the 2024 State of the City Address

Watch the 2023 State of the City Address

Watch the 2022 State of the City Address

Watch the 2021 State of the City Address

Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook

Palo Alto City Council strives to engage in effective and orderly meeting discussions for the City. The City Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook is an informational guide on City Council's order of business and aims to enhance public participation. This handbook is organized into two sections: "Public Participation in Council Meetings" and "Council Meeting and Agenda Guidelines." The Policy and Services Committee annually reviews the handbook to ensure good parliamentary practices and protocols.

For more details, view the Procedures and Protocols Handbook(PDF, 685KB)

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