City Clerk

Regular City Council meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first three Mondays of each month. On March 17, 2020, the California Governor issued the provisions of Executive Order N-29-20. It states that to prevent the spread of COVID-19, meetings will be held only by virtual teleconference with no physical location. Meetings are broadcasted on Cable TV Channel 26 or 29, live on YouTube, and live on the Midpen Media Center. The Palo Alto Daily Post publishes a copy of the Agenda on the Friday preceding the City Council Meeting.

Sign up for the City Council Agenda Mailing List

City/School Liaison Committee

Meets on the third Thursday of each month at 8:30 a.m.

Committee Members:

City of Palo Alto

• Mayor Patrick Burt (Chair)
• Council Member Eric Filseth

Palo Alto Unified School District

• Board Member Jennifer DiBrienza
• Board Member Shounak Dharap 

Council Appointed Officers Committee

Meets on an as-needed basis.

Committee Members:

• Vice Mayor Lydia Kou
• Council Member Alison Cormack (Chair)
• Council Member Tom DuBois

Finance Committee

Meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m.

Committee Members:

• Vice Mayor Lydia Kou
• Council Member Tom DuBois (Chair)
• Council Member Eric Filseth

Policy and Services Committee

Meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. 

Committee Members: 

• Council Member Greer Stone (Chair)
• Council Member Alison Cormack
• Council Member Greg Tanaka

Rail Committee

Meets on an as-needed basis. 

• Mayor Pat Burt
• Vice Mayor Lydia Kou (Chair)
• Council Member Alison Cormack

The City of Palo Alto has eight Boards and Commissions appointed by the City Council. The Boards and Commissions focus on specific areas of discussion. Members volunteer their time and expertise to the City. The City Clerk's Office coordinates recruitments to fill vacancies on the City's Boards and Commissions.

The City Clerk is the Records Manager for the City. The City Clerk maintains the City's Records Retention Schedule(PDF, 22MB) and guides the City on best practices for records management. The City Clerk's Office records the official legislative actions of the City and preserves City history. Records found in the Clerk's Office include:

The City Clerk is the local Filing Officer for the City of Palo Alto. All local campaign Committees and Form 700 Fliers are required to file statements with the City Clerk. The City Clerk complies with the regulations of the State of California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC). The City Clerk also maintains forms and files of the FPPC.

California Political Reform Act

Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)

If you need help on filing, please contact our City Clerk. Contact by phone (650) 329-2630 or by email at Lesley.Milton@cityofpaloalto.org.

Conflict of Interest Filings (Form 700)

Council Members, Board and Commission Members, and select City staff must file a Form 700. We encourage filing the Form 700 electronically using the NetFile Employee Login

To view a list of positions required to file a Form 700, please see the Conflict of Interest Resolution(PDF, 585KB).

Completed Form 700s are available via NetFile System Public Portal.

Campaign Statements

If you are required to file a Form 410, 460, 461, 465, 470, 497, 501 or other campaign related form, use the following link for easy electronic filing: NetFile Employee Login.

Completed campaign statements are available via the NetFile System Public Portal.

Gifts to the City

• Palo Alto Gift Policy(PDF, 100KB)
• Form 801 (Blank)(PDF, 467KB)
• Filed Form 801's

The City Clerk is the Elections Official for the City. All elections are conducted under the City Charter. Council Elections and ballot measures follow the State Law. Elections include:

• General Municipal Elections
• Ballot measures
• Nominations for Council candidates
• Initiatives
• Petitions
• Referendums
• Recalls
• Charter Amendments
• Special Elections

Election Information and Resources:

• City of Palo Alto Election Information
• Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters
• State of California Election Code
• Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)
• Elections
• Council Candidate Guide

• Palo Alto City Charter and Municipal Code
• Claims Against the City
• City Roster(PDF, 263KB)
• Domestic Partnerships(PDF, 51KB)

• Voting (coordinated with the Santa Clara County)
  • Voters Edge
  • League of Women Voters
  • Registrar of Voters
  • Polling Places
• Vital Records (maintained by the Santa Clara County)
  
  • Birth / Death Certificates and Marriage Licenses (408-299-5688)
  • County Assessor's Office (408-299-5570)
  • Santa Clara County

• Regulatory and Advisory Boards, Commissions and Committees