City Council

2023-2024 Palo Alto City Council

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

Patrick Burt

 Council Member

  • Term Expiration
    December 31, 2024

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

    1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Printers Café, 320 California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA

Greg Tanaka

 Council Member

  • Term Expiration
    December 31, 2024

  • Telephone(415) 968-9436
  • Email Greg.Tanaka@cityofpaloalto.org; greg@gregtanaka.org
    • Office Hours

    Most Sundays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. For the safety and convenience of our constituents, we have moved all office hours to Zoom. Schedule an appointment at this link: https://tinyurl.com/TanakaOfficeHours or click the first button below.

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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 5:00 pm. 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 a Summer Break and Winter Closure. Within those dates, Council does not hold a regular Council or Standing Committee meeting. At the January 23, 2023 City Council meeting, City Council approved the Summer Break from Thursday June 22, 2023 to Sunday August 6, 2023. The Winter Break is approved from Wednesday, December 20, 2023 to Sunday January 7, 2024. 

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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.

The City Council will hold their annual Priority Setting Council retreat on January 28, 2023 at Mitchell Park Library in the Palo Alto Room. You can access the Retreat Agenda Here or participate virtually through the Zoom information below. 

Click here to Join Virtual Meeting https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238

 

  1. View the City Council Priorities for 2022 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. The 2023 State of the City will be held by Mayor Lydia Kou.

In 2022, former Mayor Pat Burt hosted his State of the City Address to contemplate and celebrate the coming new year.

 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 (Revision Date: 02/01/2020) 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, 288KB)

 

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