City Council Priorities for 2023
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 2023 Council priorities by emailing the Council, sharing thoughts at the retreat, and/or filling out the online survey.
On Saturday, January 28, 2023 the City Council selected the following priorities: Economic Recovery and Transition, Climate Change & Natural Environment - Protection and Adaptation, Housing for Social & Economic Balance, and Community Health & Safety.
Read a recent community update, "Council Adopts Extensive Objectives, Building Upon 2023 Priorities"
Gain insight on major projects associated with these priorities in this quarterly update from February 2023.(PDF, 1MB).
Economic Recovery and Transition
Description
As part of the 2023 priorities setting, City Council adopted Economic Recovery and Transition. Work plan adaptation to these priorities will be considered in the coming months. This specific priority includes looking at a cohesive vision for our commercial cores.
Read the latest progress report on the Community and Economic Recovery plan.(PDF, 298KB)
Learn more about related topics
Climate Change & Natural Environment: Protection and Adaptation
Description
In early 2020, the City of Palo Alto launched an update to the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP) to develop the strategies needed to meet our goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2030 and other community-wide sustainability goals. This priority will further this and related work, including the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Ad Hoc Committee work plan to help guide the development, implementation, communication, and future community engagement of the S/CAP process.
Read the latest progress report on the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.(PDF, 2MB)
Learn more about related topics
Housing for Social and Economic Balance
Description
The City Council priority (originally from 2021) is a focus on affordable and workforce housing, funding, and achievable plans. Work plan adaptation to these priorities will be considered in the coming months.
Learn more about related topics:
Community Health and Safety
Description
The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on all communities. As part of the 2023 priorities setting, City Council adopted Community Health and Safety. A work plan on this priority will be considered in the coming months. When this priority was originally adopted in 2021, City Council added that this priority should cover crime, mental health, air quality, noise, and a sense of belonging.
Read the latest progress report on the City's Race & Equity work.(PDF, 404KB)
Learn more about related topics
2023 Council Retreat Materials
Related Informational Resources
The City documents the City Council priorities for historical and informational purposes. The annual priorities adopted by City Council have been recorded since 2016. Explore the previous priorities below.
Previous Council Priorities
2022
- Economic Recovery & Transition
- Climate Change & Natural Environment - Protection & Adaptation
- Housing for Social & Economic Balance
- Community Health & Safety
2021
2020
- Housing, with special emphasis on affordability
- Sustainability, in the context of the changing climate
- Improving mobility for all
2019
- Climate change
- Grade separation (choose preferred alternative by end of the year)
- Traffic and transportation
- Fiscal sustainability
2018
- Transportation
- Housing
- Budget and finance (create an infrastructure funding plan)
- Grade separation (choose preferred alternative by end of year)
2017
- Transportation
- Housing
- Infrastructure
- Healthy City, Healthy Community
- Budget and finance
2016
- The Built Environment: Housing, Parking, Livability, and Mobility
- Infrastructure
- Healthy City, Healthy Community
- Completion of the Comprehensive Plan 2015-2030 Update
Archived Retreat Documents and Meeting Recording
Previous Major Project Quarterly Updates