Resources for Hybrid Meeting Attendance

Hybrid meetings offer the public the flexibility of attending either virtually/remotely by using Zoom or in-person at City Hall. The new hybrid-style meetings will take place in the City Council Chambers at City Hall for all boards, commission, committee, and City Council meetings (except for Ad Hoc Committees). City Hall HVAC system operations have been enhanced in alignment with CDC recommendations, and supplemental HEPA filtration will be provided in the Chambers to further improve indoor air quality. Face masks and social distancing are strongly recommended. 

All members of the public who wish to speak during the Council meeting will be able to do so, regardless of whether they are present in chambers or participating by Zoom. Members of the public who wish to comment through writing may email City.Council@cityofpaloalto.org. All public emails to Council are uploaded to the Public Letters to City Council webpage at noon on the day of the meeting. Council meetings will continue to be broadcast and streamed live on the City’s YouTube channel, Channel 26 or 29 on cable TV, on the Midpen Media Center's website, and via Zoom as listed on the agenda.  

Wondering how to provide public comment?
Check out our City Meetings Public Comment Policy(PDF, 409KB)! 

Meeting Information

The City of Palo Alto has regular meeting dates for all of its governing bodies. The City's meeting information is best found in the published agenda packets. Agenda packets outline the items that will be discussed at the meeting. It also includes important information, such as when to provide public comment and how to join a meeting online. 

Getting Online Access

Looking to get online access? Visit our Palo Alto Libraries! While library operating hours are limited due to COVID-19, our Palo Alto libraries continue to provide service and resources for our community. The Rinconada Library and Mitchell Park Library are great points of interests. For more information on hours, explore our Palo Alto Library Locations and Operating Hours. Of the current services provided, we recommend the following resources to help engage in our public meetings:

  • Rent a Chromebook at our Palo Alto Libraries. Holds are for a week.
  • Wireless Internet is available at all branches. No password or library card is required.
    Steps to Connect:
    • Look for PA_OverAir_Library on your wireless device.
    • Accept the policy and enjoy 2 hours of access.
    • After 2 hours, you can repeat the process for more Internet access. 
  • Need more help? Connect with the Palo Alto Library team by phone at (650) 329-2436 for more information!

     

Connecting to a Meeting

All City of Palo Alto meetings are held in-person in Council Chambers or the Community Meeting Room, and via Zoom. Zoom information is available on all published agendas at the first page. Residents can participate online by computer/mobile device or by phone.

  • If participating by video, use the link provided on the top front page of the agenda. The regular practice would be using the Zoom Join Link and inputting the webinar ID found at the top front page of the agenda.
  • If participating by phone, dial in US: +1 (669) 900-6833. Once connected, enter in the webinar meeting number of your corresponding meeting. This information can be found on the top front page of the agenda.
  • For more information about joining a meeting, please visit Zoom's How to Join a Meeting Guide.

To view and observe a meeting, Palo Alto broadcasts online and by Cable TV Channel 26 or 29. Our online resources are as follows:

  • Midpen Media Center broadcasts most Palo Alto meetings. This includes that of City Council, Council Committees, Boards, Commissions, and other special Committees. Only the City/School Liaison Committee Meeting is not streamed on MidPen but through Zoom.
  • The City of Palo Alto YouTube Channel streams all City Council meetings live.
  • Zoom is the main online platform for all hybrid meetings.

How to Engage in Public Comment

Members of the Public may provide public comments to hybrid meetings via email, teleconference, phone, or in-person. For more information on participating via Zoom, visit Zoom's Raise Your Hand Support Guide. 

  • Written public comments may be submitted to the entire City Council by emailing City.Council@cityofpaloalto.org or emailing a Council Member directly. Use the individual information on our City Council webpage. Public comments to Council are posted every Monday at noon on our Public Letter to Council Webpage. Emails that are relevant to an agenda item heard that day are linked on the City Council agenda packet on the day of the meeting.
  • Spoken public comments using a computer will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, click on the link below to access a Zoom-based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully:
    • You may download the Zoom client or connect to the meeting in- browser. If using your browser, make sure you are using a current, up-to-date browser . Certain functionality may be disabled in older browsers including Internet Explorer.
    • You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak.
    • To speak on an Agenda Item, click on “Raise Hand.” You will then be called upon to unmute your device, and allowed to make public comments. After the allotted time, you will then be re-muted.
    • A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
  • Spoken public comments using a smart phone will be accepted through the teleconference meeting. To address the Council, download the Zoom application onto your phone from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Meeting ID found on the agenda. Please read the following instructions carefully:
    • You may be asked to enter an email address and name. We request that you identify yourself by name as this will be visible online and will be used to notify you that it is your turn to speak.
    • To speak on an Agenda Item, click on “Raise Hand.” You will then be called upon to unmute your device, and allowed to make public comments. After the allotted time, you will then be re-muted.
    • A timer will be shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
  • Spoken public comments using a phone are accessible by dialing 1 (669) 900-6833 and entering the meeting's webinar ID. To speak on an agenda item, press *9 to "Raise Hand" when the item is being heard. You will then be called upon to unmute your device by pressing *6. After the allotted time for public comment, you will then be re-muted. You will be asked to provide your first and last name before addressing the Council. When called please limit your remarks to the agenda item and time limit allotted.


 

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