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City Policy Initiatives

The City Manager's Office is currently working on these projects and other priority areas.

Race & Equity

An evolving effort to comprehensively address systemic racism and bias in Palo Alto to create more inclusion and belonging.

The City of Palo Alto engages in state and federal legislative activities pursuant to our Council-approved Advocacy Process Manual and Legislative Guidelines. Additionally, City staff tracks multiple bills that may impact or are of interest to the City.

Connecting Palo Alto

Connecting Palo Alto is a community-based process to address the increased traffic congestion expected when Caltrain electrifies the tracks and runs more trains through the corridor. Community feedback and collaboration are a vital part of this decision-making process that will affect future generations to come.

Castilleja School

In 2000, Castilleja received a Conditional Use Permit from the City of Palo Alto for a maximum enrollment cap of 415 students. Castilleja’s student enrollment has exceeded this cap for years and upon learning this in 2013, the City began enforcement actions that included imposing a significant financial penalty and requiring the school to reduce its enrollment and apply for a new use permit.

City Budget

The City of Palo Alto's budget, as approved by the City Council, reflects resource allocations consistent with City policies, goals, and priorities. It also communicates to our citizens and staff an action plan for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes program goals and the standards by which the delivery of services to the public will be measured.

Community and Economic Recovery

As part of its 2021 priority setting session held on January 30, 2021, the City Council voted to focus on Community and Economic Recovery from the impacts of COVID-19 as one of its four priorities for 2021. Learn more about the workplan in place.

Last updated on February 08, 2021