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• City Finances Update: December 2023 
• Emergency Alert System Test was Conducted Today, Did You Receive it? 
• Survey: What Would You Like to See the City Council Prioritize in 2024? 
• San Antonio Road Visioning Workshop: January 24 
• 2023-24 Holiday Hours 
• Weekly City Manager Updates: Dec. 11, 2023 

County Public Health Order Continues: Wear Your Mask at Healthcare Facilities 

The Santa Clara County Public Health Order requiring a face mask in healthcare facilities continues to be in effect through the winter respiratory virus period now through March 31. Facilities where masks are required include medical, nursing, dental, vision, or behavioral healthcare. Per County guidance, wear your mask in these settings to protect public health. Learn more here.

Stay Home if You’re Sick and Get Tested 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shares information on what to do when sick with COVID-19. The first step is to stay home if you’re sick, if someone is showing any emergency warning signs, call 911. Gain free at-home tests, find testing locations, and where to get treatment plus the full list of steps to take when sick. Need to update your vaccines? Find how to protect against COVID-19, the flu, and RSV even without health insurance with resources from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. 

City Finances Update: December 2023 

Through the pandemic, the City experienced its most volatile financial swings in many years. While economic conditions remain uncertain due to world and national events and their potential local impacts, the current period of recovery, last year’s voter approval ofballot measures, and proactive financial planning have put the City in a strong position to meet priority community service needs into the future. This community update shares the results of the recently released annual financial report and long-range financial forecast. 

Test of the City’s Emergency Alert System was Conducted Today, Did You Receive it? 

The City of Palo Alto conducted a test of its emergency alert system today. Are you signed up and did you receive it? The test confirmed over 4,368 notifications were received. The top notification method was cell phone text message, followed by email message. The test of the system seeks to build community awareness of the City’s emergency alert system, as only one third of Palo Alto residents are currently registered to receive emergency notifications. The City saw new sign-ups because of the test and continue to encourage both residents and businesses to sign-up for free. It also provides a reminder for those that have accounts to check settings preferences to ensure receipt of the test notification. Learn more here.

Survey: What Would You Like to See the City Council Prioritize in 2024? 

Each year the City Council reviews and selects annual priorities at their Council Retreat, which usually occurs in early January or February for the calendar year ahead. A Council priority is defined as a topic that will receive significant attention during the year. In 2023, the City Council prioritized Economic Recovery & Transition, Climate Change & Natural Environment – Protection & Adaptation, Housing for Social & Economic Balance, and Community Health & Safety. Share your feedback on what priorities you would like to see the City Council adopt for 2024. Input received will be shared with the City Council in preparation for their annual discussion.  

San Antonio Road Visioning Workshop 

Consistent with the City’s housing element, the San Antonio Corridor has been identified as an area for new housing development; planning for approximately 1,200 new housing units. The City of Palo Alto is working with city planning students from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to develop a concept plan for the area to help guide future development and address the need for resident-serving land uses such as parks and access to neighborhood schools, transportation solutions, and more. Help shape the future of the area and give feedback about new housing and development at an in-person workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 6–8 p.m. at Mitchell Park Community Center.   

City 2023-2024 Holiday Hours

The holidays are approaching! While enjoying time with your family and friends during this holiday season, visit the many facilities that are open daily such as open space preserves, our Golf Course, libraries, and the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo. You can stay up to date on holiday hours by finding information about City services here. Emergency services and utility services will continue to be supported 24/7. 

Weekly City Manager Updates: December 11, 2023 Council Meeting  

City Manager Ed Shikada shares brief updates at each Council meeting, and his comments are summarized through our Palo Alto Connect Medium.com series to catch up on City issues and gain the latest news. Updates this week included the Dec. 14 emergency alert system test, Uplift Local holiday activities, Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan survey and interactive map extended to December 31, details about the January San Antonio Road Corridor Visioning Workshop, tentative Council meeting items, and summary of actions taken on Dec. 11.

Social Wellness: Building good social habits can strengthen your overall wellness. The National Institutes of Health share a Social Wellness Toolkit full of resources to help you make connections and build healthy relationships.

Palo Alto Mediation Program: Are you dealing with a difficult situation or dispute involving a neighbor, tenant, landlord, co-worker, local business, or community organization? Reach out to the Palo Alto Mediation Program for help. Their team can assist you with free, confidential, and impartial mediation services tailored for Palo Alto and Stanford residents. Learn more by calling (650) 856-4062 or visiting paloaltomediation.com.

Recipe of the Week: Tea and scones are a classic combination especially during cold weather months. Whether you're hosting an elegant afternoon tea or seeking a cozy moment of self-care, these Hot and Healthy Winter Teas and Pumpkin Thyme Scones are sure to delight. 

Student Support for Finals Week: Rinconada Library will be open late Dec. 16 & 17,  6 – 9 p.m. Join the Library for therapy dogs, hot chocolate and tea, and a teen-only space to study with friends or solo. Please be sure to bring your student ID! See the library’s list of additional study and stress relief resources here. 

Winter Crafts: Keep the winter crafts and activities going inside with ideas from KidLit TV. See their Ready Set Draw section for easy art tutorials or enjoy their recordings featuring children's authors. 

Potential Traffic Impacts: It will be a busy morning at the Baylands and San Francisquito Creek Trail on Saturday, Dec. 16 as the Double Road Race will be taking place that morning. This may impact traffic to the airport, golf course, and Baylands.

Music & Lights Along Cal Ave: A Trombone quartet will be playing holiday music along the Car Free Streets portion of California Avenue on Friday, Dec. 22 at 5 p.m. Plus, enjoy holiday decorations along California Avenue through Jan. 5. 

Lunch & Listen: Winter at the Refuge: Learn about the Winter season of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, Dec. 17, noon – 2 p.m. The Refuge hosts over 280 bird species throughout the year, including many waterfowl that stay for the whole Winter. The presentation will take place in person and will be followed by an optional 30-minute walk, weather permitting. This event is free to attend. Find registration information and directions here.