Palo Alto Approves 'Mission Critical' Objectives for Coming Year

City Council sets 42 measurable goals to carry out in the next year, including new area plans, bike master plan, and 'quiet zones' near railroad crossings.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Palo Alto's City Council approved a list of 42 'mission critical' objectives for the coming year, including adopting a new area plan for neighborhoods around San Antonio Road, crafting a policy for managing consultants, completing a new bike master plan, and advancing 'quiet zones' near railroad crossings. The council also debated the prominence of equity and housing in their list of values, ultimately shifting the language. While most of the objectives were approved without much debate, the council struggled with the specifics of a traffic calming objective and instead opted to add a new goal to hire a temporary council executive assistant.

Why it matters

Palo Alto's annual goal-setting process provides a roadmap for the city's priorities and projects in the year ahead. This year's objectives reflect the council's focus on issues like housing, transportation, and government efficiency, as well as ongoing debates around equity and the role of city staff. The outcome shapes how Palo Alto will allocate resources and tackle key challenges in the community.

The details

The 42 'mission critical' objectives approved by the council cover a wide range of areas, including adopting zoning changes to encourage different housing types, opening a new transitional housing complex, expanding retail opportunities, and enhancing enforcement and services related to oversized vehicles. While most of the goals were approved without much debate, the council struggled with the specifics of a traffic calming objective, ultimately removing it and instead adding a new goal to hire a temporary council executive assistant to help with administrative tasks.

  • The council approved the list of objectives on Monday, March 10, 2026.
  • The council had previously adopted annual priorities in January 2026 and revised its council values.

The players

Palo Alto City Council

The governing body of the City of Palo Alto, responsible for setting the city's priorities and approving its annual objectives.

Ed Shikada

Palo Alto City Manager, who advised the council on the city's resources and ability to accomplish the proposed objectives.

Ria Hutabarat Lo

Palo Alto Chief Transportation Official, who provided information to the council about the city's traffic calming policy and challenges.

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What they’re saying

“I found myself almost voting to pull an item on the consent calendar related to our emergency council because it happens to be seven people who are all white. It's an example of how, unless you are bringing a lens of equity into every decision, you can overlook things.”

— Julie Lythcott-Haims, Council member (paloaltoonline.com)

“This item is fairly broad. … But it still doesn't propose any framework or goals of delivering X projects with X budget.”

— George Lu, Council member (paloaltoonline.com)

“I think the optics of us adding a staff when we're telling the rest of the community to cut would make me feel uncomfortable.”

— Keith Reckdahl, Council member (paloaltoonline.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Palo Alto's annual goal-setting process reflects the city's priorities and the ongoing debates around issues like equity, housing, and transportation. While the council approved a wide-ranging set of 'mission critical' objectives, the discussion highlighted the challenges of translating values into specific, measurable goals.