Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in East Palo Alto public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
30 issues with high priority
Woodland Avenue and sidewalk improvement grants
The west side of Woodland Avenue has confusing, legally unenforceable no-parking signs, and major projects (Newell Bridge replacement, creek widening) will likely wipe out most remaining on-street parking. Residents are already getting tickets while hit-and-runs go uninvestigated, and the council wants hard numbers on parking losses plus neighborhood meetings before decisions.
Daylighting and street safety rules
Residents reported a dangerous unfinished driveway entrance from the 2024 Addison sidewalk project, missing stop signs at Beach/Poagus, and problem speed bumps — asking the city to fix infrastructure left hazardous.
Palo Alto Wastewater Treatment Plant Financing
The Sanitary District board adopted an updated sewer capacity fee of $10,115 per equivalent dwelling unit, a cost that flows to new development in the city.
Measure JJ Anti-Displacement Program
The family towing business, which serves the city, was given three months to leave its Ontario Street site and asked the council for help finding a new location or extending its tenancy.
Day of Remembrance Proclamation Controversy
A proclamation recognizing October 7 as a Day of Remembrance split the community, with about 25 speakers divided between supporters mourning attack victims and opponents calling it one-sided and erasing Palestinian suffering. It failed 2-1 because city rules require a majority of all five seats.
Major Home Repairs Program
The city has $800,000 in hotel-tax housing funds to fix up to 22 low-income homes — roofs, wiring, plumbing, safety retrofits — at up to $34,500 each. Council is shaping who qualifies and how, with an RFP coming in October.
Minor Home Repair Program
Climate Resilient Communities is already fixing seniors' homes for free with $106,249 in city funds — about five to six homes at roughly $16,000 each. Millions more in electrification money is available for heat pumps, stoves and solar.
Mayor combining State of the City with candidate forum
Residents and two councilmembers blasted the mayor's plan to hold his State of the City address alongside a council candidate forum — with some candidates never notified. Critics call it an appearance of city endorsement; Romero wants it agendized for a vote.
General Plan Safety Element update and Palo Alto Airport impacts
The city just adopted its updated safety playbook for flooding, sea level rise, groundwater emergence, earthquakes and extreme heat. Council members pushed to add blunt language that the Palo Alto Airport — with its leaded aviation fuel and crash history — burdens East Palo Alto neighborhoods, calling it an environmental justice issue.
Water system capital payments to Veolia
The city will reimburse up to $296,110 for water system repairs from ratepayer funds, and staff committed to better benchmarking of these recurring costs going forward.
Citywide street lighting pace
Councilmember Dinan criticized the nearly two-year delay on the budgeted citywide lighting project; staff said the study will come to council in October with construction expected spring 2027.
Emergency preparedness program
Council members pushed for a full update on the emergency preparedness program, evacuation routes and signage, and possibly using churches as resilience centers, citing earthquakes, floods, and a recent fatal Highway 101 crash that gridlocked traffic.
Water Storage Tank Siting
The city has zero potable water storage and needs 3 million gallons on top of planned tanks. EKI's draft study recommends advancing three sites — the former RV park on Woodland Avenue, the former library site on Pulgas Avenue, and the city-owned Tanklage site — with the Tanklage site emerging as the council favorite since the city owns it and it sits outside the flood and sea-level-rise zone.
University Avenue Grand Corridor Pilot Project
The council rejected the contract amendment for the University Avenue pilot design after members worried it would just funnel cut-through traffic onto neighborhood streets. Staff will do more outreach before the question returns.
Climate Action Plan Implementation
PCE — soon WestLight Energy — has delivered $4.6 million in customer savings locally, 116 EV charging ports, and free home electrification for qualifying low-income households starting in May or June. Councilmembers asked about EV charging at City Hall, senior electrification partnerships, and pairing chargers with the city's planned lighting project.
Urban water supply and drought planning
The state-required water plan shows adequate normal-year supply through 2050 but potential worst-case dry-year shortfalls up to 47%; the city is exploring groundwater expansion.
Structural budget deficit
The city is spending about $4.7 million more than it takes in from its general fund next year, and recurring costs are growing faster than tax revenue. Staff say reserves can bridge the gap for now, but one-time federal money and other stopgaps are running out — meaning harder choices are coming.
EPASD FY 2026-27 budget and rate pressure
The Sanitary District is projected to run a $1.8 million operating deficit; covering it through rates could add roughly $180–$200 a year for residential customers now paying about $660. Formal adoption comes June 16.
Residential permit parking program
The permit parking ordinance is now city law after a 3-1 vote. Residents clashed over big work trucks like F-250s and F-350s parked on residential streets — some want them restricted, others worry ordinary family trucks will get caught. Enforcement officers will use discretion on whether trucks count as commercial.
FY 2026-27 city budget
The city faces a structural deficit and the budget adoption was pushed to June 23 after the long housing debate.
Antisemitism proclamation and IHRA definition
During public comment, a resident accused Mayor Lincoln of misrepresenting IHRA protesters in a social media post and of invoking Dr. King while criticizing civil disobedience — the related agenda item (letter regarding IHRA adoption) was never taken up.
Woodland Avenue parking and coming construction disruption
The west side of Woodland Avenue has confusing, legally unenforceable no-parking signs, and major projects (Newell Bridge replacement, creek widening) will likely wipe out most remaining on-street parking. Residents are already getting tickets while hit-and-runs go uninvestigated, and the council wants hard numbers on parking losses plus neighborhood meetings before decisions.
Two-year capital improvement program update
The CIP update lists $203 million in projects for the next two fiscal years — but about $150 million of that (civic center, library, sports field, police department) has no funding yet. Paving runs every other summer by design, so nothing will be repaved this summer, which frustrated Mayor Lincoln.
Mayor's agenda-setting power amendment
The mayor proposed changing the ethics code so he alone has final say over what goes on the agenda, with the vice mayor reduced to an advisory role. Critics, including Vice Mayor Abrica, called it a power grab triggered by the Flock dispute; the measure failed 2-2-1.
Five-year information technology modernization
The city's computer systems are aging, siloed and vulnerable to hackers. The new five-year plan spends roughly $2 million a year at peak to fix cybersecurity, replace the outdated ERP and build a 311-style system so residents can report potholes online instead of calling council members. Actual spending still needs yearly budget approval.
Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Review and Temporary Incentive Program
East Palo Alto's inclusionary housing rules require 20% affordable units at deep affordability levels — the costliest in San Mateo County — but have produced only two units since 2019. The council is weighing a temporary reduction (THDIP) to spur construction while awaiting a countywide feasibility study. Supporters say the current rules block all housing; opponents say loosening them shortchanges low-income residents.
Economic Development Strategic Plan Implementation
The council chose the budget-friendly Option A: start implementing the economic development plan with existing staff and $100,000-$150,000 a year in consultants, rather than hiring dedicated staff now. With a roughly $6 million deficit looming, members agreed caution makes sense — but Dinan wants one of CEDD's 20 positions dedicated to economic development long-term.
Gloria Well Repairs and Hydrant Replacement
The city approved roughly $447,000 to fix the Gloria Way Well filtration plant and replace 60 fire hydrants, both handled by Veolia. That's a direct investment in water reliability and fire safety.
Council term limits
The council is weighing whether and when to ask voters to limit councilmembers to consecutive four-year terms. June placement would cost more ($75,500–$90,600) with ~20% turnout; November would cost less with ~51% turnout but shares a ballot with a planned bond measure. The council opted to defer a decision to a future meeting.
Councilmember Romero's reference letter and youth services debate
Public comment and heated council debate centered on Romero's character reference for a former city temp charged with child sexual exploitation. Mayor Lincoln demanded his resignation; Romero refused, calling it a constitutional right. Dozens of speakers demanded real investment in queer and homeless youth instead of political finger-pointing.