Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in East Palo Alto public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
6 issues with low priority
Sister city with Chongqing, China
A proposal to make Chongqing's Dazu district East Palo Alto's second sister city, with school exchanges. Council likes the idea but is worried about the cost, given the city's tight budget.
Street vendor compliance
Councilmember Barragan noted fewer unpermitted vendors since the ordinance passed but said some still operate at night; staff is continuing education on county health and city permit requirements.
Illegal Dumping and Bulk Pickup Access for Renters
Council and public speakers flagged that renters can't directly order Recology bulk pickups — only landlords can — which fuels illegal dumping (over 1,150 dumped instances in 2025). Suggested fixes: landlord outreach, semiannual mailers, and reviving the neighborhood clean zone program.
Successor Agency wind-down
The city is paying off the last bond from the old Redevelopment Agency this year. Once that's done, the Successor Agency can dissolve and redevelopment tax dollars return to the normal property tax process.
Community event funding and Mama D Day
The council raised per-event funding for city-sponsored festivals from $8,000 to $12,000 and added Mama D Day — a celebration honoring the late community matriarch and Pacific Islander families — as a fifth sponsored event, responding to speakers who asked for the recognition.
Youth sports recognition — Ravenswood Junior Soccer Club
The city honored Coach Horacio, who has built a club serving 350+ kids a year with low fees and scholarships, while volunteering to maintain MLK Park fields and facilities out of his own pocket.