[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6475437,"mediaKeyId","5733901-bfce905d24f764f7b6e3a0314a7d1c52","parentId",5733901,"title","Palo Alto study session focuses on REACH 2 flood project as JPA weighs $120M-plus options","audioSeconds",2637,"startMs",3058000,"endMs",5695000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733901-bfce905d24f764f7b6e3a0314a7d1c52&start=3058&end=5695","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733901-bfce905d24f764f7b6e3a0314a7d1c52/thumbnail_3058000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475437/Palo-Alto/Santa-Clara-County/California/Palo-Alto-study-session-focuses-on-REACH-2-flood-project-as-JPA-weighs-120M-plus-options","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475437-fbf8b7067112970aa3c5c7bfd6b9361b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158067&Signature=iN58Mr8p~H02iIaP6csWKFKYDEQao0OHuTR9v8A4qi06oZZR1kicmpt5MziARjwZFXqbZSMiGaX9Oul-ObGvMkngxj7NNRmGvoSYEJd5-34JuuOnEcvXFZHNL78hB-Kr0oKI9ZlOzcug8jwdHy5xDEoOoeY7Zd4G12lJ4qoR5pt66Q2XiFnNy3eSHNBCpnvxPKUO5XAHic8pAUuSR7hVHg~-N9OQKUK1cPyAO-0m~72J8Om~EGwVGpkYKwcfhEhWmZcEQd32ubtHvMzURgmwxn9FMUrFAr1lstW1x-D--5Ov4NUHMEbQGpSfEzwVsDBJaB8oXa1ovQB~H-ct0r3Myg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Palo Alto City","date","2025-09-09T05:30:17.653Z","article","A study session at the Palo Alto City Council on REACH 2 — the next phase of San Francisco Creek flood protection — laid out alternatives that combine channel widening, flood walls and bridge replacement to contain the flood-of-record flow and reduce risk to thousands of homes.

The San Francisco Creek Joint Powers Authority’s executive director, Margaret Bruce, told the council the project goal is “to provide protection up to the flood of record,” which the JPA and consultants modeled at about 7,200 cubic feet per second. Bruce said higher-resolution hydrologic modeling shows the channel has roughly 25% less capacity than engineers previously estimated, requiring a larger set of interventions than earlier plans.

Why it matters: REACH 2 would affect properties and infrastructure in Palo Alto, Menlo Park and East Palo Alto. The JPA stressed the project must balance flood protection with habitat and public access while coordinating funding and permitting across five agencies. Early cost estimates: a near-term widening/top-of-bank flood-wall phase could cost roughly $20–25 million; replacing the Pope-Chaucer bridge and associated works was put at roughly $100 million (rough, order-of-magnitude figures provided by staff).

Key details and options

- Project goal and context: Bruce and Council Member Greg Stone (Palo Alto’s JPA representative and board chair) reminded the council that REACH 2 aims to contain a return to the 1998 flow. Bruce said improved modeling and recent flood events (including New Year’s Eve 2022) showed more capacity is needed than earlier designs assumed.

- Components under study: WRA Incorporated’s alternatives include varying degrees of channel widening (north-side or south-side), top-of-bank flood walls, replacement of the Pope-Chaucer bridge with an open span, and targeted measures near Middlefield Road. Staff also proposed a preliminary feasibility study of a bypass tunnel; JPA staff emphasized any tunnel, if feasible, would not eliminate the need for walls or widening but might reduce wall sizes in places.

- Technology and safety measures: Caltrain and VTA partnership examples were cited. Stone described technologies already tested at Churchill — video and lidar intrusion detection (branded as RailSentry), anti-intrusion mats and elevated delineators — as precedent for combining safety systems with civil works.

- Costs and phasing: Bruce said JPA staff are evaluating a phased approach. Phase 1 (widening and top-of-bank flood wall near University/Woodland) was described as a “no regrets” early action and estimated at roughly $20–25 million. A later phase to replace the Pope-Chaucer bridge was estimated in the order of $100 million; staff stressed these are initial, high-level estimates that will change as design advances.

Public comments and concerns

Several residents and stakeholders spoke during the study-session public comment period. Engineer and resident Tom Rheinflesh (identified as Thomas R. in the public record) described personal flood damage in 1998 and urged support for WRA’s preferred plan, saying it would protect neighborhoods including Crescent Park and Duveneck. Multiple residents raised concerns about homeless encampments and illegal dumping along the creek, urging project designs that deter encampments while preserving habitat; JPA and city staff acknowledged those concerns and said they are a standing agenda item for the JPA.

Jeffrey S., speaking for local environmental advocates, urged the JPA to include anti-encampment design features where appropriate: “The unhoused are a vulnerable population and they present a measurable ecological problem in the creek,” he said, and asked staff to consider unobtrusive, dual-purpose barriers that limit creek access without harming habitat.

What the council directed / next steps

- The JPA intends to complete an alternatives-evaluation report by the end of the calendar year and expects the JPA board to select a project alternative thereafter.

- Staff will carry out additional technical studies (including a bypass-tunnel feasibility check) and a supplemental environmental review for elements not covered in the existing EIR.

- Project permitting, an arborist survey, and funding discussions are expected to continue through FY26; JPA staff said construction could begin on the earliest phased elements in 2027 in a “best-case” timeline, dependent on permits and funding.

Quotes

“New Year’s Eve 2022 revealed something shocking and dismaying…we experienced something about 25% more flooding than we thought we would have,” Margaret Bruce, executive director of the San Francisco Creek JPA, told the council, describing updated hydrology and the need to reassess designs.

“This is going to be a large project,” Bruce said. “When you build large projects, you hopefully add some additional benefits” such as habitat improvements and recreational access.

Meeting context and implementation risk

Engagement level: High — the council held a full study session with multiple staff presentations and a lengthy public comment period (about a dozen speakers) focusing on technical, ecological and equity concerns.

Implementation risk: Medium to high — the project is complex, touches endangered-species habitat, requires multi-agency coordination (Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Santa Clara Valley Water District, San Mateo County), and depends on large, not-yet-secured capital funding streams.

Clarifying details (from the presentation and public comments)

- Flood of record modeled: ~7,200 cubic feet per second (project design target).
- Recent modeling outcome: channel capacity appears ~25% less than previously estimated.
- Cost rough order of magnitude: early widening/top-of-bank phase ~$20–25 million; Pope-Chaucer bridge replacement ~ $100 million (both estimates described by staff as preliminary).
- Estimated homes potentially protected (public comment): “over 5,000 homes” cited by a resident affected by earlier flooding.

Proper names

- San Francisco Creek Joint Powers Authority (JPA) (agency)
- REACH 2 project (project)
- Pope-Chaucer bridge / Middlefield Road bridge (infrastructure)
- WRA Incorporated (consultant)
- Caltrain, VTA (transportation agencies)
- Santa Clara Valley Water District (agency)
- Railsentry (intrusion-detection technology referenced by staff)

Speakers (attribution whitelist)

- Margaret Bruce — Executive Director, San Francisco Creek Joint Powers Authority (government)
- Council Member Greg Stone — Palo Alto City Council; JPA representative and board chair (government)
- Mayor Loughing — Mayor, Palo Alto City Council (government)
- Jeffrey S. — Resident / commenter (citizen)
- Thomas R. (Tom Rheinflesh) — Resident / commenter (citizen)
- Roger Smith — Resident / commenter (citizen)
- Aram Jay — Resident / commenter (citizen)
- Hamilton H. — Resident / commenter (citizen)

Authorities

- environmental review / certified EIR — referenced by JPA staff as the baseline environmental review with a forthcoming supplemental EIR for additional flood-wall elements (type: other; referenced_by: [\"reach-2-san-francisco-creek-jpa\"]).

Actions

- Kind: other
- motion: \"Study session and public input on REACH 2 alternatives; staff to complete alternatives-evaluation report and additional technical studies and return to JPA/council with recommended alternative(s).\"
- mover: \"N/A (study session)\"
- second: \"N/A\"
- vote_record: []
- tally: {\"yes\":0,\"no\":0,\"abstain\":0}
- outcome: \"no_action\"
- notes: \"Study session only; the JPA board will later adopt a preferred alternative; staff cited an intent to return with an alternatives evaluation by the end of the calendar year.\"

Provenance (transcript evidence)

- topicintro: {\"block_id\":\"block_3058.355\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":210,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"So I'm I'm honored to serve as Palo Alto's representative to the San Francisco Creek Joint Powers Authority, the SFC JPA...our focus is on the REACH 2 project, which will stretch from the Pope Chaucer Bridal through East Palo Alto, and our goal is to provide protection up to the flood of record.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"}

- topfinish: {\"block_id\":\"block_5688.055\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":80,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"That concludes public comment on study session item 2.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}

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Staff said the expedited action was necessary because of state legislation (AB 130) that temporarily limits certain local changes to residential building standards unless cities take timely steps. Palo Alto’s emergency ordinance reestablishes two climate-oriented local amendments and clarifies two administrative definitions so the city may carry the rules forward in the upcoming code cycle.

Key changes adopted

- Air-conditioner replacement rule (effective 2027): The ordinance requires that, beginning in 2027, when a home’s air conditioning is replaced the project must either install a heat pump sized to be the primary heating source for the home or implement a suite of energy-efficiency measures (attic insulation, air sealing and other options). Timothy Scott, resource planner, described the rule as a way to “future proof” homes so customers who replace equipment will be better positioned for forthcoming appliance regulations.

- Remodel flex path (1,000 sq. ft. threshold): Remodels larger than 1,000 square feet must meet a 12-point standard by selecting measures from a flexible list (measures have point values that vary by building vintage and by the anticipated energy savings). Scott told the council that many compliance pathways are cost-effective and that the points system is intended to encourage electrification while providing options for homeowners.

- Administrative clarifications: The ordinance also updates local amendments to the California Building Code to clarify when certificates of occupancy are required and to align definitions of residential net and gross floor area with the city’s zoning code (Section 18.04.030) and the ADU ordinance passed earlier in the year.

Why it matters

The measures preserve the city’s local reach-code authority and maintain pathways that encourage electrification of space and water heating — a key element of Palo Alto’s Climate Action Plan. Staff stressed the city will return with additional reach-code items in October and that some future code changes will need cost-effectiveness studies before adoption for new construction.

Public comment and committee review

The Climate Action & Sustainability Committee had reviewed the proposals; the staff report noted a unanimous recommendation in favor of the two energy-code amendments. A Sierra Club representative told council the organization strongly supported adoption and thanked staff for meeting the October 1 state filing deadline.

Vote and implementation

- Motion: Adopt emergency ordinance updating local building-code amendments (staff recommendation).
- Mover: Vice Mayor Venker.
- Second: Council Member Burt.
- Vote: Unanimous (7–0).
- Outcome: Emergency ordinance adopted; staff will return in October with additional code changes and in 2026 with related items requiring cost-effectiveness work.

Quote

\"Beginning in 2027, we require air conditioner replacement projects to either implement additional energy efficiency measures…or install a heat pump at the time of replacement upgrade of an AC unit,\" Timothy Scott, resource planner, told the council during the presentation.

Next steps

Staff will file the adopted local amendments with the state agencies before October 1, 2025, then return with a fuller package of code updates in October for the 2025 code cycle. Additional new-construction measures that require cost-effectiveness analysis will be considered in 2026, per staff’s timeline.

Speakers and attribution whitelist

- Jonathan Aubenstein — Assistant Director for Climate Action (presenter)
- George Hoyt — Chief Building Official (planning/building presenter)
- Timothy Scott — Resource Planner, Utilities (energy/reach-code presenter)
- Madeline Szilard — Deputy City Attorney (legal context)
- Dasha Leeds — Sierra Club representative (public comment)

Authorities

- AB 130 (state budget trailer bill) — referenced by staff as creating timing constraints for adopting residential code amendments (type: statute).
- SB 103 (2022) — referenced procedural context for SB1 03 exemptions related to code cycle timing (type: statute).

Provenance

- topicintro: staff introduced the item at the building-code presentation segment and explained the October 1 deadline; transcript block begins with the agenda item introduction.
- topfinish: the item concluded with a unanimous council vote adopting the emergency ordinance.

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The package, proposed by staff and reviewed by the Finance Committee, aims to preserve reserves and reduce an ongoing structural gap: staff presented $6.2 million in reductions, split roughly $3.4 million in ongoing savings and $2.8 million in one-time savings. The council’s final motion included two amendments to restore a partial JMC access coordinator and retain a reserve police position, and directed the Parks & Recreation Commission to review a Foothills Nature Preserve capital project before midyear.

Why it matters: The changes reduce near-term spending and help maintain reserve balances, but officials and council members warned the city still faces a projected budget shortfall in FY27 and must monitor revenues and consultant spending closely.

What the council approved

- General fund reductions: Staff recommended and council approved about $6,200,000 in total general-fund savings for FY26. Staff described these as roughly $3,400,000 ongoing and $2,800,000 one-time savings. Many of the reductions were achieved by freezing vacant positions and reducing contract or operating expense lines.

- Capital deferrals and reassignments: Council deferred or delayed several capital projects to even out cash flow and preserve a CIP fund balance. Notable items discussed included the Baylands levee repairs (staff suggested retaining $50,000 for permitting to keep the project moving), athletic-court resurfacing delays, park playground deferrals and a recommendation to use Measure B (VTA local streets and roads funds) for the Churchill Avenue bike/ped improvements rather than city general fund dollars.

- Restores and amendments after council debate: During the meeting councilmembers proposed and adopted amendments that restored the following positions/items:
- A part-time reserve police officer (0.12 FTE) — council accepted staff’s note that this position’s presence can reduce overtime costs for certain events.
- The JMC (community recreation) program assistant functions: council approved an approach that shares an existing Lucy Stern program assistant to support the JMC and retained the outreach access coordinator as a 0.48 FTE (to improve access for underserved communities).
- Direction to retain $50,000 in FY26 for permitting work on the Baylands (Bailen/Levee repair) so early planning/permitting can continue.

Staff rationale and debate

Lauren Lai, Chief Financial Officer, told the council the package was designed to protect core services while preserving reserves: “It was very important for us to continue to target the ongoing savings, because that is going to ensure that we could have a better financial position during these uncertain times,” Lai said. Staff emphasized most proposed savings came from vacant positions (except one filled senior management analyst position that became a focal point in debate).

Council members pressed staff for more detail on vacancy levels and consultant spending. Council member Burt and others urged a piecemeal approach — move forward on projects that can be funded and constructed quickly rather than wait for a single master plan — and asked staff to continue scrutinizing consultant contracts.

Key numeric details (as presented by staff)

- Total FY26 reductions proposed: ~$6,200,000 (about 2% of the general fund).
- Breakdown: ~$3,400,000 ongoing; ~$2,800,000 one-time.
- Examples of personnel/line items cited in the staff report: defunding vacant revenue-collections manager; freezing an IT manager vacancy; defunding two of three fire trainee positions (retaining one); freezing a program assistant at the JMC (with a shared staffing plan); shifting a transportation planner position to Measure B funds.
- Vehicle fund change: staff recommended purchasing a diesel fire engine in FY26 rather than a second hybrid to save about $460,000 in that year while the city evaluates the performance of the first hybrid engine it has ordered.

Votes, motions and outcome

- Motion: Approve the FY26 budget amendments as recommended by staff with council amendments to (a) restore the JMC access coordinator (0.48 FTE) and the reserve police officer position (0.12 FTE), (b) retain $50,000 for Baylands permitting, (c) refer the Foothills Nature Preserve capital project to the Parks & Recreation Commission for scope review and (d) apply Measure B funding for the Churchill Avenue bike/ped improvements.
- Mover: Council Member Wirt (made the primary motion to adopt staff recommendations with identified changes).
- Second: Council Member Rekdal.
- Vote: Unanimous (7–0).
- Outcome: Approved; council instructed staff to return midyear with refined revenue and project-status updates.

Quotes

“It was very important for us to continue to target the ongoing savings,” Chief Financial Officer Lauren Lai said. “Whenever we make budget reductions, it’s a hard conversation to have.”

Implementation notes and follow-up tasks

- Staff will implement the deferrals and hiring freezes immediately and present a midyear report (February) with updates on revenue performance and any true-ups required.
- Projects deferred in CIP will be prioritized for permitting and any “no regrets” work; the Baylands permitting budget specifically retains $50,000 to avoid delay.
- Council directed continued scrutiny of consultant usage and asked finance staff to report further to the Finance Committee on consultant spending and vacancy comparisons to pre-pandemic levels.

Proper names

- City of Palo Alto Finance Committee
- Lauren Lai, Chief Financial Officer
- Paul Harper, Budget Manager
- Kristen O'Kane, Community Services Director
- Brad Eggleston, Public Works Director
- Geo Blackshire, Fire Chief
- Jonathan Lee, Planning & Development Services Director
- JMC / JMZ (City community recreation centers)

Speakers (attribution whitelist)

- Lauren Lai — Chief Financial Officer (government)
- Paul Harper — Budget Manager (government)
- Council Member Wirt — Palo Alto City Council (government)
- Council Member Rekdal — Palo Alto City Council (government)
- Council Member Burt — Palo Alto City Council (government)
- Council Member Stone — Palo Alto City Council (government)
- Council Member Lythcott Haines — Palo Alto City Council (government)
- Vice Mayor Venker — Vice Mayor (government)
- Geo Blackshire — Fire Chief (government)
- Kristen O'Kane — Community Services Director (government)
- Brad Eggleston — Public Works Director (government)

Authorities

- City fiscal policy and CIP policies (internal administrative guidance referenced in staff report) — referenced_by: [\"fy26-budget-amendments\"]

Actions (structured)

- Kind: budget_adoption
- identifiers: {\"agenda_item_id\":\"18-FY26-budget-amendments\",\"project_slug\":\"fy26_amendments\"}
- motion: \"Adopt FY26 budget amendments reducing the general fund appropriation by approximately $6,200,000, with the set of department reductions and CIP deferrals identified in the staff report, and incorporate council amendments restoring the JMC access coordinator (0.48 FTE), the reserve police officer (0.12 FTE), retaining $50,000 for Baylands permitting and referring the Foothills Nature Preserve CIP scope to Parks & Recreation Commission.\"
- mover: \"Council Member Wirt\"
- second: \"Council Member Rekdal\"
- vote_record: [{\"member\":\"Mayor Lowing\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Vice Mayor Venker\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Council Member Stone\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Council Member Burt\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Council Member Rekdal\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Council Member Liu\",\"vote\":\"yes\"},{\"member\":\"Council Member Lythcott Haines\",\"vote\":\"yes\"}]
- tally: {\"yes\":7,\"no\":0,\"abstain\":0}
- legal_threshold: {\"met\":true,\"notes\":\"Simple majority for budget actions; achieved unanimous approval.\"}
- outcome: \"approved\"
- notes: \"Council adopted staff recommendations with council amendments; staff instructed to return with midyear updates and to proceed with the listed CIP permitting work.\"
- amendments: [\"restore JMC access coordinator (0.48 FTE)\",\"restore police reserve officer (0.12 FTE)\",\"retain $50k for Baylands permitting\",\"refer Foothills Nature Preserve CIP to Parks & Rec Commission\"]
- programs: [\"Community Services (JMC)\",\"Public Safety (police/fire)\"]
- dependencies: [\"Measure B funding for Churchill Ave\",\"Valley Water and regional grant opportunities\"],
- implementation: {\"assignee_dept\":\"Finance / Community Services / Public Works\",\"follow_up_tasks\":[{\"task\":\"Implement hiring freezes and deferrals\",\"due_date\":\"2025-09-30\",\"status\":\"in_progress\"},{\"task\":\"Midyear budget report to council\",\"due_date\":\"2026-02-01\",\"status\":\"planned\"},{\"task\":\"Parks & Rec Commission review for Foothills project\",\"due_date\":\"2025-12-31\",\"status\":\"planned\"}],\"reporting_requirements\":\"Midyear report and Finance Committee updates on vacancies and consultant spending.\"}

Clarifying details

- Total general-fund reduction: ~$6,200,000 (approx. $3,400,000 ongoing; $2,800,000 one-time).
- Senior management analyst (city manager’s office) salary estimate (filled position discussed): ~$176,000 (this position’s removal was debated and ultimately retained by amendment).
- JMC program assistant salary cited in staff report: ~$126,000 (staff proposed sharing a Lucy Stern program assistant 50% to cover JMC functions; the council restored a 0.48 FTE access coordinator and the shared-resourcing approach).
- Vehicle fund change: switching a scheduled FY26 fire engine purchase from hybrid to diesel saves an estimated ~$460,000 in FY26 cash outlay (staff recommended diesel purchase in FY26 while evaluating hybrid performance).

Proper names

[{\"name\":\"JMC (Juni/Community Recreation Center)\",\"type\":\"program\"},{\"name\":\"Lucy Stern Community Center\",\"type\":\"facility\"},{\"name\":\"Baylands levee\",\"type\":\"location\"},{\"name\":\"Churchill Avenue bike/ped project\",\"type\":\"project\"},{\"name\":\"Measure B\",\"type\":\"other\"}]

Meeting context

- Engagement level: High (extensive questioning at Finance Committee and by full council; multiple department directors appeared).
- Implementation risk: Medium (deferrals reduce immediate fiscal pressure but FY27 structural gap remains).
- History: Council had directed staff earlier in budget adoption to return with reductions to protect reserves; Finance Committee recommended the package before council.

searchable_tags\":[\"FY26\",\"budget\",\"deferral\",\"JMC\",\"Foothills Park\",\"Measure B\",\"city finance\"],\"provenance\":{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"block_9164.955\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"We now move on to our initial action item number 18, which is, FY '26 budget amendments. Staff, thank you.\",\"global_start\":9164,\"global_end\":9286,\"tc_start\":\"02:32:44\",\"tc_end\":\"02:34:25\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"block_17896.545\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":70,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Mayor Loughing? Yes. Motion carries unanimously.\",\"global_start\":17896,\"global_end\":17905,\"tc_start\":\"02:59:56\",\"tc_end\":\"03:00:05\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]},","Council approved a package of FY26 budget amendments that reduce the general fund by about $6.2 million and defer several capital projects. After debate and amendments, council restored two community-facing positions and directed further review of a parks capital project.","actionData","errors"]

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