During public comment the council heard multiple appeals on two recurring non-agenda topics: electrification of cooking appliances (and public education about health impacts of natural gas) and funding for quiet zones along the rail corridor.

Avra Shah, appearing with other young residents, said she found a city webpage that links to a study acknowledging health effects of natural gas and urged the city to make that information more visible to residents rather than relegating it to deep website pages. "I just found it interesting that the city does acknowledge the health effects of natural gas," she said, and asked the city to publicize scientifically proven health information.

Several other speakers promoted induction cooking. Fen T. and an eighth-grade student, Sarah, described induction as faster, cooler and safer — Sarah told the council that induction "heats up so quickly" and keeps surfaces cool enough that she does not fear her cats getting burned. Speakers cited benzene and nitrogen-oxide emissions from gas stoves as a health concern and named chefs and social-media cooks who prefer induction.

Neighbors and organized groups also urged the council to fund Quiet Zones and related rail-noise mitigation. John Melenchuk of Quiet Zones Palo Alto thanked council for a prior endorsement and asked that Quiet Zone funding be made a priority this year; neighbors described sleeping difficulties, elevated blood pressure and stress from nightly train horns.

The council did not take immediate action on these specific requests during the meeting but heard them as part of public comment and incorporated the concerns into broader council discussion and staff outreach priorities.