At a special meeting on Nov. 3, Palo Alto's public comment period featured residents and local organizations raising several discrete civic issues, including an emergency response to a lapse in SNAP benefits, ongoing RV parking in commercial areas, a traffic‑calming curb extension dispute, calls for appliance electrification and requests for fee relief for low‑income residents seeking public records.

Lee Pi, representing Palo Alto Community Child Care (PAC), told the council that PAC serves more than 800 children and that the program had to respond when SNAP benefits lapsed: "PAC hit its fundraising goal... $5,000 so that those 100 gift cards could be purchased," Pi said, describing rapid fundraising and partnerships with Grocery Outlet to provide grocery cards to affected families.

On RV parking, business owner Nancy Ellickson described persistent overnight RVs on a narrow cul‑de‑sac near 2425 Embarcadero Way, reporting human waste on sidewalks, dogs running loose and alleged utility theft. She asked why Palo Alto had not adopted a citywide RV parking ban similar to Menlo Park's ordinance and urged the council to consider ticketing, towing and holding landlords responsible for costs.

Roger Smith, speaking for the business community, echoed concerns about the public safety and business impacts of long‑term RV parking and asked for clarity on an upcoming ad hoc committee, its membership and timeline.

Laurie Gerand urged the council to remove a curb extension pilot at East Crescent and Southwood, saying the pilot did not reduce speed or cut‑through traffic and has made daily travel harder for an elderly, disabled resident. She asked the council to restore the intersection and stop further consideration of the design.

Carol Garston and multiple supporters asked the council to back Garston as producer of the Third Thursday California Avenue Music Festival. Garston presented a petition signed by 31 businesses and said she sought a formal city or sponsor arrangement after a fiscal sponsor declined a formal agreement.

On energy policy, Fenn T., a chemical engineer, and Avro Shah of the Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition urged the city to do more to educate residents about health risks from gas appliances and to expand appliance‑level electrification incentives. Shah said the current whole‑home rebate model "doesn't work" for many households and urged more targeted rebates.

Stephanie Gee asked whether the city has ever forgone fees in the master fee schedule for low‑income requesters, citing difficulty paying for photocopies and printouts while seeking public records; she identified herself as a lawyer who is currently homeless and asked the council to consider fee forgiveness policies.

Council members acknowledged the public speakers and several council members and staff described local efforts to assemble resources; Council member Lythcott Haines and others pointed to a shared Google Doc aggregating local food and assistance resources. Council members said the city and local partners are exploring immediate assistance and possible discretionary funding to address short‑term gaps.

These public comments covered distinct topics; several will be monitored for follow up by staff and council.