HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2404-2886CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, May 13, 2024
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
13.Appointment of Candidates for Vacancies on the Stormwater Management Oversight
Committee and Utilities Advisory Commission. CEQA Status - Not a project.
City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: May 13, 2024
Report #:2404-2886
TITLE
Appointment of Candidates for Vacancies on the Stormwater Management Oversight
Committee and Utilities Advisory Commission. CEQA Status - Not a project.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council vote to appoint candidates for the following positions:
•Three (3) vacancies on the Stormwater Management Oversight Committee with terms
ending March 31, 2027
•Two (2) vacancies on the Utilities Advisory Commission with terms ending March 31,
2027
*A majority vote (4 yes’s) is required to appoint a candidate. Council may choose to make
additional appointments if additional vacancies occur after the publishing of this report.
BACKGROUND
Boards and Commissions are established as advisory bodies to the City Council, made up of
community volunteers that provide essential feedback on matters of importance to the
community. The City Clerk’s office advertises and recruits for vacancies, the Council considers
the applications, interviews desired candidates, and makes appointments for the open
positions.
INTERVIEWS
At the April 1, 2024 City Council meeting, the Council elected to interview 4 candidates for
Stormwater Management Oversight Committee and 6 candidates for the Utilities Advisory
Commission. The interviews were held on April 8, 2024, April 30, 2024, and May 6, 2024. Video
recording of the interviews are available on our City of Palo Alto YouTube Channel1. All
1 City of Palo Alto YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto
applications for the Stormwater Management Oversight Committee2 and Utilities Advisory
Commission3 can be accessed online.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Each Board or Commission has different requirements for appointment such as mandatory
residency, specialized training, or professional service in a specified area. Additionally,
appointed members cannot be council members, officers, or employees of the City of Palo Alto.
Stormwater Management Oversight Committee
•Each member shall be a resident of Palo Alto, an employee of a business located in Palo
Alto, or an owner of a real property within the City. (Resolution 9969)
Utilities Advisory Commission
•Each member of the commission shall be a utility customer or the authorized
representative of a utility customer. (PAMC 2.23.010)
•Palo Alto Residency for at least six members of the commission (PAMC 2.23.010). This
requirement is currently fulfilled by all 7 members of the Utilities Advisory Commission.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
The 2024 Annual Boards and Commissions recruitment invited applications from January 1,
2024 through March 17, 2024 through the new online application process. Palo Alto Municipal
Code 2.16.060 requires public notification regarding vacancies of the Commissions as follows,
“The City Clerk shall exercise their discretion in choosing the method of advertisement that will
most effectively reach potential candidates.” Based on the September 14, 2021 Policy &
Services Committee meeting report regarding Board and Commission Member demographics
and community representation, the City Clerk’s office expanded recruitment efforts through
additional means to “most effectively reach potential candidates”.
This recruitment was advertised through various methods including paid print and digital
advisements in The Palo Alto Weekly and the Daily Post; via the City’s website and social media
channels; in physical locations of the Palo Alto Libraries and Community Centers; and
distributed by e-mail through established distribution lists to community based organizations,
individuals and City subscription based notification lists.
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
2 Stormwater Management Oversight Committee applications:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=d79f6864-7531-4cb6-ab61-662a97bdf957
3 Utilities Advisory Commission applications:
https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=b2acaa6d-2648-44a2-8d81-b8fe27660778