HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2508-5093CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Monday, September 08, 2025
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
16.SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter
2.21 (Architectural Review Board) and Chapter 2.25 (Parks and Recreation Commission)
of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Amend Procedures for Electing a Chair and Vice Chair
(FIRST READING: August 11, 2025, PASSED 6-0-1, Lythcott-Haims Absent)
City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: September 8, 2025
Report #:2508-5093
TITLE
SECOND READING: Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter 2.21
(Architectural Review Board) and Chapter 2.25 (Parks and Recreation Commission) of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code to Amend Procedures for Electing a Chair and Vice Chair (FIRST READING:
August 11, 2025, PASSED 6-0-1, Lythcott-Haims Absent)
BACKGROUND
The City Council heard this item on August 11, 2025, for its first reading and approved it on a 6-
0-1 vote. No changes were made to the ordinance, and it is now before the City Council for a
second reading.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter 2.21
(Architectural Review Board) and Chapter 2.25 (Parks and Recreation Commission) of the Palo
Alto Municipal Code to Amend Procedures for Electing a Chair and Vice Chair
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
*NOT YET APPROVED*
137_20250721_ts24 1
Ordinance No. _____
Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Amending Chapter 2.21
(Architectural Review Board) and Chapter 2.25 (Parks and Recreation
Commission) of the Palo Alto Municipal Code to Amend Procedures for
Electing a Chair and Vice Chair
The Council of the City of Palo Alto ORDAINS as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings and Declarations. The City Council finds and declares as follows:
A. The City has an Architectural Review Board (ARB) and a Parks and Recreation Commission
(PRC) as established by ordinance.
B. The City Council now desires to amend the Palo Alto Municipal Code through this
ordinance to codify existing practice that the ARB elect a chair and vice chair from its
membership.
C. The City Council also desires to amend the procedure for electing a chairperson of the
PRC to eliminate the requirement that the commission elect a chairperson at the first
regular meeting of the PRC. This is consistent with other boards and commissions of the
City.
SECTION 2. New section 2.21.020 (Officers) is hereby added to Chapter 2.21
(Architectural Review Board) of Title 2 (Administrative Code) to read as follows:
2.21.020 Officers.
The Board shall elect a chairperson and a vice chairperson from its membership who shall serve
in such capacity for one year each, or until a successor is elected, unless his or her term as a
member of the Board sooner expires.
SECTION 3. Section 2.25.040 (Officers) of Chapter 2.25 (Parks and Recreation
Commission) of Title 2 (Administrative Code) is hereby amended to read as follows (deleted text
in strikethrough, new text in underline):
2.25.040 Officers.
Each year, at the first regular meeting of the parks and recreation commission, the commission
shall nominate and elect one of its members as the chairperson. The chairperson shall hold office
for one year and until his or her successor is elected, unless his or her term as a member of the
commission expires earlier.
The Commission shall elect a chairperson and a vice chairperson from its membership who shall
serve in such capacity for one year each, or until a successor is elected, unless his or her term as
a member of the Commission sooner expires.
*NOT YET APPROVED*
137_20250721_ts24 2
SECTION 4. Severability.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to
be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision
shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby
declares that it would have passed this Ordinance and each and every section, subsection,
sentence, clause, or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether
any portion of the Ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 5. Environmental Review
This ordinance is categorically exempt under CEQA regulation 15320 because it is a change in the
organization of a local government agency that does not affect the geographical area in which
previously existing powers are exercised.
SECTION 6. Effective Date
This Ordinance shall be effective 31 days after adoption.
INTRODUCED:
PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
NOT PARTICIPATING:
ATTEST:
____________________________ ____________________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED:
____________________________ ____________________________
Assistant City Attorney City Manager
____________________________
Director, Planning and Development
Services
____________________________
Director, Community Services Department