HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2511-55604.Utilities Advisory Commission Discussion on Policy and Procedure (DISCUSSION 8:05 PM
– 8:35 PM) Presentation
Item No. 4. Page 1 of 1
Utilities Advisory Commission
Staff Report
From: Alan Kurotori, Director Utilities
Lead Department: Utilities
Meeting Date: December 3, 2025
Report #: 2511-5560
TITLE
Utilities Advisory Commission Discussion on Policy and Procedure
RECOMMENDATION
This item has no recommendation.
BACKGROUND
During the November 5, 2025 Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) meeting, Commissioners
held an extended discussion about refining the Commission’s advisory role to City Council,
including how and when Commissioners should directly present UAC position and the potential
benefit of holding joint study sessions with City Council on complex or high-impact topics.
Determining when UAC Commissioner Representation Is Needed at City Council:
Commissioners discussed refining the advisory process by identifying when the UAC
should send representation to Council regarding their position, particularly for complex
or high-impact items. While any direct representation would remain selective and
supplemental to staff’s presentation, Commissioners suggested potentially adopting a
consistent practice of briefly assessing whether UAC representation is appropriate for
upcoming Council or Finance Committee discussions.
Potential Interest for Joint Study Sessions with City Council:
Some Commissioners expressed interest in exploring up to two joint study sessions with
City Council for large, complex topics where early alignment or deeper policy
engagement may be beneficial.
AUTHOR/TITLE:
Alan Kurotori, Director of Utilities
Staff: Kaylee Burton, Utilities Administrative Assistant
DECEMBER 3, 2025 www.cityofpaloalto.org/utilities
UTILITIES ADVISORY COMMISSION (UAC) DISCUSSION:
Policies and Procedure
Advisory Role
2
2.23.050 Purposes and duties.
(a)The purpose of the utilities advisory commission shall be to advise the city
council on present and prospective long -range planning and policy and major
program and project matters relating to the electric utility, gas utility, water utility,
wastewater collection utility, fiber optics utility and recycled water matters, excluding
daily operations.
PURPOSE OF THE UAC
City of Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 2.23
3
WORKFLOWS
CITY COUNCIL
City Council Committees
(Finance, Policy & Services,
Sustainability & Climate, etc.)
Utilities Advisory
Commission
Commission
Workplans
City Council
Priorities
Municipal Code
(Purpose &
Duties)
Regulatory &
Legislative
Recommendation
via staff reports Commission
Letter(s)
Representation at
Council Meetings Joint Sessions
Of the work undertaken by the UAC,
ways to communicate the UAC’s advice
How the work of the UAC is
shaped
3
•When should UAC send representation to Council regarding their position?
➢What should the standard practice be to determine representation?
➢Recommend representation for complex or high-impact items.
➢How to identify which Commissioner represents the UAC?
•When should there be a Joint Study Session with Council?
➢What topics would Commissioners be interested in exploring in a joint
session?
➢What outcome would Commissioners be seeking from a joint session?
DISCUSSION TOPICS