HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2512-5743CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:30 PM
Agenda Item
1.Proclamation honoring Aaron (Bunk) Miller for 34 Years of Service to the Palo Alto
Regional Water Quality Control Plant and its partner agencies.
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
Lead Department: Public Works
Meeting Date: January 20, 2026
Report #:2512-5743
Title
Proclamation honoring Aaron (Bunk) Miller for 34 Years of Service to the Palo Alto Regional
Water Quality Control Plant and its partner agencies.
Attachments
Attachment A: Retirement Proclamation of Appreciation for Aaron (Bunk) Miller
Approved By:
Brad Eggleston, Director Public Works/City Engineer
EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO AARON (BUNK) MILLER
UPON HIS RETIREMENT
WHEREAS, Aaron (Bunk) Miller began his career with the City of Palo Alto at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant on January 6th,
1992, as an Operator-In-Training; and
WHEREAS, Bunk has enthusiastically served the citizens of Palo Alto working entirely in the Public Works Department- Environmental
Services Division for more than three decades with his final position as Assistant Plant Manager managing the Maintenance Department for
the Regional Water Quality Control Plant; and
WHEREAS, Bunk received the State of California State Water Resources Control Board Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade I
and Grade II certificates, and the California Water Environment Association Grade I, Grade II, and Grade III certificates; and
WHEREAS, Bunk was awarded Plant Mechanic of the Year in 2016 from the CWEA; and
WHEREAS, Bunk with a smile worked through many storms to make sure that the streets of Palo Alto did not flood with wastewater by
keeping the headworks flowing, especially during the 2022 New Year’s Eve storm, where he and his crew worked around the clock for days
to make sure that the flow from the six communities could be treated at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant; and
WHEREAS, Bunk improved himself with certifications above and beyond what was needed for his position in safety, equipment, process,
leadership, and management and consistently had glowing reviews from his supervisors where he exceeded expectations throughout his tenure;
and
WHEREAS, Bunk has mentored and trained many new operators and mechanics during his career and is known to be a true leader by
showing the new team members how to fix things and where all the pipes, valves and pumps are located at the Regional Water Quality Control
Plant; all staff are going to miss his wealth of knowledge of our facility; and
WHEREAS, Bunk was known for being kind, helpful, friendly, honest, hardworking, having a team player mentality, and willing to work
and compromise with all departments for the betterment of the Regional Water Quality Control Plant, putting the needs of the many above
the needs of the few; and
WHEREAS, Bunk has completed 34 years of exemplary, outstanding, and dedicated service to the City of Palo Alto’s Regional Water
Quality Control Plant Serving the City of Palo Alto, the City of Mountain View, the City of Los Altos, the City of East Palo Alto, the Town
of Los Altos Hills, and Stanford University.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Vicki Veenker, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby recognize Aaron
(Bunk) Miller for his dedication and excellent service rendered to the City.
PRESENTED: January 20, 2026
APPROVED:
______________________
Mayor Vicki Veenker
______________________ ______________________
Vice Mayor Greer Stone Councilmember Pat Burt
______________________ ______________________
Councilmember Ed Lauing Councilmember George Lu
______________________ ______________________
Councilmember Julie Lythcott-Haims Councilmember Keith Reckdahl
ATTEST:
______________________
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________ ______________________
City Manager City Attorney
Proclamation