HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2512-5764CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
Special Meeting
Monday, March 23, 2026
Council Chambers & Hybrid
5:00 PM
Agenda Item
7.Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Planning
& Transportation Commission (PTC), and Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC); CEQA
Status - Not a Project Supplemental Report added
City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: March 23, 2026
Report #:2512-5764
TITLE
Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Planning &
Transportation Commission (PTC), and Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC); CEQA Status - Not a
Project
BACKGROUND
The Spring 2026 Boards and Commissions recruitment opened on January 13, 2026 and closed
on February 18, 2026. Recruitment for three full-term vacancies on the Historic Resources
Board and one partial-term vacancy on the Stormwater Management Oversight Committee has
been extended to April 8, 2026.
The Human Relations Commission has one partial-term vacancy, Planning & Transportation
Commission has two full-term vacancies, and Utilities Advisory Commission has three full-term
vacancies. City Council selected candidates to interview for these commissions at the March 2,
2026 City Council Meeting. The interview schedule will be published as a supplemental report
on March 19, 2026.
Each candidate interview will be scheduled for 10 minutes. Candidates will have an opportunity
to summarize their experiences, and the remaining time will be allocated to Councilmember
questions. Candidates will be informed of the following:
1. Each interview is scheduled for 10 minutes. Candidates may begin with 1-2 minutes
describing their experience and/or desire to serve. The remaining time will be Q+A with
the City Council;
2. Interviews are located in Council Chambers on the ground floor of City Hall (250
Hamilton Ave) or on Zoom;
3. Please arrive or join Zoom 15 minutes before the scheduled time and check in with the
clerk; and
4. If joining via Zoom, make sure to use your name so the clerk can identify the candidate.
Please use this link to join https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238. The clerk will
allow you to unmute and turn on your video when it’s your turn.
Appointments are tentatively scheduled for the April 6, 2026 City Council meeting.
Councilmembers will appoint candidates through live voting conducted during the meeting. The
City Clerk will announce the results of the vote.
ANALYSIS
Human Relations Commission (HRC)
HRC Eligibility Requirements1:
Palo Alto residency is required
Planning & Transportation Commission (PTC)
PTC Eligibility Requirements2:
Palo Alto residency is required
1 Palo Alto Municipal Code 2.22.010 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-0-0-
61312
2 Palo Alto Municipal Code 2.20.010 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-0-0-
61274
Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC)
Vacancies and
Term Dates
Seat Numbers Number of
Applicants
Number of
Candidates to
Interview
Number of
Votes per
Councilmember
3 Full Terms
4/1/26 – 3/31/29
3, 5, 6 10 Up to 8 6
UAC Eligibility Requirements5:
Each member shall be a utility customer or the authorized representative of a utility
customer.
6 members of the commission shall at all times be residents of the City.
o The 4 commission members whose terms are not expiring in this recruitment are
currently residents. Therefore, at least two Palo Alto residents must be
appointed in this recruitment to maintain this requirement.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
None.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
City staff publicized the recruitment through the City’s Uplift Local community newsletter, City
Clerk’s Office newsletters, the City’s website, and the City’s social media channels. The
recruitment was also advertised in both print and online in the Palo Alto Daily Post, as well as
the Palo Alto Weekly print and a LinkedIn online ad. Recruitment information was also posted
at Palo Alto libraries, City Hall, and public facing facilities. Information was also emailed to
previous applicants, community-based organizations, and businesses related to the
commission’s issue areas.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Council action on this item is not a project as defined by CEQA because it is an organizational or
administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the
environment. CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5).
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
5 Palo Alto Municipal Code 2.23.010 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0-0-0-
61350
Item No. 7. Page 1 of 2
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City Council
Supplemental Report
From: Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
Meeting Date: March 23, 2026
Item Number: 7
Report #:2603-6131
TITLE
Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Planning &
Transportation Commission (PTC), and Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC); CEQA Status - Not a
Project
BACKGROUND
This supplemental report provides the applicant interview schedule. There is a 10-minute
break scheduled from 8:15 – 8:25 pm.
There is an additional gap from 7:45 – 7:55 pm, as one UAC candidate withdrew their
application. Candidates have been asked to arrive 15 minutes early, so Council may be able to
move onto the next interview if the next candidate is present.
Human Relations Commission
6:35 – 6:45 pm Ellen Bob In Person
6:45 – 6:55 pm Rona Hu Zoom
6:55 – 7:05 pm Raizel Rosenberg In Person
Utilities Advisory Commission:
7:05 – 7:15 pm Robert Phillips In Person
7:15 – 7:25 pm Meagan Mauter Zoom
7:25 – 7:35 pm Benjamin Piiru Zoom
7:35 – 7:45 pm Julia Zeitlin In Person
7:45 – 7:55 pm Break (Candidate Grant Chang withdrew application)
7:55 – 8:05 pm Greg Scharff In Person
8:05 – 8:15 pm Olgu Tanriverdi In Person
8:15 – 8:25 pm: 10 minute break
Item No. 7. Page 2 of 2
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6
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Planning & Transportation Commission:
8:25 – 8:35 pm Tom Siegal In Person
8:35 – 8:45 pm Forest Olaf Peterson In Person
8:45 – 8:55 pm Bryna Chang In Person
8:55 – 9:05 pm Jeff Watt In Person
*PTC Candidates Daniel Phillips Benas and Martin Blanchet will be interviewed at the April 6,
2026 City Council meeting.
None.
:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk