Item No. 11
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – REGULAR AGENDA
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
FROM: ANTHONY SUBER, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER/ CITY CLERK
DATE: JUNE 18, 2025
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF AND APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS
TOWN COMMITTEES AND PLANNING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council review the applicants for the Town Committees and Planning Commission and make appointments to fill vacant positions. • Appoint two (2) applicants to the Audit and Finance Committee to fill two (2) 4-Year terms expiring on June 30, 2029;
• Appoint two (2) applicants to the Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee to to fill one (1) 4-Year term expiring on June 30, 2029, and one (1) mid-term vacancy expiring on June 30, 2026;
• Appoint two (2) applicants to the Environmental Programs Committee to fill a one (1) 4- Year term expiring on June 30, 2029, and one (1) mid-term vacancy expiring on June 30, 2027;
• Appoint two (2) applicants to the Parks and Recreation Committee to fill one 4-Year term expiring on June 30, 2029, and one Foundation seat for a 2-Year term expiring on June 30, 2027; and
• Appoint one (1) applicant to the Planning Commission to fill 4-Year terms expiring on June 30, 2029.
BACKGROUND
A recruitment was conducted for the following vacancies:
1. Audit/Finance Committee (2 Vacancies)
2. Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee (2 Vacancies)
3. Environmental Programs Committee (2 Vacancies)
4. Park and Recreation Committee (2 Vacancies, 1 Regular seat, and 1 Foundation seat)
5. Planning Commission (1 Vacancy)
Recruitment for terms expiring June 30, 2025, began early this year. All committee members Committee and Commissions Appointments
JUNE 18, 2025
eligible for reapplication were contacted. Mid-term vacancy recruitments have been ongoing with reoccurring weekly messages in Atherton Online and announcements at noticed Town meetings.
Staff advertised vacancies across social media platforms, print, and digital news outlets, Marsh public notices board, Atherton library notice board and hosted information tables at Town events.
Audit and Finance Committee (2)
The Audit and Finance Committee has two (2) vacancies to fill a 4-Year term expiring on June 30, 2029.
There are three (3) applicants for Council consideration:
• Brickley, Stephen
• Jain, Suzanne
• Polito, Bob
Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee (2) Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee has two (2) vacancies to fill one 4-Year term expiring on June 30, 2029, and one mid-term vacancy expiring on June 30, 2026.
There are two (2) applicants for Council consideration:
• Michel, Samantha
• Seabolt, Steve
When making any appointment, the Council will need to select the respective term for each candidate.
Environmental Programs Committee (2)
The Environmental Programs Committee (EPC) has two (2) vacancies. One opening is for a 4- Year term expiring on June 30, 2029, and the other is a mid-term vacancy for a term expiring on June 30, 2027.
As of the date this report was prepared, there were no applicants.
Park and Recreation Committee (2)
The Parks and Recreation Committee has two (2) vacancies. One is for a mid-term vacancy with a term that expires June 30, 2026, and one for a Foundation seat with a 2-Year term expiring on June 30, 2027.
There is one (1) candidate for Council consideration for the Foundation Seat:
• Walter, Robinson, Incumbent
Committee and Commissions Appointments
JUNE 18, 2025
Planning Commission (1)
The Planning Commission has one (1) vacancy for a 4-Year term expiring on June 30, 2029.
There are two (2) applicants for Council consideration:
• Polito, Bob
• Seabolt, Steve
Appointment Process
It is recommended that the Council consider appointments to the longest term first for each vacancy where possible. The City Council should announce the term for which an appointment is being considered and then vote for the particular candidate for that term. The City Clerk shall assist with voting sheets and voting shall continue until an applicant is selected for the particular term.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal F - Build Community & Promote Civic Engagement
• Goal D - Be Forward Thinking
POLICY FOCUS
The Council is not obligated to appoint any of the candidates to any of the positions and may choose to extend the candidate recruitment process as it deems necessary. The Council reserves complete discretion in appointments.
Town Commissions and Committees represent a key component of civic engagement within the community. The participation of the members is a vital part of the Town’s public engagement and review process. These groups have the ability to gather public input on an issue and provide feedback and recommendations to the City Council for consideration.
When evaluating applicants for Commissions and Committees, the City Council should consider the role of each committee, the amount of oversight needed, cost effectiveness, efficiency in decision-making, and the desire of the City Council for direct policy involvement on particular issues.
Staff will continue recruitment for Committees with ongoing vacancies.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Committee and Commissions Appointments
JUNE 18, 2025
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission
ATTACHMENTS
1. Committee Applicants
2. Committee and Commission Roster
3. RESO NO. 2024-17 - Committees and Commissions Governing Resolution