City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: October 21, 2024
Report #:2409-3459
TITLE
Review List of Applicants and Select Candidates to Interview for the Parks and Recreation Commission Vacancy. CEQA Status – Not a project.
RECOMMENDATION
Review a list of applicants and select candidates to interview for the vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Commission.
BACKGROUND
The Parks and Recreation Commission has one (1) vacancy for a partial term expiring on March 31, 2026. The Special Recruitment was initiated due to a commissioner resigning before their term expired. The City Clerk’s office was formally notified of the leave on September 2, 2024, and a special recruitment began on September 5, 2024. The recruitment closed on October 6, 2024, and staff received a total of 6 applications during the recruitment period. •Vadim Axelrod
•Christopher Alan Brosnan
•Yu Deng
•James Fox
•Marc Schoenen
•Rebecca Shomair
At the February 26, 2024 meeting, the City Council set a process to select Boards and Commission candidates to interview. The direction provided was to allow each Council Member a limited number of votes (number of vacancies plus 50%, round up) to select their preferred candidates to interview with a threshold of 2 votes needed for an interview.
The Parks and Recreation Commission has 1 vacancy, in alignment with the direction set in February, each Council Member has 2 votes. It is at the discretion of the City Council to determine how to proceed with the selection of candidates to interview for the Special Parks and Recreation Commission Recruitment.
The City Council is tentatively scheduled to interview the selected applicants at the October 28 meeting and make its appointment at the November 4, 2024 meeting.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
According to Palo Alto Municode (PAMC 2.25.010), members of the commission shall have demonstrated interest in parks, open space, and recreation matters. Members of the commission shall at all times be residents of Palo Alto.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
There is no Fiscal/Resource Impact.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
City staff publicized the recruitment through its Uplift and City Clerk’s Office newsletters and the City’s social media forums. The recruitment was also advertised in print and online in Palo Alto’s local newspapers.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Council action on this item is not a project as defined by CEQA because it an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Parks and Recreations Commission Applications Redacted APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun