7 2
2 7
City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Manager
Meeting Date: May 19, 2025
Report #:2505-4620
TITLE
Approval of the Appointment of Alan Kurotori as Utilities Director
RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends that the City Council approve the appointment of Alan Kurotori as Utilities Director.
BACKGROUND
The Palo Alto Charter and Municipal Code establish the City Manager as the appointing authority for all officers, department directors, and employees under the City Manager’s control. The Charter and Municipal Code additionally specify that appointments of department heads are subject to the approval of the Council per PAMC section 2.08.020.
The Utilities Director oversees the City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU), a nationally recognized municipal utility that provides electric, water, gas, wastewater, and fiber optic services. Palo Alto is one of the very few cities in California to operate all five services, offering a unique platform for leadership, innovation, and sustainability.
CPAU operates with a FY 2025 operating budget of $476.4 million and supports 279.18 full-time equivalent employees across five divisions: Administration, Customer Support Services, Engineering, Operations, and Resource Management. The department plays a key role in supporting the City's ambitious climate goals, including the “80x30” target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2030.
Recruitment Process
The recruitment process for the Utilities Director was designed to engage stakeholders, attract top candidates, and ensure a comprehensive evaluation of candidates.
The City and executive recruitment firm Teri Black and Company (TBC) conducted stakeholder engagement sessions, including public meetings at the Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) and the Finance Committee and engagement with internal stakeholders, such as the City Manager, the outgoing Utilities Director, and department staff. These discussions provided insight into
7 2
2 7
the core competencies and leadership characteristics essential for a successful Utilities Director and informed the recruitment strategy.
The City and TBC then engaged in targeted direct outreach and advertised the position across a variety of platforms likely to generate a qualified and competitive national candidate pool. This approach yielded a robust candidate pool of over 60 applicants.
ANALYSIS
After a thorough selection process which included panel interviews with internal and external stakeholders, the City Manager has selected Alan Kurotori for appointment as Utilities Director.1 Kurotori brings 30+ years of utility experience, including experience at three Bay Area cities and 15 years of executive-level experience. Kurotori has demonstrated a strong record of operational excellence, innovation, and community engagement.
In past roles, Kurotori has led large-scale utility operations, introduced sustainability and technology-forward programs, and built collaborative partnerships with regional, state, and industry stakeholders. This experience will be instrumental in advancing Palo Alto’s leadership in utility innovation, grid modernization, reliability, and customer service.
Kurotori will take on his new role at the end of May, with an annual salary of $375,000, within the Council-approved range of $263,973 to $395,970 for this position.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
The cost of this appointment is fully funded within the adopted FY 2025 Utilities Department budget. No additional appropriation is required at this time. Ongoing costs will be incorporated into future fiscal year planning.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The UAC, Finance Committee, and other internal stakeholders were engaged in this recruitment process as described above.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Council action on this item is not a project as defined by CEQA because approval of the appointment of the Utilities Director is a continuing administrative activity. CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(2).
ATTACHMENTS
None.
APPROVED BY:
Ed Shikada, City Manager
1 News Release: https://www.paloalto.gov/News-Articles/City-Manager/News-Release-City-Manager-Selects-Alan- Kurotori-as-Utilities-Director