City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: March 9, 2026
Report #:2602-5917
TITLE
Appointment of 2026 Emergency Standby Council
RECOMMENDATION
City Council approve the selection of the following former Councilmembers to serve as members of the 2026 Emergency Standby Council:
Alison Cormack
Peter Drekmeier
Tom DuBois
Eric Filseth
Karen Holman
Liz Kniss
Greg Scharff
BACKGROUND
The Charter of the City of Palo Alto provides that, "the Council may, by Ordinance or Resolution, provide for the preservation and continuation of government in the event of disaster which renders unavailable a majority of the Council."
On August 7, 2006, the City Council adopted amendments to Section 2.12.090 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code regarding the selection procedure for the City's Emergency Standby Council.
The adopted policy states that the Council shall consider the following criteria for appointments to the Emergency Standby Council: residency in the City of Palo Alto, availability, interest in serving and a lack of conflicts of interest.
Seven members serve on the Emergency Standby Council. Members of the Standby Council have the authority delegated to them under Chapter 2.12 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code. The members of the Emergency Standby Council continue to serve until the Council appoints or reappoints the members at the beginning of each year.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is not a project.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
Mayor Vicki Veenker