NOT YET APPROVED
Resolution No.
A Resolution of the City Council for the City of Palo Alto appointing Christopher Jensen as the Palo Alto City Attorney
R E C I T A L S
A. The Palo Alto City Charter and Municipal Code specify the duties and functions of the City Attorney for the City of Palo Alto;
B. The Palo Alto City Charter and Municipal Code state that the Council shall appoint the City Manager, Clerk, Attorney, and Auditor, who shall serve at its pleasure; C. The Council received notice that City Attorney Molly Stump was retiring effective January 9, 2026;
D. The Council Appointed Officers committee conducted a process in open session on September 9, 2025, and September 22, 2025, to select an executive recruitment firm, outline a process for recruitment, and make a recommendation to the Council on the process for the selection of a new City Attorney;
E. The Council on October 6, 2025, received and approved the Council Appointed Officer committee recommendations;
F. On January 31, 2026, and February 1, 2026, the Council interviewed highly qualified candidates identified through this search and advanced Christopher Jensen to be the next City Attorney of the City of Palo Alto;
G. Council directed the recruitment firm to conduct background and reference checks, which Council reviewed and approved. Concurrently, Council and the recruitment firm negotiated an employment agreement with Christopher Jensen; Now, therefore, the Council of the City of Palo Alto resolves as follows:
Section 1. The Council hereby appoints Christopher Jensen as the City Attorney for the City of Palo Alto;
Section 2. Christopher Jensen shall serve as the City Attorney at the will of the Council as provided by the Charter, and shall further serve according to all of the terms and provisions of the Charter, the Municipal Code, and his employment agreement; and Section 3. The Council hereby appoints and employs Christopher Jensen for an indefinite term that begins on March 30, 2026.
Introduced and Passed:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstentions:
Attest: