CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY MANAGER 2026 EVALUATION – COUNCIL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Based on your observations and his self-evaluation, what do you see as the top 2-3 personal strengths and organizational achievements of City Manager from the past year?
2. How did the City Manager do on achieving Council’s priority goals and his Council adopted priorities for FY 25-26? Please be as specific as possible.
3. Does the City Manager have areas for development that should be addressed to help him grow in this role?
4. Does the organization face vulnerabilities or challenges that you can see and would like the City Manager to be aware of?
5. How does the City Manager and his staff provide the elected officials with the support needed to govern effectively (availability, responsiveness, communication, etc.)?
6. Please share your perception of the City Manager’s leadership and how it effectively meets the needs of the organization and community (such as: vision, leading others, partnering, decisiveness/consensus decision making, developing a team, managing conflict, leveraging resources, etc.). Provide specific examples as possible.
7. Is there any feedback (positive or constructive) you would like to provide about the operation of departments?
8. How well does the City Manager anticipate issues and think strategically to address trends and long-term issues?
9. Are there any additional comments or suggestions that you would like to add concerning the City Manager’s performance over the past year?
10. What do you think the top 2-3 issues the CM should specifically focus on as priorities for FY 26-27 and beyond?
CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY ATTORNEY 2026 EVALUATION – COUNCIL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
1. How satisfied are you with the verbal and written analysis, as well as advice, provided by the City Attorney regarding topic such as active litigation, settlements and pending risk issues?
a. Are you satisfied with the work of outside Counsel retained by the City Attorney?
2. What are the top 2-3 strengths and/or achievements of the City Attorney since he started that should be highlighted?
3. How did the City Attorney do on supporting achievement of Council’s priority goals for FY 25-26? Please be as specific as possible.
4. Does the City Attorney have any areas for development that you think he should work?
5. Does the organization face legal vulnerabilities or challenges that you can see? How well has the City Attorney done so far in spotting or bringing forward those or other challenges?
6. How well does the City Attorney spot and anticipate issues; does he think strategically to address trends and long-term issues?
7. Is there any feedback (positive or constructive) you would like to provide about the operation of the CA department?
8. Are there any additional comments or suggestions that you would like to add concerning the City Attorney’s performance since he began?
9. What do you think are the top 2-3 issues the City Attorney should focus on as priorities for FY 26-27 and beyond?
CITY OF PALO ALTO
CITY CLERK 2026 EVALUATION – COUNCIL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What do you see as the top 2-3 personal strengths and professional achievements of the City Clerk from the past year?
2. How did the City Clerk do in furthering Council priority goals as related to her position and her individual goals for FY25-26 (from last year’s evaluation)?
3. How does the City Clerk provide the elected officials with the support needed to govern effectively (availability, responsiveness, communication, meeting management, etc.)?
4. Please share your perception of the City Clerk’s leadership and how it effectively meets the needs of the Council and her team. Provide specific examples as possible.
5. What is your perception of the Clerk’s interaction with, and responsiveness to, the public?
6. Does the City Clerk have areas for development that should be addressed to help her in this role?
7. How well does the City Clerk anticipate issues and think strategically to address trends and long- term issues? Are there innovations you are looking for in the Clerk’s office?
8. Is there any feedback (positive or constructive) you would like to provide about the operation of the Clerk’s department?
9. Are there any additional comments or suggestions that you would like to add concerning the City Clerk’s performance over the past year?
10. What do you think are the top 2-3 issues the City Clerk should specifically focus on as priorities for FY 26-27 and beyond?
5/20/26