City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: September 30, 2026
Report #:2609-6806
TITLE
Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Human Relations Commission (HRC) and Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC); CEQA Status - Not a Project
BACKGROUND
The Fall Boards, Commissions, and Committees (BCC) Recruitment was open from July 28, 2026 – September 2, 2026, and recruited for 11 vacancies across 5 meeting bodies. Applications were published as part of the September 14 agenda packet and are available online and linked in Attachment A1.
In consultation with the Mayor and Vice Mayor, staff have split the recruitment next steps into two separate batches to effectively manage meeting capacity and length. The schedule is listed below. Given the expected length of interviews, staff are planning to schedule an additional City Council meeting in October.
City Council Meeting Action
September 14 Review Applications and Select Candidates to Interview for PRC and PAC
September 22 Interview Candidates for PRC
September 28 Review Applications and Select Candidates to Interview for HRC, PTC, and SWMOC
September 30 Interview Candidates for HRC and PTC
Early October Special Meeting (To Be
Finalized)
Interview Candidates for PAC and SWMOC
October 19 Appoint Members to HRC, PRC, PTC, PAC, SWMOC 1 City Council, September 14, 2026; Agenda Item #2; SR# 2606-6492 https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=897242&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto City Council, September 28, 2026; Agenda Item #2; SR # 2609-6803 https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=897420&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto
ANALYSIS
The City Council is expected to review applications and select candidates to interview for HRC, PTC, and SWMOC on September 28. An at-places memo will be issued on September 30 with the interview schedule.
Interview Process
Each candidate interview is scheduled for 10 minutes. Candidates will have an opportunity to summarize their experiences, and the remaining time will be allocated to Councilmember questions. Candidates have been informed of the following:
1. Each interview is scheduled for 10 minutes. Candidates may begin with 1-2 minutes describing their experience and/or desire to serve. The remaining time will be Q+A with the City Council;
2. Interviews are located in City Hall (250 Hamilton Ave) or on Zoom;
3. If joining in person, please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time, and check in with the Clerk upon arrival; and
4. If joining via Zoom, please log-on 15 minutes before the scheduled time, and make sure to use your name so the clerk can identify the candidate. Please use this link to join https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/362027238. The clerk will allow you to unmute and turn on your video when it’s your turn.
Vacancy Information
Human Relations Commission (HRC)
Number of Vacancies and
Term Dates
2 Full Term Vacancies (11/1/2026 – 10/31/2029)
1 Partial Term Vacancy (11/1/2025 – 10/31/2028)
Seat Numbers 1, 4, 7
Number of Applicants 12 Total (9 in regular recruitment, 3 additional in extended) Number of Candidates to
Interview
Up to 8
Number of Votes per
Councilmember
6 Eligibility Requirements3 Palo Alto residency
3 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.22.010 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0- 0-0-61320
Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC)
Number of Vacancies and
Term Dates
1 Partial Term Vacancy
4/1/2026 – 3/31/2030
Seat Number 4
Number of Applicants 9
Number of Candidates to
Interview
Up to 6
Number of Votes per
Councilmember
2 Eligibility Requirements5 Palo Alto residency
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: BCC Applications
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk
5 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.20.010 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0- 0-0-61282