City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
APPOINTMENTS
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: October 5, 2026
Report #:2609-6816
TITLE
Appointment of Candidates to the Human Relations Commission (HRC), Parks and Recreation (PRC), and Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC), CEQA Status - Not a Project
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council appoint up to three candidates to the HRC, up to four candidates to the PRC, up to one candidate to the PTC, and authorize staff to continue recruitment if any positions are not filled through this action.
BACKGROUND
Recruitment for Boards, Commissions, and Committees (BCCs) is split into fall and spring cycles.
The fall recruitment opened on July 28, 2026 and closed on September 2, 2026. This recruitment includes 12 vacancies across 5 meeting bodies. The fall cycle includes HRC, PRC, PAC, and SWMOC. Unscheduled vacancies on the HRC and PTC arose during the recruitment, and staff incorporated this position into the fall recruitment for efficiency and cost savings. More details on vacancies, eligibility requirements, and terms are included in the analysis section below.
The City Council interviewed candidates for PRC on September 22 and is scheduled to interview candidates for HRC and PTC on September 30. Interviews for PAC and SWMOC are tentatively scheduled for October 19, and appointments are tentatively scheduled for October 26.
ANALYSIS
A summary of the openings, eligibility requirements, and term lengths for each vacancy are included below. In addition to the eligibility requirements below, no commissioners may be Councilmembers, officers, or employees of the City.
Human Relations Commission (HRC)
Number of Vacancies and Term Dates 2 Full Term Vacancies (11/1/2026 – 10/31/2029) 1 Partial Term Vacancy (11/1/25 – 10/31/28)
Seat Numbers 1, 4, 7
Number of Applicants 13 Total (9 in regular recruitment, 4 additional in extended)
Number of Votes per Councilmember 3 (2 votes for full term vacancies and 1 vote for partial term vacancy)
Eligibility Requirements1 Palo Alto residency
Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC)
Number of Vacancies and Term Dates 4 Full Term Vacancies (11/1/2026 – 10/31/2029) Seat Numbers 1, 5, 6, 7
Number of Applicants 13
Number of Votes per Councilmember 4
Eligibility Requirements2 Each member of the commission shall have a demonstrated interest in parks, open space and
recreation matters.
Palo Alto residency
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 Votes per Councilmember 1
Eligibility Requirements3 Palo Alto residency
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
None.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
City staff publicized the recruitment through the following methods:
Electronic distribution via the City’s Uplift Local community newsletter, City Clerk’s Office newsletter, City’s website, and City’s social media channels; 1 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.22.010 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0- 0-0-61320
2 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.25.010 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0- 0-0-61402
3 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.20.010 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0- 0-0-61282
Physical posting and flyer distribution at City facilities, including libraries, community centers, and City Hall;
Print and online ads in the Palo Alto Daily Post and Palo Alto Weekly; and Outreach to previous applicants, community-based organizations and groups related to the commissions’ subject matter jurisdiction.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Council action on this item is not a project as defined by CEQA because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5).
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: BCC Applications
APPROVED BY:
Mahealani Ah Yun, City Clerk