City Council
Staff Report
Report Type: SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
Lead Department: City Clerk
Meeting Date: October 19, 2026
Report #:2606-6495
TITLE
Interview Candidates for Vacancies on the Public Art Commission (PAC) and Stormwater Management Oversight Committee (SWMOC); CEQA Status – Not a Project - Appointments
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. The City Council is tentatively scheduled to appoint candidates for PAC and SWMOC on October 26, 2026.
Each candidate interview is scheduled for 10 minutes. Interviews may be conducted in-person or via Zoom. Candidates may begin with a 1-3 minute summary describing their experience and/or desire to serve. The remaining time will be allocated to questions from the City Council.
ANALYSIS
Public Art Commission
• Eligibility Requirements: PAC commissioners must shall be members of the architectural review board or shall be professional visual artists, professional visual arts educators, professional visual arts scholars, or visual arts collectors whose authorities and skills are known and respected in the community and, whenever feasible, who have demonstrated an interest in, and have participated in, the arts program of the city.2 Additionally, no member may be a councilmember, officer, or employee of the City. • Vacancies: There are two full-term vacancies (11/1/2026 – 10/31/2029). 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 2 Palo Alto Municipal Code Section 2.18.020 https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/paloalto/latest/paloalto_ca/0- 0-0-61257
• The City Council selected candidates to interview on September 14, 2026. Candidate Ruth-Anne Siegel has since withdrawn her application. The interview schedule is below.
Time Applicant Participation Method
6:45 – 6:55 Claude Ezran Zoom
6:55 – 7:05 Harriet Stern In-person
7:05 – 7:15 Mette Huberman In-person
7:15 – 7:25 Marilyn Gottlieb-Roberts In-person
7:25 – 7:35 Eedit Bareket In-person
Stormwater Management Oversight Committee
• Eligibility Requirements: SWMOC members must be a Palo Alto resident, employee of a business located in Palo Alto, or an owner of real property within the City. Additionally, no member may be a councilmember, officer, or employee of the City.5 • Vacancies: There are two full-term vacancies (11/1/2026 - 10/31/2030). • The City Council selected candidates to interview on September 28, 2026. The interview schedule is below.
Time Applicant Participation Method
8:00 - 8:10 Susan Rosenberg Zoom
8:10 - 8:20 Gergory Bennett Zoom
8:20 - 8:30 Brian Hamachek In-person
8:30 - 8:40 Doug Burns To Be Determined
8:40 - 8:50 Catherine Perman In-person
8:50 - 9:00 Lee Taubeneck To Be Determined
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; • 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 5 Resolution 1310 https://recordsportal.paloalto.gov/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=897189&dbid=0&repo=PaloAlto • 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