Palo Alto City Council on Oct. 22 appointed new members to the Human Relations Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and Public Art Commission following a multi-round vote that required additional ballots to resolve two ties.

The council filled three vacancies on each commission. Christine Pryor, assistant city clerk, explained that each council member cast one vote per vacancy and that four votes were required to appoint a candidate. Pryor oversaw paper ballots for council members present and an emailed ballot for the one member attending remotely.

The Human Relations Commission appointments in the first round were Michelle Kraus, Salwa Ansari and Sridharakarnam (last name as presented). Pryor announced: “Michelle Kraus, Salwa Ansari, and Sridharakarnam are appointed to the Human Relations Commission.”

For the Parks and Recreation Commission the first round yielded two clear appointments — Nellis Freeman and Roger Smith — and a tie between Mark Shonin and Vadim Axelrod. In a second round of voting Pryor reported that Vadim Axelrod received votes from Lowing, Rechtel, Stone and Vinkert and was appointed. “Vadim Axelrod is appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission,” Pryor said.

On the Public Art Commission Robin Mullery and Simon Tran were appointed in the first round. A second round resolved a tie between Anjani Joshi and Marilyn Gotland Roberts; Pryor announced that Anjani Joshi received votes from Burt, Lowing, Rechtel, Stone and Vinkert and was appointed.

Council members and staff emphasized the strength of the candidate pool. Pryor told the council the city clerk’s office had conducted a fall recruitment that produced a “wonderful assortment of candidates” and that staff had discussed whether to expand available seats but concluded that was not feasible at this time.

No public commenters requested to speak on the commission appointments. The council recessed twice during the ballot counting process to take up other agenda items and returned to announce results.

The appointments will be reflected in the city’s commission rosters and the clerk’s office will notify successful candidates and those not appointed. No changes were made to the council agenda as a result of the appointments.

Votes at a glance

- Human Relations Commission (3 vacancies): Michelle Kraus — appointed (votes from all 7 council members); Salwa Ansari — appointed (votes from Burt, Lowing, Lythcott Haines, Rechtel, and Vinkert); Sridharakarnam — appointed (votes from Lowing, Rechtel, Stone, and Vinkert). Other candidates who received votes but were not appointed: Bridget (received votes from Burt and Lythcott Haines), Rasel Rosenberg (received votes from Lowing, Lu and Stone), Lisonee Rosen (did not receive votes).

- Parks and Recreation Commission (3 vacancies): Nellis Freeman — appointed (votes from all 7 council members); Roger Smith — appointed (votes from Burt, Lowing, Lu, Lythcott Haines, Rechtel and Stone); Vadim Axelrod — appointed after runoff (votes from Lowing, Rechtel, Stone and Vinkert in round two); Bobby Adel — received votes in round one (Burt, Rechtel); Mark Shonin — tied in round one.

- Public Art Commission (3 vacancies): Robin Mullery — appointed (votes from all 7 council members); Simon Tran — appointed (votes from all 7 council members); Anjani Joshi — appointed after runoff (votes from Burt, Lowing, Rechtel, Stone and Vinkert); Claude Esrin and Marilyn Gotland Roberts received votes but were not appointed in final tally.

Council members thanked the clerk’s office for recruiting and processing the ballots. No formal motions beyond the recorded roll-call voting were required to complete the appointments.

Ending

The newly appointed commissioners will be sworn in according to the clerk’s schedule and added to upcoming commission agendas. City staff said they would continue periodic recruitment for future vacancies.