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Palo Alto Human Relations Commission elects Commissioner Stimler chair; Krause chosen vice chair; November minutes approved
Summary
At its January meeting the Palo Alto Human Relations Commission held its annual leadership elections. Commissioner Stimler was elected chair and Vice Chair Michelle Krause was elected vice chair. The commission also unanimously approved the November meeting minutes.
The Palo Alto Human Relations Commission elected Commissioner Stimler as chair and confirmed Michelle Krause as vice chair during its regular January meeting. The panel also unanimously approved the minutes from its November meeting.
The nominations followed a staff-led explanation of the election procedure. Commissioner Smith nominated Commissioner Stimler for chair; Commissioner Stimler accepted. Current chair Adrianna Eberle declined a renomination and said she would "be happy to pass the torch to Commissioner Stimler" so she could focus on project work rather than chair duties. Commissioners then voted by roll call; the nomination for Stimler carried and she assumed the chair duties. In a separate vote later in the meeting, the commission elected Michelle Krause as vice chair.
The commission began the item after staff noted that some members had discussed the election outside the public meeting and were admonished to keep election conversations on the public record. Staff described the chair's duties for nominees, including meeting with staff and the vice chair to set agendas, selecting ad hoc subcommittee membership, handling community correspondence and outreach, and attending monthly meetings. The outgoing chair estimated chair-specific duties could vary widely and mentioned "maybe 15 hours on the low end" in months with heavier work.
Commissioner Smith introduced Stimler's nomination with a description of Stimler's outreach to multiple community groups and her ability to work with data. Stimler said she "has really loved working with every single person on this commission" and accepted the nomination. Several commissioners offered public praise for outgoing Chair Eberle’s leadership; one commissioner said Eberle handled difficult community moments with "grace" and "even handedness." Public comment included a brief statement by Robin Morris thanking commissioners for their service.
Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (November meeting): motion made and seconded; vote recorded as unanimous; outcome: approved. - Election of Chair (nomination: Commissioner Stimler): outcome: approved (commission record: majority in favor; one commissioner recorded as opposed during roll call). - Election of Vice Chair (nomination: Michelle Krause): outcome: approved (majority in favor after roll call).
Discussion and procedure notes - Staff (Minka) described nominations, public comment, and the roll-call tallying process used for each position. Elena (city clerk/staff) administered roll-call votes. - Commissioners emphasized that chair and vice-chair roles involve regular community outreach, coordination with staff, and additional time commitments beyond standard commissioner duties.
Speakers quoted in this report came from the meeting record and are identified below under "speakers." The commission did not take any other formal policy actions during the leadership item.
