Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
After tied ballots and public input, council appoints Malika Junaid to Planning Commission
Summary
Following presentations by eight candidates, public comment and multiple ballots, the council appointed Malika Junaid to the planning commission after an initially deadlocked vote; council also agreed to revisit remaining candidate appointments later in the year.
The Los Altos Hills City Council appointed Malika Junaid to the Planning Commission at the Jan. 15 meeting after an extended selection process that included eight candidate presentations, paper ballots and public comment.
Staff had advertised and received eight qualified applications to fill one vacancy on the Planning Commission. Each applicant spoke for three minutes, outlining their experience with the town’s planning and permitting processes. Candidates including Sabrina Coe Bowers, Catherine Frey, Anne Hsiao and Malika Junaid described their professional backgrounds and what they would prioritize if appointed — from process clarity and preservation to housing‑element implementation and incentives for sustainable development.
After initial ballots produced a 2‑2 split between two leading candidates, council accepted public comment, discussed experience and anticipated recusals, and moved to further ballots and a final motion. A subsequent roll‑call appointment vote resulted in Malika Junaid receiving the required three votes and being appointed to the commission. Council members said they appreciated the large, qualified applicant pool and encouraged unsuccessful applicants to participate on standing committees.
The appointment takes effect immediately; the appointee’s term runs through June 30, 2028, per the vacancy announcement. Council also noted it may have an additional vacancy later this year and encouraged continuing civic engagement.
