Council tables appointment of Larry Moody to EPASD advisory committee after process concerns

The city council tabled a recommendation to appoint Larry Moody to the alternate seat on the East Palo Alto Sanitary District (EPASD) advisory committee after members of the council and public questioned whether the vacancy should have been reopened to other applicants.

Gail Wilkerson, who spoke during public comment, called the sequence "a serious concern about the integrity and transparency of the process," saying the public had not been given adequate notice and raising the possibility of conflicts of interest related to Mr. Moody's other affiliations. Councilmembers said they had expected staff to reopen recruitment after the prior candidate resigned and that the tied vote from the prior selection merited reopening applications so all candidates could be considered.

City staff told the council it would reopen the recruitment if the board did not approve the recommendation. The council voted to table the item; staff will restart the application process and return at a later date with an updated timeline and new appointment date. The staff report had recommended appointing Mr. Moody to the alternate position for the term 2025–2028, with a subsequent term 2028–2031, but the council's action postponed any confirmation pending the reopened process.

Council and public speakers framed the dispute as procedural rather than a clear finding against any candidate's qualifications. City staff said reopening recruitment would allow applicants who were unable to attend earlier meetings to be considered and would remove the perception of preferential treatment. The council's tabling motion was seconded and carried.