The City of Palo Alto announced today the appointment of Mahealani Ah Yun as city clerk. The City Council will formally consider Ms. Ah Yun’s appointment at its meeting on January 22, 2024. The permanent selection follows the City Council approval of Ms. Ah Yun’s interim appointment in June after the resignation of the previous city clerk.
“I am thrilled to support Mahea’s appointment as Palo Alto’s city clerk. This appointment is a key leadership position as the Council seeks to advance important community priorities,” said Greer Stone, Palo Alto mayor. “I appreciate the work of my council colleagues on the Council Appointed Officers Committee in conducting this competitive recruitment effort.”
Ah Yun has served as interim clerk since June and deputy city clerk for the City of Palo Alto since November 2021. As deputy city clerk, Mahealani supported City Council members and assisted in facilitating the work of five Council standing committees and nine boards and commissions, preparing minutes, supporting the City’s agenda production process, administering public records requests and advancing the City’s new agenda management system. Other key achievements include managing four team members in the City Clerk’s Office and working with the city manager, city attorney and City departments in furthering the City Council’s priorities.
“I am excited to continue to work with the City Council to advance their priorities,” said Mahealani Ah Yun, Palo Alto city clerk. “As we begin a new year, 2024 is filled with possibilities, and I look forward to working collaboratively with the city manager, city attorney, city auditor and City departments as we support the needs of the Palo Alto community on behalf of the City Council.”
Prior to her tenure with the City of Palo Alto, Ah Yun worked for over 5 years for a local non-profit agency, The Service League of San Mateo, working closely with the Sheriff’s Office staff overseeing correctional programs and services. Ah Yun holds a Master’s Degree of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, Community and Criminal Justice and Political Science from Notre Dame de Namur University. Ah Yun is a notary public and holds several industry certifications.
As a service department for the City Council, City departments and the public, the City Clerk’s Office is the custodian of City records and steward of the legislative history of the City. The city clerk is also the City’s chief elections official, supports the Council in conducting their meetings, facilitates the agenda management process and manages the City’s Public Records Request process.
The city clerk is one of three Council-appointed positions. The city clerk is appointed by the City Council and acts as the liaison between the public and the City Council. The duties of the city clerk are outlined in the City Charter and Palo Alto Municipal Code section 2.08.110.
The City Council selected the firm Peckham & McKenney to conduct the city clerk recruitment. Ah Yun’s salary will be $165,000 and her appointment will be effective immediately following the City Council’s approval on January 22.