Aalfs, who works in energy and green building consulting, joined the council in 2011. When he ran in 2020, he said if elected this term, which ends in 2024, will likely be his last on the council. He last served as Portola Valley’s mayor twice. Before joining the council he served on the town’s Architecture and Site Control Commission for three years.
Portola Valley Mayor Jeff Aalfs. Photo by Magali Gauthier.
Wernikoff moved to the Bay Area with her husband in the ’90s before settling in Portola Valley 16 years ago. She previously served as a community volunteer in the Portola Valley School District.
More on Wernikoff’s decision
Wernikoff said she made the decision not to serve as mayor because her 19-year-old daughter, who has Down syndrome, will be attending a residential life skills program on the East Coast this year.
“She’s (her daughter) played the role of North Star in all of my decision making,” Wernikoff said. “Given her circumstances require my frequent travel, I’ve decided this is not a good year to serve in the role of mayor, particularly given the fact that we are going to mandatory in-person meetings beginning March 1.”
Wernikoff added that she would appreciate the opportunity to serve as mayor in 2024.
Wernikoff, who joined the council in 2020, said that there is precedent in town for breaking from the traditional rotation of leadership roles. For example, outgoing Council member John Richards declined to be nominated for vice mayor in 2022, which brought Wernikoff into the role a year earlier than would be typical.
Watch a video of the meeting here.