View Other Items in this Archive | View All Archives | Printable Version

Town of Atherton
ATHERTON RAIL COMMITTEE
AGENDA
TUESDAY, October 5, 2021
Regular Meeting
6:00 p.m.
                                 This meeting is being held virtually

TELECONFERENCING AND COVID-19 NOTICE:

This meeting is being held via teleconference pursuant to Government Code section 54953(e)(1)(B) and in compliance with the Brown Act.  Section 54953(e)(1)(B) permits the Town to hold a meeting during a proclaimed state of emergency via teleconference in order to determine whether as a result of the emergency meeting in person would present an imminent risk to attendees' health or safety.  To do so, the Council is required (1) to post notice and agendas as otherwise provided by the Brown Act and applicable law, (2) allow members of the public to access the meeting via call-in line or internet-based service line, (3) provide details on the agenda on how to access the meeting and give public comment, (4) provide an opportunity to comment pursuant to Government Code section 54954.3 and allow a reasonable amount of time during public comment for a person to register, login, and comment, and (5) monitor the call-in line and/or internet-based service line to ensure no disruption hinders access or ability to comment, if there is, take no action until public access is restored.  The Town is not required to provide a location to attend in-person. 

The Governor proclaimed a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic on March 4, 2020.  The proclamation remains active and applies statewide.  The Council is meeting pursuant to Section 54953(e)(1)(B) to determine if the emergency conditions pose a threat to attendees' health and safety, warranting teleconference meetings.  The Council is complying with other public access and participation obligations, as required and to ensure that any member of the public may attend, participate, and watch the City's legislative bodies conduct their business. 

1.               ROLL CALL

Committee Members: Alex Keh (Chair), John Maulbetsch (Vice Chair), Jack Ringham, Greg Conlon, Paul Jones, Jim Janz, James Massey

Councilmember Liaisons: Vice Mayor Michael Lempres

Staff: Robert Ovadia

2.               PUBLIC COMMENTS – For items not on the agenda. 

(This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the Committee on any matter on the agenda that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Rail Committee.  State law prohibits the Committee from acting on items not listed on the Agenda.) 

3.               APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August 10, 2021

Recommendation: Approve minutes for August 10, 2021 

4.                PRESENTATIONS – None.

5.              REGULAR AGENDA        

5a.  Resolution Establishing and Governing Town Committees (Resolution 20-26) (5 min)

The Committee will receive a report and have an opportunity to discuss the recent action by the City Council to reduce the number of Committee members.  Not an action item. 

Reference Document: September 15, 2021 Council Staff Report - Item 14 - REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF REVISIONS TO THE RESOLUTION GOVERNINING TOWN COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS TO REDUCE MEMBERS ON THE RAIL COMMITTEE AND MERGING THE BICYCLE AND PEDSTRIAN AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEES

5b. Atherton Caltrain Station Closure Update (15 min.)

The Committee will receive a brief report on the status of mitigation items associated with the closure of the Atherton Caltrain Station including the status of fencing installation, platform removal, Watkins Avenue safety improvements, related funding agreements, and related items. The Committee will have the opportunity to discuss current and upcoming issues and activities as well as related items. Not an action item.

Reference Documents:

  1. Watkins Avenue Crossing Safety Improvements Update PPT

5c. Caltrain Update (5 min.)

The Committee will receive a brief report on current issues associated with Caltrain including the Peninsula Corridor Electrification project, governance changes, and other related items. The Committee will have the opportunity to discuss current and upcoming issues and activities as well as related items. Not an action item. 

Reference Documents:

1. October 7, 2021 Caltrain Electrification Update PPT                                                     
2. San Mateo Daily Journal Article August 14, 2021: Caltrain to run more service, cut fares 50%
3. Palo Alto Daily Post Article August 16, 2021: Caltrain Control Change Costly
4. August 20, 2021 Caltrain Governance Slides                                                                                 
5. September 30, 2021 Caltrain Governance Meeting Packet:                              

5d. High-Speed Rail Update (5 min.)

The Committee will receive a brief report on current status of High-Speed Rail. The Committee will have the opportunity to discuss current and upcoming activities as well as related items. Not an action item.

Reference Documents:

1. San Francisco Chronicle Article September 26, 2021: California lawmakers delayed approving billions for high-speed rail. Could it derail the project?

5e. Recognition of Rosemary Maulbetsch (10 min.)

The Committee will review the draft language for the proposed plaque honoring the contributions of Rosemary Maulbetsch to the Atherton Rail Committee to be placed at the Atherton Station building. The Committee may act to recommend language for a recognition plaque at the Atherton Station building to the City Council. 

Reference Document: Draft plaque language

5f.  Recognition of Malcolm Dudley (10 min.)

The Committee will receive a brief status update from the subcommittee on their communication with the Council Rail Station Subcommittee with regards to recognizing Malcolm Dudley’s contributions supporting rail in the Town of Atherton and along the peninsula corridor, and subsequent actions. The Committee will have the opportunity to discuss recognition ideas to be further considered by the subcommittee as it develops a recommendation to the Committee for advancement to the City Council for consideration. Not an action item.

5g. Rail Committee Interest Areas and Assignments (20 Min.)

This item is a continuation of the discussion initiated under the Mission of the Rail Committee item from the August 10, 2021, meeting. Areas of interest identified in the previous meeting include:

• JPB Meetings and Caltrain Updates
• Caltrain Constant Warning System
• High-Speed Rail Meetings and Updates
• On-going Litigation
• Dumbarton Rail
• Rail activities in neighboring jurisdictions
• Quiet Zone requirements

The Committee will discuss various rail related topic areas and may act to assign Members as primary leads.

6.                  COMMITTEE AND STAFF MEMBER COMMENTS 

7.                  PUBLIC COMMENT                     

8.                  FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

                   Discussion of Atherton Station repurposing

9.                  NEXT MEETING – December 7, 2021 

10.                ADJOURN            

Next meeting is scheduled for: December 7, 2021 

Please contact the City Clerk’s office at (650) 752-0500 with any questions.  Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 752-0500. Notification of 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the Town to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.  (29 CRF 35.104 ADA Title II)