All Blog


Find out what's happening in the blog. Below is a list of blog items.

Nov 16

That's A Wrap! - November 15, 2023

Posted to City Manager's Blog by grodericks grodericks

Thats A Wrap HeaderCouncil Meeting Date: November 15, 2023 (full Agenda link)
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TownOfAtherton/featured
Details of each item can be found via the links to Staff Reports within the narrative and meeting videos are uploaded once they are fully compiled.

The City Council met for the Regular Meeting on Wednesday, November 15 at 6 pm. Following the Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Presentations and Public Comments.  The Council received a presentation from the Atherton Library - Annual Report Presentation. Following Public Comments, the Council moved on to Departmental Reports. 

ReportDepartmental Reports (~6:20 pm) are prepared monthly as part of the City Council's Regular Agenda. 

In addition to current reports from the City Manager, it typically includes departmental updates on the various happenings around Town such as reports from Administration, Community Services, Planning, Police, and Public Works. The Council asked that the City Manager update the presentation of single-family home and ADU statistics to better align with fiscal and/or calendar year reporting. 

Consent_AgendaFollowing Departmental Reports, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 1 through 7 (~6:26 pm). Items on the Consent Agenda are considered routine in nature and are generally considered in one motion and adopted by a single vote of the Council. Included in this month's Consent Agenda were bills and claims, minutes, acceptance of the Treasurer's Report, Authorization to apply for CalRecycle Grant Funds, appointment to the San Mateo Vector Control District, a Review of Meeting Protocols, and an amendment to Change Order Authority for the Park Circulation Project. Following comments, discussion, and direction regarding Meeting Protocols, the Council approved the items on the Consent Agenda.

Public_Hearing_ImageNext was Public Hearings.
 
Public Hearings are typically held for Ordinances, Budget Adoption, Fee Adoption, and Land Use approvals. There were two (2) scheduled Public Hearings.  

Item No. 8 was introduction of an ordinance amending Chapter 8.08 and Chapter 8.10 of the Municipal Code regarding Dead or Dangerous Trees and removal of Heritage Trees; and amendments to the Heritage Tree Guidelines. (~6:42 pm) Following a staff report, questions, and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed issues related to purpose and implementation of the changes to Chapter 8.08 and Chapter 8.10, impact of the change to monthly arborist reports, future changes to the Guidelines and standardization of the Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) for both R1-A and R1-B Zones. Following discussion, the Council introduced the Ordinance changes for 1st Reading, approved changes to the Guidelines reflecting monthly arborist reports, authorized staff to make non-substantive changes to the Guidelines moving forward provided that they be presented to Council as part of any Departmental Report, and incorporated non-substantive changes for clarity to be provided by a member of the public. The Council could not come to resolution on standardization of the TPZ and asked that staff return the question to the Council at a future meeting after public notice to residents. 

Item No. 9 was introduction of an ordinance amending Chapter 17.52, Accessory Dwelling Units and amendments to Chapters 17.36 and 17.60 regarding the same. (~7:28 pm) Following a staff report, questions, and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed issues related to changes based on State law, the Bonus ADU Program, ADUs above garages, screening, fence height, window placement, entry points, stairwells, height of ADUs above garages, and deed restrictions. Following discussion, the Council provided general support for the changes proposed by staff and directed additional changes. The Council could not reach consensus on the Bonus ADU Program. The Council opted to continue the item to the January 17 Regular Meeting for further discussion and directed staff to incorporate the changes directed thus far and return the Ordinance(s) at that time. 

Regular_Agenda_ImageNext up was the Regular AgendaThe Regular Agenda is reserved for items that require more deliberation and discussion by the City Council and items that are not routine in nature. 

The first item discussed was Item No. 10, Support for a Youth Advisory Group (~6:34 pm). This item was moved up on the agenda in advance of the Public Hearing items. Following a brief staff report, the Council heard public comment from the newly formed Youth Advisory Group. The Council asked questions related to engagement, participation, planned activities, and school credit for the youth involved. Following brief discussion, the Council expressed support for the Youth Advisory Group, as formed, and supported staff's recommendation to continue to engage with the Group when appropriate..

Item No. 11 was consideration of a conflict waiver request from Burke, Williams and Sorenson. (~8:55 pm). Following a brief staff report, questions, and opportunity for public comment, the Council did not approve the waiver request. 

Item No. 12 was a Report/Update on the Status of the Town's Housing Element work. (~9:07 pm). Following a brief staff report and opportunity for public comment, the Council accepted the Report. 

The last item was Item No. 13, discussion and consideration of an AARP application process. (~9:13 pm) Following a staff report, presentation, questions and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to Town commitment, extent of programs and policies proposed, availability of other services in the region, duplication of effort, staff time and resources, as well as pros and cons of an AARP/WHO application. Following discussion, the Council directed that the Task Force and Standing Committee meet one additional time to formulate a final recommendation to the Council on all policies and programs as well as an application to AARP/WHO. 

The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports and final Comments. 

Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 9:45 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!


The next meeting of the City Council will be a Special Meeting on November 27 at 3 pm. This is a continuation of the Joint Meeting from November 1 with the Planning Commission and discussion on Objective Design Standards for the proposed multifamily zoning district. Following that meeting, the Council will meet for a Study Session on December 6 at 4 pm. The Council will discuss a proposed amendment to the lease for Mademoiselle Colette, a report. on the Cost Allocation Plan Study and consideration of fee adjustments, and a Proclamation to Betsy Glikbarg. For more information and calendar of events, visit the Town's website.

GeorgeThanks for reading!
 
 George Rodericks
 City Manager
Town of Atherton
grodericks@ci.atherton.ca.us


Jun 05

Town Center Update - June 5, 2020

Posted to Town Center Project Activity Blog by grodericks grodericks

Civic_Court
Atherton Town Center - Project Activity

Construction continues in earnest on both City Hall and the Library. Floors have been poured for the new City Hall - both 1st and 2nd floor. Work continues now on installation of the utility systems, roofing systems, and fire systems. On the Library, most of the work is dedicated to the new rammed earth walls. 

Live webcams for Library
and City Hall/PD Building are active on the Town's website. There is also a project progress photo gallery

Naming and Donation Opportunities

New_RoadConstruction funding for City Hall, Police Building and Site Improvements ($28.7 million) consists largely of donations and the Town's General Funds. To assist with cash flow during the project's construction timeline, the Town issued a Certificate of Participation (COP). COPs are a short-term funding tools for projects and are used mainly for large, multi-year infrastructure projects. The Town would like to retire this short-term debt sooner than it would be obligated to do so (10-years). To do so, additional donations toward the project would be required.  

Recently, the City Council mailed a Naming and Donation Opportunities letter to all Atherton residents - this is available online as well. The Council invites the community to become a part of Atherton's history by donating with a Naming Opportunity. The Council identified unique Naming Opportunities connected to the project - some of which have already been selected but there are plenty more opportunities! The City Council considers awards of naming opportunities at their regular meetings as donations are received. 

Donations will assist the Town in reducing or eliminating the need for a short-term COP to bridge the revenue flow gap during construction. The opportunities for naming have various ranges with the most significant being the ability to name a new road that will connect Fair Oaks Lane to Ashfield Road and run next to the new Town Center. 

It is very exciting to see this long-awaited new Town Center and Library come to life. The projected opening is Fall 2021, absent delay associated with COVID-19. For more details on naming opportunities and donations and how to enhance your current donation or become a part of history by making a new one, visit the donation website.
 

City Hall and Police Building


The image below is from today as interior utility work continues on the City Hall Building. The Building is taking clear shape.   
City Hall June 2020

On the right of the image is the single-story Council Chambers portion of the Building. The Council Chambers also serves as the Town's Emergency Operations Center and connects directly to the Police Building. The second floor of the Police Building is set back from the first floor and includes the break room, training room, locker rooms and offices. The lower floor of the Police Building includes the briefing room, interview rooms, and evidence storage. 

Along the left side of the image on the lower floor is the lobby area and on the second floor is the walkway across the lobby to Community Development (Building, Planning and Public Works Offices). Administration is on the lower floor on the left. 

In the near portion of the image, you can see vehicles in the temporary Police Parking Lot. This area will eventually become the Civic Court of the new facility. 
 
Below is a Site Plan for the full project. 


Site_Plan

Historic Town Hall

Historic Town Hall InteriorMost of the interior work of the Historic Town Hall building is further down in the project timeline. There is currently no activity on the Historic Town Hall.

This building will ultimately become a part of the new Library connected via a deck and french doors that spill out from the side of the building onto the new deck. 




Library Building

The image below is from this week. Work this week focused on the forming of the new rammed earth walls for the Building.
Library Shotcrete  
 


Site Work

Site work continues for utilities and other required site improvements. 

Here's a view of the new entrance to City Hall coming in off of Fair Oaks Lane. Administration Offices are on the right. The first floor will be Town Administration and the Post Office. The second floor is the Building, Planning, and Public Works Departments. The bottom and top floors on the left are the Police Department. Secure Parking Lot entry is off to the left of the main building. 
Fair_Oaks

The Look Ahead


Work Areas for the Week of June 8
  • Installation of Fire Service and Water Lines
  • Installation of Power and Communication Conduits
  • Exterior Wall Layout/Deflection Clips
  • Install Steel at Mechanical Platforms
  • Installation of Utility Ductwork 
  • Installation of Overhead Plumbing and Piping
  • Rough-in Fire Protection
  • Install Stair 2-3
  • Place Forms and Shotcrete for Rammed Earth Walls
Work Areas for the Week of June 15
  • Exterior Wall Layouts
  • Installation of Utilities, Plumbing and Piping
  • Form Interior Curbs
  • Frame Coordinated Walls
  • Install Door Frames (Ancillary Building)
  • Place Forms and Shotcrete for Rammed Earth Walls

Project Financials

 Payment Request Period Town Share Library Share Total
Payment Request #1 June 2019 $983,533 $538,622 $1,522,155
Payment Request #2 July 2019 $540,673 $587,037 $1,127,711
Payment Request #3 August 2019 $605,478 $972,754 $1,578,232
Payment Request #4 September 2019 $997,235 $638,317 $1,635,551
Payment Request #5 October 2019 $969,456 $252,633 $1,222,089
Payment Request #6 November 2019 $1,318,002 $341,692 $1,659,694
Payment Request #7 December 2019 $1,346,738 $555,978 $1,902,716
Payment Request #8
January 2020
$1,289,498 $480,925 $1,770,423
Payment Request #9 February 2020 $1,042,792  $342,867 $1,385,659
Payment Request #10 March 2020 $1,242,721 $440,645 $1,683,366
Payment Request #11
April 2020
$309,292  $248,412 $557,694
Payment Request #12
May 2020
$1,391,401  $713,524 $2,104,924
Totals   $12,036,809 $6,113,406 $18,150,215
         
Initial Project Bid   $28,701,034 $18,375,966 $47,077,000
Net Change Orders   $41,168 $73,803 $114,971
Updated Project Cost   $28,742,202 $18,449,769 $47,191,971
% Complete based on $   42% 33% 38%
Target Based on 25-Month Schedule   48%

At 38% completion, approved change orders for the project are at 0.24% - $114,971 of $47.1 million. 

 
George Rodericks
City Manager
grodericks@ci.atherton.ca.us