Posted on October 22, 2020 at 11:35 AM by grodericks grodericks
Council Meeting Date: October 21, 2020
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.
The City Council met for the October Regular Meeting on Wednesday, October 21 at 7 pm via Zoom Teleconference pursuant to the Governor's Executive Order. Following the Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Presentations and Public Comments.
The Council presented Proclamations to retiring Police Sergeant Jason Bollendorf, recognizing Jason for his service to the Town. The Council also recognized ADAPT and its many volunteers for their service to the community.
Following Public Comment and a Report Out of Closed Session, the Council moved to the City Manager's Report. The City Manager's Report is prepared monthly as part of the City Council's Regular Agenda. In addition to current reports from the City Manager, it includes departmental updates on the various happenings around Town such as reports from Administration, Community Services, Planning, Police, and Public Works.
Following the City Manager's Report, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 7 and 16. 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 minutes of various meetings, bills and claims, Notices of Completion for the 2020 Slurry project, approval of the Town's Conflict of Interest Code, approval of an Public Utilities Easement for CalWater, 2nd Reading and Adoption of the Accessory Dwelling Unit Code revisions, Certification of the Continuing Local Emergency (COVID-19), and Approval of an Agreement for Advancement of Funds from the Library JPA. The City Council removed the City Council Handbook for further discussion and ultimately continued the item to November. The remaining items on the Consent Agenda were approved.
Next up was Public Hearings.
Item No. 17 was a Public Hearing on recommended increases to refuse residential, commercial and green waste rates in the Town. After the Staff Report, questions and public comment, the Council discussed the various modifications to the Town's refuse rate structures. The Council discussed issues related to charges for green carts, changes to service under the new franchise with GreenWaste Recovery set to begin on January 1, 2020, and rate adjustments at the various cart sizes. Following discussion, the Council introduced the Ordinance for its 1st Reading (2nd Reading and Adoption to be scheduled for November 18).
Next up was the Regular Agenda.
Item No. 18 was consideration of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Joint Powers Board regarding Closure of the Atherton Caltrain Station. Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed the language within the MOU, commitments on behalf of Caltrain to the Town as part of the MOU, timing of Caltrain's requests for funding assistance from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, guarantees on that funding, term of the agreement, and the ability of the Town to ensure that the terms of the agreement are fulfilled. Following discussion and recommendations for amendments to the Agreement, the Council continued the item to a Special Meeting on October 26 or 27 for final review.
Item No. 19 was Approval of a Resolution governing Town Committees; reduction of Rail Committee Membership and amendments to the Resolution to address Rail Policy. Because of the continuation of Item No. 18, this item was also continued.
Item No. 20 was consideration of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the Bayfront Canal / Atherton Channel Flood Protection and Restoration Project. Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to the associated funding agreement, terms of the agreement, level of commitment by other agencies, potential cost over runs or under runs of the project, and opportunities for other regional project support. Following discussion, the Council approved the MOU contingent upon a successful funding agreement between the Town and the County of San Mateo for the Town's share of the project.
Item No. 21 was the establishment of speed limits on various streets throughout Atherton. Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed the speed limits on various streets for consideration. The Council discussed lowering the Middlefield Road Speed Limit from 30 mph to 25 mph. Following the discussion, the Council adopted the various limits recommended by staff, to include a reduction on Valparaiso from 35 mph to 30 mph and directed that the Transportation Committee conduct a review of Middlefield Road and make a recommendation regarding a potential reduction in its speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph.
Item No. 22 was consideration of a Request for Proposal for the Operation and Maintenance of a Proposed Library Cafe. Following a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed the timing of the release of the Request for Proposal as well as the land use for the site. Following discussion, the Council approved the Request for Proposal but delayed its release until March 2021. Staff advised that the Request for Proposal would be returned to the City Council prior to its final release.
Item No. 23 was discussion and direction regarding various naming request levels and a discussion of themed rooms for Atherton Legends. Following a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed various options for pursuing Atherton Legends of all variety (sports, education, science, politics, etc.) and discussed the formation of an Ad Hoc Subcommittee to flesh out the program parameters and concept. Following discussion, the Council asked that members interested in participating on the Subcommittee advise the Mayor so that the Mayor can consider appointments to such an Ad Hoc Subcommittee.
The last item on the Agenda, Item No. 24, Update to the Town Center Project, was informational only.
Following Council Reports and Final Public Comments, having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 10:05 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council will be a Special Meeting on Monday, October 26 or Tuesday, October 27 (time TBD) to consider the Caltrain Station Closure MOU. The next regular meeting of the City Council/will be a Special Meeting/Study Session on November 4 at 3 pm. On the Agenda is consideration of a Resolution of Support for Local Housing and Zoning Control; Discussion of the ABAG Regional Housing Needs Analysis Process, and a Cash Flow Report from the Finance Department.