Posted on March 17, 2022 at 8:02 AM by grodericks grodericks
Council Meeting Date: March 16, 2022
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 March Meeting on Wednesday, March 16 at 6 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. The Council presented a Proclamation to Sergeant Anthony Kockler for his many years of service to the Town as moves into retirement. The Council also proclaimed April 10 through 16 as Public Safety Communications Personnel Week. Following presentations, the Council moved to Public Comments.
Following Public Comments, the Council moved to the City Manager's Report (~6:14 pm). The City Manager's Report is typically 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. There were no questions on the City Manager's Report.
Following the City Manager's Report, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 6 through 12 (~6:14 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, a resolution authorization destruction of certain records, a cost-sharing agreement with the County for roadway improvements, 2nd Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance relating to SB 9, the 2021 Annual General Plan Implementation Report, and award of contract for the 2022 Street Overlay Project. Following brief comment related to the General Plan Implementation Report for inclusion of information on student housing, the Council approved all items on the Consent Agenda.
Next was Public Hearings. Public Hearings are typically held for Ordinances, Budget Adoption, Fee Adoption, and Land Use approvals. There were two Public Hearings on the March Agenda.
Item No. 13, Introduction of an Ordinance to Repeal and Replace Chapter 8.14 "Historical Artifacts" and retitle to "Historic Preservation (~6:16 pm). Following a Staff Report and Public Comment, the Council discussed issues related to designation of historic real property, establishment of a Mill's Act process, typical property tax savings under a Mill's Act, use of that savings for historic rehabilitation, public access to historic property, timeline for completion of rehabilitation, approval and review process, historical artifact designation, process for designation and removal, and the Town's or Heritage Association's Historic Artifact/Property inventories. Following discussion, the Council directed that the Historic Artifact portion of the Ordinance that exists today be retained, that the proposed ordinance be amended to be specific to Mill's Act designation, and that staff look into a review of the Historic Artifact Inventory. The item will be amended by staff and returned at the April meeting for reconsideration.
Item No. 14, Introduction of an Ordinance repealing Chapter 8.56 of the Municipal Code related to Disposable Food Service Ware (7:28 pm). Following a Staff Report and Public Comment, the Council discuss the effective date of the proposed amendments and enforcement by the County of San Mateo. Following discussion, the Council introduced the Ordinance for 1st Reading.
Next up was the Regular Agenda (~7:32pm).
Item No. 15 was Certification of Continuing Emergency under Government Code Section 54953(E)(3) - COVID-19. Following a Staff Report and Public Comment, the Council discussed the possibility of Hybrid Zoom Meetings and the promulgation of such requirements to the Town's Commission and Committees. Following discussion, the Council directed that once the Council begins Hybrid Zoom meetings that the Commission and Committees be given the ability to operate in full Zoom or Hybrid; but that if the body choose to operate in Hybrid Zoom that that meeting must be held in the new Council Chambers. The Council also directed that if a member of the Council, Commission or a Committee is attending the meeting via Zoom, that the member must appear on video provided that their technology allows.
Item No. 16 was Approval of a Professional Services Agreement for the Atherton Rail Station Remodel Project (~7:46 pm). Following a Staff Report and Public Comment, the Council discussed the proposed Agreement, the budget for the project, the scope of design and improvement, the potential for a landscaping option, and process. Following discussion, the Council approved the Agreement for design only without the landscaping option, and directed that the Subcommittee work with staff and the design team moving forward on the Project.
Item No. 17 was Discussion of the Housing Element Update Strategies and Direction to Staff (~8:11 pm). Following a Staff Report and Public Comment, the Council discussed the various housing strategies to address the State's mandated Regional Housing Needs Analysis as part of the Town's next Housing Element Cycle. The Council discussed allocations for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), lots splits under SB 9, opportunities at schools and facilities, regional housing programs such as HEART and HIP Housing, as well as various Zoning Overlays and Inclusionary Zoning Programs. The Council discussed seven (7) possible overlay zoning areas that would allow for denser development opportunities. Following discussion, the Council directed that staff refine the various allocations for ADUs, SB 9, and school/facility sites and limit the amount of overlay zoning to a property on Oakwood at 20 units per acre, 5 properties on Marsh Road and 5 properties on Bay Road to 10 units per acre. Council directed that, as part of the coming public engagement and notice process, that staff separately advise all properties in the seven (7) considered overlay areas that their properties were considered for specific overlay zoning to allow greater density as part of the Town's Housing Element Update process. More information about the Housing Element Update process and the Regional Housing Needs Allocation strategies will be developed, mailers will be distributed and public engagement meetings will be hosted in the coming months.
The last item on the Agenda was Item No. 18, Discussion of Possible Joint Meeting Topics for the Annual Joint Meeting with the Menlo Park Fire Protection District (~9:10 pm). Following a Staff Report and Public Comment, the Council discussed various items for the Joint Meeting with the Fire District. Following discussion, the Council directed that staff and the City Council Fire District Liaisons meet with the Fire District to refine an Agenda for the Joint Meeting with a focus on the following three (3) items from the Town - Support for ADAPT (inclusive of emergency trailers, communication, drill participation, training, and funding), Recommendations from the Constant Awareness Associates Report, and Projects that could benefit from financial support from the District, if any.
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 9:34 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council will be a Goals Meeting on April 5 from 1 pm to 5 pm. The next Special Meeting/Study Session of the Council is on April 6 at 4 pm. The Study Session will include Review and Comment on a Draft Letter to HSR on their 2022 Business Plan; and the FY 2022/23 Operations Budget Review.
Watch your mailbox and the Town's website for information regarding Community Meetings over the coming month(s) on the Town's Housing Element Update. The Town is required to comply with the State's Regional Housing Needs Allocation and, although the community has done well with the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units, the State will not allow the Town comply on ADUs alone. As a result, the Town will have to "up zone" select properties for potential higher density development. It is important for the community to be a part of that conversation.