Council Meeting Date: December 21, 2022 (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.
The City Council met for the December Regular Meeting on Wednesday, December 21 at 6 pm via Hybrid - (Zoom and In-Person) pursuant to the Governor's Executive Order. Following the Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Public Comments and Presentations. As part of Presentations, the Council read into the record a proclamation for Stella Parsons upon the occasion of her 101st birthday.
Following Public Comments the Council adopted a Resolution certifying the results of the November 8, 2022 Statewide General Election which included the election of three members to the Atherton City Council (~6:08 pm). The Council seated incumbents Rick DeGolia and Bill Widmer and welcomed to the Council newly elected Stacy Holland. Following the Oaths of Office administered by the City Clerk, the Council expressed appreciation for outgoing Councilmember Bob Polito.
Following certification of the Election Results, the Council moved to the annual Reorganization and Selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor for 2023 (~6:20 pm). The seats of Mayor and Vice Mayor were declared open and by nomination the Council welcomed Vice Mayor Bill Widmer to move into the Mayoral role for 2023 and Councilmember Hawkins-Manuelian to move into the Vice Mayor role.
Next, the Council moved to Departmental Reports (~6:34 pm). The Departmental Reports 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.
Following Departmental Reports, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 3 through 9 (~6:34 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, Certification of the Continuing COVID-19 Emergency, Resolution in support of the Reopening of the Mickelson Arthritis and Rehabilitation Center Warm Therapy Pool, Approval of the Town's Emergency Operations Plan, Acceptance of a Donation for a new Police Motorcycle and Alarm Transceiver, and Authorization to Bid the Atherton Train Station Project. 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. Item No. 10 was a Public Hearing for the 1st Reading and Introduction of an Ordinance Amending the Atherton Municipal Code related to Noise Control (~6:35 pm). Following a brief staff report, the Council opened the Public Hearing and took Public Comment. Following Public Comment, the Council discussed issues related to the transition from infraction to misdemeanor violations, administrative fines and penalties, number of actual complaints and issues in the community, amount of fines, egregious offenders, application of the ordinance, and ordinances and practices of surrounding communities. Following discussion, the Council introduced the Ordinance as presented for 1st Reading.
Next up was the Regular Agenda. The Regular Agenda is reserved for items that require more deliberation and discussion by the City Council and items that are not routine in nature.
There were no items on the Regular Agenda.
The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports and final Public Comments.
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 7:07 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council will be a Study Session/Special Meeting on Wednesday, January 11 at 4 pm. The Agenda will include review and direction regarding the Town's Housing Element.
City Hall will be Closed from Monday, December 26 through and including Monday, January 2. The closure will not affect public safety and emergency call-out services.
Housing Element
The Town has received feedback from HCD on its Draft Housing Element but will continue to seek community input over the next month. Recent public meetings on Housing:
The Town will host the following Community Engagement Meetings that will include the Town's Housing Element on the Agenda:
- January 11, 2023 - 4 pm - City Council Study Session (@Council Chambers)
- January 12, 2023 - 6 pm - Community Engagement Meeting (@Menlo College)
- January 18, 2023 - 6 pm - City Council Meeting (@ Council Chambers)
- January 19, 2023 - 6 pm - Community Engagement Meeting (@Council Chambers)
- January 31, 2023 - Time TBD - Special Meeting on January 31, 2023 for adoption and submission
For more details, visit the Town's Housing Webpage. To stay engaged on Town topics and issues, sign up for the Town's E-News here.
Ongoing Town Surveys -
Housing Element - The Town submitted its Draft Housing Element for the 2023-2031 Housing Cycle to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for its initial review. You can review the latest version of the Town's Housing Element by visiting the Town's Housing Element Webpage. The Plan relies heavily on the construction and rental of new Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on private property throughout Town. The Town is seeking support and input to develop a plan that encourages new ADU production and rental. Please take a moment to complete the Town's ADU Survey.
Centennial Celebration - September 12, 2023 is the Town's Centennial and we'd like to your help and input into how we should celebrate. Please take a quick moment to complete a brief, 1-question survey on your ideas for how we celebrate our Centennial.
Thanks for reading!
George Rodericks
City Manager
Town of Atherton
grodericks@ci.atherton.ca.us