Council Meeting Date: February 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.
The City Council met for the February Regular Meeting on Wednesday, February 15 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. Two new Town employees were introduced to the City Council - Facilities Maintenance Manager Tony Enochson and Police Officer Karena Shun.
Next, the Council moved to Departmental Reports (~6:08 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 1 through 7 (~6:10 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, Treasurer's Report, Release of the RFP for the Town's Cost Allocation Study, Destruction of Records, and Adoption of a 2022/23 Budget Amendment. Following an amendment to the January 11 Minutes to reflect accurate motions made regarding a Zoning Overlay for 23 Oakwood, the Council approved all items on the Consent Agenda, as amended..
Next was Public Hearings.
Public Hearings are typically held for Ordinances, Budget Adoption, Fee Adoption, and Land Use approvals. Item No. 8 was 2nd Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance related to Targeted Residential Picketing. (~6:11 pm). Following a brief staff report, the Council opened the Public Hearing and took Public Comment. Following Public Comment, the Council waived further reading and adopted the Ordinance. The Ordinance will be effective 30-days from the date of adoption.
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.
Item No. 9 was Consideration of an Appointment to the Planning Commission. (~6:15 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council directed staff to open a recruitment for the vacancy and consider appointment of any applicants at the March 15, 2023 Regular Meeting.
Item No. 10 was discussion of the Atherton Housing Coalition Letter and Other Alternative Housing Solutions. (~6:20 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to inclusion of the Gilmore House, Town Corporation Yard, and 28 Almendral as alternative housing solutions in the Housing Element. The Council discussed challenges related to the inclusion of the Corporation Yard as well as land use controls and responsibility for 28 Almendral. Council briefly discussed other issues raised by the Atherton Housing Coalition to include 23 Oakwood and SB 197. The Council raised the possibility of investigating the annexation of unincorporated County area as well as housing in other jurisdictions. The Council discussed the possibility of pursuing a LAFCO application for annexation of the adjacent land near Selby Lane School. Following discussion, the Council directed that staff provide notice to the surrounding property owners of the Gilmore House that the Council will be discussing it as a potential multi-family solution; directed that staff reach out to the Fire District to discuss further details of their plans for 28 Almendral; and reach out to Selby Lane School to begin discussion around a possible joint LAFCO application for annexation of the rear portion of their parcel located in unincorporated San Mateo County.
The last item on the Agenda was Item No. 11, Discussion and Considertation of creation of a 100-Year Celebration Committee. (~7:28 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to a budget for the event and flexibility of a Standing Committee versus and appointed Council Committee. Following discussion, the Council expressed support the formation of a Standing Committee and asked that the Committee report out on progress regularly.
The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports and final Public Comments. Councilmembers reported out on various Committee and Liaison activity, to include, LPMG, Commute.org, San Mateo County Emergency Council, Peninsula Clean Energy, BAAQMD, and the Library Board. The Council also introduced for comment Fire District Board Liaison Gary Bloom.
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 7:46 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council will be a Study Session on Wednesday, March 1 at 4 pm. The Agenda includes the FY 2023/24 Budget Kick-Off (Orientation), Discussion and Direction on Regulation of Gas Powered Leaf Blowers, and Discussion of Right-of-Way Management and Liability.
Ongoing Town Surveys -
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