After the Consent Agenda, the Council took up the Drone Ordinance item -
Item No. 14. The Council discussed the proposed ordinance and feedback from the community. Following discussion about complaints, registration of small drones, cameras, privacy, and potential future issues, the Council adopted the Drone Ordinance without further changes. The Ordinance goes into effect on April 14, 2017.
After the Consent Agenda items, the Council moved on to the 4
Public Hearings scheduled for the evening's meeting.
The first Public Hearing related to a decrease in residential garbage cart rates by approximately 10% -
Item No. 15. After a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed the current refuse rates, pending franchise negotiations, continuation and future use of the refuse rate stabilization fund and future rate adjustments. Following discussion, the Council introduced the proposed ordinance for first reading and set second reading and adoption for April 19, 2017.
Moving on to
Item No. 16, the Council discussed amendments to the Town's second dwelling unit ordinance to comply with State law. After a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed application of the changes on current and future development of accessory structures, side and rear yard setback issues, the application of fire safety requirements (sprinklers), neighbor impact, and rental. Following a minor tweak to language related to rental periods, the Council introduced the ordinance for first reading and set second reading and adoption for April 19, 2017. The Council directed that staff begin a conversation with the Planning Commission to address setbacks for accessory structures in general.
The next item on the Agenda was
Item No. 17 - a Public Hearing for adoption of updates to the Fire Code. After a staff report and public comment, the Council had brief discussion before introducing for first reading and setting the second reading and adoption for April 19, 2017.
The last Public Hearing on the Agenda was
Item No. 18 - a Resolution approving the issuance of tax-exempt revenue obligations for Menlo School. Menlo School was required to appear before the local jurisdiction (Atherton) at a Public Hearing for adoption of the Resolution. The Resolution does not impose any obligation on the Town with respect to the debt issuance. Following discussion and public comment, the Council adopted the Resolution.
Next up was the
Regular Agenda and review of a letter to the Fire District regarding the recent Citygate Report -
Item No. 19. This item was moved to the end of the Regular Agenda to allow a member of the Fire District Board to attend as the Town's Liaison. Following a brief staff report and review of meeting video from the February 2017 Fire Board Meeting, the Council engaged in a Q&A with the attending Fire Board Liaison regarding the recent Citygate Report, its implications for Station No. 3, possible future discussion around the same issue, and the desire for continued input and involvement by the Town on the issue. Following discussion, the Council approved the proposed letter from the Mayor in its submitted form.
Item No. 20 was review and approval of the Ballot Argument in favor of the measure submitted to qualified electors at the June 6 meeting and direction to staff on the handling of rebuttal arguments. After a brief staff report, the Council reviewed the draft argument and made changes to its text. Following discussion, the Council approved the revised ballot argument and authorized signature by the Council for submittal. The Council set a tentative Special Meeting for 9 am on March 27 to review a rebuttal argument, if necessary, and directed the Ad Hoc Committee to draft the rebuttal for the meeting. (
June 6, 2017 Election Webpage)
The final agenda item was
Item No. 21 relating to the Civic Center Project. Following a brief staff report on the proposed staging task order, the Council reviewed the overall phasing and staging plan for the project. Following discussion, the Council provided feedback on the staging and phasing plan and approved the staging task order. (
Civic Center Project Webpage)
Following Council Reports and Final Comments, having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 10:30 pm, that, as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council is the Study Session of April 5, 2017. This meeting begins FY 2017/18 Budget Meetings starting with the a Budget Kick-Off reviewing the budget process and policy, projected fiscal year condition at year-end, major revenue and expenditure projections, and 5-Year forecasts. The meeting will also include a brief presentation on how Certificates of Participation work by a representative from Urban Futures. The next regular meeting of the Council is scheduled for April 19. Major items on this agenda thus far is Budget Meeting #2 - Special Funds, RFQ for Civic Center Contractors, and a presentation from Peninsula Clean Energy.