Posted on December 20, 2018 at 8:41 AM by grodericks grodericks
Council Meeting Date: December 19, 2018
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 their Regular City Council Meeting on Wednesday, December 19 beginning at 7 pm with Open Session.
The Council held a Moment of Silence for Kathy Hughes Anderson, former Town Arborist and noted that a memorial is being planned for January 13 at the Park.
The Council also congratulated M-A Football for winning the State Football Championship and noted that there is a parade and ceremony planned for January 12.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Council moved to Presentations. After advising that the County certified the November 2018 Election Results, the City Clerk swore in newly appointed Council Members Widmer, Lempres and DeGolia. Council Members were appointed to their roles pursuant to the State Elections Code as there were no additional candidates seeking election than there were available Council seats. Pursuant to the Elections Code, the Council canceled the Election and candidates are appointed and serve as if elected.
Following Presentations, the Council moved to Public Comments. A representative from HIP Housing was present to provide comments on the HIP Housing Program and distribute the annual calendar.
Following Public Comment, 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. The Council received feedback from the Police Chief on the Police Response Times as well as an update on the recent burglaries in Town.
After the City Manager's Report, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 8 through 10. Item No. 10 on the Consent Agenda was removed from the Agenda for discussion immediately following the Consent Agenda. 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 minutes. The Council approved the Consent Agenda, as presented, with the exception of Item No. 10.
Following the Consent Agenda, the Council took up Item No. 10 for Discussion. Item No. 10 was Approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Community Design Architecture for Green Infrastructure Plan Preparation. Staff answered questions from the Council regarding the State mandate, penalties for non-compliance, timing of compliance, alternatives, locations of possible green infrastructure, viability of the water detention project meeting compliance, cost, ability of a Plan to be drafted by staff, downstream projects (Bayfront Canal), and other bidders. Following public comment and discussion, the Council directed staff to investigate whether Interwest Consulting could prepare the appropriate Green Infrastructure Plan and to reach out to see if there are other possible firms that could complete the project. The Council directed that the results be returned to Council for consideration in January.
Following the Consent Agenda, the Council took up the Regular Agenda. Item No. 11 was the Civic Center Update: Receive and File the Cost Model Manager, Project Schedule; Authorize an Amendment to Agreement with WRNS for Re-Bid Services; Approve the Civic Center Plans and Specifications and Authorize Bid; and Discuss Project Funding and Cash Flow Projections. Following a staff report and public comments, the Council discussed issues related to the Cost Model Manager, project timing, bid response timing, rebid services, time and materials versus flat fee, project schedule, project revenue projections, and cost estimates. Following discussion, the Council received and filed the Cost Model Manager and Project Schedule; authorized an amendment to contract with WRNS for a Time and Materials Rebid Phase at a not to exceed cost of $65,000; approved the Plans and Specifications for the Project and authorized the Project for Bid.
Following the preceding, the Council moved to discuss Project Cash Flow and Funding. The Council discussed issues related to interest rates, timing and amount of future revenues, timing of a Certificate of Participation, amount of a Certificate of Participation, early payoff of a Certificate of Participation, call periods, cash flow needs, and the opportunity for additional fundraising. No action was taken on this portion of the item.
The last item on the Agenda was Item No. 12, Discussion and Direction Regarding the Amended and Restated Franchise Agreement between the Town and Recology San Mateo County for Recyclable Materials, Organic Materials and Solid Waste Collection. Following a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to the term of the franchise agreement, overall cost of the agreement, status of other agencies in the SBWMA JPA, changes to the agreement, opportunity for new fleet vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles, rate structure and review, benefits and burdens of remaining in the JPA, rate comparisons to other agencies in and not in the JPA, protection of the Town's interests as a member of the JPA, differences and fit of the Town in the JPA, and opportunities in a competitive bid process. Following discussion, the Council directed that staff return in January or February with a rate comparison with similar agencies such as Hillsborough, Ross, Woodside, Portola Valley, etc. and that the City Council Refuse Subcommittee meet with Portola Valley and Woodside to determine if there is any interest in discussing opportunities for the Town to collaborate in a competitive process for services.
Following Council Reports and Final Public Comments, having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 10:03 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council will be a Study Session on January 9 in the Pavilion at 4 pm to hear a presentation on the Caltrain Business Plan. The Council and Town Rail Committee will discuss the Caltrain Business Plan and the future of the Atherton Rail Station, to include issues related to potential impacts of Caltrain's long term service vision for the Town, desired levels of service (from no service to full service), quiet zone and grade crossing expectations, and the impact of possible State legislation on land uses along transportation corridors.