Council Meeting Date: April 16, 2025 (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 and meeting videos are uploaded once they are fully compiled.
The City Council met for the Regular Meeting on Wednesday, April 16 at 6 pm. Following Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Presentations and Public Comments (~6:01 pm). The Council accepted a Proclamation in support of Police Dispatcher Appreciation Week. Following the presentations, the Council moved to Public Comments (~6:05 pm).
Following Public Comments at (~6:07 pm), the Council moved on to Departmental Reports and the Consent Agenda..
Departmental Reports (~6:07 pm) are prepared monthly as part of the City Council's Regular Agenda.
Departmental Reports includes updates on the various happenings around Town including reports from Administration, City Clerk, Finance, Community Services (Building and Planning), Public Works, Parks and Police.
Following Departmental Reports, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda (~6:07 pm) consisting of Items 1 through 7. 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, 2nd and 3rd Quarter Treasurer's Reports, Acceptance of a $180k donation toward Police Department motorcycle replacement, and approval of an amendment to a Professional Services Agreement for the Atherton Channel Project. Following an opportunity for comments and questions, the Council approved the 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 no Public Hearings on the Agenda.
Next up was the Regular Agenda.
The Regular Agenda consisted of two items.
Item No. 8 was Consideration of a Funding Request from OneShoreline (~6:09 pm) Following a Staff Report, Presentation and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed issues related to the work of OneShoreline, reclaimed water use opportunities, partnerships with other regional activities, such as One Watershed, construction requirements along the shoreline, protection of waste water treatment assets, local project support, revenue streams, and water capture projects. Following discussion, the Council expressed support for the funding request and directed that staff include the funding within the FY 2025/26 Budget for future consideration by the Council.
Item No. 9 was Discussion of the ECR Complete Streets Project (~7:04 pm) Following a Staff Report, Presentation and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed issues related to signalization of Selby and El Camino, support for the two concepts presented, improving safety along El Camino real, resident support for three (3) lanes of vehicle travel, regional support for expanded bicycle and pedestrian facilities, the additional delay caused by reducing lanes (NB, commute hours, 90 seconds) and regional agency project support. Following discussion, the Council directed that both Option 1 and Option 2 be moved forward in the process.
The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports, final Public Comments and Future Agenda Items. (~8:21 pm)
Councilmembers reported out on various committee and regional work to include the Park Foundation's planned replacement of the Park Fountain, Peninsula Clean Energy's increased discounts for clean energy, the Atherton Youth Activities Group Easter Egg Hunt Event, and commendation to Jon Johnston, Fire Marshal on his retirement.
It was noted that the May 7 CIP Discussion will include a discussion and recommendation for consideration of a grant in support of converting the clay court to a pickleball court.
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 8:25 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council is a Study Session/Special Meeting on Wednesday, May 7 at 4 pm. This meeting is a Joint Meeting with the Town's Audit & Finance Committee to discuss the FY 2025/26 Budget. This is the CIP and Special Funds Budget meeting and staff will provide a review of the Town's Operational Budget recommendations. The Council will also discuss the Town's Financial Outlook Tool. Some specific CIP Projects the Council will be considering for the Town's 5-Year CIP include ECR Complete Streets, ECR Drainage, Selby Traffic Signal, Conversion of the Clay Court at the Park, Bike/Ped Projects, Station Lane Connectivity Project, Solar Carports, Watkins to ECR Sidewalk, Town Drainage Projects, and Solar Carports. These will be considered in light of the Town's available funding and the potential for a CalPERS Pension Additional Discretionary Payment.
For more information and calendar of events, visit the Town's website.
Thanks for reading!
George Rodericks
City Manager
Town of Atherton
grodericks@ci.atherton.ca.us