Council Meeting Date: October 15, 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, October 15 at 6 pm. Following Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Presentations and Public Comments (~6:01 pm). There were two presentations:
Following Presentations, the Council moved to Public Comments at (~6:43 pm). After opportunity for general public comment, the Council moved on to Departmental Reports and the Consent Agenda..
Departmental Reports (~6:44 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 (~6:44 pm) consisting of Items 1 through 8. 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 Reading and Adoption of a Speed Limit Ordinance, adoption of a Budget Clean-Up Resolution, Award of Contract for EV chargers at City Hall and the Park, Acceptance of the 4th Quarter Treasurer's Report, Adoption of a Resolution to Dissolve the Cities Group JP, and approval of surplus of various vehicles.. Following an opportunity for comments and questions, the Council approved the items on the Consent Agenda. There were questions related to the award of contract for EV Chargers.
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 three items.
Item No. 9 was Consideration of an Appointment to the Environmental Programs Committee (~6:49 pm) Following a Staff Report and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council heard from the candidate regarding their application. Following discussion, the Council appointed Sriram Iyer to a term expiring June 2027. Meetings of these respective committees are public and agendas can be found on the Town's website via this LINK.
Item No. 10 was Approval of Amendments to the Greenwaste Franchise Agreement for Roll-Off bins and discussion of amendments to the Franchise Fee (~6:55 pm). Following a Staff Report and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed issues related to collection of roll-offs, notification of vendors providing the services, engagement with the Builder's Roundtable, and community education. Following discussion, the Council authorized the amendment to contract. The Council then discussed possible reductions in the Town's Franchise Fee. Following a brief staff presentation, the Council discussed issues related to contract term, future contractual increases, and methods to offset the cost using the Rate Stabilization Fund. Following discussion, the Council directed staff to develop a reduction strategy using the Rate Stabilization Fund to reduce the impact of the 11% contractual increase to 8% and return it to the Council for consideration.
Item No. 11 was Discussion and Direction regarding formation of a City Charter (~7:15 pm). Following a Staff Report and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed issues related to the creation of a City Charter, language of the draft charter, purpose of a charter, practical effect of a charter, cost of adoption and future revision, protections provided by a charter, council compensation language, authority for imposition of future taxes, and process for adoption and public engagement. Following discussion, the Council approved the draft charter and directed staff to begin moving forward with community engagement workshops.
The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports, final Public Comments and Future Agenda Items. (~7:50 pm)
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 7:52 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council is a Study Session/Special Meeting on Wednesday, November 5 at 4 pm. This meeting will include adoption of a Resolution Joining PLAN JPA for Workers' Compensation Coverage; Introduction of New Public Works Employee, and Discussion of EV Charging Station Enforcement Provisions related to active charging and EV-only parking.
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