Council Meeting Date: November 19, 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, November 19 at 6 pm. Following Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Presentations and Public Comments (~6:01 pm). There was one presentation:
Following Presentations, the Council moved to Public Comments at (~6:14 pm). After opportunity for general public comment, the Council moved on to Departmental Reports and the Consent Agenda..
Departmental Reports (~6:15 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 (~6:15 pm) consisting of Items 1 through 4. 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, award of contract for the Children's Garden Project at the Library, and acceptance of work for the Spring Patching and Street Overlay 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 was one Public Hearing on the Agenda.
Item No. 5 was Introduction and 1st Reading of an Ordinance to update the Town's Regulations related to Accessory Dwelling Units. (~6:16 pm) Following a staff report and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed the various changes to the Ordinance as mandated by the State. The Council expressed displeasure at the scope of State intrusion into local control over land use and zoning. Council discussed the various State mandates as they affect local land use provisions for ADUs in relation to maximum numbers of units, floor area requirements, lighting, setback requirements, screening, height, heritage trees, rental, and connectivity. Following discussion, the Council acquiesced to Introduction and 1st Reading of the Ordinance, but expressed a general consensus that they only did so because the situation compelled it.
Next up was the Regular Agenda.
The Regular Agenda consisted of five items.
Item No. 6 was Consideration of Appointment to the Environmental Programs Committee and Planning Commission. (~6:45 pm) Following a Staff Report and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council heard from the candidate regarding their application to the EPC. Following discussion, the Council appointed Alyson Blume to a term expiring June 2029. Meetings of these respective committees are public and agendas can be found on the Town's website via this LINK.
The Council also considered an appointment to the Planning Commission to fill a vacant term expiring June 2026. However, since neither of the applicants were present, the Council continued the possibility of appointment to the December 3 Study Session and directed staff to invite the candidates back for consideration.
Item No. 7 was Approval of a Service Contract of the Supply and Construction of the Children's Playground in the Park. (~7:04 pm) Following a Staff Report and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed issues related to number of swings, signage and timeline for construction. Following discussion, the Council authorized approval of the service contract.
Item No. 8 was Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing an Hourly Wage Increase for Per Diem Dispatchers. (~7:13 pm) Following a Staff Report and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council praised the work of PD Dispatch and adopted the Resolution.
Item No. 9 was Direction Regarding Options for Enhancements to the Caltrain Sign at the Train Station to identify the Train Station Museum. (~7:15 pm) Following a Staff Report and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed the various options presented by staff. Following discussion, the Council settled on Option No. 1 as the most favorable design.
Item No. 10 was Adoption of a Resolution approving the 4th Amendment to Franchise with Greenwaste Recovery, Inc. (~7:20 pm) Following a Staff Report and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed the various options for rate smoothing, the work of the Subcommittee and Greenwaste to develop the options and the plan to notify the residents of the Town's efforts to smooth out the contractual rate adjustments using the Town's Rate Stabilization Fund and Franchise Fee revenue. The Council directed that staff release a postcard with general information directing residents to more detailed information in the January 2026 Athertonian Newsletter (print). In addition, the Council asked that staff release the information electronically. Following discussion and direction, the Council adopted the Resolution.
The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports, final Public Comments and Future Agenda Items. (~7:31 pm)
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 7:35 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council is a Study Session/Special Meeting on Wednesday, December 3 at 4 pm. This meeting will include discussion and direction regarding Senate Bill 79 - Housing Development - Transit Oriented Development and its impact on Atherton local land use provisions; discussion and direction on recommendations from the Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee for the retention, relocation or elimination of speed humps; and consideration of appointment to the Town's Planning Commission (continued from November 19).
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