Council Meeting Date: February 21, 2024 (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, February 21 at 6 pm. Following the Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Presentations and Public Comments. (~6:05 pm) There were no presentations or public comments.
Following Public Comments, the Council moved on to Departmental Reports.
Departmental Reports (~6:09 pm) are prepared monthly as part of the City Council's Regular Agenda.
In addition to current reports from the City Manager, it typically includes departmental updates on the various happenings around Town such as reports from Administration, Community Services, Planning, Police, and Public Works.
Following Departmental Reports, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 1 through 6 (~6:10 pm). 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, professional services agreement for the Alameda de las Pulgas Project, annual report on military equipment, budget amendment resolution, and an event management RFP. 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 four (4) scheduled Public Hearings.
Item No. 7 was Introduction of an Ordinance related to Pool Fencing (~6:11 pm). Following a staff report, questions, and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed the various requirements for pool safety. Following discussion, the Council introduced the Ordinance for 1st Reading.
Item No. 8 was Adoption of the Fee Resolution (~6:14 pm). Following a staff report, questions, and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed issues related to the specific changes to the Fee Table, largely related to clean-up language, and annual adjustments. Following discussion, the Council adopted the Fee Resolution.. The new fees are effective March 22, 2024 (Link to New Fee Table).
Item No. 9 was consideration of changes to the Heritage Tree Standards and Ordinance (~6:24 pm). Following a staff report, questions, and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed issues related to tree species, standards in other communities, desirable trees, Heritage Tree definitions and rationale of the Planning Commission's recommendation, as well as the opinion of the Town Arborist. Following discussion, the Council opted not to change current Tree Protection Zone requirements and directed that staff instead review with the Planning Commission the Town's Heritage Tree Ordinance to identify specific opportunities for improvement directly related to tree species and specific tree protection zones by species.
Item No. 10 was Introduction of an Ordinance related to Accessory Dwelling Units (~6:47 pm). Following a staff report, questions and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed the provisions of the new ADU Ordinance, requirements of HCD, screening provisions, and amendments to the Bonus ADU Program related to minimum required rental period. Following discussion and recommendation for amendments to the Bonus ADU provisions, the Council introduced the Ordinance for 1st Reading.
Next up was the Regular Agenda.
The first item on the Regular Agenda was Item No. 11, Approval of Project Plans and Solicitation of Bids for the Fair Oaks/Lloyden Street and Crosswalk Improvements (~7:05 pm). Following a staff report, questions, and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed issues related to add alternates (sidewalk on east side of Lloyden), rapid flashing beacons, design of crosswalk, safe crossing areas, additional signage and striping for added safety, and project green infrastructure. Following discussion, the Council approved the project plans and authorized solicitation of bids.
The last item on the Regular Agenda was Item No. 12, Approval of Additional Funding for EV Charging Stations at the Park (~7:32 pm). Following a staff report, questions and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed issues related to use of stations, need, timing, cost, alternative designs and financing models. Following discussion, the Council opted to wait on providing any additional funding and directed that staff investigate alternative EV charging solutions for the Park.
The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports and final Comments.
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 8:02 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council will be a Special Meeting on February 26 at 4 pm. This is a spillover Special Meeting Study Session. Items on this agenda include a Report on Options for Reach Codes, an overview of Updates to the Town's Safety Element, and an Informational Report on Town Events and Activities.
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