Council Meeting Date: February 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, February 19 at 6 pm. Following Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Presentations and Public Comments (~6:01 pm). Menlo Park Fire Protection District Fire Chief Lorenzen presented information to the City Council highlighting the partnership between the Town and the District, the District and ADAPT, as well as the District and the Police Department. The Chief noted the pending release of the State's Fire Hazard Safety Maps. Lastly, the Chief noted that the Town, Police Department and ADAPT are working to schedule a Community Forum on Fire Safety and Emergency Preparedness for early to mid-March. Following the presentations, the Council moved to Public Comments (~6:03 pm).
Following Public Comments at (~6:04 pm), the Council moved on to Departmental Reports and the Consent Agenda..
Departmental Reports (~6:34 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 (~6:05 pm) consisting of Items 1 through 5. 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, resolution approving the annual report of the use of military equipment, 2nd Reading and Adoption of amendments to Chapter 6.04 of the Municipal Code relating to chickens, and acceptance of work for the Fair Oaks/Lloyden Crossing. Following an opportunity for comments and questions, the Council approved the items on the Consent Agenda. The Council also directed that staff return Chapter 6.04 relating to chickens back to the Council at a future meeting for discussion.
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. 6 was Consideration of Amendments and Adoption of Resolution Regarding the 6th Cycle Housing Element. (~6:07 pm) Following a Staff Report, Presentation, and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed issues related to SB9 lot splits, HCD review and requested changes as well as chances of approval by HCD. Following discussion, the Council adopted the associated resolution and introduced the amendments for 1st Reading.
Next up was the Regular Agenda.
The Regular Agenda consisted of three items.
Item No. 7 was Feedback and Direction regarding the Library Children's Garden Project. (~6:35 pm) Following a Staff Report, Presentation and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed issues related to safety, accessibility, seating, plants, plant labeling, materials, and funding. Following discussion, the Council expressed support for the project.
Item No. 8 was Consideration of Appointment to an Unexpired Term on the Planning Commission. (~7:11 pm) Following a Staff Report, Presentation and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed issues related to terms, vacancies, pending vacancies, and advertising. Following discussion, the Council appointed the candidate to the unexpired term, expiring 2027, on the Planning Commission.
Item No. 9 was Approval of Installation of a permanent "No Left Turn"restriction into the Encinal School parking lot, school days between 2 pm and 4 pm. (~7:17 pm) Following a Staff Report, Presentation and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed issues related to traffic flow, back up on other surface streets, hours, and implementation. Following discussion, the Council approved installation of the sign.
The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports and final Comments. (~7:24 pm)
- Mayor Lewis provided a brief report on Peninsula Volunteer, Inc. (PVI)'s Meals on Wheels program.
- Councilmember Hawkins-Manuelian provided a report on recent emergency preparedness meetings, trainings, and activities. The Council asked that this issue be returned to the Council for future policy discussion.
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 7:31 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council is a Study Session/Special Meeting on Wednesday, March 5 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 Budget Kick Off meeting where staff will provide a high-level overview of the Town's expected revenues and expenditures for the coming year. Also on the Agenda is a report to the Council on Town requirements for utility underground connections for new construction. The Council will discuss the possibility of exceptions or exemptions to the requirement for special circumstances.
The City Council Charter City Committee will host its initial kick-off meeting on Monday, March 10 at 3 pm. This meeting will be a brief discussion of the Scope of Work for the Committee, development of a Work Plan, and setting of a regular meeting schedule.
Lastly, the Fire District, Town and ADAPT have set a tentative Community Forum for Saturday, March 8 from 9 am to 11 am. The Forum will cover fire safety and emergency preparedness. The date and time is tentative and subject to change. Once finalized, the Town will begin advertising via the Town's website and social media.
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