Council Meeting Date: March 15, 2023 (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.
The City Council met for the Regular Meeting on Wednesday, March 15 at 6:15 pm. Due to a few technical difficulties, the meeting started late. Following the Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Public Comments and Presentations. The City Council adopted a Proclamation in support of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week honoring the Town's Dispatcher Team. The Presentation on the San Mateo County Age-Friendly Committee was postponed to April 19.
Next, the Council moved to Departmental Reports (~6:25 pm). The Departmental Reports 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 (~6:30 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, Annual Report on the Use of Military Equipment pursuant to AB 481, Approval of a Grant Funding Agreement with Santa Clara County for the Park Circulation Project, Approval of the 2022 Annual Report to HCD, and Approval of a Capital Accounting Partner Agreement for the Cost Allocation Plan. Following brief staff reports on the Annual Report on Military Equipment and 2022 Annual Report to HCD, the Council approved all 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 scheduled Public Hearings.
Next up was the Regular Agenda. The Regular Agenda is reserved for items that require more deliberation and discussion by the City Council and items that are not routine in nature.
Item No. 7 was an appointment to the Planning Commission to fill the an open, unexpired term through June 2025. (~6:37 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council appointed Bob Polito to fill an open, unexpired term through June 2025.
Item No. 8 was discussion of release of a survey to assess interest in Pickleball at Holbrook-Palmer Park. (~6:40 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to proposed locations, appropriateness of pickleball in the Park, funding, community support, survey questions, method of survey, and timing of release of the survey. Following discussion, the Council gave authority to an Ad Hoc Council Subcommittee to be created by the Mayor to work with staff to review and/or revise the survey questions and release the survey to the entire community on behalf of the Town. Staff was directed to ensure that all tennis key holders received a notice of the survey.
Item No. 9 was review of the Report from the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Housing and direction to staff. (~7:04 pm) Following a PowerPoint presentation by the Subcommittee and an opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed issues related to purchase of property in Town for housing, use of the Gilmore House in the Park, type of housing proposed at the Gilmore House, other options considered by the Ad Hoc Subcommittee, timing of HCD response to the Town's Adopted Housing Element, timing of the Town's required response back to HCD if it is not accepted by the State, using Habitat for Humanity, and establishing criteria for selection of property(ies) for consideration. Following discussion, the Council directed that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee reconvene with staff and work through a refresh of criteria to be used by the Council when considering properties for inclusion in the Housing Element as opportunity sites for affordable housing solutions. The Council asked that the Subcommittee report out at the next possible meeting of the City Council.
The last item on the Agenda was Item No. 10, review and direction regarding the Town's 100th Year Anniversary Celebration. (~8:22 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to budget for the event, date of the event, activities at the event, creation of a history video, incorporation of the Train Station, 100-Oak Tree giveaway and details of history stations. Following discussion, the Council expressed support the event and the continued work of the Standing Committee. The Council approved a budget for the event, inclusive of the Oak Trees, of $60,000.
The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports and final Public Comments.
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 8:36 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council will be a Study Session on Wednesday, April 5 at 3 pm. The Agenda includes the FY 2023/24 Budget Operations Review, Approval of a Resolution Requesting Public Assistance from FEMA for the January Storm Event, Report from the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Housing - Criteria for Opportunity Sites, Discussion and Direction Regarding Sidewalk and ROW Issues, and the Annual Police Report and Presentation.
Thanks for reading!
George Rodericks
City Manager
Town of Atherton
grodericks@ci.atherton.ca.us