City Manager's Blog

Council Meeting Date: May 17, 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 and meeting videos are uploaded once they are fully compiled. 

The City Council met for the Regular Meeting on Wednesday, May 17 at 6 pm. Following the Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Public Comments and Presentations.  The City Council adopted a Proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month. 

Next, the Council moved to Departmental Reports (~6:13 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. Staff answered a couple of questions regarding reconciling the numbers of permits for single-family residences and articulation of the numbers of entitlements, permits, and completions for ADUs. 

Following Departmental Reports, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 1 through 6 (~6:21 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, and Approval of Scopes of Work for the Safety Element Update, a Report from the Goals Workshop, a Resolution setting the time of Regular Meetings to 6 pm, and the 2nd Reading of the Leaf Blower Ordinance. Following a brief comment on the Safety Element Update, 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 two scheduled Public Hearings.  

Item No. 7 was Introduction of an Ordinance setting the meeting location for Regular Council Meetings. (~6:24 pm) Following brief Q&A and opportunity for public comment, the Council introduced the Ordinance for 1st Reading. 2nd Reading and Adoption is scheduled for June 21, 2023.

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. 8 was consideration of approval of the Housing Opportunity Site Criteria. (~6:27 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed the criteria, potential modifications, interpretation of the criteria and applicability of the criteria. Following discussion, the Council opted to table the discussion of the criteria until further needs are identified for the Housing Element. 

Item No. 9 was a summary of the Department of Housing and Community Development Response Letter (April 4, 2023) and Next Steps with the Town's 2023-2031 Housing Element.  (~6:56 pm) Following a PowerPoint presentation by staff and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to SB9, Unit Yield, ADU Strategy, ADU letter to the community, milestones, timing, process, and the Town's commitment to achieving a compliant Housing Element. Some of the issues discussed involved the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process and updates to the Town's General Plan. The Town's website includes a webpage called "Local Government 101". The website has a variety of information about local government and how it operates, to include a summary of the General Plan, what it entails, and how it works; as well as a summary CEQA and how it works and applies. There are links within the Local Government 101 site that will take the reader to the Town's General Plan webpage as well as the State Office of Planning and Research that provides a detailed overview of CEQA and more. 

The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports and final Public Comments. 

Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 8:08 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!

The next meeting of the City Council will be a Study Session on Wednesday, June 7 at 4 pm. The Agenda includes the full FY 2023/24 Budget Operating and Capital Improvement Program Review. This is a Joint Meeting with the Audit and Finance Committee. 

Thanks for reading!
 
 George Rodericks
 City Manager
Town of Atherton
grodericks@ci.atherton.ca.us

Council Meeting Date: April 19, 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, April 19 at 6 pm. 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 Peace Officers Memorial Day and heard and expressed support for participation as part of the San Mateo County Age-Friendly Committee. 

Next, the Council moved to Departmental Reports (~6:27 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 5 (~6:36 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, and Approval of Scopes of Work for the Inclusionary Study, Event Garden Enhancement and DG Pathway @ the Park.  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 two scheduled Public Hearings.  

Item No. 6 was Introduction of an Ordinance to ban the use of Gas Powered Leaf Blowers beginning July 1, 2024. (~6:38 pm) Following brief Q&A and opportunity for public comment, the Council introduced the Ordinance for 1st Reading. 2nd Reading and Adoption is scheduled for May 17, 2023.

Item No. 7 was Approval of a Tentative Map Exception for 43 Santiago to allow subdivision of the lot.  (~6:42 pm) Following discussion related to setbacks, similarly situated lots, and prospective Code changes, the Council took public comment. Following discussion, the Council approved the Exception, making the associated findings under the California Environmental Quality Act. 

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. 8 was a report from the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Housing related to the creation of criteria for the identification of housing opportunity sites as part of the 6th Cycle Housing Element. (~6:53 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed the criteria and suggested the following revisions, reducing the total number of criteria to 7:

- 1st Bullet - Reduce the 1/2 mile designation to 1/4 mile; Eliminate Minor Arterials restricting the routes to El Camino Real only.
- 2nd Bullet - Revise "Across from" to "Across the Street from"; Remove "planned" and retain "existing" only.
- 3rd Bullet - Remove "planned"; eliminate "denser development"
- 4th Bullet - Leave as is
- 5th Bullet - Leave as is
- 6th Bullet - Leave as is
- 7th Bullet - Leave as is
- 8th Bullet - Remove

Following discussion and recommended revisions, the Council directed that the criteria be revised and returned for further discussion. 

Item No. 9 was authorization to add EV Charging Stations at the Park. (~8:07 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to need, placement, capacity, and future technology. Following discussion, the Council approved 8 charging ports with 2, 4-port units at the Entry Lot and 2, 4-port units at the Pavilion parking lot.

Item No. 10 was authorization to rehabilitate the Play Structure at the Park. (~8:23 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to off-the-shelf purchase of structures, public contract process, timing for renovation and expansion of the entire play structure and timing of the installation of repairs. Following discussion, the Council authorized moving forward with the rehabilitation. 

Item No. 11 was award of contract for the Train Station Rehabilitation Project. (~8:33 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to the number of bids received, quality of the contractor, bidding process, timing, future station memoriabilia and content, and potential use of Town funds. Following discussion, the Council awarded the contract for the work. 

Item No. 12 was authorization for the use of Town Library Funds for creation of Town and Train History Videos. (~8:45 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council expressed support for the use of Library funds for the identified purpose. 

The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports and final Public Comments. 

Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 8:48 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!

The next meeting of the City Council will be a Study Session on Wednesday, May 3 at 4 pm. The Agenda includes the FY 2023/24 Budget Capital Improvement Program Review (Joint Meeting with the Audit and Finance Committee) and Review of Proposed Revisions to the Town's Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance (Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission)..

Thanks for reading!
 
 George Rodericks
 City Manager
Town of Atherton
grodericks@ci.atherton.ca.us

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