Posted on November 19, 2020 at 8:53 AM by grodericks grodericks
Council Meeting Date: November 18, 2020
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 November Regular Meeting on Wednesday, November 18 at 7 pm via Zoom Teleconference pursuant to the Governor's Executive Order. Following the Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Presentations and Public Comments.
The Council approved a Proclamation supporting, applauding and joining the efforts of other jurisdictions and the California State Assembly in the pursuant of preventing nuclear war.
Following Public Comment and a Report Out of Closed Session, the Council moved to the City Manager's Report. The City Manager's Report is prepared monthly as part of the City Council's Regular Agenda. In addition to current reports from the City Manager, it includes departmental updates on the various happenings around Town such as reports from Administration, Community Services, Planning, Police, and Public Works. The City Manager answered a few clarifying questions from the Council on the Report.
Following the City Manager's Report, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 7 and 14. 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 minutes of various meetings, bills and claims, Certification of the Continuing Local Emergency (COVID-19), approval of amendments to the City Council Handbook, approval of an extension to the Building & Life Safety Services Agreement with Interwest Consulting Group, 2nd Reading and Adoption of Rate Adjustments for refuse services, and approval of an agreement with 21 Elements for assistance during the 6th Regional Housing Needs Cycle.
Next up was Public Hearings.
Item No. 15 was Introduction and 1st Reading of an Ordinance Amending Atherton Municipal Code Chapter 8.16 relating to Leaf Blowers. After the Staff Report, questions and public comment, the Council discussed the various proposed modifications to the Town's regulations covering leaf blowers. The Council discussed issues related to other community regulations, noise, PM-10 particulate matter (dust), holiday restrictions, hourly restrictions, noise, 2-stroke versus 4-stroke engines, enforcement, phasing of a transition, true cost and specifications of electric leaf blowers, and battery use, care and disposal. Following discussion, the Council continued the Public Hearing to January 20, 2021 to allow staff address some of the concerns raised, conduct additional research, review and report on a potential pilot effort at the Park, and amend the proposed ordinance.
Next up was the Regular Agenda.
Item No. 16 was consideration of appointment to the Environmental Programs Committee. Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council appointed Jennifer Carrico to the Town's Environmental Programs Committee.
Item No. 17 was consideration of a letter to the Association of Bay Area Governments regarding the Town's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council approved the letter with minor amendments and authorized the Mayor to execute the letter on the Town's behalf.
Item No. 18 was a Report on the current outreach efforts and next steps for the Neighborhood Traffic Management Action Plan. Following a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to budget priorities and fund availability, traffic control devices, prioritization of projects and focus areas, integrating the Transportation Committee and Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee priorities, gathering additional data to include, but not limited to policing and public safety data, reducing cut through traffic, encouraging the use of primary routes, and identifying a priority project focus for a pilot. Following discussion, the Council directed that staff continue with the outreach, education, and study via the Action Plan, return to Council at an upcoming meeting with updates, continue with the Public Outreach meetings, and provide the Council with opportunities to implement solutions in the short term based on identified Council priorities, with emphasis on Stockbridge - an identified priority in the first round of outreach.
The last item on the Agenda, Item No. 19, Update to the Town Center Project, was informational only.
Following Council Reports and Final Public Comments, having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 10:38 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council will be a Special Meeting/Study Session on December 2 at 4 pm. On the Agenda is consideration of Temporary Field Lighting at Sacred Heart Schools and Menlo School.